£200 - need a complete wardrobe makeover - possible?

[NappyChange]

5'6", size 14. Have not bought clothes in over a year and feel so drab. Trousers / jeans, tops that hide the belly and are not too glam so I look over the top doing the weekly shop but I just want to smarten up and look nice. Can anyone recommend some great buys and items that they are really pleased they bought?

def possible

most important item is good coat or jacket to sling over any outfit as it's what people see most when you're out and about this kind of thing
better price

or this time of year you may be better getting a cheapish wool coat (Primark, Peacocks, Dorothy Perkins, New Look, Matalan etc) for the same reason.

Definately possible. £200 would get me the clothes and a wardrobe.

Will be watching this with interest

supermarkets have a few gems - I am very pleased with my new asda cardie

Also will be watching this thread and starting one about coats/parkas - please post, I need help!

NappyChange, will give some thought to your OP: what's your sort of style?

That is a lovely cardie from Asda.

I'm not into frills and bows, like bright colours, comfortable materials, nothing clingy. Smart jeans (and not the ones I currently have that are ones that sit on the hips but really just are a platform for my belly to hang on)are a favourite, ankle boots without a heel, jumpers that cover the bottom and belly and don't keep on riding up. Maybe a neck scarf to jazz it up. Like the colour of the Asda cardi but the sleeves and bow put me off.

I think TopShop are brill for jeans in terms of fit although usually £40 a pair so not the cheapest. Also watch as they always stretch so should feel tight when you first buy them.

I would def consider Dorothy Perkins - they do some flouncy stuff but lots of basics in large colour ranges. You might like some of their longer cardigans.

Keep posting people as I have the same dilemma and need winter wardrobe soon!

do you have a john lewis, selfridges or topshop near you that does a personal shopping service?

debenhams aren't as good ime so i wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

also harvey nicks and house of fraser do them and fenwicks in london.

imo every woman needs:

a nice black dress
a suit
a pair of good fitting jeans
a pair of stilettos
a pair of good boots (knee high are best imo)

how do you feel about polo kneck jumpers? i think they can look very classic but some people don't feel comfortable in them and not good for women with big norks.

Do you have a h&m near you? they have loads of lovely things this Autumn/Winter purple is a really good colour if you like bright stuff and have the complexion to carry it off.
Dark grey and black are also very 'in' too but i'd say that they are classic colours that you can dress up or down with scarfs hats etc in bright colours like a dab of red, plum or even mustard. But all in all i think it depends on what colours work well on you.
layering also looks lovely but make sure you choose thin fabrics as you'll just end up looking bulky.

Zara also have some lovely coats and blouses very chic! Also Oasis is lovely and get new lines in every week but some things can be a bit pricy.(they do have a sale section all year round as they are v.fashion forward and move through styles quickly) There jeans are nice.

My advice is to not go too crazy and buy something really of the moment specially if you're quite reserved as it will just sit in your wardrobe.

Great ideas! NappyAddict, I only wear stilettos for weddings or big nights out (one in the last 14 mths!). However, polo neck jumpers I do like - but do struggle to find ones that are longer length. Love the swing cardi's from Dotty P's. All being well, will take a stroll to H&M, M&S, Zara & Primark on Thurs and see what's what.

Walnutshell, do you do personal shopping? You have chosen some really nice things. Given me some ideas, and saved me trawling the shops, getting depressed!

I have recently moved to an area which is reasonably(ish) well stocked with high street shops but still pales in comparison to my last town which hosts pretty much everything (in my budget and quite far beyond at least). Therefore I am trawling the internet to find things I will be interested in looking at in person when I visit 'the old place' in a couple of weeks. How sad is that?? We can peruse together if you like MrsM... where shall we start? What do you need?

NappyChange - let us know how it goes on Thursday and what you bought.

PS Sainsbury's do some great stuff - I bought a gorgeous grey swing cardigan for £15 minus a discount offered on the day (15 or 25%?) but they also do some hideous patterns so be warned!

go to Primark
Buy a coat and a bag
and approx 40 more items on that budget
buy dresses for an instant fix and ALWAYS wear statement jewellery (not expensive dull jewellery)

Make sure you have an ace haircut and blow dry it properly

Well, I got a few bits this morning, am pleased with them and they fit at least!

An £8 top from Primark - long length, square neck, a mad orange, black and yellow pattern (its not that bad, honest)

A £40 pair of jeans from Topshop. They are highwaisted ones and omygod it is so nice having support to hold my tummy in!

A £25 cardi from Zara. Gorgeous pale grey, with belt. Also comes in brown and black.

A £25 fawny coloured top from marks. Thin woolen thing, will look really good with beads or on its own.

Was disappointed with Primark as I expected to find lots of bits in there and come out with bagfuls of stuff for £20 but it wasn't to be.

BEST advice from DV - I have booked a cut and dry for nxt week. Sure this will make all the difference.

Still need to get a few more bits so if anyone has anymore tips...esp. those really long cardis that come down to your knees that you don't do up - just leave open iykwim.

Oh well done Nappychange
I have bought high waisted trousers thsi season and agree they feel nice to wear
Enjoy your haircut

My friend got a fab coat and bag from Primark, shame you didn't score this time around

I've had that coat on the Peacocks link. The black 3 button one at the bottom. It's really great for £30.

hmmm I haven't done so well on the same budget.
I bought
double breasted swing coat £45
3 Necklaces £5 £10 £10
Long Tshirt top shop £10
Two top shop vest £9
Long 80's black top with buttons Matalan £12
Cashmere sweater dress Tesco £40
Sweater dress wool? with lg roll neck £14
£165...... I wanted £90 boots

bought some jeans for £8 in primark yesterday