Newly size 12, help what to buy?

[Nightshoe]

I've just lost two stone and so I need some new clothes. I haven't been a size 12 since I was at school and although I have looked at clothes I find that I seem to still be in the mindset of my old shape. I'm also 30 later this year and worried that I'm not sure what is too young for me!

I'm 5'8", hourglass with big boobs. I don't have a huge budget, certainly wouldn't pay over £40 for any single item purely because I need to buy a few items. Help, I need some recommendations!

Congrats and of your lovely shape (I am petite in all dimensions and can only dream of being 5'8").

I have just got some Baxter skinny jeans from Topshop, they are lovely and sooooo comfortable. £40 and tbh I will probably go back and buy another couple of pairs!

We are in the same boat! It's great, isn't it?

I have bought a few things. I'm a bit shorter than you but same sort of shape. I took myself off to a local independent boutique type place and had a chat with the owner. She pulled out a range of outfits and spent time going through different accessories to go with them. She was great; I felt really comfortable with her and didn't feel like she did the hard sell.

I came out with a fab pair of wide-legged jeans, a long waterfall cardigan, a jersey dress and a top and I am going back there at the end of the month when she has her new stuff in. I'm determined to do a Gok style wardrobe because I'll never get the chance to buy a new wardrobe from scratch again.

What was great about the shop I went to was that she put together quite a few different outfits while I sat in the changing rooms, so she tried on what she thought would be good rather than me picking up the same old thing as before. A personal shopper in a department store would also be a good idea.

See in my head I still think skinny jeans are not for me! So I see topshop and think that I haven't got a chance of pulling them past my knees.

llareggub, I need a gok style wardobe then too, where do I start? I like the sound of what you bought, they sound like my sort of clothes. Perhaps I do need a personal shopper, it is just finding the time!

The things I bought were all Great Plains and something else which escapes me now.

I do wear skinny jeans; I'm a convert after years of bootcut. This winter I have lived in leggings and tunics with boots.

For me, Zara has been an exciting discovery as I'd always discounted it in the past due to my big size. But I had a whale of a time in there just after christmas.

well done

but now I have to hijack this thread and ask how you did it.
llareggub was it the running?

GET A NEW BRA

I'm a similar sort of size- hourglass is great - dresses will look really good on you. Ensure though that you think about cardigans etc when you buy them so you then have a new top to go with jeans etc. I'm going to trawl the tinternet for ideas- back soon...

I would definitely find the time to go to a personal shopper. They have them in department stores - I'm sure it's free in John Lewis for example. If you learn now what colours and styles suit you, you'll save money in the future by not buying stuff you'll never end up wearing. Plus, if you are only buying a few items you need to make sure they all go with each other (a capsule wardrobe!).

Congrats on the weight loss btw!

I'm also a runner so skirts/ dresses don't scare me.

a nice day dress

I'm thinking of getting this one

long cardigans look good

I'll do more later...

also I find that size 12 varies loads depending on the shop- eg I'm a 14 in gap, a 10 in newlook, a 10 in matalan, 12 in topshop, 12 in oasis, 10 in karen millen.

So don't get put off when you try stuff on

Thank you very much for all the further replies, I'm looking through it all now.

I promise promise promise to get a new bra, coldtits, it is on my list of things to do because I definately need to go down a cupsize or two. Bra splurge will be after payday, unfortunately the fact that my trousers are in serious danger of falling down means I must buy some new clothes first!

I lost the weight through wii fit 45 minutes 3 times a week, aerobic ones and muscle workouts only. Swimming for 30 minutes non-stop once a week. Walking everywhere and making extra efforts to move more. I also started eating breakfast as I used to skip it and eat crap later instead. I used alot of recipes from the I diet by Gino D'acampo. I didn't do the diet in the book, but the recipes are lovely. I only drink wine once a week now - I was swimming in the stuff before.

I just used to eat so much rubbish, I lived on coke, chocolate and wine. I feel so much better now, I'm really glad I have done it.

Thank you for the advice on various sizes in different shops MrsVidic, I still can't see my fitting in a size 10, but might have to try matalan just for the egoboost!

I am off shopping now

I've got lots of new bras!

I started off with the wii fit, then Davina's DVDs and then started running just after christmas. I swim too. I've definitely caught the running bug and was on top of the world after running 5k after 6 weeks of running.

Am off to Matalan too...!

dress

cardigan

I might start with running too, I like running on the spot with the wii fit, but fear falling on my arse doing proper running.

I like that asos dress, and I have just found great plains on asos so off for more nosing. DH has just passed over the credit card seeing as it is mothers day so might have to make a small order....

Running will be one of the best things you can ever do- i love it but literally hated it at school. Just remember while you do it that the only person you are doing this for is yourself- no pressure- if you have to run 1 min and walk for 5 then its a start.

Sorry a little side tracked! I'm also a massive fan of the wii fit- I actually repaced my personal trainer with it! Let me know what you get

There is so much choice! I'm so rubbish at making a decision pah.

I was thinking of getting the wii fit plus game as only have the old one, is it any good or better?

I like it - cycling is good and the games are more mentally challenging!

congratulations on your weight loss, you must be feeling fab!

how about some of these lovely things?

v neck tee

bretton stripe

2 pairs jeans for £25

butterfly dress

nice jacket

wedge heel

trousers

slouchy

all come in at under £40 each

well done on weight loss

if you have big boobs you must repeat MUST buy new bra first. go to bravissimo. a correctly fitting bra will take another 1/2 stone off you

if you are an hourglass then i suggest that skinny jeans are NOT for you. not because of your size but your shape. i am a size 9 lollipop with size 8 bum and skinny legs and don't suit them - they make me look very top heavy

i need wide legs or skinny flares ( however unfasionable)to balance me out

you need to buy for your shape and colouring, not just your size. if you are curvy you will still be curvy and certain shapes wont suit you

i second the suggestion of a personal shopper - they have them at top shop, debenahms and john lewis, and I'm sure they are at other places too. as you are so young you might prefer top shop

are you sure you are wearing your best colours? if not, think about getting your colours done when you have a bit of ££

i know its very tempting to rush out and spend megabucks on lovely new stuff, but you need time to get used to your new body, or you will still be shopping for your former figure

Thank you for the further replies. I ended up buying on asos...nothing yet! I'm still umming and ahhing, so I'm sure you will all get throughly fed up with me

Ok bra first, I promise. They are big, 34E before weightloss and even now I reckon only down a cup size if that, they seem to be more or less permanent unfortunately. I have been to bravissimo before so will try there again. I am most definately an hourglass - all the weight went from round my middle first too. I have tried skinny jeans on, but then I think I look like a tit, but then think wider ones are unfashionable so I'm stuffed either way!

I could go to topshop? Me? Young?

I like all the stuff you have listed Misswoowoo, I would wear all of that.

Ok, I'm getting a game plan together now...

I lost 3st9lbs last year so I know how you feel. I was 36G beforehand, and 32G after, but remember that the cup size goes down as the back size does - so cups on a 36G are much bigger than cups on 32G! Dont be surprised if your cup size goes up as your back goes down.

Am hugely jealous that you lost in the middle first. I'm an apple, and my tum is the last to go. If I go below 10st I get flat-arsed and very rangy through the hips, but I still have a gut

Would deffo recomend going shopping with a friend. My sis is a great co-shopper, she gets me to try on all sorts and I trust her opinion - she will say flat out if something looks dodgy...

Good luck