Please help! I'm turning into my mother

[ArcticLemming]

Dear all
Am badly in need of some advice from you stylish sorts. I'm 47 with two small children, and have lost the plot with my appearance. I spend all my time in jeans and a motley assortment of tops (including for work - it's the least stylish workplace ever so doesn't really matter) which are getting ever more ancient. Much of the reason I haven't bought anything for so long is I've put on weight and everthing looks wrong - I keep thinking that I'll wait until I''ve lost the weight. The weight is coming off slowly, but I can't wait any longer. I've got to go away with work and need some "smart casual" outfits.

So. after wondering aimlessly round the shops I finally ended up in M and S (this is going to end badly, isn't it) and bought these two cardigans
www.marksandspencer.com/Plus-Linen-Blend-Crochet-Cardigan/dp/B0068BPZDM?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_12&nodeId=43078030&sr=1-12&qid=1334323306&pf_rd_r=0X4DW5S2EJS7BVYS3ZTX&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=43078030&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3
www.marksandspencer.com/Edge-to-Cropped-Cardigan/dp/B0064VXMC2?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_14&nodeId=43078030&sr=1-14&qid=1334323921
I would wear them with a scoop neck top, and these jeans in black
www.marksandspencer.com/Denim-On-The-Waist-Straight-Leg-Jeans/dp/B005415EMY?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_4&nodeId=122286031&sr=1-4&qid=1334324005&pf_rd_r=03KR2TCKDVZ5D96HPQ5K&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=122286031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

Are these in any way acceptable, or is this the 2012 equivalent of my mother's comfy crimplene elasticated slacks and navy cotton roll-neck jumper? I'm not an easy shape to dress at the moment. I'm 5ft 3 inches, and a size 12-14. I used to be ah hourglass, but where I've put on weight I've now lost my waist, so have large boobs, stomach and thighs. I also don't want to spend too much money at the moment as am slowly loosing weight.

I'm also tempted by these (although not with the above outfit:
www.marksandspencer.com/Footglove-Fashion-Leather-Fringe-Moccasins/dp/B002F7A3O4?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_39&nodeId=171926031&sr=1-39&qid=1334324409
Would they be OK for running around in, or are they the modern equivalent of my mother's K Skips (if any of you are old enough to know what they are).

Would also love any ideas for a light smaqrt casual jacket - something like a mac. Can't do double breasted or belts, and look better in stronger colours (beiges is out). At the moment I tend to look like a lost fellwalker.

Any comments, however harsh, greatfully received.

You need patterned wrap dresses with 3/4 length sleeves, opaque tights, chunky boots for day, wedges or mary janes for night, denim jacket or a navy mac, wide-strapped vests for underneath. Maybe an a-line denim skirt (just above the knee) with v-neck jumpers with vests/long sleeved tops underneath, maybe the odd breton top with straight leg jeans and ballet pumps.

...and step away from the footglove range.

You'd have spent half that, and got nicer stuff, in sainsburys. Take them all back.

Oh dear. I know you're right really - I could hear my mum saying "ooh, those look nice and comfy" for the shoes. Can you suggest a dress? I find them rather unnerving it's so long since I've worn one. I have 2 pairs of OK wedge sandals. My knees are awful so everything has to be below the knee. I like the idea of the Bretton top - can cope with that.

I've looked at SAinsbury's and really don't like their stuff unfortunately. Can still take it back though.

you could possibly keep the second cardigan

Not the dreadful gok stuff, but they do good vests, drapey cardis and have some lovely coloured jeans.

I prefer plain dresses myself, you can always dress them up with scarves or necklaces, and wear with leggings and boots. I know summer is coming (ha ha) but you can still wear leggings with sandals, low wedges etc. And you'll be back in boots soon enough...

I'll have another look Chub, but our Sainsbury's is quite small. To be honest I've been a bit wary of them after I bought what I thought was quite a nice smock top there and a a very prim and polite colleague asked me when the baby was due - there wasn't one and she was mortified! Will look for the jeans.

Do I need to send the M and S black jeans back as well? I thought they were pretty inocuous, but as I have just liberally proved, what do I know?

Something like this dress

I know it looks scarily short, but that model is probably about 7 feet tall. It's on the pricey side, but there are a lot of similar styles around at the moment. Also doesn't have to be shocking pink of course - blues and greys are good for summer.

Has anyone got any dress suggestions (Lemming drags herself out of her comfort zone!)

btw I thought the cardigans and trousers were okay, depends what you've got to wear them with though. Dresses would be good with the cardis. I'd say step away from the moccasins too though. Have a look at some of the Fly London or Gabor stuff on Javari.

Like the idea of that dress Bonfire, but would need to be lower cut becaue of huge norks.

Dotty p have some lovely dresses.

Like some of the Gavor and Fly London stuff, particularly these
www.javari.co.uk/Womens-Shoes-Flats/s/ref=topnav_sd_flat_gw/280-1037075-0041813?ie=UTF8&node=217067031&pf_rd_r=0RZ1M2ZWKSDK43GK16G2&pf_rd_m=A9UMZ77PKDFNW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=homepage&pf_rd_p=288318527&pf_rd_s=headernav#__ie%3DUTF8%26cAsin%3DB006264480%26fromPage%3Dsearch%26sr%3D1-10%26qid%3D1334329770412%26asinTitle%3DFly~~20London~~20Flash~~20Ballet%26contextTitle%3DSearch~~20Results%26clientPageSize%3D100%26brands%3DFly%2BLondon%26node%3D217067031%26sort%3Dshoesbrowserel2%26nodes%3D217067031%26asin%3DB00625BQO6%26ref%3Dsr_1_10%26pageCode%3Dd
Waits to hear she has picked the naffest pair....

Would something like this dress do?
www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/dresses/day-dresses/jersey-floral-tea-dress/red/qc06rd/?show=16&sort=1&level=1
I would probably prefer a plain, duller colour but like this style I think (a breakthrough!)

Sorry
Would something like this dress do?
www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/dresses/day-dresses/jersey-floral-tea-dress/red/qc06rd/?show=16&sort=1&level=1

I would probably prefer a plain, duller colour but like this style I think (a breakthrough!)

The dress is pretty, like the shape.

I quite like the shoes too - was initially a bit scared by the bows but I think that's just me!

Yes, the bows are a bit fancy for me, but for some reason I quite like them. Man bite th bullet and order that dress.

Unless you particularly need the busty fit if pepper bury m & co (yes I know but go with it for a minute) have a gorgeous red tea dress like that one, ten quid less and actually nicer. I am on iPhone and can't link.

m.mandco.com/mandco/product/detail.do?categoryId=2172265&itemId=1206966savorange

Can't convert links on phone

This one?
www.mandco.com/dresses-/ditsy-print-tea-dress/invt/1206966savorange/
It is very pretty. Am large or nork - I don't know whether I specifically need a busty fit (have never bought from pepperberry before) but the neckline of the m and co one would be too high.

Heya Lemming :)

from what you've said about your current body shape (which I know you're trying to change, but working with what you've got for now..) It sounds a bit like you're an "apple" shape; I found a guide to clothes for that shape here; It's from Gok's fashion fix so the clothes may be a bit young for you, but you can probably get some good ideas from the types and shapes of the clothes they show :)

hope this helps xx

Shirt dresses can look fab too - with tights and boots or sandals. Just make sure you have it quite undone with a vest or long sleeve top underneath or with big norks it can look matronly.

Thanks Gwen - that's a really useful site. The description is exactly me. And yes, will think about shirt dresses - never had one before!