So I went shopping today for the first time in 18 months

[LucyJones]

Haven't been clothes shopping since got preggers with dd in Dec last year. Dd now 6 months so have to go back to work next week. What is with strange sizes? Topshop have stopped bothering with 12/14/16 etc and have letters on thier trousers for skinny fit (V), slim flare (WTF) etc etc. Eventully had to ask shop assistant for a size 14 bootcut.
H&M size 14 didn't even get past my knees... but Dotty P's and M&S size 14 fine.
Strange assortment of tops everywhere - all wierd knee length tops that are supposed to be worn with leggings - who over age 16 wears these things? i can see that I won' venture out for another 18 months

[Pannacotta]

Agree with the others that jeans are often not the way to feel/look stylish, esp post baby when your body and curves (ie flesh) are softer than before. Cords and smart combats are more forgiving on curvy bodies, which most womens bodies are (curvy, that is). I did use a personal shopper at John Lewis twice after having DS and it is helpful. I also paid for a style adviser to come to my home, go through all my clothes and then help me decide what I needed and then go shopping for it. Money well spent as I now know what to look for and what to avoid. Am fairly slim but still found shopping post baby quite depressing so its not just you Lucy! Shops/labels which I find good for a womanly fit are Principles (good trouser cut and great website), Monsoon (good for curves and pretty/dressy things), Phase Eight (also for dressy things but good too for flattering, jersey stretchy skirts) and H&M for choice and low prices if you need casual tops and esp good for summer clothes. Hope this helps

[crunchie]

IMHO the longish tops are cool, however I hate those with the tie thing around the waist (I know everyone else will love them!!) I have just bougt a nice smocky thing from New look to wear with skinny or straight leg jeans,

It depends on what you need to wear for work (I have to wear suits now) but the fashion is 'volume' this could mean Wide jeans and little skinny top, or skinny jeans and smock top, or tailored skirt and balloon sleeved top. It is all about balancing one piece of 'volume' with a fitted thing elsewhere.

On jeans, skinny/straight is the way to go, those smock tops will hide the middle, add a little cropped cardi to balance up the top if you need to.

[sassy]

Lucy - I am surprised to hear you say you are 14-16. I am 5ft7 and 11st4 (Wish I was 10st4 but that's another thread) and I wear a size 12 bottoms from places like Next, M&S, DP etc. Cheaper/kids'type shops like Top shop I don't go in! I do have tremendous norkage and need a 14-16 on top though.

I find trousers with fitted top but wide legs all the way down, not just bootcut are v flattering to our height and give illusion of little bum too. Am looking at a pair of Boden jeans at the mo - £55 (yelp!) but the right shape as detailed above. Smock tops are great, esp if you have a bit of a tummy post-baby, wear with tightish trousers.

[MrsBadger]

32 is youthful yet sophisticated .

I am shopping for an early-pg body with small chest, large bum and developing tum and was repelled by those long smock tops yesterday, so am avoiding Topshop, Primark etc that seem only to have these things and sticking to slightly more classic stuff from Next and Gap type places.

Jeans are indeed a sodding minefield - if I can't get Next bootcut stretch long (my favoured cut, don't care if it's Last Season, makes my bum look better) I go without and wear cords, wide-leg trousers or even combats instead.

I agree that non-saturday shopping is generally much more rewarding than the weekend sort, and that a personal shopper is a terrific idea.

[NotQuiteCockney]

GAP jean sizes are very weird. I have a lovely pair of DP jeans I bought the other week in a 16. Fine, so I go into Gap for the first time, decide to try 'long and lean' style, whatever the hell that is. (It is stretch, which is a necessity, as I bike everywhere.)

Can't fit into a 16. Can't fit into an 18. Give up.

[LucyJones]

32 - is tha youthful of middleaged?!!

[simplycontrolfreaky]

how old are you lucy?? if you are more youthful than middle aged then i say straight legs with some firmness. bootcut will age you imo as jeans have moved on to skinny / baggy spectrum (but straight legs easier to pull off than skinny in those over size 10)

[JackieNo]

There's some good stuff on this thread too - looks like Monsoon may be worth a try .

[LucyJones]

wow thnaks, excellent advice here

[JackieNo]

Oh thank goodness - someone who knows about jeans.

[simplycontrolfreaky]

ok. calm down. deep breaths. say "ommmmmmm".
right. at 5'6 you are no shortarse. atsize 14/16 you are completely reasonable size. go to gap and ask for help with jeans. you want straight legs, not too much flare or bagginess in lower leg. on top you shoud try layering fine knot long or 3/4 sleeve (scoop or v neck)top under a tunic or smocky top. you will feel strange when you try this for first time as this was not a look in all the shops last time you bought clothes.... but trust me.... you will blend in with the rest of the world and not feel frumpy. you can wear with flat pumps /boots / heel as you fancy. chose some neutral colour tops and a couple of compatible tunicy things... keepo the colours simple and not too brash. also try the wrap dress suggestion (wear a cami underneath) but shirt dress style may be better (buttoning only to waist) if you are not well endowed up top. take a mate you trust and who dresses well to help you.

[LucyJones]

think tailored trousers might be the eway to go. Any suggestions for the best places? Next maybe?

[LucyJones]

soory, didn't want this to turn into sympathy fest but thnaks for knid words
Will perhaps venture into Gap on a quieter day. Does anyone else get intimidated by the staff though? They always look so gorgeous and young in all the shops

[FrannyandZooey]

I would forget the jeans tbh but maybe someone else will say different

I just think they can be very unforgiving, they are usually tight and a stiff fabric - not good if you have a more curvy / soft body. Layers and tailored trousers or skirts can look equally casual / young / trendy / etc as jeans, and be much more flattering

[JackieNo]

Oh blimey - poor you, lucy.

[LucyJones]

Oh yes, was a blast dress shopping with size 6 Mother and size 8 sister (God I sound bitter and twisted!!)

[JackieNo]

Size 14 going on 16 is not anything to be ashamed of. Try collaring an assistant in Gap and getting them to bring you stuff. They should be able to work out what size you need. Know what you mean about the sizes there, even the kids ones can be difficult to work out.

[LucyJones]

or slim

[FrannyandZooey]

"Mum said I needed to lose weight before trying on any more "

oh good lord

What a cow. Have expensive therapy and send her the bill

[LucyJones]

well, I ask you, how can a flare be skinny

[LucyJones]

F&Z - that sounds like an idea. Maybe I shouldn't have been so fixated with jeans... maybe something else...

[FrannyandZooey]

ps I like "slim flare (WTF)"

agree AnnieMac and Mrs B will sort you out

cod also v helpful for jeans - must you have jeans?

[LucyJones]

I was going to try Gap but was pout off by the strange sizes in there too!!! I guess it is American. I think I'm too simple to shop
I can't shop with anyone else because I'm too ashamed of my body tbh
I think it stems from one of the worst experiences I ever had - bridesmaid dress shopping for sisters' wedding in 2001 Mum said I needed to lose weight before trying on any more

[FrannyandZooey]

Jeans may not be the most flattering thing IMO

Dresses and separates? I would buy pretty things like wrap cardies and printed tops. Lots of layers on top in complementing colours is a cool look and something plain at the bottom.

Don't forget great shoes and fab jewellery