WARNING: Long-winded! And aesthetically abhorrent.

Brief description of problem --> I'm a mess in these. Suggestions for styling, or other garments entirely for the given situations, would all be welcome.

Further explanation/background ---> I'm in a style rut, and shopping my closet. The garments below were some of my go-to options last year. They feature my easiest colours. Last week, I put these on and photographed them, because I *used* to consider these safe bets... Shock and horror! Can these even be rescued for the next few months?

Yes, I'm wearing strange shoes. Shoe wardrobe in urgent need of replenishment, which been a non-starter for over a year now, because of size issues as well as fussy feet. Also, I can't do more than a couple of inches in heels. Plus I have to pound not the pavements, but potholed, muddy, unpaved roads.

Important factor: Don't have much of a budget for new things just now. So determined to make the most of shopping my closet. (Except the shoes!)

Long version begins---> I work from home, in casual clothes. Very occasionally (about once a month or so?), I need to dress up for specific situations.

(1) My work as a journalist sometimes involves a tour of a new hotel, restaurant or entertainment venue -- this might mean being outdoors in 105 degrees, clambering over a construction site, and then graduating to an air-conditioned (often shiver-inducing) office or boardroom for a chat with a business tycoon. See photos 1, 2, and 4 for what I might wear to these interviews.

(2) At other times, I am invited to a launch event for a new property or entertainment venue, usually an evening cocktail or dinner do. (Situation three is arriving incognito for a venue review, often also an evening gig!) See photos 7 & 9 please.

Now, I've lost a bit of weight recently, so fit has suffered. These are not the worst hit garments (those have been retired). I don't usually wear belts or tuck things in; the last few two photos are experimental in that sense.

Environmental norm/cultural background ---> Journalists in the Indian media mostly dress VERY casually for work -- unless they are on TV. Desk-based editors may wear business casual to smart casual; but those out and about, reporting from their beats, would be dead if they tried a suit (or even shirtsleeves and a tie) in our climate.

Most of us wear jeans or casual cotton pants and a shirt with short or rolled-up sleeves, a loose woven top or even a T-shirt most days. Women might wear a cotton salwar or churidar pants with a tunic and a long scarf (dupatta) instead. In the cooler months, a very light cardigan or a cotton jacket (see 4&5 below) is the most you can add. In summer, even a scarf is stifling,

In terms of footwear, booties or oxfords or loafers for winter; open-toed or thong type for summer is the norm. Pumps, gladiators, espadrilles and ballet-style flats work more or less year round. For the monsoons, it's rainboots and flip-flops on the waterlogged roads, carrying your 'real' shoes in your bag --- OR you can wear a non-leather shoe and hope it doesn't melt in the waterlogged street.

PS ---? If you got this far, thanks for reading! If you can get past the terrible photos to comment, know that I appreciate your help very, very much!