Need some help I'm so out of touch..a bit long I'm afraid

[clutteredup]

I have recently lost just over 2 stone and am back down to a smallish size 12/big size 10. I have clothes which I never got round to throwing away which are essentially 2 pairs of jeans and work clothes. When I'm not at work I wear the two pairs of jeans with a variety of long sleeve t-shirts of varying bagginess and a nice sweatshirt my mum bought me from Joules.
My godmother recently gave me some cash to 'spend on myself', and with a huge amount of guilt I am planning on doing just so.
Trouble is, bar grabbing the odd pair of jeans or long t shirt in Asda when out shopping I have not been shopping for me for ...um...I cannot actually remember when and so I am completely clueless about well I know it sounds stupid but clothes. I have no style as such so I don't know where to start what would suit me and so on. I don't get much time to myself so mostly when in shops have only had a chance to have a quick look and have ended up looking at the kids clothes - I normally buy them from supermarkets too and so could quite easily blow the lot on the children who already have the most enormous amounts of fabulous handmedowns.
I know I sound totally pathetic but I really don't know where to start. Is there any point or shall I just hand the cheque over to DH to spend on stuff for our house?

Second the personal shopper idea - they are just what you need - they take you out of your comfort zone and get you to try things you wouldn't have thought of. You are under no obligation to buy anything (but I bet you will).

My mum recently booked one in John Lewis - she was really chuffed with the items suggested; she bought some, then went to a couple of other stores and re-applied her learnings elsewhere!

What a treat! Have a wonderful time shopping!

Velvet cigarette pants are everywhere in Paris and, crucially, extremely comfortable (merci Lycra) and extremely warm, as well as being elegant and easy to dress up or down...

Bonsoir, can you recommend some velvet pants?

I love cigarette pants (I like them a touch short, not cropped though) but haven't seen velvet ones as I have a toddler and my ability to trawl the shops has hit rock bottom.

I have a beautiful pair from Incotex in dark brown, and also have a slightly cropped raspberry moleskin pair, also Incotex - same sort of idea (warm, comfortable, elegant). Also look at Forte Forte.

I wonder whether Benetton have some this season? Often a good source of that kind of thing.

While on the subject of slightly short cigarette pants - if you are wearing them with socks, there are some fabulous gold socks in Zara home right now!

Thanks Bonsoir, I'll check out those socks and trews.

On the subject of the OP, I second the haircut. Haircut and nice shoes and the rest in between follows ... sort of.

Makeup doesn't need to be made-up looking. Tinted foundation, filled in brows, concealer, blush (Bobbi Brown do cream blushes that double as lipstain)), 'tightlined' eyeliner and a boggo mascara and a 'your-lips-but-better' lipstick (can recommend Lipstick Queen Saint) will make you look groomed, younger and more glowing, but not clownish.

Other things to consider.

Dresses. I love them as I'm on the short side and they make you look finished and longer. Get the length right, though, knee, just above the knee is good. Calf length can sometimes look frumpy.

Decent trousers. I like either thin fit (60s style, not the modern skinny so much, doesn't suit me) or palazzo in a heavy crepe. I think Banana Republic do a range of trousers in different styles.

Decent outerwear, cashmere cardigan (uniqlo is cheap but eBay good, trench. Thin gauge T-shirts in off whites/greys/oatmeals.

I also mix all this up with lots of vintage - YSL silk shirts, I love vintage pattern sweaters, vintage hermes scarves (those are not cheap but you can pick up old silk scarves for peanuts)

Shoes. Boots, flats and one pair of walkable-in mid height heels with a not-too-thin heel (they just fall in cracks and scrape up)

Consider going for a few weeks to various shops you like the styling of -- for example Whistles, or APC, or Issa (I'm a nutter for dresses) whatever. Get a sense of the sizing. Whistles, for example, is super generous.

Then get busy on eBay. I buy loads on eBay and sell the mistakes on (I either tend to buy high end as the resell is easier but also hunt out the 99p shit)

Good luck

Wow happily - that is a lovely jacket - can you tell me how the sizes line up if you buy from the Boden teen range? I can't believe I am actually contemplating buying something from Boden!

Trill I'm a 32F/size 12, 5ft9 and this buttons up nicely and isn't tight.

trill size L

Think medium would be a 10 or poss an 8.

OP you sound so lovely and sensible and I hope you really enjoy treating yourself and find new confidence. imo I would browse online shopping so that you get an idea of what is around and what would suit you in terms of shape and colour before handing yourself over to a personal shopper. Personally, I would avoid anything too cutting edge, stick to classic items that you will get best value from over time. e.g. good pairs of trousers & jeans that can be dressed up or down,(that suit your shape vs fashion) classic knitwear, nothing too patterned / a good coat, handbag, boots. Also good underware/quality bras. Enjoy yourself. :)

Buy some accessories too. Some nice scarves etc

They can really change the look of a simple outfit.

I lost four stone, three years ago. I was frumpy and didn't care about my appearence before. I have changed, but it was a gradual process. Now, I'm still fairly casual, but really enjoy making a bit of an effort.

I tend to wear dark straight legged jeans, with converse shoes or skinnies with boots.

I like to layer tops, skinny long sleeves with t shirts over the top.

Ocassionally a casual knee length skirt with boots or pumps.

I always wear make up now, fairly natural. Light foundation, blusher, eyeliner, natural lipstick. I aways wear ear rings, and I always do my nails, manicure them, and a pale or clear varnish.

I usually wear a scarf too.

I've also invested in a really nice smart coat, so that whatever I'm wearing underneath, it doesn't really matter, with the coat and boots on.

I'd rather splash out and buy mid priced stuff, rather than shop at Asda or Primark. It's better quality and lasts longer.

I like Gap and Esprit for basic stuff. I keep my clothes fairly basic and plain, but it's the little details, like scarves, jewellry, hair, makeup up and nails that really make the difference in how I look and feel.

I agree with Chatelaine.

A good classic coat, good leather boots which would work under jeans or with a skirt, a haircut and a classic dress (wrap dress?) then some cheaper up to the minute things. If you're quite conservative in your taste try Boden or White Stuff as their clothes are well cut and last well after being chucked in the machine.

You do sound lovely and I hope you enjoy your treat.

Just a quick update to say thanks for the help - I went shopping yesterday and got 2 pairs of jeans, really nice ones from debenhams and am now wearing them with boots!!! A few people have commented already!
haven't got the hair done yet, still trying to pluck up courage to go for a completely ddifferent style but i know where I'm going to go.
Found a nice coat too so just need a nice dress and some tops and I'm done.
Thanks for the tips.

Glad to hear the shopping went well! I have no shopping stamina and love it now I live in the middle of nowhere and have to shop online (can spend ages doing that!). BUT when I lived in a city and needed say a new pair of jeans or a suit for an interview I used to take a friend with me - someone I trusted who was more determined than me and would make me try on more things rather than just 'settle' after half a dozen(which in my case involves going 'these don't look hideous, they'll do, can we go for a cake now?'). I think the personal shopper advice is good, and you could also take a friend with you to that for confidence. I've never done the personal shopper thing though I intend to someday, but I'm sure it must be OK to say to them 'thanks, that's very helpful, I'm going to take a note of these items then think it over and come back to get my favourites'. Good luck and enjoy your new clothes!