Right, please re-educate me. Which shops are stylish?

[INeedThatForkOff]

I've been reading the love to hate White Stuff thread in amusement and embarrassmemt, because although I always look shit in their stuff I do tend to keep looking at it and thinking maybe I'll get this or that while I lose a bit of baby weight. It inexplicably holds its value on eBay too, so I've been kind of lulled into thinking it's stylish.

So. I'm currently a size 16 but in the process of shifting 3st accumulated over two babies and three years. I look dreadful at the moment, wearing a limited mix of horrible Frugi breastfeeding stuff, a couple of maternity dresses and a pair of vile Next stretchy bootcuts (yeah, I know) with BFing tops. I absolutely hate what I'm wearing but there seems no point in spending good money when I have every intention if being a size ten by the end of the year.

But it begs the question, how did I end up with such an awful postnatal wardrobe in the first place? Well I shop online, buying whatever's cheap and will do.

I'm sending back the latest ill-judged order of half price Amari stuff tomorrow, and earlier I thought, well I might as well jut order a few things from Next. Then I got a fucking grip on myself.

Which shops tend to be stylish and a bit fashionable without being too expensive? I'm 35 and dumpy, and want to stop looking like crap all the time.

i am a 14 and have re-engaged with Zara

but its borderline!!!!

I love buying stuff that says XXXXXXL, LOVE IT

Sorry I forgot to add the shops I like!-

new look-beware of things being v short though
zara-cant fit into their teeny tiny clothes but excellent for leather handbags,shoes and lovely scarves
monsoon-not any of the hippy shite but had nice dresses from them-always get them 70% off too.
Warehouse-again I only buy in sales as think the quality is a rip off

Well I've looked and looked and looked (online) - Warehouse, Oasis, French Connection (sale) - I just can't see anything I think I'd look ok in. There is a lot of loose-fitting knitwear around that I don't think would do me any favours. A lot of metallic stuff that just seems a bit much for toddler sessions. I can't seem to visualise anything as it might look on me. I'm shit at clothes

Going back a bit - they aren't 'just' clothes though as sadly or happily a brand does say a lot about the wearer and with Boden or White Stuff it is very easy to identify that brand. Not that I think that's necessarily bad.

I like the odd thing from both as it happens but top to toe anything can look a bit peculiar. I actually think it's ok that people can identify what you are wearing as long as you wear it with confidence.

I agree scarves scarves and more scarves can really make an outfit!

I love French Connection, All Saints, bit of Top Shop, bit of Oasis and maybe even the odd bit of plain Boden - trouble is you do have to keep trawling and some days you won't find a thing especially when you are trying!

OP - sometimes I find trawling on-line soul destroying as there is too much choice and you can't get a real feel for what you are looking at. Nothing beats a good shopping session and some lunch! Disclaimer - I know it can be depressing coming back with nothing but there will always be new stuff the following week .

OP you need to go shopping, to real shops!

I will then, at some point. This is going to mean confronting myself in the mirror

OP - what about having a personal shopper session in somewhere like John Lewis. I haven't tried that myself, but people I know that have have been quite impressed. I think they bring you stuff that you wouldn't consider yourself, which is a good idea as we can all get stuck in a bit of a rut sometimes.

Dress agencies are great for finding designer stuff at cheap prices - if (like me) you enjoy trying them on. I bought an LK Bennett wrap dress and kitten heel boots for £20 and £25 respectively. All Saints open toed boots I wouldn't normally buy were on eBay for £15 and I love them. I'm not a real L K Bennett fan btw - but it's good for when I go and meet editors and contacts (work from home). Managed to find a Hobbs suit in our local charity shop - normally retails at £300 for the shift and jacket together - for £30. John Lewis personal shopping is a great idea as it will give you the bug for experimenting

This is going to mean confronting myself in the mirror

come on! hair, make up, spanx , black tights and heels

Its MUST be done and size 16 aint huge

mail order wont cut it sista

Charity shops and ebay are your friends...

a) You won't splurge lots of money on clothes that won't fit forever
b) A lot of highstreet shops only stock "seasonal" pieces that don't suit everyone (high necks, I'm looking at you. Weep). I could walk into M&S right now and just cringe, but turns out M&S circa five years or so ago suits me fabulously (is good quality, too). You can update looks with seasonal accessories, remember.

Like you, I'm a 16 and I'm still losing weight. I have all sorts of labels in my wardrobefrom LK Bennett to PeacocksI bought them because they suit me, and I learned by trying a heap of different "seasons" on in charity shops. Only about 10% of my wardrobe these days is brand new.

Second the personal shopper idea - House of Fraser and John Lewis both offer a fab (free) service.