What is the difference between an 8 shape and an X shape? Well they both have defined waists, and their hips and shoulders are both fairly proportioned, (though sometimes you can have an 8 shape that has narrower shoulders, more like the A shape, but their hips are a different shape to a traditional A/pear).…
This is a question that I’d love your feedback on. If you could have the perfect shopping experience what would it be? When you do go shopping in your non-fantasy world, what frustrates you most? For me it’s that you tend to find when there is a big fashion trend, that it’s everywhere…
Given that there is no standard sizing, we all have garments in our wardrobes that range between 2-4 sizes (or at least have found when trying clothes on that in some stores we are one size and in another we are apparently ‘larger’ or ‘smaller’), so why are we so hung up on that number…
Tonight I spent a couple of hours with some lovely image consultant students of mine, and we were looking at each others outfits and working out what we might tweak to improve. One of my lovely students was wearing ankle length pants (which are a trend at the moment) and we played with the length…
Well, after years in the making (and I’m telling you it’s been years, I started writing this ebook way back in the late 1990s when I was a publicist for Penguin Books and spent my time on the road and in the air with authors promoting their books), I’ve finally finished my new ebook Travelling…
Kelly, from I’ll Be Back requested some help working out how to dress her A shaped body, so I’ve put this polyvore together for her, and hppefully it will help some others too. Kelly works as a Legal Assistant and so wants to look approachable yet professional at work, and at the weekends…
Ever wandered how to look taller and make your legs look longer? Don’t want to (or can’t) wear a heel? How to look taller and make our legs look longer Well then you need to consider your shoe vamp. Shoe Vamp – what is is and why does it matter? I’m always going on about low…
Following on from my post on How Not to Look Like Mutton Dressed as Lamb, some interesting thoughts were put forward. Karen asked that I do something on Jeans for the woman who is neither mutton nor lamb, who is of a certain age, so I’ve created this little image to share with you. …
One of the resources I like to look at to see what we can expect to see in shops for the next season is the Pantone Fashion/Colour Forecast. The Spring edition is currently available and you can read it here to see exactly what the colours look like. What I find interesting is…
One of the most common issues many women face is that as they get older they worry about dressing inappropriately for their age – the old “mutton dressed as lamb” issue. How Not to Look Like Mutton Dressed as Lamb Interestingly, what I’ve discovered with my clients, is that if that thought ever crosses their…
I found this post over at The Blue Kimono – and love it so much I’m republishing it (I hope you dont mind Sallymandy! Fashion is in the clothes. Style is in the wearer. Fashion stuns. Style delights. Fashion costs. Style is priceless. Fashion is mindless. Style is intelligent. Fashion is fascistic. Style is…
Julianne from Potpourri Promenade has asked that I create set for her. She’s a Mum and needs a practical and stylish wardrobe. I’ve created this set for her with her colouring in mind. Julianne has soft warm colouring, so I’ve avoided black, and as she needs comfort and practicality, so I’ve shown a few shoe…
So we’ve covered colour contrast and value contrast, the final piece of the puzzle is how your personality affects your contrast levels. Your personality can be a ‘rule breaker’ or ‘rule stickler’ one – if you are dramatic, rebellious or high energy (life of the party), no matter what your outward appearance, you may enjoy…
I’m currently writing an ebook on packing tips – and I want your input – what are your essentials that you never leave home without? How much do you take for a week? How much do you take for 2-3 weeks? What do you leave behind? How big is the bag your take? What are…
If I had to describe my personal style in 3 words it would be creative, dramatic, feminine. When I discovered my personal style preferences when I was undertaking my image consultant training (though it has developed and morphed some in the past few years), I finally understood why I can’t wear sneakers if I’m not…
Petite and curvy can be a little tricky to dress, so how do you take the X shape rules and then make them work for a petite height so that nothing overwhelms? And of course, your style also needs to relate to your personality too – this is part of the style puzzle that can…
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?
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…
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…
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…
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…
