Today, Mum and I did some much-needed shopping for both of us. My wardrobe is a bit of a shambles after my pre-pregnancy weight loss, the pregnancy itself and the aftermath (including breastfeeding which continues to affect my shape and what clothes make the food easy to access!). Long story short, I was miserable with what I was left with and still grappling with my lack of personal style. I had a long conversation with ricardo last night which helped me rule out what I shouldn’t be wearing but other than some key phrases like ‘geek chic’ (not sure what this is), I didn’t get very far. I had intended today to just buy a couple of things to tide me over until I could have some kind of consultation with someone who knows better. However, I ended up trying on some clothes in Pepperberry (Bravissimo) and I fell in love with this skirt:

It’s shorter than I usually buy, just above the knee, but it’s so cute and fun and the fabric is gorgeous – sheeny cotton, light and soft. This skirt informed my new look which happens to take advantage of the apparent current nautical / French trend (at least there seems to be a lot of it about – I could be well behind the times with this). I was very brave and also bought some cropped red trousers in Next:

This is quite a departure for me from my usual safe ‘jeans and black t-shirt’ but I love them. They are surprisingly flattering and look great with the blue and white striped top from Next which I bought to go with the skirt above and the shorts I also got from Pepperberry. I did also buy a new pair of flared jeans which are much more flattering that the (many) pairs I currently own.

In Marks and Spencer, I found some more stripey tops – what can I say, once I find something I like, I tend to run with it. I also got a plain white tee which I plan on embellishing with some buttons. I saw this tee in John Lewis and thought “I can make one of those” – perhaps at next week’s <a href=”sew make believe sit ‘n’ sew.

Finally, I needed some shoes to wear with all this lot, and my mum spotted these cut-away Converse – perfect! I love them so much!!

I realise that this does not really fit ‘geek chic’ (again, not really sure what this means) but I can see myself making these clothes more edgey and less mainstream by accessorising with tattoo jewellery, rocking make-up and some red, white or blue nail polish. I love these cherry and anchor necklaces from Quirky Boutique:

I love that I have managed to buy that elusive capsule wardrobe – all these pieces work together and so I have so many different outfits ready for summer and for our holiday to Italy. All I need now is a new swimming costume and some new underwear and I am set but those will have to wait until I have weaned Evelina – I am bound to change again in bra size although this won’t affect the tops I bought today.