Is there any one thing you've done, small or big, cheap or pricey, that has changed your style for the better?

[JessiCake]

I have a terrible tendency to over-heat in the summer but nevertheless used to spend the summer SWELTERING in long trousers, envious of breezy-looking people in floaty skirts and dresses, because I had such problems de-fuzzing my legs.

Waxing only lasted about a week (followed by 5-6 weeks of bumpy re-growth), shaving caused sore and bright red razor rash no matter how I did it. Hair-removal cream caused rashes and the effect barely lasted.

2 summers ago I saved up and forked out for laser hair removal for my legs.

I have only just twigged the HUGE difference it has made to the way I dress in the warmer months/on holiday. I hadn't really noticed how easily I can pop on a dress these days in the warm weather without having to think days in advance about how to get my legs hair-free and non-rash-covered. It was just never worth even trying to wear a dress, skirt, shorts because I was always either too hairy or too covered in a rash! I cannot tell you (this is probably really obvious to most people tbf) how much COOLER and more comfortable I feel on hot days.

In addition, I'm not that confident about much of my appearance but my legs are actually pretty decent so it's so nice to be able to feel I'm not hiding them away all summer long just because of depilation issues!

Is there any one thing you've done that made such a huge difference to the way you dress?

I've treated myself to some cheapy cotton sundresses these past 2 summers and it's revolutionised my wardrobe, the long too-hot chinos/linen trousers are relegated and haven't been out in a while.

Laser wasn't cheap (though I got a special offer, still it was well over £500 which is more than I spend on ANYTHING in a huge block like that) but it really was worth it and I only wish I'd done it blooming years ago. I'm now 41 and regret all those sweltering summers feeling silly in hot trousers/long skirts when I could have worn a nice pair of shorts like a normal 30 year old!!

Botox and losing weight.

Jessi that's interesting I would love to have my legs lasered. How much did it cost?

I had my colours down about three years ago and I love it. I have a wardrobe with lots of colour clothes that suit me and match each other. I always used to wear a lot of black with another colour but now I'll wear say green jeans and a red top or a brown top. (I'm autumn). I probably don't have enough clothes but that's more because I want to lose weight but eat like a pig.

Never wearing black. It revolutionised the way I thought about colour.

I'm 50 and started having my legs waxed in my early 20s. I also started epilating mid-90s but it's only since I bought an IPL machine to use at home that I've finally got my hair under control. It's a breeze. Just once a month keeps me virtually hair free. Yes, it's time consuming, especially on the legs (takes me an hour to do both from crotch to ankle (!) but so worth it.

Other things have been getting my colour and style done and sticking to it. Everything just goes together.

Facials. The difference is incredible. No more red veins, dry skin, spots, bumps, brown patches just lovely plump skin.

Good quality skin care. Nivea will work until you hit 30 and then you need the big guns.

Proper nutritional and exercise advice and sticking to it.

Lastly. Keeping my weight in check. THE most important thing in my opinion as you can throw on a t-shirt dress from Primark and look fantastic if your body is slim and toned.

Ah yes, another one here who stopped wearing black once I hit 40. As a blue eyed blonde it did nothing for me - just drained all the life from my face.

Grey is my black now or navy if I need to look really smart and formal for work.

Another one who has ditched black (especially near my face) since getting into my 40s. I’m also fair skinned and grey/ blonde so black doesn’t flatter.
Navy is much better, with silver, cream or tan as accents. My whole wardrobe is much more pulled together and I know I look better.

Getting my colours and then style done . Best thing ever for saving money and feeling confident in what I wear despite my size which has varied a lot over the years .

Reading DR Michael Mosleys book - The Clever Guts diet .
I have lost 2 stone in 4 months without being on a diet . Life changing .

Ah, that’s where I’m going wrong, SpeckledyHen, I bought the Clever Guts book, bit I never actually read it.

Getting my mousey bob cropped into a pixie look and coloured a lovely ashy blonde shade. It is super flattering and has given me back my cheek bones!

Also teeth whitening and learning to subtly shade in my eyebrows with a natural taupe pencil. Before these changes, I felt my face was fading away, but I now feel fresher and visible again.

Also following a couple of fashion bloggers whose style I really admire and basically buying exactly what they wear. They've taught me to think in terms of 'outfit' rather than just 'clothes'.

I've just recently totally changed the way I wear make-up (I'm 52). I used to spend a lot of time creating lovely blended smokey eyes, but I was very scared of strong colours of lipstick - I just didn't look like "me" in them. In the last 6 months I seem to have gone completely the opposite way and am now happily wearing just primer, mascara, sometimes black eyeliner and strong red lipsticks. It takes so much less time and people seem to like it.

I am desperately trying to stick to a smaller range of colours in clothes now too, since I seem to have accidentally wandered into minimalism. I love colour but I'm trying to stick with just three of my favourites plus neutrals. Someone once told me that if you play about with your image too much, so it's different nearly every day, you don't really have an image at all and people won't remember you as well. I'm trying to take that as my mission statement.

Another one who got their ‘colours’ done. I loved black but it does me no favours. Switched for an Autumn pallete, I definitely look better, I know what suits me and get loads more compliments. Also all my clothes co-ordinate!

Almost forgot, channeling Claire Underwood's style from House of Cards, (I work in a formal office). Bar the short hair, I do everything else including heels, pencil dresses, lots of grey and ivory. I've never had so many compliments. probably wouldn't work for less formal work places though!

I'm also ruthless with clothes, jewelry and accessories. If I don't love them I get rid of them. Makes dressing a pleasure.

I've also started using brown or navy or grey eyeliner (top lid only). So much better than black if you've got light colouring and are older.

Had my colours done. The difference!
Stopped wearing the numerous, gorgeous hand me down tops from SIL and started buying more of my own in a shape to flatter my figure not hers. I'm an apple and she's a pear so her beautiful tops did nothing for me. Wrong colours too!
Started buying my usual perfume again as I found it online (it's from another country and couldn't find it in the UK). Now I smell like me again! 😊

Two things for me.

1. getting my colours done. Am an Autumn and my wardrobe is now a beautiful mixture of khaki, rust, mustard, teal, chocolate and cream.

2. getting things tailored. I have an hourglass shape so things never fit at the waist. Until I found my wonderful seamstress!

Losing 3 stone.

It was laser for me too. I bought myself an Phillips Lumea and it has honestly transformed my life. I always thought the main I didn't wear skirts in summer because my legs are so pale, but it turns out that it was because I needed to make sure my legs were perfectly shaved each day. Very fast growing dark hair on pale legs was a nightmare. And I didn't even like short pyjamas as the stubble wasn't comfortable.

Learning which colours suit me and not following fashion colours has also helped.

Ooh I’m now considering a Lumea...

Also allowing myself the confidence to wear red lipstick. It really suits me, but I sued to feel it was too full on for everyday wear.

THat was exactly it for me, Lemon!! I always just sort of thought I couldnt' wear skirts/shorts because I had pasty, crap legs. It turns out that even though I'm happier with a v light bit of fake tan on them, I also don't even mind baring them to the world dayglo white, it was the stubbly/razor-rashy look that was always the real problem!

Jessi it just makes life so much easier doesn't it. I also prefer a bit of fake tan on them, but will go out with bright white legs and care a lot less than I did.

Giving up alcohol. I dropped 8lbs & my skin looks so much better.

I still drink on meals out, birthdays, anniversarys etc but the weekend drinking has gone. There's less special occasions than weekends.

I used to work with a woman who didn't drink mon-thurs as we're hcp but drank 2 bottles of wine a night fri-sun. Monday morning her face would be bright red.

Losing three stone

Learning that I look best in blacks, navy and greys (I'm a cool winter)

Wearing skinny jeans and a looser fitting / oversized top. I'm an apple shape and a runner so I have good legs, but sadly no waist. Fitted tops make me look like a fat triangle

Finding trainers that fit and suit my wide feet (Adidas superstars / Stan Smiths).

This is technically beauty related, but I spend more on fewer items of high end make up. I cannot go into Boots and pick up an off-the-shelf foundation.

I've also found that when it comes to makeup that less is more when you're a Midster. I religiously apply Biore Watery Essence spf 50 every morning + IT CC cream (which is a tube of magic) + blush. Then I just shade in my brows, tinted lip balm and mascara + tightlining my top lid. It makes my face look fresh and polished but not 'made up'.

I rarely wear eyeshadow nowadays or eyeliner, and have stopped with the lip liner and highlighter. Also only wear a dab of powder on my nose, as a little sheen is more flattering on me.

Confussed - May I ask which bloggers you like? I can never find one I am really keen on. I want one who dresses like women I do double takes of in the street but can never find one.

My one is, as an pear leaning toward hourglass, tucking my blouse or t-shirt in, even just a bit, makes all the difference.