So what do 36 yo's wear?

[Spuddybean]

Sorry, i know they can wear anything they want, but i am having a baby soon and have decided to re-stock my wardrobe afterwards. My clothes consist of stuff i have had for yonks (fave dresses from 13 years ago) and stuff my mum gives me from Primark (which she often buys for herself too - and we have different colouring and she is 65, so not really looks i am going for).

Anyway, i have a little money and some John Lewis vouchers to treat myself so i was wondering what is practical for a new mum and stylish and age appropriate for 36?

I am 5ft 10in usually a 12/14 with a very small bust and broad shoulders (think swimmers body gone to seed) fleshy arms and bum/thighs, small waist with a (previously) flat stomach (not sure what's in store for after kids). I have long decent legs (quite sturdy calves - so knee high boots don't fit, unless lace up) up till mid thigh so above the knee a line looks good. trousers not so good, but practical. I like wrap dresses. I have long arms but don't like 3/4 length sleeves.

My colouring is dark hair, blue/green eyes and pale freckly skin. I have been told i look similar to Carla Bruni and Jennifer Connelly (not as good tho obviously!).

I like bright colours and quirky things. I only wear heels on a night out when i am going to be sitting down

Any ideas style gurus?

What about those coloured skinny jeans everyone is always talking about? Pair with basic tshirts for day and something fancier for the evening. I never wear heels and live in Converse and flats.

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Women/Jeans/Coloured-Jeans/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=13594&pgesize=12&un_jtt_redirect

And you say your legs aren't that good but I think jeans work well on nearly everyone!

They look great, but sadly not for my thighs and arse! i would need wide leg or bootcut trousers.

i also fine jeans really uncomfortable round the fanjo - not sure why!

Thanks tho. :)

For a new mum you want things easy to wash. John Lewis are fab as the have lots of different brands. I am a completely different body shape to you (5'4" size 12 hourglass) so can't recommend shapes and styles. I am 37 and like to think of my style as quirky, so I go for interesting prints in blouses from Oasis or Topshop, my favourite new buy is a Hawaiian print dress from Primark. I also shop at Fat Face, Monsoon, H&M, New Look, Phase Eight to name a few. I tend to get individual pieces from lots of different places.

I am 35 and mother to a 3 year old. The clothes I wear now are completely different from those I wore before children though i do tend to still go for colourful, quirky things.

The best things to wear are patterned, flowery dresses with leggings/thick tights and long cardies and pumps or boots...the good thing about a dress is that you dont have to think about matching tops and bottoms so much easier to get dressed in the morning (and cheaper !). Most are easier to wash than seperates and are better for spending your days kneeling on the floor, going down slides etc.

Never underestimate the amount of sick / yoghurt / mud you are likely to collect depending on your DC age - patterns are very forgiving !

Plus - I always feel quite feminine and fashionable when wearing a dress (but age appropriate) even if hair a mess, no make up and no sleep. Just as easy as throwing on a pair of joggers but better for your self esteem.

Best places are White Stuff, Oasis and Warehouse, sometimes Fat Face and FCUK.

Not sure if you're planning on bf but I found dresses a bit tricksy for this initially - the double layer of tops and a scarf for discrection worked much better for me.

Have you tried jeggings - so basically very stretchy skinny jeans that are as comfy as leggings - look good with longer line tops/cardigans.

I wore a lot of scarves in the early days with my babies because liked the fact they detracted attention from my tummy and also could be used as a bit of a cover when bf.

I wouldn't spend too much money on clothes for the first few months post-baby as your body shape will be changing a lot - my boobs ended up enormous before settling down.

I am 36 too. After I had baby number two I went to John Lewis and got a personal shopper (free), I told her how much I wanted to spend and that my shape had changed and was confusing me (huge boobs, mainly), and also said I wasn't going back to work so mainly wanted casual yet nice looking things.

I loved almost everything she chose (mostly White Stuff) and lots of it I would never have considered trying on (leggings!). Ended up with lots of layery things - long cardigan, tunic top, another top to go under, bright pink woolen sleeveless tunic that I would never have tried on in a million years, and the best pair of jeans ever from Not Your Daughter's Jeans (I can never find jeans that fit, having disproportionately short legs for my height - or possibly a too-long torso for my legs - and a tummy).

Oh, just to add, I took the baby along in a pram, he slept through most of it - think he was about 6 months at the time.

aah yes - forgot how tricky it was breastfeeding in dresses.

However would definitely recommend waiting at least 6 months before buying anything new (you will be in maternity clothes for first month anyway unless you are very lucky) - I found that I was basically back to normal shape by then but had enormous boobs when breastfeeding so any purchases would have been a waste of money (this really confused me as have always been a 34B and had no idea what to do with them!)

I will be 36 next month although my children are 8 and 9 now. I suppose I feel very comfortable at this age and wear what I like!
For autumn winter, I will be wearing skinny jeans in petrol blue and plum with oversize sweaters and heeled ankle boots. I will be wearing knee dresses with quirky patterns and wool tights. I wear lots of scarves to add interest

I'm 36 and my wardrobe sounds identical to meggles'!!

I'm 35, have an 11 week old DD and a lot of flab and am currently wearing baby vomit with some fabric underneath jeans with vests or t-shirts with scarves and cardigans as needed. I'm not buying anything new until I am thinner and less wobbly and am going to spend the money on my hair and face instead (unless losing flab takes so long my fat clothes wear out).

Converse/glads/Birkenstocks/chelsea boots, depending on weather.

I'm only 5'5" bit I can't wear heels due to ineptness and they are stupidly uncomfortable.

Another vote for saving your money on good stuff until your body has settled down, but for new baby I suggest longline vests and layering tops with leggings. If you're planning to go to any baby groups you'll spend lots of time sitting in the floor so avoiding arse gape is good!