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£500 to spend on new wardrobe

37 replies

jampots · 02/11/2006 23:00

I am planning to spend about £500 on a new capsule wardrobe. I rarely buy myself things and if I do it tends "not to go" with other things I have. So, style queens, please tell me what I should buy. Im 5'3" and "sexually plump" I suit winter colours

OP posts:
controlfreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaky2 · 02/11/2006 23:33

i know the sort.

controlfreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaky2 · 02/11/2006 23:34

er. jampots have we scared you off / bored you to teara??

songbirdforever · 02/11/2006 23:39

Got my purse nicked in Primark today ... so that's no recommendation really. If anyone out there is truly stylish and knows what to do with a 40 year old, 5' 3" size 14 (promising herself to get herself down to a size 12 (at least)before Christmas. Big boobs, not bad legs,short neck, let me know ... sorry to hijack thread jampots

pointydog · 02/11/2006 23:56

Ah now, that wouldn't have happened in monsoon, songbird.

Getting back to style and the op, I must admit I went into an adult monsoon for the first time last week after hearing the mn fashionistas mentioning it so much. and they did have some lovely stuff but most 'scrutiating pricey. But as you have £500 in yer hand and if you want to go for a few quality pieces, I'd go there.

jampots · 03/11/2006 00:21

sorry went for a shower

i do like monsoon actually but their prices are quite high. that said if they wear/look good then i will certainly add it to my list

OP posts:
Bexc · 03/11/2006 01:14

Wallis and Bay Trading have some nice clothes at decent prices! I get most of my clothes from Bay and think they're brilliant!

JackieNo · 03/11/2006 07:14

Am very at having £500 to spend all in one go - MrsBadger is fab at coming up with capsule wardrobes - with any luck she'll see this thread.

JackieNo · 03/11/2006 10:04

Bump for MrsBadger.

MrsBadger · 03/11/2006 12:31

is this for work, SAHM and/or going out?

off the top of my head my usual recommendations are:

two trous (not jeans)
one fitted jacket (single breasted)
one pair boots
one scarf
five tops in asstd sleeve lengths
bag to match boots
two big necklaces, one to match each trousers

plus (optional)
winter coat
skirt(s)
wrap dress

Not entirely sure what you mean by 'winter colours' though - is this a Colour Me Beautiful type Winter (ie cool and bright blues and pinks, black, white, grey, and icy pastels)?
If so then try charcoal, slate or black for the trous, boots and jkt, with tops in pale blue, bright blue, hot pink, bluey purple.
Navy sounds like it would suit you but I find it really hard to put with other colours - navy and grey looks v sophisticated though, so a navy top could work with jacket and trousers in of grey.

Agree wide-leg trousers and fitted tops are a good plan - try on v-neck, scoop and wrap styles to see which suits you best. Ones that cling round the ribcage but not round the actual bust can be very flattering.
If you are lacking in the waist dept see if you can get a jacket waisted to within an inch of its life but be aware of where it finishes on the bum - a couple of inches in length makes for a very different look.
this might be a good one to try.

I know it only seems like a few clothes but if you shop carefully so everything goes with everything else (ie get a jacket that goes with both trousers, and tops that go with all three) you get a lot of outfit combos, esp if you add in a skirt.

Bibliophile · 03/11/2006 12:48

I would take that £500 and go to see a personal shopper in a department store that stocks a lot of stuff you like. You don't have to spend a penny of it there, but if, as you say, you tend to buy stuff that doesn't 'go' a shopper can be absolutely fantastic as you can even take in your favourite items from home to build up your wardrobe. Plus it's nice, you don't have to schlepp around lots of shops, get to put your feet up and drink free tea.

jampots · 03/11/2006 15:42

thanks for everyone's suggestions - very helpful

Mrsbadger - im thinking just generally. To all intents and purposes Im a SAHM but I do have a small cleaning company (dont do it myself) so need to look smart but not overdressed when going to see clients etc. I do tend to hide in baggier clothes though but realise if i shopped to fit as it were i would look loads better

OP posts:
Prufrock · 03/11/2006 15:48

Debenhams. Their personal shoppers are great and they have a good range of cheapish lines and more expensive pieces for your quality basics. Last autumn/winter I did my SAHM wardrobe for £400 and got 17 items for that

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