Help needed wrt winter wardrobe please!

[Dirtydiana]

I need some winter clothes desperately, but feel so stuck in a fashion rut. I was in maternity clothes last winter and haven't really bought anything new for a couple of years.

At the moment I live in jeans and casual tops and feel so boring!

I need warm, comfy stuff for when at home with the kids, and some smart casual for out and about. Also clothes for nights out with friends.

I am size 8/10, and in late thirties. I fancy going for jumper dresses, leggings/tights, boots, that kind of thing, but don't know where to look and how to put it together. Also always seem to wear jeans, heels and a smarter top for going out!

I feel at an in-between age, with most shops either too young or too old for me!

Any advice/pointers would be greatly appreciated!

If you really have no idea where to start it can feel a little overwhelming trying to figure out your style, so try getting a couple of glossy/celeb mags and going through and picking out the "looks" you like. Just tear them out and pretty soon you'll get a picture of the way you want to look.

That'll give you an idea as to whether you should be trying to find the perfect skinnies or the perfect tea dress.

Once you have a vague idea hit the shops. A big department store is a good starting point as it has all the concessions under one roof and makes things easier.

My fave winter looks are: skinny jeans, chunky cardi, cotton scarf and bike boots or fine knit jumper dress, opaques (never ever leggings - yuk) blazer and ballet flats. But in my defence I live in the middle east so my winter wardrobe doesn't get updated very often.

Thanks for the reply and good advice! Think I need to be spending more time looking round the shops on my own without the kids in tow so I can concentrate!

Agree with TheQueen it is a good idea to look at magazines, or even online to see if you can find someone who's look you 'like'.

I've been a bit lost fashion wise since having DS 6years ago but think I have found my 'mojo' again

My new style icon is Charlotte Gainsbourg.

So when I think of buying something new I think about whether it will 'fit' with the look I am going for, seems to be helping.

Great advice so far, agree that finding inspiration from magazines or even RL friends you admire will help

I love Mint Velvet knitwear here teamed with skinnies or leggings. Zara always worth a look too here I love a stripy breton top underneath my jumpers for warmth like this

For good jeans try Gap , I like the Real Straight range here as its not skin tight but slim enough to wear under tunics/jumpers

For dressy tops I love Oasis blouses will look great with your jeans

Im 38 and dont always want to wear very "trendy" clothes but find if you have on trend shoes and bag it can really modernise an outfit. I cant see past Topshop for these, heels and bags

And I never venture out without an interesting scarf, again it can really amke a difference HERE

HTH

Thanks for the advice guys. A new me is hopefully on the horizon!