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

[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)

[LucyJones]

32 - is tha youthful of middleaged?!!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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