I need a new wardrobe

[Youbutterbelieve]

Genuinely. I've lost 5stone. I've managed to maintain the loss for more than 6 months now. During the 2years of losing weight I bought minimal clothes (2 pairs of jeans, a dress and a multipack of t shirts) I've gone from a size 20 to a 12/14. I'm pear shaped. Every item in my wardrobe is now far too big, and I need a new wardrobe. (All my old size 12s are too dated).

So hit me. I'm 40, blond and only need casual stuff.

Congratulations on the weight loss.

A bit hard to recommend anything though as it's unclear what you want apart from new casual stuff that fits. Or are you looking for a different style now?

I've been overweight for about 10 years. Prior to that I was quite fashionable and had a sense of style..though it was quite mainstream. I got really overweight and just lost all sense of me. I dressed to hide.

I'd really like some fashionable key pieces, but have nowhere to start and no idea where to start!

I like the styles of Julia and Meg in motherland but think I actually wear stuff (and better suit) more like Amanda.

Congratulations.
I'm very classic and Conservative so unlikely to be much help but I'd start with a well cut pair of jeans and a whistle's Jersey jacket. And some bloody good and well fitting underwear.
Enjoy the new you.

Ooooh very exciting, I watched a good thing on Instragram about capsule wardrobes. The lady recommended buying, a nice pair of jeans (I think she said straight leg), a thick white T shirt, a neutral coloured jumper, another neutral coloured round neck ,cardigan, a white shirt , a pair of neutral trousers and a good wool coat. She then did lots of mix and matching and made some good outfits.

Oh and a blazer I think.

I'm good with knickers- treated myself a little while ago to lots of pairs. But I still wearing ill fitting bralettes (tiny, but thankfully perky, boobs).

Where would you recommend for good jeans? And what shape? I love the look of barrel but they look stupid on me. Flared and boot cut look great, but are they really dated?

I'm not a style icon by any stretch and would stick with slim and straight. I find M&S jeans fit very well and are very good value. The expensive ones for M&S at about £45. John Lewis do a good bra fitting in my experience.

Congratulations on the weight loss. I would just have fun and try loads of stuff on and see what you like. I wear lots of different styles of jeans, but most are second hand that I've tried on in person. If you feel something is "dated" mixing it with something more current makes it look intentional and less so. If you really want guidance, places like John Lewis do personal styling.

Gosh, that must be a huge change to come to terms with and navigate.

You don’t give a budget (!) but if there’s nothing in your wardrobe then the obvious place to start would be either

Uniqlo

or

Community Clothing

depending on your budget. They both do simple, well cut, contemporary mainstream basics, the difference in price reflecting a difference in ethos and sourcing.

A size 12 pear shape can wear anything - but I wouldn’t want to suggest more without a better idea of your lifestyle and spending limitations / priorities.

Life style - work from home 99% of the time and enjoy the outdoors but live in a city. 2 primary age kids and a dog.

Budget is probably a few thousand but that's to include accessories, shoes and bras.

I have a fat face dress that fits and looks good and a brown leather belt, a loose fitting blue casual summer playsuit and a bikini. I'm not as toned as I'd like but no loose skin, some stretch marks from 2 pregnancies.

Priorities are probably a great pair of jeans and a couple of good tops - think brunch with friends, trips to NT. I'm not off to fancy parties or corporate events. I'd also like a non-jeans option, don't mind if trousers or skirt, or both.

I'm thinking 4 bottoms and some more tops.

I have a Mac/trench coat that looks good (if you like that sort of thing, DH calls it my flasher Mac).

I'm generally in to more ethical shopping - nobody's child, hush, lots of second hand etc. and not fast fashion - I like to get a couple of key pieces/ accessories per season to update my look.

I suppose the obvious thing is that you’ll be able to shop from an infinitely wider range of brands / sites now.

Definitely have a look at Community Clothing for your most basic of basics. From there you could branch out to

American Vintage for colourful home life and very casual coffee shop type things.

Or, if it doesn’t seem too serious for your lifestyle, you could try the

Cos / Studio Nicholson route to grown up city wear. It is all quite neutral though.

For informal ‘one good thing’ purchases

La Fetiche is niche and wonderful. One garment from them can really elevate a jeans and a trench coat look for work zoom calls or meeting a friend for lunch.

But obviously you’ll want to look at everything - for that I’d recommend

Collagerie - for the best picks from innumerable brands at every price from supermarket to couture.

Thank you.

I'm going to enjoy looking at all that!

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/trousers/product.barrel-leg-cotton-trousers-black.1237918001.html?utm_campaign=cos_gb__conversion___transaction_google_shopping_brand-catchall___precis&gclid=CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y7pXEuXG9sr9GpiJuRkdgL7TbiOj8oE05qky5vl5y7jHxPsU-sRNRRoCkHAQAvD_BwE

cos black trousers above, apparently Primark have some identical!

https://www.asos.com/topshop/topshop-poplin-midi-full-skirt-in-black/prd/206913986?currencyid=1&browsecountry=GB&affid=28906&_CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y11f5gpxjRyuQlhnRFo1m5Pn8ao6oORuKjK-vRCNbXSoDFmizBCk2hoCWXYQAvD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=21151737980%7C%7C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21151737980&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBcXHtbHFQA0q7R9kia3poCi&gclid=CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y11f5gpxjRyuQlhnRFo1m5Pn8ao6oORuKjK-vRCNbXSoDFmizBCk2hoCWXYQAvD_BwE

https://www.johnlewis.com/omnes-hopper-oversized-contrast-trim-cardigan/magenta/p112836010?size=S&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1yg0FwhLwEBvm9wYM8yeIQ9r&gclid=CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y4APNgfW1qAG0R3Wf76wBNAMqGVRF4LsiNfevNpDqNU1J9tXXEV3aBoC_eQQAvD_BwE

https://www.marksandspencer.com/high-waisted-wide-leg-jeans/p/clp60504942?color=MEDIUMINDIGO#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r9c2

I have these jeans and love them

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su383578/c58299?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UUQeBOt48sLPEcex4pk4SgUM&gclid=CjwKCAiAwaG9BhAREiwAdhv6Y3WY4KVcAD1qzQmX9rMtQv30uprR7y4mEMK5MujK0ZlmrNJxFJYtURoCYesQAvD_BwE#C58299

these next tshirts are lovely quality

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-oversized-stripe-long-sleeve-sweat-with-navy-rib/prd/207666739#colourWayId-207666741

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-cropped-barrel-leg-jean-with-button-fly-in-green/prd/208105640#colourWayId-208105674

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E474402-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

https://mintvelvet.com/products/indigo-ultimate-tapered-jean

H&M dress. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1265584003.html

This coat is lovely and a good price if you want a winter coat

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Flannel-Puffer-Coat/p/A11762?swatch=Pale%20Grey

I would take your time to get what you really want and establish your style. As I said earlier, most of my jeans are secondhand, usually from a charity shop, that I've tried on: Levis, M&S, Ralph Lauren, Diesel. If I buy secondhand online, I take measurements. I think having a wishlist of what you want is good too.