serious wardrobe overhaul needed. where to get advice?

[macana]

I have a feeling I wear all the wrong clothes - I like them, but probably don't suit my shape as well as they should, and I'm probably wearing the wrong colours for my skin too. So, after finally losing enough of the baby weight to feel I need a new image, i need a new wardrobe to match....trouble is, I'm not rolling in cash right now.
Anyone know where I could get some advice on what clothes suit me best (professional, not DH saying "it's nice" to everything - v.unhelpful).

I'm a good size 12, but can sometimes get into 10 top and sometimes need 14 trousers - big old hips, bum and thighs girl, that's me. More skirts the key?

Head to Rackhams or somewhere like that and have a personal shopper find things for you.
Debenhams wasn't great for me but House of Frazer/John Lewis the bigger branches are great, I'm sure debenhams are too I just probably wasn't honest enough with them about what I liked.

I just had a great appt with the personal shopper at John Lewis. My shape has really changed after having a baby (everything I knew about how to dress myself is now wrong) and she was amazing. I bought a whole new 'capsule' wardrobe which is flattering and has things in it that I would never have thought to look at. And best of all, I got to sit around sipping a drink whilst someone else did all the running around. Can't recommend it enough. (I went to the JL on Oxford Street but I think any of the major branches do it.)

oOH BIOTB what did you get? List!macana it sounds like we are exactly the same shape, everything you said for sizes is the same for me. I often wear long ish tops with straight or skinny jeans at the moment. Or boot cut and shorter tops.

Gosh I got loads but it was all work stuff because I am going back next week and am too fat for any of my pre pregnancy clothes. Was so lovely to come home and take all my old stuff out of the wardrobe and hang all the new stuff up. I'm actively looking forward to going back to work now just because I think I will feel smart and not frumpy for the first time in about a year.

Yes that really helps actually, it makes you not mind getting ready so much. I had a personal shopper at debenhams after having DD to find a christmas outfit. I wasn't keen on what I ended up with really, my fault, should have been more forceful. But if I ever use one again I'll be trying John Lewis.

I'd also recommend John Lewis for a personal shopper. I had a bit of a wardrobe overhaul last November but it's still worth doing even if you can only buy a couple of bits. It makes you much more clued up about what suits you for future shopping trips.

Getting my colours done was brilliant for me. It really helps with shopping and knowing what to wear.

I am a pear exactly same sizes as you and the trinny and susannah books helped me too.