Introducing Deborah, also known on Instagram as Czarina of Style who is sharing her Stylish Thoughts with us today. Deborah is a dressmaker and lives in Newcastle Australia and is a 7 Steps to Style member.
What is the one thing you would spend a lot of money on?
I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on anything as I have a limited budget. However, I do look for quality and comfort while never paying full price. Most of my clothes are second hand or hand sewn. Bras are one item where comfort and fit are paramount and I don’t mind paying a bit more.
What is the one thing you wouldn’t spend a lot of money on?
Most of my clothes are from second-hand stores or sewn myself so their cost is very low. I am a dressmaker so I look for quality fabrics and construction. I can rework a special piece at no cost to get a perfect fit.
What are your top tips for looking stylish when travelling?
I start with comfortable stylish shoes and build my outfits from there. I don’t want to obviously look like a tourist so I use a leather tote bag and not a backpack. Don’t forget some accessories, I always take a few scarves and some costume jewellery.
What’s the secret to looking polished?
Paying attention to the details. Accessories don’t need to be matching but if they relate well to your outfit you will look effortlessly put together. Your clothes need to fit well and be well maintained.
What is your current obsession?
I’m loving my distressed jeans and in the cooler weather, I wore my brogues as often as I could.
Do you have a signature piece or style?
I love asymmetric details even in my hair.
The one piece of advice most women need but don’t get?
Fit is everything. We all come in different shapes and sizes and it is rare for ready to wear fitted garments to fit perfectly off the rack. Whether it’s a hem or sleeve length, a dart or seam adjusted, correct fit can make all the difference.
What is your favourite current trend?
Sneakers and brogues! I am so pleased with the variety of stylish flat shoes that are now available. The beautiful colours that are available, silvers, rose gold, and oohh those gorgeous perforated details. Comfortable stylish shoes, what’s not to love?
What’s the worst current trend?
I was going to say wide cropped pants but I have a pair that I love to wear!
How would you describe your personal style?
I like my look to have something unique or dramatic about it. My lifestyle is casual but I like to still look elegant chic. I would say casual elegant chic with a dramatic edge.
Wow. The first thing I noticed about her clothing is the impeccable fit of her tops. She looks great.
Doesn’t she! Fit is super important!
Thanks Louise, much appreciated
Fit IS everything, and she’s a great example! Look how well ALL of her clothes fit! I’m totally impressed.
You can see just how having clothes fit well makes such a difference! Deborah is a brilliant example of this.
Thanks Rebekah
I sew almost everything I wear and being able to get great fit is one of the best benefits. Casual but with some drama is definitely working for you and one of the things I look for in my own wardrobe.
Love sewists! Getting that great fit is so much easier when you are starting from scratch.
I have time to do more of my own sewing now and I’m enjoying being able to add some unique details to my style.
I haven’t seen much of Deborah in the 7 Steps face book group recently so I was very happy to see this interview. Deborah’s style words of casual, elegant chic with a dramatic edge are totally mine as well. We are very different in coloring and body type but I think there is much to learn from her since she is a professional sewer. Thanks, Imogen for this interview and thanks Deborah for your styling tips!
I would like to thank you for introducing us to Czarina. I have a similar body shape to her and I am always looking for looking for gals who look like me for style inspiration. Czarina is spot on with great fit and styling choices. Love it! And I am also a novice dressmaker so I love that she has the that quality too to inform her style!
Deborah looks wonderful, really knows what suits her! I love that, casual elegant chic with a dramatic edge! I would like to say that this is how I dress, but really I know that my outfits are nowhere near so interesting.
Like your straight skirts in three different colours, but all just perfect for you at knee length. They look so good. And the way you work the brown irregular length tunic…wow. Thank you Imogen for including Deborah & thank you Deborah for sharing with readers.
Thank you for sharing, I notice her tops and the way she wears them… they’re so eye catching.
Happy holidays.
The thing I notice most about Deborah’s look are the lovely shoes/boots. I know it’s the one area where my ‘look’ falls down, but, being retired (and having a husband who denies himself a lot of things to keep us from the debtor’s prison :-/) I am loathe to think about buying beautiful shoes/boots, as then I feel selfish…. I have always sewn a lot of my own clothes(which my husband truly appreciates) but the cost of shoes compared to making a pair of pants or a nice top just don’t compare these days-I’m a really good fabric buyer! (I had a real shoe fetish when I was young and single, when even gorgeous imported shoes were not too dear for my starting salary.) Sorry for the whinge, but it’s something that affects me a lot.
You’re rocking a fabulous style, Deborah! I love that you emphasize how a great fit affects everything too. I always mean to ask you HOW you select such quality shoes and handbags. I know you’ve perused some master leather craftsmen and I was wondering what you’ve learned from them.
Thank you for introducing us to Czarina. I have a similar body shape . I have grey and silver hair. My face is shaped similarly to hers and I wear glasses. I notice she and I look good in the same colors. I am older, I think, so I don’t try to wear anything but flat shoes any more.