Shopping virgin would like to know: where should I buy for my style?

[EggyBreadAndBeans]

Have only recently discovered Style board and am excited!

Need style help ...

OK, I'm not a shopping virgin because I do wear clothes , but I only go a few times a year, when the wardrobe situation becomes critical (no flat shoes for winter, no coat, etc) and only ever to high street shops. I want to look nicer, I just feel much more at ease buying nice food than nice clothes. And I don't read women's magazines, so don't know quite where to start.

Knowing me, owning a Trinny and Susannah book, and having had my colours done, I know ...

• I'm a Trinny top half, Susannah bottom half, with big bones all over
• I suit "winter" colours, especially red, navy, white, pale pink/blue
• Best bits: shoulders, flat tum, bum, calves/ankles, arms
• Worst bits: AAAAAAA cup boobs, wide waist, cellulite, big rib cage/broad back
• Height is 5'8"
• Clothes size is a 12-14
• Hair is long and thick, slightly layered and wavy

And I know I like/suit the following ...

• Rugby shirts
• Fitted shirts/jackets
• Cowl necks
• Fitted-over-the-bum, slightly flared-led jeans/trousers
• A kind of straightforward, modern classic look () - not the latest trendy styles
• Minimal, but bold/strong accessories
• Casual preferred over formal
• A bit of a hippy twist
• Nothing too girly/floral/dainty - looks odd with big bones and strong features

I'm in the sticks, but only an hour out of London. So, given a kind of medium spending budget, where should I shop? Be as basic as you like - I know nothing! Only discovered Boden last week ...

Thank you! EBAB

Was thinking Boden all the way through your thread - get to the bottom and what do I find...!!!

Would also suggest Planet, Fat Face, Monsoon, Betty Barclay.

I hate M&S but I keep seeing ads in the paper and I feel they are luring me in... I can't though. My mother shops there. I can't shop where she does. No No No No No!

also Gap - fab for slightly preppy basics (cords, fitted shirts, jumpers, little jackets). Always worth looking at their sale rack, and if you're close to one their factory outlet shops at MacArthur Glens (eg Swindon, Bridgend) can be an absolute treasure trove.

The other thing to do is go to a big dept store like Debenhams or JL where there are lots of difefrent concessions in one shop - their personla shopping service is also good if you want something specific (winter coat, outfit for a party etc).

Oh, and try Agnes B for things that are just a little bit chicer than the norm.

Thanks, ladies. Brilliant. Of all those suggestions, I've only heard of GAP and Monsoon . So my wardrobe can prepare to be transformed!

Erm, another quick question: Where will I find these shops? Are they London/very big cities only?

Thanks ever so. EBAB.

Most big towns have Gap and Monsoon, I think.

Don't discount M&S. Things have really improved there in the past year or so, particularly with their Per Una range. It has interesting knitwear, tho' some of their stuff for more dressy occasions is quite frilly/girly, which wouldn't do. Or there's their Autograph range in the bigger stores.

Should you wonder..I don't have shares in M&S, but you could get two M&S for the price of one Boden item!