I do get compliments occasionally, but not tons, and they are more along the lines of 'lovely colour on you' rather than 'you look groomed'. I do get told I look far too smart for work though - I work in a restaurant, and whilst most of the staff are head to toe in black I wear whatever I want, which tends to be colourful. I now cannot believe I went so long without lipstick as a staple. I hardly use eye shadow at all now, and am a big fan of a bit of eye liner and mascara with bold lips for all occasions. I am loving the Maybelline 24 hour colour. Cherry is a gorgeous red (even my anti make-up brother likes it on me), and I've just acquired raspberry, which is a lovely deep pink. Excellent staying power too.
My dh, who is still stubbornly refusing to believe in the magic of colour, and thinks I look good in everything, has been swayed by a charcoal sweater. Deep scoop neck, very fine cashmere knit, £10 on ebay! It's a very hard shape to find, especially in pure wool, but I've just bought 2 from Hobbs - this one, and the same in blue, which I think has been linked to before. Hopefully they are appropriately winter. I did see some similar on the Artegiano website, out of stock in every colour. Shame, as there was a lovely burgundy. If anyone knows of any anywhere please share. I need warmth, not cotton or viscose, and they have to be fitted.
I also had some bargains in TK Maxx. A black deep cowl neck jumper, and a black waterfall cardi, for the princely sum of £16. I intended to wear the cardi over my pjs, but I've found that over a dress, belted with an obi belt, it looks nicely fitted and suitably romantic.