Catwalk shows can be full of unwearable clothes on bodies that are unrelatable to many of us. Here is a catwalk show with a difference. Not a professional model in the show. The fashions come from designers around the globe. It’s the AICI Conference Fashion Show 2017 which was recently held in Mexico City. To…
Some people feel at odds with the colour palette that flatters. For example, a bold or dramatic personality (loving bright colours) whilst the colours that flatter may be softer and smokier and lack that obvious drama. Ideally you want to create balance between the inner you, your personality, and the outer you, your appearance and…
I recently found this Colour Matching Guide and think it’s a nifty tool to help you find the value of a colour. In fact, using it will make you an expert in finding the value of a colour and then putting together the right value contrast for you. How to Use the Colour Matching Guide…
Accessories are great for adding interest and a hero to your outfit. They can provide additional colours and contrast to an outfit really easily. Plus, accessories don’t care what size you are. And who doesn’t love that about them? As I’ve discussed before, I’m a cold person (not cold in an unfriendly way, but cold…
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…
In this video discussion with Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types we delve into a reader’s question on the topic of wardrobing and budgeting for “control people”. Jill relates to being a “control person” (aka control freak) in having a sense of stability in knowing exactly where everything is and exactly But you don’t need…
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you’ll have come across the idea of a Style Statement or Style Recipe. These are words that help you define who you are on the inside and how you want to be perceived by the outside world. They are an authentic reflection of your inner self,…
Say “Aye!” if you are frustrated by shopping because what looks great on a hanger doesn’t look great when you get it into the change rooms and try it on your body? We are led to believe that all women LOVE shopping. That all we want to do is shop til we drop, day after…
Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz says “Clothes should match a woman’s presence – her figure and colouring – and when you discover a shade that works well for you, wear it! The right colour gives you power, no matter what it is.” It’s great to see a designer understand that clothes should be about flattering you…
Is All Fashion Frippery? Is fashion shallow? Is caring about what you wear unimportant? Is buying clothes wasteful? We have to wear clothes as we don’t live in a nudist society. There is so much diversity in the human race and in cultures, yet we all wear clothes. So why is fashion demonised so much?…
One of the properties of colour is undertone (sometimes called temperature). When we think about colour undertone (or temperature) warm relates to yellow (the sun), cool to blue (water). If you want to make a colour warmer in undertone, add a little yellow – which is why a yellow-green is warmer than a blue-green…
No matter the print, whether it’s florals, animal, abstract, ikat, check, geometrics or stripes, finding prints that relate to your value and value contrast will make your outfit look so much better on you. Just as with colours where you should wear the colour rather than the colour wearing you. You should be the one…
The ageing process changes many aspects of your life, from body, to lifestyle and how you approach style. And then of course there is colouring too, which is the topic of the video in this post as Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss how colouring changes with the ageing process (and show…
There are a couple of things to consider when choosing a metallic accessory such as jewellery or metallic garments. 1. Undertone (or temperature) of your colouring 2. Brightness of your palette and sheen of your skin Let’s look at each individually. Undertone or Temperature Whether you have a cool or warm undertone will make a…
Packing is both a science and an art and I’ve discussed how best to plan your packing to make it work as well as you can (given the unknowns, and there are always unknowns when travelling). You want to have maximum options with minimal pieces. You want to cover all bases for all occasions from…
A nude lipstick is a great weekend or casual lipstick colour to own and wear as it doesn’t make a big statement, and you won’t notice so much when you eat it off. A nude lipstick is also great to wear when you’re doing a more defined or smoky eyeshadow in a darker palette if…
Following on from our video on the subject of ageing and style, we were asked by a reader to discuss the topic of ‘age and staying classy’ particularly when stores offer so many clothes that are more appropriate for a youth market. Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss how sophistication is more…
Recently I was asked a question about how to deal with and embrace style as you go through midlife into older age with the many changes that happen to us, from lifestyle to body and colouring. My aim is that you still enjoy the process of dressing and style with maturity even though the…
Night Life Exhibition at Rippon Lea Sequins and sparkle, bugle beads and hand painted silk are all featured in the fabulous new exhibition of divine fashion from Victoria’s 1920s and 30s. This exhibition includes over 50 divine delicate pieces, all hand made with swathes of intricate hand beading on silks and velvets. It also includes…
Most wardrobes are built around basics or what I call, supporting acts. Basic outfits are the neutrals and solids with little built in detail (like denim jeans, black pants, plain tops and jackets) that are the glue as they go together with many things easily. But, if you’re not careful, a wardrobe of supporting acts…
What are my 6 essential steps to consider when packing for trips? Whether vacation or work I use this 6 step process to ensure that I pack as well as I possibly can. Tomorrow I set out on my next adventure, for a week in Mexico City for the AICI (Association of Image Consultants International)…
