Anyone want to shop vicariously via me? Need a style refresh!

[hurrythefuckupgeorge]

Hi

Looking for some help with links to actual items if possible so if anyone wants to shop via me then please help!

After 2 pregnancies/breast feeding and weight gain have totally lost my way. I feel super frumpy and would like to dress a bit more 'cool'.

I am still breastfeeding and plan to for a while yet so am looking for tops for one up one down feeding, shirts or maybe shirt dresses. I don't normally wear dresses but looking for different ideas. I am normally drawn to blacks, greys and blues in plain fabric so maybe some colour and some interesting details as I feel all my clothes are boring.

Also looking for some accessories to make things a bit more interesting and outfit like rather than looking like I have just flung on a top and jeans (which is true). Maybe belts so I can do the french tuck thing? Lighter scarves would be good too.

I also don't have a clue what I would wear with dresses, ankle boots? Suggestions there would be good too.

I am a size 14 and 5'2 with a serious mum tum and big breastfeeding boobs!

Thanks everyone

for the shoes to wear with dresses, i like casual shoes like these

Thanks @sleepismysuperpower1 those are nice, not sure if my legs are a bit too chunky but will definitely give them a try

Bumping for any other suggestions. Please help

What's a French tuck thing?

@Wakk when you tuck bit of the front of your top into your jeans andbit shows off a bit of your belt. I just don't know where to even start on getting complimentary accessories to pull an outfit together. I feel like I wander the shops aimlessly

I wouldn’t necessarily ditch the jeans, but maybe get some nice tops to go with them.

Yeah definitely need some nice tops, any suggestions?

Oh I like that look. Very Jennifer Garner.

I hope someone links to some nice stuff soon for you.

Do your jeans fit well and flatter you?

Yeah I think so, my legs are my best feature at the moment. Have a few different skinnies which are all high waisted so no muffin top etc. I think jeans are the only things I am getting right at the moment.

I’m no help at all (also size 14 5’2 breastfeeding with a mum-tum feeling lost and clueless). But if you’ve found great jeans, would you mind telling me where they’re from?

I’ve been reading On The Spike’s capsule wardrobe posts and think she’s got a point about getting all the absolute basics sorted first and getting creative later. She’s all about the Hush t-shirts so I might start with some of them, jeans and white trainers. Budget is woeful though!

i also quite like putting vest tops underneath loose blouses like this, but i don't do all the buttons up. Its an easy outfit if I'm not really going anywhere! i also like casual dresses like this, which i wear with the shoes i linked earlier.

Personally, at 5ft 3 (and a very important half), I find the dresses and ankle boots look difficult to pull off.

My look isn't for everyone, but would typically be:

• medium rise skinnies (J brand in TK Max or eBay) because I think they're better with a French tuck and better with my c-section overhang;
• silk shirt worn in French tuck style (eBay, and brands like Pure Collection, Paul Smith and Joseph);

-leather braided belt (I like Mulberry again on eBay and keep to a medium thickness to avoid muffin top- 3cm); -low-heeled tan suede boots (ankle or knee-high) or white trainers (someone on here recommended Candice Cooper so I splurged on those and love them);

• single breasted camel coat (jaeger) or blazer (Helmut Lang; American Vintage both good and, you guessed it, eBay!)

In the summer, I like wide- legged crops and neater tops.

Someone also recommended a US blogger called See (Anna) Jane and she seems to most closely match how I try to dress.

It's 7 years since I packed in breastfeeding (mine wouldn't let it go; hence empty spaniels' ears for tits), but a very close- fitting vest top was the best thing...was more worried about flashing stomach

Sorry busy day so only just checking back in.

@MagicSeeker the ones that fit me best at the moment and disguise the mum tum are M&S high waist jeggings (the £25 ones), M&S Ivy skinnies and Asda skinnies (wonderfit and their cheap £12.50 ones). They are all good and I am wearing them in a mix of colours.

Thanks @sleepismysuperpower1 I will try out some shirts and dress in those styles.

@nowlook your style sounds lovely. I am going to check out the blogger and eBay for good brands. Stupidly I hadn't thought about that! As above I am currently wearing high street but will see if I can find some bargain J Brands as I also have a section tummy.

This thread has been so helpful as it had made me think a lot more about what I am trying to achieve and magicseekers point about basics made me realise I probably do have the basics sorted as have jeans, good quality jersey and nice trainers but it is boring and I need to figure out the creative additions to make it more interesting.

Going to check out the On The Spike blog too, thanks @MagicSeeker

On the John Lewis website you can get a free personal style edit.

It’s kind of like a quiz, asks eye, hair & skin colour, height, weight & colours & brands you like. It asks your body shape & what area you want to draw attention to & away from. Then it gives you a chance to like or dislike certain styles & colours. Then it matches you loads of outfits, right down to bags, shoes and jewellery.

It’s not for everyone, but I did it earlier & it was fab. I was so impressed, I’ve ordered lots of things I would never have even tried before.

Thanks @Offredismysister gave it a try and got some interesting suggestions. Off to town this week so going to track them down in JL.