Please help - clueless with clothes

[MrsApplepants]

I need some new clothes, badly. I have hardly anything that isn't faded, really old or too small. I just don't know what looks good on me.

I am 5'5" true apple shape, big boobs, bit of a belly, no waist. Not bad legs though. Size 14/16.

Don't know about colours except that I look awful in beige, brown, cream and shell colours. I have dark hair, brown eyes and pale skin if that helps.

I usually wear dresses/ tunics over trousers in the winter and linen trousers in summer. All jackets/ blazers look terrible on me and I don't like anything close fitting on the belly or that shows cleavage.

I want to look put together. I like the stuff in mint vvet but don't know where to start. I have approx £500 to get some decent clothes for autumn winter but I already have a coat. Can anyone help me figure out what to get? Please, please!

Go and see a personal shopper - I saw a wonderful one in John Lewis at the weekend and she was sooooo helpful. She gave me so much general advice it was amazing as well as sorting out my autumn winter work wardrobe.

That's a good idea, did you have to pay for that?

Well they do a general free service but they also do a style profile service too which I actually did. It was £125 but then if you spend £500 you get it all back. I did as needed a suit and a few other things for work. That includes advice on styles that suit, colours, clothes shape and brands that work well. I am terrible with clothes so was wonderful. It wasn't at all pressured and I came away with some lovely things, a few a bit different for me, and she was happy to work to my budget. Amazing service all round I have to say.

Here it is - I had the profile and experience - www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service?_requestid=205138&stop_mobi=yes

Thanks for this, definitely worth the money if they can haul me out of frumpsville!

I did a JL personal shopping session as well. This must be the tenth time I've recommended them on mumsnet. I should shut up about it as at the moment everyone keeps telling me how great my sense of style is, and it's not me, it's them! I really rate the service and have decided from now on I am going to do two big shops with them a year.

Aha - yes it was actually a rec

Recommendation on here that put me onto it - not from you though I don't think wearytiger! Let us know what you do and how you get on mrsapplepants.