Style me or point me in the right direction please

[InAClothesRut]

I have realised I have a wardrobe of stuff I don't wear, and maybe 4 items of clothing I do wear. I have a little bit of money tucked away and I think it's time to look into capsule wardrobing, except, I don't know where to start. I can't really afford to do a personal shopper, can anyone help?

I'm 26, 32F/G, 10/12 on bottom, 5'7ish. Job requires smart/casual dress, office work wear not appropriate. I know I'm asking for miracles, but any push in the right direction would be helpful! I'm just tired of looking washed out in the same outfit 4 times a week.

I think that some department stores have a free personal shopper service. Would that be it be of use to you?

If you can't get a personal shopper (I've heard good things about john lewis) I would do the following:

Identify your best colours (that look good or you feel good in) - this includes neutral colours (I use brown and grey as black drains me)

Identify your shape - there are tools on Pinterest that you can use to find your body shape ( by putting in your measurements) and also to identify what style of clothes fit your shape.

Then I'd figure out what you need. There are loads of pages/Pinterest pins on what a capsule wardrobe should consist of - eg two coats/jackets, three dresses, 4-5 trousers/skirts and 8 tops - use this as a baseline but tailor it to what you like (eg I would never wear skirts, so it's trousers all the way for me).

Then hit the shops/internet. Dressippi is another good source for identifying clothes that you might like depending on preferences etc. The Vivienne files is also good for seeing how colours can work together.

I don't think I can find time to spare for a personal shopper, and all the shops I've seen it advertised in are pricier ones, I'll see what I can do, it just seems like a luxury. Pinterest, how could I forget about that! I just need a complete over haul, I don't even know what I suit anymore.

Imagine if your entire wardrobe disappeared/got damaged beyond repair - what would you buy to replace it? I think sometimes we're so tied to the things we own that it's hard to let go and do/wear something new.

I'll try to look out Pinterest links

Body shape & style:
http://visual.ly/guide-womens-clothing-based-body-type

I think I've added a picture of a potential capsule wardrobe approach

Also - how to do style sudoku (v similar to capsule wardrobe approach, makes sure lots of things go together to maximise the number of potential outfits:
http://su-sews-so-so.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/style-sudoku-how-to-build-capsule.html?m=1

There's lots of stuff on finding colours - this one could start you off:
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/431501208019824763/

Thanks Curtains I'll have a good nose through and see what I come up with. Honestly, I think I need to just give everything wearable to charity and really just start with nothing.

How did you get on OP? I'm
In a similar situation and need inspiration!