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.

Ta very much - can't take any of the credit as my mate really had to force me to buy it - weird how the pale grey one isn't on the website tho. Just got back from hols in France and short sleeved jackets seem all the rage over there - oo la la!

Right. You've almost convinced me about a jacket. But - BUT - honestly, jackets hae always made me look dreadful before. I've just spent quite some time with Trinny and Suzannah's shape advisor thingy and I reckon I'm a skittle. Can skittle's do jackets?

I do like those trapeze tops.

Broccoli, any shape can wear a jacket and it will always make you feel more pulled together, it needn't be a formal jacket, an unstructured style would be good too.
Go and try on a few at eg H&M/Principles/Esprit and see what you think?

OH MY GOD I have a decent bra!

Proper fitting. Wow. The lady made me throw my old bra away. I have a waist! Seriously, my new bra has given me a waist. What a difference. I am amazed and so pleased.

hooray - now make sure you go back and buy three!! black/white/cream! And when you stop feeding go and get more!

Can I also suggest white fitted tshirts - not baggy ones - even if you feeding or feeling a bit lumpy - they will show some shape rather than drowning you. Dorothy perkins or gap or hennes or primark all have good ones for about a fiver - buy a couple

• they go with everything when you not feeling inspired

that is brilliant broccoli! see now you can wear jackets and not feel like a skittle! show off your waist.

And I booked a haircut for Friday. Operation de-frump is well under way.

Bah. Milge's gorgeous shoes were too narrow for my neanderthal feet. Did buy some nice linen trousers in a mushroomy colour though. Flat fronted as advised by Trinny & Suzannah .

You lot know what you're talking about.

I usually wear jeans, t-shirt, trainers, hoody if needed. Today when I went I traded the trainers for ballet pumps and the hoody for a linen jacket and felt much better about myself.

Any update Broccoli?