Anyone interested in forming a "shop more wisely and less compulsively", "no more expensive mistakes" and "make the most of what you already own" thread?

[LetThemEatCake]

There seems to have been a digression from the original intention of Penth's very worthy thread so, rather than cause anyone any offence or detract from what Penth and others were setting out to achieve, would anyone like to do a thread in a similar vein? Discussing potential purchases (advising each other for/ against in sensible fashion!!) and talking about how we're wearing existing pieces etc

Am off to Sunday lunch with friends but will check back in later.

Wearing purple Tam Tam dress, grey opaques, grey slouch suede boots, charcoal travelwrap for discreet bfing. Pretty exited about the sunshine so nearly cracked out the new OP sunnies but am saving for summer proper

have a good day all

But why do you think you look freakish Riven?? What is it that you don't like about your body? I think you need to be Gok-ed

Riven - I think this thread will just ebb and flow and there will be different focuses as different needs come up (hopes everyone else agrees ) so please don't worry about moving to a different on.

5ft 10 is a beautiful height - my SIL is like that and I am very envious (though only a couple of inches shorter I think the extra 2 make all the difference in elegance)

I'm rubbish at styling though so better not try to guide you I'm sure the others will have loads of ideas.

Have really enjoyed the other thread,but whilst I could last years without buying anything from a purely practical point of view,I do want to have an occasional treat.
I too need to shop more judiciously,stop 'repeat' buying for the sake of it,calm down on ebay 'bargains' and wear what I have!
I will need a handful of things for summer(sorry ,delete 'need' and substitute 'want')
Noticed last summer needed wedges that were comfortable that I could wear with longer trousers and to smarten up some dresses.
Perhaps another day dress.
White vests and tee shirts.
Other vests,looking for good fitting ones.Topshop used to be good but now are'ribbed' and I don't like that.
I also love hearing what others are wearing.
Today am wearing
White Stuff raspberry and grey tunic dress over white Marks and Spencer 'Perfect' tee shirt.
Grey wool Autograph tights.
Clarks patent raspberry flat Mary Jane's.
Charcoal White Stuff open cardigna.
Long necklace in silver/black/grey form Next.

Riven - I am very envious of your height.

I would love to be 5ft 10. Clothes generally hang better on a taller frame, imho.

Is there a specific part of your body you don't like? If so, I'm sure we've all been there. You probably definitely have great legs and bum if size 12 jeans are loose on you.

Have heard several references to M&S perfect T shirts recently. Are they long in the body? What's the fabric like?

Hi MrsSB
Yes they are quite long ,come to crotch length on me but am only 5ft 3.
Lovely soft fabric,probably a bit thin for wearing alone in January but great for layering.Have washed and tumble dried mine and no shrinkage.

Riven, I am 5ft 10

I weigh between 10 and 10 and a half stone.

I am a size 12 bottom and 10/12 on top

No way should you be wearing anything larger than a 12/14, depending on body shape (I am straight up and down, no curves...if you have curves that can make a difference)

Have you thought about going to a large dept store such as Debenham's and using a style advisor ? Or would that be too cringy for you? And perhaps they would try and make you spend too much ?

I think we are a similar age. Tbh, you can't go too far wrong if you shop at (depending on how trendy you are...) Oasis, M+S Limited Collection, Next (not a fave of mine, but it can be OK), Warehouse, Gap, FatFace, Zara and H+M for cheapies

Bet that's not what we'd see though Riven. you feel like that.
You might have Body Dysmorphic disorder - see here

oops X-posted riven

my post looks a bit insensitive and bombastic now, absolutely not my intention

there is something more going on here than just having difficulty finding nice clothes

sorry

What bad form, I am at friends' house on iPhone reading this thread. Am separate room to bf though so kind of excused LOL

Riven, you are same height as me and around the weight I am trying to get back to, post-dc3. Forgive my arrogance, but at that height and weight I am pretty certain that I look v.good, and have never been told any different! I also a long neck which is a GOOD thing!!

Where are you? What part of uk?

I've met you on threads before. I like you

Btw, o know what it's like to feel huge. Have suffered eating disorders since age 11 and only stopped buying size 16 a year or so ago

Riven - agree with others, you can't be anything like a 20.

I'm two inches shorter than you and weigh anything from 10st - 10st7lb. I'm an 8 on top and 10 on bottom.

If you're on a budget, Primark, Tescos, New Look and Dorothy Perkins could be good for you.

Sounds like you go have some serious issues with body image. Please do take others up on their shopping offers (I'm in Norfolk so nowhere near you!) and please believe them when they pick things out that will look good on you. Could be as simple as a new pair of jeans, nicely fitting t-shirt and a scarf or chunky beads.

Cross-posted!

Riven I'm near you but would have toddler and baby in tow which would not make for a pleasant shopping experience.

Who do you look at celeb wise and think looks nice - do you like Jennifer Aniston's casual look or are you a Chezza Cole wannabe .

For reasonably priced good quality jeans i really rate Top Shop. The Marthas are a nice straight let pair and baxters nice skinny ones.

A good pair of jeans, some boots and tops could be a good place to start.

I'd like to join in with this, I have lots of really lovely clothes that hardly get worn, instead I live in jeans and hoodies most days.

Am in search of elusive perfect white shirt

Riven, I'm in Glos and sometimes go to Bristol shopping. Can't say I'm an expert but would be happy to meet up for moral support some time.

This sounds more my kind of thread. Have been pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to ditch baby weight since about 1948, so actually really NEED to buy some stuff that fits this year, but, equally, do need to STOP with the buying something every time I step out of the door.

To that end, I bought, yesterday, this knitted tunic, which am currently wearing with

M&S Limited Collection dark grey leggings
a very fine jersey grey long sleeved Topshop tee
chunky silver ring with a jumbo stone
navy/ grey leopard print Vuitton-esque scarf from Kookai

When I went out this morning, wore black Toast riding boots from about 2004, now have got cosy cashmere house socks on.

I did not, however, buy the hair clips for DD that caught my eye, or the perspex Rabbit brooch that I know friend would like, but that I really don't need to buy for her. Narrowly avoided spending an extra £12 completely unnecessarily by abandoning said accessories at the till!

Hello all, can I join too? Am currently on ML with DC2 and meant not to buy anything until I lost my babyweight plus a bit, but I am now out of maternity clothes and not quite back into pre-pregnancy stuff. Also have realised that I haven't bought clothes properly (i.e with thought and care) since pre DD so 4 years ago now.

Please help me update my wardrobe. I would love to get how to layer clothes and particularly how to accessorise. atmn, i tend to wear jeans/ black trousers with a jumper but really would like to be a bit more stylish.

Riven, you sound gorgeous. I don't think I will be of a lot of help going shopping as i'm also a bit rubbish but look forward to hearing you report back.

Riven, I am nowhere near you but I have a couple of Paige jeans up on eBay which you are welcome to have, if you like? They are a dark wash, bootcut style, waist 30 and length 34.

Can I join too please?

I really like white shirts (with interesting details such as puffy sleeves or corsetted waists or something) but they look hideous on me - 1) because I am so plae that the white sort of blends in to my skin and I disappear, or look v ill at least 2) because my huge norks just don't go with white shirts. So if anybody could suggest alternatives/ideas that would be great.

Also - I am a shortie at 5' 2 with a vaguely hourglass shape (size 12, sometimes 10), so it is difficult to find jeans that don't go all gapey on the waist. Also, I hate low rise jeans. Any ideas?

Riven - this shortie certainly envies you your height and since you are only a stone or so heavier than me, you can't possibly be a size 20.