I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?

[Ferrisbuellersdayoff]

I'm often at the school gate with unkempt hair, a down-filled walking jacket, old, bobbled top, jeans that don't fit, amusing socks from accessorize and scuffed shoes. I work from home most of the time. When I have to go to see clients, I wear dresses and try to look tidy (but still end up with ladders in my tights and looking a state) but when I'm running errands and on the school run, I feel really awkward and messy. It doesn't help that I'm about a stone heavier than I like, and my hair is greying because I can't dye it at the moment. What can I do to smarten myself up and feel less dowdy? I'm 5ft 6 and a size 12, pear shaped with a massive mummy tummy that makes me want to cry, so I have to try to hide it.

I hear you on the blonde thing - I have no eyelashes or eyebrows unless I've done my makeup and my skin has that slightly mottled look in winter. So glam. I also wfh and look like hell all day. Top tip for temporary camouflage would be a strong pair of glasses. I wear mine to collect DS from nursery and instantly I have face definition without makeup. They don't even need to be real. Great to hide behind. And get some great boots. I bought some a few years ago that I live in and literally everyone comments on them. That way they're looking at the top and the bottom and skipping over the rest. Voila!

late to the party here, but....

the bottoms look good, but the tops are horreeeble! (lol) They make you look mumsy. (unless that's the look you're going for?

I'd suggest: skinny jeans (or jeggings) and trapeze tops with crew necks, but no scoop necks and no empire line trapeze tops (as they look like maternity wear). something like this: (ignore the price!!)

www.matchesfashion.com/products/1324797?

you could also go for the skinnies/jeggings and A-line tunic tops. Again, crew neck, no scoop.

with the denim high waisted skirt, I'd throw on a boxy T-shirt, tucked in, or go for a boxy cropped top. It sounds counterintuitive, boxing off decent jugs, but it looks more modern. like this: (except, not that colour)

www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/boxy-roll-sleeve-t-shirt-8355461

OP, I'm a fellow short-waisted hourglass with breasts. Although you are taller than I am, one of the most important things I discovered was to choose outfits that lengthen and streamline the body. Otherwise, to quote another poster, you can look as if your boobs are disappearing into your waist - I think of it as the accidental Hattie Jacques look! I think some of the outfits you've posted illustrate the point quite well. The photo of black jeans (or jeggings?) with a hip-length black and white top, for example, creates a lovely long-line silhouette where your boobs aren't the focal point. Same with the jumpsuit, and would be the same with many dresses. Whereas the high-waisted skirts do show off your small waist but they accentuate your hips and bust quite a lot, and when teamed with a V-neck top in a completely contrasting colour or print, have a danger of making you look all boob. With your figure I think lower waistlines would be more stylish and flattering.

Some points that have helped me to dress as an hourglass are, generally:

• Dresses that are gently tailored to the waist are good (no tent-style ones with thin belts as that will make you look like a sack of spuds tied up with string, and even with a more fitted waist the waistband mustn't sit right up under the armpits either)
• If wearing tight jeans, wear a figure-skimming hip-length top rather than a boxy waist-length one
• Skirts that sit on the hips, preferably with a wide waistband, and flare gently out over them tend to be better than having a tight tailored waistband high up on the waist.
• for skirts, if wearing a fitted top with them then match the colour of the top to the skirt or at least wear one that isn't a million miles off.

The wide legged trousers are brilliant on you. Shoes too.

Please post the photograph again Madame!

sammybins - all of your suggestions would make me look 6 months pregnant and I’m a stone lighter than I need to be. Not forgiving on the old mum tum

I agree with TheLightGetsIn that The photo of black jeans (or jeggings?) with a hip-length black and white top looks really nice

Have read through all 15 pages and I’m going to say something that I really don’t mean harshly. I don’t think you scruffy, but I do think you look a tiny bit frumpy in some of your pics. I’m 41, size 14-16, enormous chest and only 5 foot 2 so I’m not saying it from the point of view that I’m tiny and can wear anything.

I’ve worked out that separates really cut my body in half and I’ve started wearing midi or maxi dresses (buffet style ones) with either trainers or flat ankle boots. I wear leggings or thick tights under to avoid chub rub! And a leather jacket and big scarf. I think that kind of outfit would look fab on you.

I think you looked good in the jeggings with the blouse and cardigan and the jumpsuit looked amazing.

I liked the wide leg jeans but the ankle boots made you look frumpy. I think you’d look much better with a pair of Stan Smiths or similar.

I’ve got a few boat neck, loose boxy tops (Primark) and some floaty blouses with a only a few buttons at the top (Dorothy Perkins) which would work really well for you with leggings. Again with trainers or a very plain pair of Chelsea boots. Your waist is fab and tops that cover it hang from your bust and make you look bigger, so avoid longer length or tunic tops.

I’ve got a couple of calf length cardis (got a lovely camel coloured one in Next last week) for when I’m in and out of the car or it’s chilly at home.

I’m afraid I’m not keen on your brogues.

Coat wise, I think a puffer or parka is absolutely fine when it’s cold, but invest in a cool bobble hat and maybe some coloured leather gloves. I’ve got some maroon ones and some bottle green ones which perk up a black coat.

Oh, and forgot to say, please ignore all the posters telling you to lose weight. In an ideal world I could do with being a few stone lighter but I’m not in the right place to lose weight right now.

Concentrate on making yourself feel great with how you are now.

Now I'm really confused! Every new post contradicts the last

Sorry, I didn’t mean to confuse you. Thing is with clothes, everyone has different tastes and ideas of what looks good. You might need to try on 100 outfits that you would never normally try on to get some idea of what actually really suits you.

Take all the ideas from this post that you like and try things on, then go from there. I do think shoes make an enormous difference to an outfit though and you might be surprised what a difference a pair of trainers might make compared to a pair of ankle boots.

@SummersMahoosiveClipOnFringe

I really like those trousers, but I'm not keen on tunics - feel like that would make me look frumpy as I'm very big chested?

@sammybins if I wear a crew neck I look like my boobies start at the collarbone.

You have a gorgeous hourglass figure. I’m hourglass like you & these are the rules I stick to:

• if I’m going out the next day, plan my outfit in advance (I do this on my Stylebook app but it’s not necessary). This stops me looking like I’ve just thrown an outfit together (I have 2 DC under 4 so without this planning god knows what I’d end up wearing). I also really enjoy putting an outfit together.
• I always dress for my shape regardless of trends. This means all trousers/jeans/skirts must be high waisted, some kind of tuck is usually preferable (full tuck/French tuck) but it’s ok to wear say, faux leather leggings ,ie tight bottoms) with a chunky jumper if I feel like it that day. I always wear a belt. High necks are broken up with long necklaces but v necks in general are best on me.
• I dress in colours which suit me regardless of trends. This means lots of brown/khaki/cream/orange & ignoring the v trendy lilac right now & the light grey I love but washes me out.

By doing this I sort of have a uniform. At work I wear either work-ish jumpsuits which pull in at the waist (proper collars, stiffer material) or midi dresses with a blazer (dress pulled in with a belt). At play I wear casual jumpsuits, midi dresses with cardigans/short jumpers or high waisted jeans with short tops/tucked.

It might be worth trying the tunics- the ones I selected are shaped and in stretchy materials so should accommodate your bust without having to worry about gaping etc. It might not work but sometimes you have to try new stuff out.

New Look have some balloon leg and paperboy waist trousers in that might work for you.

Never underestimate the power of shoes to update either.

bag

I have fallen into a uniform this winter which I feel works for me - hourglass shape, big boobs, size 14/16 but very tall.
I wear skinny jeans (the sucky in ones from Primark work the best for me), with either ankle boots or Vans trainers in black and white. I have the jeans rolled up either way, I’ve learnt that ankle boots look best with the jeans rolled so the sit a tiny bit above the boot. I have them rolled just above the ankle with trainers. On a super wet day I’ll wear my faithful Caterpillar fur lined boots.
Tops is either a jumper - any colour but black, oversized/chunky knit with a roll neck or slim fitting with a boat neck, or a long sleeved plain tee - boat neck or round neck only. If it’s cold I’ll put a jumper on over a tee so my coat doesn’t look too bulky.
A lightweight puffa coat, £17 from the Gap outlet. Warm but casually smart too. And always a big scarf, which covers my Mum belly perfectly.
Stud earrings and simple necklace.
I generally look smart, but in reality the only thing that changes is my top.
I try to choose things that have a little extra (makes them look more expensive!) but not OTT. My ankle boots have a gold metal strip just above the heel. My cheap red jumper from Tesco has a seam down the front. My grey sweater is a thin almost thicker jersey material with a roll neck which looks great with trainers. My plain slim fit jumper has 2 rose gold buttons on the end of the arms. It just adds an effortless little something more.
I also always wear a nice watch.

www.mumsnet.com/uploads/talk/202001/large-184500-img-20200116-223228.jpg

These are by far the best trousers. Really make a difference.

I love the wide leg trousers! Where did you buy them op?

A bright wool coat say in neon pink will brighten up and cover most of any dowdy outfit. A pair of dark sunnies, no matter the weather and a slash of vibrant hot pink lipstick will do the trick every time. Get noticed, your hair will be ignored and you may even set a trend. It’s all about attitude. Think more along the lines of Patsy Stone rather than Eddie (Absolutely Fabulous).

@NYnachos they are jeans from Jigsaw.

I've been keeping the local click and collect places busy by ordering clothes and returning stuff I don't get on with. Here are today's incoming garments: boat neck top, and navy, wide leg trousers. Pictured with and without my usual coat. I've got burgundy Chelsea boots on, too.

Two new dresses to see what shapes work. I may be sending one of them back as I don't think it's a winner.

That reddish dress looks great on you