What would you start with?

[Noideawhatusernametouse]

I posted previously about being stuck in a rut and have had a look on the sites suggested. I've had a good look through my wardrobe and aside from some skinnies and a few long line tops it pretty much all needs to go. It's dated, unflattering and I wouldn't buy it. I've plenty of going out clothes but no day to day stuff and I'm fed up of feeling like a scruff.

So, I need to be practical, I do three school/nursery runs a day totalling five miles in all weather with a stroller, baby wearing and coercing a bigger one. I don't have a seasonal wardrobe, the same tops all year round with or without a cardigan on top. It's quite sad really. I live in my durberries in the winter and pumps or flip flops in the summer. I'm booking in for a trim next week but luckily my hair doesn't look too bad, probably because it's wavy and an upside down scrunch with air drying suits it.

I've just been online and ordered some (imo) nice boots, two pairs actually, low heeled boots, an ankle pair and a higher pair, I have some serviceable skinnies and a few pairs of black leggings that aren't falling apart, but where do I go from here? I want to replace everything but can't afford to all at once. If I go shopping I tend to put things back as I think what's the point when everything else I have is crap tbh. So what is the essential staple wardrobe to build on? Plus accessories? I'm awful at coordinating but this year is MY year. I've turned thirty and I'm going to start loving myself

I can't believe the school run you have to do mind and for that, I would wear anything practical suited to the weather that day and not worry about image or anything.

I am in exactly the same position, but ten years older. Desperately need a new wardrobe but not sure what to buy and funds are limited

Ive just bought some basics from hush and I'm going to look through pininterest and these threads and sort my wardrobe ! Lost my mojo put on a stone and feal generally uninspired hoping this will inspire me ! Mind you did sell £400 through second hand designer shop before Xmas so have a bit of cash to start again with going to aim for good quality basics

So many threads like this – I know I posted an almost identical one. It’s so common, I didn’t realise, I didn’t even realise it was happening to me!

I felt frumpy, mumsy, not myself, stuck between being young and old/responsible… I felt like I’d lost my identity. I never wore jeans and all of a sudden I was in the mum uniform of skinny jeans and a practical top. I couldn’t remember buying anything that wasn’t in the sale or practical – really relate to the PP who said pre-kids she brought what she liked. I hated wearing my pre-baby clothes, they didn’t feel right anymore.

So before Xmas – with the help of these boards and talking to good friends – I went on a shopping spree. I don’t have loads of money either so I stuck with places like New Look, Dorothy Perkins, ebay and the sales of GAP, Warehouse and Oasis (old habits die hard!).

These are my go-to outfits:

I have the Eden jeggings from Dorothy Perkins in black and merlot which I used to wear with basic tops from Primark but since my revamp(!) I’ve started wearing shirts. I find they are smarter. I have this shirt: www.warehouse.co.uk/brushed-cotton-check-shirt/all-sale/warehouse/fcp-product/4423097799 which is warm and can be layered with a cheapy Primark vest underneath. I also have a couple of shirts from GAP in the ‘boyfriend’ style. So I’m still casual but feel smarter.

I wore a lot of skirts, tights and boots pre-baby which I loved so I brought a few skirts, This one: www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/burgundy-corduroy-button-front-a-line-skirt_344760167, a leather one like this: www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/black-leather-look-skater-skirt-_358315901?productFind=search. Also a velvet skater one from ebay. These worn with a turtle neck (in the Dorothy Perkins sale) are easy to throw on, the leather one is wipe clean so good if you have young children(!) and looks fashionable.

I’ve got this: www.missguided.co.uk/jersey-t-shirt-skater-dress-black - and a similar one in grey with 3/4 sleeves from Gap – which don’t even need ironing so again are easy to throw on with opaque tights and boots. I’m actually wearing the grey one to work today :D

Hope this helps? Even if the outfits aren’t to your taste, I hope my post shows that you aren’t the only one who feels like this :D

I just saw an Emilia fox interview yesterday in essentials magazine.

She was dressed in florals but looked vintage or you could get same vintage

Blitz london (not sure I can link) in spital fields has a website amongst others.

I have personally bought nice vintage items in shops but unless you have a great store nearby it can be fruitless.

Or Google essentials.

I would start with working out what colours suit you. I found this site good (ignore the pictures at the top which are very frumpy - the advice on finding your colours is spot on): www.lookingstylish.co.uk/your-best-colours-and-how-to-wear-them/

You're much more likely to actually get wear out of stuff if you know you look good in them, even subconsciously.

Twinklestar - what a useful post!! Thanks for taking the time to write it

I agree with Cel982 re: working out what colours suit you. Someone further up this thread suggested getting a couple of black tops. I'd say no to that as the majority of people do not suit black so near to the face and would like washed out (and I say this as a former goth in my youth!). I don't wear any black close to my face but I do wear black skinnies.

I think a simple grey crew neck jumper is a wardrobe staple, as is a simple, smart blazer of some kind. I bought this one in the sale: www.joules.com/Sale/Womens-Sale/Georgie/Single-Breasted-Jersey-Blazer/Marine-Navy?id=T_GEORGIE|MARNAVY

Also, a striped top is a great wardrobe staple - try Boden or H&M - and you can always add interest with a scarf or a necklace (I bought this one recently which adds a nice pop of colour: www.joules.com/Sale/Womens-Sale/Mikanecklace/Beaded-Necklace/Deep-Blue?id=T_MIKANECKLACE|DPBLUE)

I don't actually usually shop at Joules, despite these two recent purchases!

I love a khaki/utility shirt or jacket when it's warmer with skinnies. I have something similar to this from Top Shop: www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jackets-4680203/multi-pocket-jacket-5126007?bi=0&ps=200

I don't follow this particular blogger (Sincerely Jules) myself but I have pinned a few of her looks on Pinterest as they are relatively simple to re-create, for example: www.pinterest.com/pin/129830401734612348/

Another staple I forgot to mention is a denim shirt. I got my absolute favourite one from a charity shop (it's a New Look one). This one from M&S looks nice but I haven't seen it in real life: www.marksandspencer.com/tencel-long-sleeve-shirt/p/p22425697

Sorry, I've been without internet, damned weather, but thanks so much everyone for taking the time to reply to me, I really appreciate it.

teacher1984 - no worries at all. I can really relate to what the OP is saying and wanted to help.

Just to add to my previous post, the Dorothy Perkins turtlenecks aren’t great material so they are going back and I’m on the search for some better-quality ones.