wish i didnt look like a frump but...

[daisydee43]

hi

am mum of dd2years and pg with dc2. since i got rid of my glam blonde hair due to expense and time, i feel like a frump. i wear glasses and wish i didnt and have a manly job so nails and skin get ruined. (im hoping to get office job in next year or so tho). also ferl guilty spending money on clothes and normally wait until i get vouchers for xmas or bday and then they are normally primark or hm and normallu get bland items...please help wana be a yummy mummy (should add im good at choosing shoes n bags am size 10 before got pg lol)

should prob add im only 27

Hi Daisy. Please don't feel guilty about buying your self things that you need. Oh yes as a mum it's very easy to get caught up in that trap, but I have never felt guilty about spending money on myself. I work bloody hard enough for it, as do you.
I notice you say you were glasses well that does not mean you have to look frumpy not at all. I see lots of very stunning women wearing glasses you just have to find a pair that suits you.
You can't change your job but could you not invest in nail strengthener and a nice light pink polish, a subtle lip gloss Also I swear by cleanser and astral moisturiser.
Clothes are quite reasonable in new look. If money is an issue you only really need 3 outfits/ dresses 1 wearing 1 washing and 1 drying.
You have an excellent start being good at choosing clothes and bags and being a size 10 you can virtually go anywhere.

pop into primark and pick up some accessories, scarves, belts etc and dress up what you have already. You can still look good on a small budget

i think my prob is i go for quantity not quality. when i get my vouchers i think how many items can i get. need a few lasting key pieces

Yup. I've only recently started doing that. I now buy way more expensive items but only things I love and will not date quickly and will last. I think I'm saving in the long run rather than buying lots of illfitting cheap stuff in the sales that hardly gets worn

If you have been buying quantity rather than quality up until now, then you should first have a wardrobe clearout.

Make a pile of things that you really love, but are getting really old (so things you need to replace), a pile of things that are just old and scruffy (to throw), and a pile of things that you might like for some reason, but there is just something not quite right about them.

Then try on all the items in the third pile and try and pin point what you like about it. For example, it could be that you love the colour of a particular top, but the fit really doesn't work for you. Or vice versa.

Then get online and search the online stores for ideas of items to replace the ones that you love (but are now old), and have the good points of the third pile. You just need to figure out which stores to go to, not necessarily buy online.

That aside, I think primark and new look are brilliant for things like vest tops, plain t-shirts and shoes. But for other items you should be looking for better quality.

Make sure you check before you buy whether an item is dry clean online or machine washable, and if it's dry clean only, be honest with yourself whether that's feasible for you.

If you hate your glasses so much, why don't you look into contacts?

On the hair - this is only my PERSONAL view - but I think the vast majority of people look much better with their natural colour, or a colour very close to it. When people go drastically blonde or dark it has a tendency to look very unnatural and trashy - unless they go for a totally unnatural colour, or have extremely short hair.

Whilst you might have liked your blonde hair, try looking at old photos of yourself. Does it look natural? Does it suit you even when you don't have any make up on? It might just be that it's what you were used to. I can guarantee as well that your hair is going to be in such better condition now that you've stopped bleaching it!!

And stop feeling guilty about spending money on yourself. Glam ladies don't feel guilty they feel fabulous. And I'm sure your partner would want you to feel good about yourself too. Happy wife happy life so I hear

I admit highlighting hair is pricey but you should still be getting yourself a good haircut.

I wouldn't spent too much on maternity wear just good basics which you can dress up with scarves and accessories.

Next what is your style, try this quiz here

Now look on pintrest for ideas in your style. Do you like what you see? Is it adaptable from your clothes?

hi got 'natural' on the style test. good tips abt wardrobe clearout and just using primark for essential bits

I'm kind of similar to you. I am 34 and have 2 young children. Size 8-10. Kind of pear shaped.

I recently had some stylist type people come and help me clear out my wardrobe.

I had tonnes of clothes but always felt like a frump and never knew what to wear.

So they helped me bin loads of stuff (I like the wardrobe clearing advice you got up thread).

The tips they gave me about dressing might be helpful to you.

1. Because I am not confident about my figure, particularly what I see as my big bum most of my trousers were baggy or boot cut. They told me to wear slim fit jeans. I have been and bought some and they do actually look nice.

1. They suggested wearing a blazer. Basically instead of a cardigan. It should be fitted, have either one or no buttons. And be in a stretchy fabric.

1. I have bought shoes. They wanted me to buy flat oxford brogue man type shoes. I ended up buying some with a bit of a heel as I couldn't bring myself to go all out on the flats. I also have a pair of brown flat ankle boots.

I think you'll find that you have lots of tops or jumpers which, when put with nice jeans and a blazer will suddenly look nice.

Hope that's of some help

Yes to blazers, they give you a waist even if you don't have one. Get a black one or navy ( if black its too harsh on your skin colour) so it goes with everything. Good luck op and I'm sure your hair looks better and healthier now that you don't bleach it.

Could you go for ombré hair? If you get the light colour quite high up it will just grow out and no need to get your roots done.

Yy to a blazer... Some scarves and chunky statement necklaces slim leg indigo jeans, plain long sleeve t shirts and some ankle boots and loafers? All interchangeable items that match too.

Now is not the time for investment pieces obviously because your shape and lifestyle will change drastically in the next year. Now is the time for a few cheap fun colourful things to carry you through the next year or so. If you are expecting to move to an office (but not suit-wearing) position at the end of your maternity leave then you will have the perfect opportunity to justify spending lots of money on clothes that fit well and make you look good. Spend the intervening time reading fashion mags, browsing in clothes shops, trying stuff on or holding colours against yourself when you have the chance, (and then just buying shoes and scarves if anything) and looking at passing women in the street to see what works.