I'm normally a stranger to the style and beauty boards but I need your help! I have been reading the 'frump' threads which keep appearing in active convos with interest and I think I qualify by anyone's definition.
I'm 40 in a few months and have spent the last decade pregnant, miscarrying and miserable or breastfeeding. I've completely lost sight of who I am. Currently 4m post-natal with DC3, I'm pear shape and still a stone overweight (though I am working on it) and nothing fits. I wear v little make-up and my hair is a scruffy bob, dark blonde would be polite, mousy accurate. I have spent very little money or time on myself for the last 10 years, I have a wardrobe stuffed full of clothes I never wear, most of which is old, cheap and shapeless. I just want to throw the whole lot out and start again! It's hard to find time to shop without kids in tow, and I am terrible at shopping, I tend to panic and buy the wrong thing. I did have my colours done as a gift a few years ago (autumn)
The school my older children attend is in quite a deprived area - the mothers are either way overweight and hiding away in shapeless joggers and tents, or dressed to the nines (bleached hair, extensions, fake tan, big earrings, tight clothes) so I'm not seeing a 'look' I want to copy. I walk to school in all weathers and have a dog so it all needs to be practical.
I don't know where to shop, which shops cater for the middle ground between whippet skinny teenagers and M&S beige slacks?
I want to look groomed/chic but not too worried about trendy. I would be perfectly happy with a 'uniform' as long as it looks good.
I'm doing a 12 week program which incorporates diet, core exercises for my midriff and HIIT - hoping to be at least 12lb lighter and more toned by the end of it, I'm going to get my hair cut on Friday and will discuss getting it coloured as the grey is creeping in, and I've made an appointment to get my brows and lashes shaped and tinted.
What next? Please suggest some manageable changes I can make to banish the frump before I hit 40. I really need Trinny and Susannah on my case without the public humiliation.
Thanks if you read this far!