New job and need to look professional - please help!

[Stompythedinosaur]

I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks. In my current role I do a lot of activities with mentally ill teenagers, I've ended up wearing cheap black trousers, a comfy top and flat shoes. I am a scruff, partially because clothes often get ruined, but also because I leave very early for work and have limited time (and 2 young dc at home).

My new job is at a much more senior level, and will not involve providing care directly (though I will be doing therapy sessions). A mentor I trust suggested I might want to think about how I dress (there is a huge amount of competition for the next step in my career).

I am also short and fat, with long fine hair, which is not helping! I have been loosing weight, but I'm still a size 18-20 at present (I used to be bigger, but loosing is taking time).

So, I have a couple of pairs of more flattering trousers and tops and a few wrap type dresses, that I think I'll wear with boots. I am going to try some low heels I think.

I particularly need advice about hair and make up. Particularly what the minimum amount of make up I can get away with looking professional in is? And easy professional hairstyles - I currently have my hair in a ponytail every day.

Also, just how I can look polished?

Thanks for any help and advice!

I think what you most urgently need is a jacket in a versatile style/colour. It will instantly make any outfit look more professional.

You can wear no make up at all if you wish. But if you think you want to, then the minimum is face power (and/or matt primer) to get rid of any shine. If you want to add more, then a nude-ish lippie and mascara. You might want to consider whether you want to pluck your eyebrows (nothing extreme, but I'd recommend at least plucking out stragglers). And make sure your nails are clean and a reasonable shape.

My hair has always been a bit of a disaster zone, so I don't think I can recommend anythiother than no split ends and always clean and brushed. You could experiment with putting it up?

Keep shoes polished, get them re-heeled when they need it. Brush jackets and trousers, iron your clothes well. That all goes a long way towards keeping you looking smart.

Cardigan jackets are comfortable and smart. Also, a nice cotton shirt or tunic is a good option. With T shirts, something with a bit of styling like a cross-over front or some gathers is smart. If I find myself wearing a boring outfit or slightly manky T shirt as all others are in the wash, I put a scarf on. Hides a multitude of sins. Try TKMaxx, I find lots of great work clothes there.

On makeup, I honestly don't think you need to wear it if you don't want to. If you do, mascara and lip balm is ample.

For hair, stick to variations on a ponytail theme-side pony, bit of plaiting at the front etc. Youtube is great for hair and beauty tips: it's how I learned to manage with DD's hair.

Otherwise, treat yourself to a nice pair of earrings and a necklace to wear. You don't need to vary jewellery, you can stick to a trademark pair. In fact, that applies to everything-you can come up with a signature look and just wear variations on that theme forever. I stick to black, grey or navy for work with white, cream or pale pink tops.

Finally, the top tip- lay your clothes out the night before. Helps massively in keeping your mornings orderly.

I have a senior role in a laid back environnment so it's a combi of smart/tidy but not corporate. I keep it very simple. Black dresses and smart cardigans for a bit of colour in winter with a cpl pairs black trousers and simple tops. Same in sumner except in navy. Very much about blending in.

Makeup is a combined foundation/powder, mascara, blusher, lippy. Takes 2-3 minutes. Goid haircut and colour; mine is fine too and tames in 3/4 minutes with a curling brush and hairspray. Can't be bothered with the faff of scarves and jewellery.

Ankle boots and smart loafers in winter, sandals and loafers in summer.

A good coat helps.

I spend about £500pa on work clothes but nowadays hair works out at about £140 every 7 weeks with highlights and lowlights to chase away the grey.

Brilliant, thank you for the advice!

It sounds like I need a jacket then - any advice on where to get one? I have had difficulty with smart jackets before as I have big boobs which tend to effect the way they fit.

The eyebrow advice is good - I hadn't thought but I think it would be a good idea. Am I better doing it myself or getting them shaped? I have plucked them before, but not for years. Will I get laughed out of a salon if I go in with massive bushy brows? And will they be open to doing some mild tidying rather than pluck them to a line?

A scarf is a good idea - sorry if this is a stupid question, but do you just wrap them loosely round your neck or is there a secret to wearing them and looking stylish?

Thanks for advice re shoes and make up also, very helpful!

Eyebrows - just have them shaped, I do this at a salon, they certainly shouldn't laugh!

Scarf - I often tie them loosely, but others may have better ideas

Hair - if you want to keep it long, how about a bun? I'd ask hairdressers for some simple bun styles. I've had mine all cut off, but preferred a bun to pony tail

Make up - I use a compact foundation to even out my face (it gets a bit blotchy), then mascara & lip balm

Get yourself a decent bag that goes with all your clothes.

Good luck in the new job.

Wrap dresses are your friend. I am a size 18 with big boobs too. Wear them with black tights in winter, ankle boots or flat pumps. Plain black smart jacket (Asda) consider a hair cut? Mine is fine and long and I’m considering a bob as it looks hideous down, I’m a fan of the side bun or messy bun. Eyebrow shape every 4 weeks, touch of concealer and you’re away - all the best

Threading is the bees knees for great brows. You can ask them to take as little out as you like, then have a look and see if you want more. They take all the tiny fine hairs from around the whole brow area, which really brightens up your skin. I always look years younger when I've had mine done 😂👵🏻.

Jacket wise I'd go for a jersey blazer - there are some lightweight ones in new look, or some warmer ones in Lands End that I can recommend

Dresses with tights and flats/heels/boots (whatever takes your fancy) is my staple work 'uniform'. I think dresses look really smart and are so easy to wear. I try to buy ones that you wash, shove on a hangar and they dry crease free!

Next, Monsoon, a couple from M&S - need to look around but I've got a nice little work wardrobe that I rotate.

Make an appointment with a hairdresser and ask their advice on your hair. If it's long and fine I think it might look better shorter. If you can't bear to cut it, get them to show you how to wear it up.

I don't think make up is essential but you need to get your eyebrows shaped. If you want to wear make up I should think you can get away with foundation, mascara and a sheer lipgloss. Why not go to a make up counter and tell them what you want? They'll apply it for you and you can choose which products to buy (from them or elsewhere).

Because I do like to get a professional opinion wherever possible, I'd also book an appointment with a dept store personal shopper. John Lewis is good. They'll spend an hour or so dressing you and it's free of charge. You can buy their suggestions if you like them, or walk away.

Congratulations on losing weight and your new job, you sound pretty amazing actually.

And I don't necessarily think you need to invest in a jacket. Is there anyone currently in that role that you can steal ideas from? I'd definitely go wrap dresses with flats or boots rather than trousers.

Congratulations on your promotion - sounds like you've done really well to get it!

I work in a fairly senior 'corporate' role in the public sector and tend to wear dresses with cardigans for work, sometimes trousers and a blouse. I do have a couple of jackets but they only tend to come out for big meetings and/or interviews! I used to wear heels all the time but not so bothered now and tend to wear flats a lot more - boots/brogues in the winter, sandals or sling backs in the summer.

Make up wise I definitely think less is more - too much and you look like you're trying too hard! I stick to a B.B. cream, eyeliner, mascara and bronzer and always carry a nude lip balm.

On the hair front I would definitely recommend a really good cut. It can make a huge difference and the hairdresser will be able to offer advice about the best style to suit your hair type and face shape etc. If you get that right it'll boost your confidence no end.

Good luck in your new job!

I would agree with everyone about your hair - that and neat nails are the key to looking groomed.

I have 3 kids and a very busy life and I had long hair until this summer. I thought it would be easier because I could wear it in a ponytail but honestly, a ponytail does not look very professional.

Between the heatwave and a hot summer holiday destination I could no longer stand the long hair and got a bob - it has transformed me. I can have it washed and dry in minutes - I leave it to air dry but if you have fine hair a 5 min blow dry blast will have it great. I look way more groomed and professional. So I would advise a trip to a good hairdresser with a selection of styles from Pinterest that you like. Also, go to someone who does the hair of someone whose hair you admire as they are more likely to be good.

Then clothes, I would go for slightly cropped tailored trousers with a nice quality top and have a couple of jackets to mix and match with the trousers. Wear a slightly higher heel and also invest in a couple of dresses.

Well done on the job and well done to your mentor - the old advice of always dressing for the job you want not the job you have is very appropriate, you are lucky to have such a person on your side.

M&S and Debenhams are good for work jackets. Wallis can be good too.

Good luck in your new role!

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer. I will book some consultations for make up and hair. I'm happy to have shorter hair, just not sure what will suit me. I'll see what they recommend.

Sadly the role I'm going into doesn't have that many people in. I have a mentor who is the next level up and the only person I know who's done the job and is very stylish, she wears a mixture of dresses and top/trousers with make up and heels. She looks lovely, but is a very different build to me.

Thanks for the positive comments!

You can definitely wear dresses op, you might just need a different style to your mentor if she's a different shape.

I honestly can't recommend a personal shopper enough if you aren't sure what suits you. They'll show you stuff you'd never have considered. Some of it will look awful and some of it will look great. I used one when I was invited to a smart wedding and was a larger size than you. She made me feel fantastic about myself, and put me in a fitted dress that I thought would look horrible but didn't!

Even if you don't buy anything you'll come out with new ideas.

Thank you! A personal shopper sounds amazing - I sort of feel like things like that are for people who are slimmer and more stylish than me, so it's good to have some encouragement. I won't have time to arrange one before I start but I will definitely find a time to do this.