if you had 3k to spend...

[pamplem0usse]

On clothes, then what sort of thing might you buy.
This isn't meant as a stealth boast. I've beeb stalking for weeks and wondered if you could help me.
I'll never have this.sort of lump again, I have virtually no clothew that fit (size 10 now after 3.5 years of pregnancy and breastfeeding). BUT i will have "maintenance" money so don't want to spread it too thinnly. I'm 5"11 busty and have a bit of a mum tum / c section x2 overhang. I'm 30 next year....
Fwiw my dh is insisting I spend.the money on me. after years of self esteem issues and refusing to spend anything much. i earnt the money doibg consultancy work when ds was 1mo-4mo from home when he slept. fine in practise but he was v v ill in and out of great ormond streetl while exclusively breastfed and not sleeping v much at all. So i used to work through the.night (when dd slept), often with him sleeping on me.
So there's alot of emotion attached to this cash, which resulted from an obligation fulfilled which really shouldn't have been.
In terms of the practicalities I look after ds (nearly 1) and dd (almost 3) 3-4 days a week, work from home 1-2 and will shortly be teaching 1-2 (16-18 year olds).
Many thanks in advance I'm a bit hopeless....
Oh and ds still bfeeds in the day so some bfeeding.friendly options.helpful :-)

Bless you- it can't be easy with your LO having such a problem- hope you really enjoy spending your money- you deserve it x

Yes, what MrsCB said if you're in London!

You've had some great advice here and I echo buying the 'classics' - so, great coat, bag, boots, jeans etc. Agree with the colours advice to, I know a lot of people think it's hokum, but it genuinely has made shopping a lot easier for me (not that I ever found it too hard), and it saves a lot of mistake purchases.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the experience, sounds like you really deserve it!!

Get a great timeless watch

I would get:
Really good haircut
Lovely trench coat
Good quality winter coat
Jacket (leather if that's your thing)
Classic dress that should last years (eg wrap dress or whatever suits)
Good quality bag
Boots
Decent shoes (maybe heels and some flats)
A couple of great jumpers (I'm not a cashmere fan but some soft merino would be great)

I think I would take my time and for that reason wouldn't go to a personal shopper with the intention of buying but it may be useful to get ideas!
Oh, you could also go to a makeup counter for some ideas.
Have fun spending and yes to a separate bank account!Xx

What a great post. Agree with others. Don't rush to spend it. Have a look through some fashion magazines and think about what styles you like and colours you like. Take a wander round a department store like JL and see what's about. The personal shopping service is a good idea.
I definitely think go for quality rather than quantity. Maybe start with some good underwear sets in black, white and nude. This always boosts my confidence!
A nice coat that suits your lifestyle, a cashmere sweater, Jeans, quality leather boots, a little black dress, a breton, a tan leather bag and a good scarf will all get lots of wear.
My mum recently gave me £200 as a gift with strict instructions to spend only on me. Have decided I will get a watch. So you could think about jewellery too.
please report back on what you buy!

Can you get to Bicester village outlet? You'd be able to pick up top designer labels for a fraction so making your money go
Much further.

I Bicester outlets always have current season in stock. There is Jimmy Choo, Burberry, mulberry, Paul smith, DVF, Valentino, Hobbs, LK Bennett etc etc etc.

If you're thinking of getting a Burburry mac or coat this is the place to do it.

Or a luxurious day with a personal shopper in Selfridges? That would be really fab too. Although your money wouldn't go as far.

Lucky you . What a great treat. Enjoy. Do come back and tell us what you bought (nosy).

Do you have any idea of the sort of styles/shapes you like? We could start to maybe give a few links for starting off with ideas then?

For teaching, I always think a couple of pencil skirts are a good place to start, for example.

Well, it sounds like maybe you find it difficult to receive things for yourself, so first thing, make sure you spend it on you.
If it were me, I would book a colour consultation with House of Colour, and then book a shopping session with either one of the style consultant, or a close friend who will help you buy things that suit you, not themselves. I know the consultation sounds indulgent, but it is about a £100/£200 investment that will serve you well. The shopping friend will help you actually spend the money and also not just veer towards all the same colours / styles that you usually buy.
I would also invest a chunk in two quality long term heavy usage things, like a bag or boots or coat that you will look at and enjoy every time you wear them.
Maybe also put aside £300 for in a years time, when things need a little refreshment and you feel like you haven't got any money anymore for this sort of thing.
Enjoy!

Everyones been so helpful; thank you. i had a wander around John Lewis today (admittedly with little man in a sling so no hope of trying anything!) and was a bit perplexed but also quite excited. talked to dh abput all the helpfup comments here and he was v encouraging. and spotted a lovely mettalicy tote bag.on the.jigsaw website so that might well be my first purchase (sorry wish I knew.how to link!). i'm a bit clueless about shapes except knowing double breasted / high necked don't suit my bustiness. I also know I need to move beyond my.usual black / navy palette so maybe colours are a good idea...unless anyone has any inklings? I'm an english rose (well kind.of knarled!) with mousy hair and.blue eyes. burn and.blush.easily. presumably if.I attach a photo here.I'll have issues taking it down again? Xx

Everyones been so helpful; thank you. i had a wander around John Lewis today (admittedly with little man in a sling so no hope of trying anything!) and was a bit perplexed but also quite excited. talked to dh abput all the helpfup comments here and he was v encouraging. and spotted a lovely mettalicy tote bag.on the.jigsaw website so that might well be my first purchase (sorry wish I knew.how to link!). i'm a bit clueless about shapes except knowing double breasted / high necked don't suit my bustiness. I also know I need to move beyond my.usual black / navy palette so maybe colours are a good idea...unless anyone has any inklings? I'm an english rose (well kind.of knarled!) with mousy hair and.blue eyes. burn and.blush.easily. presumably if.I attach a photo here.I'll have issues taking it down again? Xx

Wow! You sound lovely, and I'm pleased you'll be treating yourself, how fab.

I'm rubbish at shopping so don't have any advice I'm afraid but I'm dead keen to hear what ends up on the "pamplemousse shops til she drops" list

Good luck and enjoy x

Congrats on your first purchase!

£3000 isn't actually that much for a whole new wardrobe. In order to make it stretch I'd plan scrupulously in advance & make sure everything is mix & match.

To start:

1 pair of black trousers
1 pair of grey or camel (grey goes really well with blue eyes)
(J Crew, LK Bennett, Hobbs, Jaeger, Cos & Zara are good for trousers. My fav are MaxMara. Also check out Long Tall Sally...)

1 pair of designer jeans that really fit you

2 skirts

4 tops/blouses

1 pair of black ankle boots

1 leather jacket

2 cashmere cardigans in colours that go with all your trousers, skirts & jeans.

1 coat (wait for sales for that - you could find a bargain)

1 truly excellent dress, I'd go for Diane Von Furstenberg, Alberta Ferretti, MaxMara or Prada (again - sale time)

Scarves - TK Maxx - you can get amazing bargains on Valentino & Moschino

Have a look at Tucker blouses. Trilogy & Donna Ida sell them. They are pretty & work with a bust. You can wear them with skinny jeans or with smart skirts. I don't think the dresses work if you have a bust. They are expensive but they feel lovely & you can wear them almost anywhere & feel put together.

Reading your comment about being unsure about shades etc, please please consider going for the house off colour style day ( & get your colours dune too obv) you'll come away knowing exactly what shapes suit you best and why, it's a tiny investment overall before you spend your money on fabulous classic buys. It will make you so much more knowledgeable and confident about shopping.

I was just thinking - what do you wear now? What do you feel is comfortable and you? Because I have often made the mistake of buying something lovely, a dress, shoes etc., jeans that are too long for flats - and ended up with nothing nice to wear when meeting up with friends and DCs during the day to go to the park or something. So I've recently started to get a few nice tops, cardigans that are pretty and easy to wash. I'm currently looking for comfortable boots that are pretty flat, and jeans that don't slip down when I bend down! I have far too many dresses, heels, formal wool coats, formal jackets that are not worn very much. So bear in mind how you want to be dressed on a daily basis iyswim. Have fun!