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

What Makes a Woman Stylish?

Seven rules that the stylish woman lives by:

1. She regularly edits her wardrobe. Nothing makes it in that doesn’t suit her colouring, body shape and personality. And still only then if she loves it. Why have a wardrobe full of safe boring pieces unless you want to look safe and boring? That’s not to say that the stylish woman doesn’t have basics, because she does, but only those that work for her that she can make look fabulous with those little extra special pieces she has hunted down.
2. She invests in her basics. Those items that work again and again – buy the best. Spend more on a T-shirt that keeps it shape wash after wash. Choose natural fibres and follow the care instructions. Buy a beautiful handbag that gets better as it ages. One gorgeous cashmere sweater that you wear for years is a better investment than a synthetic one that needs replacing after one season.
3. She allows herself to splurge on the stand out items that make her wardrobe sing. That fabulous pair of shoes that take a simple dress to stunning. A beautiful scarf that makes her M&S coat look like Maxmara – or maybe it is the Maxmara coat that needs nothing added to mark her out as exceptionally chic. Buy these special items when you see them – you will only regret it later if you don’t. Ask yourself if you will still love the item several years from now and whether it gives an insight to your personality. These are timeless items not passing trends so if your heart skips a beat when you try it on BUY!
4. She understands the power of accessories. No matter how your weight may fluctuate your accessories will still work for you. They are the finishing touch that portrays your personality. Two women in the same dress can accessorise it completely differently. A few accessories of the season will update your wardrobe without you having to spend a fortune. Choose your accessories to complement your personality and how you are feeling today – this is where you can make your outfit quirky, classic, dramatic or fun. Spend on the timeless or signature pieces so they last a lifetime. A cheaper outfit can be lifted with beautiful shoes and bag, and a statement necklace.
5. She knows the importance of good fit. It may seem old fashioned but finding someone good at alterations will change your wardrobe’s life. Not only can they take up trousers that are too long, but they can nip seams in to make a dress fit better, take in the waistband of a favourite skirt when you lose weight, shorten sleeves, add trims or new buttons and even make from scratch a copy of an existing item you love. If you can’t do these things yourself find someone who can. Ill fitting clothes always look cheaper, so if you are willing to spend on an item be willing to invest in making it fit perfectly.
6. She follows the current trends but only incorporates them into her wardrobe if they suit her personality, colouring and body shape. She won’t just buy the latest mustard yellow that’s this season’s colour if her colouring is cool. She won’t wear cropped trousers if she has short legs and a longer body. And she won’t wear frills and lace if she’s a drama queen. What she will do is choose those trends that work for her and incorporate one or two as if they are part of her natural style.
7. She has learnt how to mix things up unexpectedly, without looking like she’s tried too hard. Animal print with stripes, a piece of vintage jewellery with modern beads. A voluminous top with tight fitting bottoms. Flat shoes where you would expect heels. Sometimes breaking the rules is more stylish than following them.
8. She knows how to wear colour. She knows which are the stand out colours that make her look fabulous even after a late night. She is clever at putting together unexpected colour combinations and finding the finishing touches, like a scarf in one of the colours in a patterned dress. You would never open her wardrobe and say “where’s the colour?” more likely “where’s the black”!

Combining colour creatively

Mixing the unexpected

How to accessorise

 

When Your Budget Is Tight Shop Your Wardrobe

In the current climate we can't all afford to update our wardrobe as often as we'd like! However, often by having a good sort out of your wardrobe, you can identify items you've forgotten you had, as well as identifying new ways of wearing them. 


Wyh not use a dull Saturday afternoon to “go shopping” in the warm and dry of your wardrobe. Rather than this being a clear out, it’s an opportunity to try different item combinations, work out which key items you need and come up with some new outfits.
Have handy a notebook, some pins and a full length mirror. You could use a camera too if you want to be really organised.

Pick out some items you love but don’t seem to wear very often and try to figure out why. Is it because of the fit? If so could it be altered? Is it because you don’t have the right, shoes or accessories to go with it? Or is it because it doesn’t really reflect your personal style despite you loving the colour?

With each item check the following three rules to determine whether to keep it and create a new outfit or whether it just goes to a good home (charity shop, friend or ebay):

• Is it flattering?
• Do you love it?
• Does it reflect your style personality?

Once an item passes mix it with other keepers to create new looks. Try different combinations of lengths, colours, fabrics, and style. For example would that velvet jacket work during the day with jeans and a sweater? One of the key looks for autumn winter was tunics and trousers – could a short dress become a tunic? Could a dress that sits in your wardrobe for best be mixed with ribbed tights, boots and a chunky cardigan, to make it less formal? Add a belt to a long top, just keep trying different accessories, and pieces together.

When you find an outfit combination you love make a note of all the items that make up that outfit – even take a picture. You could be really organised and categorise the outfits into occasions so the next time you have a smart lunch to attend you can check your notebook for the right outfit.

As you go through you will find some pieces that you want to keep but you know need a new item to make them work. Make a list of all the things you need. But BEFORE buying check the laundry basket, and any storage just to make sure you don’t have that exact item hidden away. You may also have the right item but in the wrong colour so think about dying it – this is really simple to do in the washing machine and I have had great success creating new outfits this way.

Accessories can really change the look of an outfit – I am a great collector of costume jewellery and a scarf magpie! Almost any outfit I wear will be accessorised with my signature – something on the neck, whether that is some chunky pearls or a favourite Armani scarf that is about 12 years old. Think about starting a collection of accessories to put the finishing touches to your new outfits. Sometimes you can get something reasonably inexpensive that works perfectly.

Finally when you put your clothes back into the wardrobe treat them with love (after all if you don’t love them they shouldn’t be going back in!) and a plea from your clothes “Never hang me on wire coat hangers” invest in decent wooden or padded hangers they really will make your beautiful clothes last longer.

Some treats for your wardrobe:

Cedar Drawer Liners

Wooden Hangers

Padded Hangers

Ceramic Scented Hearts

Cedar Hearts

Storage Solutions from The White Company