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Original poster

capsule summer wardrobe from scratch

46 replies

danae · 13/04/2007 18:29

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Tutter · 13/04/2007 18:32

right, well, first off take the £500

will return with specific ideas later...

(early thoughts: small waist = wrap tops?; short legs = avoid capris, go for full length trews; one or two dresses...)

oranges · 13/04/2007 18:34

You sound like me! Monsoon skirts work really well. Go and at the waist and then out to cover various things. No idea about tops though - I'l still struggling with that. I've been wearing little vest tops with shorts or cardigans half unbuttoned on top.

moondog · 13/04/2007 18:35

I'd book a personal shopper at a dept. store.
Good for you,what was your PhD then?

Tutter · 13/04/2007 18:36

pretty wrap top

what's your style

feminine? plain?

colours?

Mercy · 13/04/2007 18:37

Style-wise you sound like me!

Moondog's idea sounds very sensible.

Would you wear dresses? Linen?

oranges · 13/04/2007 18:38

oh, and you have just completed a phd and given birth. You are not a 'shambolic human heap' - you are awesome.

hana · 13/04/2007 18:39

what a lovely husband you have!
I'd second the idea of a personal shopper, lots of places do them now - and maybe at a place like debenhams where there are lots of shops within, not just their 'own brand'
skirts are fab for this stage, I lived in them the summer when my baby was 6 months

Original poster
danae · 13/04/2007 18:39

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Original poster
danae · 13/04/2007 18:42

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moondog · 13/04/2007 18:44

Danae,you sound great.
I'm sure they all love you anyway but really,personal shopping will get you into stuff you never would have considered.
Costs nowt too.

Mercy · 13/04/2007 18:47

Cod's around.

bumping for you

mumto3girls · 13/04/2007 18:51

Aww you sound lovely and so does your DH.

What sort of thing did you like to wear whilst pg? Are you a trousers gal or a dress/skirt gal?

Original poster
danae · 13/04/2007 19:01

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FluffyMummy123 · 13/04/2007 19:01

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mumto3girls · 13/04/2007 19:05

But wrap tops and smock tops are really in this summer so you could hide any wobbly bits under some of those whilst getting rid of the baby tum slowly but surely...(or just get pg again!!)

Original poster
danae · 13/04/2007 19:05

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FluffyMummy123 · 13/04/2007 19:05

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time4tea · 13/04/2007 21:35

Danae, I sympathise with how you feel in terms of panic and incompetence, I avoided buying any clothes because too depressing, but am much better since (hoping this isn't too cheesy) I checked out Trinny and Susannah's 'rules' therefore I know roughly what sort of shapes will work and can get to trying on something that isn't terrifyingly unflattering quite quickly. Agree entirely about personal shoppers - I had a great experience in Selfridges a few years ago, and my mum got her mother of bride outfit brilliantly with one from Debenhams

good luck and chin up - I'm bf-ing my 7-week, but putting on weight it seems due to keeping fuelling up despite eating healthily... v that you've lost weight...

SilentTerror · 13/04/2007 22:33

I would say capsule wardrobe could be something like this;
1.Linen trousers x2(1 dark,poss brown,1 light,ie cream/beige,look good under dresses)
2.Two dresses,poss empire line(Warehouse good for these,also Great Plains,Principles) can wear over trousers or alone.
3.Great fitting jeans,poss lighter weight denim.
4.Vests/t-shirts,plenty of,try Topshop/Dorothy Perkins/Marks and Spencer.
5.Two cardigans,poss one cropped,linen/viscose mix good for Summer,can be worn over dresses,vests etc.
6.Two skirts,again Principles especially good this year,also Great Plains
7.Ballet shoes(try New Look),sandals.
You could wear one of the dresses for the Christening with funky jewllwer(add that to list as well,Wallis good for this!
Hope that is of some use,and not too over budget!!

Original poster
danae · 13/04/2007 22:41

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SilentTerror · 14/04/2007 10:42

Danae,try the linen/viscose mix trousers from Next or M&S,there are harder wearing.Wallis also has some good thickerlinen ones in and Principles.Worth shopping around for good linen trousers,imo!

moondog · 14/04/2007 10:43

I got two pairs of v nice linen trousers in Next.One white and one black.
Neither is arse revealing.

Original poster
danae · 14/04/2007 15:47

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Pannacotta · 14/04/2007 16:34

Also agree that personal shopper would be good for this sort of shopping.
Try John Lewis, Oxford St if you can get there, supposed to be v good and have wide choice of labels/brands etc.
Also agree with another post that Monsoon is a good place to look for curvy women.
I think pretty cami tops with feminine fitted cardigan together with patterned skirt might well work for you, Principles/Gt Plains good for skirts.
Happy Shopping....

QueenofBleach · 14/04/2007 16:47

Agree with linen trousers from next and good value £15 for cropped £18 for trousers

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