Please help me feel better about myself without spending £££

[Showmethesunshine]

I feel like such a scruff at the moment. I used to feel quite attractive but the last couple of years I have felt like no one would look at me on the street and think I was hot/stylish etc.

I work in an office and need to look smart but just feel scruffy the whole time. I don't have much spare cash for new clothes and I actually already have plenty of clothes but feel rubbish in them. All the other girls look so chic and professional.

I have no clue what colours suit me but cannot afford to get my colours done. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have recently paid for teeth whitening but didn't get great results despite getting it done by my dentist. Feel angry that I wasted my money.

I exercise and am generally happy with my figure.

I have recently stopped straightening my hair and have embraced my natural curls (am using silicone free methods) but I hate my hair curly and feel so scruffy but the straightening was ruining it. I am rubbish at hair and make up!

Please help me with ideas to feel good about myself again. Just little tips. I am in my early 30s, 5 foot 7 and size 8 with pale skin and dark hair.

Thanks all

I have looked at the links re colour analysis and think I am a winter - either cool or clear but not sure which. I have dark brown hair, pale skin, blue eyes - often get described as "English Rose"

I think the colours that suit me best are bold - I have a hot pink dress that I love and also bright tourquiose looks good. Anything like burgundy, sludge colours look dreadful on me.

Today I have been through my wardrobe and chucked out several things that look a bit scruffy, past their best or don't fit well. I think some of my other stuff would look better if I accessorise. I need to spend more time planning outfits rather than just grabbing the same old dress off the top of the clean laundry pile.

I get those minx type nail stickers from ebay.
They take no time to do and last for months.
Did mine last night, and all day I've been smiling at my pretty butterfly toes (think it was a few quid, less than a fiver, for 4 sets).

Get a scarf of decent quality (doesn't have to be too expensive but not cheap looking) that suits your colouring and/or matches an outfit. It's an instant change. I often wear big cotton scarves as pashminas/shawls and my previously fairly bog standard outfit looks smart and I look better.

re getting colours done - watch out for famous people with your colouring (not figure just colouring) see what works for them and select what you like. They have stylists galore to do this for them so benefit second hand. There is also a lot of info' for free on the net if you spend a bit of time searching re colours and how to dress your shape.

I like to look at other people in everyday life who have a similar shape to me and work out exactly what it is that works about their outfit and try it for myself.

You could always get inventive with some of the clothes you have and a thread and needle.

I've chopped a maxi dress into a knee length dress. A maxi dress into a skirt. and a dress with sleeves into a sleeveless dress. All 3 are now worn regularly rather than sit redundant in my wardrobe.
Dye clothes and shoes.

Lots of great ideas here. You have so much going for you.

IMO I would prioritise for any spending you can do a visit to a really good hairdresser, for cut and advice on styling and perhaps a few professional products.You could ask some of the people at work you think look stylish for recommendations.

Your hair is with you all the time. Professional advice is a much better investment than a Mulberry.

I remember feeling like this. I made a rulei would bin every item of clothing that made me feel rubbish! And I did. This included lots of quite recent buys which were too utilitarian (cargo shorts and acres of Jersey) it really helped though

Romcom, can you link to the minx style stickers you buy? Thanks

Thanks for all the tips! So this is the new me! Going forward I will:

1 plan outfits, including accessories, the day before

2 continue to get rid of clothes that I don't feel good in

3 be less haphazard with shopping, ie plan what I need and what I will wear it with. Won't get sucked in by 'bargains'

4 look after myself more, including diet, make up, nails generally make more of an effort

5 stop saving clothes for 'best'