Starting from scratch. Any help appreciated.

[CatAndFiddle]

Hi ladies, I am in desperate need of a makeover, and would appreciate any pointers on where to start. I currently wear asda jeans and t shirts. At work I wear a white collared shirt and black or grey trousers. Everyday.
I put a little m and s foundation on before work to cover some redness on my face. It doesn't work very well.

A new member of staff has started at work and she looks fabulous everyday. I have started to feel a bit down about how scruffy I look. It has been a slow decline to my current state over several years as we saved for a house deposit and then maternity leave etc. Every time we chopped the budget it was clothes, makeup, face masks etc. that went. I am in my late 30s now and have no sense of what my style should be. I haven't "shopped" for several years.
Where do I begin? How can I get back to "me" again.

Can you go to the hairdresser and ask them for a hair makeover first. Cut and colour , with them deciding what suits? (Go somewhere good)
With the confidence from that go clothes shopping and try colours more. Pick up things you wouldn’t normally and try them on. If not brave enough to buy, take pics and look over them at home until you decide what you like best?
A make up counter at boots will help with better coverage too

Can you set some money aside over a few months so you can go on a bit of a splurge?
What size are you? Maybe we could suggest some things if you let us know your budget

Thanks for replying. Money is not so much of an issue now, but I have just become used to not spending any on myself. I guess I could spend about £1000, to try and get myself half decent.

I am a size 8/10 athletic build. (Although the gym membership did go, I do work out quite a lot at home).

I have made an appointment for a haircut next Friday. I have never coloured my hair, but I like the suggestion. I am going to ring back and ask for a colour too.

Thank you

A personal shopping session would give you the chance to try lots of things on and see how different things look on you. Also look at some style bloggers - find ones you like and see which ideas appeal to you.

You don't want to start copying the fabulous colleague's look exactly, obviously :o but what is her style like and why does it work? Is she a similar shape to you? Also what's your taste generally - romantic, minimalist, practical, quirky? Then we can recommend some good shops/websites you might like.

I quite like minimalist...I think. My colleague wears lots of prints and colour and accessories. It suits her and her personality, but probably wouldn't suit me. It has inspired me to try a bit more though!

Have you looked at Uniqlo? They are fairly classic. Also Cos. But really you need to take a deep breath and go into town and just try anything you like the look of.
What shops are local to you?

Agree with cos, also arket and finery, and you might also like baukjen and me & em (online).

You have a good budget and a good shape and you are going to be awesome!

Buy a white shirt from the Gap and a black shirt from Zara, and a necklace and earrings that you are pleased with. Hair cut, and some cool shoes - not too heels if you are just getting into. Then start to think COAT.

I am excited for you.

Thank you. I have looked at your suggestions and ordered a few things to try, and I'll take it from there!

Firstly invest some of your budget in a colour analysis. Wearing the right colours is the first step to looking your best and will save you a fortune in the long run . I style analysis to follow then and you should be well on your way . Have fun .

Bobbi Brown counter for a basic makeover to get you started. I've found they are really good at listening and won't make you look demented like Charlotte Tilbury some MUAs do. You'll be required to buy a couple of bits but if you're in the market for new make up its a good place to start as they do day to day looks/ natural really well.

Use a Micellar water to get it off, Superdrug Radiant or Vitamin E cleanser for hot cloth cleansing then a serum and moisturiser that suit your skin. Nip and Fab glycolic pads for exfoliating every other night if your skin can tolerate it.

Teeth whitening strips? I found they made a really good but subtle difference to the way I look, really freshened up my face and made me look younger.

Can't advise you too much on fashion as I'm dumpy and boring, but make up and skin care I can.

Have you got a friend who would go shopping with you and suggest some things for you to try on? They're likely to pick some items you might not have considered and you may be surprised. Don't forget that you'll also try on stuff that looks hideous so just laugh and move on... don't get disheartened!

I recommend you research capsule wardrobe ideas online. There are tons of blogs out there on the subject and take ideas from those so you build a small collection of clothes you love and all work together easily.
Choose a couple of neutrals which suit you. I have black and navy. Buy a couple of tops and pants in those colours. Tops can be anything from T-shirt's to cardigans to jumpers.
Then think about a couple of accent colours which suit you and buy another couple of tops and a skirt/dress. A Breton/striped top...
Then a neutral shoe, boots and dressy shoe.
Then a coat perhaps in one of the accent colours or stick to a neutral.
Then add scarves and perhaps a bold necklace in accent colours.
Do this and You should then end up with about 30 different combinations of clothing which all work really well.
If you are nervous then try Primark as the costs are reasonable eg £5 for a top.
Get a Pinterest board together of stylish outfits you like.
Good luck what an exciting journey you have ahead.

I get a LOT of outfit inspiration from bloggers on Instagram. It's definitely helped me define my style a bit more and understand the direction I want to go in.

Once you follow one you like it tends to lead to others and it's not all designer, designer - they wear a lot of high street.

Buying a good bag is a good starting point too.

The blouses at Uniqlo are great, and can smarten up anything.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/tops/shirts-blouses/rayon-blouses

Gap trousers the same.

www.gap.co.uk/gap/women/clothing/trousers/

(Always find a discount code for Gap.)

I'd second either getting a colour analysis or spending sometime online and trying different colours online with what you think you are. It's made such a difference to how I shop and the colours I pick now make me look so much better.

Getting your hair done will make a huge difference and then I'd suggest little changes every now and then so that your slowly making sure that everything works for you. So adding in a colour top here, a new necklace there.

Get yourself a pininterest board or two going. I have one for looks I like and one for looks I can cobble together with what I have already x

Getting a colour analysis last year revolutionised my wardrobe! I had no idea what suited me. I haven’t bought a huge amount but I’ve streamlined my wardrobe, added a few bits in over the last year. Shopping is easier because I know what will suit me at a glance, packing for holidays is easier because everything co-ordinates.
I bought a really bright yellow jumpsuit recently with a floral pattern. I’d never have gone for that before but it’s one of my colours so I went for it. I’ve honestly never had more compliments on a night out before! I went to House of Colour for mine.

Time is your friend. Go shopping, you need a few hours. Try on clothes. Try on more clothes. Keep trying on clothes. Only buy complete outfits that look amazing. If you’re not sure, move in.