Seeking style advice for a complete style overhaul...Recently turned 40 :)

[Cerridwen83]

I've just turned 40 and would love some advice for a more polished, elegant look. I've always struggled with my appearance and knowing what looks good on my shape etc and have decided to seek some guidance!

So I'm 5'5, large top half (big arms and boobs) does that make me "inverted triangle " shape?
I'm overweight (working on losing the excess) and a size 22 currently.

I HATE my arms. They've always been pale and huge and flabby.
Legs are OK, chunky but a defined shape. Bit of a tum.

I'm strawberry blonde with pale skin and non existent eyebrows and lashes. Seriously you can't see them, they're totally invisible 🙄unless I use an eyebrow pencil and lengthening mascara. Deep set eyes that disappear into my face 😔

I've always seemed to live in leggings, tracksuit bottoms and vests (especially since WFH these last couple of years).

I dislike my hair. It's flat and thin and growing very thin on top. No matter what products I use my hair is always flat and sad looking. I straighten it when I go out.

I'm at a point where I hate photos of me..All i see is a fat, pale, flat-haired, slobby looking woman with gross arms and clothes that never seem to look nice.

When I make an effort I use full coverage foundation, a gold toned bronzer, lengthening mascara, gold brown eyeshadow, and try to define my eyebrows as much as possible but normally go OTT on them and they end up looking fake 🙄
I try and dress "nice" when I go out (skinny black jeans, blouse or a wrap top? ankle boots) but I just hate the way I look.

Please someone help sort me out or give me advice on any miracle products?

I like my teeth, they're even and white. I like my hair colour. That's about it.

I guess I just need some guidance.

Also forgot to mention I have PCOS so thinning hair is symptomatic of that.
Hair is growing thinner every day.

I am similarly pale lashed and browed; I get mine tinted every 2-3 weeks. I cba with brow pencil etc, tinting looks better and I can just forget about it in between times. Still use mascara for 'going out' but the lash tint gives me definition the rest of the time.

Hiya, I am similar, I am 5 ft 6, size on average is 20. I also have thin hair at the top and excess hair. I cannot give advice with makeup as I cannot use it (puffs my face up like mad). But in regard to the thin hair, I find what works is not to straighten but curl. Straightening I found made my hair look thinner but using a curling iron (I use BaByliss Ceramic Curling Wand Pro) and layering it up gives the illusion of volume. Also, to add volume is to bend over, head upside down and spray with a good hair spray everywhere (Bedhead is a great one) and give it a ruffle. I would also use a good shampoo or conditioner for your hair type. Some extra conditioning that I like to use that I found helps with hair growth is Body Shop Shea Butter hair mask, As I Am Coconut cowash, Elvive Extraordinary Oil and Forest & Shore Hair Oil all of these I swear by. Plus heat protection lotion/spray. I also avoid wearing things like headphones (that rub the top of the head) or putting my hair up in a ponytail tightly.
Fashion-wise is different because everyone has different styles. One thing that I learned young that made all the difference is: do not wear baggy/loose clothing or 'tenting' clothing (clothing that has no shape and makes you looks like you're wearing a 'tent'). Even if you are big, show off your curves. Made a huge difference. Baggy clothing can be comfy to wear at home, but when outside and I want to feel good, I wear clothing that has shape. Baggy clothing gives the illusion that you look bigger, the same goes with stripes. I avoid wearing clothes that have horizontal stripes, as they make me look more rounded. Also dress to your size, shops are a pain with sizing (sometimes I am 18/20/22 etc...) but getting the right size that suits you can make a difference.
As for the 'inverted triangle body shape', you could add volume to the lower half of your body skirts/dresses (like flared/pleated/midline/tulip), flared/bootcut/capri/cropped jeans, patterned trousers, to draw the eye to the lower half rather than the top half, and again avoid wearing baggy/bulkly tops. Try to define your waist line, with belts, waistline clothing.
Anyhow, this is just my advice, I hope you find something that works for you.x