How to look put-together without spending a fortune?

[CoffeeMilkNoSugar]

I need help. I am literally the frumpiest woman in town. I need ideas for clothes/makeup/accessories/hairstyles that are nice, classy and VERY low maintenance. For example, I have just enough time to brush my hair in the morning, so can't possibly spend ages blow drying and curling/staightening/colouring my hair.

I am blonde, shoulder length hair, pale, blue-grey eyes.
5 ft 4, chubby. Broad shoulders, big bust, relatively narrow waist, big hips. Short legs, big and X-shaped, sadly. Cannot wear heels to save my life. I have a toddler. What can I do to look half-decent? I know I look terrible in T-Shirts, they don't suit my body shape at all. I also hate bootcut or wide leg jeans, and I detest the 50's housewife style. But I'd like to show off my waist... Any ideas? :)

For showing off your waist, belts are apparently going to be a huge trend this autumn/winter, so show off that waist in some of those! Have a look online at the trend.

For your hair, why don't you get a graduated or inverted lob cut? They are still fashionable and are very low maintenance - especially without a fringe. Just scrunch in some mousse when hair is wet, and dry naturally. I have this hair cut, and if I don't have to go out for about 5 hours (I know!!!), I wash my hair and divide it into 4 sections and plait it and pin it up and dry naturally - you get the most fabulous waves.

As for the shoes, I live in ankle boots with a small block heel. I wear them with dresses, pencil skirts and occasionally with the one pair of jeans I own (I'm not a jean or trouser person).

Jersey dresses with or without a pattern are great. They disguise and flaunt at the same time, and make you look quite put together in seconds - layer them over leggings, add ankle boots and a large pendant necklace and jacket if needed.

I love ankle boots and jackets, but the problem is:

1. Do ankle boots look alright if you have short and chubby legs? Thankfully I don't have cankles, but my thighs are pretty big!

1. Jackets... I can never find one that fits. My shoulders are broad and my boobs are quite big (not massive, but big), and I feel like jackets make me look even more squat and I can never lift my arms up in them! Or, if I find one that allows me to move my arms, it's like 5 sizes too big. :(

There's also my fear of looking overdressed - I would hate to turn up at Morrisons looking like I'm ready to party, haha! So I need clothes that are strictly for daytime only. ;)

Dresses. I find them easier than even trousers & a top because you don't have to put an outfit together... just put a dress on! For your frame look for knee length or just above the knee, with a defined waistline and a-line or flared skirt. Tights and ankle boots and you're good to go! Minimal effort

I'm 5'5 op, and I have wide hips and very big thighs, but a relatively small waist in comparison. Because of this, trousers and jeans are murder for me to find, and when I do find them to fit my thighs, they're big on the waist and make me feel so self conscious, as I think they draw more attention to that area than a skirt.

Even with my big thighs, I still wear ankle boots, and do not find that they make me look chunkier - ones with no heel do, but not those with a 1.5-2 inch block heel. I have found that the amount of boot that comes past the ankle (how high the boots are) can really affect how flattering they are too. I think you'd have to try a variety to see what works best for you.

shamelessly place marking as I have a new job starting next month and I need a smart but casual work outfit.

Argeles - so how high should a boot be? :)

Definitely look for an ankle boot with a v cut at the front, it lengthens your leg and looks more attractive than straight cut across.

And where would I go for nice jersey day dresses that don't cost an arm and a leg? :))

I'd look in the Boden, White Stuff, John Lewis, House of Fraser (Linea) sales and opt for block colours or simple, classic patterns. Once you've found a style/make you like, keep an eye on eBay - set up an alert to follow a particular style/brand and you can pick up some brilliant stuff for a fraction of the price.

This is nice on trend jersey dress for a bargainous price direct.asda.com/george/womens/dresses/striped-jersey-pocketed-dress/GEM590177,default,pd.html layer it with a long sleeve shirt and leggings/thick tights in autumn/winter

This would look nice with your blonde hair direct.asda.com/george/womens/dresses/buttoned-shirt-dress/GEM578679,default,pd.html

Jersey dresses and preferably wrap dresses are great. Debenhams and House of Fraser are good and you can search specifically for jersey dresses. If jackets don't suit you look for nice cardigans, shorter rather than longer. Think of how Bernadette in BBT wears dresses with short close-fitting cardigans.

This style of wrap jersey dress is great for covering up lumps and bumps but also giving you a waist www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/joe-browns-watercolour-print-jersey-dres/ok581/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6022#colour:Multi%20Print,size:

Look at Seasalt - they always have lovely print dresses. Think they still have a sale on....

Have you had a look at Mistral for dresses? A lot of their colours would suit your colouring.

Also cropped cardigans work well.

I don't think ankle boots are the best -do knee length instead.

Also Clarks Caddy Belle are excellent because they have a stretchy panel at the back but slim legs down and can be worn with jeggings and longer tunic style tops. They are close fitting on the ankle too so give legs some shape.

Wow, so many BRILLIANT ideas! Thanks so much ladies, keep 'em coming :)) It's payday, so I will be placing some orders tonight ;)

meant to say as well do you have a big Sainsburys near you with clothing? They have really nice stuff but I seem to order badly online with them - never as nice when they turn up,but if you can actually see it in store have bought a couple of nice tops and dresses.

Well I only went to the jewellers today and bought a stunning silver and amber bracelet. :) I'm generally crap with accessories and not a jewellery girl at all, but it made me feel instantly classier. Also bought some sea salt spray for my hair.

So now, I need to buy:

• Some nice jersey dresses
• Clark Caddy Belles
• Cropped cardigans (Not sure, I'll have to try and see how I feel about them)
• A nice brown leather bag?

Also, what colours should not be mixed? Bags and shoes wise? I live in denims and black tops - so I presume a brown/tan bag wouldn't go? Oh gosh, this is so complicated!

Just please do by put brown with grey. That's my only big no-no.

Can I wear a brown bag with black shoes?

If it's a tan brown yes. I only have tan natural leather bags because they go with everything.

I've opened this thread because I need an overhaul too, and second Seasalt for your colouring. Some really nice pieces which are quirky, yet classy at the same time, arty, yet don't make you veer into hairy biker territory!

I've definitely got warm colouring, and my hair is sort of a medium honey-ish blonde with a reddish undertone. Blue-grey eyes. I've been looking at seasalt, so many gorgeous dresses! Some necklines are too high though. I really have a difficult body shape. :( Might even post a photo later

Here!