Feeling drab in my 30's. Where to shop? Help!

[KitKat1985]

Over the course of lockdown I've done a few extra shifts at work (I'm a nurse) and managed to put a couple of hundred spare pounds together. I'd like to use the money to give myself a fashion overhaul when the shops re-open. I'm nearly 35 and I feel completely drab. It's been a tough couple of years financially so I haven't had much money to spend on myself (although starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel). I have a 5 and 3 year old and work full-time and haven't had much time to spend on my appearance either. All my clothes are old. Some have holes in. My hair is in desperate need of a decent cut. To add to my woes I used to be a size 10/12 and am now firmly in the size 14 camp having put on just over a stone, so whatever I buy needs to help cover up my wobbly bits. Help! I'd like some reasonably priced fashionable clothes, but ones that suit my age and figure. What shops are good?

I actually posted something similar about clothes the other day.
Some of the suggestions I've ordered stuff from are:
H&M
Uniqlo
Fat Face.

I'm still looking around. I also ordered some stuff of Esprit. Used them before but forgot about it. Decent quality and reasonable prices.

As for the rest -- a good skin care routine. I've noticed a difference in my skin since having one and only takes a couple of minutes each day.

Would you dye your hair just to give it a boost until you can get a haircut? Also a deep conditioner might help.

I'm also trying to make sure my eye brows are always neat, and my nails are groomed.

I'm the same age and love the dresses in Monki at the moment, really nice colours and very flattering. H&M is also always a good bet, some very nice dresses and tops in there at the moment. If you feel like spending a bit more then &otherstories is good.

As for hair could you pop up in a nice top knot til lockdown is over, or clip the front back?

A bit of makeup can do wonders for making you feel a bit fresher - I've been wearing concealer, bronzer and mascara for work calls.

Great thank you for those suggestions - I'll check those shops out thanks.

I might look at dyeing my hair just to give my hair a boost. I can't wear nail polish at work so that's out really at the moment (although saying that I could paint my toenails so my feet look a bit better in sandals).

I'm the same! I got my H to give me a lockdown haircut and he did a pretty good job, though about 3 inches shorter than I had wanted after he evened up the sides

I've ended up with a kind of capsule wardrobe since I haven't replaced any clothes and it's been good. I've got 1x jeans, 1x chinos, 1x dress 1x skirt, 1x shorts. A few more bits would be helpful though.

After years avoiding New Look this year I’ve had Mom jeans and 3 lovely midi dresses from there. I also love &other stories - but more expensive but more simple style. I really like their T-shirt’s which are simple but nicely cut. As I’ve got older I’ve gone with a few fashion type dresses and then just simple jeans/T-shirt/trainer - but boring but once you find your style it does work.

Also hugely recommend Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare - swapped when I went totally cruelty free 2 years ago and it’s amazing and cheap.

Be careful about dyeing your hair, hang on to visit the hairdressers when they open if you can.

Two things that helped me.

1. Focus on creating a capsule wardrobe. It makes it easier to get dressed each day and trust that everything goes together. It's better to have fewer items that fit well. Pick a neutral base colour (black, navy, grey, etc) for trousers, skirts, jackets, then just a couple of accent colours that work together. I chose navy, with ochre yellow, tan and white.
2. I used Styled by Susie, an online style consultant. I, like you, had changed body shape and size after having children, and I wasn't sure how to dress my new shape. I'd buy clothes then see a photo of myself and realise it didn't suit me, so I figured it wound be cheaper to get some objective advice. Worth it for me.

Those colours sound lovely @turtletum

Could you post link to your midi dresses @SarBear1980 please?

Zara has nice bits. They usually have fab sales online too. Treat yourself.

Baukjen is great. I think they have a massive discount for NHS workers too. I really struggle with quality. I want great quality clothes made from natural materials and which last. I’ve bought some lovely stuff recently from Baukjen and White Company. I’ve also accepted that I need to go up a size and have ditched the Breton tops that always stretched uncomfortably over my chest!

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/casual-dresses/blue-spot-tiered-smock-midi-dress/p/656511449

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/casual-dresses/brown-leopard-print-tiered-smock-midi-dress/p/657779929

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/casual-dresses/black-poplin-puff-sleeve-smock-midi-dress/p/648340101

There’s a lovely green one I’ve seen others on here wearing too but wrong shades for me...I stick to black, blue, white and leopard and denim in my wardrobe! I wear a belt with these dresses as it suits my shape to highlight my waist plus either very simple back sandals or white trainers.

Ahh there are some fab ideas here thank you ladies. :)

I like the idea of a capsule wardrobe as well, and just get some few nice quality pieces that fit well.

I've overhauled my wardrobe this lockdown. Instead of buying bits here and there I've based it all on matching colours. My base colours are black, dark grey, dark denim. Accent colours white, burgundy and dark green. Now everything can mix and match.
I've got mom jeans, shorts, T shirts, goodies, chinos and dresses in one of the above colours. Mainly casual as work from home and have dogs etc so finally spending money on clothes that get worn everyday.
I've bought from Gap (lovely midi dresses and lots of sales), Asos (mom jeans and shorts), New Look, lovely warm hoodies from Jack Wills (again sale). I'm 37.

Oooh they're like the Zara dresses from last summer - nice. Unfortunately, I can't wear high necks - has to be a v or a scoop otherwise my boobs look like a shelf!

Reiss. They have a sale on.

You've inspired me to order few new things from H&M - a denim dress, white flouncy blouse, lemon lightweight cardigan and yellow linen vest.

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0859092001.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0679854023.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0768759006.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0888507001.html

I wanted a white linen chambray pocket shirt but none in my size.

I’m quite similar to you @Bodie83Nahla. I stick to black, charcoal & off white as my neutrals & greens, burnt orange & petrol blue as my accent colours. In spring & summer I wear light blue denim & in autumn/winter I wear black or grey denim.

I wear high waisted loose fit trousers (mom jeans or peg leg trousers) with thin tops tucked in, midi dresses with leather belts or fitted dungarees/jumpsuits. That’s it, all year round!

I’m 31 (achingly close to 32) & I shop in Lucy & Yak, New Look & ASOS. I have the odd bit from Hush/Mint Velvet & I love Only / &other Stories knitwear

I struggle so much with this too. Feel like early to mid thirties is an age group that slips through the gaps on the high street. Lots of shops I find way too frumpy and mumsy and the rest are way too trendy for me and require you to be built like an 11 year old. I’m 5’10 and a size ten so am slim, but I’m lots of shops things are just cut too short for me. Warehouse was my go to and now that’s gone bust. I love Whistles and a lot of stuff in French Connection but can’t afford too much at that price. Keep the suggestions coming please!