40th - my party and 2 month baby!

[BeginnerSAHM]

Hello - I'm having a party at a shoreditch cocktail bar in March for my 40th birthday.... I also had my third baby the week before Christmas. I'd like to get a really nice dress (vaguely trendy not 'smart' or mumsy) and was thinking of getting a personal shopping appointment. Can anybody recommend somewhere?

My normal style when at home being a mum is skinny jeans, biker boots, whistles-type boxy jumpers. Shops/brands I like are Whistles (well, used to - they've gone off a bit...), Day Birger Mikkelson (sp?), Massimodutti (more for silly tops for work really) and Mint Velvet (a bit). Quite like All saints but I can't really wear black so it doesn't really work for me. I'm normally a size 8/10 slim pear shape and have been 'diagnosed' by House of Colour as a 'natural ingenue' if that means anything to anybody... (Not that I take it that seriously...)

I'm considering John Lewis in Oxford St but think it might be a bit hit and miss. I've been to Selfridges before (when I was single and had a well paid job in the city!) but think they don't do appointments for 'one off' events anymore - just seasonal wardrobe updates. (And there's no way I'm buying a seasonal wardrobe from Selfridges!)

Any other suggestions? Hate Debenhams, sorry....

Or should I use a private personal shopper and spend even more ?

I've lost most of my baby weight (she's 5 weeks) but my tummy's not quite there yet.... Baby number 3 so I'm not expect it to go back quite so easily.

I'm just over 5'5'' and just under 9 stone at the moment - normally somewhere around 8 stone 5.

Thanks all!

p.s. Am inclined to think a blow-dry and a shed load of slap might make the biggest difference to my current grey, tired and frazzled look...

House of Fraser Westfield is great - would definitely recommend trying it out. You can book for a wardrobe refresh (around 3hrs) or 90 mins for an outfit for specific occasion.
Enjoy your party - sounds fab!

Congratulations on your 40th and new baby! Mine is coming up and I would love another!

I had JL personal shopping and it wasn't amazing, but definitely you don't lose anything by seeing what they pull out for you.

Also, I think Phase Eight is good for party-wear and tends to be very flattering - even if the image of the brand is a bit frumpy.

I googled and found alex hart she sounds like she could help and you wouldn't be tied to one store.

Ooh - hadn't thought of Westfield. And will have a look at Alex Hart's website, thank you. Yes, oddly, I was looking at phase right jumpsuits.... Thanks!

Maybedoctor - thank you . She's the best 40th birthday present. Took my years to convince DH to go for number 3 - she was worth the wait though.