Hopeless case - please help me revamp my image

[paralysedbyinertia]

I'm coming out of rather a dark period, where things have been quite difficult and I have been quite depressed. Everything is starting to look up now, and I'm starting a new job next month. I look an absolute state at the moment, so I need to give myself a little makeover though before I start!

I have never really known how to dress myself or how to do make up, what to do with my hair etc. I have no confidence about how I look, I have always been a hopeless case, never "put together" in any way.

I'm very overweight and about a size 18 - sounds bad but I've lost four stone and planning to lose 3 more. Work wear needs to be reasonably smart but not necessarily very corporate. I'm quite short and stumpy. Flabby arms which must remain covered at all times!

Hair is thick and can get quite frizzy. Skin is pretty good for my age but I have never known how to do make up properly. I prefer a fairly natural look but want to look like I've made an effort.

I have a cut and colour booked in at the hairdressers (mainly to hide some bits of grey) and I have just bought some new glasses.

I really want some advice on how I can make myself look professional and presentable. I'm going into a senior role, and although I know my stuff, I also know that people make judgements based on appearance, so I want to get first impressions right.

So, please help this complete dummy sort herself out and look a bit better! TIA!

Lovely to hear that things are more positive (maybe a new user name to match ). It sounds like you have a plan for the hair so make up and clothes? Who’s style do you admire? And do you prefer dresses or trousers or skirts?
I don’t think I got comfortable with my ‘not too formal’ work wear wardrobe until quite recently and where I have landed is that like jackets or blazers that compliment rather than match the dress or trousers. It means the outfit can be adjusted along the casual to smart spectrum as needed without the need for too many different outfits. I hope that make sense. Also a big fan of a minimalist outfit (see mumsnet Swedish architect threads) with some killer accessories.

Thank you @Procrastatron. Point taken about my username. I will try and think of a more upbeat one!

I don't really have a particular style that I admire. If I'm honest, I don't tend to notice people's appearances that much. I mean, I notice if they look nice, but I'm not particularly tuned in to the detail. It's like I'm fashion-blind or something.

I mostly wear trousers, and tend to feel more comfortable in them. I feel most comfortable with all black outfits and a colourful blazer/matching necklace, but I think it's just because that feels quite easy!

I don't really know how to accessorise nicely. I just go for simple. I once heard that Barack Obama essentially wears the same outfit every day, and I can totally see the appeal of that because it takes any thought out of the process. I would like to shake things up a little bit more than that though!

I don't know what styles or colours suit me. I just don't have an eye for that kind of thing. And I'm not a very good shape, so it's hard to find things that look good. I'm working on that though!

My aunt was a bit like Obama. She had her five outfits on rotation for each day of the week in her senior role. She was unimpressed when dress down Friday was introduced and upset her pattern as you can’t recycle dress down outfits like you can formal stuff.
With accessorising less is more most of the time unless the outfit is super simple. I think having one excellent quality pair of plain shoes (or bag) that make you feel super special is better than a range of cheap ones.
I try and wear one thing each day, anything from earrings to dresses that makes me smile. Quite often in the office it’s my posh shoes but not always.
Would you do a style consultation for body shape analysis and colours etc?

I would start with black basics and team with different jackets, until the weight comes off. Get a great haircut, invest in shampoo and straighteners to tame frizz, and experiment with some make up to create a glow, beauty and the boutique are good for tips and techniques. Their watercolour blush is really good. Good luck, you sound like you're on a path to an exciting new life

Someone I have worked with had three trouser suits and would use a different colour blouse/top to make them look different. She always looked professional.

I think it was something like one grey, one black, one blue-green with pink, orange etc tops. Statement necklace.