inspiration needed - have lost my fashion way and need serious help

[jeangenie]

I seem to have fallen into a pit of bad saggy faded jeans and tshirts that I need some help being pulled out of - anyone want to throw me a rope? I seem to have a wradrobe full of bits and bobs that don't work together so I end up throwing on the same old tired jeans etc everyday

about me
Lifestyle:
mother of two, work 4 days a week, informal office (but am sick of just wearing jeans day in day out), when off am carting kids here there and everywhere
Figure:
5 ft 6
slimish upper bod (10-12) small boobs, bit of flab under bra line but not bad
medium tum, fair sized bulge if am honest and stop holding it in
large arse, wide too (12-14)
large thighs that touch in the middle
fat knees
slender calves
nice ankles
arms ok
wide feet
short neck
crazy bobbed hair that I am growing so can put it up

my ideal style would be slightly retro towards the 40s/50s. I like aline skirts, fitted pretty cardis, wide legged trousers, boat necked tshirts - would love to try a nice dress'n'boots combo
am bad in heels but like the height - broad wedges work best

but I don't have any of these things in my wardrobe and I don't know where to get them. I am an awkward shape/size and find things fit in one place but not anywhere else. I have the two kids so rarely get out to shop and am in london and find trekking about on a Saturday in the crowds makes me want to kill someone

so, anyone want to help me and be my guru of change??? is there one shop that I can go to to find all of these things...

I can stretch to £500 or so for new wardrobe but I want things that work together

and again these look like a good cut, slightly wider than others. (but then i wear very wide trousers for preference)

more topshop - too small?

I have the coat in the brown. Brown and teal seems to be very in at the mo, so the petrol blue would be a good look I reckon (not that I know anything really). I really wanted a purple coat and ordered two to try (that funnel one from Next and another) but this brown coat was def the best fit and most flattering colour. I consoled myself with being able to brighten it up with scarfs etc. I am so pleased I have it, even if I can't wear it yet. DH doesn't understand that if I actually wait till Christmas it may well be sold out or out of stock etc and then I would cry .

think i saw your 40's jacket today - was it a swingy thing w/4 big buttons? how did it look on? am intrigued cos can't imagine that cut would be flattering on anyone. but is nice grey-green so i imagine the colour wd be fab for you (my eyes are a more hazelly green so i suit something a bit warmer). also i think most shades of green mix very well so would go with the frilly shirt (which you must get, i insist ).

yes PD that's the one - I think it looked good on, with the wide brown trews that I bought that day
however not sure how versatile the jacket would be, and am afraid that for £65 I want something I can wear with more then one thng
did you think would go with green monsoon shirt? that's quite bright in RL you know. Nice though. I will buy it - just for you
so today's venture to the local shops with DD2 bought me the following
1 pair wide legged cropped brown trousers with kind of herringbone stripe effect and turn ups from new look (will look good with knee high boots)
1 minky brown v neck button "cashmillion" cardi from M&S
1 brown v neck sweter with 3/4 sleeves, M&S again
have asked questions about measurements on those great ebay finds of yours, am now trying to work out best way to describe what rise measurement is to one guy who has no idea
"measurement from crotch seam to waistband" I think but is it at the front or back? front I assume...
next thing is I need to start introducing some colour, in a BIG way
can't wear any of my new clobber til get shoes/boots sorted so is very frustrating!
Skyler - don't think that coat is boring - is a great cut...

Yes is def a good cut for my apple shape.