Entire restyling help desperately needed.

[SpawnChorus]

Would anyone be willing to offer me styling advice...from scratch - a la Trinny and Suzannah? Minus the boob and arse grabbing.

I think I might be a lost cause, but am throwing down the gauntlet anyway.

If anyone is up for the challenge I'll give my sad and sorry details

Okay so if you look at the clothes you are choosing, I don't think that I have ever seen her in a mini dress. You could certainly do the cropped, fitted jackets, good dark jeans and wrapped or smooth tops. I think if we are struggling around the tummy area (I know I do), then more structured garments are definitely better. some of the things you are looking at are great but potentially the view might not look so good at all angles. I find good lycra vests work very well also under tops to help give a smoother line. Also look for great accessories, necklaces, bracelets etc to detract and pull together the look

I have some trousers like that Anniemac! Keep meaning to wear them, but they feel somehow a bit too smart for my day to day food/milk/puke-splattered life iykwim.

Okay I am off home now. Hope you find some good stuff. If you want a personal shopper and you are near London you can have a look on my (nearly finished) website www.raejames-personalstylist.com You have to type the website straight into the browser box as it is not yet set up for searching. Also have a look on at monsoon and coast, both have some nice items.

Anniemac I will. SO P'd I have to go home to my two little lovelies but needs must. I love discussing clothes, I could play all day. I will log on when I get home and see if I can help some more. and yes your taste is on the nail for hourglass. speak later ladies x

Re: bias cut - I used to suit it, but the only bias cut clothes I can think of are all a bit on the flimsy side...silky sort of fabric. Can sturdier fabric be bias cut?

Love the idea of forties-style dresses.

Any woven fabric can be cut on bias, even denim.

you sound gorge

(sorry - I sound creepy don't I?)

[leaps in late]

tweed cut on the bias is brilliant - for some reason Per Una at M&S have a lot of this.

and stretchy corduroy can have the same effect.

Agree don't buy anything new at all till you have the underwear situation sorted though - you may find it makes you a completely different size, let alone shape.

Off, topic, I also think Anniemac has it easy with a job where she can wear suits every day!
I work in a v casual environment and have had five (five!) comments today on my not-at-all-smart cord skirt and boots ensemble.