How to look less shit with no money?

[IStandWithPosie]

I look like some kind of frumpy exhausted witch/schoolgirl hybrid. Im pale (apart from the purple bags under my eyes) with dark hair, it’s very long and thick and wavy. When it’s down I look like Iike a witch. I work a physical job so I always wear it up in either a bun or a ponytail. I am having it cut on Tuesday and I’m getting loads off it as it’s so heavy it hurts when it’s up. I’m taking it up to my shoulders. Can’t do anything about the colour as can’t afford to keep getting root touch ups. I’m short with a belly and small boobs. I can’t cope with underwired bras anymore so I wear the soft sport type ones that support but don’t lift up so don’t give a great shape. I wear converse look a like shoes with jeans and usually a long sleeve basics type top. Everything Is just a bit too small and very worn so my belly overhangs my jeans and I just look rough. I need to make changes but no idea where to start and also have next to no money to spend. I’m talking charity shop shopping here! I’m a cleaner so need to be able to move pretty freely in whatever I wear.

Help.

She keeps a black bag in her wardrobe anything she's sick off she throws in for me. On the one hand it's exciting, in the other she is taller and blonde and of late I've, ahem, progressed through the dress sizes.

Yes!! All of this! are we the poor relations?

Unfortunately not vintage I work every morning. It will be a Saturday if I get to go shopping. I expect the shops will be busy on weekends coming up to Xmas.

I should have mentioned this, ive had a flare up of seborrheic dermatitis on my chin and neck so I’ve been wary of using too many things on my face. I got a cream from the GP for it and I’m using Astral for the rest of my face and so far it’s keeping it at bay.

If you’re near a Sainsburys that sells clothes I recommend a look round. The quality is good, and the prices are reasonable, and there’s usually sale racks of half price clothes, which can be as cheap as, or cheaper than charity shops.
The jeans are particularly good value. The clothes also come in a range of sizes.

Yes i second Sainsburys clothes. I bought a couple of dresses and jeans from them, nice for a seasons wear.

If you have an M&S outlet near you, have a look in their clearance section. Really good bargains to be had there.

The 90p lippies from Primark are very good.I have spendy lipsticks from Tom Ford, Hourglass and Charlotte Tilbury. But the 90p jobbies are the ones I wear all the time and if I had to choose between them I would keep them. Good longevity and texture.

I would buy a cheap nurses tunic off eBay to work in, Kim off how clean is your house used to wear one and they are easy to launder.

I’m pale with dark eyes and under eye circles, I apply a thin layer of foundation and a pale concealer to disguise them, I bought an orange concealer but even the palest was too orange on me.

Black mascara and a cool toned neutral gloss on my lips looks most flattering. Strong colours look cheap on me.

What ever you decide to do with your hair, keep it shiny by conditioning it. Shiny hair always looks groomed.

I second the £3.50 long sleeved t shirts from Primark, I used to buy something very similar from Hobbs at £29 a time. I was simultaneously delighted and furious when I realised the Primark ones are pretty much identical and I could buy 8 for less than one Hobbs t shirt cost me. There is a great colour choice which is often updated and they wash very well too. I have four that I have been rotating for the last 3 months and they still look like new.

Also Poundland and Primark make up can be fabulous. I left my very expensive ‘Rosie by Autograph’ bronzer at home on a weekend away and in a rush bought a matte Poundland bronzer which is at least as good as the £30 one and has become my bronzer of choice.

So shiny hair, smart fitted t shirt in a flattering colour, light dusting of bronzer, flattering lipstick and a little mascara - a whole new you for about £7.50.

If you can wait for a bit, I'd suggest doing some trying on in a few shops when its quieter so you know what suits you and then waiting for the sales. Sainsbury does v good 25% off ones regularly, but I suspect there'll be some good ones on the high street this year if shops don't shift a lot of stock soon. I've had some great bargains from Fatface in particular - and they do a lot of loose tops/shirts and some pretty flattering straight legged jeans.

Yes I agree with PP. You should buy yourself a couple of uniforms. I expect you'd find a nurses style tunic with elasticated waist trousers comfortable and surprisingly flattering. Who knows.... With your new professional look you might get away with charging clients a bit more too 😂 some pretty stud earrings (can pick up cheap ones in lots of places) and some neater looking trainers (maybe solid black pull on type - not super stylish but very comfy and would look neat with your uniform) would finish it off.

Then you could concentrate on getting a few nicer things for your time off. Also maybe buy the minimum you can get away with now and save up what you can. Ask for vouchers or money for Christmas and get twice as much stuff in the sales afterwards.

Your hair sounds lovely, but maybe straightening it would make you feel more polished? If your skin is sensitive as PPs said good brows will go a long way!

For your weekend clothes I definitely think dresses are your friend. Get a few in basic colours with an empire line to skim your tummy, black tights and ankle boots (new look have decent affordable boots) and I think you'll feel much more glam but still comfy. Get a few pretty necklaces and you're sorted.

Also there's a few good threads on here about how to measure yourself properly for a good bra. Even some helpful ladies that will tell you your size if you measure and tell them the numbers. I know bras aren't the comfiest things but they can totally transform your shape. Even if not for work but for your time off that might make you feel loads better!

Sainsbury's 25% off is rumoured to start on the 20th November x

Can’t do anything about the colour as can’t afford to keep getting root touch ups.

I’ve coloured my own hair forever. Superdrug own brand hair colour is cheap (they often do two for £7) and cruelty free. They have a great range of colours and are quick and easy to apply.

I always get allergy flare-ups at this time of year, so take a one a day allergy tablet from Tesco (again, cheap as chips). Works a treat.

These dresses are good value and a very flattering style if you have a bit of a tummy. Can wear with leggings in the winter and bare legs in summer.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TPRIJCA/ref=cmswwrcppapi_MpQ5BbKKJXQ3X

For leggings I recommend the Primark viscose ones at £3. They're not the thickest but fine with dresses and they hold their shape and don't fade. Look out for charity shops too. There are a couple near me that sell things for £1 you can pick up some bargains if you're careful

I don't know much about make-up/beauty but I buy nearly all my clothing second hand and have some lovely brands at very, very low prices. A nicely made dress that hangs well can make such a difference (even paired with thick tights and boots). Charity shops and eBay are your friend here: I've recently bough Masai, Cos and Hush dresses for between £7-12 each and cashmere and merino and wool jumpers for £3-5. Charity shops are more time consuming but eBay is great. I don't worry about returns because if you get stuff cheap enough it always resells at a similar price anyway. My current tights were all £2-3 at M&S in the last end of winter/spring sales.

Oh, and I just bought some high waisted slim jeans from Tesco F&F , reduced to £12. They're very comfy, sit on the waist, and actually cover my stomach!

For a 'smarter' weekend/out of work look how about high waisted leggings, plain top and blazer? It's my standard mum uniform but always makes me feel smart and wear different footwear/tops dependent on season (plus the jeggings pull in the tummy)
What size are you?

What size are you in clothes and shoes?

I would wear more supportive shoes. They would improve your posture, which instantly makes you look more well groomed.
You can get skechers and good makes of trainers on the web or in tkmaxx for less than £20.
I am a huge fan of charity shops and often find makes like Hobbs, Boden etc there.

I agree with separate clothes for work and time off, it's nice to put on your non-work clothes and feel different.

Supermarkets are great for well fitting jeans, long sleeved t-shirts and a brightly coloured jumper or cardi. I am a fan of Asda and Sainsbury knitwear. Find some scarves and cheap jewellery that finishes it all off. Bit of lip colour brightens your face.

But the most important thing is to find a haircut and clothes that feel right for you, otherwise you will buy new things and they will end up left in the wardrobe. Be brave and go with your instincts, I have recently chopped my hair and may go even shorter - its so liberating!

Thank you everyone for all this advice. I’m feeling better about it already. I hadn’t a very brief glance around new look today but didn’t get the try anything on as DS was with me and he would get fed up very quickly. Need to get a day alone.

I’m 5’2” a size 12 clothes and size 6 shoes.

I go to house of Fraser (whilst it's still here ) and take everything off the end of sale rail in oasis and warehouse and try it all on.
I got a blouse for £5 and jumper for £8. I'll

OP pm me, I've got some nice size 12 bits you can have for nowt, was going to send to charity shop. All good condition rather than worn out, as I've lost weight recently.