Making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree

[HastyShopper]

My granny has got me a 2K gift card and a personal shopper appointment in Selfridges.
Apparently she doesn't believe in inheritance but does believe in the power of well cut clothes. I've recently got back to size 10/12, babies not babies any more, a few years off 40. To paraphrase - she wanted to get my mojo back and have the satisfaction of seeing me launched into the next decade looking fabulous.

Problem is - luxury stores are really not my natural habitat. Most expensive item of clothing I own is Levi's jeans; a lot is supermarket & second hand. I am a SAHM & wear clothes very hard - lots of time in the park with the kids etc. I am careless at laundry and never dry clean.

Can anyone guide me to where I should aim my unexpected windfall - so that the benefits really last? *
*
I am a bit scared of the prices - and a bit scared of wasting/ruining/mis-choosing stuff.

She has said I am expressly not allowed to eBay off my loot to convert it to cash .**

Selfriges also sell iPads, phones, TVs, computers, they have a huge home department so I'd definitely get myself a fancy coffee machine if I was working from home :-).

You can easily spend 2k without buying a single piece of clothing.

Did I mention jewelry, watches and a huge wine and spirits section? Diptyque candles, gin for the next decade, etc.

I actually wouldn't necessarily spank lots on the mac. Simply because coats do wear out and you can get such gorgeous ones from eg Zara, comptoir etc.

My DH got me a classic tan big mulberry bag (Bayswater) as a gift a few years ago - wondered whether I'd use it, but it has been worn to death, purely because you can fit a laptop in it comfortably.

You could also ask for a 'going out outfit' - bring jeans and ask for a top, jacket and shoes to go with?

I'd go for a good wool coat, a leather jacket, new handbag and if anything left over would head to footwear

What a lovely gift - don't understand the 'controlling' comments at all but hey.
If it was me, I'd get a couple of high end pieces as I might never get the chance to buy them again.
My own choices may not be helpful as my life is probably very different to yours (60, child all grown up and being arm wrestled into retirement) but for what it's worth, I'd save a big chunk for autumn and then look for a weather-worthy coat with both style and a hood (and then I could stop boring people to death on here every year.)
I love tailoring and agree you can buy much better quality if you've time to look for vintage but, if they stock Vivienne Westwood, I'd snap up the chance to get one of her jackets.
And trousers because they're so hard to get right and worth spending more on I think. If they stock Margaret Howell, I'd look at her.
Then mix with mainstream stuff. Enjoy.

If you like the DVF wrap dresses and choose a non too crazy pattern, you'd probably get a lot of wear out of it. Otherwise, a LBD might be more useful.

Yes to Westwood but they haven't currently got a lot online.

What a brilliant gift! Surely if you tell the personal shopper what you've said here, she'll sort you out.

I'd pick things that are going to last well over the years rather than shrinking or getting stained easily, or going out of fashion next year

eg
Tailored wool coat
Leather jacket
Boots
Bag
Swimwear (may sound odd but I find spending a bit more on swimwear makes a big difference to how it looks)
Classic jewellery
Bras

I would be sorely tempted by a killer evening dress but realistically unlikely to get much wear!

How exciting. Have fun.
That's not an investment bomber jacket btw

I would get your colours done first (I used House of colour but there are a few) to work out what really suits you. Them you can be sure that what you buy will last and not be discarded after a few wears as not quite right. This revolutionised my clothes shopping.

Today's the day, ladies! Going to spend all day there!

I'm conflicted - should I haunt the make up and beauty counters?

Or shall I accept that if I don't really 'do' make up /skincare - then high end stuff will just be wasted on me?

I had a box of bareMinerals from two years ago (that MIL recommended to me as 'make up for folk who don't like make up') - which worked OK for parties. I actually shook out the last of the bottle last night - and I did look polish - but still a little mask like. Will something like BareMinerals BareSkin suit me better? Or is it all 'relative' - and aimed at people competent at grooming and beauty? My colours lady recommended Liz Earle - but she looked like a (beautiful) make up counter girl herself (and that was just on the school run) - so I take her advice in this matter with a pinch of salt.

I have a great box of eyeshadow already - that I have no idea how to use.

The kids go and say they don't recognise me when I wear make up,

Also skin care. I'm starting to look old . The wrinkles are here. I've responded by putting Nivea on the Tesco grocery order. Does that cover me for curating my skin in to middle age responsibly? Or should I invite earnest ladies to sell me elixirs today?

If you don't do make up then don't do. Your skin thanks you!

It's too late I'm just seeing this but I would have recommended an honest clear out before today. Throwing away stuff helps you understand what doesn't work for you.

E.g. I buy bold prints, but never wear them.

Have fun today Hasty.

Re. skincare, do go and speak to someone at the Eve Lom counter. I can't recommend their skincare highly enough.

Before I get flamed I mean donating and recycling, not just dumping!

I think that the brands like Maje, Claudie Pierlot & The Kooples will work for you. Zadig & Voltaire might too. Why don't you see how your spending is going & do skincare if there is £150 or so left over at the end. I like the idea that there's no point spending a huge amount on cleanser as you wash it off anyway. With £150 you could do basic new makeup & good moisturiser. Have fun & pick up some Pierre Hermé macarons if you like macarons, they are amazing!

Also, old but confident is hot! Don't fight it, embrace it.

Good luck with your trip today.

In terms of make up, I'd buy a tinted moisturiser or light foundation. I really dislike the 'mask' look so I go for a foundation which cover the blemishes bit still looks natural.

Opal I've had a clear out forced on me be fairly drastic weight loss after six years of perma-pregnancy. I've killed every piece of jersey in my closet - and all of the trousers as well - and all the badly-chosen Boden from my last foray into 'grown up style'.

I'm actually in the weird situation now that I'm wearing clothes from a decade back - when I was last a size 10 - that had been in a dusty box in my garage ever since.

It's been really fun discovering my old style (but I do look very much like what I was then - a vintage shop loving student. And none of it is new, obviously, so some of it is looking threadbare. In the mirror they look beautiful and fun - but if I'm honest with myself - having non-intentional rips in every item of an outfit is probably a bit eccentric in a respectable woman approaching forty. I think I'm looking for the evolution. Going to wear my favourite 'old me' outfit for the appointment today. Velvet trousers and a vintage paisley shirt.).

Living vicariously through your thread today OP. Have a great day. So

Being in your 30s is not old.

Fashion editors push macs every year, I think it's to encourage people to buy more clothes. They don't even have hoods & lots are only showerproof, not waterproof (Londoner who walks everywhere).

Ash boots / shoes/ trainers. Anything ash!

Decent jeans

Leather jacket

Couple of tee shirts, maybe Z&V

Crossover bag

A new perfume

DONE!

Have fun op. What a lovely, thoughtful present. I'm not sure if I am more envious of the shopping trip or your lovely family.

EastPoint thank you for those tips on brands. I'd not heard of them before - but they look fab.

Late thirties isn't old - but I think it's getting into the 'you have the skin you deserve' territory. And I wear myself to destruction - like a hand-me-down car destined for scrap - with only occasional investments in health and wellbeing. Which is probably more of an issue than any nuances of facecream .

I only want to say. I don't have a daughter but when I'm old and if I had the money I would treat a family member to this. I would insist on going along & enjoying the pleasure it would give them male or female. Lunch afterwards with cocktails is a must. ENJOY!