Fashion Savvy Girls - I Need a makeover please hel

[Nelle]

With jeans, honestly, take a friend. I don't really look at my butt, except when I'm buying clothes, and if I don't take an objective friend it can turn into a time of depressed mourning about my butt, because I haven't noticed it before. You need someone to go - that's not the jeans' fault, you've had kids, these jeans actually look great, short of giving you a butt transplant.

I agree about the skinny (not super skinny) or straight leg, they will give your leg some length, which will help if you're shorter. Also if you want to look taller, tops that aren't too long. Same with jackets - there are some pretty cute pea coats out there.

If you're a bit more casual, consider some cargos, they can look cute with ballet flats and a knitted top, or a tshirt (short or long sleeved) and a cool scarf - it doesn't need to be cargos and hoody, you can really girl cargos up.

If you're wanting longevity from things, then stick to plain tops and find some great accessories - if you're wearing jeans and a long sleeved grey t-shirt - red ballet flats, and a bright beaded necklace will bring it to life. To use a w***y cliche.

I could waffle on for hours, but here are my parting pearls of wisdom:
- write a rough list of what you want/need, so you don't make impulse buys that don't make sense in hindsight. (maybe have an impulse buy ratio, eg 3 things not on your list) You can always come back for things.
- don't buy anything you don't love (or really need, like staple long sleeved tees). I have learned the hard way with pretty much anything you buy (food, clothes, furniture) - if you don't love it, you won't use it. Alternately, if you REALLY love it, then can you sacrifice something else on the list to get it? Eg, I have a pair of ballet flats I love, and I wear them pretty much every day. So really, they give me my most value for money (helps that I got them on sale).
- If it's no longer fun, even after several coffee breaks, then walk away. The shops will be there next weekend, and the weekend after that, and you will traumatise yourself if you shop long after you've stopped having fun.

A makeover sounds so fun. Have a really clear idea of what look you're after, so you don't get too confused or overwhelmed by different trends when shopping - decide on what your style will be and stick to that.

[Turkish Delight]

Salad,

Don't which part of VIC you live in, but i'll give you a makeup lesson if you want

[Erin_25]

you have been given some great tips here.

the only thing I will add is even if I wear my trackies out, which I do often as I walk with DS everyday. I always put on some powder & gloss & a killer pair of earings....makes me feel a little nicer. And if you can't find jeans or have trouble I second the leggings, lots of different tops can be worn with them....look great with a nice pair of flats.

[Salad]

Thank so much you girls are great. When I woke up this morning I remember that I might be going shopping today and I realised that I am very serious about this makeover so I am excited now.

I am taking my DH with me shopping, yes I know he is a bloke and yep he is real blokey but we have been together since we were 15 (26 now) and he is the most honest person I know, afterall, he is going to be seeing the new me everyday so he will have to approve. Just for the record he likes me as I am but doesnt want me to not like myself he is a real sweetie.

Turkish Delight - gee you must have sensed that I sucked or at least was non existent in the make up world, I actually freaked out when I was planning my wedding a couple of years ago because I remembered I would have to wear makeup, and I just do not wear it at all. Ok well since then I have got myself some mineral makeup which is great but I have no idea when it comes to putting it on right, I always say to DH after I have put it on "does it look right, do I look stupid, funny enough I have more confidence without it but I know if I was 100% it looked right then I would be more confident with it on. I live near shepparton (I am sure you know where that is) and you have blown me away with the offer of a makeup lesson - what a beautiful person you are, wish you were closer. Thanks so much.

Nelle cargos are for sure something I would be keeping my eye out for and ballet flats are something I could see myself wearing. Thanks for the other tips too, you can keep waffling as you remember stuff if you like - I am listening to everything lol

Thanks everyone else I really do appreciate it, like I said earlier when I started this thread I thought I would not even get a reply so I am very grateful.

Keep adding tips if you think of anything.

[MamaBones]

Ohh how exciting! Hope you have fun!

The only tip I'd give would be to find some black dress pants. I wear mine with everything- a vest sometimes over a long sleeve coloured top... or a cute little cardi with a scarf...

And leggings! I think I own a ridiculous amount of leggings. They can go with anything! Fantastic with a skirt, cardi, scarf and boots!

[infinity]

Have fun today! Great tips from all the others

I'm not fasion savvy really but I am the same height as you. When I made the move to straight leg jeans and shoes with a heel I got heaps of comments of 'have you lost weight' and 'you look taller'. Was nice to hear.

Lee Riders are a fave jean of mine. As others suggested, get the fit right and then take them to get taken up (costs about $15 but so worth it).

Tips from me: accessories are your best friend - chunky necklaces, funky earings, bangles, belts, scarves etc - and most of this stuff is inexpensive. Get a top or two that's a little dressy to wear with your jeans - maybe something with a tiny bit of beading, sequins or a ruffle or in dressy material. Worn with jeans you still look casual enough for every day but a little dressed up.

I just brought a cropped leather jacket that I am in love with. You can wear it with anything and it's really 'in' right now. If you have the cash could be worth keeping an eye out.

Good luck, I'm sure the 'new you' will look fantastic. Let us know what you brought!

[Mak]

Yay for you Salad! I have been trying to lose the trackies as well...it has taken a concerted effort to do, lol. In addition to the wonderful advice you have been given perhaps also consider making a semi regular date for your hair too - it has made me keep up with the clothes as I am not hiding my hair in a pony tail everyday. Also try and window shop more often - I am going once a week for a look see and trying lots on, with the pressure off to 'fix everything all at once'.
I look forward to hearing about your purchases!!!! Enjoy yourself too ( I sometimes forget this one .... ).

ETA - when you find something fabulous - buy it in several colours!!!!!!

[Salad]

I wish I could take all of you girls shopping with me lol imagine that.
Mamabones - I agree with the black dress pants, if I am going out for tea this is what I will wear, you can wear anything with them.
Mak - yeah I know what you mean about the hair, my hair is so long and straight just how I like it but it is always up in a ponytail, not a nice ponytail a really boring ponytail, god I am really hopeless at all this stuff, you guys probably have this image in your head, of some trackie wearing, no makeup, scraggy haired person, trust me I am not that bad - might have to post some before and after photos.

[Turkish Delight]

Turkish Delight - gee you must have sensed that I sucked or at least was non existent in the make up world, I actually freaked out when I was planning my wedding a couple of years ago because I remembered I would have to wear makeup, and I just do not wear it at all. Ok well since then I have got myself some mineral makeup which is great but I have no idea when it comes to putting it on right, I always say to DH after I have put it on "does it look right, do I look stupid, funny enough I have more confidence without it but I know if I was 100% it looked right then I would be more confident with it on. I live near shepparton (I am sure you know where that is) and you have blown me away with the offer of a makeup lesson - what a beautiful person you are, wish you were closer. Thanks so much.

No worries hun. I wish you lived closer to have been able to teach you. Nobody taught me how to do it, but i want to teach others.

If you always tie your hair up...cut it off. Get a hip new hairstyle, make it short. It looks more modern and it will boost your confidence levels. I had hair down to my bum and was told i looked matronly as i always had it tied back or plaited. Now, i look younger and more modernish too. Plus easier to manage. Added bonus.

[Salad]

Turkish Delight - Its is great that you want to teach people, many people would love that kind of thing, especially me. Maybe you could just type the basics that you dont really need to show if that makes sense or if it is even possible.
I cant cut my hair off - it is actually my favourite part of me and the bit that I like most of all about myself. When I was about 5 I had long beautiful hair and I went to stay with my step grandmother and she stuck a bowl on my head and cut it all off like a boy and she didnt ask anyone and tricked me saying that my dad wanted it done, I cried the whole time. When my stepdad came to pick me up he cried too and that is a big thing for my stepdad to do because he never showed emotion or hardly spoke to me but to see him cry over it was sad. So now I have this thing where I dont want my hair short, strange I know but I love my hair long.
Update - I didnt get to go shopping today because my friend has ended up in hospital very sick so have been there, but will do it soon.

[Patooties]

Salad, so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she is better soon.

Just to add about the jeans - since i've been wearing the straight leg, people have asked if i've lost weight too. I just tell them i've stopped wearing the baggy clothes, (and also tell them i'm wearing the shapewear underwear too - got to share the secrets )
If you buy t-shirts and short sleeve tops now, and wear them with a long sleeve cotton tee underneath, you can then wear them again in Spring and Summer too.

Do you have a factory outlet near you?