If someone had no clothes at all, what basics would you suggest they buy?

[LynetteScavo]

Apart from underwear and PJ's, and a pair off skinny jeans.

They have 3 school aged DC, and a full time job where they wear smart casual.

They are 5ft 6', a size 12-14, and only a bit pear shaped, if that's important.

For work -

A couple of pairs of cigarette trousers and a couple of jersey dresses or pencil skirts; plain scoop neck good quality t-shirts in a selection of sleeve lengths; cheapo cotton jackets from H&M; lots of scarves; ballet flats in two tone or colour; black wedges; tan or grey heeled ankle boots (funky not mumsy).

Play - dark skinnies; dark flared or bootleg (Oasis Scarlet are good for curves); denim shirt dress; Breton style dress; black maxi skirt; denim mini; lots more good quality scoop neck tops in a selection of sleeve lengths; couple of cashmere jumpers; more scarves; peacoat; biker jacket; denim jacket; tan knee high boots; tan or grey ankle boots (as above); casual wedges.

That's just about what I seem to live in anyway!

What budget are we thinking of for this?

I'm so desperate, budget is out of the window, but I usually spend buy Boden/Gap/Monsoon sales to give you an idea.

OK, so where do I get these cigarette trousers from?

Marking my place to pick up tips.

Also marking to pick up tips.

Links?

wrap dresses all the way - great for turning a pear into an apple and always appropriate. And as a fellow pair shape - I find wide leg straight trousers WAY more flattering than cigarette trousers.

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I'm also not sure cigarette leg trousers and pencil skirts best for a pear shape -- think more A-line for short and wide leg for trousers.

If you are going into your local town for a drink and a Thai meal with your dh, what do you wear?

I hardly ever go out, we were thinking of going out next weekend but then I looked in my wardrobe and realised it's all school gate mum clothes or business suits. I lost my sense of style after children and am on a mission to get it back before my 40th birthday in the Autumn.

I was thinking that Lynette is reasonably tall and slim and says only a bit pear shaped, so slim trousers should be okay. I'm an hour glass though, so may have got it completely wrong.

I love the Boden Autumn striped breton top - they have a summer version now

Also, highly recommend the Uniqlo jersey blazer - great with jeans and nice with the stripey Breton underneath.

Work - black cigarette pants, charcoal grey wide leg wool trousers, fitted white shirt, scoop neck tops, cashmere cardigan, scarves, knee skirt, jersey dress, ballet flats, funky heels and boots. Great tan leather bag.
day - skinnies, slim flares, good fitting ts, cashmere sweaters, converse, day dress, wedge ankle boots, coat, belts and jewellery.

OK, when I am wearing grey wide leg wool trousers with balet flats, what do I wear on my feet in this weather? black tights? Nude tights?

Have you got any nice boots to wear with the wide legged trousers?

If ballet flats, I must admit that I buy black lace pattern pop sock things from M&S and wear those with ballet flats. Even my super-gorgeous and stylish 17 year old dd1 does this, so I decided it can't be THAT old ladyish! :) You can also get pretty thin crochet or lace pop sock things from places like Topshop and Urban Outfitters now.

But personally I'd wear boots or wedges with wide legged trousers.

Well as its winter - do you have any nice coats? I have my sensible arctic down parka for hanging round with the children and then a smarter navy wool coat I got from Zara. I then have a black shearling scarf thing I wear on top of the navy coat for extra glam factor when going out.

I am also a big fan of handbags and sunglasses for making outfits look more glam.

I'm a small apple so different shape to you and also don't work so don't wear smart clothes particularly.

However I am not really a t shirt and converse type person either. So generally in the day at this time of year I wear skinnies, ankle boots (a bit more 'now' than knee high boots I think), a silk shirt with thermals underneath or a cashmere jumper with a scarf wrapped round my neck several times.

Depending how smart you need to be for work - hobbs/whistles/jigsaw/lk bennett and zara all worth a look.

If I were you - I'd wear a silk shirt tucked into grey wide legged trouses with a very slim fitting boyfriend cardigan done up over the top and assuming you've got a nice slim waist - with a skinny belt round your waist.

For spring/summer - there's loads of pretty pastel/bright coloured jeans coming into the shops if you like them.

For going out - I do sometimes wear a dress if its particularly glam ( I like DVF or VW Anglomania for very special occasions) but mostly just wear my best skinny jeans (currently james jeans twiggys in clean black) with a silk shirt and heels - well thats what I wore on Saturday night when I went out.

And agree with Remus regarding umm knee-highs - m&s used to do little fishnet ones that were fab - not sure if they still do them though.

Yes - if you want a 'going out' dress, get thee to Anglomania for a plain black jersey one. They are super flattering and can be worn in a gazillion different ways.

And yes, I think M&M do still do the little fishnet pop sock thingies - they are v good and wash well, so tend to work out good value (unless you don't cut your toenails! :) )

Affordable-ish cashmere in M&S or in gap sales.
Scoop neck tops - more of a problem: M&S Autograph sometimes have them, the White Company, Hobbs for striped ones but their plain ones are always vile colours.

Any suggestions for where to buy cigarette pants? Am on a purchasing mission...

Depends on your definition of affordable, but Pure Collection isn't appallingly expensive. Personally, I'd prefer to have one Brora jumper to five of almost any other brand, as they last so much better, but they are pretty £££ to buy in the first place.