Recently I was asked a question about how to deal with and embrace style as you go through midlife into older age with the many changes that happen to us, from lifestyle to body and colouring. My aim is that you still enjoy the process of dressing and style with maturity even though the…
Night Life Exhibition at Rippon Lea Sequins and sparkle, bugle beads and hand painted silk are all featured in the fabulous new exhibition of divine fashion from Victoria’s 1920s and 30s. This exhibition includes over 50 divine delicate pieces, all hand made with swathes of intricate hand beading on silks and velvets. It also includes…
Most wardrobes are built around basics or what I call, supporting acts. Basic outfits are the neutrals and solids with little built in detail (like denim jeans, black pants, plain tops and jackets) that are the glue as they go together with many things easily. But, if you’re not careful, a wardrobe of supporting acts…
Not sure what to wear or how to put an outfit together? Stuck for ideas on what to wear so you keep going back to that same old tried and true formula? This weekend, do something different and why not go monochrome and put together an interesting, layered outfit. Watch the video and see examples…
Ok, I’ve got to admit it. I love knowing what other women carry around in their handbags, and so I thought that some of you may be in the same boat! Firstly I change up my handbags pretty frequently to match my outfits and also depending what I’m doing and how much I need to…
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 Shop Your Wardrobe and I discuss ways to put…
So you’ve got some clothes in your wardrobe in colours that don’t really agree with your colouring. It could be an element of an outfit, or it could be a whole piece. It could be a uniform that you have to wear. So how can you wear those colours that don’t do anything for…
It was the year 1985, the location was Paris. It was my very first trip overseas and my first and long lasting love affair. The subject of my affections? Sunglasses After walking down the street with my eyes weeping as I squinted through the Parisian summertime glare, I bought my first pair of sunglasses and…
Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe and I discuss all aspects of animal prints in this video post. I explain the contrast elements of animal prints, both value contrast and colour contrast. Watch the video in this post if you want to know more about choosing prints and the contrast of prints (it’s the…
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…
When you’re choosing a print, how do you know what contrast it is and how to choose the right value and colour contrast prints to flatter you? Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe do a show and tell inside my wardrobe with a bunch of patterned clothing items. In the video I talk about my…
Would you consider doing an article on spring and summer looks for high value contrasts? I can’t wrap my head around how to get a summery look with dark colors. Especially if I don’t want to wear navy all the time. I’d love some photos to help me see how to make it work. I…
How to Have a Lots of Outfit Options When You Have Limited Space in Your Wardrobe Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe and I discuss the question of the feeling of lots of options when you have a small space. Tips we discuss in this video: Wardrobe Organisation – make it work how you…
What are the differences between London and New York Pantone Forecasts? London has a cooler, brighter red in Flame Scarlet as compared to New York’s Grenadine. London’s Primrose Pink is a more muted pink than New York’s highly tinted Ballet Slipper. London’s Toast is a slightly cooler beige than New York’s Butterum London’s Royal Lilac is…
Answering another lovely reader’s question about how to work with a limited colour palette, Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe and I took up the challenge to help demystify and share our secret sauce on the subject. How to Use a Limited Range of Colours and Not Get Bored Is it really limited or is it…
Overdying clothes into colours that flatter you can be a great way to “save” a garment that is a great shape and style, but the colour just isn’t right for you. You can change a colour completely, or just tweak it slightly to a more flattering shade for you. If you’ve been thinking about tackling…
Following on from a reader’s question on how to know if you’re in a style rut and how to get out of one if you’re in one, I thought this would be a great topic to discuss with Jill on video. Ruts can make you feel less than happy, as clothing affects how you feel…
Hi Imogen, It seems that different personalities especially regards to accessories, associated with a certain refinement level. For example elegant chic & classic seems accessories that associated with mainly level 1 or maybe 2. Relaxed person associated with refinement level 3, or maybe 2. However everybody has life situation that involve various refinement levels. Many…
Fashion trends, they are something you may love or hate or just not care about. One aspect of fashion trends is how much you buy into the trend for fashion’s sake or ignore them for the sake of figure flattery. Fashion Trends vs Figure Flattery In this video with Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe,…
Online shopping is here to stay. For many, it is a wonderful new way of purchasing clothing, particularly if you live in a smaller town, remote area or want a more varied wardrobe than your local stores can provide for. But there are downsides such as finding clothes that fit (and knowing the right size…
Necklaces are great ways to create focal points. They draw attention upwards and can add a desired level of contrast, interest and detail to your “communication centre” (that’s a fancy way of saying your face!). Why do I love necklaces so much? Well they can make you look instantly more stylish. They can add interest…
