help needed from style gurus

[mum2twoloudbabies]

So I woke up this morning, got dressed, looked in the mirror and my mum looked back .

Now my mum is not a complete frump but she is 20 years my senior and a good 2 sizes bigger and stuck in the 90s.

I had my dc2 10mths ago and this happened after dc1 as well a complete lack of clothing style (not that I have much anyway) but unable to put together a simple but stylish outfit.

I am mid30s, sahm of 2, I am mostly a size 12, 12/14 in fat face, white stuff, 13 in Next. Dark hair, paleish skin. I love my neck and shoulders, don't like my upper arms, have smallish boobs and a mummy tummy.

So my question is what should I be wearing?

Watching with interest - also in need of advice!

Well it depends [helpful]

Do you like jeans or do you prefer dresses? Whose style do you admire - what type of look do you want to go for?

I too am a SAHM but a bit older than you. I like skinny jeans/cords/combatswith pretty tops/blouses at the moment and in winter will be putting a thermal vest underneath.

I also like dresses or short skirts with opaque tights and boots - ankle or knee length (not too high) with nice jumpers.

Its worth buying some magazines and flicking through to see whats 'in' for autumn/winter. And then making a list of what you fancy and going shopping and trying on loads of stuff.

I've never done it but lots of people recommend the personal shoppers in John Lewis too.

Shops I like and shop in regularly are new look, topshop, h&m, whistles and comptoir des cotonniers.

I find it impossible to say what you should wear without seeing what you look like or knowing your taste. What do you enjoy wearing?

Personally, I can't stand the clothes in fatface, white stuff and next, so perhaps trying some new shops would help. If you say what sort of thing you like, then it will be easier to suggest shops and outfits.

Otherwise, all we can tell you is what we like.

I agree with buying a magazine, something like Grazia rather than Vogue, and then flick through and see what styles you like. You may want different styles for different occasions, for instance I have Fat Face days for casual, and also expensive Italian designer days when I'm going somewhere posh, and lots of looks in between.

If funds are tight then you need to plan outfits carefully, for instance a semi-smart jumper could be worn with jeans for casual days, or worn with a skirt for slightly posher days, or different trousers for shopping days, etc. Perhaps plan a day with a personal shopper. Go through your wardrobe ruthlessly, get rid of anything you are keeping 'just in case' unless it's a classic.

If you don't like your tummy go to Amazon, buy the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels and give yourself 20 minutes a day.

I agree, research should definitely be your starting point, purchase some glossies and some post-it-notes and get to work, see which styles, cuts, colours take you fancy

i've just posted about this on another thread but i really recommend House of Colour's Colour and Image days. I was feeling just like you (2 young DCs, just started getting my figure back but lost my way style-wise AND fast approaching 40)

Since having both colours and style done I feel like I've had a huge boost. I feel so much clearer about what suits me and i feel like i've rediscovered my interesting in clothes and looking good.

They're not cheap at £100 for colour day and £130 for image but imo they're so worth the money and you'll recoup it on money saved on not buying stuff which isn't right for you.

Thanks for all your tips. As I don't have much time to go round the shops love the idea of magazine research first off to the shop today.

Funny you should mention The Shred I have just started it (day4 and I ache all over). The baby body has to go.

Never heard of colour and image days but like the idea (may have to sweet talk DH for my birthday and christmas present)

What I like to wear is generally jeans, trousers, skirts with boots and leggings. Tops are the real issue I always end up with t-shirts and I don't know why because I much prefer a blouse/shirt but they always seem so work like. I like practical and pretty I need to be able to get on the floor at toddler group and not worry about flashing anything