Dear Caryn and Team

Now that the weather is starting to get colder and I have started to put away my summer clothes I have nothing to wear!!!

The trouble I have is dressing for the weekend or casual wear.  I work in a corporate environment so I wear suits mainly and pretty blouses and I feel smart and comfortable.

The weekend is a different matter, I feel scruffy if I wear jeans but when I try to smarten them up I feel too old for me!!  I am a 35 year old Mum with two beautiful daughters age 5 and 14.  When shopping with my eldest daughter we pick up the same clothes and then I wonder if I really should be wearing them and don’t buy them.

I would like to build a capsule weekend/casual wardrobe that is sophisticated but also trendy.  I am 5’6 size 10.  Any advice on potential online shops would also be good as I live in the Channel Islands which has limited shopping outlets.

Thank you
Mandy xx

Hello Mandy
Well sometimes it’s more difficult when there isn’t a dress code, uniforms or requirements isn’t it? The best place to start is with your jeans, suit trousers and pretty blouses that you already have and add in a selection of pieces that you can mix n’ match with them to create different looks true to your personal style. Cosy knits are comfy must-haves for down time and are a great way to soften and relax out your weekly work pieces for a weekend take. Look for chunky and statement pieces and most of the time, they couldn’t be any easier – slip on with your jeans and you are good to go. I’d also throw some long scarves into the mix and just simply wrap them around your neck and let them dangle.

In terms of other pieces, make sure that they are versatile, refined but also comfortable.  Layering pieces are fundamental – pieces that can be the basis for nearly any outfit (simple white t-shirt, vests, polonecks etc).

Have a look in our shopping mall for an extensive range of online retailers and here are some ideas in the meantime.

Betty Barclay & Hobbs

House of Fraser

We hope this helps.

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