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Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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Original poster

capsule summer wardrobe from scratch

46 replies

danae · 13/04/2007 18:29

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fishie · 14/04/2007 20:22

danae, have a look at green dress with pink bow here it is the worst pic ever but it is really really nice, small waist, goes in slightly at bottom hem which is knee length and best of all has an elasticated back so will fit no matter what with bf.

itshardworkbeingamum · 14/04/2007 21:50

Why don't you get mil to take you shopping? Sounds like she would be really cool.

Meantime, go to a personal shopper - call them in advance and give as many details as poss. It's totally fun and they give you champagne too. Make a plan for what activities and functions you will undertake while in France an tell them so they know what kind of thing you need.

If it makes you nervous then take a friend, or mil.

Throw away the t-shirts to make sure you don't wear them again by accident.

I've heard this is good, but haven't tried myself as am very skinny.

Original poster

danae · 14/04/2007 21:58

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Issymum · 14/04/2007 22:20

Hi Danae

I've used two advisers, Fiona and Charlotte, at the personal shopping service at John Lewis in Oxford Street (020 7514 3530 - for an appointment). Fiona is excellent but probably a bit more business suit orientated, Charlotte is also very good, particularly for more relaxed clothes and accessories plus she has an hour glass shape and so had already worked out which clothes in their current collections would suit that shape. I found her to be fun and encouraging with none of that rather patronising bossiness familiar from Trinny & Susannah. The fashion advisers will sort out everything for you from underwear to bracelets.

The sessions last for two hours and are generally held in a private changing room. You discuss your requirements, lifestyle, budget etc. then go round the floor with them as they select clothes for you. You return to the changing room and start to try clothes on and then as you begin to determine what works and what fits they just bring you more and more clothes - different sizes, shapes, colours - until you've found a selection you and they feel comfortable with - there is a lot of professional pride at stake. Charlotte went to the sub-basement storeroom to find just the right size of an Episode skirt for a suit and then to the jewellery counter to find a selection of costume jewellery to co-ordinate with the suit, whilst I relaxed in the changing room. Fiona summoned up the bra-fitting lady and the seamstress for alterations.

Two hours later, you're sorted and if you change your mind when you get home, you can return the clothes to any John Lewis store in the normal way.

What's not to like?

Issymum · 14/04/2007 22:23

And at an MIL who is a walking work-of-art. How discouraging must that be? However, with your beautifully co-ordinated and accessorised capsule wardrobe and your PhD, you can say 'Pah!' to ambulant art works!

BTW I have the reasonable norks, very small waist, thunderous thighs, large arse combo. It's a particularly difficult shape when trying to pull off effortless elegance.

Pannacotta · 14/04/2007 22:23

Personally I think you can acquire style as you go, but it's much easier to look stylish if you have a good capsule wardrobe plus decent shoes to match.
That's why I think its worth going to a good personal shopper and perhaps blowing the £500 in one go (get shoes and bag/s too if poss). This way you should end up with appropriate clothes and accessories which work well together rather than the hotch potch one might get by shopping here and there.
If you can, try not to compare yourself to your MIL who sounds rather unsympathetic, there are more important things in life than looking stylish....
There are stylists who will come to your house, go through your clothes and then take you shopping (see www.styledoctors.com), but this does get expensive....

Issymum · 14/04/2007 22:33

And another thing... if your waist is disproportionately small when compared to your hips, I think it's worth looking for trousers and skirts that can be easily and effectively altered. I've now accepted that all my trousers and skirts will need to be taken in at the waist and tend to factor the alteration cost into the price of the garment. The clothes I have that have been altered and fit really well, I've worn to pieces. Having said that Episode trousers and skirts seem particularly good for this shape. I've recently bought an Episode skirt and even more amazingly a pair of trousers that didn't require alteration.

Issymum · 14/04/2007 22:38

Actually I think it was Hobbs not Episode. Hmmmm...

Original poster

danae · 14/04/2007 23:02

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BarefootDancer · 14/04/2007 23:20

Are you married to Trinny or Susannah?

BarefootDancer · 14/04/2007 23:28

Read the thread now. With a 7 week old baby I salute your determination to find a new style. I am sure you will look completely fabuloso with the new clothes. Praps the money can stretch to a great haircut too. And go get some up to date advice from the makeup counter too.
YOu can trump the MIL at the style game I am sure.

Original poster

danae · 14/04/2007 23:31

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1dilemma · 14/04/2007 23:57

danae
you do sound awesum and married to a frenchman too lucky you!! I have no useful style tips I havn't seen my waist since before my last child and the thought of going clothes shopping also brings on a cold sweat, however I would say French women are very stylish and I have read this thing about Mothers knee somewhere else so just be yourself your dh is with you because he loves you. A good haircut can also make one feel swish and smart.

Issymum · 15/04/2007 18:43

Absolutely my pleasure Danae. It is a great figure... for corsets and bustles and general bosom-heaving.

If you are down to your last t-shirt, you'll need to book asap for JL as the advisers do tend to get booked up weeks in advance.

Ponce · 15/04/2007 18:44

danae you make me larf

(its cod)

newgirl · 15/04/2007 19:49

yes John Lewis personal shopping!! def go for it - they will find not expensive things too! they have whole range of stuff there

also some sale things on now so you might get lucky with some good bargains!

could i add that white stuff has a good sale on at the mo - lovely girls stuff in there - they have a website if not one near you - its good for everyday mum stuff that looks semi trendy but not scary

eg knee length cotton skirts, wrap tops, wrap cardigans, cotton trousers (agree linen a bit tricky with curves)

pick up some beads from new look or somewhere to go with t shirts and that looks a bit more put together i think

Millie1 · 15/04/2007 20:27

Danae - you sound like a great person. Let us know how you get on - hope you get some things you feel comfortable with. As for your DH - wow! What a guy!

Original poster

danae · 15/04/2007 20:42

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1dilemma · 15/04/2007 21:51

'you are not a Brie cheese' how lovely is that?!! What a sweetie and in a French accent too.

Original poster

danae · 15/04/2007 21:55

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1dilemma · 15/04/2007 23:27

Good luck with the clothes hunt let us know how you get on.
I shall need to do the same just need to shift a stone first

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