God I'm a frump. Can you help?

[BroccoliSpears]

Three years ago I was a size 10 and reasonably stylish. Am now a size 14 (tho 9 weeks post baby so not beating myself up too much about that. Yet).

Today I caught sight of myself in a mirror in Mothercare:

• Horrid, shapeless, thin cotton, green skirt with elasticated waist. Exactly the wrong length on shins. Very unflattering.
• Black maternity top. I'm not pregnant any more and black is a dreadful colour on me.
• Flat brown shoes that look a bit like slippers.
• Vomit on shoulder.
• Hair scraped into a bun while still wet.
• No make-up. No jewelery. No hope!

I need an outfit that I can wear to the park or to the supermarket or to meet friends for coffee or to toddler group. Just one outfit would set me on the right track again.

I promise to buy it online tonight (and post a pic of me not being frumpy) if anyone finds something that would work.

WHat sort of colours/shapes look good on you? What body shape are you (when not 9 weeks post baby that is)?

What sort of shape are you? Is there a bit of you that you prefer to flaunt? Like do you know that you've got shapely legs or heaving busoms?!

Are you a jeans type or prefer skirts? High heels or pumps? What colours suit you?

Bootcut jeans - Gap or Principles. I also hear good things about Monsoon jeans but Monsoon clothes just don't fit me.

A nice, blazer type jacket in a good colour for you - I have a black one, a grey one and a burnt orange coloured one)

Fly wedges, or Camper flats, or (if you must) low Converse - I still haven't been able to bring myself to Converse, as both of my daughters wear them and the idea of jeans with trainer type things still makes me think scruffy, however smart the trainers.

Some sort of flattering top in a good colour for you - M&S or Gap do loads of decent quality T shirts or cotton shirts or camis.

something like these - long and lean-leg making)

with this? Can also be worn on it's own

or something like this - good for norkage, slimming band and loose over potentiually wobblesome tummy

unless youre b/f, in which case, these no good...

A decent jacket, dark bootcut jeans and a pretty, patterned skirt would all be a good start, along with some metallic ballet pumps or birkies (pewter is a good colour goes with everthing)
NIce jackets here:
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/departmentprod/DEPARTMENT/JACKETS-SALE?resetFilters=true
and skirts:
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/departmentprod/DEPARTMENT/SKIRTS-SALE?resetFilters=true

Ooh I like the top FMF! Don't think it would cover my norks though. That shape neckline is never high enough for me

Also some pretty skirts here if you need separates not dresses
www.greatplains.co.uk/productList.aspx?CategoryID=skirtsshorts

Ooh - lots of replies!

Shape: Obv a post baby belly at the moment. Dreadful legs. Hips and bum not too bad. Normally have a waist. Norks, neck, arms and shoulders fine but not fabulous.

Colours: I like browns and greens best, teal / turquoise and some pinks also fine. Red suits me but doesn't go with much in my wardrobe. Can't do baby shades, yellows, oranges, black or white / cream next to skin.

I'd love a pair of flattering jeans but have never found a pair. Tend to wear long skirts.

Yes, am bfing.

'How to look good naked' website gives some useful tips on styles that suit your body shapes. You could also try trinny and susannah in the littlewoods catalogue.

you need to go shopping and try lots of clothes on. See how they feel, buying online could be really frustrating waiting on delivery and then returning it if you don't like it.

I would go to new look, for cheap, post birth clothes.... a pair of cropped jeans ?

sorry if this is personal but are you bf? It makes a difference to the style of clothes you might need just now... and you need really well fitted bras, bf or not, it will make a huge difference to how you look in all your new clothes!

FMV - fab trousers but would last 5 seconds under barrage of 2-year-old, 9-week-old and large hairy dog . Good shape though - will look for similar. Love the dress.

Pannacota - those skirts are fab. Quite like this one but would be unsure about shoes. Jackets make me nervous. I think they make me dumpy.

yes but they do black!

Shopping and trying lots of clothes on not possible at the moment.

Where do I go for a really well fitting bf bra? I have found most measuring services to be worse than useless.

ballet pumps (is silver too passe now?) with that principles skirt. Cute and pretty and very comfy

That skirt is v nice BS but horizontal stripes perhaps not the most forgiving option so soon aftet giving birth. Are flowers not your thing? DO you prefer plainer styles?

RE the bf bra, my best suggestion os the underwired Anita ones at Figleave, order a few sizes and return what you dont need (free returns). They often have discounts too, think there is even a MN code.

local independent bra shop, I find them best, never had a good fitting from marks and spencers, you need someone who has been fitting for years.

becareful of underwired if you're breast-feeding.

filthy they are special Anita breastfeeding ones, not just any old underwired bra, totally fine to wear when feeding (I do) and very comfy and supportive.

oh, sorry, I'll but out! (It's been 7 years, you know!!)

I think a good fitting pair of jeans,even if a size larger than usual.Principles and Next good,and some great wide legged ones in Autograph at Marks at the moment.Dorothy Perkins good for jeans too.
Some vests in different colours,but a couple in white.
Linen trousers,don't pay alot but wide floppy shape good.
Skirt.Great Plains great,as is White Stuff. And Boden sale approaching...
Then I like shrug type tie cardigans for cooler days.
Big necklacesBallet pumps always ok.
Primark have metallic ones for a few pounds.
Good luck!

You know - we have a v popular local lingerie shop. I'm sure they do nursing bras. It has never occured to me to go in! Will give them a go on Tuesday .

I do like flowers, but nothing too busy. Generally go for plainer things.

Will look out for some ballet pumps. I do have a pair of leather flipflops that I tend to put with most things. Is that okay? Not okay?

SilentTerror - that all seems very good advice. I'd really like some jeans. Will definitely have to try them on though, so I'll make that a medium-term aim.

Tried Next belted boot cut jeans in dark denim today having seen so many ppl look long and lean in them and bought them instantly £45

with a pair of wedges that I can't link to, computer stupidly slow.

leather flip flops are fine but there are days when for your own self esteem, you need to step out feeling like a vision of loveliness, and ballet pumps are just a little more 'turned out', especially if you are still a little dare I say swollen round the anskles...

these in lots of different colours, following a pedicure, should give you some options. Lowish heel, so good for chasing children, but high enough to do more for you than birkies. imho.