I just went uncharacteristically mad and bought lots of clothes

[NorkilyChallenged]

in Dotty P of all places.

It was a heady combination of a rare hour to myself without children, a 20% off everything sale and the sunshine (with the knowledge that I've put on a bit of weight and don't fit in most of my summer clothes any more)

Can anyone advise whether I should return most of it or not?

I got this which is very see through but a nice flattering shape (most of what I tried on looked like maternity wear on me) Will wear vest or tshirt under and then try with leggings (hmm) or otherwise jeans? Have very few summer trouser options actually

I got something similar to this but with navy and gold kind of colours in it. Not very me, a bit silky but it looks nice on. Only to wear with leggings or I also bought some crop footless tights (aka leggings) to see how that looks too. This is in my "may have to return" pile though.

I got this short-sleeve cardi for work but might also go over summery dresses. Not as cropped as I would ideally like but I couldn't resist

Plus some cropped leggings (again haven't tried before but got navy and light grey to try to wear with dresses)

Tried this green patterned dress on which is lovely but I think I'm a bit too old for it now (and possible too dumpy in the knee area if that is possible). Is a real bargain though (£26 with another 20% off) and I'm already wondering if it would have done for a wedding? But no, I think my above-the-knee days are over.
Browsing on the website just now I also like this. All the maxis I tried on today were not good for the flatchested but this might work? Didn't see it in store.

How is this as the start of a summer wardrobe? Anything that is clearly a mistake?

I also quite like the idea of a maxi skirt but it would hae to be one with less material than most of the ones I saw today, they are too voluminous and not good if you're a bit wide of hip. I used to have some (20 years ago ) that were very thin fabric and fell pretty much straight down instead of flaring out but no idea where to find them (I think I used to buy them in shops that sold lots of tie dye and patchouli circa 1986)

I was on the dp website the other day and was impressed with the no of pretty dresses on there. The only problem was quite few of them were out of stock. I like the maxi;not sure about the green dress, but that is a personal taste thing. I don't think age should come into though! How old are you and what shape? From your description you sound like a pear same as me.

maxi skirt

This is ok fir maxi skirt. Agree you have to be careful ref voluminous flowery ones.

I really like the first three items (purple dress, tunic and grey cardi). I'm not keen on the last two. All in all a good haul!!

this pretty and good for pears

Thanks everyone.

I'm a size 12 (sometimes a 10 but more rare now), 34A (so v flat chested), with a waist but big hips and biggish thighs. So yes probably a pear. A pear with knobbly knees

Notyummy - I saw that maxi skirt and really liked it but already have a long(ish) grey skirt so would have liked a different colour. Definitely the right idea though.

Butterfly - that maxi is quite nice. Ideally I suppose it would nice to wear some colour but often the ones I prefer are black.

Sorry for the hijack but TheButterflyParty did you try any of the maxi skirts with an elasticated waists (or shired as they like to call it!) was wondering how it would cope with a pregnant expanding waist line!

Thanks for the link Notyummy but I really don't think I can do above the knee without wearing leggings or trousers (I am psyching myself up to do the leggings thing as it's comfy but I'm still feeling a bit weird about wearing them!)

Norkily- you are my body double! There are loads of dresses for folks like us on the dp website. I am a 10 on the top and 12 on bottom. 5ft 10 so maxis always good.

I only did the leggings thing within the last few months. It can work under dresses, adding a heel helps elongate the whole thing I think.

Ah Notyummy - I'm only 5'6" so have to balance out the legs a bit.

I can look quite a nice shape in the right clothes but it's hard to know what I"m looking for

I like the green patterned dress, it is a little bit Orla Kiely imho.

Not so keen on the maxi, print too big for my liking.

I get all my tops from dotty p's now.

The butterflyparty - thanks will go and try, the only maternity maxi skirts I canfind are viscose or jersey. Ugh.

Norkily sorry for the hijack - I do like the green patterned dress think it would look nice over fitted (not necessarily skinny) dark jeans in autumn.