Who needs a 'style guru' to humiliate you by bearing your soul and your fashion faux-pas to the viewing public.  You just need a wardrobe full of clothes and the right attitude to make the changes yourself.  Do one big clear out and give your wardrobe a mini-makeover every season.  Here's how to do it.....

Stand in front of the mirror 

• Start with the hardest part – baring all. Before you can re-vamp your style, you need a good idea of what your body looks like, so strip to your underwear and take a look, front and back.
• Look at where you carry your excess weight. Wide hips need a different wardrobe solution to a podgy tummy, so identify your trickiest bit before you start to think about new clothes.
• Focus on the body bit that makes you go 'wow'  - even 'that’s not too bad' is a perfectly acceptable start. That’s the part you need to accentuate and before you know it you'll have developed your very own 'wow' factor.  We've all got one!
• If you find it hard to be objective ask a friend or family member to help.
  

Discover what suits you

Go through your wardrobe try on each garment and ask yourself these three questions:

• Does the colour suit my skin tone?
• Does it work with my body shape?
• Will I wear it again?

Start chucking stuff out

It's hard but it's so liberating.  Go through all your clothes and ask yourself, do I like this? Have I ever worn it? If you’ve not worn it in the last year (allowing for the seasons), take it to the charity shop. Don’t have a maybe pile. If you’re not sure about something there’s a reason.

Shop for well-fitting undies

Too many of us buy new clothes and then spoil the look by wearing them over shapeless bras. You need different underwear to go with different styles and shapes of clothing, and getting properly fitted is essential. M&S, Debenhams and House of Fraser all have staff who’ll measure you and bring you items to try on without you having to do it all yourself. Consider wearing support pants (not as uncomfortable as you may think) to hold in tummies and bottoms.

Write a list

Write a list of what you really need and set a budget. Don’t forget jewellery - it can transform the most basic outfit, putting your individual stamp on it and eye-catching pieces don't need to cost a lot.

Hit the high street

Get the key things first, stick to your list and budget and remember the shapes and colours that work for you. Don’t buy off the list. However much of a bargain the gold snakeskin sling-backs seem, if they aren’t written down, you don’t need them.

PRODUCT LINKS    Lingerie    Bras    Briefs    Swimwear    Hoisery

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