Given the number of people who contact me asking about identifying their body shape (if you’re not sure what body shape you have, do the Body Shape Quiz to find out!), it’s obviously something that is considered to be an important factor in the whole “finding flattering clothing” issue that many women face. I’m…
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I’ve been working as an image consultant (personal stylist) for well over a decade now and I realised in my training that personality would be an important factor in dressing, but probably not the full extent to how important it is when choosing clothes to flatter a client (or for yourself). Like many of you,…
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Recently I received two requests for posts on issues surrounding trouser fit and flattery asking about issues such as knock knees and thick calves. Given my post on which pants suit your body shape I’m now going to go into these body variations. Knock knees (where the knees have an inward curve and then the…
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As the weather has turned away from summer to autumn and soon winter, I reached for my leggings as a staple part of my wardrobe. I don’t do well in the cold, I’m one of those people who really feel it, so the crisp autumn mornings in Autumn call for a long legging, that I…
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There are so many ways to style a plain or lightly patterned skirt in a neutral colour and it works for so many occasions. You may remember I mention wardrobe workhorses in this post about the 5 questions you must ask yourself before you next buy any clothes. This skirt qualifies as a wardrobe workhorse…
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So when I’m talking pants here I’m not talking about your underpants (panties or knickers, whatever you call them). I’m talking the best shape of trousers for your body shape! Best Shape of Trousers for Your Body Shape I shape You are straight and may describe your shape as boyish, so create some curves with…
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Another of our comfy casual relaxed style looks in the real world today – it’s a dress with a denim or casual jacket. This is a great one. Unless you are young and can get away with wearing the double denim look, many denim jackets end up languishing in wardrobes, yet they are such a…
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A year ago, after having been writing this blog for 7 years, I realised that maybe (just maybe) it was time to upgrade my camera so I could take some better photos. I’d previously been using either my iphone camera (which I still do use at times) or a small Sony Bloggie (which worked great…
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I received an email from Maria of Colour Me Happy who was asking on behalf of one of her readers about choosing Makeup Foundation Colours. It’s a tricky task, and I see so many people with the wrong colour, so here is my guide to help you choose. Undertone and Overtone of Skin The undertone…
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Saturday 18 April 2015 1-4pm – Upstairs at Honey Bar Clarendon St South Melbourne Are you in Melbourne and interested in learning the secrets of resilience and success from a bunch of amazing women – then this is an event not to be missed and it’s open to everyone, not just AICI members – have…
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What’s this book got to do with style you ask? Well nothing really, though I do love the verbal stylings of Ms Amy Poehler which is why I decided to listen to this as an audiobook rather than read it (plus these days I have so little time to read, but can listen to something…
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Last night I attended the launch of a new clothing exchange boutique – Penny Lane, which is the brainchild of one of my former image consulting students Peta Stephenson. Located on Sydney Road in Brunswick (number 145 to be exact) Penny Lane Clothing Exchange is a little different from many consignment stores. Instead of…
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Imogen, Do you have any advice on styling a man-tailored shirt with jeans? Especially for us short waisted types, even shaped shirts can look sloppy and boxy. I’ve tried belting them but I don’t really know how to do it so that it looks good. I don’t want to give up , because I love…
DetailsAnother Real World Relaxed Style post today inspired by my post on 10 comfy casual outfits you’ll want to steal, this one is Jeans and Cardigan, though as you may see, it has been adapted for various weather conditions! You can do it with a long or short cardigan. With full length or capri jeans…
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Your outfit doesn’t have to be complicated to be stylish. This is one of my current favourite combinations. I don’t wear it exactly the same every time, but it’s an easy outfit to wear. I love the loose nature of this top, so easy to wear and it hides my tummy. How to Mix Patterns…
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Before you buy any piece of clothing there are some questions you need to ask yourself to ensure that what you buy becomes a wardrobe workhorse. Will it work for more than one season? Some garments are for mid-summer or deep winter only, they may need to be in your wardrobe, but you don’t want…
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The other day I was having a conversation with my very talented dressmaker/designer/illustrator friend Alfia (who made my wedding dress) and we were talking about how hard it is for women ‘of a certain age’ to find interesting, flattering and non-frumpy clothing if you’re not someone who shops regularly or widely (and many women over…
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Most women assume that they can walk into a clothing store, take a garment, in their ‘size’ into a changeroom, try it on and it will fit perfectly. Yet women’s bodies are so varied in shape and what I call variations (boobs, thighs, arms, etc.) and manufacturing of clothing shapes and styles so arbitrary, that…
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Many people think that the only easy and relaxed way to dress is to wear pants (trousers, not underpants for you people reading in the UK!). But really a skirt can be just as easy to wear (and I think more comfortable often) than a pair of pants. I love a skirt made from a…
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You often hear the term “Shop your wardrobe” or “shop your closet” and that’s great, but for many, they have no idea how to actually do this. There are two stages you need to work through to be able to do it successfully. 1. Organise Your Wardrobe The first is to organise your wardrobe so…
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This post is written by one of my fabulous 7 Steps to Style members Bernadette Lis who has lots of experience dying her clothes. ALL warm ladies should keep a bottle of Rit Golden Yellow liquid dye and all cool ladies should keep a bottle of Rit Pearl Grey liquid dye within the house to…
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