Michelle Obama Challenge
Cat from Thrify Muse has challenged the blogging world to take part in the Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge. Here is my take on Michelle Obama’s personal style. Do you think she would wear this outfit?
How to Make Your Upper Arms Look Slim
Cybill asked how the woman who doesn’t want to show off her upper arms can look stylish and hide this asset. Options to Make Your Upper Arms Look Slimmer 3/4 sleeves – they cut off the arms at a slim point and make the whole arm look slimmer. Alternatively, try a slightly shorter sleeve, that…
How to Find the Right Dress For Your Body Shape
I know that many of my readers are in the northern hemisphere where it’s currently winter, but here in Melbourne, we’re sweltering – or in the words of Cole Porter “It’s too darn hot!”. The heat from my laptop feels extreme, something I normally don’t notice. My hands are sweating on the keyboard as I…
How to Dress the Petite, Mature Body with Style
Deja Pseu of Une Femme d’un Certain Age asked for help. She is petite, and in her words: “I think the biggest issue is dressing my 5’1″ body, especially finding petite (short) styles that work for my shape and are flattering. I have broad shoulders, big bust (34DD) short-waisted. Currently size 10 US/14UK. I’ve settled…
This is Why I Love my Job
I’ve just spent the past 2 weeks teaching an Image Consulting Training Course, and during the process, my students do real consultations with a client, the students do colour analysis, a style consultation, wardrobe audit and personal shopping expedition. This was the feedback I received from one of our student’s clients, and this is the…
How to Fold a T-Shirt in 2 seconds
I’ve spent the past two weeks teaching an image consultant training course (that is, all the skills and knowledge you need to become an image consultant), and today we were talking about wardrobes, hanging clothes and folding. One of my students asked how to fold a t-shirt and I remembered I’d seen this great guide…
10 Tips for What to Wear When Clothes Shopping
When I take a client shopping, it’s worthwhile suggesting an outfit, as we want to make it as easy as possible to get changed repeatedly. Having spent many hours/days/months shopping with clients over the years, I’ve learned that what you wear can make a huge difference to your shopping experience. Here are my recommendations. What…
Is that Stripe Slimming or Widening? Discover the Rules of Stripes
Deja Pseu of Une femme d’un certain age recently asked if horizontal lines could ever be worn by a fuller figure. So what do you think? Horizontal lines – good or bad? Most of us just steer clear of horizontal stripes as they’re fattening – which they are in general, but there are ways you…
How to Distract from Asymmetrical Features
Reader’s question: I’m 75 and have severe scoliosis. My height has shrunk from 5’8″ to 5’2″. I knew how to dress for 5’8″. Short is very different. My shoulders are not level, my waist and hips are uneven, and the middle of my back is rounded. I can’t wear heels. I’m not much of a…
Patterns That Easily Mix Together and Why They Work
Pattern, and whether or not you like it, and the kinds of patterns you like, is based on your personality and not everyone is into pattern mixing. You don’t have to like or wear it, but if you do, go for it. So as a little guide, I’ve done up an image with a limited…
Fashionably Fabulous, Not Frumpy or Fashion Victim
These tips you may agree or disagree with, but they are a guide for the woman who is passed the age of 30. “How to stay fashionable when half of the current fashions don’t suit my shape particularly when I like the look of them.” Understanding what suits you – the colours, contrasts, clothing styles…
The Lazy Girls Guide to Looking Good – How to Improve Your Image While Watching TV
How to Improve Your Image While Watching TV Ok you think I’ve gone mad – you can watch TV and look better? How is this so? Here are my top ten tips: 1. De-pil jumpers – while you’re sitting in front of the TV, get out all your jumpers and de-pil them. If you don’t…
Why You Should Revamp Your Clothes and Accessories Rather than Buying Something New
Did you know that sewing machine sales have skyrocketed in recent years. This made me think – are people actually going to start making their clothes again? Or is it more about revamping and altering what they currently own? As an image consultant, I spend a lot of time in people’s wardrobes. They often think I’m…
New Years Image Resolutions
Wear sunscreen – every day of the year – no matter where you live –even if you don’t think you’re going to go outside. 80% of wrinkles come from environmental damage. Just look of pictures of Brigitte Bardot today and compare her to her 20 year old self … not a good advertisement for baking…
How to Define and Develop Your Personal Style
I was reading a blog about a mum getting her groove back. Sick of the sloppy she wants style. I posted this piece of advice for her to follow, and thought that you all might find it useful when working out how to find your personal style: How to Develop Your Personal Style …
7 Easy Ways to Hide Your Tummy
So many women feel that their stomach is a region that they’d rather people didn’t notice. Whether it’s expanded due to childbirth, was never there to start with, or just age and those extra glasses of wine and chocolates have taken their toll. So here are 7 easy ways to hide your tummy. 1. Shapewear …
Wardrobe Essentials – The Casual Jacket
How to Style a Jacket 4 Ways One of the garments I think that is really essential in a wardrobe is a casual jacket that you can wear with everything from jeans to floral skirts – dress it up or down. It’s a versatile addition to your wardrobe (if you don’t have one) and something…
How To Create a Shopping List for Your Closet
To create a more effective wardrobe, you need to think about what you already have in your wardrobe, and what other items will make it work even better. A few well chosen items can create multiple new outfits – so how do you decide what you might need? Here’s how you put together a shopping…
Which Shoe to Choose?
I had an interesting experience today. I was hired by a Real Estate firm to come and talk to their sales team (about 30 people) about image. It went well (thanks for asking). Afterwards I was speaking to one of the company directors and I asked him why he’d chosen me over the other image…
Essential Shoe Wardrobe
Reader Question from the Lovely La Belette Rouge who recently lost almost her entire shoe wardrobe : What shoes do I need when you are rebuilding a shoe wardrobe? I am thinking of starting with black riding boots, animal print flats, plain black pumps and a loafer. I have ballet flats(5 pairs), black high oxfords,…
7 Tips You Need to Know to Choose The Right Sunglasses
Do you find it hard to find a pair of sunglasses that suit you? Here are a few tips to help you choose a flattering frame 1. Undertone Choose an undertone that suits your complexion. Warm browns and tortoiseshell suits warm colouring. Cool greys, blues and blacks suit cool colouring. 2. Shape Pick a pair…