Oh. Caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror while shopping today and I have turned into a frumpy mumsy mum! Anyone want to join me?

[TimeForCake]

Now I'm a mum I seem to have lost all sense of style and fashion. Admittedly, today I am wearing the 'MN no no' of linen trousers, but I think I now see why so many of you hate them. I was never a dedicated follower of fashion, but I used to look quite nice...I think.

Action is needed!

1. Dust off my Davina work out DVD
2. find a local zumba class
3. ditch the linens...(maybe )
4. build up some confidence to have a personal shopper or, go shopping somewhere bigger where there is better choice at least.
5. time to branch out into the next age bracket of shops I think. I feel too old for top shop and similar places. Time to buy less but nicer pieces maybe.

Anyone else feeling a bit frumpy, mumsy and generally lacking in style ideas?

Ah but the heels with skinnies look has become quite mumsy too. Although agree it does look good if you have v slim legs otherwise it is becoming like bootcuts and ankle boots of several years ago.

I suspect I might have been a bit mumsy even before I had children

My main concern is that once fern britton has worn it I can't quite stomach it again! And have seen her wearing skinnies leather jacket and heels a lot recently and it was my uniform pretty much for the last about 5 years!

Ahhh! You are all sounding much more stylish than me! I have real problems with outfits at the moment as put on loads of weight due to medication and am now a size 22. I hate it and am slowly losing weight but would like to look ok while I do so but nothign works!!! Any ideas from the fashion fabulous out there??!!

Bump

Has anyone received their jacket yet?!

Maybe those who own/ will own the jacket should start a group and give the Nobdies a run for their money?!

Ive had mine on 4 times since I bought it on Thursday. Loving it

Expecting mine tomorrow.

Mango, Warehouse, French Connection, Oasis, Zara, Phase Eight...all shops to consider when you go shopping.

If you are beased in or around london and would like assistance from an experienced personal shopper Im more than happy to help

wore my knitted blazer yesterday
smartened up my jeans and stripey t-shirt, and nice and warm too.

i might be looking for another variation with a slightly edgier/crisper cut for autumn.
cheers gilly - any more recommendations
tatty - that is awful. it might rock on an insouciant and lithe 20 something but will look matronly on anyone who is older

Ive just ordered these heeled loafers , I think they will work really well with the blazer/jeans look and also skirts/dresses at work. I love a multi purpose shoe : ) I also picked up this top yesterday, again will wear with jeans at weekend or with a nice pencil skirt at work. Its very very flattering on my less than perfect torso.

Got my jacket today. Forgot (in my excitement at the perfection of the jacket) that Phase Eight do NOT like boobs AT ALL. Size 12 perfect fit (shoulders, sides, sleeves, length etc) but wouldn't do up. Size 14 did up but cut wrong so gaped and drowned everywhere else. Can't decide whether to cry or throw a tantrum. Anyone know a good shop for the chestier amongst us that isn't too matronly or too young? Or do I just need a good plastic surgeon? Personal Shopper's recommendations are (I think) mainly for the lucky sensibly proportioned (but please correct me if I'm wrong!). Oh and thank you - I've loved this thread

Just realise a large chest may just equal matronly ie I should give in and have lobotomy and ask my mother for ideas. Jacket has upset me!

I'm 52, and in last 18 months have lost 3 stones and gone from size 16 (probably nearer to 18 sometimes, but think I only bought 1 size 18 jacket and immediately cut the label out) to a size 12.
I think I look quite nice in my clothes now without a massive arse ( as seen from behind in mirrors in M&S cubicles).
I have no daughters to guide me, just 23 & 19 yr old sons and a DH who always say ' yes thats nice' when I buy anything.
I shop in M&S, JL and East.
Really like my 2 pairs of cottony black and blue type jeans from M&S at £19.50, but then bought a pair of NYDJ at about £135 from JL because I read about them. Yes they're nice and look nice on, but no better looking than the M&S ones.
Don't have massive loads of spare cash yet as trying to get DS2 through uni debt free, but recommend some places to shop.
I am much more confident going into more expensive shops such as Jigsaw as I am no longer fat.

wiggles I NEVER do up a little jacket, it just makes my boobs look huge, always wear it open and usually a nice scarf round my neck too for further disguise. Keep the 12! Its not a cold weather jacket anyway : )

bearcat check out Boden, Mint Velvet, Phase Eight, Great Plains

Oh no wiggles! How upsetting. I agree with Gilly though in not doing up the 12 and keeping it. Wish I'd ordered it now, was tempted but didn't know what I'd wear it with. As a result of this thread, I have been shopping again, far more successfully, and now have some cropped trousers it would work with. Ah well.

Well done bearcat! You sound as though you're feeling like a new woman .

Hmmmmmmn. I see the point but somehow I still look like someone whose jacket won't do up ... I don't really do scarves although I can see how that would help too. I 'll try it on a few times over the next few days and see. It looked good over my swimming costume this morning (waiting for son to finish fiddling around so we could go swimming and used time productively) but not sure that's a viable look ... Have 10 days for returns so will ponder

They've lost mine!!!!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh stitchthis - what size? can I help? Have a 14 and a 12 - can post ... Not sure how that works without infringing anonimity of all concerned but this is an emergency ...

Thanks guys I've called them and will hear on Monday....

Well done on the weight-loss Bearcat - how did you manage that?

Any news on the missing jacket stitchthis? My fingers are crossed for you!

I've cancelled the order. Fed up waiting to hear from phase eight. Not impressed