Out of fashion - pls be gentle with me!

[Lottystar]

Hi ladies, I've seriously lost sight of what is fashionable or stylish since having my two children very close together. I put on a lot of weight during my pregnancies, going from a size 12 to a 16 and whilst I'm trying to lose weight I just feel bleh in my clothes and have no confidence in the way I look anymore. I used to go out in London a lot, enjoy dressing up - to look super smart and chic at work or for a night out but now I haven't a clue as I spend a lot of time home with toddlers. Thing is, I have a do to go to on New Year's Day (formal lunch) with very posh inlaws and there will be a few other youngish females in family who I know will look me up and down. Any advice on what would look classy and make a curvy girl feel good? My budget is £150 ish.

I know I'll be flamed for saying this but I luuuurve boden dresses!!! I love the fact that they are easy to wear, flatter my shape (size 14 pear) are bright and colourful, you can dress them up/down and they never really go in/out of fashion so no need to worry about things like that when I'd rather spend time with my babies. (Now off to hide)

Twinkle thanks, I like Boden too - good quality and good cuts but do you think it looks a bit Mumsy?

What about white stuff and espirit. They have some nice things but maybe not posh enough for the lunch you describe. Boden dresses are not a bad idea for a lunch out and won't look mumsy if you wear heels and make up and your hair is nice. I hope someone more knowledgeable than me comes up with other ideas.

I picked up a couple of great dresses in
Phase Eight sale today, might be worth a look.

If you want to look refained and elegant, yet have ability to move, try Cos online. Simple shapes, drop dead chic, v minimalist and good for the over size 12s.

Are you going to real shops? You may struggle now to get anything delivered by Tuesday? If you have a local john Lewis/waitrose then you could use their click and collect service as they do a variety of brands.

Is there anything you own now that you could dress up with nice jewellery/hair/make up. I know you say you feel blah about everything but you may feel differently if do your hair/make up? If you've put in weight, do you have the right size bra on? That could make a difference too to how things look.

How old are you? Not that it makes a huge difference but gives some idea.

Whose style (in public eye) do you like? Again, gives us something to go on.

I'm 44 and shop in Zara, Whistles, Zara again, ASOS, a bit more Zara, Mango, Massimo Duti and a little bit more Zara!

I'd go for a pair of smart, ankle length trousers - probably in a dark navy at the moment as I think it's currently more modern and chic than black. Looks a bit more thought through if you know what I mean and either a navy or cream blouse. Silk or silk like material. And either red or dark cream shoes. You'd be able to get that for £150 if you did Zara for clothes and New Look (or sales) for shoes.

It would look put together but effortless - like you just pulled it out of the wardrobe.

Saying that, there's a kimono style, slightly oriental silky jacket (no buttons) in Primark at the moment for £15. Black base. I wore it with a black silk vest and black trousers and black heels the other night for a smart but casual dinner.

Thanks ladies, so helpful to get some other opinions. I am 34, fair skin brunette with long hair. To give you some kind of picture.

Usually I shop in the likes of fat face, boden, next, joules and Hobbs. I like classic stuff but also can be a bit rock chick / boho when the mood takes me. I just feel ultra mumsy and want to feel a bit more glam and up to date if that makes sense.

I like Zara but their cuts can be on the small side and I'm not sure I have one near me in Bristol. Only recently moved. Heading into town on Monday when my hubby can watch the munchkins for some peaceful shopping!

Good tip on the bra size btw, definitely going to get measured again when I get the chance - all mine are too big maternity ones or too small from my slimmer days.

Lotty, there's a nice reasonably sized Zara in the centre of Bristol. :)

Checking out Cos too - some interesting shaped dresses, a bit different. I've not heard of them before but definitely one to keep in mind. Thanks :)

Oh and there's also Hobbs, Fat Face, Joules and LK Bennett nearby.

The only White Stuff is a slight trek away by the Bristol Museum though, alas but they have, I think (I'm a goth/rockabilly dresser personally!) Reiss, Jigsaw etc up there too.

YY to prioritising bra fitting as soon as you can. I have a small toddler and another on the way but bra fitting is the one shopping experience I won't compromise on!

I'll get the rest online but DH must create time for me to underwear shop without babies clinging to me! It makes sooooo much difference to how you look in the rest of your clothes.

ifancyashandys suggested outfit sounds great. Ankle length, in navy with some heels will be slimming and make you feel glam.

Lotty - I like Hobbs too, and have two recommendations for you of dresses on their website now. The Hayden dress is a nice smart silk dress, only £47 in the sale. The Georgina dress is also absolutely gorgeous, and I've had tons of compliments when I've worn thus - although v oversized. I would size down by at least one size (I bought 2 sizes smaller than I usually wear). I know both are short sleeve, but not sure if they would work with a cardi/blazer.

Saurus thank you for the Hobbs suggestions - I've just ordered the Georgina dress and hoping that it looks as good in RL.

Excellent! Did you size down?

Yes, sized down. Also ordered a couple of scarfs!

Cheers for the advice on the shops in Bristol - it's definitely going to be an outing to try bits on and an excuse to be child free! I'd love to try rockabilly, esp the wonderful glam hairstyles but all that setting would take more grooming time than the kids would allow. The 40s and 50s cut of clothes oozed sophistication and femininity.

Thanks for the suggestions on the Hobbs site too Saurus - the first has sold out in any size that would fit me and the Georgina one is just a bit too bold for me to carry off but some nice ideas and I will be popping into Hobbs to try a few bits on.

You're welcome! We've got some ace shops here and (almost) anything you could possibly think of! :)

I spent most of my twenties and thirties being a total scruff due to trading in for a bit too long on looking rather younger than I actually am - I turned to the 40s/50s look last year as a last ditch attempt to look better groomed and by jingo, it actually worked! I look almost presentable these days! :)

I am 42 and recently "moved on" from the shops you like, to Mint Velvet (in John Lewis or online), Peopletree and Great Plains. It is just a bit more interesting and less dowdy imo

Especially love Mint velvet, as good quality and no polyester in sight!

lotty welcome to bristol! Did you have a successful shop?

Thanks fiscal read your post and then spent a bundle online at mint velvet. MN costs me a fortune in these fab suggestions, but I dread to think how I would be dressing without them.

I only discovered mint velvet through MN a few years back!

What did you buy rosh?