Feeling Frumpy - money-saving new me advice

alyth

hi - I'm feeling extremely frumpy at the moment, I had a wardrobe full of clothes, but nothing seems to either fit me or suit me. I tend to wear black suits & v-necked jumpers or shirts for work, and out of work it's either sloppy Primark tracky bottoms or jammies! I'm 36, and quite frankly have no idea what suits me. I'm saving for a big holiday and need to find out what styles suit me! I thought about the Trinny & Susannah books, but the reviews on Amazon weren't very good, and I'm just sitting here feeling that as it's coming into summer, I can't face wearing the same clothes all the year round! I don't have a massive budget, in fact I have no budget, I do trawl round charity shops but just end up buying the same black things.

How can you change the way you look without spending a fortune? The rest of me isn't too bad, it's just my dress-sense that needs a kick-start! I don't really follow fashion, and I don't like showing any part of my body and I was going to go shopping tomorrow (round charity shops!) but not sure whether I can face it! Any help would be so gratefully received!

Jayar

Why don't you try this
When you go in the shop, stop being yourself - be someone else. It could be someone you know or someone famous. Be that person, act like that person: a bit like method acting. You will find your mindset about the type of clothes you usually wear changing.
Go for it!

grunnie

Have you any jewellery or scarves you haven't worn in a while? When you reach for jeans wear a nice skirt instead. Wear a different blouse if you always wear the same one with a certain outfit. I found when I was working I always wore the same things till one of my pals raided my wardrobe for an outfit and hauled out loads of clothes I had bought and never really worn. Now being skint I shop in my wardrobe and often wear differnt combinations I hadn't tried before. Also try Mary Spillane's books on Colour and Style - they will be in your local library.

BWZN93

I got my sister to take me out shopping and I came home with a wardrobe full of clothes I would never have normally worn because I wouldnt have thought they suited me - but now they are my favourites! (I still love my Pyjamas when im hanging around the house though!)

Do you have any friends/family who a great shoppers and very frank when it comes to advice? Alternatively, you should take yourself out and try and look objectively (what you think your best/worst parts are and maximise/minimise those, looking at your skin/eyes and figuring out colours/shades that complement/clash, what cuts of items look best for your shape etc). Look for celebrities who have a body shape that mirrors yours and see what wardrobe references you can find that you could try yourself. Always avoid the latest trends though unless you buy them cheap otherwise you will look dated very fast. Try looking at classic styles that wont date and experimenting with funky accessories to change the look of an outfit.

Dont be afraid to try new things though, thats the best part of shopping! Just make sure you can return anything you change your mind about and if you really arent sure about something - then dont buy.

Oh, and all great outfits start with 2 fantastic things - Underwear, (get professionally fitted every time and choose the most luxurious fabrics you can afford) and Shoes (always try on in the afternoons after feet have swollen a bit - never wear straps around your ankles unless you have very skinny & long pins - and dont wear strappy type sandals unless the feet look well groomed)- they really boost confidence!

All that said - it can be achieved on a budget by having a swap party with friends, trawling charity shops can be gold (but dont panic/impule buy just because it will fit etc), and looking in sales for basics.

Jo x

princess_jane_2

Topshop do a free stylist service and you don't have to buy anything.

The lady at our store (Newcastle) is lovely and you get to play dress up in a private changing room with sweeties and drinks.

Tell them you are being treated for your birthday and you want to pick out some outfits, so there is no pressure to buy anything on the day.

I tried it and she picked out stuff I wouldn't have but looked great.

Then whack your old clobber on ebay and use the cash to treat yourself to a new top.

Gingham_Ribbon

There is a beauty and health board that I think this thread would be ideal for. I'll move it there for you and hopefully you'll get lots of ideas.

Rachie_B

i wear mainly "plain" clothes eg jeans and a plain top etc but then i add colour / own personal style with accessories

a belt,bag,bracelet colourful flat pump style shoes,scarf etc

cheap n cheerful way to make an outfit look different

so its not only about the actual outfit but how you accessorize it too

i have been shopping @ Primark,Peacocks & Matalan more lately,their summer ranges are really nice and wont break the bank either

alyth

Brilliant advice, thank you all so much. I have actually have loads of scarves hanging around, so I'll try that with my work clothes, I have loads of jewellery that people have given me over the years, I was going to ebay it as I never wear it, but I'll have a look at it today. I'm going to go shopping today, I'm working part-time at the moment and instead of working on my house I'm going to have a day to myself and see what I can treat myself to, so I really appreciate all your advice, and thanks Jayar, I'm going to try being someone glamorous instead of an old frump!

Moonbeam

You can also try a makeover - a lot of the cosmetic departments in big stores will do this for you free of charge - I think body shop also do something similar. Sometimes just a change of make-up can really lift your mood. I'm 39 weeks pregnant at the moment so have a really limited wardrobe, am off for a file and polish this afternoon so if nothing else my hands will look nice


I'd also recommend New Look and Primark for great fashionable, but cheap accessories....

spiddy100

I'd second the recommendation of jewellery, especially big chunky costume jewellery which Trinny and Susanna always seem to use on their makeovers. You can wear a really plain pair of jeans and a top, and make it look really special with a great necklace.

Superdrug have a nice range, as do all of the supermarket clothing sections. Even better is to make your own - have a look at other people's jewellery for some inspiration then buy yourself some beads and make your own version.

Having said all of this, I am in major need of a wardrobe revamp too so will be recruiting an outspoken friend and making a personal shopper appointment I think.

For those who have used the personal shopper, is there alot of pressure to buy the things they choose? Is there normally a minimum shopping budget they cater for - e.g. would they help you to choose £30 of clothes or would it need to be £300?

Moonbeam

I used a personal shopper in Debenhams about a year ago - no pressure to buy anything and it's nice and relaxed. They pick things out for you that you just wouldn't dream of trying....can also be good to take along some basics from your wardrobe whilst you're trying i.e. black trousers & jeans to check if a new top goes with both!!!!

I asked the shopper to put things to one side whilst I went for a wander and then went back to pick the items I was sure I wanted.

In the end only bought 1 top - £25 - but would definately do it again.