pEOPLE WHO LOOK GLAM WEARING JUST NORMAL STUFF - WHAT'S THE SECRET?

[popsycal]

Ok so I have had a bad day trudging round town with ds3 trying on dresses for a wedding and nothing fitted properly. I am a size 12 so lots of choice. But I just looked at myself and though urgh.

I have a friend who is a similar size and build as me, we shop in similar places and have a similar style. Yet she can make an asda t shirt look so glamourous. She is fairly normal look but always looks stunning,

So - share your secrets!

Feeling frumpy

glad i am not going insane
well i may be, but not about bra sizes

I am in pyjamams with my bra on still - cant bare to take it off ;0)

pigeon pie - someone else mention house of colour on another thread
I cant justify the cost right now at all but it is something i feel i need to do

How exactly do you wear these scarfs? Any links, please?

I got everyone to give it to me for my birthday - I'd far rather have one thing which I can use than lots of 'silly' little things!

Ironing everything definitely makes you look (and feel) better.

Bravissimo are great for really well fitting bras - I know some fellow MNers have had some bad experiences with fitting at Bravissimo but so long as you tell them that you think it's not quite right or go back to be rechecked you'll be seen by a manager who will be better - not ideal I know but normally they are very good first time.

Well shaped eyebrows will make a huge difference IMO threading is best (and cheapest).

I think that my most glam looking friends are the most organized ones, even the ones who work a bit of a 'boho/relaxed vibe' are actually really organized behind the scenes. It means they don't have that permanently frazzled look.

Good posture really helps too, pilates can be good for
this and toning a tum.

I continue to look for the motivation to practise what I preach since having DD2, for now the frazzled look it is!

Good bra (I discovered Bravissimo last year, on the recommendation on MN and found them great. I did have to go back a second time and get a different size but they did not quibble about it)

Basic skin care. A salewoman gave me a tester of a new cream last week and I am going to buy it, it is fab. Very expensive but great.

Tinted moisturiser or a bit of a tan help. Not recommending the permatan look but even going out for a walk and getting some colour in your cheeks helps.

If it is sunny, then glam sunglasses. Don't have to cost the earth.

Smart accesories, the best you can afford. I have bought designer handbags in second hand shops.

Understated jewelery, not too fussy.

a few good basics, knowing colours that suit you and exercise - not just to make you slim, but it makes your eyes and skin so much better. 20 minutes out on a blowy day can work wonders! Makes up for lack of sleep to a certain extent anyway.

Also - Completely Ignore Fashion! Where what you like and what suits you.

Eyebrows. Having properly shaped eyebrows helps. Get them done by a professional (not a sullen teenager parading as a beautician) who (this part is very important) has nicely shaped eyebrows herself.

Ooh, I was just about to suggest eyebrows. The asian beauty salon near me does eyebrow threading for £4. It opens out your whole face and makes you look somehow better without anyone being able to tell why.

Do you wear glasses? If so, consider new frames and get a consultation on the best ones for your face shape.

Get some 'everyday' jewellery that looks nice but that you're not worried about losing or getting broken.

Nice shoes, good bag, decent jacket or top layer. All of those can ruin the basic outfit.

Also clean styled hair. Bit of makeup/perfume. Nice nails.

Now that makes me sound fab doesn't it?! I'm good at handing out advice I've fallen over many a time on a few of those though (sitting here in baggy hellish clothes cos I'm supposed to be cleaning), but those are the things that do it imo.

This is all great advice - thanks so much. You see, I can get a bit slack. My hair could have done with a wash this morning but had to drop dh off at work at 8am and had 3 boys under 7 (including a baby) all day so instead used dry shampoo. Must Do Better.

I am wearing a scarf. And have natural french manicure nail varnish on toes and fingers. I have shaved legs with Johnsons holiday sun on to make them a lesser shade of grey. I normally do my eyebrows myself - I don't have the time to go to a beautician all the time but am probably due a visit - haven't been in ages - and then can do it myself again from there.

I have lots of necklaces and bracelets. I always get compliments on how nice they are (DH has a real eye for nice accessories ).

I was thinking today - the last time I felt really 'well groomed' was when i was about 6-7 months pregnant last summer and I really pampered myself, thought about my outfits and accessories to go with them. I also felt I could take some risks as I was pregnant (egwhite linen trousers).

I have purcahsed in the last few days: some light grey tailored linen trousers (bargain), some cropped jeans though I am not happy with the fit really, new bra that fits and matching undies . Some black wedge sandals with peep toes (bargain again). Several cheap vest type t shirts.

I am now thinking jeans. I tend to wear jeans alot. I just can't get any that fit right. I wear size 12 normally but they hang off my bum but size 10 give me serious muffin-age on the tummy.

I should start a thread about finding the rigth pair of jeans

I think you need separates (if you are still looking for a dress for that wedding?).

Don't try and fit into a dress if you have a bf chest.

Agree with eyebrows, I always think I'm looking tired and old and then realise I need to get them done.

If you are in a rush in the morning, get your outfit together the night before (I do this for work but occasionally do for days off and it works well).

This gives you time to check things are clean and ironed and saves you loads of time.

Whenever I don't do it I always regret it!!

In fact must go to bed now AND sort out clothes.

good luck

Lay out the accessories too - especially if you have lots of nice ones.

Clean, blow dried hair.
Subtle make up.
Decent well fitting underwear.
Good accessories - jewellery, belt, watch, bag etc.
A really good pair of jeans that you can team cheap tops with.

I spend more on the things I'm going to wear more often like bags and my jewellery and watch.

Try Monsoon for jeans - good for a small waist like yours.

Another vote for a colour and style consultation - I also had it as a birthday present.

I have to admit I haven't made the most of it as we're short of cash ATM, but when I do go shopping I always know whatever I buy will suit me, and since all my 'best' colours match me I can pretty much wear anything with anything else.

You must iron your clothes and wash and dry your hair at least twice a week.

If your norks are big, you can wear shirts - just unbutton to below the boobs and wear a scoop necked vest underneath.

And, to the person who asked about bra fittings - you can spend an hour if the assistant is willing, try on as many as you like, and only buy the ones that make your boobs look fantastic. And always handwash, never tumble dry bras.

I have binned the old bras and bought two more new ones I am wearing light grey linen fitted trousers, a navy t shirt with buttons and a collar and a necklace with a big white circle of shell thingy on

hair glassy? check
nails clean and french manicured? check
light, natural looking make up? check
matching underwear which fits? check!

i am just interested in this colour thing - how do they work it out???
seems an awful lot of money to pay

I obviously need more accessories and to paint my nails.

With the colours, they drape loads of different coloured cloths around your face, having first determined whether your colouring is 'cool' or 'warm', and decide from there a palette of colours which suit you. You get a little book of swatches to remind you.

At House of Colour they also find a foundation, blusher and lipstick to suit, which you don't have to buy but I did and they're quite reasonably priced.

It is a lot of money, but it honestly makes such a difference not to try on everything in sight in an effort to find something that suits - so much easier.

The Colour Me Confident book mentioned earlier is a good start. I got it from the library and have just bought a pink top and a green top in 'my' colours (usually only wear black, grey or purple) - got lots of compliments.

How do you get your hair lovely and glassy then please?

avons mirroer shine spray....

had four compliments in last 3 days

glossy even

Thank you! Sorry, I wasn't mocking a spelling error: I thought you meant glassy as in shines like glass!

Whatever you wear if you get the foundations and accessories right, you're sorted...

My fail safes, even when hideously hungover are: sunglasses, a decent hair cut, pearl studs, a pashmina and a good pair of jeans.

Perfume, heels and minimal make up (subtle bronzer applied with a fat brush) if you have an extra few minutes.

People tell me I always look well dressed and elegant, the truth is I'm far lower maintenance than most women but once you have the basics sussed you are sorted for life!

Oh, and hair... invest in some GHD straighteners. The amount of times I've woken up with bouffant hair... you can pull some GHDs through your hair in seconds, I use them as I would a hair brush. Either that or smooth some frizz cream through your hair and work the tousled bed head look. Whatever, always slick a BIT of wax through stray sticky up bits around the hairline and if all else fails pull back into a pony tail.

Moisturiser with fake tan good, minimal effort. Nails painted in clear once a week. Vaseline on lips at all times.