Hi Imogen, It seems that different personalities especially regards to accessories, associated with a certain refinement level. For example elegant chic & classic seems accessories that associated with mainly level 1 or maybe 2. Relaxed person associated with refinement level 3, or maybe 2. However everybody has life situation that involve various refinement levels. Many…
Accessories can be extremely powerful because they complete a look, often taking it from nice to fabulous. Eye-catching accessories can also make a strong style statement. When you are considering accessories for your outfit, you should consider the principles of co-ordination. There are 4 main principles of co-ordination – these are: Levels of Refinement Principle…
Question regarding DRESSING UP/DOWN: I have many cardigans – cotton, colourful, not v structured, they are pretty but casual. If I was to wear any of these with something elegant, such as a top and a skirt, both made of satin, the cardigan would not dress the top and skirt down, it would simply look…
When you think about choosing a pair of shoes, you want the shoe to work with your outfit as whole. When deciding which pair of shoes to wear, it’s worthwhile being able to quickly interpret the formality of the shoes. For example, if choosing a pair of oxfords (brogues) there are different elements that…
What are the different kinds of shoes you need to have in your shoe wardrobe? There is no one right answer to this questions, but here are some important considerations when deciding what to include in your shoe wardrobe. Weather and Season Depending where you live in the world and how you spend your time,…
Have you ever faced the dilemma of wanting to look smart and put-together without crossing the line into overly formal territory? It’s a common concern, and striking the right balance can make all the difference in how you present yourself. So, how do you master the art of looking polished and stylish without feeling like…
I have recently acquired some lovely short sleeve kind of shrugs or boleros and cropped jackets. They are on the dressier side. One is silk with a slight sheen and the other is a low pile faux fur in a classic leopard print. I know how to wear them with a little dark dress but…
The eternal question that I get asked repeatedly, is how to make your outfits stylish, but still relaxed enough to suit your casual environment? And now let’s add another ingredient to this mix – that not everyone likes wearing jeans – so what to wear instead so you don’t look either over-dressed or sloppy and…
Do you struggle to put stylish outfits together? You can still join my Outfit Masterclass Integration Week Challenge – which runs this week 17 – 21 July and learn even more tips on putting outfits together – find out more and join here. If so you are not alone! In fact, in this video I’m…
Dresses and skirts are great alternatives to jeans and shorts (and athleisure wear) for in relaxed environments, yet so many women worry that they will be overdressed if they choose to wear these as dresses and skirts are often associated more with more formal attire. What to Look for When Choosing Dresses and Skirts for…
How Do I Improve My Wardrobe When Nothing Goes with Anything? Reader question – I’ve got lots of one-off pieces in my wardrobe. I see a beautiful top; pair of shoes or a skirt but nothing goes with anything. How do I think about my wardrobe so it’s not like several jigsaws that will never…
I was asked recently by a reader where I find my shoe collection from, and how I manage to find shoes to go with my outfits. The reality is, my shoes have been collected over the past 20 years (or so), though I only keep those in a good state of repair. But don’t despair,…
Inspired by your post on formality of prints I’m wondering if you could do the same examination with accessories? So: What makes a necklace/belt/earrings casual/formal/elegant? My aim is to have just a few clothes which I combine differently with different accessories. It’s not enough clear to me how to dress it up and down with…
1. Match without Being Matchy Think about how you put together your accessories. There is no need to buy a matching set (and it can look kind of contrived in this modern age), so think about matching: Shapes Colours Textures Sheen Sparkle Metal Read: Matching jewellery – sets without beings sets 2. Level of Refinement…
It’s a lie that to be stylish you have to be born with an innate talent for it. Sure some people are naturally more stylish, but I know plenty of people who have learned how to become more stylish using much of the information I share on this blog. Do you feel that you should…
The age of the sneaker is truly here. No matter your age or stage of life it seems that women are over uncomfortable shoes and want to be able to walk with ease. This was totally confirmed to me when one of Australia’s media queens, Amanda Keller, wore a pair of glitzy sneakers on the…
I like to dress with a level 1 combined with level 2 level of refinement, but don’t want to look try hard or overdressed when not dressing for more formal or fancy occasions. What to wear? If you are a more formal dresser naturally, you prefer more classic or structured clothes, finer fabrics and an…
I’d love more information on jeans styles. If you end up having time and thoughts on the matter, I am very curious as to what element is key to an item’s style: Fabric? Color? Texture? Structure/cut? For example, if the blazer is a dark neutral color and very structured but is corduroy, does texture…
Shoes – we all have to wear them pretty much every day (very few of us can go barefoot out and about), and they impact greatly on your outfit as a whole, which is why when foot issues arise in your life (which they do for many of us as we age) your options for…
Have you ever struggled to put together an outfit that truly represents your personality and style? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it challenging to combine clothes harmoniously to create a cohesive look. Let’s explore how to create a harmonious and personal style recipe that reflects your personality and style. Define Your Style…
I received this email in my inbox: I like to know if you had anything written about cold weather accessories? For me one of the main things I learned from the 7 Steps to Style program is that accessories make the finishing touch for the outfits, which I neglected before. I made a big progress…
