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.

That plain chic look FAR better than drippy tunics.

Crew neck would look good under the coat but possibly not when I took the coat off?

If long tops look shit, I have no idea what to wear over jeggings/slim jeans.

I'm a 28GG, so the same basic shape as you. Long tops do not look shit, and they don't have to = tunics either. The problem with the specific ones you posted is that they're far too baggy and are hanging off your boobs, giving you the maternity look. You need something figure-skimming (though not skintight), whether it's a long soft shirt, jersey top, whatever. I've been buying mostly 2nd hand these days so not sure what's currently in the shops, but I have had some lovely shirts from Mint Velvet (I sized down to avoid them being too baggy and then sewed hooks and eyes in between the buttons over the bust to stop any gaping) and some great fitted cowl neck jersey tops with ruching over the hips from Phase Eight, also some not too dissimilar tops from Hobbs. All hip/crotch length. That type of thing can be really flattering with slim-fitting jeans on an hourglass figure.

I'm not a fan of the pink coat, think some of the ones PPs linked to above, like the LK Bennett one you liked, were much nicer.

The pink coat is nice but if it's your only coat it's a bad length as the dresses you like are all going to stick out of the bottom.

Also if you're wearing a pale pink coat all the time it will get grubby quickly and either end up costing you a fortune in dry-cleaning or sitting unworn because it needs dry-cleaning!

I know you don’t wanna hear this, and I know everyone else will criticise it, but you just need to lose weight if you don’t like your body shape. No clothes actually disguise what you are underneath, In the meantime you’re wasting money
😂😂

Don't even think of suggesting this. I did, and got shot down in flames. Apparently losing weight even when the OP wants to isn't politically correct. A new wardrobe is better. If you are slim you can live in jeans and a t shirt or jumper and look good. It's cheap, easy and never frumpy.

It's not going to change your basic body shape though. I have broad shoulders, my friend is a petite size 6. I would like to be her size but no matter how much I dieted, I'm not going to have her body shape as I'm 5ft 10
Being slim doesn't make you look amazing in everything and it's not exactly the whole point to life

Don’t get tunic tops! They haven’t been in since 2004. A longish shirt is a possibility if soft and fitted enough to skim. The people who wear A-line tunics or minge-length tops can’t possibly have a waist, because those hide all waists. Fine-knit fitted (not tight) merino jumpers are good for you, with a French tuck.
Other things mentioned on this thread that you should avoid: funnel-neck coats, those awful pointy ankle boots with v-shapes, anything teal (including your coat - sorry, it’s awful). Please never wear the court shoes again.
Hiking boots are in and those ones are nice. Straight-leg jeans are in. A decent trench coat will suit you. I liked the biker boots but can’t see them side on - they shouldn’t have a heel. The pink coat is excellent and who cares if it gets grubby eventually - it will act as a good reminder to get a new one when the time comes, or to have it cleaned. The white trainers are great - again, sod worrying about getting them dirty! Showing your ankles is fashionable, especially with jeans rolled up.
Not looking scruffy equals having newish clothes that aren’t bobbly or grubby. The girl dressed as an older woman made me laugh - that is so many people I know! You can be not scruffy but still very dated, and you can be current without being fashionable. The fashion students I know are wearing cropped flared trousers, tight crop tops, bright pastel colours, DMs or platform boots, v Gwen Stefani. Nobody under 25 is dressing like that though! But they are wearing wide-legged cropped jeans or mom jeans or high-waisted straight-leg jeans with tighter, shorter tops than in the past - tops to sit on or be tucked into their waistbands. They’re wearing midi dresses that look like their grannies would have worn in the 80s, and everything is worn with DMs or trainers. You don’t want to look like a noughties refugee, but you need to beware of the prejudices of people on this site - fully aware that includes me!

Op I've found this thread because I too am trying to cultivate an 'effortless chic type style'. I won't lie, it's not going well.
It's clear that everyone has a different take on what looks great on you. I thought I'd weigh in with my view.
Tight jeans and chinos with boots and brogues and trainers look ACE on you. I didn't like the wide leg jeans. Jumpsuits looked amazing and would be great with a denim jacket in spring to dress down. There was a navy trench coat thing, i liked it.
I liked the button through denim skirt on you.
The high waist button trousers were fab.
I have the same shirt from oasis, I really love it but its too short for me really too! I just really enjoy a collarless shirt.

Long sleeve cotton t shirts are not your friends. Particularly full sleeve ones.

The pink coat? Get it! Not only did it look amazing, if you have fallen in love with it you will feel great everytime you wear it. If we start considering only practicalities when we choose our clothes we're cutting ourselves off from a lot of fun.
And if you're still planning on giving brogues away and are around a size 6, please send them my way - I love them :)
This thread is so much fun, thank you :)

@MaryLennoxsScowl you've made me laugh a lot (at myself).

Please never wear the court shoes again.

@lovestonap the brogues have become my driving shoes. They are too broken to give away (cracked patent and worn down heels). I'm glad you're enjoying the thread - I feel it's all very self obsessy and vain so I'm glad it's also helping others.

I've never felt good in any tunic I've ever tried on, and I can't find any in the shops that seem suitable. I'm stuck on tops. I want to wear slim jeans (partly so I can justify that pink coat) but also need to disguise the saddlebags. As you can see I usually choose knits or t-shirts, so blouses and other types of too are a huge mental block and I can't work out what's good.

I love the LK Bennett coat but it's too small. I'll have to add it to the whenIloseastone eBay wishlist.

The LK Bennett navy coat from a couple of pages ago.

Here's a navy coat I own that I've been nervous of sharing because it's quite old fashioned.

Nice.

It's got quite a Mary Poppins vibe, but I'm not mad at it ☺

Right. I'm buying the pink coat. Probably. Maybe.

It'd be my first time buying a fancy coat from a shop and not eBay!

I think you need some new knits. Whistles is good for this - fine-knit and quite fitted but not clingy - go for shorter than you’re used to so it can be half-tucked into high-waisted jeans/trousers. Real wool hangs much more nicely than acrylic blends. Cropped and boxy chunky jumpers that stop at my waist to show that I’m not the same width all the way down suit me, but your mileage may vary with the boobs and you may need a thinner version. You want things one inch longer than the waist on your trousers so skin doesn’t show but you don’t get the solid tube effect you get with longer tops hanging off your boobs.

The pink coat looks great. Get it. Now. You will love wearing it and forget the price within a few weeks.

Do you actually suit that shade of pink, though? That's an investment piece and it should tick all boxes

The internet says I'm a cool summer with warm copper blonde hair.

I'm certain I look good in teal (!), Cornflower blue, cool lilac and true green. I am fairly sure I look good in fuschia and purple and bubblegum pink. I look utterly shit in brown, orange, warm yellow and anything but blueish red.

I've just been to visit the pink coat.

I think the navy coat is frumpy.

I like the pink coat - where is it from?

However I would only buy it if you can realistically keep it looking immaculate (would be no good for me as I have a toddler & commute on dirty public transport... hence I wear machine washable navy ) and also if it’s not your only coat. I also wouldn’t wear it with dresses as the coat needs to be the longest layer (the exception being if you are wearing a short jacket eg leather biker jacket).

Also I believe if you are wearing Something like a coat you love you will move with a confidence and spring in your step - cheesy but true.

In the photo today at 14.55 you look so so much better than your earlier photos on this thread. If you replaced the striped top with the perfect crisp white shirt/blouse you would look incredibly stylish.

I’m not keen on the navy coat you posted earlier today, I think those coats with a “skirt” style bottom can look quite old fashioned.

All your clothes are too big for you! I don’t think you’re a 12 at all, I think you’re a 10. You look fab in the black leggings/ jeggings.

My best advice would be to ditch the full fat coke habit!

Yes - size down!

Pink coat is ace!

Long tops are not working. It may sound counter intuitive but try tucking tops in or having them meet your waistline...

You are getting there op!