Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Ok recently lost 4 stone and am now a size 10/12 from a 18 HELP no idea how to dress myself!!!

37 replies

pokeydot · 12/02/2009 20:39

Hi have recently lost 4 stone so gone from 13 and half and a size 16/18 to 9 and half and size 10/12 and i have no idea how to dress myself at this size!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I lost my weight on the cambridge diet so have lost it very quickly im so used to being bigger i have no idea how to dress a thin me!!

what do i need what are the staples to a fashionable wardrobe these days!!

im 25 and a mum to 3 children under 5!!!!

Help me ladies!!!!

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 12/02/2009 20:57

i think every woman needs

a nice black dress
a smart pair of trousers
a few pairs of good fitting jeans
some basic tshirts
a few cardigans and jumpers
a pair of stilettos
a pair of good boots (knee high are best imo)

how do you feel about polo kneck jumpers? i think they can look very classic but some people don't feel comfortable in them.

Once you've got the basics sorted then you can branch out into other stuff.

If you have a John Lewis or Selfridges near you they do a great personal shopping experience and they don't pressure you into buying anything.

mileniwmffalcon · 12/02/2009 21:01

lol @list, no black dress, smart trousers, stilettos or knee high boots here, i think you must have a very different lifestyle to me na

i'd just go for a rummage round topshop if i were you pokey - don't think even mn could accuse you of being mutton at 25

megcleary · 12/02/2009 21:02

second the personal shopper I went to John Lewis and they were lovely after i lost all idea how to dress after dd was born

Shhhh · 12/02/2009 21:03

welldone .
Im similar to you..I have lost almost 3 stone and gone down from an 18/20 to a 12 and still have around 1 stone left to loose so I know how much it changes your wardrobe..

Im not to much out of touch however as only been overweight since having the lo's...

As na said, jeans is a good start. Get a good fitting pair and they can work wonders. Wear fitted clothing as it shoes your new shape more and why not when you have worked so hard to get it .

Just think of the summer and all the lovely stuff you can wear .

imo I woudn't rush atm into buying items, will soon be spring/summer when there will be a vast array of gorgeous colours and clothing on offer..buy some items to suit your new shape then go for summer clothing..hth x

AitchTwoOh · 12/02/2009 21:03

oh WELL DONE. i didn't know the cambridge diet still existed.

i'd second the personal shopper, that's the best idea. i'm sure they'd love to help you.

SpinningEm · 12/02/2009 21:04

OMG you must feel so good - well done you - sounds fab diet - do you have a link - I think you would now look fab in anything-good for you

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 12/02/2009 21:29

Congratulations . Think the others have given you loads of good advice. Agree perhaps a great fitting pair of jeans, some nice shoes and a range of tops, a simple dress (which you can dress up or down) for now. But I would hold on for the spring/summer stuff to properly hit the shops if I were you.

I trawl through magazines and rip out pages of anything that I like so that I can build up a picture of what styles I really want to go for - instead of getting sidetracked by a single great piece in a store which I then have nothing else to go with. It doesn't mean that you are looking for the exact piece - just an idea of the things you would love to wear every day.

JumpingDizzy · 12/02/2009 21:31

just want to say well done. I'm a 14 and want to lose some weight (mainly off tum grrrrrrrrr)

lilacclaire · 12/02/2009 22:18

Brill, best thing to do is get down to young shops (because you are young) like topshop, new look etc, grab some clothes and spend some time in the changing rooms finding out what suits you.

MrsSeanBean · 13/02/2009 07:54

Just wanted to say well done! There's some good advise on here, especially jeans as I find that's one of the main items which don't feel so good the minute you have a few surplus pounds. Enjoy building your new wardrobe.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 13:23

pokeydot - congratulations, as everyone has said get a fab pair of fitted jeans and don't skimp on the price if possible (I used to love pre-DS 7 for all mankind, some would argue they are not worth the price but i ADORED my pair).
Waiting until spring is a good idea but you could buy a couple of pieces that will do in summer as well - do you have any particular style? (i.e are you tom-boyish who likes hoodies and trainers or more of a skirt/dress type of girl?).

I would just say don't go fashionable go for what you feel comfortable in but still looks good (i.e. fitted jeans NOT tracksuit bums!)

kettlechip · 13/02/2009 13:29

Wow, well done you!

I'd get -
some new underwear first of all - get fitted properly in M&S/ John Lewis as you're bound to have changed size significantly!
a pair or two of decent jeans (another vote here for 7 for all mankind!)
2/3 jumpers or cardigans in plain colours from White Stuff, Fat Face, Kew or similar
A few plain l/s and s/s tshirts to layer up
A pair of casual trousers - try Fat Face again for these
A pair of good boots/shoes
A couple of skirts
A coat.

Have fun!! Am off to google the Cambridge diet..

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 13:32

I think we may have the same wardrobe kettlechip.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 13:34

ohh if you do buy stuff from fat face pokeydot youc an get a 10% discount thru mumsnet.

Original poster
pokeydot · 13/02/2009 14:30

aahhh thanks ladies!!!

think i might go with the idea of waiting till summer im quite a girlie girl i think and have never really been able to wear the nice summer dresses etc without looking like a tent!!
im a sahm of 3 so dont tend to get to dressed up at home really but love to look nice in the days at the weekend when dh is at home so any advice on nice dresses skirts etc that i can dress up (not that i get taken anywhere lol!!!) and dress down!!

im off to look for the jeans mentioned!

thanks again ladies for your help and any further advice would be just as appreciated!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
pokeydot · 13/02/2009 14:34

ok having looked at the price of the jeans (am not apposed to paying that, just dont tell dh! ) but what is so special about them?

OP posts:
LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 14:41

for me they just felt so soft and comfy and fitted so well, never got baggy bum in them.

The next price down I got a great pair in Mango, but that was a few years ago and also I quite like Gap.

To be honest each retailer cuts their jeans differently and you need to try them on and find the cut that suits you best.

If you are looking for dress up or dress down dresses then take a look in fat face and white stuff.

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 14:54

I also have a pair of citizens of humanity kelly which are also soft/comfy and don't bag. If you are in London go to Selfridges and try tons of pairs on. You don't have to buy remember!

bleh · 13/02/2009 16:20

TopShop have a style advisor (personal shopper)service which is free. That would be my dream ... a whole new wardrobe.

check if maybe there is one near you

Mumsnut · 13/02/2009 19:47

RESPECT!!!!

I have no idea though, being an 18 myself.

kettlechip · 13/02/2009 20:32

Try watching out for Next reductions on 7 jeans, they stock them and often reduce them by 50% which makes them a lot more affordable! I've also had a couple of pairs from ebay, but be careful of fakes on there. If they're under £60 or so, they won't be real unless they're worn and knackered!

Libra, that 10% FF discount is great isn't it, have used a few times now. Fat Face have a random mid season sale which has just started, want a pair of those switchfoot jeans and a couple of marmie cardigans!!

Washersaurus · 13/02/2009 20:36

If you google search for fat face voucher codes, there is actually a 20% fatface discount that is still valid ...

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 13/02/2009 20:51

oh where washersaurus, I have googled and googled and all the 20%discounts I have found have expired

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 13/02/2009 21:20

Fat Face sale is always good. Never pay full price for anything from there or Gap these days (which always has bargainous sale rail)

Washersaurus · 13/02/2009 21:45

SP909