frumpy mum desperatley seeking makeup/fashion advice .....

[JellyBellyTwinMum]

hi i am 37 , have spent 20 yrs constantly dieting and not buying stuff until i have lost weight and now am at heaviest , have 15 month old twins and my eating pattern is all over the place i am 5ft 8 ,size 20/22 :-( not bought any clothes for about 2 years i go into a shop dont have a clue what to wear then walk out again . also never really worn makeup bit of a scruff really , generally wear M&S black trousers and a top ..any advice please.. i really do need a style consultation but dont know where to go for my size

Debenhams have personal shoppers. They also stock larger sizes.

H&M have got a good plus size department - whereabouts are you JBTM?

Monsoon is lovely if you have a bit of cash. They go up to a (generous) 22

I was in H&M with my beautiful stepdaughter today and their BB range has some fantastic things in size 20 and over, including a really beautiful chiffon print top to go over your black trousers and some lovely wrap tops and some cool combat-type trousers in larger sizes.
Yes, you are a bigger size but you have two lovely children and you are tall. I think in a way the key to losing weight is to like and accept yourself, and thinking you deserve some pretty new clothes in lovely colours can really help IMO.

jbtm - i am you except i am one kid lighter and an inch shorter than you. i will have to look for the h&m bb range, didn't know they had one. anyway, i can vouch for the monsoon larger sizes, they are fantastic and thoughtfully cut. everything wears well, especially their jeans and cords last for ever. however, they are really hard to get hold of as they fly out of the shops. it is worth making contact with your local store and getting their stock delivery dates and going in when they load up the shop. also once you have tried their sizes, camp out online on their website to get big sizes. you can also find them on ebay, going for more than they did in the shop they are that good!

sadly, not all their designs go up to 22, many stop at 18, but are so generous in cut you may wear some of their 18s too. do what i do and keep nagging them to extend the range. hth.

I can vouch for the HandMcombats - wearing some right now despite being 41. However don't have many other cool clothes ecept the odd favourite I drag out from Monsoon every winter. H and M are long too.

thanks all i think as thecattleareALOHing said it is about liking myself and i seem to have really let myself go rather than make the most of what i do have ......

oh i know what you mean there!

anyway yesterday - shock horror designer alert as well love! dp took me and his xmas bonus into nicole fahri sale and i got three tops that fit my size 20 (in monsoon anyway) top. great markdowns and superb fit and looks. if you can get treated as well, i heartily recommend.

like you said about not making the best of what we have, i had to be talked into the shop as i was being really negative about what i could wear at this size. i floated out, it was such a fillip to wear something lovely and lovely feeling. good luck with your shopping.

and a big PS to all - does the h&m at oxford circus have the bb range? i've never been able to find it. or the courage to ask an assistant yet.

i second the personal shopper advice, plus before you go, read what not to wear and take some of that advice re. styles etc.

It used to be downstairs didn't it? H and M that is.

thank you swedishmum, will look again. if i ever get out the house again (baby with throat infection and vomiting = house arrest!)