Every morning as I walk my whippets around the park before I start work, I pass this old pear tree. It’s so old (in Australian terms for a non-native tree) it has a sign with its history. The area I live in used to be orchards and this pear tree was planted in the 1860s…
What’s the difference between inauthentic versus unfamiliar style? How do you know when something is authentic, just unfamiliar, rather than it being inauthentic? Watch the Video Where I discuss the unfamiliar and the inauthentic (and authentic). Unfamiliar Style Unfamiliar can be anything you don’t wear frequently. It can be patterns, colours, styles of clothing,…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the I shape body (otherwise known as the rectangle. celery, banana)? The I shape has similar width hips and shoulders and doesn’t have a particularly defined waist. It’s a slim shape, with narrower shoulders and hips and the owners of them may often describe them as…
With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II it seemed like a good time to celebrate her style, which was completely identifiable as she had a very strong personal brand image. The reason for this is that her style needed to be consistent (which is an important aspect of creating a strong style and personal…
One of the tricks in my magician’s bag of illusions is using colour to elongate and make you look taller (if this is something you desire). Here are some simple ways you can create a more elongated silhouette without having to wear heels of any description! 1. Column of Colour This is a single colour…
Have you ever had the experience of purchasing a garment or accessory online and then realising it’s not quite the colour you were hoping it to be when it arrived at your place? It’s not uncommon even when you buy in stores, that when you get the item home into your lighting (or natural daylight)…
What is a Personal Brand and Why Do You Need One? Personal branding is the idea of creating a brand around a person rather than a business or product. It’s useful as it helps you become more memorable and identifiable just as a business brand helps the business attract the right kind of clients and…
I was recently asked about finding the right kind of camel-beige that would work with her Sublime (cool soft light) colouring for shoes, handbags and belts, those staple accessories that you want to have work with everything in your wardrobe. She gave me a link to the shoes on the right – described as Cognac…
I’ve often heard comments about whether it’s still worth caring about style at a particular age (related to the age of the person making the comment) and whether or not they are too old at this point in their lives? I will always remember an experience where I was helping a lovely client sort out…
Traditionally, the “Autumn” seasonal colours are warm – both in the seasonal colour system, and often what is presented during this season each year by clothing retailers. If you feel that wearing colours that really relate to the season is important to you, here are some tips on feeling seasonally appropriate whilst still working with…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the V shape body (otherwise known as the inverted triangle or cone shape)? The V shape has broader shoulders than the waist or hips. If you want all the details grab your Body Shape Bible here. You most likely have an undefined waist (your rib…
Where do you get the inspiration for your personal style from? In this video Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss the idea of style inspiration. As the inimitable Dolly Parton (one of the most authentic people around) says: “Know who you are, and do it on purpose” What Inspires Your…
I’ve been following the discussion in the 7 Steps to Style group about different types of feminine dressing. I identify with the ethereal dressing with its long lines floaty gossamer-like fabrics. How would you suggest adapting your style to a business casual work setting? The definition of Ethereal is to be extremely delicate and light…
What is Authentic Style It’s one of my central principals as my aim in life is to help you find a style that is authentic to you, It’s why I don’t do lots of “you must buy this garment” posts because just buying what I wear or what I recommend is unlikely to be authentic…
Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss different processes of getting dressed and why it can feel so hard to get dressed stylishly. As much as we may have been getting dressed our entire lives, it is something that is often harder than we expect, which can make smart women feel a bit…
Today is exactly 14 years since I wrote on my very first blog post here on Inside Out Style, and to celebrate this huge milestone (it’s 98 years in internet years, which are kind of like dog years 🐶) Not only am I giving you the presents – with a 14 % discount on all…
Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss aspects of shopping for clothes that you may never have thought of before in this video. What is really going on with ourselves psychologically when we are shopping? All of Us Shop Some of us have a good relationship with shopping, whilst others have a more…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the O body shape (often described as the Apple shape or Oval Shape)? The O shape can have similar width shoulders and hips or their shoulders may be narrower than their hips, but they have a rounded waistline curving outwards both at the front and sides. …
This is an interesting question as I’ve heard persuasive arguments for both options. Which would you rather be? Underdressed or Overdressed? Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I discuss this topic in this video. The Underdressed to Overdressed Continuum and Personality Type This isn’t a black and white question, as really the overdressed…
Do you ever think about having a future-focused wardrobe? It’s something that will occur to some of us, and for others, it’s something that feels like a completely foreign concept. When you think about your current wardrobe, every single thing in there is based on a decision that happened in history (even if you just…
We make an average of 35,000 decisions a day. Our brain’s daily decision-making power is finite, meaning the more decisions we make, the harder it becomes to make another one. Wearing the same thing repeatedly saves your decision-making power. I’ve found my mind is sharper throughout the day when it’s not bogged down in the morning trying to…
