so, if you had no clothes at all

[Cappuccino]

cos they were too small (pre preg) or too large (post preg) or too boring

and you wanted to spend say, £100 to get some new ones

bearing in mind that you wouldn't be able to mix and match them with any of the crap you already had

what would you buy? (this isn't hypothetical it's for me, so don't post with any ridiculous ideas about skinny jeans cos I'd look terrible)

don't necessarily go for all back either.
shows up the snot and slime ime

H&M, Primark, Asda (also have a petite range). I'd spend the money on colours that co-ordinate really well so you can mix & match.

I get all my clothes, brand new with the tags still on, from ebay - mostly Monsoon and v. cheap.

all black sorry
some nice browns/greens/purples...
it's just disposable wardrobe, I don't really go in for all this capsule baloney
I get sick of wearing stuff tbh

do you have friends that you could clothes swap with ?
that's great too.

New Look.

Don't be scared by dingy, warehouse appearance. Take deep breath, head for trousers and look out jeans and khaki-combat jobs (developed for military purposes so ideal for life with toddlers). Then, en route to changing rooms grab some shirt-dress type things (which will look great under knee length cardi when cold weather bites)

And bear in mind that shop mirrors are a lot like telly and add 10lb.

harpsi that's a fantastic attitude

I get so bored reading about investment buys and key pieces

unfortunately my friends are completely different shapes to me

yes New Look is fab.
I have no money to spend on clothes but somehow I manage to get new ones
I have four sisters, which helps...

am also a secret fan of M&S cheap fake-cashmere knitwear.

I know, man-made fibres v low rent, but who wants to hand wash? And this cashmillon stuff (or whatever) isn't itchy. Nice deep v-neck jumpers for about £15. Good colours too.

I like slouchy wide trousers (topshop,grey tweedy type) with my trainers for when I don't want heels, nice change from jeans too

I agree tank tops are good too (h&m)

Couple of skirts from primark would go with your boots too.

What colour is your cardi? Will you be using this as your main outerwear til the temperature drops?

H&M do lovely hats, scarves, gloves. I've got a fave cardi that I'm going to try and keep wearing instead of a coat, I'll layer up underneath, with hat, scarf, etc on top to keep warm

M&S have a good range of cheap t-shirts too. Think short sleeved ones are £5 and long sleeved £7, not at good quality as M&S used to be but still wash and wear well.

so shoes are catered for, vg
what is there in your boring stuff that can be worked with?
(bt Topshop have got a sale on at the mo)

I bought Ms tshirts and wash everything at 40c and they still lost their shape. Were crap I saw real cashmere tops in tesco and was tempted, for £30.

another thought, try red herring at Debenhams, very reasonable and they really do wash up well, esp for nice versatile jumpers. I have a green v neck from there which ocst £14 last winter and is still washing up really well - better tahn my ralp lauren ones!

I agree with nearlythree, Ebay is a great source of new good quality clothing if you are on a budget.
I just got a gorgeous Monsoon dress from there, new with tags for just £22 (in the shop it would have been £130!)

H & M have some lovely and good quality stuff in their stores but you do need to be selective - look past the badly made tat in cheapy fabrics - I have lovely skirts and dresses from there which have lasted better than more expensive items. If you are after knitwear, their merino wool stuff is lovely and has outlasted my Jaeger purchases (which shrank and looked crappy within a few washes).

Tesco is also a good bet. They have cords and jeans at £15, combats for £10 and their t-shirts and vests are good value too and last better than ones from Gap imo. Items from their Florence & Fred range are regularly featured in Vogue. So if it's good enough for THE style bible its good enough for me

Top Shop has a sale on right now - look on line for ideas. I bought a pair of red cropped trousers which look v chic and expensive for a bargainous £5 last week .

Next can also be good value. Look through the stores for some of the less obviously Next items (there always seems to be a particular t-shirt/trouser combo each season which appears everywhere - avoid!!). Sandals are great value and usually all leather (bought 3 pairs from their last year all of which were leather soles & uppers and all less than £20). And their sales are fab.

Can also recommend La Redoute. They also have an outlet section on their website.

Asos is worth checking out too (they do their own brand and others). I have a butterfly patterned dress that I have worn loads which cost just £16 but looks more expensive.

tk maxx can be very good for jeans so id head there first

get long t shirts and a long cardigan or jacket from new look

my local oxfam is very good and you can find some nice things so perhaps have a quick look in those too?

i got a fab denim skirt in matalan for 10 quid last week - its very nice - buttons up the front, dark denim, looks more expensive than that

I'd go to Asda, Tesco, New Look and Primark.

What size/shape are you?

a little black dress
a pair of smart trousers
a pair of good fitting jeans (long or knee length)
a pair of stilettos (see you have these already)
opaque tights
grey and black leggings
wrap dress
pinafore dress
jumper dress
denim skirt (may depend on your age)
summery flowy skirt
linen trousers (long or knee length)
city shorts
cardigans for mixing and matching
basic jumpers and tshirts for mixing and matching. However these depend on your norks. polo neck can look very classic but don't work if you have big norkage. same goes for high round necks. if you have big norks v necks and scoop neck are the best sort
a pair of good boots - knee high best imo - ah see you already have these too

Is this thread not 3 years old?!!

God I've just threw away a La Redoute code. Spend £100 and pay £60. I'll go and search the re-cycling bin. I'm not sure if it works for everyone.

Oh so it is

When choosing cardigans or jumpers if you have big norks aswell choose fine knit rather than chunky knit.

Avoid halterneck tops in the summer (although since becoming a mum all of mine have been made redundant. Too much risk of a clinging toddler exposing me )

OK, given that OP was 3 years ago, tell us cappucine, what did you get?!!!
{assuming you can remember!)