Help! I think I need a make over. Where do I start?

[sheepmaysafelygraze]

I caught sight of myself in a shop window this afternoon and it wasn't pretty. In my defence I was wearing DD in a sling at the time( so looked like a heffalump) and had been drudging through the rain for a bit but still, must do better.
But where do I start?
Main problem is my hair at the moment, its long, down to my shoulder blades but I never wear it down(look like a spaniel if I do), hasn't been cut for ages.
I would like to go shorter but I need to have it tied back for work so can't go too short. Any ideas as to what cut would be nice?
I have some nice clothes but at the moment only wear jeans and tshirts. I'm a size 16-18 with a bit of a post baby tummy(for how many years after babies birth can you blame a tummy on them?).Have been toying with the idea of leggings/dresses.
The thing is I am rubbish at buying clothes, I never know what will look nice and suit me or what will go with stuff I already have. Can you learn to shop well or is there no hope for me?

All advice greatly appreciated! [hsmile]

Cut and colour your hair first. The rest will follow. Including confidence.

Yes you can learn to shop! I used to dress very "emo/goth" but felt wrong dressing like that after having DS so had to learn from scratch on what else to wear. 17 months later and I'm finally starting to get the hang of it!
Dont rush yourself to suddenly change, just start by making small changes here and there. You can still wear you hair up and look nice, you just need to learn some easy up do's. You could try something like this? or just do a messy bun? deffo get a cut and colour first though to boost your confidence, just dont go for anything drastic and regret it!

Take some time if you can to have a look round the shops, trying different styles on. Also keep an eye for ladies that you like the style of and make notes about which clothes you like. I know what a minefield clothes shopping is sometimes but its just about experimenting. Dont put to much pressure on yourself :)

Get your colours done - it'll make a huge difference, means all your clothes will (eventually) coordinate, and will make shopping soooo much quicker

The best haircut I ever had was when I stopped trying to have a particular style or bring in a photograph etc, and instead just told the hairdresser what I liked about my hair, what I didn't like about it and how I felt about my face (e.g. for me I feel like my face can look quite long with certain haircuts), also what hair care routine I have time for. Then I let the hairdresser suggest to me what would work. I love Toni and Guy, it's expensive but I always feel happy when I leave there. I agree with not going too drastic at first though - you can always get more cut off later but can't get it put back again.

I think that the less clothes you have the better you feel about wearing what you have got. If I were you I would be ruthless and chuck out everything that I feel less than perfect in - you only need a handful of lovely tops and bottoms/ dresses. There are loads of sales on at the moment so you could get some really nice stuff for not much money. Go and try on some dresses to wear with leggings, but only buy something if you feel great in it - when you look in the mirror and see your body language change because you know you look and feel good. I used to have loads and loads of clothes that were 'nearly right' and felt like I never had anything to wear; now I own far fewer items that I know suit me and wish I'd had a clear out years ago.

Thank you for the encouragement!
I see a little shopping trip in my future. And I will try that hair do , looks easy enough even for me until I get a minute to get a haircut.
Where do I go to get my colours done?(I'm in London)

John Lewis personal shoppers do colours, well the lovely ladies in my JL do. I'd definitely book in with them. You're under no obligation to buy and if you do impulse buy and change your mind then they won't know that you returned it! Ask them to do you a capsule wardrobe. I find Debs a bit hit and miss with the P/shoppers. I'm a crap shopper and use these services when I'm stuck and have no patience left!

I'd also ask someone whose hair you like for a recommendation for a new stylist.

For a make up refresher, ask clinique/no 7 etc. to show you this seasons colours then buy them in your usual brand if you don't want to change.

Google House of colour , and look for one local to you.