Fashionistas, stop me wearing jeans and fleece all the time

[QueenofWhatever]

I've been looking at some photos of DD (5) this evening and realise I've been wearing the same baggy blue fleece and loose fit jeans for the last five years. Not the same items of clothing obviously, just they all look the same.

Please help me become the foxy rock chick I feel I should be, despite being a 40 year old single mum. I'm 5'8" and a standard size 10. I can dress OK for work where it's smart casual, but outside of work it's a bit of a disaster zone. I'm veering towards White Stuff and Monsoon, but only at eBay prices.

Any suggestions?

op- love thes stuff you are watching on ebay.I am keeping an avid eye on this thread as I too am in your dilemma.Some times you can funk an outfit up by switchin to different style of jeans this can lead to a different look.May i ask what do you weigh just curious as part of my dilemma is i am size 10 5'8" but with a roll of flab that balances on my waist band yuck so my sizes are all over the place.good luck, whatever you wear you are always going to look pretty good.

This is such a good thread - I barely comment on here (but lurk all the time) but I've just go to comment!

I'm stuck in the same rut with the addition of an extremely stylish (bordering on dandy) hubby who wears handmade suits and bright colours so I just look like the hired help next to him if we go anywhere with DS.

But unlike you, I'm (losing weight) 12/14 5'4" with tree trunk legs so I'm not sure leggings will ever be in my wardrobe!

Still, you will definitely need to update us all on how you do with chucking out your old wardrobe and getting a new one

I have just booked Debenhams personal shopper so I can getrid-- put to the back of the cupbaord my fleece. On a day like today they are a god send. > Bloody cold around here without one

opps get rid and cupboard

Southlundun You can still wear leggings, just make sure you wear something to cover your bum eg tunic, floaty maternity-esque top, miniskirt or minidress(stay as high as poss above knees though if you aren't tall). You might have to wait til warmer weather so you can wear them with ballet pumps though or even go for cropped leggings.

There's loads of shortsleeved knitwear out at the mo (Peacocks again), ideal to wear over a thermal longsleeved top (try Asda).

Try taking one showstopper glam item and dressing it down with everything else. Eg a dress with a warm cardigan, a bright top with dark bottom half, plain layers with a big chunky necklace. Think shabby chic, faded glamour.

In winter, heeled boots can be glam even when scuffed and in summer, wedgey mules are great with cropped trousers (not with a fleece top though.)

For those with muffintop issues, I've worn a long fringed chiffon scarf around mine to cover the gap and got loads of compliments.

How about some straight let jeans, these will update your style?
I like Top Shop Martha jeans and you can get them for less on ebay.
Also some boots, the FLy London boots look good.
www.schuh.co.uk/womens-black-FLY-LONDON-mink-mol-calf-boot/1504057020/

A decent coat/jacket and funky scarf will make you feel more pulled together too.

Am going on holidays soon - where can I get some of these wedgy mules?

Came here to get inspiration but I'm way too far away from a size 10 and 5'8 5' and size 16 I do do the long sleeve top under short sleeved jumper though not just fleeces!

For those of you not size 10, try the thread about big boobs, some great links and ideas there.

Glad someone else has lost their way fashionwise. I used to be trendy but since DD am at a loss. I am in my 40s so really don't like all this 80s style stuff in shops as wore it first time round. I hate fancy bits on clothes like daft collars, off the shoulder, uneven hemlines and stuff.

Like the OP I tend to live in jeans and hoody type tops - terrible really. Funnily enough I am tall and slim as well so in someways should make the most of it but haven't got a clue!

Big bust thread

Don't have big boobs either not making myself sound very atractive am I!

Ooh, you lot are good! Thank you so much for all this.

In response to the personal questions, I am 9 stone or so (lost about half a stone due to stress recently, which is why I think I get so cold). I'm size 10 and wear 32" long and 30" wide jeans. I'm 34B chest and have no shoulders, so slightly pear-shaped. Have had two pregnancies and c-sections, so stomach muscles are a thing of the past.

The ideas I like are:
leggings
cardi same length as dress
cashmere (always been a fan)
kilt skirt
black jeans
shopping without DD

Just realised, these are the sort of clothes I wore when I was 19 and out doing drugs and sex and rock 'n' roll.

DD is away for some of half term, so will go to local shopping mall and try stuff on. i'm really bad at this and never go to Next, River Island, Top Shop so will give them a go.

Wear skinny jeans! You will have the legs for them. Gap do good jeans at reasonable prices as well as Top Shop etc.

I also think stripey tshirts work well, and they never go out of fashion even though sometimes they are more in vogue.

Good luck - would love to hear about your purchases x

excellent thread!

Great Universal has some great clothes on offer at the mo. Just go to the sale page and sort by price low-high.

Tesco have some funky tops in at the mo and reduced price cashmere ..... the tops are tshirty with some sequins and punky stuff in dark colours longer in length and not clingy cotton - you could also funk some stuff up with bangles and necklaces.

I have the same problems. I am only 34 but haven't picked up a copy of Glamour/Cosmo or similar for ages, since DD was born so feel very out of touch. I am 5'7 size 14 but going down thanks to Slimming World, but I have quite a cool trendy - childless and size 8 - sister. Although galling to take advice from a size 8 when I am nearly double that, she does come up with good tips. I agree with all the other comments, and have picked up some fab tips from you all, but if you want to try and be comfy and stylish, Hollister is a great place. It's an offshoot of Abercrombie. I live in Manchester and know there is 1 in Trafford Centre but unsure where else but everything is online anyway. Like one of the earlier posters said you can still wear comfy if it is fitted. They have fab hooded and non hooded fitted tops with great jeans and skirts that you could wear with thick tights and boots and look great.

This is a great thread. I'm also struggling with warm but slightly more funky clothes.

Any suggestions for the best on-line places to look for knitted tunic dresses (not too expensive)?

I'm suffering from very limited options on shops near here (Peacocks, Seconds Ahead & Dorothy Perkins is about it). I'm short & small, so I think leggings & a warm tunic dress would hit the spot for me. Or maybe not???

Peacocks is great!

for good, online shopping try asos.com - often very inexpensive and is pretty trendy - even does maternity clothes! Plus you get differnt stuff to the high street.

Takver: Uniqlo have some nice warm dresses, am v tempted to get some . Lots of sale stuff in their online shop too.

Excellent, many thanks, will have a browse

So this morning I took the plunge and took my old jeans to the charity shop and packed my fleeces away under the bed (need them for sport, honestly). Then later I went through my wardrobe and pulled out everything that doesn't make me feel good about myself. I now only have a third of my wardrobe left, which surprised me as I regularly recycle clothes I don't like anymore.

Thanks to whoever put me on to those Uniqlo tops, they look good and reasonably priced. Also like the idea of high waisted jeans, had never occurred to me before but they look much more comfy than low rise ones.

In the name of research, I have been staring hard a women's bottom halves over the last few days. It really is a case that your size is irrelevant, fitted will always look better than loose and baggy. I also know what sort of boots I want now.

Shopping tripped planned for next week, although I will probably do a lot of trying on and then need to search eBay for financial reasons.

Keep the ideas coming please!