In urgent need of a style make-over

[justtryingtodomybest]

Calling all you beautiful and elegant S&B ladies (can you tell I'm after a favour!)

I'm in serious need of a style makeover - I am totally stuck in a rut and completely tired of my look (if you can call it that).

I am 42, 5'7" and a size 16. I need to be fairly smart for work (not a suit) but always stick with black trousers or skirt and a top. At the weekend, I always seem to end up in jeans and a top.

How can I easily jazz things up a bit - my budget is mid-price high street but I'm happy to try some different shops or internet sites. I'd welcome any and all suggestions!

Please help!!

Layering is always an elegant look I think and it's a look that you could wear to work too, as long as you keep it simple and not too flounsy or fussy. So you could have some wide leg, white or black linen trousers(quality ones though) M&S do some good ones. Team that with a long top/tunic which has slits up each side to break it up a bit. I don't know what the name is for the slits up the side, i'm not exactly a fashionista Wear a thin, long cardigan over the top, throw on a snazzy neck scarf, perhaps from monsoon and you're good to go i'd say. Actually as well as M&S, i'd reccommend Monsoon for this kind of look. Obviously it's difficult without seeing you, but hope this helps

What shape are you? Hourglass, Apple or Pear? What are you features you like to show/hide? What are your favourite colours to wear? Have you got a budget in mind for a mini-spree to revamp things?

FauxFox I'm not sure but think I'm hourglass. Have big-ish boobs but I do have a waist. I've always been a bit nervous about showing off my boobs but they probably are the thing I should be making the most of.

Stronger colours suit me best - I look too washed out wearing pastels.

At the minute, I can only add bits and pieces. But come June time I'll be able to splash out about £500 on a revamp.

OK well for work i'd recommend trying out a 50s style dress I have that one in red but i'd probably suggest black then you can dress it more different ways with, for example black pumps and a monochrome scarf/leopard pumps and a leopard scarf/brights etc

At the weekend how about trying out a midi or denim maxi instead of jeans with block colour t-shirts, Dorothy Perkins have lots of colours with different necklines and short/three quarter or long sleeves that would be great.

(I want those two skirts so so so much! My credit card is throbbing!!)

Thanks FauxFox - I love the dress. Not so sure about the denim maxi - wouldn't know what shoes to wear with it!

Have you considered House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/ or similar that offer colour and style advice? I am a similar age and shape to you, by the way, and was in the same 'rut'.
A friend evangelised about her HoC experience two years ago and I finally got round to it this weekend. I too am now an evangelist! The colour consultation was £90 (I think the style day would be around £100). This may seem a lot but I think it's money well spent if it means that from now on I only buy things that suit me and not things worn once then consigned to the back of the wardrobe. Maybe consider this when you get your June windfall?
HTH

Book a house of colour draping and style day? I found it a brilliant way to get out of a rut after a few years of doing the baby thing.

It'll be £230ish for both but well worth the investment as the rest of the money you spend on clothes after that won;t be wasted on mistakes that don;t get worn or don't work for you.