I'm a young student mum - with no clothes! Massive challenge...

[SpringySponge]

I'm 21 next month, have a 5 month old baby & am starting uni at the end of this month.

I'm fairly hourglass shaped, and am about a size 10-12. Fair skin, brown hair in a sort of textured bob (it sounds worse than it is, honestly ).

I have a few vest tops in various colours, a couple (literally) of t-shirts, one pair of New Look jeans, a thick scoopneck jumper & a summery skirt. This is it. In terms of shoes, the only thing for daily wear are black trainers & a pair of black flats.

Pregnancy made me either grow out of all of my other clothes either physically or mentally, & I'm left with nothing. I need stuff that's practical enough to deal with my baby (I am BFing, but am quite good at feeding discreetly in most clothes anyway, & he will be fed bottles most of the day at the childminder so it's not too much of a consideration) & be comfortable, but also not look like a frump amongst the student crowd!

Money is obviously not unlimited, but I'm looking for inspiration as much as actual purchases (I don't remember how to do the looking good thing!), so show me any sort of shoe / boot / clothes porn you like

If you can even suggest anything, that'll be great. Thank you!

Congratulations,are you excited about uni?it is fun.work hard, have a great soicial life ,meet nice people

look at clothes on line,suss out what you like. jeans and t shirts always good student items

Yes, I can't wait. I'm constantly reading about my modules & things. It'll be nice to use my brain again!

Leggings, long tops, a pair of boots if you can afford, an oversized beanie

What kind of boots, if I can only get one? Long / ankle? Black / brown? It's all so difficult!

nice big uni bags here
try asos
tk maxx
top shop

what are you studying?

I'm studying English literature.

There are some nice bags on that site I didn't think to look at TK Maxx - will have a nose at it now. Thanks!

what sort of colours are your tops? and what style are your jeans? what colour?

websites like the river island one give a few different 'looks' so you can see what would suit you and get some ideas of pieces to buy

English LIt? I think you need layers, for draughty lecture halls, i suggest some long cardis

Haha, draughty lecture halls sound like fun

My vest tops are mostly bright colours - green / pink / purple & so on. With t-shirts in blue & white, which I've been layering over the top for the purposes of BFing. I only really need one layer now though (I've perfected the art of muslin draping!), so that's not too much of an issue.

My jeans are a dark blue, like this. I bought them after I gave birth as they were cheap & fitted, so I'm not averse to buying at least another pair of nicer jeans. I need to avoid a muffin top though!

Congrats on starting uni You will have a ball

I would say your essentials are:

Dress: florals are everywhere as are bright colours.
Tunic type tops - Top Shop do loads in their basics range
Long sleeved tees for layering under dress, tunic tops and a Boyfriend cardigan
Leggings
black boots

On a student budget, I would recommend Tesco (I bought a v funky little plaid dress for over leggings etc for £12 today), Top Shop basics and sales (you also get 10% off at Top Shop with your NUS card), New Look and H & M.

A fab scarf and some bold jewellery (you could just go for gold & silver coloured) would finish off your look. I find H&M brilliant for all these things

HTH!

for shoes office has a sale on

go to primark,get: some FLATS(grey,black,something you can mix&match) or get some flat ankle boots.
also they have black,dark blue SKINNY JEANS(around 12pounds).get few ofgrandadCARDIGANS that cover bums(get grey,black,light brown).you can wear that with your vest tops(white,black)or oversized printed tops.put that with a nice SCARF(primark does lots of nice ones with animal prints etc.they are around 2-3£).

Ooh, you're all so helpful! I'm beginning to feel like I'm not going to be the obviously mumsy one there after all. Thanks everyone! I will do much window shopping over the next few days & buy some lovely new things

flex your cash,and get some nice clothes to strat and some nice stationary things too. and some beer money obviously for post lecture goss

Obviously

I'm going to look at it as an investment in my self-esteem & social standing for the next few years. I have to spend lots of money on nice things. Yes.

SpringySponge, I'm crap at style advice BUT would encourage you to have a good look round charity shops. I am not broke by any means but still get lots of things from charity shops and am not ashamed to admit it!

I'm not sure what I'd be looking for in a charity shop, though. I'm terribly unimaginative!