Ooh ladies, you lot are most helpful!! I am so grateful for your tips and getting a clue about where to start now having pondered a bit.
MrsBingo great idea to categorise, it will definitely help me to see just how much stuff I have that doesn't fall into an of the right categories, hence my 'nothing to wear' wailings. The charity shop at the end of the road could do rather well out of this project!
waitingforme / adieucalione I must admit, I thought about it, but because I think of personal shoppers as more for 'events' I was a bit too scared to do this. Plus a part of me is fearful I will spend 3 times what I planned as I get overexcited at seeing anything that suits me, regardless of whether it's something I would wear. However, given the rut I've been in, maybe I should give it a go as I'd like to be put in something I wouldn't normally choose.
mrscampbellblack I'm 5'4, pretty slim, a 12 in most stores, but I'm quite booby and not a fan of my thighs! I think I will spend around £200 to £250 as if I get some boots and a nice pair of jeans, most will go on that. But I don't need loads of outfits so once I get a feel for what is useful I can add the right kind of pieces to my wardrobe over the winter.
gillymac93 and Sheila tunic dresses? Hated? Oh dear. Note to self. What's wrong with them then? I own a couple, and they get worn a fair bit, esp when we are going to something I have to take the baby to, I figure one of them with leggings saves me showing my pants above the top of ill fitting jeans!!! That's probably the bigger crime against fashion non? Don't feel bad ladies, I definitely have plenty of tunic dress wearing mum friends, they mustn't have got the memo 
whitershadeofpale that's a great idea. I must try and include something a tad more feminine like this as it really annoys me when DH makes a comment about me 'wearing a skirt for once' as if I have always dressed in my SAHM scruffs! including one of these (I don't do ironing so the jersey bit is especially key) will save me shouting 'you try wearing a bloody pencil skirt and spending all morning grovelling around the carpet and all afternoon chasing round the garden and see how practical it is.' plus I like to think that if such items survive the baby sick years, they may see the light of day once more...
trixie123 I always see people looking good in a denim skirt with opaques and boots, but never see the right skirts myself to give it a go. Where's a good place for these? I do have a few shops I like, but am very easily distracted by items that I will never have a chance to wear. Have been known to wander about town convincing myself there is a wedding/christening/DH work do that a certain item will be perfect for, only to buy it and have it remain in wardrobe longing to see the light of day!
purpleandpoppywearer good on you! Both for losing baby weight and having some colour in your wardrobe. 50 shades of grey sounded like my wardrobe until I discovered it was something rather different 
!
Am going to get the jeans mission underway first as that can take a while, and find leggings if poss. Is there anywhere anyone particularly recommends for leggings, that aren't for the super long legged?!