£500 budget for new wardrobe

[NoClothesNoStyle]

Hi all

Bit nervous to post but here goes.
I have been very generously given £500 for Xmas to spend on a new wardrobe. This sounds excessive, however, I currently have pretty much no clothes, aside from 2 lots of thermals, a few pairs of leggings, 2 pairs of 7 year old jeans, 3 tops which were my husbands, and 3 charity shop jumpers. I have underwear but this is also about 5 years old. This has happened due to a series of life events but we are getting there, and we prioritised other things over clothes.

Anyway. I'm early 30's, 5'8ish and size 10. I'm broad on top and narrow at the hips. Long body short legs and big arms. I suit warm colours.

My day to day is spent with 2 large dogs and a baby, I'm a SAHM.

I'm looking for a new wardrobe with peices that are practical but still look good! I need clothes that will allow me to play with my daughter and walk the dogs but don't make me look dishevelled. I also desperately need new underwear but always seem to get the wrong size bra and I hate underwire but I have a really low set chest.

Any help will be appreciated. Feel like I've lost myself and have put myself so low on the list of priorities that i dont know what to do. I'm going to sleep now and I'll check in the morning because for some reason I feel embarrassed for putting myself out there. Thanks again.

With £500 I would recommend a personal shopper in a shopping centre or a large department store. My dc arranged that for me in a shopping centre for Christmas/big birthday recently and it was well worth doing. The shopper suggested loads of stuff I wouldn't have considered myself but it really worked on me.

I agree with the pp. Sign up for a personal shopper with John Lewis.

Lovely gift to get. I would focus on basics, take a look at some videos on YouTube on basics, and decide what you need to buy. In my younger years I bought most of my clothes in the sale, and had weird mish mash of stuff I found difficult to bring together. Having good basics has made a huge difference to me getting the most out my wardrobe.

You shouldn’t feel embarrassed, everyone needs some help from time to time.

start with underwear - go get a bra fitting. Don’t take anything that isn’t comfortable and doesn’t fit well.

Do you only need casual clothes, or would a few smarter items or things for going out be of use? Do you need shoes out of that budget? Are there any kind of looks that you like?

Get a bra fitting. Spend on good bras as that will help make whatever clothes you get look wonderful.

Step 1: Go to M&S for a bra fitting. 2 bras - approx £25-30ish.

Step 2: 1 pair of jeans and a pair of khaki/navy/black trousers depending on preference - M&S is my go to for jeans/trousers as you can get the leg length you need. Maybe go and try on. £25 each so £50

Jeans example: https://www.marksandspencer.com/sienna-high-waisted-straight-leg-jeans/p/clp60458413?color=DARKINDIGO&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_bau_smec_counterfactual&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bT86vOLqIx6U_1AhJsTmt-wp&gclsrc=ds

Uniqlo for some basic tops and t-shirts - great for layering: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470123-000/00?colorDisplayCode=12&sizeDisplayCode=003

A couple of dresses, I think this would look nice on you https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350352695.aspx?dim1=3&dim2=3&cod=Google-PPC-Shopping-21584646422-&gad_source=1 again trying some on in M&S won’t hurt.

A khaki Shacket https://www.marksandspencer.com/collared-shacket/p/clp23011860?color=KHAKI&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_3pb_smec_counterfactual&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bS3Qd99GD4RpNOl-gibuQ4kR&gclsrc=ds

Adidas gazelles https://www.footlocker.co.uk/en/product/~/316705487904.html?channable=03fda0696400333136373035343837393034303535eb&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=_1%3Auk_2%3Aperformance_3%3Agoogle_4%3Ado_5%3Apmax-shopping_6%3Aconversion_7%3Amix_8%3Aalways%20on_9%3Aadidas_10%3Ana_16%3Aadidas%20vendor%20campaign%20-%20b2%20-%20medium%20performers&utm_id=20425416666&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpdf7RlPOc0KRSIB6kLh-aCVP01z

A nice jumper https://www.whitestuff.com/p/4202/OLIVE-CREW-NECK-COTTON-JUMPER/MID_CHART?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACZTmvZtEfdAJSn4mEkkQmESStrv0

Lovely cord dress in sale too https://www.whitestuff.com/p/4466/jade-cord-dress/DARK_TAN

Go with the idea of a personal shopper with John Lewis and then find your style /look and labels you like and then go on vinted. Remember sizes do vary so best try out in store before buying on vinted .

The links are all absolutely hideous - ignore!!

Denim shirts are quite versatile and good for layering too https://www.hush-uk.com/davina-oversized-denim-shirt-mid-authentic-wash/010091-2797-4.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sale&utm_content=existingusers&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz94ddRJCedqvggGNuW0PU-gFO

A pair of dark or mid blue straight leg jeans
A pair of dark barrel leg jeans
A pair of dark chunky leather boots
A pair of white sneakers
An outdoor jacket, preferably hip length in khaki or navy
A sweater in your favourite colour.
2 shirts/or polo necks merino wool
A looser sweater
A couple of bras and knickers.

That's your very basics. Just doable particularly if you buy in the sale, but only buy good quality, I.e. Cos jeans, cotton or wool sweaters,

Wow that's rude. Maybe not your style or taste but no need to be so rude about someone who has taken the time to help OP. Not sure what your contribution adds.

I actually quite like some of the linked options. The cord dress especially.

OP if you give your opinion on which choices you like then perhaps suggestions can be tailored to suit

Seriously?

It's very easy to get in a rut, particularly if you're not in to clothes/shopping etc. and suddenly realise you have let yourself go. And absolutely nothing wrong with listing the dogs before the baby. It doesn't indicate anything in terms of priorities. I suggest you get a grip.

Op - ignore ridiculous posts like this.

Haha! Do enlighten us with your suggestions?

I am assuming from the post that the OP wants to smarten up a bit but not go down a high fashion route…

@Bailiwitch clue is in your name title for your unpleasant response

I would recommend having a personal styling service... Sounds very upmarket but there are people who do this remotely and affordably. I'd recommend Style Me Happy as an option (I saw this story of service recommend on mumsnet myself!). You send pics of yourself, a completed questionnaire and she will create a document with your best colours, shapes of clothing etc. I did one with another company after having my second son and feeling like I had no style, and no idea what to wear. It really helped me to have an idea of what to buy. You could then use the guidance to buy yourself a new wardrobe! Good luck

www.stylemehappy.co.uk/book-online/style-analysis

I'm not keen on the prescriptive lists.
I don't think "John Lewis personal shopper" is a particularly helpful suggestion for a budget of £500 for everything. You won't get much in JL for £500.

I suggest Tu.
Here's a link to Tu Basics
Tu Basics

All dresses ( just because dresses are my thing but OP can search "all trousers/ tops/ etc")
Tu dresses

And this dress in particular because it's exceptionally nice and a fantastic price.
Tu Black dress

Tu is also great for underwear.

It's all subjective of course but to my eyes there's some awful stuff in those links.

And I don't see the point when the budget is £500 of suggesting a John L personal shopper- you could spend that on a couple of items in JL. Even worse is the stylists who charge. There's a link to one where the starting price for a consultation is £85 ! Almost a 1/5th of budget gone.

I think the best bet is a good supermarket. I've been really impressed with what I've seen on Tu's website recently. George at Asda might be worth a look too.