What’s ideal value and how to figure out your ideal value? This is a concept is one that I’ve come to realise as really valuable the longer I’ve been doing personal colour analysis (right now that’s over 14 years, so just a little experienced!). Whatever palette you have (from whatever system it comes from), there…
In this podcast episode, Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss how solid garments can still be classed as heroes. Not all statement (hero) items are prints, so what other elements of garments can be heroes and how can you tell the difference between a hero print and an interest print. Which Kind of…
Today we welcome Minal of the blog The Glam Nut. Based in Mumbai, India, she shares her take on style and how to travel in style with us. What is the secret to great style? Confidence is the secret to great style. If you aren’t confident enough of what you’re wearing, you will never succeed…
Now that you have your wardrobe basics sorted out (the first element of my outfit formula), it’s time to add in interest pieces. What’s an Interest Piece? An interest piece is a garment or accessory that has some interest or detail, such as: Colour Pattern Noticeable texture Sheen or shine elements Unusual or interesting construction…
A while back I created my outfit formula to help you think about the different elements you need in an outfit. There is no single formula that works for everyone (such as a dark , a light, colour and a print which I’ve seen claimed as the ultimate outfit formula that works for everyone) as…
Have you had a personal colour analysis and don’t like some of the colours that are in your palette? This is something that can happen to any of us for a number of reasons. The colours are different to what you’re used to (or have been wearing the rest of your life) There are colours…
From the island of Tasmania (that sits below mainland Australia, but is still a part of Australia) comes Jill James who writes the blog GrownupGlamour and today she’s sharing her Stylish Thoughts. What is the secret to great style? Great style starts with knowing yourself and understanding your body shape. From that starting point style…
You know that adding a hero garment (statement item) to your outfit always makes it more exciting. Hero garments are frequently patterns, but what if you don’t like prints – how do you add heroes in solid colours that still have that impace? Find out more on the accompanying blog post here: Can There Be…
So you’ve had a personal colour analysis and you just don’t like some of the colours in your palette – what to do? How to adjust to them? Can you learn to love them? Find out more on the accompanying podcast episode blog post here: What to Do When You Don’t Like Some of the…
I’d love to introduce you to Swiss blogger Yvonne of Funky Forty who is kind enough to share her Stylish Thoughts with us. What is the one thing you would spend a lot of money on? The one thing I would always spend a lot of money on is a handbag. A designer handbag will…
After over 14 years of spending time in the wardrobes of women from all around the world, of different ages and occupations, the common theme I’ve discovered is that the very best wardrobes of the women who are most stylish are built over time. One shopping trip will not get you the wardrobe of your…
How can you help others hear your message and be taken seriously in the workplace when the traditional business colours (dark cool neutrals in a high contrast with a light top) don’t suit you, either because your overall ideal value is light and dark colours look heavy, or you are high colour contrast and you…
How to figure out your body type if you have a significant difference from the usual features. For example, I have very, very broad shoulders, a slight waist, medium hips from the front and a protruding bottom. If I do a body calculator, I come out as a pear or a ruler. I am neither.…
Do you have a hobby or some sort of activity you enjoy doing? What is it that you enjoy? There are so many different sorts of hobbies – from the physical (sports, golf, rock climbing, hiking, skydiving, yoga. etc) to the home-based (gardening, cooking etc.) to the social (dancing, Italian conversation classes, chess, mahjong etc)…
What to wear when you have a low contrast, light colouring or high colour contrast that don’t look great in traditional business colours and contrast – how to dress to be taken seriously and still look great. Find out more on the accompanying blog post www.insideoutstyleblog.com
Charcoal toothpaste is all the rage on the beauty blogs and as a woman who cares about her teeth and knows just how a good set of choppers makes a difference to your overall appearance, I was happy to road test Carbon Coco Activated Charcoal toothpaste when they offered to send me an Ultimate Carbon…
One of the questions that came up on my Inside Out Style Lounge Facebook group was how to add interest to your summer outfits when it’s too hot for layers. Many women find cooler weather dressing much easier than hot weather, as they can add layers easily for that “third piece” element. So what to wear…
Have you ever thought about whether you are a hunter or a gatherer when it comes to your shopping style? In this podcast episode (yes it was a very fuzzy video), Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss how the concept of hunting and gathering from ancient times is still an applicable idea for…
If you’re spending time on New Zealand’s North Island, don’t miss out on taking a detour off the highway north from Auckland to visit Brick Bay Sculpture Trail (and winery), located in the town of Warkworth. The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail is an easy and meandering 2km walk, suitable for most ages and abilities (seriously…
Prints: I find I usually default to solids because there seems to be an overwhelming amount of considerations with a print (color and value contrasts, size, modernity, age appropriateness, straight/curved lines, connected or individual pattern…). For example: sizewise -flower prints generally look like I’m lost in the garden, but would calico be twee? I find…
One question I’m frequently asked about is how to transition colour palettes as you age (or if you make a radical hair colour change). Ageing softens out colours – so rather than the bright colours of youth, we gently soften down as your hair, skin and eyes lose pigment. Jill Chivers of 16 Style…
