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Style and beauty

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What do stylish people wear at weekends? Restyle me!

41 replies

Downandoutnumbered · 20/05/2012 19:40

Actually that ought to be "style me", or even "rescue me".

Basically I have had no money for clothes for years (nothing really to complain about, I feel a bit ashamed for having complained even slightly about it after reading the "you know you're skint when" thread). We're moving house which will reduce our mortgage payments quite a bit, and I thought since everything I own is falling apart I could take the opportunity to go and see a personal shopper and get a new casual wardrobe - budget about £1k, including shoes and probably a new bag. I don't need work clothes: I buy my suits on Ebay and I've got lots.

Now, I loathe shopping, so where should I go to get a whole wardrobe in a single blitz, and what sort of things should I be looking for? I'm 5'2" and size 6-8 but curvy, with short legs. Legs are terrible so I never show them - think milk bottles, and permanently covered in bruises because I cycle everywhere and bash them hauling the bike about. Neck used to be a good feature - I wore a lot of V-necked tops - but I've lost weight and now look scrawny and have salt cellars in my collarbones, so I think I need to move away from open necks. DS is not quite 2 so whatever I buy needs to be machine washable - I occasionally covet lovely cashmere things for lounging about at home, and then I come to my senses.

At the moment I live in jeans and jersey tops, but I'd like to look very slightly less predictable while still being comfortable and practical. My imagination can't seem to extend beyond that, but I'd like to be able to give the personal shopper some guidelines. Help!

OP posts:
Downandoutnumbered · 21/05/2012 06:39

I'm prepared to take an afternoon off work to get it done if I can get it done all in one go - I just don't want to drag it out for ever. Getting the shopper to create two complete outfits sounds a v. good idea, thanks. Then perhaps I can fill in the gaps with online ordering.

OP posts:
Downandoutnumbered · 21/05/2012 06:40

Ivanapoo, I'm scared to go to Topshop because I think they'll sneer at me - if I go to Harvey Nicks I'll have to be stretchered out with frostbite!

OP posts:
anniewoo · 21/05/2012 07:52

Zara ?

ivanapoo · 21/05/2012 08:00

Ah don't worry about sneery shop assts, just out-sneer them back!

I know what you mean though, in some posh shops I'm sure the SAs are just waiting for me to shoplift something...

I think Zara is a good shout actually and you can order online.

SpecialC · 21/05/2012 08:23

Hi OP! I would highly recommend seeing a personal shopper at Banana Republic near Oxford Circus. They have a fab petite collection and you'd be able to get some key / staple pieces (including jeans). That's where I went when I had lost (most of) the baby weight and was ready for a re-style...

SpecialC · 21/05/2012 08:25

And if you can wear normal length trousers, the normal (not petite) collection is even better!

VivaLeBeaver · 21/05/2012 08:30

I've got into blazers with skinny jeans in quite a big way recently. With a casual top, often a Breton top under the blazer. Just smartens it up nicely.

I've got a blue jersey material blazer from h&m. And these,

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_017010602833_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7EtxtGreen+blazer

www.next.co.uk/x49124s5#829003x49

AmberNectarine · 21/05/2012 09:19

If you are in London, I really recommend Westfield, OP. Everything under one roof, and using some of the tips on this thread (remus has given you a fantastic list) you could get it all done in one afternoon.

I suffer from the same battered legs issue as you, so I live in skinnies, full length and cropped, in a variety of colours. I team these with all sorts of tops and ankle boots, Superga trainers or ballerinas. One day when the sunshines I might substitute these for sandals. Maybe.

polyhymnia · 21/05/2012 10:15

Sorry for slight hijack but Maraki which R and B wedges to you mean, please? I have a great 'smart' pairof wedges from there in black patent snake but am desperately trying to find some really nice casual wedges and, though they are my favourite shoe shop, haven't spotted any there that firt the bill - specially at the (for them!) comparatively reasonable price of £125.

I know their website is lousy but any further description of the wedges you mean should enable me to track them down. TIA!

Btw, all the suggestions above are great and I can't improve on them, OP. Enjoy.

AbsofAwesomeness · 21/05/2012 16:51

What about going to somewhere like House of Fraser, where they have lots of concessions in one store? I think they have Zara, TopShop, Warehouse and others in the Oxford Street store - I'm pretty sure they do personal shopping and could advise. I agree that JL could end up too mumsy, and pastelly.

Downandoutnumbered · 21/05/2012 21:35

Thank you all so much - I really appreciate it and will follow up lots of these tips. Zara a good idea: I have a very stylish colleague who wears loads of their stuff. I am in London so Westfield is a strong possibility.

OP posts:
Maraki · 21/05/2012 21:56

Polyhymnia (and everyone else who gets blisters with all summer shoes): the wedges have a 'rope' wedge (=espadrilles) and the top is leather, including the linning. This means that you dont get blisters with sweaty feet. The heel is high enough to make them look good but low enough for me to run after my toddler.
They have them in all the shops in tan leather, black (patent toe) leather and nude, all colours available in closed toe, open toe (peeptoe), closed back or slingback. I found the closed toe + closed back the most comfortable and I got them in tan.
They are very expensive for what they are buy I know that I will get a lot of wear out of them and I am fed up with uncomfortable shoes and converse and ballet flats!

Downandoutnumbered · 21/05/2012 22:30

They do sound really nice, I must say maraki. I'm sorely tempted.

OP posts:
Maraki · 22/05/2012 14:47

They are called coco pop and Pippa also wears them Grin

notjustamummythankyou · 22/05/2012 17:13

Great thread and great ideas!

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