Online shopping

[Lilliana]

I'm in a style mess - I don't really own any nice clothes and live in jeans and hoodie (I basically wear what I did 15 years ago)

I'm a size 12/14 (losing weight so getting closer to 12 every day) and need some outfits to feel good about myself in while being practical with a toddler. I like the idea of skinny jeans and skirts with leggings/tights and a top but not really sure what works together.

Every time I go online I just don't know where to start or what things actually look like on a person. Actual shopping is a nightmare with a toddler and tbh I hate it as I never know what to try and leave without buying anything.

How do you shop online without it taking hours? How do you know what suits you? How do you create an outfit - preferably with items I can mix and match? Sorry for all the stupid questions!

I'm 35 of that helps and on quite a small budget but any starting points gratefully received.

Well, knowing what suits and fits is the same as shopping IRL; you don't know until you take it off the hanger and try it on. The difference is you have to wait for delivery and return if its not right, so you have to be prepared for the process to take a bit longer. I would:

-Start with the online versions of high street shops you already know and have a fair idea of quality and fit.
-If you can afford it, order in a couple of sizes.
-Look for sites with reviews such as Dorothy Perkins, they can sometimes be a useful guide.
Only shop on sites that offer free returns, or free returns to store, and preferably free delivery. Again, Dorothy Perkins and New Look offer all this, and would suit a small budget.
-Browse lookbooks on the sites you like the clothes for if they have them, that might give you whole outfit ideas. On a more general note, pinterest is good for browsing whole outfit looks.
-Sign up for Quidco and click from there to buy, you get a few extra £s back albeit a few months down the line.
-Sign up for newsletters on the sites you like so you get discount codes.
-If you're really unsure of your style, stick to neutral colours and basics to start with.

The last weekend of this month would be an excellent time to shop, there will be discount codes all over the place as part of Black Friday.

Great ideas, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I've never heard of look books but will look it up as it sounds like what I was looking for earlier. We don't have much in the way of shops around here but will start with your suggestions as I do have those two! Also never thought to use quidco so will look at that too. Thank you

I agree that Pinterest is a great tool when you are trying to get an idea of what you like and what you don't like. I have a folder on my Pinterest called 'Looks I Like' and whenever I spot something that I like, or that I can easily replicate with items I already own, I pin it in my folder.

What kind of shops/brands do you like currently?

The sad answer is I don't know! I've spent the last few years in a sainsburys/asda mix I was never really into clothes and makeup and I have no clue where a 35 year old shops!

Reading blogs shows you what clothes look like on a "real" person. I'm older than you do the blogs I read probably aren't suitable but I'm sure someone coukd recommend some appropriate ones!

I order online all the time (very rarely shop in real life) and return what I don't like..

I seem to be able to visualise clothes on me taking into account my shape.. I can do this easily when I see them on a model.. Even those sites where clothes are styled so they are hanging off the slumped and ultra skinny model... I can look at it and think that it would look a certain way (different and often better!) on me... But I have friends who say they just can't do this and they're put off by the styling...

I would say, just take a punt on things... Be brave and try things you fancy even if you're not sure.. As long as the returns are fairly easy.

To put outfits together, look through magazines, online fashion sites, pinterest etc and see what you like then search for the items that make up those looks...

If you see anyone out and about wearing something you like, make a mental note stalkerish photo then search for similar garments online.

I find it easier to copy an outfit than to create one.

Can you work out what styles and colours suit? Maybe go through your clothes you do like to get an idea?

That will help narrow it down a bit. Eg do you want black, navy or grey skinnies? What neckline and sleeve shapes suit you? Choose a palette and stick to it - I have maroon and grey jeans for example but weatlr my indigo blue ones 90% of the time.

I have a toddler too, live in skinny jeans and find H&M to be really good for the price. They do free delivery over £50 at the moment. Go for ones with high waist to avoid muffin top and builders bum.

M&S jeggings are quite good too but get them as tight as possible as they bag a bit.

Then you can choose some tops, blouses, sweaters to go with your jeans.

I also have a rule not to buy anything unless I like it more than items I already own. You don't need much tbh, I wear about 10% of my clothes 90% of the time!

Thanks everyone. Sorry for the delay in replying I've been at work today. I find it hard to visualise things but looking at what others are wearing is a good idea. I'm not very observant so will start taking note. I guess I just need to go for it and return things - not sure why but i didnt think about the fact I could actually send it back if I didn't like it!!

I will re read all your advice and give it a go. Thanks again