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

619 replies

Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 01/01/2020 18:46

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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TheBigYellowBird · 28/01/2020 18:36

I think the red dress drowns you a little. Green one looks great. Love the trousers too.

TheLightGetsIn · 28/01/2020 19:06

You've really upped your game, OP! I love the trousers and top outfit, and the dress shapes are really good on you. (FWIW I think a marginally higher neckline on the red dress would look even better on you, but the rest of it's good.) I think you're getting something fundamentally much more right with the proportions in these outfits than with some of the earlier ones.

MoreMoneyPlease · 28/01/2020 19:07

Love the green dress and the trousers are great. I definitely think some trainers eg Stan Smiths or Vans would make you look a lot younger and more trendy (if people actually still say that, what do I know? 🤣)

TheLightGetsIn · 28/01/2020 19:07

Is the coat an old or a new one? I think you could do better, but realise a new coat is quite a big purchase!

Aderyn19 · 28/01/2020 19:37

How about tops with asymmetric necklines? I think you would really suit leggings/jeggings and slouchy tops with slash/V/asymmetric neck lines.
I do like your bright coat but generally I think bright colours can look cheap/scruffy unless expensive. So I'd go for more muted colour tops.
Sorry, but I hate the brogues. Ankle boots or boots which end a few inches below the knee would suit you, I think. Or some nice trainers.

CapnSquirrel · 28/01/2020 19:58

Love those new trousers on you OP, very flattering! And the dresses look great too.

Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 28/01/2020 20:39

@Aderyn19 I really like colours, look terrible in black, brown and white (I've been looking up colours whilst working out what shapes might suit me and think I'm a light, cool, soft summer or something, if that means anything). I agree that they don't look as classy as neutrals, but I think I can still look a bit more put together if I figure this body shape stuff out. Coat is old, from Hobbs. I have other coats, which may feature in photos later. I've been having a huge clear out of my clothes, and will try some things on to see what shapes I have already that might work.

OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 28/01/2020 20:42

The pink dress is the one I'm not so keen on. It might look better if I get it adjusted (sometimes I get the shoulders of work dresses taken in to raise the neckline - thanks to this thread I finally realise that this is because my torso is short compared to my legs).

OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 28/01/2020 20:51

Giving away the brogues, googling Stan Smiths.

OP posts:
Aderyn19 · 28/01/2020 20:55

There are some really knowledgeable posters on here regarding what colours best suit. Perhaps another time you could post a picture of your face under a temporary user name, so they could guide you as to the best shades to go for.

TheBigYellowBird · 28/01/2020 20:58

I’m pleased the pink dress wasn’t your favourite. I think you might be starting to understand what suits you. I am very big busted and all the advice tells me to wear v necks. I look terrible in v necks! Really matronly and frumpy.

I suggested Stan Smiths as an example (Puma Cali’s are good too), but mine go with everything. I’m wearing them today with a black polka dot dress which was £7 from Tesco. You don’t necessarily have to spend lots of money to look good.

Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 00:53

Three more failures today - these are all going back (two tops and a pair of trousers).

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 01:04

Proof that I look weird in crew necks and boxy tops.

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 01:11

Ankle boots with jeggings (not convinced), hello sailor, and some slim fit jeans I had hiding in a drawer.

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 01:21

A different coat and an old skirt and top.

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 01:23

Three dresses I like from my wardrobe.

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
RidgedPerfection · 29/01/2020 05:47

Can I please ask where your new navy wide - leg trousers are from? They really suit you.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 29/01/2020 06:06

I really like the navy trousers with the buttons, but not with the Breton stripy top - too sailor. Also really like the green dress. Glad you’re moving away from the blue coat with the gathers! I like your velvet wrap over dress and actually all of those 3 you posted with it.

mathanxiety · 29/01/2020 07:49

Your shoes are letting you down, I feel. You need smarter shoes. Or decent ankle boots. The knee high boots from a photo upthread are too wide in the calf imo.

The wide leg trousers are fabulous on you.
If you choose leggings or jeggings, I agree with some PPs that you should consider tunics. You could find some boat neck ones.
Shorter, tunic style dresses can look very good with a contrasting jacket that is short (ends at waist, not at hips). Think small leopard print tunic with a black leather or vegan leather jacket, and black booties.

Your tops are all the wrong length - not short enough, or not long enough. The pulled over the hips look isn't flattering. Nor is the tucked in all around look unless you have a coat or jacket over the top. Tucked in at front only is nice.

In general, the T-shirt style tops are not good unless under a cardigan or jacket. The Breton stripe was nice (but tuck it in). The boat neck red/burgundy was lovely. The boat neck suits you really well.

Little teal cardigan - lovely. If it was even a little shorter it would be really stylish.
Jumpsuit - fantastic.
Fuchsia jacket - gorgeous.
Coats - really, really nice. Great lengths, lovely styles on you, nice colours.

Try some boyfriend jackets for over trousers, both wide and skinny legged. They are longish. You could even do straight up and down, or just very slightly shaped. A BF jacket with one button closure could look lovely on you.
Shorter jackets need some standout feature - like very wide lapels, for instance, which balances the width at the hips. A plain top tucked in underneath (boat neck) would be enough. A shorter jacket needs to be short though - no sitting at the widest point of the hips.

Jackets that go over the backside and have a rounded as opposed to square bottom at the front are nice for wider hips/saddlebags.
Look for tailored jackets in heavy knit fabrics - they can look like businesslike cardigans and nobody will mind if you don't peel one off in a meeting. A jacket like that with horizontal stripes can look nice over wide legged trousers.

Boxy tops have to be short and fitted, or worn with the front tucked in.
Otherwise they are just flappy tops, not a good look.
(And you are right, you need a belt or two).

Try some flowing, longer (to knees) cardigans in flattering colours and drapey fabrics, nothing bulky. Get black ones to start with. They will go over your tighter fitting dark jeans and jeggings and any darker tops you have. They could also be worn over a tunic style dress. Wear with nice boots or booties and a well tied scarf in a feature colour if you choose a monochrome black/dark look.

You need some eye catching scarves that are carefully and elegantly knotted, to decorate your boobs. You need a few colours so your scarf will complement your top.

You need to accentuate the boobs to balance the hips. The boat neck tops look good because they allow your boobs to shine. Get a really good bra that supports you well. Tunics could be very nice on you, especially slightly A-line ones.

I liked the green floral dress a lot. Also the shiny A-line skirt, and the velour dress. The blue floral dress is too summery to wear with dark tights, boots, etc. but it's nice on you. Keep it for summer.

www.navabi.co.uk/the-style-curve/shape-advice-en/how-to-dress-wide-hips/
There is some very good advice here about dressing your shape.

In particular, the tops pictured here would be lovely on you. There is a yellow top with a shape that I think would bring you to a different level altogether with any of your dark skinny jeans or even wide legged trews. The A-line pink tunic shape would be gorgeous on you, especially if you tied a little scarf at the neck.

Look up French scarf styles, different elegant knots.

For your hair - get it cut.
Go with a kickass pixie cut, get rid of the old colour. When you find out what is causing the allergic reaction you may well be able to add colour to the pixie, to give it some depth and dimension. You can wear a bigger, bolder earring with a pixie cut. Nothing enormous, but it doesn't have to be a demure little stud.

Celebrate the body you have - don't fixate on how much better you would look 'if only I lost weight'. Best foot forward. Life is too short to be so critical of yourself.

TheLightGetsIn · 29/01/2020 08:00

You can definitely do slim jeans as well as wide leg, but I would wear a longer, slim-fitting top with a different neckline with them. The blue one isn't terrible, but the crew neck combined with the length (ends at your widest part) is a bit square overall.

The trench coat is OK but one with a buckled belt rather than a tie one would suit you better, I think.

I like the first blue dress. A lot of the outfits you've posted with slightly wider, more defined waistlines (rather than thin ones) suit you, I think.

Aderyn19 · 29/01/2020 09:34

Wrt the ankle boots, look for some that have a V shape at the front as this will elongate your legs.

Ellapaella · 29/01/2020 16:56

I've had a look through the photos and stand by what I said earlier in the thread that your figure will suit a lot of different clothes and styles.
For me personally, I would say start with shoes/footwear. I like the espadrilles you have on in one picture and they really elongate your leg and look great. But the shoes with the dresses look a little dated and I'm not sure the boots or trainers are right for you and aren't doing much for the rest of the outfits.
The right footwear can really 'make' an outfit so I would think about getting some more contemporary boots and trainers and starting from there. Once you have a decent pair of trainers you can start experimenting with different styles of jeans and trousers that work well with them that flatter your figure. Dresses and skirts as well. Visualise what footwear will work with an outfit and go from there.
I like the high waist trousers on you - they look great. I also agree with the poster who said about getting your hair cut and styled to give you a confidence boost.

Apileofballyhoo · 29/01/2020 17:15

Hi OP I was thinking of you this morning and was going to search for yout thread only to find it in active right now. I love that dress with the flowers on it. Breton stripey top looks good, just not with that trousers. I do like the trousers though.

I find boxy loose tops look better with neat fitted bottoms.

Watch your dress length. The below the knee to mid calf ones aren't as nice on you. Lower calf is fine and so is at the knee.

I like that belted mac style coat.

Ferrisbuellersdayoff · 29/01/2020 19:24

Ok, those pinky trainers are new, and are going back to the shop. I have these white ones - are these contemporary? I'm a bit wary of those v-shaped ankle boots as I worry they'll make me look shorter.

I often look scruffy. What easy steps can I take to look neater?
OP posts:
CapnSquirrel · 29/01/2020 19:59

Those white trainers are very on trend OP 👌🏼