On the weekend I spent a number of hours with a lovely client who when we were figuring out her personality style, realised that she had been ignoring accessories, thinking that they were less important than the clothes she was choosing, resulting in her not expressing an important aspect of her personality. She told me…
Exercise Taking regular exercise helps you to stay physically healthier and mentally sharper into old age, four studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed on Monday. Here are some of the studies: One of the studies found that women who exercised more during middle age – defined as an average age of 60…
I’m an H shape, not waist to speak of, and sometimes I wish I could wear a belt, but they just show off my lack of waist. So what are my options? Option 1 is to wear it low down on my hips rather than at my waist. Preferably with a curved belt that sits…
Do you buy clothes only to return them? Do you buy clothes thinking that if they don’t work you will return them, but never get around to it? How much money and time is this costing you? In my work as an image consultant I see heaps of waste, whether it be waste of money…
Reader Jill asked me for some help finding a Mother of the Groom outfit: I am quite thin with a bony chest and torso (only 47 kilos), small bust, average height, rectangular body (carrying a little more weight below the waist) and am 60 years young. My hair is jaw-length brownish red (a similar style…
Here’s my problem. I did fine at dressing for work. Fine at dressing up. Casual in the house, who cares. But given that I’m always tempted to wear my loose jeans, my yoga pants, and a tshirt, what kind of jackets can I get so that I look decent when totally comfortable? For shoes, I’ve…
Australian Marie Claire magazine did a survey of men and women, polling which Australian clothing size from 6 to 16 was sexiest. (For those in North America/Canada, an Australian 12 is a US size 8, and for those in the UK and Australian 12 is a UK size 14). Interestingly, the results said that an…
One of the other elements of choosing a necklace, along with the neckline, is creating harmony with the print or pattern or other design features of the garment it’s sitting next to. From left to right, top to bottom: Snakeskin cardigan with multiple piece coral necklace – two naturally occurring shapes, made of many small…
I was asked by a reader how to choose match necklaces with clothing, so to start, here is a quick guide on how to match necklines and necklaces Necklines that have detail – beading, ruffles, cowls etc, don’t need any extra embellishment, avoid wearing a necklace with them. Lower necklines such as Vs, Scoops, Square,…
December is here, and suddenly I’ve got to think more seriously about the whole present issue. So for yourselves (if you have to fill your own stocking), or for your stylish friends, here are a few ideas for stylish stocking fillers or Chris Kringle presents. Petal Plusheez – Spa Socks After a long day on…
I don’t spend much time wearing evening wear anymore, with small kids and no full time nanny or relatives to babysit, it’s costly to get out of the house. But about once a year I’m suddenly needing to wear something a bit special to a dinner or event and so have to cobble an outfit…
Christmas party season is upon us, and having spoke to employers at different times about this, and they do find this to be an issue as their employees turn up inappropriately dressed, I thought I’d do a quick post on what to wear to your office Christmas party. What you need to remember is that…
One of my lovely readers Karen sent me this email: I do think we can and should each find our own personal style and be comfortable with it. I do not understand the large size that handbags have become. If I carried a currently stylish handbag, it would be 90% empty, and I’m not sure…
What are the guidelines for layering tops? Many people tell me they have no idea how to do it, so here are some quick tips. 5 Tips on How to Layer Tops 1. The underlayer needs to be tighter than the overlayer (unless it’s very soft and blousy and doesn’t add extra bulk or show…
How often do we see magazine articles on the essential wardrobe items that everyone must have? How often do you actually agree with them? I’m often asked what I think these essentials are, but given that people’s lifestyles, tastes and personalities differ, there are very few garments that I would class as essential for everyone.…
After my post on flattering a soft chin, I had repeated requests for a post on flattering a pointed chin. Here are a few quick tips. Shorter hairs styles need some hair at the nape of the neck, this will balance your chin, styles that feather out at the neck or are longer will flatter. If you have…
Hi Imogen, A question I’d love for you to tackle in your blog some time if you feel like it: I have an hourglass figure, with big boobs. I look best in necklines that are reasonably low (although not barmaidy!). For example v-necks and deep wrap tops with camisoles underneath are both really flattering. They…
On Saturday night I was at a fellow image consultants Halloween party (costumes and all) chatting with another image consultant friend. We were discussing costumes and she was telling us about her gorgeous red shoes that she was wearing and saying how she’d got them on sale for $20. Then she went on and told…
What Not to Wear to the Melbourne Cup or to the Spring Racing Carnival Melbourne Cup is the biggest horse race in Australia and a day that has become a public holiday in Melbourne (yep, that’s how big it is). After years of racegoers becoming less and less well dressed, there is a push…
I just wanted to share with you the gorgeous transformation of Amber – she has sent me an email which she’s allowed me to print below for you to read. It’s this kind of new found confidence that makes my job so rewardring. When I hear the naysayers go on about how the outside doesn’t…
The Australian government recently received a body image report that advises on all manner of aspects to help build a better body image. The report encourages advertisers, the media and the fashion industry to promote more positive body image messages. The report includes a Voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image (see below) which…
