I need new clothes. Where do I start?

[jennimoo]

I've just had DC2 and haven't bought much in the way of clothes for ages. All the stuff I have seems very unflattering with a wobbly tummy, or far too young for me now (32 in 2 weeks ;) )

I need to be able to BF in the clothes I get, but definitely doesn't need to be nursing tops!

Where do I start? How do I work out what will suit me? I'm having a 'colour analysis' for my birthday but still don't know what shape clothes will be best. I ordered loads of tops the last few weeks and haven't found anything I'm comfortable with.

I thought about reading the gok / trinny and Susanna books from the library but wondered if anyone had any ideas...

Don't spend too much money when you have such a young baby. Your shape will keep changing.

Maybe buy a couple of cheap ish outfits to try out? Have a good think about what would be practical for you. I live in jeans / maxi tube skirts with a vest / t-shirt or pop-over shirt (when BF I wore a vest plus another top) and a cardy if needed. There is simply no point for me in buying anything much else, it will sit unworn in a wardrobe.

Invest in pieces like boots and scarves, that will still be wearable a few months down the line.

Roughly what body shape are you? What are your best bits? E.g. for me, my legs are by far my best asset, so skinny jeans are my friend. My tummy is not that good, so I go for longer tops and nothing ultra-fitted.

Visit here - dressipi.com/ it's great for working out your shape and what suits you.

I'd then visit a large department store like John Lewis or Selfridges to try on outfits that fit your new shape/size after having a baby. I did this recently and spent too much money in John Lewis, 'twas fab actually investing in some decent fitting and right colouring clothes!

Well shape-wise I'm big boobed, relatively small waisted, with huge legs: thighs and calves. I'm not a fan of lots of cleavage and want to keep my saggy mummy tummy hidde. I find skinny jeans aren't good and usually get boot cut. I love dresses but never wear them as hate my legs and can't get long boots to fit my calves anyway.

I think cheapish clothes and new boots / accessories sounds like a good plan, and will check out that site.

I recommend H&M! Get a maxi tube skirt (or even 2), some long line stretchy vests (great for sucking in tummies), and a couple of shirts / v-neck jumpers that you like. You sound like you might suit belts, if you are small waisted? Try wearing these clothes for a couple of weeks to see how you feel. If you like it, buy more along the same lines. If not, move on to trousers, cardies etc. I am extremely lazy a big fan of having a "uniform" for everyday wear - find shapes that suit you through trial and error (and research per pp's site) and just stick to them.

Make sure that you go shopping without children, having done your hair and makeup, and when you are not too knackered (otherwise, if you are anything like me, everything will just look crap and slightly blurry due to lack of sleep). Give yourself at least a couple of hours to rake and try things on.

This is the kind of ideas I need, thank you!

So if I get some short boots would that be the right footwear? And tights underneath when it's cold? And any suggestions on tops? All the ones I've tried recently have either been too right on the tummy or just looked like huge bin bag type things on me :(

I love the idea of a 'uniform' though, makes dressing much easier!

Short boots would be good and versatile. And yes to tights.

For tops, I would try not-too-fitted T-shirts over (slightly longer sucky-in) vests, or something like this might be nice, with a belt if your waist is a good feature? (There are various versions of this top - checked and floral as well, if this isn't your style).