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.

Cuffed trousers / joggers can easily look messy if overworn (Worn through) or teamed with the wrong thing (e.g. oversize sesame street t-shirt)

Steer very much away from any such bottoms.

Hi OP, try La Roche Posay shampoo for the scalp reaction and tolerations for the red skin. I have similar at the moment.

I'm another recommending M and S jeggings - they are great and so reasonably priced as well.

1. Absolutely no amusing or novelty clothing. Especially not if you really own a cat or pug.

Completely agree with this.

You can hide grey roots by wearing wide hair bands or a hat.

Is there some sort of jeans therapist who can just look at you and tell you your perfect pair?

Some great advice on here! I think nails are really important and I like gel nails but can't stand them when they have even the tiniest bit of regrowth and I don't have the time or money to have them done every two weeks. Someone on MN recommend Dior Nail Glow and I have to say it's ideal in terms of helping me look polished. It is pricey but certainly less than the cost of a manicure and will last you a long time.

My tip (blindingly obvious but it took me a while to catch on!): look in the mirror before you leave the house. And I mean properly look. That way you can make a few small adjustments (button up coat and lay collar properly, adjust hat if wearing, don't wear a jumper hanging underneath your coat, reapply lipstick) that make all the difference.

Hi OP,

I've been thinking about this for you.

Wet weather outfit for school run

Skinny jeans with stretch or leggings with a great rain coat (spend money on this and it will. last years, mine is Isle Jacobsen). and great wellies - again, spend and they will last, my Hunters are 10 years old.

Do NOT wear anything other than skinny jeans or leggings as all other types of trousers / skirts etc will not tuck into the wellies and you will look daft.

Very Cold Dry weather outfit

Puffa coat / Parka - whichever style you like, I go for a puffa coat as I prefer lightweight coats. Then wear skinny or straight leg jeans or leggings with hiking boots (see Kate Middleton for what the hiking boots should look like) or snow boots - see Elle McPherson for snow boots, Sorel are great.

Spring

Straight or wide leg jeans cropped to ankle and wear with white trainers
Leather jacket

Printed midi-dress and denim or leather jacket, runners or hiking boots.

Summer

Dress and Birkenstocks
Wide leg jeans (cropped) with Birkenstocks and a t-shirt / sleeveless top

Hope this helps - I spend a lot of time planning outfits by weather and what I have to do, this should get you through the school run for the full year.

I’m trying to work out what I am allergic to as well, OP, I do sympathise. Can’t wear makeup or get eyelashes dyed or even wear nail polish. Skin looks a mess. Can’t wash and style hair with usual products.
What is making me feel less messy and more polished at the moment:
I had a dry cut at the hairdressers (so that they don’t have to use too many products on my hair)
A wool mix coat
Bag and boots that work with the coat
Lint roller and shoe polish to hand
Decent earrings, necklace and watch
Buffed nails
Dark skinny jeans

@babysnowman what's this nail glow product? I find my essie nail polish with top coat won't even last a day!

@Eesha It's like a clear polish with a pinkish tinge so it sort of brightens your nails and makes them look super buffed rather than shiny. I think you only need to apply a coat a week, it does chip a little on me but it's not noticeable at all.

www.dior.com/en_gb/products/beauty-Y0027070-nail-glow-instant-french-manicure-effect-brightening-treatment

@babysnowman ooo might try it!

Thanks for all the brilliant advice. So far I have:

Put studs in my ears;
Put on a silver Posh Totty necklace every day;
Started trying to lose a stone and a half by eating less cake and carrying on my exercise classes;
Bought navy chinos, straight leg jeans, jeggings and those highly impractical white plimsolls the Duchess of Cambridge wears - will be saving those for spring;
Charity shopped some stuff that looks crap.

I have also bought the skirt in the photo in the sales. I think it makes my hips look gigantic so will probably take it back. AIBU?

I want to sort my hands and nails out - they are really dry and haggard :( I already take Perfectil Max and slather on hand cream all the time but my hands are calloused and my cuticles ran away in horror a long time ago.

Yes take the skirt back

This one is too small and shows my cake belly too much

I think the button-down skirt looks good on you actually. It emphasizes your waist and gives you a nice shape, and your calves look really nice and slim too.

Only thing I would say is that it can be hard to find the right outerwear for that length skirt in the winter- if your coat isn't long enough the proportions look "off" and awkward. I think the skirt would be lovely in summer with flat leather sandals or white pumps.

@MadameF

You sound horrible

Jeggings in one photo, chinos in another, and the third is how I just left the house (chinos) to pop to the shops.

I like the last photos better than the skirts one

Can you add a scarf? Would draw people’s eyes away from the areas you aren’t as confident about

Also sunglasses hide all the bags / untamed eyebrows so wear them when you can

I really like the skirt on you

Really accentuates you’re hourglass shape and small waist

@MadameF the average dress size for women in France is 42 - equivalent to a UK size 14. I wear size 38 french brands, and 10 in the UK so I don't agree that all UK clothes are "vanity sized"...

Most brands over here have the same labels for Europe too so the sizes have to correspond

For example - Zara, H&M, Arkett etc

You probably look relaxed and approachable - I’m a bit intimidated by people who turn up immaculately dressed at school.

Sorry just read your post properly and seen all your lovely photos - you have a fab figure and don’t look at all scruffy to me!