New Wardrobe with this budget

[NewYou42]

Hi, I'm starting from scratch after a decade long of being frumpy, having babies and completely neglecting myself. Had a look at myself the other day and I felt horrible to get to this point. I was the one in my friendship group that was always so well put together and don't know how I let myself go. My wardrobe is a sea of black, navy and more black because I think I just didn't want to be 'seen'.

So I have a 5k budget and I want to start over.

I am 42, very petite, size 8-10, 5'3 . I hold some weight on my tummy so that takes me to a size 10 but all my trousers and jeans are baggy because of that.
I have skinny legs too! I have Indian skin tone as well if that is helpful.

Clothes I loathe:

• Oversized anything: makes me look like a small child playing dressup.
• Big chunky shoes : I have skinny legs and ankles so I feel like a clown in anything Chunky
• Huge trousers or anything that doesnt give me any shape

What I love:

:Fitted or tailored clothing
:Nothing too bright or loud in terms of color
:Feminine feel clothing

Brands that I have a few pieces from and like are Sezane, Mint Velvet, Whistles, Reiss

I have two pairs of trainers as that's all I wear and feel horrible and frumpy when I want to dress up a bit. I wear orthotics so shoes are a bit tricky. I cant bring myself to wear brands such as Vionics as I find them so ugly looking (sorry!) so I had customized orthotics made.

Please help with suggestions?

Spend a few weeks browsing:

Net-a-Porter
Collagerie

and work out what appeals to you. Then spend some more time on the websites of the brands you’ve like.

Also, unless you’ll have another similar amount to spend in six months time, I’d caution against spending it all in one go - because you’ll make mistakes, and maybe find in a couple of months that you’ve changed your mind about what you want. Let your new wardrobe evolve gradually.

Why not spend a month just reading threads here? I've found some wonderful stuff on here and equally stuff that I would refuse to leave the house in.

Don't assume that because a thread is "what do I wear to a wedding/ restaurant/ black tie/ interview/ work" that there will be nothing for you because you're not going to a wedding, etc, etc. The best suggestions are usually items that can be special events but will also integrate into day to day life.

Have you considered booking to see an image and style consultant.

My main advice is to avoid being too prescriptive at this stage, especially about what you don't want. Try instead to experiment, enjoy the ride and let yourself be surprised.

For the same reason, and also based on my own experience at a similar age, I'd also be cautious about 'investment' buys for the time being - I wasted a lot of money that way. And I strongly agree about spending the money gradually.

That's a huge budget. John Lewis used to do personal shoppers for fashion. Not sure if they still do. That's whatI would do.

I have Indian skin too. I rarely wear black or navy; I think it drains me and I feel sad in black.
I think we can carry off bright colours or at least jewel tones if you find bright colours too loud. Consider teal, plum, deep pink, deep purple, mustard yellow, emerald green? I wear all these colours, just not with black trousers because that looks loud.
I hear you about the carrying weight on tummy too. Indian genetic curse! But that means we have good legs.
I am not petite so will leave specific suggestions to others.
Can't you wear flat boots with your orthotics? From Solovaire or Lanx? They are relatively slim line.

Agree. I recently spent a comparable amount on a wardrobe revamp lockdown stress buying but that was over the course of about 3 years and there were plenty of missteps along the way. Most of my initial purchases were not quite right.

Most of your wardrobe is probably perfectly wearable.
Echoing what others have said, do not do all your shopping in a short period.

Go get yourself one new casualish outfit. From undies, jeans/skirt, tee, jumper, coat and shoes. Not black and navy but colours that will make you happy and go with what you have.

Then start blending old and new. Make a list of items that would make this task easier ie - a brown belt.

Repeat every two or three months so that you have all seasons covered.

Some different sites to cruise

Aligne - the fitted waistcoat, dupes available at Next etc. https://aligne.co/collections/tailoring

A silk vest, because they always make you feel fab, are warm and come in may colours https://rosemunde.com/products/rwbelle-sl-v-neck-elastic-top?_pos=15&_sid=4a6653e7a&_ss=r&variant=51789991018828

Muji always has something and being Japanese is great for the petite https://uk.muji.eu/products/womens-ramie-gathered-blouse-19905

Suede jackets are fashionable but expensive, just the sort of thing to hunt down on Vinted. But one must fantasy shop. https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/women/jackets/leather-n1452?celement=2067227