Do people do clothes interventions as well as bra ones?

[IceBeing]

I have had the bra intervention already which was fantastic...I am just wondering if anyone wants to help me dress less like a penniless student and more like a grown up woman?

What I am currently wearing at work today:
jeans (possibly straight cut - I am a bit hazey on this)
burgundy long sleeved T-shirt/jumper (£8 from Sburys)
Regatta grey fleece type thing
flat black trainer/shoes with velcro (scummy looking)

I am actually a lecturer and often look substantially less well dressed than the students I am teaching...

I have reasonable financial means....I could buy nicer clothes if I new what the hell I should be getting.

NB: this is my very first foray into S&B and could easily be my last....

Watching with interest...

this applies to me too! I am going to a HoC colour and style day in the next few months in the hope that someone else can tell me what the hell to wear!

Have you tried a personal shopping appt at john lewis? They are very good, no obligation to buy but they are very helpful, would wait till sales old stuff is gone and make appt for new season

Pinterest would also be your friend here. It sounds like you might do well to bide your time a little bit as a pp has said, don't get drawn into the sales tat and think about what few pieces might help you update your look. For example, you could change from wearing old fleeces and jeans to wearing nice jumpers and jeans/trousers. Change the Velcro thingies on your feet to slimline Converse, which are always in style, and that could be your starting point. So Pinterest could help you put together ideas for:

1. A nice jumper
2. A nice pair of dark jeans or trousers for work
3. Some slimline Converse (dark colour), or loafers, or other nice flats.

I'm just riffing here of course, but maybe this helps a little bit?

What do normal people wear?!?!?!

I mean maybe skirts?

Oddly I have much nicer shoes (but they would look dumb with jeans) and I have knee high boots...so I could probably wear a skirt...but what length what colour?

I don't want to get caught up in anything fashionable...timeless er classic etc?

Have you been on dressipi? I've had loads of great ideas from the recommendations on it.

Okay I don't think converse are smarter/more grown up than what I am wearing already

I would try Oasis. They have a lovely selection of more grown up but fashionable clothes. I went in for a look over the weekend. Some of the stuff is beautiful,

This would be nice with fitted jeans (thank god this is on the net as you should see me right now )

www.oasis-stores.com/crochet-lace-drop-sleeve-t-shirt/clothing/oasis/fcp-product/3190387719

I am a bit scared of dressipi already.....one of the first things I saw was legging apparently made out of floral curtain fabric....

Converse aren't smarter per se but sounds like they are more stylish.

Or how about some flat ankle boots?

I second the John Lewis personal shopper idea - they are brilliant.

What body shape are you OP? Give us a bit more to go on and maybe we can suggest some ideas.

What size are you? Height/colouring? And anyone whose famous whose look you like?

At a random guess based on lecturers I know - how about shops like Toast? Do you like their stuff?

no no no really don't want anything fashionable....

What I actually want is my own style isn't it. My current style is best described as unfashionable student.

This is unsurprising as I was an unfashionable student when I was actually a student...and I have simply failed to move on.

How does one acquire a style?

Do I need to look at clothes and decide what I actually like? Previously I have bought things that were a) cheap b) on sale c) I didn't actively hate.

I've done my own intervention! I remembered what I used to like wearing, then I paid attention to what others my age and shape were wearing that I liked and tried to collect some ideas together, then spent a lot of time looking online at what the different shops had to offer and then spent a lot on money in those shops

I'm finding the reinvention of myself to be quite nerve wracking because I don't know if I'm getting it right or totally missing the mark, but I feel more like me in my clothes now and less frumpy.

In your position I think the best thing to do is people watch, spot women whoa re wearing outfits and styles you are drawn to. Don't be afraid to ask people where they bought things either, most take it as a massive compliment.

hmmm I am 5 ft 6, and will shortly be (xfingers on losing extra xmas pounds) about 9st 7 to 10 st. (old money 12, size inflated 10) I have mid to dark ginger hair. I don't look like anyone famous on account of having no cheek bones, a crazy low jaw and a large nose and generally being ugly. There is noone on TV that looks ANYTHING like me.

Oh and I have norks, serious norks. 34 F at the last count.

How old are you, OP, and what kind of image do you want to put across? What do you want your clothes to say about you?

I am 35 and erm...that is a bloody good question.

How about swapping the fleece for a nice cardigan or jumper, and swapping the trainer things for some ankle boots?

Jersey fabric dresses (knee length) are comfortable to wear and low maintenance WRT washing etc. Stick a cardi over the top and wear with your knee length boots.

When you say you don't want anything fashionable, what is it that you don't like/want?

First of all you are probably not a 34F if you are a size 10/12 you will be a 30 back at most (you may need a bra intervention too )

You are reasonably similar in size to me. You need some skinny jeans (Next high waisted are brilliant) and perhaps some fitted longer length shirts that you can wear with a variety of Mumsnet scarves. Then on your feet something like FlyLondon boots or a similar flat biker or riding style boot.

I also like jersey and knitted dresses worn with thick tights and boots, again often with a scarf. Try Boden for classics, or Esprit for more 'young' styles.

I also imagine what you are currently wearing makes you look much larger than you are, you need to find your waist and your legs!!

Just seen you are 35 too - way too young for regatta fleeces on anything other than a windy hillside!!

I can more easily define the things I don't want to look like...

1. student
2. professional (well actually I want to look professional but not business woman professional)
3. fashionable (okay maybe I would but I can't carry it off so lets avoid it)
4. hippy (I have a tendency to like a little tie dye but it isn't a tendency I am proud of.)

So maybe I want to look smartish but approachable.

hmm I already did the bra intervention - but maybe time for a remeasure. I am definitely larger on the top than the bottom. size 10/12 jeans etc but size 14 tops (old money/non supermarket sizes)

Am currently wearing a size 10 top from sburys...talk about inflation....

agatha I don't want the hassle. I don't want to have to do this all again in 6 months time....I don't want to look like I am trying....

ps thanks all for the hints so far! Lots of places to look!

Agree with the jersey/knitted dresses, tights and boots- I think that look would be great for what you are looking for, and also wouldn't feel too "try-hard" or corporate.

How about also swapping the straight jeans for skinnies, the Velcro trainers (they sound awful I'm afraid, sorry) for Converse and adding a blazer over the long-sleeved tshirt?

You won't look like you're trying if you adopt it for your new everyday wardrobe, and once you have worked out what looks good on your body shape etc, you will find it much easier to get a few new clothes.