WATCH NICKY'S CHALLENGE ON OUR EXCLUSIVE FABULOUS VIDEO: MAKE ANGELA A FUNKY 40-SOMETHING

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When Angela Garvin’s email arrived at Fabulous, we knew she was the perfect candidate for a makeover with our stylist, Nicky Hambleton-Jones.

“I was 40 last August,” says Angela, a housewife from Chadwell Heath, Essex.

“Although I celebrated by jetting off to Las Vegas for four days of partying with my girlfriends, reality hit when I got home.

"I’m middle-aged, I don’t know how to wear colours, jeans or belts, and I’ve been wearing the same shapeless clothes for ages.”

Last year, Angela lost 2st, going from a size 14 to a size 10.

“I wanted to be sexier,” she says.

“Now I’ve got the figure, but I still have no clue what suits me.”

Nicky Hambleton-Jones is unfazed by Angela’s challenge.

“By using bright colours, florals and a few simple accessories, I want to show Angela that she can take years off her wardrobe in seconds!” she says.

Angela’s verdict: “Wonderful! I didn’t think these colours or prints would look good on me, but I feel very sexy and summery. I definitely don’t feel middle-aged any more!”

For more tips, read Top to Toe by Nicky Hambleton-Jones (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99)

NICKY SAYS:

“Angela doesn’t need to get all serious about fashion, just because she’s hit the big 4-0. Dressing up can be fun at any age, so to help Angela rediscover her adventurous side, I’ve put her in an eye-catching floral dress that’s very on-trend for summer.”

Shrug, £44, dress, £60, both Fever; beads, £12, French Connection; belt, stylist’s own; shoes, £70, Office

 

NICKY SAYS:

“This outfit takes years off Angela. The orange shirt makes her look confident, and the ruffles disguise any lumps and bumps. I’ve layered the shirt over a vest for a more flattering silhouette, and teamed it with bootleg jeans, which are very youthful.”

Blouse, £35, Lipsy; jeans, £25, New Look; vest, belt and bangle, all stylist’s own; clutch, £12, Evans; shoes, £49, Freemans

STOCKISTS
Evans (0845 121 4516)
Fever (020 7636 6326)
Freemans (0845 556 4444)
French Connection (020 7036 7200)
Lipsy (0845 680 0088)
New Look (0500 454094)
Office (0845 058 0777)

Words: Natalie Blenford. Styling: Jemima Fleming. Assisted by: Larissa Goerner. Photography: Lancton. Hair: Guy Kremer for Guy Kremer salon (guykremer.com). Make-up: Pascal Marin (pascalmarin.com). Assisted by: Heiddis Austfjord