Urgent help please - have let myself go and need capsule wardrobe advice before I change my mind

[thinkpink]

Hi,
Have had 4 babies in as many years and gone from a 10/12 to at least a size 18. Have a wardrobe full of size 12 designer stuff - cant wear any of it .

Currently i wear a mixture of maternity stuff and joggin bottoms - look a right state and have been saying I'll buy more when I get back to size 12. Am so depressed with the thought of xmas approaching as have loads of family functons to go to and everyone will want to see the new baby.

I'm only 30 and feel like my days of being stylish are over .........really really getting me down as I used to be so style and fashion conscious but now feel so out of touch and don't even know how to dress to suit my new figure.

I have £500 to spend, 2 hours to shop and am planning to go to Next to buy a capsule wardrobe - can anyone help me with where to spend my money??? Should I stick to one colour??? What clothes will flatter??

I'm about 5ft8, curvy - hourglass I suppose, size 18, blonde.

Please help me as I feel so shit and dont want to go and get depressed cause I look fat and ugly in everything.

Thanks

you are a sahM? do not go to next

ouy nee dthe following

a plain dress( wiht sleeves)for smart cas events

a pari of tarloired woolen toursers

a pari of boots( lon black)

a pair of hig h heeleed shoes to wear wiht abbove( mayeb in a colour)

three wool jumpers wiht vest to layer underneath if needs be( try kew or marks)

a glittery top for parties( cna be cheap)

a scarf and gloevs to go oevr

anice coat( am missing this myselgf)

Next not great for the curvy I don't think. Dorothy perkins better.

Are you a SAHM?

Dresses and knee length a line skirts very flattering and smarter looking. Flat fronted wide leg trousers very good. Low v tunics good over the trousers. A couple of hip length thin v neck cardies with vests under.

Necklaces (cheap) and bracelets to go will lift the whole thing.

No small prints block colour or large prints only. Wrap dress with cami under, a good slip essential for skim factor. Infact good undies in general should be purchased!

Good luck.

Agree re boots and shoes and coat.

Thanks - yes I am a SAHM.....should I start with the coat and get outfits to match??

start with your underwear and make sure you are in the right size bra. Get some good knickers that will hold you in and then you have a silhouette to start with.

A pair of jeans are great to dress down or up with a jumper or top. Today I am wearing jeans and a turquoise polo neck jumper and boots. A v-neck jumper might be better for you to draw away from your tummy and flatter your boobs.

Knickers bras coat boots shoes first I would say. get the underneath right.

Then the other stuff.

Nothing with elasticated waist. Everything must fit well and be fitted iykwim. Never mind the size it is how it looks.

Agree with Project and collision, get good basics (including decent jeans) and go from there.
Gap dark bootcut look good on, esp with curves.
How about going to JOhn Lewis/House of Fraser etc and book an appt with a personal shopper so you will buy peices which work together.
Also this means you can buy from different outlets/labels without traipsing round the shops.
Hard to say which shops are best as it depends on your figure and personality but agree not Next, the Next look is too work-y and a bit run of the mill (IMHO of course).
How about H&M, Monsoon (for party things), Oasis, Jigsaw, L Ashley, Top Shop and maybe Hobbs for a well cut coat?

avoid next
Debenhams personal shopper too
get jeans in Gap

Why avoid Next?

I have some great bits from Next.

great bits, great bits

head-to-toe Next is not usually a good thing, esp as OP is tall, curvy and used to designer schmutter.

Being of the tall, curvy persuasion myself, I can heartily recommend you avoid Next. Its horrendously small sized/ cut for straight up and down types. I went in once feeling fat and frumpy, came out feeling a hundred times worse. Would definitely echo the Debenhams/Frasers/John Lewis with a personal shopper. The clothes might cost more, but I have found them to be cut to fit much better. Much less soul destroying. Dorothy Perkins also good for those of the larger persuasion.

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I am a 16 everywhere else but a ridiculous 20 in h&m trousers. IF they hadn't been fab I would have left without them .

I am tall and curvy, and can really recommend Monsoon trousers and jeans. Pricey, but a great cut and length.

sale on here I am the same size and colouring as you and i like Uttam and Gap has some fab things just now.Good solid basic colours like navy and charcoal.
at £500