Long story short - I asked for help over the summer and you were all so kind with so much advice, and I felt great and up to date for the first time in years! Well, I've just been on charity shop trawl with a stylish friend with a view to autumn/winter knitwear and scarves, and boy am I pleased with my purchases (it's not high end fashion I grant you but it's still a big step forward for me!). For a grand total of £55 I got:
an FCUK short denim jacket
a short creamy/taupe Principles cord jacket
a jersey knit waterfall dress
a jersey knit pinafore/tunic dress
a mustard-y knit 3/4 sleeve top
a Gap bretton type top
a couple of other embellished long sleeve t tops
three necklaces
a sea green ruffle knit scarf
a creamy gold fine knit scarf
I'm super happy with the two jackets as I have absolutely zero autumn throw on top layers (my only coats are a fleece, a Berghaus waterproof, and a black woven/wool knee length one) - this now gives me many more options for cool but not freezing days! And the two knit dresses are likely to become staples on the school run I feel. So I just wanted to share my continuing joy a bit!