Help me have a Diana moment

[SausageFox]

Posting for traffic.

About to go through a divorce, at least it's looking that way. I feel a mess. I want to feel better about myself physically, and I suppose also show the bastard what he's losing.

I'm shit at this type of thing. Dress me, find a hairstyle, makeup, etc. Please.

I'm 5'4, once curly hair, now wavy and shoulder length. Size 8, stupidly small hands and feet, do not have big boobs. I suppose hourglass? Don't know. Brown eyes, pale skin, glasses.

Don't suit wrap dresses, etc. Don't suit skinny jeans. Usually dress like a mix of Phoebe Buffay and Professor Trelawney. 🤦

I need to do something to feel better and this is the easiest and less emotionally difficult way to start. But where do I begin?!

You sound like you would suit smarter, more structured clothes, as these work well for more petite women with hourglass figures. Shorter skirts to lengthen your legs. Higher necklines suit women with small busts.

You can get away with feminine styles but IMO floaty will do you no favours

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

You sound like you would suit smarter, more structured clothes, as these work well for more petite women with hourglass figures. Shorter skirts to lengthen your legs. Higher necklines suit women with small busts.

You can get away with feminine styles but IMO floaty will do you no favours

Thank you! I see other women dressed like this and would love to pull it off. I always feel like a kid playing dress up, though probably because I'm not used to it.

I think I'll have to buy a pair of tights!

Forgot to say I'm 31 if that makes a difference

What you have described sounds like a really good figure but you say you don't suit fitted clothes!

You don't have to wear tight clothes but I would dial back on the phoebe buffet style. The actress who played phoebe was tall and a little heavier than most actresses (NOT fat) but she doesn't sound like she has a remotely similar body type.

Is your hair natural or coloured? How often do you get it cut/ blow dried?
I would splurge and get something different done with your hair somewhere thats a bit luxurious. Having amazing hair makes you feel amazing

Wdyt of something like this? It's an outfit I have my eye on. A peasant top not too voluminous though, tucked in to loose but not too loose trousers. Feminine enough to appeal to the old Buffet you, but a bit more fitted.

@UserBotLurking9to5 I suppose my figure is okay, I just have a hangup for some reason that makes me think I'll look daft in tight fitting! I don't know why really, I see photos of myself on the odd occasion I dress that way and look fine. I think this past few years has done a number on my confidence.

@1000yellowdaisies it's naturally dark but going a bit grey. Used to be corkscrew curls now it's a sad wave since baby. I had it cut in Lush and she gave me a half fringe to hide my pp hair loss. I don't do much with it .. don't know how! I'm very much a wash and go usually, though I do look well presented. What would you suggest style wise?

@UserBotLurking9to5

Wdyt of something like this? It's an outfit I have my eye on. A peasant top not too voluminous though, tucked in to loose but not too loose trousers. Feminine enough to appeal to the old Buffet you, but a bit more fitted.

Oh I like that! Casual enough not to feel like I'm in an office, but also not in a hippie commune. 😁 I think I could definitely work with that!

can you afford to have your colours and style done?

@Arucanafeather

can you afford to have your colours and style done?

I think so, as long as it wasn't £300 or something. I've never had them done, just cuts and gentle styles really. Wouldn't know where to begin with colours, but think it'd be nice to do something different.

[quote SausageFox]@UserBotLurking9to5 I suppose my figure is okay, I just have a hangup for some reason that makes me think I'll look daft in tight fitting! I don't know why really, I see photos of myself on the odd occasion I dress that way and look fine. I think this past few years has done a number on my confidence.

@1000yellowdaisies it's naturally dark but going a bit grey. Used to be corkscrew curls now it's a sad wave since baby. I had it cut in Lush and she gave me a half fringe to hide my pp hair loss. I don't do much with it .. don't know how! I'm very much a wash and go usually, though I do look well presented. What would you suggest style wise?[/quote]
Subtle highlights on super glossy caramel hair. I think this would look great, if you are naturally dark haired its not too drastic a change, but the blonde highlights just adds some glam. (And cover the greys)

tucked in to........

but not with these boots omg no

Is this too boho still?

Is this too similar to your current style?

Because I really like feminine clothes but avoid looking like I'm going to read your tea leaves :-p by keeping it simple and not too floaty. I'm only 5'1'' so I very rarely wear loose clothes! Just about looser than tight!

Get an above the knee dress from River Island. Biker jacket (a classic) Copy one of the mannequins in the window. Wear it with DM style boots. Will look trendy. Also get a decent cut dye and blow-dry. Go to bare minerals and get a free makeover. Plus a basic mani / pedi. Wear a nice perfume. You've got rid of the dead weight. You are good enough as you. Start believing in yourself. Btw spectacles are so in atm! Own your look. Make sure your inner voice reinforces good vibes and is your cheer leader! Be lucky x

Have you tried the curly girl method to get your curls back? Or would you consider a perm? Looking more like you used to look is definitely the best way to make him feel regretful if that’s specifically what you’re going for!

@1000yellowdaisies I like that look! I've never lightened my hair but I think it could work, especially as it would look nice tousled. I think I'm tempted to go a few inches shorter too.

@UserBotLurking9to5

I love that look! It's very different to my usual style, but still keeps the boho which is nice. I'm usually in Flowy skirts and balloon sleeved tops with drapery cardigans and shawls. I think lately I've been hiding my body a lot and I'm not even sure why tbh. I'll probably post a handhold thread in Relationships soon, and I'm sure it'll all be unpicked as to why there.

@Moonshine5 Thank you! This is such a lovely comment and really made me smile. Have me a little tear tbh, I haven't had anyone say much particularly nice in a while. I'm going to make a plan for this week! X

@User839516 I've never tried it! I think the initial bit of having messy greasy hair puts me off, is it always that way? I'd love to get my old look back, that's exactly what I'm aiming for really (but better!), but I always thought my hair was a write off.

I used to be a little goth back in my early 20's. Mini skirts, long boots, heavy eyeshadow, corset tops (!). I feel like over the past few years I've just lost myself. I used to be cool, honestly! 😂

The best thing for my wardrobe has been downloading stylebook.

You photograph all of your clothes. It's a proper faff but worth it.

You can then put outfits together.

I find I wear more of my clothes.

I've attached a shot of my clothes for an example for you.

When you know what you have and haven't worn for a while it lets you at least plan how you might wear it.

Might save you some cash knowing what you can use or sell on eBay.

Disclaimer: I've worn leggings and tops for the last two years but I like messing about seeing what I could wear if I could be arsed to

If the OP isn't busty, she's not an hourglass.

OP, Phoebe Buffay aside, is there anyone who is famous/on tv etc whose style you like?

I cannot stress this enough - rollers. Seriously, just cheap Velcro rollers for your hair. You can get them in primark for I think around £1.50. Blow dry hair upside down and then put in the rollers, swooshy bouncy hair it makes you feel amazing whatever the colour 😂

We sound like the same build. I wear almost exclusively tight clothes, I have a couple of looser skirts but they’re all on the shorter side because of my height.

What colours do you like? I have mostly black clothes because it’s the look I like and doesn’t age over the years. Lots of black roll neck things or other tight jumpers with either a skirt or straight legged jeans. Also a belt to cinch in waist.

Skinny jeans don’t do much for me personally so I stay away from them, slightly flared or straight is the way to go for us shorties (🤣) but obviously wear whatever makes you feel your best.

I don’t know if you wear makeup but highlighter is a great way to make you look so much better in a ‘natural’ looking way. Creams are generally more flattering than powders, some on the tip of the nose and cheekbones.

If you can afford it consider some new glasses maybe. Can really change how you see yourself (terrible pun not intended). Google what shape frames would flatter your facial shape the most.

But just to add I’m sure you already look brilliant and I hope you have fun on your Diana journey

I have wavy hair that gets frizzy. Try a Brazil blowdry, gets rid of all frozz for 3-6 months and looks fab. It does make hair straight at first but then the aves come back pretty quick, just shiny and young looking

Book a style consultation at John Lewis? There's no charge, and no hard sell. I ended up buying a lot of clothes as I really loved what the woman picked (and stuff I wouldn't have looked at twice on the hanger!)

If your prescription isn’t too complex then you could try selectspecs.com for some new glasses? I’ve picked up a couple of new pairs recently, £6 for the frames and free lenses included, which I thought was a cheap enough way to try out some new shapes, and have different styles for different days.

And assuming since you’ve mentioned pp hair loss that you’ve fairly recently had a baby - be gentle with yourself, I’ve found it’s taken me a good two years to feel like myself again, especially given the circumstances of the world in the last two years.

Have you ever tried 1960s shift dresses? Would suit your build. Something like this
shift dress