Winning new look gets Cringleford’s Jane in shape

Whatever shape you are it is usually the case that you will stay this shape throughout your adult life, even if you put on or lose weight. Therefore when it comes to learning how to dress to flatter your shape, once you have mastered the key techniques it is safe to say that you can always follow your style rules when out shopping for clothes.

For Jane Reeve, of Cringleford, the prospect of choosing clothes to suit her body shape is a challenging one. For years 66-year-old Jane was a size 14 with a 38DD bust and a 'bit of a tummy' but since being diagnosed with breast cancer this year her body shape has dramatically changed.

Says Jane: 'I had a lumpectomy in May this year and in June I had a mastectomy, and immediate reconstruction and a breast reduction. My body has totally changed shape – I don't even know what bra size I am now!'

Jane's reconstruction surgery involved rebuilding her breast with fat from her abdomen and reducing her other breast. The result is a new body shape that Jane doesn't know how to dress.

Jane won the Life Matters makeover competition to win �500 to spend on fashion in the newly-revamped Marks and Spencer store in Norwich.

To help her get a winter wardrobe full of clothes that flatter her new shape Life Matters took Jane on a makeover day to help her spend her prize money wisely and to give her new look a bit of a revamp for the winter.

Clothes

Nicola Nielsen from Marks and Spencer was on hand to offer Jane some advice on what new season's styles suit her shape and colouring.

As the store now stocks a full range of fashion collections such as Per Una, Autograph and the Limited collection, it can be a little daunting trying to find a look that suits you, so a knowledgable helping hand is what Jane needs to get the look that makes her feel great.

Jane says: 'Since my operation I haven't dared to go out shopping and try to find clothes to suit my new shape – I don't know where to start.

'In the past I would just pick out clothes similar to the ones I had in my wardrobe so I'm excited about having some style advice. I just don't want to look like an old woman.'

Jane is a petite 5ft 2in and so the mid-length skirt she is currently wearing makes her legs look shorter. Her fleece is slightly oversized and although this would look good with a pair of jeans, the jacket swamps her figure.

Nicola explains: 'The key to shopping for a new wardrobe is to pick out core items such as jeans, a dress, a skirt, a coat and a pair of boots and shoes that fit your shape perfectly. This will give you a capsule wardrobe in which to add different tops that can be inter-mixed and worn with your key pieces.

'For Jane, skirts should fall on the knee and tops need to be shorter in the body or layered with a longer cardigan. Coats and jackets need to be fitted so that they do not swamp her petite frame.'

Jane loves wearing navy and although the soft hue suits her warm complexion a flash of this season's berry pinks and purples will suit her grey hair and bubbly personality.

As a self-employed music teacher Jane often wears skirts and tops for work and more dressier attire for concerts, so we put together one look from Jane's prize wardrobe for this week's Life Matters makeover shoot that she can wear dressed down for work and dressed up for evening concerts.

To make Jane feel confident lingerie advisor Angie fitted Jane for a new bra. Jane is now a 38A and to make her feel more self-assured with her top half Angie recommended that Jane try a padded T-shirt bra which will add definition to her bust.

Hair

Grey hair was embraced on the London catwalks this year and it seems that celebrities are also ditching the dye when it comes to their tresses. So Jane's silver hair is a look that is on-trend and is a colour that suits her skin tone.

To give Jane's hair a bit of a revamp Hannah at Regis hair salon in Jarrold's gave Jane a cut and blow-dry to prepare her hair for winter.

Hannah says: 'Jane wants to keep her hair the same length so that she can still wear her hair up when she wants to.

'I'm going to create more shape to her look by cutting her hair in a graduated bob. This will give her length and softness around her face, but her hair will have more volume and shape at the sides and back,' she explained.

'By cutting in a few layers in her crown but keeping it heavier on the ends, Jane's fine hair will be given a boost of volume with a fuller, more flattering style.'

Make-up

To complete Jane's new winter look, Jemima at MAC in Jarrold's gave Jane a daytime make-up look.

For the base

After cleansing and moisturising the skin, use a tinted moisturiser rather than a foundation if, like Jane, you have an even skin tone as this will give a lighter coverage for daytime. To cover any blemishes, redness or dark areas use a concealer over the the tinted moisturiser.

For the eyes

To create Jane's plum daytime smoky eyes you will need cream, pink and plum eye shadows. First, apply the cream eye shadow over your eyelid. This will be the base of your look. Next, apply the pink shade over your lid from the lash line to the crease. Then apply the plum shade on the outer edge of your eye lid and blend. Finally apply the plum eye shadow with an eye-liner brush along your top and bottom lash line. This will define your eye, make your lashes look thicker and give your look a pop of colour. Finish the eyes with a coat of black/brown mascara.

For the cheeks

Apply a pink cream blusher on the apples of your cheeks and blend towards your hairline.

For the lips

Use a tinted lip conditioner to add colour and shine to lips for a polished look.

The verdict

Says Jane: 'I cannot believe how different I look with just a few simple changes. I love my new look. My new bra makes me feel confident and I love the colour of the jumper and the skirt. The faux fur jacket makes me feel so stylish. I started the day wanting to get a skirt, top, coat and some boots and now it looks like I have found them!'