Help, help, HELP! I need a new wardrobe and FAST. And, what?s more, I need it on a tight budget and I need it delivered (have 2 month old and 20 month old plus have to work to pay for said new wardrobe, so relaxing shopping trip is not an option). I am appealing to all you clever, clued up MNers to point me in the right direction, for which you will certainly be rewarded with copious karma points.
Basically my body changed considerably after DC1. I got pregnant again when DC1 was 9 months old so not enough of a gap in between to really find out what suits me (other than maternity clothes ).
Body shape ? I am 5? 6? and mostly legs! I am a size 10 bottom and 12 top. I have broad shoulders and back and am very short waisted (i.e. by bottom rib is level with the top of my hips). I am also long in the rise. I carry fat on my back and, to a lesser extent, on my belly. My tummy is fairly flat but still quite flabby IYKWIM. I would usually be an A/B cup but am bfing so am a C/D. On the positive side I have long thin legs and nice ankles. My arms are pretty good too, although I do carry a little fat on the very, very top. My biggest problem with my arms is I have keratosis pilaris (that annoying red ?spotty? skin condition) at the very top so don?t like to wear anything that draws attention to it.
Tops ? I can?t wear spaghetti straps or anything that emphasises broadness of my shoulders and back. Due to bfing and being short waisted I am basically boobs then hips at the moment (I do wear decent well-fitted bras ? but can?t wear underwired at the moment due to being prone to mastitis). I also need boob access for feeding ? so tops that I can easily pull up or down. I do own a strapless nursing bra if that helps.
Bottoms ? I look fabulous in skinny fit jeans and leggings (if I do say so myself ) ? although I find it really hard to get trouser and jeans that fit well around at the top. Typically low cut works best, although this does tend to create an unattractive fat roll when I sit down which I need to cover with loose fit tops. Trousers cut to fit on the waist or above the waist only do up if I buy a size up - in which case they sag terribly around my bum and thighs. It?s easier to get the fit with leggings so no fat rolls and I don?t mind wearing slightly tighter tops/dresses over them.
Colours ? I can?t wear ?washed out? colours like grey, pastels and beige. Warm, bright colours like bottle green seem to work best.
I like clothes that are stylish and flattering. They also need to be fairly practical for running about after a toddler and bfing baby (e.g. I don?t want to be re-adjusting belts etc every 5 mins).
I have been searching the internet for 3 nights in a row now and only managed to order 2 tops (which will probably end up being sent back ). Any help/pointers/commiserations warmly welcomed?