I'm a disaster and I have 1k to spend, help!

[TeaJunky]

I will fill you all in later, however the bottom of it is I have 1k to spend on myself as I look , well shit.

I'm a size ten, 5'7, slim build with small tiny boobs but long slim legs and a decent arse, fair complexion, dark eyes and long dark hair - if anyone can tell me what styles and colours etc will suit all that I would be eternally grateful!

Also, where can I shop that is half decent but not too expensive as I want lots of casual pieces. Sahm mum of two, 29 years old btw.

Please suggest styles/colours/shapes/ shops/ anything to get me going and looking fab!

Get hair cut
Make over done at beauty counter
Personal shopper session

I probably wouldn't buy too much this side of Xmas, as a lot of it could end up reduced in the sales. Buy a few key pieces now but make a note of the other items and wait until the sales. That way, your money will go further.

Enjoy spending.

Leopold its not at all that knowing your colours makes you buy the right clothes. getting the style day done too thoroughly analyses your shape and personality so you know the right shapes and styles that suit you. Combine this with the colour knowledge and its completely effective.

I guess our enthusiasm for it comes from seeing how big a difference it made to us. Its nice to let other people know how big a difference it can make. You think that is cult-ish?

Its interesting to me that the only negativity I see on S&B about the whole colours thing is from people who haven't done it

I think Gilly though that it seems a tad cultish in that people do rave about it so much. I assumed Leo was being a tad tongue in cheek.

I've never had it done and won't have it done as don't feel the need. But I know lots of people love it.

Different strokes and all that.

John Lewis do a thing called style profile for £125 - they do your colours, style advice, brands that work well for your shape etc etc. I did it and it was brilliant - if you spend £500 on clothes you then get your money back so if you know you need a lot and have your budget it is effectively free.

I had mine done with someone called Victoria in the Oxford St store and she was great.

Here's the link if it helps - www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service?_requestid=1196242&stop_mobi=yes

I booked it along with an experience I think so she did all the profiling stuff and then went to get loads of clothes for me to try. It was so relaxing esp considering it was a Saturday!!

Good luck whatever you do!

oh my god they analyse your personality too? in your three hour chiffon swatch session? now it really does sound like a free Scientology personality / stress test being offered by some glassy eyed follower on the Tottenham Court Road!

And yet when people rave about other things on here there is none of the same sarcasm? Odd don't you think?

Anyway, OP if you have any interest in it I know Mumsnetter Hopefully is a well respected House of Colour consultant and Im sure would fill you in on how it all works. I think her blog is great too www.appliedstyle.co.uk/
(And no she did not pay me to say that) Good luck

I booked in with the personal shopper in John Lewis at the Trafford centre. I had recently had the HoC day and the JL woman instantly diagnosed me correctly. So you might get away with that rather than spending money on the colour day.

I once did the shopping day at Topshop on Oxford st. It was really good but you do have to pay for it, although that it is then redeemable against anything you buy.

It sounds like you have a great figure and all the essentials for looking fabulous! But you have perhaps lost your way a little in terms of how to dress/making an effort.

I find it hard as a SAHM not to just dress lazily each day, but since this summer I have been trying to make a bit more effort. Good luck OP!

God there's plenty of sarcasm about other stuff - recalls own posts about white jeans and gilets

I guess HOC is just very divisive - its the ff/bf of s&B

I rather like your white jeans and gilets!

Hi I can see that some are keen on personal colour and style analysis and that some are not. Which is fair enough.
It's a shame that some see it as cultish as it's not all imo. It's just a great way to ensure that you spend sensibly when buying clothes and look good. Disclaimer..I am not a hoc stylist..not I do read Hopefully's blog posts and rate what hoc do.
For me the problem with a personal shopper is that it's a quick one off fix. I'd rather spend money learning about what suits me .. to be honest although some personal shoppers are ok I've never found them brilliant.

Its cultist because it works :) and we want to share the good news.
Everyone knows they look better in certain colours, in simple terms, draping just gives you a list of these and ideas of how to put them together. The style profile is not exactly Myer-Briggs , just an analysis of your 'type' and body shape and how to dress to flatter it. You can go deeper if you want (I know some who are obsessed) but its a good starting point and very useful for people like the OP and can save loads on money/time and give a real sense of confidence.
The 80's suited air hostess types they choose to publicise HOC do not help !

I do envy you but why no skin to be shown? Will you be wearing mittens and a ski mask?
Enjoy it anyway. Good for you.

I went with House of Colour a while back and it was the best money I ever spent on myself. Honestly, if you've got 1k to blow you don't want to spend it on clothes that are less than perfect for you, so you might as well spend £200 or so on having your colours and style done with them. I couldn't recommend it more.

Oh and the colour stuff goes for make-up too. I know I have pink undertones and suit cool rather than warm colours so getting what I want from a make-up counter is much simpler! They can also advise on hair styles and colours that will suit! Sometimes you get what you pay for and that's very much the case with HoC. Yes it seems expensive but you get that money back from avoiding mistakes.

I'd recommend splashing out on some good quality make-up too and a decent hair cut. I was pleased with the YSL foundation I bought recently.

It is a cult - where we all look better than the rest of you.

HTH :)

Seriously though OP, if you really are lost, try JL before Debs - it is the worst department store in the world.

Love it Amber!

I agree John Lewis or House of Fraser over Debenhams.

I think it would be a good idea to bide your time a bit. Sign up to Pinterest and polyvore and explore some looks you like/might work for you. There's a blog called Wearing it Today which is great for inspiration too.

Also think about your lifestyle. I am a similar age and size to you also a SAHM with two small children so have given up buying stuff for my fictional exciting life and just get really nice every day clothes.

My favourite stuff is from French Connection, Whistles, Theory and Levi's made and crafted.

Good luck .

True suburban - god, I love WIT - everything she does is so beautiful.

LOL at the good news cult

I guess some people though can look at themselves in colours and work out what suits and doesn't. I wear a fairly limited palette but don't feel the need to be categorised.

I definately would try JL personal shopper - I'd start with spending only half your budget now, save the rest for the spring/summer wardrobe. If you've got staples like skinny jeans, boots, coats, then you can go along way with £500.

I've always been personally put off the HofC thing because there's a lady at our church who is one of their consultants (is that what they are called? Not sure!) she's always telling people what their colours should be, and she's usually right, but while the clothes she wears are in flattering colours, she always looks badly dressed/dated and over dressed/wrongly dressed for pretty much every occasion...

HOC really gets pushed on here, I am sceptical. Friend was 'diagnosed' very wrong and made a few expensive mistakes. Wonder if the training process is universal? She may just of had a not so good consultant.
JL would be very good starting point.

Loads of replies, I have read them all so thank you everyone

I went into Manchester town centre today and into debenhams..(John Lewis is in Trafford centre), a lovely shop assistant tried to get me a slot today but personal shopper lady looked scary and briskly told me they were fully booked and gave me a card.
I had a look around and it was utterly depressing shit. And dare I say, not suitable for a twenty-something I felt like a right old fart, so backed out of there pronto.

I felt really disheartened after that so just roamed around aimlessly (with dd2 in stroller and dd1 complaining endlessly). after a long break in the debenhams cafe and bribe stop at Wilkos for said bribe toy eventually I ended up in mango.

And ooh! I really liked some stuff! So I tried it on and I looked nice and felt comfy so I bought it.

But now I'm abit scared to link it in case you all turn around and go it's shit.

I was a tad worried that the dept stores would be a bit old for you - go on show us your links

If you have a topshop nearby with a personal shopper do that. I hadn't shopped there for about 10 years and went recently as I too looked shit - frumpy! I spent £660 and could have spent more. Whole new wardrobe including 3 necklaces, boots, jacket etc etc. Fully recommend! Spend any remainder on a really good haircut, eyebrow threading and make up?x

Yes show us. I'm your age OP, so I might be a reasonable judge of what's appropriate!