Hi Imogen, Here’s my question: I’m an H shape but with a bit of a postpartum tummy (also short waisted with short mid-body). I’ve been thinking about purchasing some gingham/plaid tops but am wondering what elements I should be looking for or avoiding. What pattern size/density of check should I look for? (small/large/uniform shape/irregular?) Should…
A while back I bought a tunic top from Target. I fell in love with the fabric, and overlooked that the shape didn’t do anything much for my body. Every time I put it on I felt frumpy and looked pregnant as my larger breasts made it balloon over my tummy. It’s design was the…
If you want to stop your dark denim from fading. Set the colour in your dark denim jeans before you wear them. Set the colour by handwashing them in a bucket of cold salty water (use 1 cup of table salt) before you machine wash them. Then they will stay looking fresh and new for…
Have you ever thought that you’d love to do what I do? I know that it was something that I always had an interest in, but didn’t realise that you could get training (until I met another image consultant). It’s the most fabulous job, being able to help people look and feel great, give people…
Pants – that’s trousers for you UK folk, not underpants, are a staple in most wardrobes. They are, the hardest garment for most women to fit. Really, I find that I can spend hours trying to help a client find a pair that fits well. The most common fit issues are around the depth…
Would you be able to make a post about what kinds of alterations are easy and affordable to make? I’m not plus sized but I’m petite, so many things don’t fit. Having hemlines shortened is an easy one, but I’ve understood that for instance the extra space in the upper back could be taken in…
How do you pick a print that is flattering for you? There are just so many prints to choose from – florals, stripes, animal, abstract, geometric, checks, paisley, ikat… the list goes on and on. So how do you make the right choices when prints and patterns come in a myriad of colours, scale, contrast…
The obsession with Kate Middleton post birth of Prince George abounds on each media outlet. I admire her for appearing in her first public outing with the new prince not strapped up in shapewear to give us the impression that just hours after the birth she’s snapped back to her pre-pregnancy flat stomached ways. For…
Hi Imogen, I love your blog! I am wondering if the type of prints (i.e. angular/curved prints) have anything to do with body shape. I saw two ladies who coincidentally were dressed in black and white printed dresses. One has an I-shaped girl and the prints on her dress were bold and angular. If she…
Many people are a bit scared of prints, as they’ve been told that prints will make them look larger. This is not always the case, it really depends on the type of print. There are two main types of prints, sparse and dense. Sparse prints have the elements spread further apart, these are the ‘fattening’…
One of the simplest, but most often forgotten rules, is that of the principles of volume. Too much volume at one time will make you look larger than you are. Too skin tight can look a little tarty.
It’s winter here in Australia and there are lots of faux fur vests around. They can be a tricky trend to wear as they add some bulk to your frame due to their highly textured nature. But if you feel the cold like me, they really do keep you warm and toasty. Wear over more…
I have a red plaid blazer that I adore but I am getting really bored with what I wear underneath it since I read the only appropriate items are neutrals or colors in the plaid. I’ve worn leopard print shoes with it and loved the look. Leopard print top underneath.. .not so much which I…
Do you get pills on your clothing? Knits in particular can pill easily and leave nasty little bobbles, particularly on areas that rub, under arms, sleeves and across your breast where the car seat belt cuts your body. There are great little lint shavers that you can use to de-pill, but to stop them from…
Imogen, thank you for the great post on how to interpret prints and patterns. I wonder what floral patterns are considered classic, what are the criteria to consider a pattern classic in order it won’t date quickly? Thank you again Florals are never really Classic in their personality and will date. When I go through…
Today I decided to mix zebra with leopard and then throw in a floral ribbon lace textured garment. One of the most important keys to mixing prints is to mix those in the same colour family. If you want to try this trend in a safe way: do it in black and white one print…
I love sheer/see-through blouses/shirts, as they are very elegant, but what should I wear underneath to not lose from that elegance (and colour) but to tone down the sexiness/edginess of the outfit? Susie Sheer or see-through blouses are gorgeous, but to avoid looking too sexy, particularly in the workplace, it’s advisable to wear the right…
One fantastic tool in your style arsenal is the concept of “levels of refinement.” This principle helps categorize clothing into three distinct levels, allowing you to pinpoint where different pieces fall in terms of formality. Let’s break them down: Cracking the Code of “Levels of Refinement” Level One – More Formal Wear: The top tier…
Over the past few years, one winter style that remains a staple is the chunky knit sweater. They are usually not only chunky but also pretty boxy too. The reality with any texture, if you’d describe it as chunky, it will make you look chunky. This is why over the years I’ve removed from many…
What about ‘the little black dress’? I am a ‘summer’ (cool, soft and light colouring) and therefore black is not a good colour for me, yet I would love to wear a little black dress on special occasions. Would I be able to get away with that? Wear it at night When you turn out…
Notice how in the photos above that Denise Richards looks washed out (so she’s gone and got a serious spray tan, then packed on the makeup with a trowel) in the silver dressed, and that if you do the blink test (shut your eyes, then open them and notice what you see first), that the…
