Can you help? I need an overhaul anyone fancy playing stylist/makeover expert?

[Graphista]

Can you help?

I'm hoping you can help me discover my "new" style as I feel in a real muddle of...

Being in a rut

Having to accept that at my age (49) and (current) size I can't dress like I did in my 20's and 30's and even early 40’s, it simply wouldn't be flattering to me

I now have a little more money available to spend on such things after DECADES of being limited to Primark, supermarkets and sale rails (although I’m still not made of money!)

I fear my make up is in a rut of how I wore it in my 20's and 30's and I think I'm way out of touch with a possibly more flattering way of using?

This is all coming about as a result of me gradually easing my way out of 4+ years of being housebound mainly due to agoraphobia (it's complicated) and I also am limited to some degree on what I can wear due to disability - I'm not wheelchair bound as yet, occasionally need a crutch, has to be relatively easy to get on and off and go to the loo in

I am 5'2" size 16/18 (in process of losing weight was a 22 start of June ) apple shape, decent looking legs, big bust. Shoulder length red/blonde hair (naturally red/auburn, just gone a bit blonder) with VERY pale skin.

I like most colours but I hate being boring and so I'm not a fan of wearing all "school uniform" type colours! I like bright/vibrant colours mixed in with those.

So eg today I wore these trousers and a pink sweater from next (see pic), a pink and green floral scarf from M&s, an old green puffa jacket (I look after things it’s 5 years old but still in perfectly good condition) and new black flat boots from primark

https://www.marksandspencer.com/buckled-straight-leg-trousers/p/clp60268543?extid=psps-bplaagglwwwch-UK--grow&gclid=CjwKCAjw5c6LBhBdEiwAP9ejG-83IyYFDmgA37UDst1h-NWq7uQ1KkyYM5BbALNfCx3qTmOEEy-FBoC0AwQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Make up was (as this is how I’ve always done it)

Rimmel hide the blemish concealer
Garnier bb cream as foundation
Pressed powder applied with a brush
Max factor turquoise fury eyeshadow
Collection vita lash mascara
Lippy was an old one it’s a hot pink colour

I’d like to dress/make up as flatteringly as possible, a bit more modern while staying true to my “established” style which is admittedly an odd mix of classic/boho/hippy/eternal student!

I bought a couple of dresses in September that I love but I’m struggling to find more of the same even with the same retailers, they’re ruched/wrap style, knee length, poly blend I think sort of silky feeling (I’m clueless on this stuff!) but they have a good weight to them? Not light summery dresses

With my size, shape and age I REALLY don’t suit the current fashion for boxy/baggy/oversized/few flourishes type things, I get they look lovely on the hip young things on me well I look like my gran mid housework blitz/bag lady!

Being short I really can’t carry off even a midi length, skirts and dresses need to be around knee length really. To be honest I always wore mini skirts (but not super short, few inches above the knee) as proportionally that suited me, either a line or straight/pencil skirt style

Trousers are tricky as I have short legs! Inside leg 26/27” the M&s trousers I have them in the extra short and they fit perfectly the petite would have me tripping up! Or having to get them altered which is what usually happens and is a pain and extra expense

So I want a little guidance on where to get clothes that may suit me, perhaps push me a little out of my comfort zone. Also maybe new makeup techniques/colours? I still wear heather shimmer for crying out loud!

Seems s&b people either aren't night owls...or you're all out partying!

I also like this kinda thing

www.roman.co.uk/abstract-border-print-dress-14133578

I have a similar dress bought in primary 5/6 years ago in a navy/cream/gold design that I sometimes wear as a dress or over leggings as a sort of tunic idea

Could maybe get on board with this

www.roman.co.uk/floral-snit-dress-14205176

I like this

www.roman.co.uk/check-tunic-dress-14006636

Possibly this

www.roman.co.uk/paisley-print-swing-dress-14132451

Yes that's all one retailer I do shop at a variety of places but that I think will give you a sense of my style?

I also need knitwear now the colder weather is coming in as due to the weight loss I only have a few items left that fit

Is white stuff somewhere you could get something your style in? They've some nice jersey dresses that are not too try hard.
www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/jersey-dresses/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_eSV_1VXAAX1_AEnsBHLztjei3h2ZLGSsgBXoLAtWAUbni7G9iBu60aAhhpEALw_wcB

Amazing weight loss well done!

The jumper / scarf / coat all sounds a bit matchy-matchy.

Turquoise eye shadow and hot pink lipstick sound a bit dated. I'd suggest a make up counter but it can be a bit hard sell. I'd just swap the eyeshadow for a soft brown / neutral and a more neutral lipstick.

Great weight loss. Can you spend a day just browsing and trying stuff on?

Thanks for replies

@BelleOfTheProvince I have the attached skirt which is white stuff bought from m&s- don't even get me started on the price! But I think I'm still stuck in a "budget" mindset when it comes to clothes shopping

Not a fan of jersey for dresses as they don't hang right on me also cos this will be for autumn/winter and therefore worn with tights and boots and I find jersey tends to ride up on me!

@Helpimfalling thank you! I've still a long way to go to get to a healthy weight (aiming for that target before my 50th next summer) but I'm getting there

@hopeishere I like to be co-ordinated and I'll admit not being seems odd to me. I like to look well groomed/put together. The scarf didn't totally match the coat or jumper different tones of greens and pinks and a few oranges in there too.

The eyeshadow is more like a light olive green with a bit of sparkle. I normally wear a more neutral palette, but also lilacs and pinks too. Blue feels too...70's to be honest and not in a good way. Lip colour is mostly pinks and nude/browns with the occasional red. Red is tricky for me as depending on the exact shade, can make me look sallow or on the blue-ish side (very pale skin)

Trying stuff on I need to narrow it down first as with the disability this is not an easy thing for me to do it gets quite tiring.

I've also never done anything with my brows except a very subtle tidy and shape with tweezers. Getting a few grey eyebrow hairs coming through now which I pluck but I think maybe adding a LITTLE grooming to this area (not marker pen type brows) might be a way to update and refine my look a little?

A brow tidy may be a good idea if you haven't had one in a while. Well groomed brows make you look a lot more polished and can add more definition to your face,

You don't mention a budget for makeup, but I would try to invest in some everyday neutral colours you can wear that will help you look more polished without looking too "made up". Things like:

• a brow powder or pencil
• clear brow gel to keep brows in place
• a subtle blush - cream blushes are very good for a natural look and it's amazing how much blush can lift your face
• eyeshadow palette in soft neutral tones
• a brown or bronze eyeliner pencil
• mascara
• a neutral lipstick (or tinted lip balm)

What are you wearing today? Autumn/Winter 2021 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4367756-What-are-you-wearing-today-Autumn-Winter-2021

This thread might give you inspiration. Also get an appointment at a make up counter.
Although I have loads of makeup. I think there's a market for make up artists to give tutorials using our own existing make up!

Thanks for continuing replies I really appreciate peoples help

@violetbunny I've NEVER had my brows done I literally just tweeze maybe once a month but they are now noticeably paler (pale anyway with my colouring) and becoming more sparse so I think that does need addresses. Budget wise, hard to say probably lower to mid range? Clinique is about as expensive as I'd go

I've never worn blusher as not felt the need as I have a little redness around nose and cheeks usually but while it seems to still hold true for the nose! Less so with the cheeks

Don't have eyeliner at the moment but have used in the past, bit nervous of this as hands not always too steady these days

@pompomsgalore I agree would be good if they'd advise on using current make up but their employers are generally really using them as sales agents aren't they?

I was thinking the "what are you wearing today" threads might err towards the current fashions too much - and I mean fashion rather than style which aren't always the same thing! Current fashions (frills and ruffles but also VERY plain basically square tops and dresses) REALLY aren't my thing at all!

I would say I err more towards a classic look

But I shall have a browse you never know!