If you needed a whole new wardrobe and only had £100 to apend...

[StarfishSandwich]

...what would you prioritise?

I had DS four weeks ago. I am extremely lucky that I have gone back to my pre-baby weight just by having a baby but my breasts are much larger (about a 30HH), I’m softer around the middle and expect I will be for a while and my hips/thighs are a bit chunkier and less defined. Nothing I own looks right and for some reason I don’t seem to own any autumn or winter clothes anymore! I’m breastfeeding and nothing I own that still fits is remotely breastfeeding friendly!

I have £100 to spare for the time being. I have plenty of underwear but not much else besides. Can anyone make any extreme budget friendly suggestions for revamping?

I’m a busty size 8-10, hourglass shape, if anyone wants to make specific suggestions.

I was in a similar position when I had my dd. Spent the winter months in oversized tunic sweaters and leggings until I had time to tone up a bit. I prioritised warmth and comfort over fashion.

Get to primark and create a capsule wardrobe so you can mix and match. Choose a couple of neutrals and an accent colour and then buy
Leggings x 2 neutrals
Long sleeve tops x 2 neutrals
Breton top
Pair of neutral trousers or skirt
Jeans
Tunic in neutral
Tunic in accent or pattern that works with the neutrals
Cardigan in neutral
Cardigan in accent
Jacket in neutral
I reckon you can do it for £100

With my colouring I would choose navy, black and burgundy.
That selection would give you loads of choice and you can ring the changes with scarves and jewellery.

@Tumilnaughts I’ve spent the last four weeks in DH’s flannel shirts and leggings or maternity jeans and imagine I will probably spend most of the winter like that! Would just be nice to have a few alternatives 😬

@GrimDamnFanjo that’s really helpful, thanks! What are classed as neutrals? I have literally no idea about these things 😂 I’m a big fan of colour and my style would probably be described as ‘comfy, eclectic and slightly mad’ even prior to pregnancy.

Watching with interest as I'm in totally the same boat OP - you are not alone!!

I've got some nice bits in the h and m online sale that should hopefully tide me over. £100 would go quite a way.

I would buy
2 pairs of treggings 1 blue 1 black.
6 vest tops 3 blue 3 black for the feeding technique where you wear 2 vest tops. Then you pull one up and one down that keeps you warm and covered.
2 oversized long cardigans or dip through sweatshirts.
Add colour with scarves that can also cover you up, wipe up mess, keep you warm, swaddled a baby ......

Don’t buy breastfeeding clothes, use the vest trick mentioned above. Get yourself some begging from
M&S and a few nice pieces of knitwear.

Jeggings not begging!

Leggings in indigo
Vest tops x 3 navy, pale pink, grey
Stripped top x 2
Long line chunky knit slouchy cardigan
Long line slouchy jumper

Wear a combination of th above depending on weather and accessorise with the usual-
Scarves
Necklaces
Big bag

Don’t spend money on anything as it won’t fit in 3 months!

Have a look on the sales racks/online sales for places like New Look, m&s, next. Tescos had some lovely pieces when I was in there the other day.

I would buy one of those breastfeeding covers that tie behind your neck so you are completely covered.

Loads of friends swear by them.

I'd buy 2 pairs of jeans and 2 jumpers, or one pair of jeans, 2 jumpers and a jersey dress. Would rather have a few 'okay' things than loads of really cheap ones.

My favourite breastfeeding uniform is maternity leggings (I’m never going back, they’re the comfiest! I’m back in pre baby jeans and everything but am still wearing mat leggings!), long sleeved tshirt, dungaree dress in heavy denim (so baby sick/chewed banana is easy to scrape off when you can’t be arsed to do even more bloody laundry )

I’d absolutely not bother with a feeding cover. If you act confident and relaxed people really don’t seem to notice what you’re doing even with most of a boob exposed (and if they do, I found locking eyes with them and smiling either broke the ice and led to breastfeeding reminiscence, or made them tut and huff away somewhere else, in which case you’re allowed to laugh at them.)

Don't buy leggings!! Certainly not if you're an 8-10, there's really no need (no offence to those who wear leggings)!
I ditched mine when my babies were 4 weeks old.

I agree with Primark, and actually, their skinny jeans are fantastic. I used to wear a pair from there practically all the time for 2 years, and they were still as good as new. I think they're around £11.00

I'd buy skinny jeans (blue & black), a leopard print wool jumper (not everyone's taste I know, maybe grey - less daring), a biker jacket, (your breasts will get smaller again, trust me) a blouse and maybe some new pjs or something comfy for Winter?
You should easily get all that for £100

Oh and, congrats

And yes, I used to just wear a Cami under regular tops for breastfeeding.

My boobs are still comically large 13 months into breastfeeding, so don’t bank on them deciding to revert to a reasonable size!

Stretchy skinny jeans and loose patterned jumpers with a vest top are good though, definitely.

Jeans, 2 jumpers, 3 tops, 1 skirt and maybe a blazer.

Would have to be primark for that price though

Neutrals will depend on your colouring - are you cool or warm?
I'm cool so I wear black, navy and grey.
Warmer peeps may wear camel, olive green or khaki, beige, cream etc
Navy is universal and will suit every one in varying shades.
Think of these colours as a base and then add in colours that work together and with your neutrals.
Some great suggestions on this thread yy to the biker jacket, I wear mine loads at the mo.

Button up cardis can be tops too especially with a contrast cami under neath.
Longline cardigans make great jackets and work well with trousers and skirts/dresses.

Thanks all! I’ve ordered some jeans in the Tu sale for £4.50! And a denim shirt for £10. I have a couple of H&M pairs of jeans which I think I might manage to wiggle back into (a v stretchy pair and a boyfriend fit pair) with some luck so may get myself a skirt and a pair or two of slightly better quality leggings (TK Maxx maybe?) and will then try to focus on tops.

I second focusing on tops and doing simple on legs. Layering always good (as long as boobs still accessible!). I have one light, loose cardi to throw on if get a bit chilly.

I was going to suggest Sainsbury’s when they do the 25% off thing. God I wish they had been around in my childbearing days, sadly a long time ago now!

Get a really well cut pair of trousers in black or navy, fit and flare type often look good on slightly chunkier legs.

Get a couple of nice tops and a cardigan or two, all to go with the trousers.

@Sashh you’re right about fit and flare trousers looking good on me but is there a way to not look like you’re wearing work/school uniform?