So if you only wore jeans, jumpers and a puffa jacket and wanted to update your look, where would you start?

[Heeka]

Ok, I'm 32, 5'7", 10.5 stone, have 2 month old baby so still got baby weight to lose and have breastfeeding boobs.

My style rut is getting silly - I only ever wear straight jeans, long-sleeved t-shirts, plain jumpers and a puffa jacket. I live in the sticks and have a 2-year old as well as the baby, so need practical clothes but I look so dated and don't know where to start.

Had friends from London to visit last week and it made me realise that I can't put off shopping for ever!

Any advice?

how about black leggings (very comfy and versatile) with biker boots or short cowboy boots
long t-shirt with long cardi and scarf for that bit of extra detail

Heeka. Snap, buit without 2yo.
White Stuff?

new boots / shoes. a dress or two. necklaces. john lewis personal shopper to get some really good versions of your jeans and tops. if you are really stuck then get colours done.

See, I feel a bit old for that outfit, although I may not be! Am a bit scared of leggings without a top that comes near my knees, would feel like I'd forgotten an item of clothing if I just did leggings and a t-shirt. But like the cardy a lot. Never think of looking in New Look.

heeka, I'm 42 and wear that sort of thing, just need to get used to something different, cardy is a great cover up but not too bulky

Could try White Stuff, but it seems a bit samey. I was noticing my London friends in long tops, unfitted dresses with pockets, less of the 'mum in the country' look that I have. But I have the need to be warm and practical dilemma - hence never removing the down jacket!

Personal shopper very tempting...

buy some nice, pretty cardi´s (waterfall ones can be flattering and you´re tall enough for it).

A fitted wool coat.

A new haircut.

I live in the sticks, and often wear what you wear but try to vary a bit.

My fave outfit: Wool (mini) skirt, opaque tights, flat heeled knee high boots, and a fitted (cashmere) jumper. It´s warm yet a bit more interesting than the jeans.

get a groovy scarf

Heeka, I am very similar in shape, size, style, location and age of children to you, thwe only difference being I wear bootcut jeans in the vain hope they make my arse look smaller.
I simply will not wear leggings, sorry Clure.

Things that help:

Wool coat
I have to force myself to put mine on instead of my trusty North Face but it really pays off.

ACcessories
fabulous scarf, esp in this weather. Lifts the whole outfit. I would say chunky necklaces etc as well but with a 2mo these are usualyl asking for trouble.

Silhouette
Like you saw on your London friends there is a definite 'now' shape - long and a bit sacklike. A couple of tops or dresses in that shape over your normal jeans is a quick way to look less dated. The bagginess does take time to get used to, esp if you have just finished with maternity smocks, but they do hide the postbaby tum quite nicely. But do find ones with buttons as they are too long to hitch up to bf.

The other thing to do is embrace the fact we are rural and make a virtue of it - buy slightly stylish horsey clothes from Joules or somewhere, get a lady-fit Barbour or Aigle jacket and keep everything else for 'going out'.

(I am also trying to get back into short skirt / opaques / boots but haven;t managed it since ds was born)