We’ve all heard them—those so-called “fashion rules” that claim to dictate what we should and shouldn’t wear. “Don’t mix black and navy.” “Only wear certain colours at certain ages.” “Avoid horizontal stripes if you’re not a size 8.” But as fashion continues to evolve, so too should our approach to these outdated style limitations. After…
Reader question: “Now the problem I have is I am just 5 feet and with very petite delicate features I have been told that I’m ultra petite by a good friend, so the clothes I’m drawn to can look as if they’re drowning me. The other thing is that I’m now 64 but again have…
Have you ever stood in front of your wardrobe, puzzled by a garment that combines both warm and cool colours? You’re not alone. This can be particularly challenging when the pattern includes colours like blue and orange or blue and yellow. Here’s a guide to help you navigate these tricky combinations and ensure that your…
In This Video 0.08 How to pick the warm/cool palette when patterns have a mix of both warm and cool colours (eg. Blue and orange, blue and yellow). How to Mix and Match Colours How to Choose Colours That Are Super Easy to Mix and Match My Style: Mixing Patterns 11 Genius Ways to…
Do you ever find yourself standing in front of your wardrobe, staring at a sea of solid colours, feeling a tad uninspired? For some patterns can be a bit scary (you don’t want to get it wrong), and I know that I spent years with a mostly solid coloured wardrobe until I decided to figure…
A Guide to Mastering Value Contrast Have you ever been drawn to a stunning pattern, only to find that it somehow overwhelms your look, rather than enhancing it? What I’ve learned over the past 20 years working with clients doing personal colour analysis and finding the best ways of putting each individual client’s colours together,…
Reader Question: “I‘m turning 40 this year though I still feel 30 I have an 18 month old baby and I just feel like my style is a huge mum rut since dropping my breastfeeding down to once a day I noticed the weight start to creep in around my tummy and I’ve always been…
Whether you have a YouTube channel or post live videos or reels on your social media channels, it’s important to consider what you’re wearing. While it’s essential to dress in a way that reflects your personal style, you also need to make sure that your outfit looks good on camera and doesn’t clash with your…
When it comes to choosing patterns for your clothes, it’s not just about the style or design of the fabric. Another important factor to consider is the value contrast. This refers to the difference in lightness or darkness between the different colors or and neutrals within a pattern. Choosing patterns with the right value contrast…
Reader Question: You have posts and information on light values wanting to wear dark colours to appear more authority from authoritative and professional. What are your suggestions for dark value girls who want to lighten up to look more in tune with summer and appear more feminine and approachable? Summer can be a tricky time…
I was recently asked by one of my 7 Steppers about how to wear shorter sleeves over longer ones and it’s a topic I haven’t covered before, yet it’s a part of my outfits quite frequently, so here are some tips to do it well. 1. Long Sleeves With Cuff Detail A key to making…
What is Leopard Print? Leopards are large jungle cats known for their distinctive spotted coats. Most leopards have warm, golden tan coats with black spots. These spots are actually black rosettes with light brown spots in the middle. This combination of basic neutral colors, black and brown in densely packed rosettes tricks the eye into…
I was asked by one of my 7 Steps to Style members to talk about florals as she was concerned that florals come in so many different forms – in some ways – they are the most varied sort of pattern of all patterns, but they can be seen as old-fashioned or ageing which as…
The Serene Palette in the Absolute Colour System of 18 different colour directions is Smoky, Light and Cool. It commonly works for people who used to be a “winter” with very dark hair, who are now greying but their hair is still more light than dark, or Summers (blonde/dark blonde) who have gone grey, though…
Reader Question – I’m a low colour contrast, high-value contrast creative type who adores print. How do I choose a print with these concepts in mind? I’m keen on blue and white prints. Identifying Monochromatic Prints A common misconception is that monochromatic patterns and prints are black and white (and sometimes greys). But it actually…
“Could you talk about negative space? In fabrics and accessories? What is it about a person that harmonizes with negative space? Is this a yin quality? It seems ethereal, like I’m asking to talk about what isn’t there.” What is negative space anyway? Is it good or bad? Who should or shouldn’t wear it? I…
Do you mix patterns? Does everything have to match? It’s not something a lot of people feel comfortable doing as you can easily feel that going wrong is so easy. Yet there are a few patterns that you can easily mix with other patterns, these the the ones that mix with everything. So if you’re…
In This Video 0.08 How to mix and match greys so they look good and I don’t look like I’ve gotten dressed in the dark 4.36 – I have a back issue that means I can’t wear heels but I don’t feel polished in my corporate work outfits in ballet flats. 7.20 – Petite H…
In this Video 0.16 What are some options if you have short legs and dark colouring but need a strap to keep your shoes on? 4.10 Will changing my hair colour change my palette or just my contrasts? 8.06 How do I know if I should wear patterns or solid colours? Faking a Low Vamp…
There are always new fashion trends appearing in store. So I’ve rounded up a variety here and will share with you what to consider if you’re looking at including this trend in your wardrobe and how to do it to best flatter you. I’ll start with some of the easier trends to wear and then…
I’ve been making some Facebook Live videos over on my Inside Out Style page (join me there if you want to watch them live) and wanted to share them with you here too – and I’m also linking here to some useful blog posts that help answer these questions! Here I’ve compiled a few videos…
