I LOVED Amandaland, the spin-off comedy series of Motherland. It's available to watch on BBC IPlayer, and while it's not Motherland as we know it, the new spin-off is absolutely hilarious. Amandaland, thanks for brightening up my viewing! And the good news is, it's been renewed for a second season - hurrah!
Focusing on Lucy Punch's character Amanda, the series has all the hilarity and heart of Motherland but in a different postcode. Post-divorce, Amanda is faced with having to downsize while navigating parenting her teenage kids, as the family have upped sticks from Chiswick to So-Ha (South Harlesden), leaving Julia, Liz and Kevin behind.
Amanda's has had to downsize to a flat (gasp!) and is figuring out her new normal as her kids Georgie and Manus have moved from their private school to the local comprehensive. All while desperately trying to charge her electric car and rubbing alongside her downstairs neighbour, Mal.
I always loved Amanda, dubbed an 'alpha mum' and I bet you're like me and know a fair few Amanda-likes in your parenting circle. Always perfectly put together, Amanda's outfits put my school run looks to shame; while I'm more Adam Sandler, Amanda is always coiffed, preened and stylish. Even at a party to de-nit the kids or a car boot sale, her outfits are stellar.
With new characters joining Amanda and her crew, there's still a few familiar faces on the show including Joanna Lumley as her elegant mother Felicity and Amanda's ride-or-die, the long-suffering Anne, played by Phillipa Dunne.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping, actress Lucy Punch revealed: "Amanda’s probably had a quiet breakdown or meltdown along the way. She’s disintegrated somewhat but has galvanised herself, got a blowout, done her nails, bought a new outfit, and is bringing her full Amanda energy to South Harlesden to whip up a storm." Now that's the perfect amount of Amanda chaos, if you ask me.
Speaking of new outfits, since Amanda is the queen of style, I thought I'd take a closer look at some of Amanda's key outfits from the new series. Check out where to buy the exact Amandaland outfits in the show plus some brilliantly affordable lookalikes.
© BBCAmanda's classic striped sweater
How hilarious was it to see Amanda make mum friends with new characters Fi and local celebrity chef, Della. This cute outfit of Amanda's is one I love and would totally recreate, and I'm pretty sure I've seen it on the school run (not a car boot, where Amanda wore hers).
Amanda's navy peacoat is a designer jacket, the £599 Miller Dickey Jacket from Veronica Beard / $695, but this Sosandar jacket, £110, with gold buttons and a larger collar, is so like Amanda's for less.
Striped sweaters are the bread and butter for us mums, I'm sure of it, and I found Amanda's on Mango for a mere £35 / $54. As for her jeans, they're the Straight Leg style from Stradivarius at ASOS.
Earlier in the episode, Amanda's wearing the chic ME&EM Waistcoat that's now sold out. Head to Nobody's Child for their butter yellow lookalike.
© BBCAmanda's chic hands-free bag
Amanda has a good line of handbags including this crossbody, brown leather bag. Hers is logo-free, which makes me think it must be a high street buy. It's a classic bag that won't go out of style and there's a few good versions; New Look's £24.99 saddle bag has a flap fastening like Amanda's as does this tan leather saddle bag from M&S for £39.
I'm also a fan of her easy to wear striped dress, the Barbour Ella Striped Mini Dress. Head to House of Fraser and you'll find it on sale for £68.
© BBCAmanda's sexy lace vest
Looking super sexy in a silk vest top, Amanda's lace-trimmed top is ideal for wearing under a blazer.
I tracked Amanda's exact cami down at French Connection but it's since sold out. This Next champagne vest will achieve the same look, as would this designer lace trimmed camisole from NK Imode.
And I can't be 100% but Amanda's gold chain looks suspiciously like the Astley Clarke Square Link Chain, £138 / $195.
© BBCAmanda's striped cardi
Who doesn't love a striped cardigan? It looks like Amanda's is a sold-out Mango knit, but there's similar versions at H&M, £37.99, Nobody's Child Textured Cardigan, £69 and Next, £39.
© BBCAmanda's timeless trench coat
If you've watched the first episode, you'll know this is when Amanda gets a football booted to the head (ouch) but that doesn't dissuade me from saying this is one of her chicest looks. Neutral tones head to toe? Girl, you're a pro even on a football field!
We all know a trench coat is worth every penny but you don't need to spend hundreds. I found this light beige twill trench at H&M for £39.99 that's giving me Amanda vibes.
Her beige knitted dress is so like this one from Karen Millen, on sale for £55, but Amanda's exact beige dress is from Reiss but now sold out.
I loved Amanda's cornflower blue cardigan worn to the party later in the episode. Hers is the Flower Button Cardigan from Self Portrait, and sold out, but I think this H&M Structured Cardigan £24.99 / $32.99 is so like it it's unreal.
© BBCAmanda's totally tweed dress
There's a romance brewing between Amanda and Peter Serafinowicz's character Johannes, and I can't wait to see how that unfolds.
But romance aside, how cute is Amanda's tweed mini dress? I'm 99% certain it's the Self Portrait Denim Tweed Mini Dress, which is on sale for £150 but sold out almost everywhere. I quite like this boucle version from V by Very for just £50, for the same aesthetic.
And continuing with her stellar accessory line-up is this red Mulberry bag. I can't put my finger on the exact style, I wonder if it's a discontinued style, but Jones The Bootmaker's Whimsy Bag, £89, is similar.
© BBCAmanda's camping get-up
She's got the puffa, the boots, the jeans, but all with an Amanda preened spin. Her boots are no doubt the heeled Timberland Kinsley Boot, £75, and her jacket, a cream quilted puffa, is hard to place but I like this M&S Clean Quilted Puffa, £55, for the look.
I love Amanda's dark flared jeans, and spotted this Next pair, £52, with the same kick flare and dark wash. As for her top, Peacocks' Ribbed Jumper, £16, is the same shade of khaki with ribbed effect.
