Have Let My Wardrobe Go to Pot and Need to Start Over

I think every woman needs the following pants (and New York & Co, Banana Republic or The Gap are great places to get them)

Black bootcut dressy pants
Charcoal grey bootcut dressy pants
Khaiki or white bootcut dressy pants

If you have the body for leggings, great! (ETA, not any legging, but a really great one that you'd wear tucked into riding boots, or with ballet flats if you have a REALLY cute fashion-forward look going)

Also, a variety of 3/4 length sleeve button down shirts with slight flaring at the waist are good. White, black, and a few vibrant colors.

A black blazer

I work in a salon and many of the ladies in your age range are hot! We are next door to a high end clothing boutique and they love shopping there. Dressy jeans with slight distressing, studs and rhinestones, lots of chunky turquoise jewelry, maxi dresses with denim/chambray tops, flowy tunics, patterns like chevrons, stripes and slight ethnic stripes.... Target has some pretty great and trendy designs for pretty cheap. Colors that are very in and modern are mint, peachy pinks, turquoise, grays, yellow. Build your wardrobe neutral, but get a blouse in a pretty color that flatters your coloring (lots of info online on this) are add pops of color with a scarf, chunky bangles.... Leggings look great with a pair of riding boots. Spend your money on the neutrals, and then do the trendy fun accessories at inexpensive places, like Forever 21, and such.

Pinterest has some great outfit design boards! Check out mine:
http://pinterest.com/LittleLovables/style-pinboard/

First, PITCH anything worn out or over 10 years old. Also anything you haven't worn in a year.
Pick a palette you like. Example: black, grey, cream & red.
Black pants. GOOD ones. (Try Macy's EDV Slim it up! Trousers.)
Another pair of good pants in a herringbone, houndstooth, etc.
Dark wash jeans, straight (not skinny) leg. Boot it is not for everyone, especially if you're short.
2 cardigans, O. regular crew or Vneck, O. flyaway
Print or striped blouse
Solid tops in a few colors
Nice jacket: leather or light wool
Twinset -- non obnoxious print you'll like for a long time
Skirt you love
Maybe a wrap dress or denim dress
Boots or mid heel cute shoes (black)
Flats in a spunky print (leopard or zebra?)

If you've let your wardrobe fizzle out, how's your hair? If its also fizzled, get a good cut.

If you stick to a neutral palette with a few coordinatin pops of color, you'll mix and match a lot of outfits.

I agree with Kohls for good budget friendly choices but don't try to piece this together from the clearance racks! Add in pieces that way later.
For now, get the basics.
Don't forget a great bag!

Get the basics: black pants, white button down shirt(a few colors), neutral cardigans, blue jeans.

I would go to a store such as Kohl's that has reduced prices and really good sales and try on various clothes to find what looks good on you and in which you feel comfortable. I've purchased the equivalent of a new wardrobe at Kohl's for less than $200. I buy a pair of pants, 3-4 t-shirts, a sweater or two, a dressy blouse, a couple of bras and panties.

All of Kohl's clothes are up to date and they have a variety so that you can find styles that flatter. I frequently take a piece or two back after I get them home and discover they don't fit with everything else. While I shop I keep in mind what I do have at home both color and style wise so that I'm more successful at getting clothes that co-ordinate with ones I already have.

I guess, first go thru your closet and take out anything that isn't flattering, that you don't enjoy wearing, or that doesn't fit with who yo are now. Then, make a list of what you've kept to take with you to the store.

I've done the same thing at Macy's when they're having big sales. At times, I've gone to both and ended up with several great buys that I've enjoyed wearing.

Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J Crew, Talbots all have classic, tailored clothing with a little pop and flair, and not super expensive.
My two most worn pieces are nice black slacks and a nicely fitted skirt that hits just above the knee.

If you haven't already seen it, try watching What Not to Wear. They have all sorts of women on, different ages and body types. You'll see one who reminds you of yourself and you can take their advice as you build your wardrobe.

Personally, I don't think leggings and tunics are "appropriate" for a 53 year old. I'm 38 and I think they're too young for me, so they'd be too young for you in my book too. You don't have to dress frumpy, just a little more classy than leggings.

neat question. I also have no wardrobe but i work part time so i need to replace asap.

part of my answer might depend on your body shape.

I'm not fashionable so fresh modern clothing puzzles me,

I definately think some loose knit skirts could be very cute. and i find dresses to be a nice fast casual day time look. not a pencil skirt but a demin fitted dress with some boots or sandals, or an oxford ish type shirt dress.

. I think 2-4 paris of jeans is good, I like the dark denim.

for a while i had a uniform of v neck tee in every color and jeans w cute flats.

if you are thin, pinterest has awsome outfits that you can take a look at.

if you have some body flaws and don't know how to work them, flylady.net used to have a sister site like mrsmarty pants or something like that. that you could sign up for and pay to see make overs on real people at real stores.

often macy's type stores have personal shoppers you can inquire as to the cost. I have a consigment store that offers a fashion consultant for free. so that might be an option too.

personally, i don't think i would do the leggings I think basic bottoms will take you farther and mixing up your tops will freshen your look more cost effectively.

but what the heck do i know.

Go to Macy's.
They have Personal Shoppers. (at least in my State they do).
Free.
They will help you find/choose/coordinate a wardrobe, based on your likes/dislikes etc.
And you don't have to buy it all, unless you want to and you tell them your budget.

I'm the same age as you. Limited funds for shopping here too. I always hit up the local consignment shop for clothes. Over the course of a couple visits I can usually put together an entire new wardrobe with the exception of underwear, bras, and shoes. The nice thing about using the consignment shop is that they have a ton of stylish clothes, all different fashions, and I can try on a ton of things.

J. Jill is another place to shop if you have a bit of a waist. Slightly more relaxed, easy clothes and everything goes on sale eventually. I never pay full price there.
There are lots of blogs with ideas also. Some are designer types, others are more real people trying to get dressed every day.
Try http://thatsnotmyage.blogspot.com/
Or
http://www.over50feeling40.com/
I work part time, have two teenagers left at home and admit to living in jeans with a nicer tee and sweater mst days. High boots or TOMS finish off my feet.
Work is fairly casual so I wear knits-have a couple nice pairs of slim fitting slacks that I tuck into riding boots or wear with flats. Longer shirts to cover my bum-either knit or tunic button ups. A scarf around your neck pulls EVERYTHING together and makes it look like you planned more than you did! ALWAYS earrings, bracelets and a necklace.
A good handbag. I usually get lucky at Boden online with bags. Or TJ Maxx in person.
At this point a little better quality helps-especially with Tees. Although EVERLANE is a new web site that has fabulous and inexpensive tees that are made well. I have a few and fit is great-not too snug-and prices are Wow! Wish they had more choices....
The Nordstroms personal shopper can be good. I did that and got a few pieces that worked fabulous- but her taste wasn't mine so I think I used her direction more than her choices. But Nordstroms has store brand clothes that fit more "mature" figures well.
Good luck.
And don't try to buy it all at once....get the basics. A couple of pairs of good pants, good jeans and a few white or black tops. Then add slowly. I promise I have two pairs of slacks, some leggings(heavier cut velvet kind) and one pair jeans that I wear over and over. No one notices if the top is different.

Go to Nordstrom or a good place like that and talk with a personal shopper . If you are clueless as to where to start, they can really help you.

I am 51, I would not be caught dead in leggings with tunic (my 18 yr old wears that) or sweats.

I wear jeans a lot with nice tops. One of my favorite places to shop is WHite House Black Market. I do have a personal friend who works there and she knows my style. When they get something in she thinks I would like, she calls me. Also, I've learned, if she says "try this on" don't say "ugh" you never know how it will look. One of my best purchases was this really cute top and it had a ruffle. I did not think I could pull off a ruffle because I am a size 2 but natural perky 34DD boobs. This looks great on me!

I go visit my friend about once every 6 weeks or so unless she calls me because something came in that I like. I was just there yesterday and got the black/white/fushia striped dress.... SO CUTE.

Have fun shopping and don't let negative nellies bother you.

I think leggings or jeggings are a bad idea, but it concerns me that you are 53 and need other people's opinion of what you should wear.
People who do not know you at all?
I think you need to get in touch with what you like and what makes you feel good when you wear it. I recommend a Discovery Journal. Buy a sketch pad or album from a hobby store and then,
Start by looking through magazines and catalogs and cutting out pictures that you are drawn to. Do not think about it too much just cut and collect things that you love. As you glue them in your journal you will begin to see a style and pattern emerging. Also women are allowed to have several different personalities going. You may feel like a sporty health person on some days and then others days you want something more flowy and casual etc. Get real sure of who and what you would like to portray for yourself and then you will not end up looking the way others want you to look. Good luck and enjoy the process.