Personal shoppers: I need your recommendations, before I slump into middle aged matronhood for ever and never dare leave the Inferiority Complex again

[motherinferior]

I hardly ever start threads these days, but oh please fellow MNers, I need help. Especially as I'm working three days a week in a Proper Office, where jeans are permissible but you do have to look quite presentable, and some of my lovely colleagues regularly pop out to spend squillions on a nice new frock.

I really do seem to have lost the plot, style-wise, over the past seven years (oddly enough, the ones coinciding first with motherhood and then with turning 40, and then with motherhood part 2). I don't want to turn into a Proper Laydee but I do need quite badly to revamp my act a bit and drag it out of quite such current mumsiness.

Where would you recommend? Am a shortarse, probably not quite as enormous as I think I am as I fit a size 10 around the bottom and 12 around the norks, red hair, still a bit of a vintagebohohippywanabe, don't do flat shoes, do do norks. Can spend some cash but not squillions...

I had similar apprehensions but the lady I saw was older than me, nicely dressed but not over glammed or frighteningly well groomed. from our chats it seemed like she was used to helping find flattering clothes for all shapes and sizes and was not judgemental or critical.

The receptionists are different - don't get put off by them.

When I've done it I've always had a chat with them on the phone beforehand to tell them what my budget is, my size, age, the types of things I wear at the moment, what I'm looking for etc. So you do't turn up looking for a new coat and them wanting to flog you a sequinned boob tube.

I had a chat in advance with PL. Am taking Hester for Moral Support...it's not till September but do not worry, I will give complete feedback.

PJ that should be...

oooh, I think it is exciting!

oooh, I think it is exciting!

I am overexcited, clearly

I woudl go to ZARA and Hennes

I would go to top shop, FCUK

have alook around at what they have got. Don't buy but see if you can mix an match a few things.

There is a new shop in Carnaby street - for the life of me cannot remember the name - all straight lines and grey/black. fabulous stuff.

I am a jeans person, and tend to wear with good belt and jackets. fitted.

I need someone to take a Good Hard Look at me, Beety. And tell me frankly what is and isn't working. And what might. And what definitely won't.

Wish I was in London, I would be happy to oblige

Message withdrawn

Beety is so blummin gorgeous she can get away with cheap clothes! Not saying that Cod and MI aren't, btw, but I know I can't.
I think having kids later screws up your style more, because you go from one minute having a similar body and style to when you were in your late twenties, to almost overnight having a totally different body, being in a totally different life phase and being over 40 - it's a bit shocking!

if you have time to look in Hennes and Zara then they have some great high fashion stuff. Hennes can be a bit of a nightmare but really does have a selct few things that are worth the fight.

I love zara - bought some fabulous stuff there this new season.

FCUK have some good stuff to.

Agree that H&M is worth digging around, have found some great things in there, I try and go when it is quiet, such as Monday morning.
Since everything is quite reasonable its a good place to go if you want to try new styles/colours so its not a disaster if you change your mind
Cant get on with Zara, not sure why. Find the displays a bit random/all over the place and the lighting odd, but thats just my personal take. Lots of people find Zara great I know.

The new Cos, which is part of the H&M empire, is well worth exploring too.

I slightly yearn for a couple of things in the Toast catalogue - I rather like the idea of myself as a Toastyboho type - but will have to wait till the sale.

And agree about Beety's gorgeousness. And height.

be quiet the two of you!!

I am mostly a boring dresser - jeans etc.

am having to think suits and smart for ew job which is going to be fun

Ooops. better late than never to a thread, I 'spose. One of my favourite people works as a personal dresser in Fenwicks Bond St. She is a good friend, and one of the kindest sweetest people I know. she dresses a few famous people and also a few of my friends and they all look fab (and they're not all rich). The only hiccup is that you just have to ignore the fact that she herself is a gorgeous size 6 (after 2 children ), otherwise you will curl up and die when you meet her. Her name is Carolyn and you need to phone Fenwicks and make an appointment... she will make you feel a million dollars I am sure even if you are only spending a couple of hundred quid.

I have been planning on getting her to dress me once I hit my target post-PG weight... but that, ahem, is taking longer than I anticipated

thanks Squiffy - too late to the thread generally but perfect timing for me, as DH (surprisingly) announced at my birthday dinner that he had not got me a present but thought it would be a good idea for me to go shopping for a day with a personal shopper for my present (and I've already been singing the praises of Fenwick further down the thread).... I will just have to summon up the courage to telephone - and wait until after my haircut this week - and after the mumsnet bootcamp regime starts to take effect......

.... I do wonder if my earlier suspicions that I had left the PC on at some point, so that DH knew my log on name, are being confirmed....

oh well. hardly worth a name change.

ps carolyn will be very surprised when I tell her that "squiffy" recommended her...

She will look mystified, i am sure..... but if you say 'whiffy' instead, she will know exactly who you mean!

Squiffy I may well have had your mate before. Can confirm she is v slim and beautiful - also did a great job for me!

that's the one... all petite and warm and charming and gorgeous. I feel like Hagrid when I'm around her.

Hi,

I have some tips for all of you:

• Dresses - try Diane Von Furstenburg at Harvey Nichs. Beautiful wrap dresses, very flattering. Even cheaper if you are going to the US soon.

• Black trousers - try Whistles or Matches.

• Boots - Kurt Geiger for some great flat or heeled boots. Louboutin at Selfridges or boutique in Knightsbridge for fantastic glam shoes, flat to really high. Prices though. Look on www.net-a-porter.com

• Jeans - look on netaporter as well, they do free returns.

Otherwise look at the new collections from Gap, Oasis and Warehouse. Great wool dresses for autumn/winter.

And a treat, try the Lip Maximiser from Christian Dior, absolutely amazing! Tried it yesterday!

If you want special beauty items for yourself, have a look at www.hillcrestpharmacy.co.uk. All organic baby stuff and for mums too. Great stuff for stretch marks, and loads health and vitamin things too.

Hope this is helpful!

MI - when in September? Have you been? We want to know (even those who have just read this thread now!)