Your Autumn/Winter ‘Must Have’ List Starts Here!

Must Have No. 1:  The Trouser Suit 

(pictured suit by Vera Mont)

This season is about a no-fuss look and bringing back some favourite pieces.  So, number 1 on our list is the trouser suit. Tailored trouser suits are back on the fashion agenda, again. You only need to look at what Ms Prada wore at the latest Met Ball in NYC – evening brocade trousers with matching tunic.  Where she goes, everyone follows.

The new season’s look is more elegant and sleek, differing from the ladylike and demure styles of previous seasons.  Victoria Moss wrote in In Style magazine:  “The new fashion landscape is about strong, empowered control…There is a stylish sleekness going on.”
Whilst the trouser suit is a bit about ladies playing with menswear, you don’t have to look the tomboy.  A trouser suit can be one of the most stylish, modern and sexy outfits a woman can wear.

Some tips on getting it right: make sure you get the right trouser length – too long means a tripping hazard and a laundry disaster in winter weather, too short will ruin the elegant look.  Think of the width and the volume too as you will find cuts from cigarette slim to slouchy boyfriend.  The most modern way to wear them is cropped (or 7/8^th as known in the trade) so you flash a bit of ankle.  This length looks good with flats or heels.  Maintain the look with a tailored jacket. 

Last tip: your jacket and trousers don’t have to be matching. Although a complete suit can look fabulous, it might be too coordinated for your tastes. If you mix up your top and bottom, make sure the fit is good for both and the overall look works.  

Does your man need some style advice?

The recent survey claiming that “37 is the age men give up on style” inspired some interesting responses from women: 37% buy their partner’s clothes, two thirds admitted preventing their partner from buying certain clothes, almost a fifth highlighted ill-fitting jeans as one of the worst offenders (here, here we say!).

Most men and women need a bit of style advice at some time(s) in our lives.  Our bodies change, our lifestyles change and fashions change. So, men are not alone in going for the easy option past a certain age when they simply don’t know what to wear anymore.  He can’t dress like a twenty-something at forty-something, he probably feels he doesn’t have a style ‘identity’ (classic, creative, sporty etc.) and quite honestly, he just don’t know what looks good on him anymore.

Generally, women enjoy clothes and ‘dressing up’ more than men. We like to take time to shop, browse and find the right piece at the right price. From our experience, both as women and as consultants, we find that men don’t enjoy shopping that much, they want to find the item they need, buy it and go home.  Also, let’s not forget that there is more style advice available to women, it may not all be suitable, but we absorb it and take it into consideration.  

Most women are prepared to put the effort in to look good and, most importantly, we are prepared to go and take advice if we feel we have completely lost our way in fashion. Men don’t like to ask for help. It is much like the “no, of course we don’t need to ask for directions, I can work it out” approach.

So, wives and girlfriends take on the styling mantle, which isn’t necessarily wrong, but it does take up your time. Plus, isn’t it nice to see your man dress well by himself? With a bit of knowledge and confidence, men can enjoy their wardrobe and express themselves through their clothes too.  They deserve to look good and find their style ‘identity’ just as much as we do.  And, once they get advice on how to dress to fit their shape, colouring, lifestyle, age and personality, it will make clothes shopping even easier and quicker than usual. 

Suits him sir!

How to choose swimwear

So the holiday is booked, your passport is valid now all you have to do is find your swimwear. Sadly the diet didn’t quite get going and you aren’t looking forward to bearing your body on the beach or beside the pool. What you need are a few confidence tricks that will help you look and feel your best.

My first tip is to add some glamour – if you want to draw attention away from your figure add a few pieces that will grab attention such as:

• A fabulous pair of sparkly flip flops
• A large brimmed hat – to add an air of mystery
• Dark glasses – ditto
• A beautiful beach bag – you can always place this strategically in front of your tummy until you lie down!

And always have a great coverup, whether that be a sarong or kaftan, to wear when heading to the beach bar.

When looking for your swimwear here are my top tips for balancing out any figure flaws:

The well endowed
Always choose a swimsuit or bikini with support designed for the larger bust. Good make to look for are Fantasie and Freya who both do cup sized bikini tops and you can buy the tops and bottom separately to ensure a good fit.



  

Small Bust
If you want to make a small bust look fuller, go for a padded bra top in a bright colour and make sure it fits well. Or give the illusion of greater width with a stripe.


Bigger Hips
Draw the attention upwards with frills or detailing at the bust, or a darker colour on your bottom half.



Tummy Disguise
If it’s your tummy you are worried about wear a one piece and again draw the eye up with bust detail or wear a swimsuit with ruching to conceal.





 Finally for those all important beach accessories:

Have you chosen your beachwear yet? Do you have any favourite brands that you always return to – I’d love to know.

Have a great holiday if you are escaping our ‘great British summer(!)’

Essential Summer Wardrobe Pieces

There are some pieces that work in your wardrobe year after year whatever the current trends dictate. Three pieces that I wouldn’t be without in a capsule wardrobe are:

The White Shirt
Perfect on holiday as a beach cover up, whatever colour your swimwear or worn with shorts for sight-seeing. But it’s just as useful at home – wear to the office with a pair of smart cropped trousers and kitten heels.

A Large scarf
Take it on the plane when you go on holiday in case of drafts, then wear it to protect your neck from the sun whilst meandering, use it as a sarong on the beach, a shawl in the evening or to brighten up your white shirt for shopping.

The Jersey Dress
The perfect dress to travel with as it doesn’t crease. Wear it with flats and a hat when you are out and about, dress it up with metallic heels and statement necklace for the evening. When you get home slip it under a jacket for the office with a pair of heels.

Do you have any wardrobe essential you can’t live without?

How to Wear – White

Now that we are heading towards high summer (?!) nothing signals holiday season better than wearing white. White is definitely a part of my wardrobe as soon as the weather improves.







And if the weather isn't up to scratch, then white is also so versatile. This year black and white was a major trend on the catwalk and I love the drama of a monochromatic outfit:



As this look isn’t for every one you have plenty of other options this season. White with one of the fluoro brights, with red and blue, or with other neutrals.

When it’s really warm and you have that gorgeous summer brightness I love to mix my white with metallics.

How will you be wearing your white when the summer (finally) arrives?

Wardrobe Staple – How to Wear the Crop Trouser

Crop trousers are now a capsule wardrobe staple, both summer and winter and come at all price points. Today I’ve featured a mid price pair from Isabella Oliver, they are a great flat front shape and come in the neutral beige (desert, shown) or in a gorgeous Azure blue.

As a wardrobe basic these trousers can be very versatile, from out shopping to dressed up for a glamourous evening so they are worth the time and effort to find a pair which really fit and are well made.

I’ve picked a selection of tops, shoes and bags but you probably have similar pieces in your wardrobe. If not these are the kind of items that work hard in any capsule wardrobe; a neutral tote, evening sandals, vest tops and T-shirts, a great pair of wedges and flat driving shoes.

Just one word of caution – if you have a long body and short legs a crop will cut up the leg and make it appear shorter. If you want to wear them stick to a neutral colour and make your shoes the same colour.

So three looks with your crop trousers:

What to wear to Look like you Mean Business

If you work in a corporate environment with a fairly formal dress code you’ve probably heard the saying “dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” One of the best ways to upgrade your image is with quality, classic accessories. It’s amazing how many people notice your accessories, before they notice your outfit. You can make an inexpensive dress look designer with the right accessories but sadly it doesn’t seem to work the other way. It’s worth spending more on a bag and shoes that you wear everyday of the week than on a dress you only wear once a month. Here is where cost per wear really makes sense. You see all you needed was the justification to buy that beautiful bag!

 

Start building your accessory wardrobe with a great work bag or feminine briefcase in a neutral colour that goes with all your workwear basics. Add classic court shoes, a smart laptop or ipad case, a stylish watch and pen. Go for colours like black, navy, tan and cream that will go with most other colours. Once you have a main “capsule” of accessories start to build a second one in another colour, perhaps black or navy for winter and tan or cream for summer. These items will last for years and shouldn’t be high fashion, they are an investment in your business wardrobe. It’s a great time to buy now during the sales too.
Here are some options which I have deliberately teemed with an inexpensive and a mid priced dress:

I’d love to know if you have invested in one of these classics. Do you feel more confident at work when you “dress up”?

How to Build a Casual Capsule Wardrobe

The easiest and most economical way to build a wardrobe that works for you is by creating multiple capsule wardrobes; work, casual, winter, summer etc. Pieces can work within more than one capsule collection for example finer knits from your summer capsule could be layered in the winter. Here are my top tips for creating a capsule wardrobe with examples for a casual collection which if you work from home like me may only need the addition of a smarter jacket for meetings to make it work ready too.
Top tips for capsule wardrobes:

1. Start with a neutral colour as a base – black, brown, grey or navy would be good options.
2. Build your wardrobe in 3’s. For example if you have 3 skirts make one a neutral, the second a pattern which incorporates your neutral colour and the third a complementary colour. Then add 3 tops, again neutral pattern and colour that mix and match with the skirts.
3. Spend the most money on the neutrals you will wear most often.
4. Once you have the basics add in other colours that mix with your existing capsule – maybe a colour of the season if you love it and it suits you.
5. Just because you are creating a capsule collection of clothes it doesn’t have to be boring. When you buy a new piece for your wardrobe ask yourself, “does it suit me, does it work with what I already have, and will I love wearing it and feel great in it?” If you can’t say yes to all of these move on and save your money for something that does.
6. If you find something perfect consider buying it in two colours.
7. Look after your investment. When you have spent hard earned money on your wardrobe make sure you follow the cleaning instructions, hang things on decent hangers (have you noticed how one wire hanger multiplies in your wardrobe?) get shoes re-heeled when needed, fold knitwear so it doesn’t pull out of shape and give everything enough room in your wardrobe.

Examples – the pieces in 3′s




Every piece in this collection can be worn in a variety of ways. Once the basics are there another seasonal colour could be added, for example a red would work well in here.
Below are just some of the outfit combinations:





Hopefully this has given you food for thought. Try laying out your clothes in 3′s like this then mixing them up. You will then see what you are missing – take a note with you next time you go shopping to see if you can fill that gap.

Summer Trend – Sugar Candy

There is a real feminine feel on the high street for the summer (you remember what summer is!) with girly candy colours translated from the catwalks. If you feel that it’s all a bit too sugary for you try just one piece mixed in with your every day neutrals. For example add sugary pink with navy, lemon with grey or coral with black.

Here’s how it was done full on at the shows:

Images courtesy of Style.com

And some high street pieces:

Pieces above from a selection at Boden, Fenn Wright Manson Pure Collection Phase Eight, John Lewis and House of Fraser.


Will you be trying the candy trend? I am definitely lusting over some of the pretty makeup collections, and I can see myself wearing some of these colours in my outfits too – but when the sun (eventually) comes out!

How to Look Stylish – 10 Tips

Having worked with women of all different shapes and sizes as well as having a figure that has changed over the years, I have come up with my top ten tips of what works and what doesn’t – for me anyway, and hopefully you will find some useful ones too. I’d love to know if you agree or have some of your own. Also if you disagree I’d love to know what works for you and why.

1. Emphasise the bits you like – got great legs? Wear a patterned pair of tights, fab shoes or a shorter skirt. If you have a neat waist wear a belt. Love your curves? show them off in bias cuts. Tiny wrists and elegant hands? add thin bangles or bracelets and paint your nails. We should all have one bit of ourselves to love, what’s yours.
2. Everyone looks better with a little makeup. Cheek colour, defined lips and a little mascara if you are makeup shy, only the very young can get away with a bare face. However, the other extreme is being overdone – we’ve all been to a makeup counter and come away thinking “well she is obviously trying all the new products out at once!” Treat yourself to a makeup lesson to find your best look.
3. Splurge on accessories. You can get away with a cheap jacket paired with a beautiful scarf. Leather shoes and bags last longer too, so are a better cost per wear.
4. Have a signature that defines your style – red lips, unusual costume jewellery, scarves, a favourite colour, your hair style. Have something that makes you stand out and tells people a little about you. Work out your style words and buy items that fit your personal profile. Are you chic, elegant, wacky, edgy, romantic, feminine, minimalist? I believe your clothes should reflect your personality. have some fun choosing your words and building a wardrobe to go with them.
5. Wear a great colour for you next to your face - if you aren''t sure what suits you book a colour consultation - sometimes we just want to wear black even if it doesn’t suit us – so make it work with a colour that does.
6. Wear things you love and that are comfortable. You won’t look relaxed or confident if you are constantly pulling your skirt down because you think you are revealing too much, or if you can’t walk in your shoes. Buy things you love and wear them – don’t save for best. Nothing is sadder than a wardrobe full of beautiful things that never get worn. Besides some things look even better when they get a little worn for example a slouchy leather bag becomes softer with use.
7. The older you get the more grooming matters. It doesn’t take much effort to have shiny hair, manicured nails and looked after skin. You don’t need to spend a fortune, give yourself a couple of hours of home pampering doing a facial, manicure, pedicure and brows. Whilst you are doing that slather a conditioning treatment on your hair. Add a girls night in DVD and a glass of something chilled.
8. Clothes must fit. It doesn’t matter what the size on the label says just pick the best fit and cut out the label. If any alterations are needed and you can’t do them yourself get them done professionally. Don’t spoil the look of a beautiful outfit with poor fit. Too big can be as unflattering as too small.
9. Don’t get stuck in a time warp. Keep ideas fresh, buy something from the new season that works in your existing wardrobe for example this season it could be a leopard print belt, a bright coloured bag, or a top in an ice-cream colour.
10. Your clothes should make you happy – if they don’t why are you wearing them? Isn’t life to short not too feel good when you walk out of the door? I think we are sometimes scared of dressing our best in case people think “who does she think she is?” Well you are you and who says you shouldn’t look and feel fabulous every day!

“Buy less, choose well, and mix it all.” Vivienne Westwood

How to express your personality through your clothes

One of the easiest ways to inject personality is with colour.  Use high contrast to project authority, for example to meet your bank manager wear a dark jacket or suit and a light top, and make sure everything is crisp and immaculate. But also ensure that your outfit shows who you are by injecting a colour that you love – maybe with your top or shoes. On the days you want to “win friends and influence” go for softer or lighter colours, bringing in colours you love which make you feel relaxed. Beiges, creams, and soft grey or light navy work well.

Accessories are the perfect tools for showing who you are. You don’t need the latest It Bag to make a statement, unless you want that statement to be that you are a sheep with no imagination of your own!  A vintage watch, bold piece of costume jewellery or beautiful silk scarf says so much more about you. I like to have a signature piece, a scarf or necklace, firstly because I love scarves but secondly because they draw the eye up to the face helping to make eye contact and establish rapport.

Build yourself a capsule wardrobe that works for all eventualities. Spend more on the pieces you wear often and the accessories that will lift an inexpensive suit or dress.

Thinking about what you wear isn’t superficial, it helps to express who you are and building a workable wardrobe should be fun. Look your best for you and let people get a glimpse of who you really are rather than them making uninformed opinions. Confidence comes from knowing who you are and not being afraid to express yourself.

Does Your Wardrobe Work for you?

As women we inevitably have several “roles” in our lives. Having a workable wardrobe for all the different heads you wear isn’t easy and can put us into a flat spin when we get invited to a wedding or black tie event, or have an important presentation at work. Add to that those purchases you made in the sale or to cheer yourself up and your wardrobe starts to bulge but when the occasion comes you still don’t have the perfect outfit.

I am a great believer in having a wardrobe full of clothes you love that make you feel fabulous, so wouldn’t suggest that you fill it with basics and never have any fun. However, you still can make your wardrobe work for a variety of occasions as well as having pieces you cherish. It’s all about clever accessorising and not saving items for “best”. For a start best may never come and an expensive piece will sit in your wardrobe unworn, and secondly I believe we deserve our best every day.

As an example of how a versatile wardrobe can work, a week in my life might include:

• Majority of work time spent at my home office
• Coffee catch up with an existing client
• Visit to a new client
• Shopping trip with a friend
• School run, household errands and chores
• Dinner at a friends

I don’t need traditional Office Wear however, I do need to look professional when meeting new clients. When I am working at home my key requirements are warmth and comfort. Since having my own business and not being in an office everyday my wardrobe has gradually relaxed, but because of my personal style preferences I still like to feel that should someone turn up on the doorstep I wouldn’t be embarrassed to open the door.

These key capsule wardrobe pieces work for me all the time:

• A great pair of smart jeans (I don’t do scruffy, it doesn’t suit my style. Dress down with a T and flats or up with heels and a necklace)
• Black jersey trousers or leggings (good quality that won’t bag at the knees or bottom)
• Long cardigan (a neutral and a bright or fun colour)
• Loose tunic tops/dresses (great for layering under cardigans, over jeans and leggings and T-shirts, or worn alone with tights and boots, heels or flats)
• Breton stripe T-shirt (a staple all year round layering piece and more interesting than a plain T)
• Flat Pumps (comfort for running around, but in a metallic great to dress up for evening, summer or winter)
• A pair of heels (for dressing up jeans and tunic tops/dresses)
• Smart Tote (in a neutral that goes with everything, big enough to carry my ipad for business)
• Every day Tote (again a metallic is great summer and winter and goes with everything)
• Scarves & necklaces (my finishing touch – one or the other, adds colour near the face and draws the eye up)

Fourteen pieces make numerous outfits and by adding a few more tops/tunics, another cardigan or jacket, a scarf in a print, the possibilities become endless.

How to Wear Black

The last few seasons have been full of colour, on the catwalks and in the shops. Those of us who love colour have been spoilt for choice. But there are still many women who either feel ‘safe’ in black or who may have to wear black at work. If you are the second of the two and have to wear black, even if you know it doesn’t suit you, there are some options. The first is to wear makeup. Make sure that the colours you wear on your eyes and lips are complimentary. If you can, break up the black with a top under a suit or with a necklace – again make it one of your best colours. (If you don’t know which colours suit you, please book a Colour Consultation)
If on the other hand you have some great black pieces in your wardrobe that you want to wear, below are some options for how to make them work for your colouring, here based around the ‘little black dress’ worn to party or work:

The Light Woman – try to keep the black as far from your face as possible. Wear a scarf or necklace in one of your best colours and add a coloured jacket in light aqua a blush pink or an apple green. Don’t make your lips too neutral or you will look washed out, wear a rose or light coral – check out the latest collection from Chanel, or find equivalent colours in Boots.

The Deep Woman – You can wear black but you look good with combinations of rich strong colours, black on it’s own is boring so liven it up with a pop of red, true blue, or teal. Deeps are great in drama so wear your best red lipstick and nail varnish to make an entrance.

The Warm Woman – brown is a much better neutral for you but if you do wear black this season is a bonus for you as there are plenty of warm earth colours in the shops. Wear your black with orange, yellow, rust and lime green. This seasons makeup colours have gorgeous golds, corals and greens to complement your golden colouring.

The Cool Woman – You can wear black but you look best with contrast. So mix your black with pinks from baby to fuchsia, lavender, violet and light blue. Wear a great rose or fuchsia pink lipstick and keep your blusher pink rather than peach.

The Clear Woman – Back will be a staple in your wardrobe, but like the cool woman you need contrast, so wear it with a bright or a light colour. You can do black and pure white – one of the trends of this summer season, but equally there are plenty of brights around for you to try too.  You are the woman who needs a strong lipstick colour to highlight that contrast between your fair skin, dark hair and jewel like eyes. Why not try a bright purple eyeliner?

The Soft Woman – Black isn’t great on you, your colours should be muted and blended so if you do wear black soften it with peach, beige or if you want to go for a colour blush pink or a light sage or moss green. Wear blends of soft neutrals and make sure your lips are defined in a soft neutral brown beige or pink. This season has plenty for you with all the soft neutral tones which give such an expensive look.


I hope this has given you some new ideas on wearing black and making it right for your colouring.

Dress in all images – Jersey Tea dress from Boden

How to wear yellow

Welcome to a new regular feature, How to Wear, and this week it’s How to Wear Yellow. Because if you have been noticing the gorgeous new clothes hitting the high street, yellow is there – big time!

Yellow is one of those colours that you either love or shy away from entirely. In colour psychology yellow is about emotions, self esteem and creativity so if you are feeling down yellow may lift your spirits. On the other hand because yellow focuses on ego it takes some confidence to wear.

Those of us who are on the warm side of the colour wheel can wear yellow easily – our palettes are based on it – but those on the cool side need a little more caution and should keep it away from the face by accesorising or wearing an icy yellow. If you have the confidence and know it suits you – go for it. If however, you want some fresh ideas on how to wear yellow here are some options for you.


Cropped Cashmere Cardigan from Pure Collection £109 Navy Crinkle scarf from Pure Collection £29 Merino Stripe Jacket from Fenn Wright Manson £149 Pashmina scarf in Citrine from Pure Collection £79
Spot Palazzo Trouser from Phase Eight £79 Mini Cross Body Bag in Citrine from Pure Collection £179 Azure sandal in Citrus from LK Bennett £175 Ted Baker Jeans from House of Fraser £79 Ballina Bag in navy by LK Bennett from House of Fraser £185 Sabrina Court shoe n Navy from LK Bennett from House of Fraser £155


Textured jumper from Boden £59 Printed Stole from Pure Collection £69 Linen Shift Dress from Pure Collection £119 OPI Nail varnish In Fiercely Fiona from Beauty Bay Two tone strand necklace from Phase Eight £25 Wool Stretch Tailoring trousers from Fenn Wright Manson £129 Yellow bag from Boden £89 Sequin trim pumps from Boden £79 Wool Stretch Tailoring Jacket from Fenn Wright Manson £199 Carvela Bow shoe from House of Fraser £120


Pashmina scarf in Mandarin from Pure Collection £79 Cardigan by Jaegar from House of Fraser £199 Stone chip necklace from Phase Eight £25 Spring Trench Coat from Boden £129 Crinkle scarf from Pure collection in Flame £29 Classic Stachel from Boden £129 Olive Handbag by LK Bennett from House of Fraser £395 Orange it’s obvious nail varnish by Essie from Beauty Bay Platform Court shoe from Phase Eight £120 Juniper bag by LK Bennett from House of Fraser £345 Nail Varnish in Ole Caliente by Essie from Beauty Bay Warehouse red jeggings from House of Fraser £35 Every day pumps from Boden £59

Are you brave enough for yellow? Let me know if you find a great piece to bring some sunshine into your wardrobe.

British, enduring and now full of colour

Something exciting has happened at Barbour.  Much like Burberry, they have taken a great piece of British heritage wear and given it a modern and stylish update.  First of all we say hats off (and jackets on!) to this brand for its longevity.  It has generally been associated with  country dwellers and outdoor types, but their new collections have transformed it into a coveted fashion item.

Both women and men can proudly step out to work in the city in a Barbour.  What’s more, it’s not just the styles that have been reworked, whilst the muddy green is still a brand staple, you can now choose from a range of wonderful colours.  A cheap purchase it isn’t, but you will get top quality and good value for your money.

As with the old styles, the new ones still come with pocket detail and various weights of fabric and padding, so take care not to go too bulky if you are curvy.  Lighter padding is easier to wear.

This is a good investment piece for us Brits who often need a practical jacket on hand, even in the height of summer.  Their spring quilts collection is perfect for the current trans-seasonal weather and colour trends.

http://www.barbour.com/collection/womens-heritage-fashion