Style Crisis...

[pantsjustpants]

I literally don't know what to wear. I've gone from a size 18 to a 12, but I've lost my way. I desperately need some new clothes, on a budget, but I just don't know where to start. I don't even know what I like any more. It feels horrible, and is really starting to dent my confidence

Hey Pants - sounds like you've done really well and it's time to enjoy the fruits of all that hard work! Lot's of people seem to have success with personal shoppers (but suggest you avoid the M&S online tool like the plague. Depressing!).

Why not try a DIY approach: who's style do you really admire? What kind of vibe do you want to throw out? Who has a body shape like yours who dresses really well - what do they wear (note shapes/cut/texture etc?)? Money no object, where would you like to shop? Personally would then highly recommend Ebay for trying out styles - go for brands you couldn't otherwise afford so the whole thing feels like a luxe treat. Flog on anything that doesn't suit. Good luck!

When you watch films do you admire any outfits? For example I have a bit of a weird liking for Meg Ryan's wardrobe from You've Got Mail.

Identifying what you want to look like overall as an image can help you filter what you look for. Do you prefer swishy fabrics or sharp clean lines? Striped and spots, or floral prints?
Do light or dark colours suit you?

Once you have a few ideas I would think about putting a capsule wardrobe together in colours that work with each other. For example in summer I find it easy to wear lots of navy, white, red and beige things that are interchangeable, and I wear a lot of stripy tops with jeans and bright cardigans. In winter I tend towards lots of grey, tan and burgundy that all co-ordinate together.
Good luck.