Help me get my mojo back please

[AnneWentworth]

Right, I want to work with what i have and get some glamour etc back in my life. Forgive the matter of fact nature of this post, I want to give you all the facts and as ever hopefully the wisdom of MN will prevail.

1. Short and currently 3 stones overweight. I carry a alot around the belly area so can look pregnant at times.

1. Long dark hair that is very thick. I do nothing with it, bar washing it. However, I do have nice hair (I am told).

1. I am in my early thirties.

1. I wear glasses, currently funky retro ones.

1. I have arthritis which makes heels difficult for more than a cursory amount of time.

1. I work in a very professional environment for part of the week.

1. I am with DC or studying the remainder.

1. I like accessories, 1930s-1960s inspired fashion (maybe 1970s).

So I am going shopping tomorrow and I need some ideas for:
Coat (do I need a casual and a formal work one?)
Work Clothes
Casual Clothes
Shoes - boots, trainers/comfy shoes, work appropriate shoes

I want to start looking after myself a bit more too, so that I look groomed but have little idea where to start with this, maybe a haircut? Eyebrows and getting nails done - I am rubbish at maintaining nails.

Thanks all for reading if anything - it is a bit of an essay.

When coat shopp

Aghh sorry

When shopping for coat make sure it fits your arms so not bulky - Zara is fab

In fact just shop in Zara :)

Haircut - see if they will teach you to blow dry your hair - it makes such a difference - took me years to figure this out!

Haha... thank you. The problem right now is I am probably a size 18 but obviously my arms are well short. Argh.

I should also point out that I do wear make up (at least for work) but am terrible at keeping lipstick topped up but would love to wear bright lipstick. I wear blusher, liquid eyeliner and mascara.

I also have short arms, coat sleeves can be shortened, look for ones without detailing at the cuffs so they can be turned up. (Cost me £25 last time I had a wool coat altered, although you can get it done cheaper, allow for that in your budget.)

Get that red lippy on! Urban decay ones actually stay on. Remember your lip pencil, though.

Would you be up for losing some weight? You'd feel better, and it would probably help your arthritis. You sound as if you have a strong sense of style already, so I'd suggest a capsule wardrobe that goes with everything to start with. If you can wear trousers at work I'd get a trouser suit with lots of
vests for underneath, some scarves and some boots.

Biryani (your name makes me hungry!) - I should have said, yes absolutely up for losing weight. It is just that I have been saying that for the last 3 years and keep buying crap dress/tunic things from places like Primark and leggings because 'I will lose weight'. I want to invest in some nice clothes that make me feel good as I am with a view to lose it too.

The thing with work clothes is that I feel frumpy in trousers.... plus a top is either too short/not loose enough or has to be big and then is a bit of a tent. I prefer dresses in general anyway as I feel smarter and I like to feel feminine (disclaimer: not that I am saying that trousers or anyone who wear them is not feminine - I just feel better and more feminine personally that way).

I do the Primark thing too. I always regret it. I'm practical for work, though, and hate dresses as I 've got terrible short fat hairy legs which I wouldn't inflict on the public.

If you've got good legs and ankles, show them off. My favoured "dress" look would be something fitted, I think, in a strong colour, navy or black. No ruffles or peplums. And no swinginess. and try to avoid those high slash necks that seem to be all the rage at the moment-too unflattering (on everyone, i think)Maybe some shifts and those that sort of wrap around to begin? Maybe you can get away with a bit of cleavage? Nice highish heels-the highest you can get away with-and either contrasting or matching opaque tights for day which can be swopped for sheerer ones for evening. If you find jackets too tight on the arms, what about some nice, jewel -coloured cardis instead?

I've no ideas for coats. Unless they're a parka, they seem to be either cocoony or very fitted. Perhaps a crombie-type one, more like an overcoat?

Have you had your colours done? May be worth thinking about as part of your investment in yourself.

Great advice there. Ironically my legs are not actually great. They are slim I suppose. Shift dresses are lovely but it is getting them to look nice on me right now. I have a naturally Mediterranean figure even when slim so my bum sometimes causes an issue. I think cardigans are a nice touch those and far preferable to jackets, particularly if I can find some pretty ones.

Definitely getting some of the lipstick you mention.

I did look at getting my colours done recently maybe I will take another look.