If you had £40 to spend on basics....

[Kayzr]

What would you buy and where from?

I have £40 going spare and I could do with some nice clothes. I am a 16/18 depending on the shop(or the cut). I am 5ft 8 and I have a 40E chest and a horrible fat stomach.

I usually spend my life in jeans and vest tops. I really want a nice cardigan but I can't as wool makes me itch and I just can't wear it. I am fed up of the same stuff all the time.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

for £40 I'd probably go to Primark. You could get a few pieces for that.
Have you thought of a boyfriend cardigan? They're not usually made of wool.

sorry, I dont really know what would suit you as I'm a different body shape

No Primark anywhere near me I love Primark.

New look? They do some cheap cardigans I think. Or even browse the charity shops?

Yeah I think I might go to New Look. I get most of my stuff from there. At least if I try it on I will see if it scratchs me.

I got a great boyfriend cardigan from New Look yesterday - think it was £20. Actually they had loads of really nice knitwear, especially long-line stuff, and cotton mostly, not wool, so not itchy.

Tesco has some very reasonably priced knitwear in this year. cardigans around a tenner and jumpers £10/£12.

A really good bra, if you don't already have one. Will make whatever you wear on top look sooo much better. And I speak as someone who had a monoboob for years before getting properly fitted and buying proper underwired bras.
So...£20 on the bra and £20 on a nice new top .

I reckon Bettymum might be right
Oh but I do love Primark. Dont know where our closest one is, as I only ever seem to go to ones on holiday or days out!
I wouldnt get tescos stuff tbh, as I find them a very odd fit.

I'd keep an eye on charity shops

you can't find anything in there on the first look usually. It involves popping back, 5 mins each time you are in town, to snap up the best stuff

About half my wardrobe is charity shop - average about £4 a piece - inc a Boden wrap dress, a topshop dress, Monsoon cords, etc

You have to be savvy but charity shops are great

slight hijack - if you wear a belt with jeans don't you find they give a big lump/line around your middle when you wear long tops or boyfriend cardigans?

Asda had some boyfriend cardigans (didnt look like wool) for £8.

Zara have some fantastic boyfriend cardigans - mentioned on another thread - I think they are £25, but very good quality and not at all scratchy. The Primark ones are v. v. scratchy.

I have the belt with jeans and lumpiness problem. But as a pear shaped person it's either do that or have them fall down. Or find some other way to shrunk my bottom

Idris ... do you wear long line stuff then and just put up with the lumps?

I have some fab Bravissimo bras that I love!!

I do have the belt problem too. I have 2 size 16 jeans both from Dorothy Perkins and 1 pair is a bit of a squeeze and the other pair is always falling down!!

I will keep a look out in the charity shops. I don't go in much as it all seems to be old lady stuff. But will be keeping an eye out for something good.