Stylish casual clothes - where to start?

[suebfg]

I need stylish practical casual clothes that are suitable to wear to country parks, zoos, etc - all the sorts of places you go to with a young family. I seem to be stuck in a rut of mumsy jeans and mumsy boots.

Any tips?

hush

I love the skinny black cords, and just ordered my third second pair .

I'm liking those cords - what footwear do you wear with those?

PS and how does the sizing come up?

I wear either black pumps or if it's cold black Fly boots. I think they're fab - you can dress them up (e.g. with a silk top and pumps) or down with Fly boots etc.

I first bought a size 14, as I'm usually a 12/14 in trousers, but have since bought 2x size 12s. The only thing about them is that they're really long on me, so I wear them with a turnup, which I actually love anyway. They're so comfy, I seriously love them .

I love Hush, am living in their jersey long harems.

Broke, what do wear with them? I'm tempted, but...

Are there any other basics to check out? Other brands?

Other hush things that I have and like - summer vests, cotton henley, sloppy jumper...

I'm not sure about other brands either, so I'll be watching this thread with interest!

I've recently bought a couple of casual-ish dresses from Dorothy Perkins, which look nice with black leggings.

The summer vests that is linked to above are expensive, so I bought a very similar one in H&M a couple of weeks ago. They have a basics range that I plan on revisiting soon.

I like Zara for silk tops for work. Sorry, I'll stop now , washing up to do.

I wear a sloppy sweat with them or layered vests and the grey jersey blazer also from Hush. Then either flat ankle brown bikers or desert boots or sandals.

I wouldn't say my look was what the OP wants though, that sounds more Joulesy and smarter iyswim.

Do you have this blazer broke? Or this one?

I have the first one, and find it really hard to wear - the collar is very shallow at the back, and is difficult to get to sit down when you put it on.

Key thing for me is practicality - whilst the vests and blazers are nice, I wouldn't wear those to the zoo - I'd wear those if I was out shopping or something.

Yes the second grey marl one, its great with skinnies and casual clothes but then goes over my work dresses as well. I think it will work over my maxis in the summer as well as its shorter. So chuffed with it but I should be for that money.

Sue, I def recommend the cotton henley in that case - I know it doesn't look much online, but it has some nice detail, and is lovely and soft and cosy. Great colour too.

Broke, I want that one now . I worry that it's quite light in colour, so I'll mull it over for a bit longer.

Yes am blonde and lots of my stuff is in Hush colours so goes well. Have just bought a pair of three quarter beige chinos for the summer and it will go with them with some brown leather sandals and vests or a white shirt underneath.

If we ever get a summer of course.

Anyone else sigh at the small sizes hush offer. Size 14 is large.

I agree gregs - the sizes are a bit limited, which is a pain. Also, I think the PJs are 10/12, 12/14 etc, which is a PITA (and as a result mine are just a little bit small).