Transforming nurse Jayne

WHEN a guy in the pub teased Jayne Douglas about wearing her granny's skirt, the York nurse knew her frumpy fashion sense was in need of a radical remedy.

Jayne, 46, from Bugthorpe, near York, has been a nurse since she was 20, and lives in jeans and T-shirts when she isn't in uniform.

The mum of four, who works in the acute stroke unit at York Hospital, is newly single, but with three young folk still at home, Jayne admits it's hard to find the time or money to splash out on herself.

The last time she bought something new ended in disaster. She recalled: "I bought a brown skirt at Sainsbury's and wore it to the pub with a T-shirt and denim jacket. I thought I didn't look too bad until this bloke said: You'd look all right if your weren't wearing your grandma's skirt.' "I laughed it off, but when I got home I was mortified. I had a good look at myself in the mirror and grudgingly admitted that he had a point.

"As my 24-year-old daughter puts it, my clothes are well past their sell-by date. I haven't changed my make-up in years and last had my hair cut at Christmas."

Jayne has had a tough time over the years. Widowed at 30, she lost her father suddenly three years ago, then her second marriage broke up shortly afterwards. We felt she was a deserving case for a spot of fairy godmothering, which was why we picked her as our makeover winner.

With an array of prizes including new designer lingerie, shoes and outfit, as well as sessions with a life coach and image consultant, and a cut and colour and a make-up tutorial at a top York salon and a slap-up meal at Ate O'Clock in High Ousegate, the aim was to give Jayne a confidence boost and a delectable dose of me time'.

First up, Jayne met personal image consultant Linda Saxton, of Dressence, who advised petite Jayne to ditch her baggy jeans and T-shirts for a more fitted and feminine look.

Linda suggested Jayne detract the eye from her small bust by wearing shirt dresses, or tops with details on the sleeve or chest, and coaxed her to brighten up a plain T-shirt by adding a scarf or jewellery.

She suggested she swap long, baggy T-shirts for more fitted tops that sat snugly on the waistline. Clumpy shoes were another no-no, because Jayne needed something more feminine to show off her delicate ankles.

Linda also encouraged Jayne to steer away from her favourite colour blue, and try hotter and bolder shades such as red and orange.

At 5ft 3ins tall and a size eight to ten, Jayne admits it can be hard to find clothes to fit. "I've even bought kids' clothes before, but then you can end up looking a bit childish. Linda told me to look at Gap, Principles and Zara, that stock smaller sizes."

Armed with Linda's advice, Jayne headed for a designer shopping spree, visiting some of York's independent fashion retailers, who donated the prizes to help create her new look.

At One, the new designer boutique on Peter Lane, Jayne found a cream skirt and top, with pretty feminine detailing, which she admits was a different look for her. Next, at Exclusive Footwear, on Gillygate, Jayne found the perfect shoes - four-inch-high cream-coloured wedged sandals. "They really pulled the outfit together," said Jayne.

Next stop was a fitting at Kathryn Rolfe Lingerie, on Micklegate, where Jayne had a surprise.

"I was really impressed with Kathryn and her mother, Marion. They took one look at me and without even measuring me found me the perfect bra. It was a 30C, I'm normally a 32B, but it was an amazing fit."

To complete her new image, Jayne enjoyed a spot of pampering at Alquima Spa, in Stonegate. Jayne had a cut and colour and her make-up done. She was blown away by the results.

She said: "I'm really pleased. I didn't want too much off the length, so I've had an inch cut off and some layers added to give it a lift. I'm a natural blonde, but the highlights and lowlights really brighten the hair too.

"The make-up is a lot darker than I am used too, but it looks good as well."

All that's left is for Jayne to have a life coaching session with Jules Wyman, who is going to help her work on her assertiveness.

Jayne said: "I'm the girl who likes to say yes, but then you can end up doing too much."

Overall, Jayne has been delighted by the makeover experience. She said: "All the people I met made me think about things differently. I think my mindset is changing. I'm trying to look at things more positively and putting things behind me, which is the only way you can move on."

Thank you:

Jayne's marvellous makeover was provided by:Kathryn Rolfe Lingerie, Micklegate, York; One, Peter Lane, off Market Street, York; Exclusive Footwear, Gillygate, York; Alquimia Spa, Stonegate, York; Ate O'Clock, High Ousegate, York; life coach Jules Wyman, of Millers Yard, York. Phone: 07970444694/ Email: info@positive-belief.co.uk; personal image consultant Linda Saxton, of Dressence. Phone: 0845 652 0856/07715 724182/ email: linda@dressence.co.uk