Creating myself a 'uniform'

[CommanderShepard]

I have finally accepted that a) despite my weight being the same as it was pre-pregnancy my body is not the same and b) I dress like a student. I would like to dress more like a (stylish) mum.

DD and DH both have clothes that essentially create a uniform (DD dungarees and vests or dresses and tights; DH trousers, shirt and v-neck pullover) and I have decided this is a good idea because I bought them in the first place and I should do the same for myself, since prior to me passing off four binbags to the charity shops I had nothing of the sort. And now my wardrobe is almost empty.

I am short (5'1"), big boobs, small waist, big hips, don't like my tummy or the tops of my arms. Size 12-14. I do like my boobs and my legs, since they are quite long for my height (which means that why yes indeed, I have no torso). I have brown-red hair, fair freckly skin and blue eyes. And most of my clothes are on the blue/purple/neutral side, as I like that palette.

So given all that, what sort of things would you suggest? I don't have to be especially smart for work (and the company who all being well are about to offer me a job have a uniform) and I would like to be mostly casual-yet-stylish, if such a thing exists. I like wearing scarves, but I always forget to wear jewellery. I don't want many clothes (I'm prepared to do the washing to compensate) but I would like quality stuff that isn't going to date.

What about jersey wrap/mock wrap dresses? They will flatter your boobs and small waist but skim over tummy and hips. Fit and flare dresses with v-necks are also good for this. Perhaps wide belts to further emphasize your waist?

I love this idea and am thinking of it for myself as makes life so much easier .. I am going for the word "my look" rather than uniform though!

I would suggest the dress look as well as you would be able to show off your best bits easily and dresses are very flattering for the bad! I would suggest you get a set of dresses and then some contrasting cardigans to wear with them and then good necklaces .. this way you can mix up how they look by buttoning up cardigan to make it look like skirt and top etc.. a couple of statement bags and you are done!

I agree that dresses are usually flattering on your body shape - a high quality jersey dress looks great, is comfy, and is casual enough for every day. And dresses are SUPER easy since it's the whole outfit in one! Then you can mix it up with scarves and shoes. (And tights in the winer.)

I would just start slowly building your dress collection - and if you find a great one buy it in 2 colors or prints.

My uniform is dress, longline cardigan and Victorian type ankle boots. Sometimes jumper, pencil skirt and longline cardigan

I totally agree about buying something you like in other colours or even 2 of the same thing

Boden have lots of dresses and the website is helpful in that they have an avatar type thing you can dress.

Thanks all - sounds like wrap dresses are the way forward! How practical do you find them with a toddler though? I do love wrap dresses but I haven't worn them much since the arrival of DD.

(I have to confess, and this may get me banned from Mumsnet, that I really, really love waterfall cardigans - I am though a total convert to skinny jeans having been in bootleg hell but I do still like flares )