I have reached the sad conclusion that I no longer have the knack of knowing what looks good and now have a wardrobe comprising black trouser suits (work) and jeans (home). It was not always thus — in my twenties I was a fashion-conscious, even an edgy, dresser but the interim years of career and family have squeezed my confidence. Now that my children are semi-independent I have more money to spend but am daunted. Would a personal shopper help? If so, where? Otherwise how do I go about diversifying from what is an extremely dull wardrobe? I am 58 and work full-time (I’m a senior clinician in the NHS). I’m 5ft 5in (1.65m) tall and a size 12. You’ve everything going for you in terms of height and size — 5ft 5in and a size 12 is a pretty good frame on which to attach most clothing.

First, I’m a great believer in personal shoppers. The two good ones that I’ve used (Martina Wagener at Selfridges and Celia Clark at Liberty) gave me lots of new ideas and showed me clothes that I’d never have unearthed for myself.

Most of us tend to buy the sort of things we already know suit us, so we end up with repeats of the items we already own. A good personal shopper — if you can find the right one — will give you a whole fresh look.

Most good department stores, including Topshop, have them these days: remember that they are free and if you don’t like what they bring you, you don’t have to buy it (although you need a bit of a steely nerve to buy nothing at all).

Choose a shop that feels like “you” and make an appointment. Otherwise, there are independent advisers but they cost money — although they are often worth it because they source from a great variety of shops.

I’ve tried in the meantime to address your needs. You could separate out your black trouser suits and, if the trousers are good enough, find a gorgeous feminine top (Topshop has some lovely ones, as does Zara) and a sweet but different jacket: say a cute red or white one.

Your work puts certain parameters on what is suitable clothing, yet I don’t think you should have to give up on being feminine and modern. So for work I think that your clothing shouldn’t be too high-fashion or formal (I don’t think I’d want the clinicians I run into in hospitals looking like ladies who lunch). So I think that Betty Jackson’s separates illustrated here by David Downton, the tobacco-coloured skirt and grass-green satin top worn over a long-sleeved T-shirt, look sassy, modern and not too formal yet proper enough for work (skirt, £252; long-sleeved top, £69; blouse, £171; 020-7589 7884).

Also, the skirt and the top could be worn with lots of other things. You could get a couple of jackets to work with the skirts. Shops such as Zara, Peacocks and Marks & Spencer are awash with cute tops for very little money.

Toast’s brilliant blue silk dupion skirt with front pleats (£125 from toast.co.uk) is also very easy to wear incredibly versatile — for instance, it is shown here with a charming Toast beaded twinset (the singlet is £79, the cardigan £89). You could also wear it with any number of jackets; just make sure that they’re cute, either cropped or with a peplum and not boxy or too mannish.

For days when you need to be really smart, Tibi’s wonderfully glamorous black and white coat with a matching silk black and white dress answers most needs. Formal on the outside but pretty enough when the coat comes off for dinner or the theatre (£322 from Harvey Nichols, London SW1; 020-7235 5000).

Finally, for weekends jeans aren’t half bad (although I am now sold on the transforming power of designer jeans: those in stretchy denim in a plain dark wash and beautifully cut) but you could freshen up the look with different tops. There are some good sweaters around that are more like knitted versions of short smock tops, which would look great for spring’s chillier moments.

For summer there’s a delicious pleated white voile tunic top which is £98 from Jigsaw (www.jigsaw-online. com) that would double splendidly for summer beach holidays. But here you see a very relaxed alternative weekend look that features Denver check side-tab trousers (£79), a floaty white top (£54) and a cashmere waistcoat (£48), all from Jigsaw. X Jigsaw tank, £48, trousers, £79, and shirt £54 (020-8392 5600)

Tibi dress coat, £322, at Harvey Nichols (020-7235 5000) Toast skirt, £125, tank, £79, cardigan, £89 (toast.co.uk); Laura Ashley beads, from £14 (0871 2302301)

asklucia@thetimes.co.uk or write to Ask Lucia, times2, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT, describing your style dilemma. Include your age and personal details. Lucia cannot enter into personal correspondence

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