When thinking about putting together an outfit once you’ve got the basics sorted (find out more about my Outfit Formula and choosing the best neutral basics for you) you may want a uniting or linking piece that ties other elements of it together. This may be a garment or accessory that contains elements such as…
I’m an H shape, this means that straight (pencil) style skirts suit my figure much more than flared ones (this is also true for 8 Shapes). Pencil skirts are traditionally classic garments. They originated in the suit and are synonymous with the business world and the corporate office. I don’t work in one of those…
Monochromatic, meaning one colour (read up on the definition here), outfits can look extremely sophisticated and gorgeous, or if you’re not careful, a little boring and plain. So how do you ensure that your monochromatic outfits are stylish and sophisticated not dull? Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss ways to put…
Autumn in Melbourne can be hot and cool and as we move through the season the mornings are cool and crisp while the days heat up, so layering is often key. Fabrics that are more trans-seasonal are also good, nothing too heavy and hot or itchy, nothing too thin and summery. Green and White with…
My house is currently undergoing a major renovation (basically I’m getting a whole new house except for my office/studio and the front door!). This is my first renovation (it is necessary to upsize our house as we’ve gone from 2-4 kids with marriage), and my kitchen was so small you couldn’t have two people in…
Repeating the elements of yourself over and over in different ways in your outfit will create a really harmonious appearance. How can you do this? Repeat the texture of your hair. Repeat the texture of your skin. Repeat the element of matte/sheen or shine that you have in your hair and skin. Repeat your colouring…
Texture in fabrics is something I’ve talked about in my post T is for Texture as well as How to Choose a Flattering Texture. Today I want to share two outfits that I’ve worn recently. One includes textured garments, the other outfit has only smooth fabrics and I’m going to reveal why each works based…
Thank you for your posts – I really enjoy them and find them useful. I have a question about mixing the colour navy. I tend to wear a lot of (brighter) navy to work (can’t do black) but wonder about mixing different navy pieces, particularly plain navy pants and a jacket/cardigan not from the same…
Melbourne is having a few (seriously, just 3) glorious spring days at present (well by the time you read this they will have come and gone), so I’ve been going through my summer wardrobe as it’s hot enough that I don’t have to wear layer upon layer of clothing to stay sane (and warm). Inspired…
Reader’s question: How do I create more interest and excitement in my outfits? 1. Add Accessories Accessories really make a difference to your outfit. They take it from plain to interesting. They add personality. They add excitement. You want to wear them. Don’t be scared, nobody died from accessorizing. In fact, what most people…
by Catherine Scholze Flattering a curvy frame requires a combination of structured garments that support the shape of the body and good fitting lines that provide the correct amount of space for the curvy areas of the body. The structure of a garment refers to its ability to give the body a certain shape, and…
How to Choose Makeup Often there is a ‘rule’ that when you are more mature then you should steer away from any sort of makeup with sheen or shine (pearlesence) in it. This rule will work, if you have matte skin, but even if you are more mature, you may still have a skin that…
Texture is one of the pieces of the Style Puzzle (body shape is one piece too, yet so much is written about body shape, people think it’s the whole puzzle, instead of just being a small element of the whole). Using different textures in fabrics will make a monochromatic or neutral outfit so much more…
Have you ever considered Yin and Yang (or Receding and Advancing) in relation to your clothes? I first read about this concept in Judith Rasband’s Wardrobe Strategies for Women, and realised that it relates to all personality style and why each style communicates in the way it does. Understanding Ying and Yang of Clothing…
Do you love animal print (like my lovely friend Jill of 16 Style Types does)? Is it a staple in your wardrobe? As Jill has mentioned, leopard print, in particular, works with her naturally patterned skin and makes her look less freckly. I was not a fan of animal prints for a long time, but…
I’ve been Googled about this for a long time but never got any answers. This is a thing that is always misleading when it come to formality. I understand the concept of fabrics and that some prints/colors are less formal/professional than others, but the trickiest part is when it comes to garments that has more…
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…
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…
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…
If you have freckling that you don’t love, or age spots and want to make them look less obvious, when you’re looking solid colour garments, look for fabrics that have an inbuilt pattern like marle, or those with a fine to medium texture.
\ Niamh was looking through some old photo albums, you know, the ones with pictures of me in my primary school classes, she was going through and picking me out of the sea of faces in each class. When I asked her how she knew it was me, she said: “see, your face is shiny…
