Help me build a new wardrobe!

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

I feel utterly shit about myself so currently feel useless and everything feel frumpy on me or tarty due to figure!

Need a new wardrobe,have naff all that really fits at the mo.Have up to £300 to spend,max and that so would make me feel guilty :(

I'm 31,sahm/carer.Very pale skin,copper hair,hourglass and after weight loss (had a phase of comfort eating) looking at 12-14,waist being smallest (!!) but with a whopping 34J chest :( Not easy.

I like colour and pattern.Feminine.Kinda classic with a twist.Have new ankle boots but need new knee highs,but must have wedge heels.

Please help.I used to be so good at this but after years of not bothering with me I just want to sit and cry

I know what you mean about feeling you've lost your way with what to wear. I went through a phase of that too. Have just lost weight and picked up loads of good tips from just lurking on here, bet you will too. Your figure and colouring sound amazing and I'm sure you'll look fabulous once you get some lovely new clothes that fit the new slimline you! There are far more stylish and experienced posters on here than me but hopefully this response will give your thread a bump and they will be along to dispense wisdom and wardrobe advice . I've had loads of help on here, its like having access to dozens of friendly personal shoppers.
Anyway - do you have the basics? Skinny jeans?? New Look and Primark often recommended on here for those. M&S popular for 5 pocket jeans style jeggings. Uniqlo do good fitted jumpers in lovely merino wool - like this, V-neck - I have the crew neck version, fab -
www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/078657
H&M do fab longish fitted tees like this- cheap as chips, have bought some, love them
www.hm.com/gb/product/13785?article=13785-D

Hope that helps for a start? Good luck, excited to see what others recommend that's more in line with your brief of pattern, feminine, classic with a twist.

Do not sit and cry! We are here to help!

I would probably invest in a few good items that I can wear in different ways like:

Blazers with a V cut and single button blazer with the button quite low- the low button look is great for a small waist with a generous top half. I would probably invest more in coats and jackets to get a good fit. Zara is always a good place to start

Dresses- I would go for a couple of wrap dresses- good for colour and very flexible. Banana Republic had a good range by Issa although these may be on the way out so you might get lucky and find something in the sale. Might be a bit expensive but if you get one in monochrome/black you can get a lot of wear out of it. HnM can be handy for that sort of thing also as well as MnS.
bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?vid=3&pid=000665409SP95-12806

Knee Highs- decent ones I have found with a wedge heel are rather pricey I am afraid. I would keep an eye out for them on sale as they are really comfy (I have tried them on and I am saving up for them! www.lkbennett.com/shoes/boots/SBRACHEL002SUEDE?redirect=false&source=79682&awc=2246_1379744927_e89dc8426134f2693771343fb2a68a75)

Shop Style is a good place to start:
www.shopstyle.co.uk/browse/boots?fts=over+the+knee+wedge+boots&sort=PriceLoHi

I second Uniqlo for comfy tops and jumpers. I am a huge fan.

If you are ever in London, worth browsing through Anthrolopogie on Regent Street. Full price is expensive but they have permanent sale section downstairs which does interesting good quality clothes with a twist. I have found their clothes to be an investment that always pays off: www.anthropologie.eu/anthro/category/clothing/sale-clothing.jsp?cm_sp=TOPNAV--SALE--SALE-CLOTHING

With your colouration, I would go for rich autumn colours- deep purples, ruby reds, forest greens etc.

I hope this helps and good luck!
Fashion Democracy
www.fashiondemocracy.co.uk

Love the merino v-necks at Uniqlo,thanks for that!Been hoping for merino wool and they've a good price.

Love love love those boots but so out of my price range :(

I love ruby reds and deep purples.

Coats are always nightmare for me.I like wool coats but they aren't exactly practical for wet school runs and most practical coats look ridiculous on me,if not for sitting odd but because my face is a bit paley waley meh!

Spotted the Mary quilted jacket on Fat Face this morning,in emerald green,it's fitted and as far as a practical coat can ever be,tempting but I just don't know.

Tried a fitted knitted jumper dress on yesterday,used to wear them a few years back,but I just seemed to look tarty!

Morning TripTrap! Glad you like the Uniqlo jumpers and think Fash had brill suggestions for your colouring.
Coats wise, there have been loads of threads on here recently about all the options,from parkas to wool and everything in between- maybe have a look? I expect now people know what colours /styles you're looking for they'll have more suggestions. If not, you could always start a other specific thread - wool coat in red/purple- or whatever....
What else?

I definitely need some pretty,but casual tops for chucking a cardi over.And a new bag,scarf,hat lol And cardis that I can wear draped rather than over my chest as that looks ridiculous on me.hmm

Maybe I should just walk around in my underwear....

Like nice tunics and day dresses,cable knit tights too,but so worried about looking ott!

Sounds to me as though you almost feel like putting an outfit together and making an effort is going to look a bit too "try hard" - is that what you mean? Bit self conscious about it? I could be barking up completely the wrong tree there tho!
Are you on pinterest? I've found it really useful to look on there, see how other people put outfits together and more importantly, how the clothes look irl!
Also a couple of the fashion blogs? You'd have to find one that suits your style but I look at allwornout , SusieSoSo, schoolgatestyle, styleguile - theres a list on mn.
Xx

I am feeling self conscious about it,never used to! I guess it's because I haven't bothered with myself for a couple of years.I even had days of discomfort wearing my hair down on the school run (been tying it up for a while) because it's curly and I didn't want to look 'done',if you get what I mean :(

Yep, I know exactly what you mean, you feel "on show". Thing is, I bet you look fab with your new figure, sounds like you just need to find stuff that helps show it off without you feeling too "done up". Skinny jeans and boots would be an easy way in??
Scarves wise the Becksondergaard (sp?) scarves on Asos get lots of love on here - will dig out a link in a mo xx

Here -

www.asos.com/search/Becksondergaard?hrd=1&q=Becksondergaard&RecentSearchesUsed=true

Oh,I love the C-peace in burgundy!Gorgeous

Well,I've just sat and had a little cry to myself.The past few years have been shit,lost all help for my disabled son,now ex ran off with a woman who looks like a fucking man and I've left myself as nothing really,looked a state,people decided I therefore must be one and I'm now scared to actually look like me.If that makes sense.

Anyway,for any further help,I love the structured but feminine look-tailored blazers,stuff that can show my shape,but softened with feminine prints or shapes underneath

Sending you a big hug.
You just need to get your self confidence back. Not a wonder you've had it knocked with all the rubbish you've been through
Don't they reckon you should "fake it til you make it" - ie look after yourself and dress like you care about you - and pretty soon you will! Plus you'll start to get compliments which will all help reinforce a new positive self image.
I had a thread on blazers recently, if you look back a couple of days - some really good suggestions on there incl for larger busts
Xx