Catherine, no, it's much more about working with the texture of your hair than against it. I've personally never gotten on with curly girl method. Depending on the time of year and humidity (and probably hormones too) my hair is anything from wavy to slightly curly. A good hairdresser is key, at least one that cuts technically well with the texture rather than against it. Otherwise, I find leave it alone as much as possible, minimal washing, I only ever brush it before washing and otherwise run fingers through it. I do use expensive products from Christophe Robin, mostly because I can't be bothered with the endless search for something cheaper as I refuse to throw out full bottles of shampoo and I can't stand the aggravation of using a shit shampoo until it's finished. I found the CR products through samples and I was sold on it from then on. I think French women do like a bit of oil but also a nourishing hair mask. The lavender oil from CR is really special but stupid expensive, but it's a great one for anyone going grey as well I think as it softens course texture beautifully. The mask with prickly pear seed is great too but again stupidly expensive. I think hair is really difficult though, these things work great for me but they may not for the next. I also like using the Avene Xeracalm body cleansing oil as a precleanse on my hair, helps retain natural oils and moisture and makes my shampoo last longer as I need less (I only buy it once a year, which helps with those price tags).
Cara, probably sensible, I think the sales period is probably a dangerous time when you're unsure.
I think I don't like you anymore Flo, love the trousers but they're sold out in my size 
. Probably a good thing, but still 
Ah sorry banana, should have PMed you the link instead. Hopefully it's the right size for you. Don't know what money you were thinking of spending but you could have a look at Ann de Meulemeester and Sartore. Zadig & Voltaire also have some cool looking neatened up combat boots, the Joe Plus may work, they're laced but handily it's for decoration only and has a zip and they come up higher than similar boots, much more fitted too. Not all sizes are still available though .
I'm not expert of the bloat Grumpy but it sounds like a switch up may be the thing, looser trousers (possibly with an elasticated waist at the back to give some room but still look neat from the front) and some extra layers on top like a blazer or similar?
A lot of retailers do care a lot about changing rooms, H&M and Zara spend quite a bit, with good lighting that can be adjusted, slim mirrors and often a second one so you can see front an side, etc. Expensive department stores are surprisingly crap at them (except Le Bon Marche in Paris, I'd happily move into one of their changing rooms). There is a lot of theory behind lighting in retail, so most people assume a place like Waitrose will spend more on a lighting plan than say Aldi but Aldi is the one outspending them as they've had special fluorescent lighting developed at huge costs to give off the right amount of cheap, at that price level of the market things that look to good are treated with suspicion. I have wondered if the dreadful TKMaxx lighting is a similar move or just there for security reasons. The next big development will be getting the lighting right for social media pics.
cactus, one of those velvet skirts from Soeur is/was going really cheaply at www.irisfashion.co.uk IIRC, heavily discounted but more conventional sizes of 38, 40, and maybe 42.