Print, print and more print! Pick your patterns for spring

Fashion is going print mad for spring with designer Mary Katrantzou leading the way with her exotic and elegant designs. If you’ve missed out on her collection in Top Shop (now sold out!), you might want to look at Marni’s more subtle but quirky patterns available in H&M from 8th March.

Many people are wary of investing in prints for a number of reasons, which are mainly a) because they are not as versatile as plain garments, b) we tend to feel they can date more quickly and c) they are not sure if print suits them or not. Firstly, the good news is that good designs stay around for a while, so if you pick up a good piece you should get a fair amount of wear out of it. Secondly, prints can inject a bit of interest and fun into your wardrobe and you don’t need to worry about adding to the piece because it makes a statement in itself.
The most important thing with choosing prints is, knowing which ones suit you and therefore, which ones to invest in.

The guidelines for choosing your prints are:

* Get the right size print for you. Even if you are confident about pattern, a large print on a small frame can look overwhelming; equally, a dainty print on a larger frame will have no impact.
* Choose the right design for you. Think about your body shape AND your style personality. For example, strong angular graphics can be unflattering on curvy figures and bold florals will seem too fussy if you’re either a Natural, Classic or City Chic personality who prefer will more casual (Natural), classic or simple but elegant and coordinated (City Chic) looks.
* Be careful how you wear it: busy pattern around wide hips or a large bust will appear to add more volume so it is better to wear it away from your ‘problem’ areas.
* Choose the right combination of colours. Especially if you wear the pattern close to your face.
* You should feel good when you wear it! 

The creative personalities will love the more inventive designs for spring (some of which are updated old classics) such as paisley in vivid colour, dainty and bold animal shapes, tropical themes, oriental flowers and more. For those of us who are not quite so creative or confident about print there are some fabulous new striped looks in a range of shades and the classic spot in various guises too.

If patterned clothes are not for you but you like to dabble in new trends, why not try prints in accessories.

Dressing between seasons: black is not the only option

Spring fashions are urging us to move away from winter clothes but it’s just too early to  make the wardrobe transition.  Dressing between seasons presents a few challenges, particularly from winter to spring as we are longing to wear more colour and shed a few layers.

The film and TV world seem to be dealing with this by wearing a great deal of black and white, which is terribly uninspiring.   Victoria Beckham wore head to toe black for the launch of her new Autumn fashion line and whilst her colouring can take it, it looked more like a lack of effort than an elegant statement.  Twiggy has launched her new range at M&S and the media shots show her in which shade? You guessed it, black (with white and grey).
There is no doubt it’s a challenging time of year for looking good and black and white can look fabulous, but right now we need a bit of perking up. We want to look more vibrant, feel positive and shake off that winter pallor and black just doesn’t do it.

Wearing colour makes a difference even if it’s a plain sweater under a jacket, a shirt collar poking out, a scarf or a statement bag.  Just one shot of colour, the closer to your face the better, will lift your look and your mood.   Need proof that it works?  See Angelina Jolie at the Golden Globes. She wore a Versace dress in ivory with a bold  red panel across the neckline and teamed it with red lips and handbag to match.  She looked stunning. It’s true, Angelina  always looks good because she is a good-looking woman, but the injection of red against neutral ivory made her look exceptional (the shiny fabric and contrasting shades also work perfectly with her contrasting bright eyes and dark hair). She outshone everyone, hands down, which is particularly interesting for a woman who frequently wears black.

Choose Your Spring Jacket

Spring cover-up has never been so colourful and stylish!  It's not just a question of keeping the chill off, it's about investing in a jacket that you can show off and enjoy wearing. So, here are our top jacket buys for the new season.

The Modern Blazer

The modern blazer comes in a range of cuts, lengths and colours so we're not just talking about the classic tailored look here. Your blazer might be anything from a collarless box style, a peplum or a relaxed boyfriend look. It has become an enduring alternative to the cardigan because there are so many cuts avaliable to choose from.

Style Tips: pick a colour that looks great on you and works with a number of outfits and make sure you get the right cut for your figure.

The Sporty Parka
The lightweight parka never really goes out of style, but this season it gets an Olympic update with a stylish sporty edge. It's always a winner for British springs and summers as it's easy to carry with you anywhere, ready for that unexpected shower. The new look is more neat casual than slouchy sportswear and there are plenty colours to choose from.

Style Tip: the only rule here is: don't be boring!

The Barbour
If you haven't seen what is going on at Barbour, then now is the time to have a look. You may be surprised to find that they have restyled and updated their collection. New looks offer the classic design with modern a twist and some come in a range of fabulous colours.

Style Tip: the Barbour generally comes with lots of pockets and detail so, be careful not to go too bulky if you are curvy, although you will find the lightweight fabrics easier to wear.

Collar Me Beautiful!

The neck has become the focus for accessories and detail in recent seasons with scarves, draping fabric and this winter, the polo neck.  The neck trend for Spring/Summer is the collar, and more specifically the Peter Pan collar. As the name Peter Pan suggests it can have a playful feel about it, but it can also look very grown-up and ladylike.

Romantic personalities will enjoy styles in pretty lace, chiffon and rounder edges which add femininity to an outfit.  Alternatively, you could try a little colour clashing and find a garment in one strong shade with the collar in a different bold shade.  It can also look very simple and neat in a neutral shade and with a pointy collar it can really smarten up an outfit.

Neck decoration isn’t for everyone and generally isn’t recommended if you have a short neck.  The Peter Pan collar can be very subtle or it can be the focus point of your outfit. It can be a great way to add interest to the top half of a triangle shaped body.  If you are fuller in the bust make sure you choose a soft, rounded collar as oppose to a stiff, starched pointed one.

If you’re very crafty and creative you can design your own and attach it to any garment you like, a la Gok!

Fresh Make-up for a Feel Good February

At this time of year we all want to look healthy and glowing and to achieve that, we need to be clever with our cosmetics.

So, whether it's a romantic Valentine's dinner, a job interview or you are planning a proposal of marriage - it is leap year after all ladies! - make sure you look radiant with your best make-up looks.

It's easy to stick to old make-up routines because you don't have time' to try new ones or you think the old ones still work fine. But, is your make-up making the most of you?

Is your make-up making the most of YOU?

Think about it: is your make up saying 'sexy' or 'overdone'? 'Subtle' or 'washed-out'? Part of the problem is that we inherit and pick up advice, habits - good and bad, and product knowledge from Mums, sisters and friends plus all the beauty information we can absorb but don't always consider what actually works for us.

Before and After from Colour Me Beautiful's New Make-up Manual (Hamlyn). 

What look should I go for at this time of year?

You are trying to achieve a Spring-like glow in the middle of Winter, so you want to keep your make-up simple, fresh and as radiant as possible. Your skin needs to look its best so look after it and use products that suit it. Do invest in a good blusher, don't go too heavy on eye make-up, use highlighter accordingly.

Take a tip from forties Hollywood camera-ready make-up with good-looking skin (even if it means extra foundation at this time of year), great eye lashes and fabulous lipstick.

There is more to make-up than meets the eye

The best lesson you can learn about make-up is what suits YOU. You need to understand your face shape, your colouring and your personality. Once you have mastered this you can create the looks that complement you AND ensure that you send out the right signals, whatever the situation or occasion.

Choosing the right colours

There are thousands of make-up colours out there - some will make you look radiant, while others can make you look unhealthy or age you prematurely.

Once you understand your colouring type and your best make-up colours you can limit the cosmetics you buy to selecting only those that make you look fabulous. Plus, the recommended shades will work with your wardrobe too!

To help you achieve your best make-up looks this season why not book a full Make-up Master Class from just £35.

How to dress current and approriate? Take tips from Samantha Cameron

Samantha Cameron is a lady who knows how to dress well. It’s true that even after her fourth child she still has the advantage of a neat figure, but her wardrobe success is down to her knowing what suits her. She dresses well for her figure and her personality whilst combining understated elegance with current looks.

For the Children in Need event at Downing Street last week she chose to wear a high street piece, as she often does, which she apparently bought last summer. She chose well. The green patterned shift dress ticks all the right boxes;  it is the right shape for her with modest sleeves and the length is a sensible just below the knee making it appropriate for the occasion. The cut, colour and pattern are all in line with current trends.  The contrast of the greens against the cream background of the dress and the vibrant shade of green in the pattern also work well for her ‘Clear’ colouring.  

Deborah Arthurs of the Daily Mail summarises her style perfectly: “She is very aware of what suits her, choosing narrow silhouettes, round necks and simple accessories, and although she is adventurous with designers and prints, she never strays into fashion victim territory.”

It may not be Mrs Cameron that needs to impress us, but we can appreciate that it is important for her to dress appropriately yet still wear what she feels is right for her personality (we think she is more or less a ‘City Chic’) and her age.  Most of us have to consider this every morning when we get dressed for work; we want to look appropriate and up-to-date and we still want to feel like ‘ourselves’.  It’s not always easy and requires practise but once you know how, you will save yourself time and money and feel more confident knowing you look good because you’ve got it right.

Accessories - the easiest way to update

Accessories need an update too and they are a great way to revamp your look with little outlay. You've seen previous articles about one dress with several different looks, the accessories are key here.

The neck has become the focus for accessories with the scarf being a must-have in recent seasons. The most current neck detail is the collar. You can buy a top with a pretty collar or find a collar accessory to give your neat jerseys or cardigans a new look. If you're crafty and creative you can design your own. Not everyone suits detail around the neck or décolletage so if this look isn't for you then make your new accessory a handbag. Find a great new shape or colour that works for your style. You won't go wrong with a day clutch bag to look utterly on-trend!