HELP - my shopping skills are dire.

[ChickenLickenSticken]

I feel totally clueless when I walk into a shop. I'm rubbish at putting an outfit together. I live in the same old things and this week now the weather has turned nice, I'm in panic mode because I have nothing to wear and am incapable of shopping.

I think I need professional help. Where can I get my colours done (london or SE) and is there a similar place that will help me figure out what suits me and what doesn't?

Really struggling with this and getting really down sbout it.

I'm 33 and work from home yet so tend to wear comfy things and not really care too much but then panic when it's the weekend or I have to go into the office. I owe it to myself to feel and look nice. And I desperately want my DD (18mo) to grow up feeling good about herself and not let her inherit my shit style.

Where do I begin? Who can actually help me?

Start by having a wardrobe clear out and get rid of anything tatty, ill fitting, unfashionable etc.

Workout what you need and focus on updating your wardrobe bit by bit.

I've heard good things about the personal shoppers in the big department stores as they don't pressure you to buy.

I think the main thing is to choose clothes that fit well for your shape.

Accessories likes scarves, belts a d jewellery are cheap and can brighten up outfits.

Be realistic in what you buy, there is no point in buying pretty dresses if you aren't going to wear them, so maybe focus on things you will wear. If you live in jeans, there is nothing wrong with splashing out on an expensive pair that make you feel good, as you will get a lot of wear out of them

Many shops have sales on now, so you can pick up a bargain!

Thanks.

I'm quite ruthless in terms of chucking stuff out mostly because its cheap tat anyway and I think unfortunately I actually need to go and see someone. Gok would be perfect just without the tv bit.

I feel blind-sided when I walk into a shop, and it's getting worse, like a vicious circle.

First, study up. Then when you walk into a shop you will have objectives and principles to work by and won't be thrown off.

Examine yourself: What shape are you? Are you long or short waisted? Apple? Pear? etc. What colours look bad on you? What looks particularly good? Have a look at a few websites about dressing your shapes and proportions. Then you can steer toward the right shapes and colours in shops, and reject the wrong shapes, saving expensive mistakes.

Examine your lifestyle: Heels or no, or some? Dry cleaning or no? Suits or no? Etc. Disregard all items outside your lifestyle as currently NA (not applicable).

Then to make an actual list, I found this site helpful: www.thechicfashionista.com/wardrobe-essentials.html

Someone from mn posted this link quite a while ago when I was wondering the same as you. It was instructive, especially on finding your neutrals and buying basics like tees in your best colours whenever you happen across them. I've done over my wardrobe over the past 2 years, with the above style of analysis and forethought and now have more successes than mistakes, also have more coordinating items in the closet.