Stuck in a (paunchy) rut?!

[muddlingthrou]

Hi everyone,

I'm unwisely posting while I'm on my period, so please be kind or I might cry 😭

I'm 35, have a toddler, and have just realised I am painfully out of touch with current fashion. I feel like I've become frumpy overnight!

I used to be stylish and confident, but I'm a size 14-16 for the first time in my life, still have a bit of a post partum belly and much bigger boobs (34D) than before, and I have no idea how to dress for my new shape.

Any tips on styles or brands? I want to feel like me again, but don't know how to get there. How can I find joy in clothes again?? I want to dress for me rather than what other people think, but I'm a bit lost on where to start.

Budget-wise, I can probably stretch to midrange for pieces I really like and that will last.

TIA x

Bumping for you.

I’m also 35 with a toddler and fully relate to everything you’ve said. I’ve been trying to feel more like me for months and getting nowhere. I’ve recently done an online analysis with Style Me Happy and now I’m trying to buy clothes that fit with the results but (hopefully) feel like me. I definitely know what shapes suit me now I just need to find the right clothes.

So sorry, that’s not much help. But know you’re not alone!

Thank you @Herewegooooagain - so do you reckon those online guides are worth doing? Shape is probably what I'm struggling with most. Anything I think is flattering seems to be miles out of date!

Yeah I think so. I’d put it off for about 6 months but then got so fed up I went for it. I had a pretty clear idea of what season I was but for body shape I thought I could come out pear, hourglass or apple 😂It came out as hourglass which was a nice surprise but it’s made me think about shapes I wouldn’t have before.

I’m giving myself a couple of months to sort my wardrobe out and if I’m not getting anywhere I’m going to pay for a personal stylist.

Do you have a John Lewis near you? They offer a complimentary personal stylist service. Might be worth a go.

I would second Style Me Happy: they do a colour analysis for £35 and a shape analysis for £40.. I just got the colour one but found it very helpful, plus the Facebook group is also very helpful and supportive https://www.stylemehappy.co.uk/book-online You’re not on your own OP!

@shivermetimbers77 thank you - that's really helpful to hear. After being very insecure in my teen years, I found a real passion for clothes in my 20s and early 30s. Now my little one isn't a baby anymore, I've got more time to reflect and have realise I really miss that part of my life!

@Herewegooooagain - yes, I can get to a John lewis. I'm intrigued by the stylist service, but always worry they'll pressure me to buy loads! Thinking I should grit my teeth and try it out though

I've done a stylist session with JL before OP and loved it!

Didn't feel pressured at all to buy but ended up buying the entire outfit (was a stylist session for a special occasion) including the shoes and bag as they just went so well with it. It was a lovely experience too, I left feeling really good about my (mum-tummed) self.

It’s honestly worth a go. You definitely shouldn’t feel pressured to buy anything I left plenty behind when I went but if you did ever feel like that you could walk straight to a till on a different floor and return things 😂I did actually come away from mine with a couple of things that felt like me. Unfortunately they were more winter clothes which is why I’m struggling so much at the minute!