Oh god where do I start

[legalalien]

I have just given up my job (which involved wearing navy and black suits, so not much thought involved). In sept I start part time study at a London university. I need a whole new weekday wardrobe and I HATE shopping.

where do I start? I am 5'6" and about 9 stone. and definitely more of a jeans and trainers person than a skirt person - but I'm nearly 40 and don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb.

Boyfriend jeans, converse trainers, fitted t-shirts (optional retro/obscure brand prints) long cardi, big scarf, bangles, enormous brown leather bag for books etc and good quality coat

jeans
cardi
converse
coat or this or this

brilliant work. I was tossing up over the trainers already, and already have a long black cardigan. The parka is very me..... I was thinking of trying gap and banana republic and maybe massimo dutti - anyone got any other suggestions?

Just to say, I went back to university a few years ago - now doing a PhD. I'm older than you - but, having mixed with hordes of students of various ages (though mostly frighteningly young), runforit's advice is right on the button.
I've really enjoyed living in jeans after a career in suits and similar. Only thing I'd add is that jeans in various styles are good - don't all have to be boyfriend. I've been wearing straight (not skinny!) ones a lot this winter, with tunics/ oversized sweaters. Boots are good too, in more or less whichever of the current styles you fancy. And boho-ish interesting necklaces if you like that sort of thing. I haven't always stuck to the leather bag for books - main thing is to have a capacious one with a strong strap! But it's a good idea - each winter have tried to persuade myself I really need one from Russell and Bromley (old habits die hard).

Hmm. I do have an old leather postman satchel with a shoulder strap - which would look the part - but I think I'll resist the urge to play dress up in favour of practicality - and stick with my trusty black backpack!

First of all - congratulations on taking a whole new direction in life!

At 5'6"/9 stone/nearly 40 the shops are your oyster, basically. And please don't limit yourself to jeans and trainers - there are lots of ways of dressing easily without going down that boring route.

What's your budget?

sorry for delay in getting back to this thread - half term break and all that entails (as a working mum I seem to end up on the receiving end of half term playdates - I am exhausted!)ll, am officially in retirement come tomorrow - roll on exercise regime!

@bonsoir - don't really have a fixed budget but am more in the market for investment pieces than disposable fashion - would, however, like to reduce the dry-clean-only proportion of clothes in my wardrobe. If money were no object I am definitely a MaxMara kind of girl - but not practical for everyday wear! I am thinking of investing in a couple of good, well cut blazers and teaming that with the less expensive jeans/T shirt thing. I am not really very interested in clothes, to be honest, and am rubbish at accessorising, so I need a kind of "casual uniform"!

Blazers and jeans sound good. I would go for boots rather than Converse.