Live Style with Erica Matthews - virtual styling

In this new series of Live Style, celebrity stylist, Erica Matthews, helps an Updaters viewer with their style dilemmas and helps them to look and feel great – in their own home with virtual styling. This week she helps Janine, who split up with her husband a few years ago and is trying to get back on track and regain her confidence. Watch the video and shop Janine’s look, below.

Erica’s tips for looking and feeling great

DON'T WEAR TOO MUCH BLACK

If you’re not feeling your best, it’s tempting to swathe yourself in black. Try not to do this. A splash of colour or pattern will help you look and feel better about yourself.

Embrace your curves

Don’t be afraid of showing off your figure. You have assets that many curve-free women would be proud of, so show them off.

Invest in some good underwear

If you feel conscious of your lumps and bumps, try wearing control underwear. It can make a massive difference and make you feel less self-conscious. Check out Erica's style tips for curvy women for her favourite underwear picks.

Pretend your wardrobe is a shop

Change the way you look at your wardrobe. Imagine it's a shop and if there’s something in there that you haven’t worn for ages, try it on. You can spend a whole afternoon mixing and matching new outfits from your wardrobe, without spending a penny and it can be great fun.

Be daring!

Try something that’s out of your comfort zone, like a bright pattern or a colour you don’t usually wear – you’ll be surprised at the positive reaction you’ll get from friends and family.

Treat yourself!

Spend money on yourself sometimes as well as your children and other family members - you're worth it.

Shop Janine’s look with wrap dresses, colourful prints and smart separates.

A SPLASH OF COLOUR: If you’re feeling below par, it’s tempting to wear head-to-toe black. The idea is that makes us feel smaller, thinner – and invisible. But, although yes, it means you blend into the background, in terms of size, shapeless clothing, whatever the colour, actually makes us look bigger. Ditch the tent and opt for a colourful figure-enhancing piece like Janine’s red dress that had been languishing in her wardrobe. Janine’s dress is from Coast and is out of stock – but check out our alternatives. For Erica’s advice on underwear and some of her favourites check out her Style Tips for Curvy Women.

red dress

Simply Be

£22.50 (reduced from £35)

Buy
Winser London wrap dress in Hollywood red at John Lewis

£179

Buy
Adriana Papell at John Lewis

£60 (reduced from £120) sizes 6 – 18

Buy

WRAP DRESS: This is your best friend. Wrap dresses are so easy to wear and suit everybody. Choose a midi length, with a bold pattern like this one from Missguided (reduced to £28.00 from £35) or try one of our other picks, below. Click to buy.

red dress

Boohoo Plus Leopard

£17 (reduced from £25)

Buy
Boden ‘Cassia’ wrap dress (comes in 5 colours)

£98

Buy
Joanna Hope frill hem maxi dress

£45 (reduced from £120) sizes 10 – 32

Buy
Boden Olive

£58.80 (reduced from £98)

Buy

JEANS AND A NICE TOP. You can’t go wrong with this combo. Choose comfy, stretchy, skinny jeans and a top that will go from day to night. Janine looks fabulous in this satin blouse from Zara. It’s currently out of stock, but check out our picks, below. Erica has teamed it with skinny ‘Jamie’ jeans from Topshop, which come in a variety of styles. Buy them, below!