Nicky Hambleton-Jones Helps Readers Break Style Habits in Makeover Series

Nicky Hambleton-Jones, the television stylist best known for Channel 4’s 10 Years Younger, is back with a fashion makeover feature aimed at helping readers shake long-standing style habits. In a project that blends practical wardrobe planning with confidence-building, the 54-year-old stylist demonstrates how small but intentional changes can redefine a look without sacrificing comfort or personal style.

Four women across different ages and body shapes appear in the installment, each facing a distinct challenge from wardrobe fatigue to self-consciousness about proportions. Victoria Jarvis, a 65-year-old seamstress from Chatham, Kent, describes a wardrobe of loose tops and baggy trousers that fail to define her waist. Sarah Peonio, 53, an hourglass-shaped psychotherapist from Wolverhampton, wants a modern, professional look that feels polished without being rigid. Margaret Ciano, 80, a retired personal assistant from Surbiton, Surrey, has spent years wearing black leggings and dark tops and wonders how to break the habit. Niki Harridge, 59, a retired architect from Havant, Hampshire, with a pear silhouette, seeks bold color and prints that flatter her figure.

For Victoria, the guidance centers on creating shape with a carefully chosen top and bottom. A blouse with a high neckline and balloon sleeves is paired with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers to rebalance proportions. Tucking the blouse and adding a belt pulls the look together, producing an effortless hourglass silhouette. The top is priced at £115 and pairs with a £155 bag from stories.com; trousers cost £235 from thefoldlondon.com; jewelry includes £30 earrings from orelia.co.uk and a £35.99 necklace from Zara as part of a set; a £60 belt from reiss.com completes the cinching detail, while £25.82 shoes from Guoco via amazon.co.uk finish the outfit.

The result, according to Hambleton-Jones, is confidence that translates beyond clothing. Victoria said she felt like a different person in the new outfit and could imagine herself wearing the pieces separately if that better fit her lifestyle.

For Sarah, the stylist builds a work-ready color story designed to feel modern and sharp. The solution centers on a show-stopping red suit that flatters Sarah’s curves, paired with a powder-blue blouse to keep the look office-appropriate. A statement necklace adds polish and a cohesive finish. The jacket is £495 with trousers £315 from aliceandolivia.com; the shirt runs £95 at marksandspencer.com; the necklace is £148 from butlerandwilson.co.uk; the bag is £139 from stories.com; shoes are £27.99 from newlook.com. Sarah noted that mixing textures and colors in this way felt both fun and professional, a combination she hadn’t previously considered.

Margaret’s segment is a reminder that fashion has no expiry date. An 80-year-old retiree with an apple silhouette, Margaret had long kept to a uniform of dark pieces. Hambleton-Jones introduces a checked belted coat from Boden’s Petite range to set a fresh colour palette, using the coat’s print as the base for new styling. The look incorporates leopard-print accessories to draw attention to areas she feels less confident about. The coat is £359, with a vest at £119 and a belt at £55 from Boden; a shirt at £89 from Mint Velvet; trousers cost £40 at Marks & Spencer; a set necklace is £35.99 from Zara; a bag is £22 from Asda; and shoes are £17.99 from New Look. Margaret described the outcome as a revelation, noting she barely recognized herself and felt fabulous in a look she would not have chosen on her own.

The final two participants highlight how bold patterns and strategic tailoring can transform perceived limitations. Niki Harridge, a 59-year-old retired architect from Havant, carries a pear shape and had been hesitant to embrace color. Hambleton-Jones chose a bold printed co-ord, pairing a high-necked blouse with a statement pussy-bow that’s tied off-center to draw the eye away from the midline. A gold belt defines the waist and creates an elongated silhouette. The top and trousers are £149 and £159 respectively from Ted Baker; accessories include £30 earrings and a £30 bangle from Orelia; a £32 belt from Oliver Bonas; a £99 bag from Hobbs; and £165 sandals from Esska Shoes. In Niki’s words, the outfit pushed her out of her comfort zone in the best possible way and left her feeling bolder and more confident than she had in years.

In aggregate, Hambleton-Jones’ makeover approach emphasizes that style is not restricted by age or body type. The women featured in the segment report heightened self-esteem, a greater willingness to experiment with color and texture, and a sense that fashion can be both expressive and appropriate for different life stages. The exercise not only provides practical shopping guidance but also reinforces a broader message: fashion can be inclusive and empowering at any age. The project aligns with Hambleton-Jones’ broader work, which centers on helping people feel confident about their appearance through thoughtful wardrobe choices.

The featured outfits illustrate a consistent thread: shape is defined by tailoring and proportion rather than by chasing a single silhouette. By combining high-contrast color pairings, tactile textures, and well-placed accessories, the participants discover looks that flatter their figures while staying true to personal style. The initiative also demonstrates how wardrobe upgrades can be comfortable to wear and feasible within a range of budgets, with items drawn from mainstream retailers and mid-range fashion houses.

Ultimately, the four outcomes underscore a simple, enduring truth about fashion and culture: confidence often begins with what you wear, but the real change happens in how you carry yourself and inhabit the space around you. As Hambleton-Jones puts it, fashion is for everybody—whatever age, shape, or size—and these makeovers are a testament to that belief. The women involved describe feeling like a refreshed version of themselves, ready to take on new chapters with renewed energy and style.