Where to get nice looking clothes when your skint?

[Coverup890]

I am useless at shopping and knowing what to buy. I am working on it but have very little self esteem so tend to live in trousers/smart jeans and a random selection of very similar looking jumpers for work they are quite relaxed in my office on clothing as long as it's not scruffy they don't mind as we only have clients come in maybe 2 times a year at most.

Anyway back to my question I have very little money these days as I am now a single mum of three trying to pay off the depts their dad left and having very little money after all the school bills ect. I'm a pear shape, 5ft 4 and over weight and find most of the cheaper shops at the moment only sell short tops which look awful on me I'm always pulling down my current jumpers as I'm so self conscious about my stomach so don't want anything shorter. I'm not a brave dresser as you can probably guess so was wondering if anyone knew where I coulď get some nice tops for work for no more than £25 max? I know that's not much these days but I really don't have more.

I shop in the sales & do surveys to earn vouchers for John Lewis.

There's a thread in credit crunch on saving money & living frugally etc.

Definitely sales. I use top cash back and order online so it get some of the money back that I’ve spent.

Tkmaxx might be good, ebay, charity shops.

I really recommend ASOS basic jersey tops. They are usually long in the body. The below is only £4 in the sale in a few colours.

top

I just got a lovely brushed cotton balloon sleeved jumper from Dorothy Perkins for £18.

New look is worth a look too for jumpers and peacocks have lots of nice stuff although the ulity isn't great.

I was surprised to see lots of lovely stuff in Asda George last week. Not specifically for work but casual wear. Certainly worth a look.

Apricot do lovely tops. They are usually under £20 but their sales are good. I have a few that I have worn for years and years. If they are not cotton, then a team with a cheap black top from primark so I can wear them a few days without them getting sweaty!

I know what you mean about short tops/jumpers, it really irritates me as they just don't suit me, I need coverage! (Pear shape too)
I sometimes find nice things in Matalan, Asda, Tesco, but you have to be prepare to trawl through and be very selective.

Also second Asda and New Look (which often stock Apricot). I have had some lovely things in the past. Matalan too.

Why are you paying off ExP's debts? Get financial advice from CAB first and then think about fashion.

Get on Uniqlo. They're quite reasonably priced anyway, but when they do sales we're talking £4.90 for a supima cotton top which lasts forever. I'm long in the body and have big boobs and they fit very nicely. All of their stuff drops in price a lot in their sale and it's all nice and plain, in lovely colours.
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women

P. S. Also Sainsburys. A lot of my work clothes are from there.

If you can brave it go charity shop shopping in some nicer areas, it’s amazing the things you can find!

gingerbreadman I also got that brushed cotton jumper from Dorothy Perkins, isn't it lovely, feels so soft and had lots of nice comments when I wore it.

Sainsburys have some great clothes, I love this joules inspired top which looks more expensive than it is bargain

Ebay, car boot sales, shop sales and Primark. I hardly ever find good clothes in charity shops anymore, Oxfam being the only exception.

Spend less on basics - socks, underwear, trousers and t-shirts in Primark - then buy a couple of good quality dresses, coat, boots and bag in the sales or on Ebay.

Be brave and try on clothes in shops that would usually be out of your price range. Find one that suits your shape. And get familiar with that shop's sizes.
Then look on eBay. It might take a while until something in your size that you like might come up. But second hand clothes sell for very little and you can get great quality piece.

F

House of Fraser have great online sales and can find v nice tops there. If you choose your fabric and style carefully you can get some real bargains in H&M that look much more expensive than they are.

Sorry to derail OP, @Fluffycloudland77 can I ask where do you find your surveys that pay in John Lewis vouchers?

Ebay and Charity shops in nice areas.

In my local charity shop I've recently found brand-new jumpers by cos, Benetton and jigsaw, along with a dress with label still on from some fancy London boutique that retails for 300 quid, and none of them cost me more than 8 quid...

We don't live in an especially posh area either.

@leccybill good taste haha! I love it very cosy and comfortable and the hem line hides a multitude of sins when worn with high waist jeans!

For anyone interested m.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/oatmeal-balloon-sleeve-top-7221071

Uniqlo sales are excellent.
Most of my ‘most expensive’ stuff comes from eBay though. Look for brands that you know usually work for you, and you can’t really go madly wrong.

Ebay.
Get to know your fit in different labels and search those.
Use an automated bid site if you really want an item.

Somewhere i read to look up online of celebs that have the same body shape as you and look at how they are styled. Cheap shops in like include m and co, primark, peacocks, sainsburys and tk max. Good luck and let us know how you get on xx