Over the years I’ve been working as an image consultant I’ve realised that style is a journey, not a destination. Your clothes must express who you are, without this you won’t appear confident. Without confidence, you won’t be anywhere as near stylish as you could be. So how do you combine what you like with what…
So What is Smart Casual Anyway? Smart casual treads the line between more businesslike or formal wear and relaxed casual everyday attire. It’s ideal for many relaxed business settings and social occasions with polished, yet relaxed attire. As such, nailing the perfect smart casual look requires balance. A common way to achieve a smart casual…
Reader Question – I have a back issue that means I can’t wear heels. I work in a corporate job and I feel that wearing ballet flats doesn’t look as polished as heels. Do you have any suggestions? The expectation that women wear high heels to work, or anywhere for that matter, seems like an…
Reader Question: My biggest challenge is that my pants don’t quite fit properly. The size that fits best are just a tad small in the waist but the next size up is way too big all over. I like an outfit but I put on but then my midsection catches my eyes and it’s discouraging.…
Reader Question – I’m a low colour contrast, high-value contrast creative type who adores print. How do I choose a print with these concepts in mind? I’m keen on blue and white prints. Identifying Monochromatic Prints A common misconception is that monochromatic patterns and prints are black and white (and sometimes greys). But it actually…
Reader Question – Can you help me see the whole picture instead of paying too much attention to the details in my outfits? Whether you have good attention to detail or whether you can see the big picture easily and clearly is generally part of your personality. Some of us think in detail and we…
Looking good in a hot and humid environment is something I struggle with. Anyone living in Singapore, Queensland or Florida will know what I’m talking about, too – the humidity feels damp, uncomfortably sticky and even difficult to breathe. I have some tips for how to look stylish in hot and humid weather… Fabric Selection…
Some people find it easy to get rid of stuff but they are often the exception to the rule. The vast majority of us have a sentimental or emotional attachment to the time, money or the energy cost of an item. Why You Should Become a More Conscious Shopper When you shop and you purchase…
Reader Question: How much of each colour should you wear – what are the proportions when putting an outfit together? Balance and Harmony You want to create a balance between the inner you, your personality, and the outer you, your appearance and natural colouring. You want to feel like you when wearing your colours…
Style and fashion can be overwhelming. There will be days when getting dressed is a struggle when you can’t pick an outfit or you find yourself wearing the same pieces in your wardrobe that you have always worn, in the same combination and not feeling excited about them. Defining your personal style and knowing your…
Reader Question – My biggest challenge is to put together a simple relaxed wardrobe in my colours. I like simplicity and would love a capsule. I work with preschool children and will be retiring next year. My mother was a preschool teacher so I have a good understanding that you really need practicality in your…
Everyone wants to look and feel attractive, even irresistible to that important person in your life. For many of us, there is a difference between being alluring by creating a sense of desire and being sexy by creating sexual appeal. It’s the way a woman moves, talks, body language and the way she conducts herself…
Reader question – When answering style quizzes or determining a personal style, should one do that based on living in an ideal world and make adjustments for our real world? In other words if physical time and budget restraints were not an issue, should we select our preferred style and go from there. I’ve had…
How do I narrow down what works for me? There are so many options in stores and I get overwhelmed by all the choices. My mother says a similar thing to me, “I won’t shop in department stores because I’m just overwhelmed, there’s just too much out there.” The world is your oyster these days…
Reader Question – How do I get to be more adventurous with my styling? Being different, standing out, taking risks—these are things that sound scary and uncomfortable, but are actually really awesome. Since you change your outfit every day, you have a near-infinite number of chances to take risks, both big and small. And if you…
Do you prefer to stand out from the crowd or the people around you (where you work, live) with your style, or do you prefer to blend in and not be so noticeable as you prefer not to get any comments or attract attention? Is it more important to stand out and make a statement…
Reader Question: Often we find blogs about elegance state that we should never wear fabrics that crush. I wear a lot of linen which crushes terribly. Could you suggest fabrics that look pressed when wearing? Linen is one of the best fabrics to wear during the summer. It’s light, it’s breathable, and that helps to…
Wearing black and dark neutrals has been considered sophisticated and chic for some decades. It used to be that black was only worn by the grieving or for a classy night out in your little black dress (first created by Coco Chanel in the 1920s). These days black has become the safest (and honestly, boring)…
Reader Question – Why is it that you advise that those with grey hair wear smoky and more muted colours? Doesn’t this just make us fade away? Although our genetic makeup never changes, our hair changes both in colour and texture as we get older. In the same way, we lose the bloom of youth and…
There are so many different ways to organize your wardrobe that there is no one right way. You need to consider what works for you and your organizational skills and preferences, including your space requirements. Do you prefer to have all your items visible and displayed or would you prefer a streamlined look, where items…
Denim is a staple in most wardrobes, and rightly so. It has many uses, is a hard-wearing fabric, and can be dressed up or down (to a certain extent). As far as cost per wear goes, most people get the maximum value from their favourite jeans. It’s likely that you’ve noticed denim comes in a…
