Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

£100 - what essentials can I get to overhaul my wardrobe

19 replies

BleedinEck · 07/10/2013 23:33

I realise £100 is probably less than some people will spend in a handbag but I'm totally skint and this is all I can afford & my clothes are a mess. At the very least I need a couple of tops (1 for going out & 2 daytime) plus I really need some daytime flats/trainers as my converse have holes in & it's too cold for flip-flops which are my summer staple Grin. Do I go to places like New Look or try & get something a bit different in tkmax?

I'm pushing 40, 5ft6 and a size 14 top/16 bottom who hasn't been shopping for about 5 years (if you discount maternity wear or vest tops from Asda Blush) and my usual uniform is jeans, converse & a couple of layered jersey tops all of which have seen better days.
Help!!

OP posts:
chanie44 · 08/10/2013 06:22

Your budget is your budget and its no one else's business. Be proud of the money you have and what you will get with it.

For day time wear, I'd probably try and maximise what I can get - new look,h&m,primark, matalan and peacocks have good bargains and quality isn't too bad.

I'd spend a bit more on a going out top to make me feel fab when going out over Xmas.

Would also spend more on shoes as cheap ones wear out quickly. You might find good deals online. It may be worth buying a cheaply pair and holding out until the January sales.

Finally, treat yourself to a few nail varnishes (primark or asda for a pound) and maybe a few accessories like a necklace.

Make a day out of shopping and have a nice time, have a spritz of perfume at the department store.

Tweet2tweet · 08/10/2013 06:25

Don't dismiss TKMaxx, you can get some great bargains well within your budget. They do online now so you can have a look to see the kind of thing they have.

ilikeFISH · 08/10/2013 06:39

BleedinEck I would also recommend if you are near one trying a discount outlet center. I´ve had some great bargins from them.

Also would suggest diechmann for shoes, I have some great boots from there that where two of 19.99

snowlie · 08/10/2013 07:13

It'd recommend you picked up a couple of plain tops and looked for cheap scarfs to brighten them up, add interest and a bit of warmth. Primark is great for that kind of stuff, don't dismiss the jewellery bit in your local charity shops while you're having a look around for clothes and shoes too.

TallulahBetty · 08/10/2013 09:46

A cotton blazer that will go with jeans or smarter trousers. I've recently got one from Asda, nothing special about £15, but I'm so pleased with it - it goes with a lot of my wardrobe and can be dressed up or down.

Original poster
BleedinEck · 08/10/2013 11:09

Wow thanks that's fantastic. Will definitely be picking up a couple of scarves & I like the sainsburys ones, sadly no Zara or uniqlo near me but will try tkmax for a going out top & look at asda for a blazer as I always admire them on other people! I'm going to leave footwear for now & can always wait until next month when hopefully I might be able to save a bit extra. A question about some of those lovely biker/ankle boots, how do you wear them? I've seen them looking great with skinny jeans/leggings & dresses but just don't have the legs for anything too fitted so they'd be covered up by wider legged jeans?

OP posts:
Skinheadmermaid · 08/10/2013 13:58

Have you tried straight legged or boyfriend jeans? They will still taper in more to the ankle but won't be as skin tight.

MissDD1971 · 08/10/2013 14:00

Zara do online ordering but you have to spend I think £60. dunno about Uniqlo

MissDD1971 · 08/10/2013 14:01

also Ebay outlet or just Ebay in general you can get some real bargains.

LaurieFairyCake · 08/10/2013 14:02

I got two tops from
Tkmaxx last week.

One was a plain black jersey v neck - perfectly cut for a tenner

The other was also black jersey, round neck but with a completely sheer chiffon black back - very sophisticated, very easy to wear - also a tenner

ceciliaplum · 08/10/2013 14:52

I know what's its like when you haven't been shopping for months and you aren't sure what size you are or what suits you. Are you going to shop online? you can get some inspiration here...

www.ceciliaplum.co.uk/index.php?option=com_datafeeds&Itemid=42&q=top

How about this top from Miss Selfridge only £20

www.ceciliaplum.co.uk/index.php?option=com_datafeeds&Itemid=42&q=top

and make sure you are buying the right size too, hope this helps.

£100 - what essentials can I get to overhaul my wardrobe
higgle · 08/10/2013 15:27

I am not badly off and buy lots of Toast/Brora/Boden most years. This year I have bought loads of stuff in Sainsburys and it is lovely. They have loads of little dresses for around £20, the nicest of the new style boyfriends for about £14, some super skirts and tops ( some of the patterns look like Toast to me). Well worth a look

MotherOfDragon · 08/10/2013 17:45

I Am an image consultant. For flats I would say ballet pumps in navy or a metallic colour. Given your budget I would suggest trying M&S/BHS/Next, Zara.. as long as they are made of leather.

For a top I would suggest a cowl neck bracelet or long sleeved top in soft cotton. Phase 8 does a fantastic one for £45 in a variety of colours.

If there is any money left over a pair of straight leg trousers in navy...try Zara or M&S are always classic and balance out a curvy body.

Brandnewmamma · 08/10/2013 19:14

Hi bleeding .. I bought this top last week and is is gorgeous on.. Dress up or wear in he daytime with a light cardi.. Love it.

www.clothingattesco.com/tops+t-shirts/f+f-crochet-collar-shell-top/invt/bb322237/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-tops-and-t-shirts

Defo get scarves, chunky jewellery.

Brandnewmamma · 08/10/2013 19:15

www.clothingattesco.com/tops+t-shirts/f+f-crochet-collar-shell-top/invt/bb322237/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-tops-and-t-shirts

Jcee · 08/10/2013 21:08

I've just done something like this and my budget was £50 but I didn't need trainers. I got a couple of slub, long line t-shirts from new look for less than £20, a going out top from tk maxx and a scarf to complement them from eBay.

Office have a sale on at the moment so you might be able to get some bargain trainers here leaving more for other stuff!

hermioneweasley · 08/10/2013 22:01

eBay is your friend for scarves and tops. I got a slouc layering top for a fiver (new) which came with a vest top. My very stylish friend saw it and said "Ooo, is that from mint velvet?". Big scarves there for a fiver or less. Slouchy jumpers for £10. Otherwise, I thought primark had some great tops when I was there recently.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page