help - need to re-vamp my wardrobe

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Hi - please can anyone help. I want to sort out my wardrobe and become a "grown-up". I'm in my late 30's, 4 dc, size 14 on top, 12 on the bottom with a tum .

I want to have a capsule wardrobe which I can mix and match. Not got a huge budget - approx £500 (may be able to stretch if I hide the bank statement from dh). Dc's attend a school where most of the are of the "yummy" variety and I'm fed up of looking like a farmers wife in tatty jeans and baggy jumpers .

Don't want to be ultra fashionable - more classic style if possible.

Can anyone help - pretty, pretty please...........tia

Deciding on your body shape can help, as the clothes shapes/styles you look best in will not alter, even as fashion changes you will know your own style. I had an afternoon with an independent stylist, best money I ever spent. This is a good place to start though.

Thanks - according to dh I am a "goblet" so heavy on top and skinny on the bottom.

mumtoted may I ask how much the stylist cost and how you found a good one? Thinking it might be the way to go - I really don't have a clue.

I found her on the internet, on Westfield website, Anna the stylist. It was my 40th birthday present from my husband. PM me for more details.

Ok have done

Most dept stores provide the personal shopping service free of charge.

Before you go make a list of events you'd like outfits for:

EG

School run
Lunch with friends
Day out with DCs
Meal out with DH

Etc etc

FWIW I find well cut jeans (Oasis or Gap) in dark wash, a good wool jacket/blazer in winter and jersey blazer rest of year, nice leather bag and boots and half a dozed nice blouse/tops from Oasis and Zara like this cover a multitude of events. Couple of decent bits of knitwear from Boden/Mint Velvet/Great Plains with top and jeans for casual wear. Add heels to top and blouse for a smarter look.

HTH

Good list gillybobs.
OP - if you are after a capsule wardrobe, stick to neutrals such as back, navy, white, cream, beige, grey etc... Then choose an accent colour that suits you. For me, this is blue shades. Lots of clothes in random colours is always much harder to put together.
I suggest the following: dark rinse jeans, Black fine wool wide leg trousers, jersey dress that can be dressed up or down, 2-3 shirts / blouses, 2-3 basic tops plain and striped, cashmere jumper, cashmere Cardigan, knee high flat boots, pair of heels, handbag and a few scarves.

Thanks guys - my main problem is that I can always find trousers and skirts which look good but I seem to be unable to find any tops which look good on me so I end up wearing layered grandad type things which just look messy.

Thank you for the link Gillybobs - lots of food for thought.

The lists are great - just the sort of thing I was looking for - and I do think I shall have to engage the services of a personal shopper

Definitely book the personal shopper. Go armed with your own list taking into account your lifestyle and budget. And yes, agree stick to a neutral colour scheme and add some colour via a couple of coloured tops and scarves.

I always go a little smarter than absolutely necessary as I cant stand feeling scruffy. Im almost always found in jeans with a blouse, add a cardi and flat shoes and its casual. Add a nice jacket and heels and its dressy. Simples : )

Let us know how you get on

Will do - just need to find a babysitter for the youngest and when the older ones are at school I shall go off and have fun ( I hope!) Thanks again