funky not frumpy - fashion faux pas to avoid

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Tell me what the worst fashion crimes are!

Bit of background as to my question: After 5 years living life as a slummy mummy (think jeans, a jumper, scratched boots and cheap supermarket hooded coat), I've decided it's high time I at least made an effort to be a bit more of a yummy mummy. I am still only 35 so think I could still wear some "younger" fashions.

The problem is, I have not got the best idea of what's in fashion. Have just got out of the habit of clothes shopping for myself, and haven't had money to spend on fashion mags up to now. My worst problem is that I have up to now bought things with a whingeing toddler in tow and ended up buying something out of desperation and never worn it again as I've soon realised I've just got it all wrong and it wasn't at all fashionable, and made me look either ridiculous or frumpy.

What are the top mistakes I could make? eg is it terrible to carry a black bag when you're wearing brown boots. Should you wear a long coat if you have a long tunic top/jumper on? Does a certain style of top scream "frumpy"? etc etc. You know the type of thing.......basically the type of fashion error that you might see on a woman in her mid 30s that make you snigger behind your hand and want to run up and accost her a la Trinny & Susannah?

Sorry - leave Per Una until you are over 45. I think it all looks the same with frills on everything as if that will just be enough to pretty you up!!

I wouldn't get a black handbag unless you work and want to take it to work. I once splashed out on a Jaeger bag (sale of course) and didn't know which colour to have out of brown and black and always remember the assistant saying that a black bag is always just a black bag and a colour would be more stylish. I think she is right, I got the brown (more like tan) and love it, but then I am a country girl so prob would anyway.
Could be interpreted also as a bit retro??

Agree on a white fitted T shirt. I just got a fresh new one from Primark and will wear it with jeans, nice brown belt and a fitted cardi. sounds fairly conservative? I can then add heels or long boots with jeans tucked in, long cardi, fitted colourful T shirt over long sleeved white T shirt, beads etc etc. Also bought some Converse like boots in purple which will be my weekend look for the spring and a bit 'younger' looking? (hopeful emoticon)

Good luck and enjoy sprucing your self up. Start with a really good haircut, some blusher every day and you will be fabulous in no time!!

It's impossible to shop with a toddler.

You need to take a whole day out, have a good browse, absorb the colours, styles, shapes which appeal to you, maybe take notes. Have lots of coffee stops to refuel and think.

Then go and try some things on. I second buying a couple of complete outfits. You need to start with a base color IME. Navy is a good basic, good alternative to black if it suits you. Then with your starting outfits you can swap things around, skirts/ trousers etc, add other colours and add accessories and get more looks.

Tip: a knee-length a line skirt in denim or cord is an absolute essential. A good alternative to the 'wear jeans with everything' mode, but much more feminine IMO.

Second tip: long bead necklaces (Accessorize havfe a great turquoise pebble one at the moment) also are great for making a plain top special.

Have fun shopping,

My toddler loves shopping. I go into Manchester at least once a week for up to 4 hours and he is great. Last week he cried when I said we were going home, he begged " one more shop, pleeeeease mummy".

Suwoo -

SaraMoon - I always like the idea of H & M cos it's so cheap, but it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack when I go in there - it just seems like a big market. I suppose I'll just have to be prepared to put a bit more time in. Sans toddler. Mum minding kids on Saturday so I am going to go into town and shop at our lovely new shopping centre, Liverpool One. H&M will be on my list! Some good quality flat knee-high boots will be my first buy, then clothes (plain white long-sleeved T first).

BonsoirAnna: you'd think I woujld have realised by my age that it's a mistake to buy only single items at a time, wouldn't you?! I've been doing this for YEARS. See something I like, a top or something, get it home and realise it doesn't really go with anything. Don't end up wearing it very often. I have so little clothes that I think I could easily follow your advice and buy a whole outfit from the one shop. Am definitely going to do that from now on.

MaplePecan: woo-hoo, I'm getting something right. Just bought a brown bag yesterday. Admittedly it was from Tesco, but it's real leather and I think it looks much better than my old tatty black fake leather one from Asda that cost a fiver. DH always jokes "buy cheap, pay twice with some things". He's probably right, when it comes to bags anyway!

Some great advice there too, MrsSeanBean. Particularly like the idea of taking a whole day to do it, and going to coffee shops.

Right, I am feeling much more confident about what to do now, thank you all so much. And I have been having a look at some websites such as: Oasis, Jane Norman, Top Shop to get a really good idea of what to put with what - do you reckon I'm on the right lines with those sort of shops? (will steer clear of Per Una from now on!)

So grateful for everyone's advice - I really am. Just one more quick question that's been bugging me a bit though....all this layering malarkey, particularly to keep warm - I totally get the look and everything but if I wanted to put say, a thinnish long tunic-ish top/dress over long-sleeved T and leggings or tights (to wear with knee=high boots), what material do I avoid if I don't want the top/dress to cling to the leggings?

Suwoo, is your DS another Gok Wan in the making?! Does he tell you what he thinks of the outfits on you?

Not yet, but I reckon he will do soon! My 7 year old DD does though. Curly, those shop sare great, try All Saints and ASOS too.

I don't personally like Jane Norman, everything is clingy and a bit cheap. All the teenagers love it. Just MO though.

Curly: I don't know if they have one in Liverpool but Uniqlo is just fab for layering stuff - they do heat tech ie thermal tops in loads of colours & a variety of necklines & they are about £7 each! I have been living in mine this winter. They also have cheap(er) cashmere in lovely bright colours. They are online if you want to check them out here

Agree re: Uniqlo

Also American Apparel

Uniqlo, great for basics and knitwear... if you want to try layering you can buy loads of long sleeved tops and knitwear without needing another mortgage.

Do you have a Kew where you live? They are sometimes good (sometimes not so good). I second Uniqlo, I live in a basic skirt from there I bought about 3 years ago which still looks good.

Gap is good for basics too. Also try ebay for C&C Califirnia t-shirts and vests, they are great. Really good qwuality and nice long length for layering.

I also found a good website a while back, after being sent something through the post.. lots of nice colourful tops and dresses if you like the dress over trousers/ tunic look, see here

Also don't write off Boden altogether. I agree some items this season are a little but iffy, but I always get compliments when I wear the basic summer skirt see here and their rainy day coat is a lifesaver too.

quality

Oh, and (I'm on a roll now) I also need to link to this cardigan which I bought the other day, £10 bargain, feels much more expensive, looks great, very flattering. [If it flatters my overhang it will flatter anyone's. Trust me.]here (It doesn't dip up at the front in real life like it appears in the photo.)

And tank tops over plain long sleeved tops (get mine from Sainsburys of all places - £3 a pop, tops that is).

See here (sale) for tank tops, or here.

I am so envious, wish I could have a day in Liverpool, should be great!

As Miyazaki says, horizontal stripes are in fact flattering. They have the effect of making you look more three-dimensional and less wide.

Ditto brown. I have blonde hair and brown eyes and a bit of brown (jacket, or trousers, or cardigan--not all together) emphasises my brown eyes and makes my hair look brighter.

I like those Boden tank tops.

Should I seek help?

No! Tell everyone else they are awful and snap 'em up while you can.

Oh yes, I second those Boden A-line summer skirts. I have 2, & I never used to wear skirts in summer because I have horrible legs. (Not the OP's problem though )

Do not wear a high neck top on its own if you have big boobs - i promise you, makes them look saggy

Oh yes and never go into Jane Norman if you are over 14 yrs suwoo is right clingy and cheap

I didn't mean that suwoo is clingy and cheao i meant she is right, they are clingy and cheap. I'll go away now

Still not convinced about stripey tops. They may be funky but IMO they make most women look wider than they are.
I used to wear them (even have a Marimekko version) until I saw myself in a photo dressed in one and I looked very wide, am only size 10-12 and not big of boob so remain unconvinced...

Agree that buying whole outfits is the way to go and also that its worth considering using a personal shopper/stylist esp if you are short of shopping time.
Also think layering is a good way to look funky and fresh and keeps you warm too. Viscose tops are good, nice drape and dont cling or make you sweat (natural fibre).
Happy shopping...

to Alice. You are correct though, I am clingy and cheap . Do you know me?

I don't know, do you wear the cheap lycra skirts and halternecks?