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.

For whole outfits

any good?

skirt
with
top
and
cardi

Have you also thought about booking a personal shopper at somewhere like Debenahms or John Lewis?

Milge - those are gorgeous! I love them and am going to get a pair.

Heated - like the skirt and think the outfit is on the right lines, but definitely couldn't carry off that much pink. The next belted jeans are out of stock. Hmph.

Did wonder about pink overkill! Personally I'd wear that type of flared A line skirt with a white t and some flat white/ neutral sandals.

Will look tomorrow when computer not seizing up.

Hope you find something nice

if you get the right thing for you, skirt or trousers (I personally find skirts hard work, esp with small children) then you can then have different tops to go with it.

I would aim for maybe one skirt/pair of cropped trousers and a good pair of jeans, which are always hard to find, no matter what your body shape! never mind the school run dress, there seems to be no such thing as the perfect pair of jeans!

when you are out getting measured for a bra, could you nip into one or two shops just for a wee look?

How about something along these lines?
Skirt
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/21204788
and
cardi
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-//Petite-Ink-Linen-Edge-To-Edge-Cardigan/7414?
You coudl wear with white vest top underneath and either ballet pumps or your leather flip flops.

Btw, have tried this cardi myself and am not petite and it fits fine. Loose front cardis are great for feeding in public if you want to hide the post baby belly/fleshy bits.

And this cami top would be good -

www.greatplains.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=J6B7K&CategoryID=sleevelesstops&p ageno=1

flattering shape and not too tight, would look great with a white skirt or even a much darker pink one
www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId= 20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=88653&parentcategoryrn=88651&productId=737668&langId=-1

I've learnt that if I like the look I should order the whole shebang including the accessories as that's what finishes it off.

Maybethis and necklace
with
jeans

top
with
black linen

top with jeans and wedges

In the long run, you will get your figure back (hips are a bit slower!).

i went from size 10 to 16, then down to 14, and now 12 (two years later), so be prapared to have a morphing wardrobe for some time.

I spent £75 the first summer on a good, bra and two tops from Monsoon. They were shaped crinkle blouses. I put them with straight legged ti waist linen trousers and wedge heels (worked with a sling/buggy)!

I booked a hair re style and had a break from baby, it lifted me up no end.

good luck.

If funding allows what about a facial, pedicure. and manicure! pamper yourself!

Agree re some pampering, bit cliched but so true.
For me, a good haircut which I can just wash and leave to dry, eyebrows shaped/waxed and pedicure or simply painted toe nails all help me to feel more polished, even when I have huge bags under my eyes from lack of kip.
Keep us posted Broccoli...

Get into the habit of make up every day- even if just tinted moisturiser, lippie and some mascara/eye pencil.

Get hair cut every 6-8 weeks.

Iknow they are now a cliche, but the Trinny and Susannah books- especially What your clothes say about you- do have some good piccies- you can buy a copy on ebay usually.

Even if you are still over weight, clothes that FIT look better than baggy clothes. Long skirts tend to make people look bigger, not smaller, and a knee length one with flat pumps might look good.

Bronzer is a bit of a make-up life-saver, post pregnancy, really easy to do and can really lift your look.

I have just discovered Pop Beauty which sells some great palettes with some fashionable eye-shadows/blushers/bronzers and gives you idiot-proof instructions on how to apply. Got me out of a real rut.

Also this book is flipping brilliant for different make-up ideas, and not too unrealistic for the time-pressed.

I'm a size 14 after last baby 7months ago. I have bought everything recently from Fatface. You can see ranges online. Lots of loose tops to cover post baby bump. Some loose jeans and fab shoes. Do great jewellery as well.

Right. Am going to find out about a good bra tomorrow.

Can't afford a good haircut at the moment, but will get a trim on Friday. That helps.

Am going to buy these in chocolate.

I do like this top but am not sure if it's the most practical addition to my wardrobe.

Have been giving some thought to what I need and realised I'm seriously lacking something knitted. I am always cold and I like cardigans but all mine are shamefully old and tatty or too small.

Panacotta and Heated - thank you for the links! Sterling work!
Not keen on the Monsoon skirt - bit aunty I think.
Utterly adore the Principles cardi. Is it flattering though? I want it.
Like the cream print embroidered top, but no good for bfing.
Like the brown flowered blouse but... I think it has a pussy bow.

Ooh, fatface, yes.

I like this and this

I think the cardigan would be good for bf Brocco. I hope you get some decent bras tomorrow!

I tried those Next shoes on today and they were lovely but decided I had bought enough already! Debenhams had loads of stuff in the sale so it might be worth a look around.

Have you looked at Kew online for cardi. I'm in process of losing baby weight for 4th time and got some Monsoon jeans and some from Next which were only £20 so if I lose some wieght no great loss and they make me feel fab. I wear them with a camisole type vest from Kew with a knotted front or somehthing sim, cardi to block out the muffin top and some Fly wedges. Felt much better in this than what I had before. But don't forget you are only 9wks post natal! Early days and all that.

BS the Principles cardi IS def flattering yes, I bought the same one today in the sale but in red (was only £22 but am going to dye it a darker colour).
It would look great with the skirt you liked also from Principles, which on second thoughts looks really nice (did think it might be bit unforgiving but the stripes are v thin so I reckon worth a go).
This one
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/SKIRTS-SALE/Ink-stripe-skirt/7433

Did you like the pink Gt Plains cami vest which would be great for feeding in? Here:
www.greatplains.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=J6B7K&CategoryID=sleevelesstops&p ageno=1

Also, the Trapeze tops on this page would be good for feeding and skimming tummy...

www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/casualtopsshirts/3/

And agree that jackets are fab for making you feel more pulled together (literally), H&M good placed to look, also with Kew cardis.

Fab thread - I am slowly in the process of updating wardrobe after deciding that I was stuck in a real rut after having baby no 2 last year!

Agree with hana etc re jackets. A friend of mine talked me into buying this short sleeved jacket in pale grey from Espirit here

At first I was a bit dubious but now wear it a lot with jeans or white linen trousers. Really helps make me feel a bit smarter even if its just with a plain white t shirt underneath!

Agree with above comments re ballet style pumps - brought some cheap ones in silver and wear them lots. Also brought some lovely long beads from Accessorize - smallish white/grey/neutral beads on silver chain which I wear with a white tshirt or pale grey v neck t shirt with pleated detail I picked up last week from H&M for a tenner.

One last thing - buy a decent lipgloss! It always makes me feel a little more glam even on the roughest of days! Good Luck!

Sorry - link to jacket is not working. Its the a line cotton jacket reduced to 29.99.

What a lovely jacket Ollie, am v tempted to go and try it at my local Esprit.

esprit do free delivery too, iirc