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.

Don't give up OP. The pleated skirt, the shirt, the striped top and jeggings are all lovely on you. I'm not sure about the chinos, just the fit seems loose at the front. Chinos never look right on me though so maybe I'm biased against them.

Long line cardigans that skim over everything can look well, but they have to be weighty/loose enough to fall well. And shorter than whatever coat/jacket you are wearing.

What do you feel comfortable in? You said you're happy with formal work wear - is that all dresses?

Yes, I wear smart dresses with black tights and black block heels for work. I also have these jeans (I decided a while ago that navy was my neutral!).

The chinos are riding down a lot because of my waist-hip ratio. I suspect I need a belt. I have a lot of trouble with trousers so this is my first real attempt to wear them. I used to wear Levi's Bold Curve when I was younger and less podgy.

I like that outfit, but either tuck the top in or take it out, halfway looks scruffy. And yes to a belt.

Re your hair - can you have streaks done with foils? The dye doesn't get on your skin so they don't patch test so presumably it wouldn't trigger your allergy?

And no to putting make up on in the car, I have to drive the car. And who are these people hanging about waiting to thread your eyebrows at bus stops??
Also no to "joggers".

I like the button skirt but now I have no clue what top to wear with it (in the spring). I don't like sleeveless tops at all, so tend to choose t-shirts.

Look on Pinterest.
They have outfits you can borrow looks front.
Just do winter for now.
You would look good in any block colour shirt or jumper with your skirt, maybe add a pair wool tights and boots.
Get a v neck as I always feel frumpy in crew necks
I used to have a cricket jumper I wore with my denim.
Or a thicker belt and go 90's .
The point is mess around , if you like it in the mirror, then you will feel good at the school gate.

Those jeans are lovely. Agree re belt. Look out for higher waisted jeans and trousers. Gap do every type imaginable, well a wide range anyway.

I think it's all about the line/silhouette when it comes to clothes. Skim your shape but don't hide it.

Can you get dresses of a similar shape to the ones you wear for work but in non work fabrics?

Also yoga pants (BAM) might be an option with trainers.

I think you need to find 3 or 4 pairs of sandals, trainers and flat boots you're happy with. Brown or tan boots would look good with those jeans. Skinny jeans and leggings can go into ankle boots or jeans can be rolled up above them. Chunky trainers. Maybe Mary Janes if you can get rubber soled casual kind of ones.

A good deal of looking put together is weather appropriate clothing.

Have a look for fairly high waisted straight leg linen/cotton mix trousers for summer, maybe with a draw string waist. Basically like pyjamas and wear with a vest top or t shirt and open shirt over them.

Avoid trousers that are bulky or pleated at the top and narrow at the bottom.

Go for a crisp white shirt instead of a printed shirt with dark trousers /jeans.

Stay away from stripes as they make you look wider than you are. You have a fabulous figure by the way.

A draped top like the one below with a jacket would look good on you.

draped top

clothes fitting tips

Regarding dyeing greys, I make up a hair dyeing tea from foodstuffs to dye my own fully grey hair a natural blonde colour. I use camomile, tiny bit of turmeric, redbush and coffee. I apply the tea to dry hair and leave in. Looks very natural, highlights show through. I can give you quantities if you are interested. You could easily patch and strand test if you are unsure but it certainly doesn't contain the known irritants chemical hair dye does.

@Yehdivvy I don't look good in white and shirts make me feel really frumpy because of the boobies and the gaping.

OP
I have to maintain a certain level of grooming because of work and tbh I think some of the advice given on this thread is overcomplicating things. I can't tell from your OP but is it just a case of wanting to appear groomed, or do you actually want to fashion as a hobby? If the former, then I would say..

You say your tops are bobbly and in a state. Get simple tops to replace those, easy care, wash inside out.

I also don't do shirts - which I like, but yannow, chest! and also ironing, cba.

some smart trousers or jeans and you don't have to worry about snagged tights. I don't wear dresses or skirts ever.

smart coat. No mad socks, just plain. Can you tidy up the scuffed shoes with any product, like this

www.timpson.co.uk/shoe-care/shoe-polish/timpson-scuff-cover.html

Get changed from your client visit clothes as soon as you get home - no point wasting the good clothes or getting stains on them etc.

stick with certain colours so there's not too much faffing to match or blend nicely.

Nice bag. Maybe an infinity scarf if you like. Done.

oh and try to buy 2 of something you really like and find useful. Everything moves so fast, you wont find again, so if it's a great fitting coat or whatever, and you can buy two, then do.

I don't spend much. A lot of my stuff is ages old but anything black and faded goes in the machine with a machine dye.

PS you could just go to one department store with this list and you'd be done. I suggested this to a friend, who is also not interested in fashion but has to look a certain way for a job - all done in 2 hours and the shopper went round the shop picking out the stuff while we chatted.

What about wide leg jeans? I used to wear those in my 20s.

Wide leg is fine. As long as they fit well.

I think you'd look nice in wide leg jeans and a tucked in or fitted top that showed off your waist.

www.gap.eu/gap/high-rise-slim-boot-pants/000491357.html?dwvar_000491357_color=000491357000&dwvar_000491357_fit=regular&cgid=1077736#start=1

I'd look at this kind of shape, or if that doesn't suit, something that falls from the hip. Gap allows you to search by rise.

Wide leg do need a bit of a heel really.

Also, try patent shoes, they don't scuff as much as leather and are easier to clean with a damp cloth.

unkempt hair, a down-filled walking jacket, old, bobbled top, jeans that don't fit, amusing socks from accessorize and scuffed shoes

Well, you know what to do about all that!

I wear dresses and try to look tidy (but still end up with ladders in my tights and looking a state)

I'm a great believer in dresses, as I think one cause of scruffiness is the gapping between top & bottom with separates. A dress is so simple: put it on, match with tights (and as others have said, buy opaques - over 60 denier - & carry a spare pair), put on a tailored jacket (T K Maxx is good for those), and there you are!

For me, it's about smoothing out the waistline, giving it one continuous smooth line, rather than cutting across the middle, which only accentuates any fat you're carrying around the torso. So also, for casual, think about tunics over leggings, or longish jumpers over leggings, in a square cut, rather than figure hugging.

I work from home a couple of days a week, and I live in my velvet-like stretchy Uniqlo leggings-come-skinny trousers (I hate jeans).

Also: neat hair, and nice shoes - give scuffed ones a polish!

And something most people forget: good posture. Just stand straight & tall, and put your shoulders back, and pull out of your lower back, so you're always sucking in stomach (navel to backbone) and trying to elongate your spine without tensing your shoulders or hunching them up (shoulders down & back). Nothing says "scruffy" as much as someone slouching.

oh and hair - I'm not white and have hair that does a clever combination of being very large and very flyaway. There's a running joke amongst my friends that sometimes it can be seen from the next county!!!

Hairspray is my friend. I can't stand faffing about with my appearance and that seems to be the quickest way.

I've just had a look at your photos and I have to say:

• You look so much smarter in skirts, but I'd still think about dresses for you. If you have a "cake" waistline, you want to minimise fuss and bulk at the waist.

• Because of the shape of your thighs (I think Trinny & Susanna refer to "saddlebags" ) tight trousers don't do much for you when you're standing still. It's probably better when you're moving as overall, you look slimmer rather than fatter - but importantly, you look in proportion.

• To be horribly honest, I really don't think the plain low scoop neck lines and tight t-shirt vibe does much for you. A higher neck line and not so body clinging would look smarter.

Really, casual clothes will always tend towards "scruffy" - it's clever tailoring which makes people look smart.

Think about how much smarter someone looks in a proper tailored winter coat, compared with an anorak, for example? Tailoring can be more expensive, but once you get a sense of what shapes work for you, you can find stuff at H&M or even New Look!

The unkempt hair one is difficult.

I style my hair but it looks wild the second I step outside. Either it absorbs moisture and goes frizzy and crazy looking or the wind blows it every direction and they all stick.

So I end up wearing my hair in a pony tail at 49 which is probably not that flattering at my age.

I'm following your thread with interest as I don't know the first thing about clothes either!
I wanted to agree with those posters who have been saying what a fab figure you have! whatever you chose to wear, wear it with pride and confidence as you are a gorgeous woman

Here's today's attempt (I haven't bought any new tops yet).

@AutumnRose1 I'm not interested in being trendy, but I do want to to look like I've thought about it a bit!