Help - stuck in a rut

[Wheredidyougonow]

Hi, Im not sure where I got lost but over the last few years my dressing and style has just turned to frumpy and honestly feel crap every day. I have a 11 mo and with my first I lost my weight immediately and went back to my usual wardrobe of clothes. This time around I have a mum Tum that just doesn't want to move. The odd thing is that I've lost the weight a fair bit but it's stuck in all the wrong places which means I am finding it so hard to find stuff that fit.

Pre baby - 5'3, size 8 petite perfect fit. Size 4,5 shoes

Now- I'm an 8-10 but 10 is usually too big and 8 is awfully tight on my chest.
Trousers - size 38 fits my waist but just hangs from butt downwards😭
Shoes- I now have flat feet- went to a chiropodist who gave me inner soles but I feel worse. And a size 5 is okayish but 5.5 is huge.

I was gifted a pair of boots recently and I feel absolutely shit that I thought it fit well, wore it out today and that's 300 wasted because it made my legs pain like hell😭

Absolutely nothing in my closet fits, so I decided to donate almost my entire wardrobe and I have nothing to replace it with. Dh gave me money for a milestone birthday and I have just been wasting it on I'll fitting items. PLEASE help.

I've tried the JL shopping advisor but they just didn't get what I was looking for. I need to start from scratch. I'm so depressed and feeling crap.

I would try independent small businesses as they are really good in helping find things that suit you. Also they are more likely to offer guarantees, repairs or amendments to products.

I am aware some people have reservations about going to charity shops. However I got into a habit when money was tight and I am still loving it now I am in 40% tax bracket. I love finding out hidden gems for a fraction of the new price. And if after a while I decide I don't actually love a piece it's not much of a loss. People often compliment me on my outfits. I also like my shopping habits are raising money for good causes whilst supporting the environment

Sorry you’re struggling with this at the moment, @Wheredidyougonow! It can be so depressing when suddenly nothing fits.

I think once you get your head around the fact that most mass produced clothing is not going to fit everybody straight out of the shop, you might find things easier. Do you live in or near a large town or city? If so, you need to locate a well established (and busy) alterations service. Then you need to buy clothes to fit your biggest measurement and take them straight to the alterations place. Waists or trouser legs can be taken in, hems taken up, sleeves shortened, etc. None of these should be particularly expensive, unless you’re having a garment majorly re-made.

Doing this really will free you up to buy pretty much whatever you like, with confidence.

On another thread someone posted this excellent list of ‘sustainable’ clothing brands. Why not have a look and see if any of them would be a good starting point for a new wardrobe?

“Rebella · Yesterday 21:18

Like others have said really depends on budget/what ethical importance you want to prioritise. I buy a lot less and look out for sales some places/brands I shop/look at as out of my budget but might be in yours

Lowie
Community clothing
rapanui
69b boutique
smallable
Komodo
Thinkingmu
faithrowanleeves (small batch)
the walker and walker
Made by sjp (small runs from old fabric)
Asket
Ninety percent
kowtow

also to help you to think about your ethics priorities, has lots of brand recommendations
https://goodonyou.eco/ “