There’s something magical about stepping into a thrift store or vintage boutique. If you love vintage and second-hand fashion, you know the thrill of uncovering unique, high-quality pieces that bring personality to your wardrobe. But mastering the art of thrifting requires skill—one that can transform your personal style while being budget-friendly and sustainable. Why Vintage…
A reader recently wrote to me and asked: “How do I look good when I’m overweight? I am menopausal and find jackets difficult to wear with long cardigans underneath, as I live in the Arctic.” First, it’s important to recognize that being overweight is not a body shape. There are many different body shapes, and…
In This Video 0.07 My challenge is finding the right colours for my summer wardrobe when they aren’t current fashions 2.34 How do I incorporate my essence by John Kitchener into my style relating to my 8 shape body? When I do personality quizzes I get more Classic than what I got with Kitchener which…
Struggling to find clothes that flatter your shape, fit well, and stay within budget? You’re not alone. Many women face these challenges, but with a few strategies, you can build a wardrobe that makes you feel confident and stylish. I received a message from a reader who expressed a common struggle: finding clothes that fit…
“I struggle with simplifying my wardrobe. I know what I look good in, but I want to try other styles, so I buy them and never wear them. I end up with a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear. I get overwhelmed and donate hardly-worn clothes, which breaks my heart because it’s so…
Accessories are the icing on your sartorial cake. They can easily elevate your outfit, give interest and detail, and show off your unique personality. This is why I love them so much. Handbags are an accessory that you are more likely to have fewer of in your wardrobe and tend to use the same one…
Personal style is more than just fabric draped over your body; it’s an outward expression of who you are and what you stand for. Every choice we make—from the clothes we buy to the way we style them—communicates something about our personal beliefs and values. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, your wardrobe can…
Are you tired of feeling frustrated when putting together outfits that don’t quite feel right? Or maybe you find yourself staring at your wardrobe, wondering why certain clothes don’t flatter your figure the way you hoped they would. The secret lies in understanding the foundations of style—your body shape, proportions, and variations—so that you can…
How do you know that the clothes you’re buying will wear well and are good quality? If you’re not a seamstress (where you’ve spent hours and hours of your life making clothes and learning about construction techniques and the qualities of different fabrics) it can be hard to know what you’re getting, and it’s easy…
Struggling to Find Clothes in Your Color Palette? Here’s What to Do Have you ever felt like the universe is conspiring against your wardrobe? You know your colours, and you’ve done the work, but somehow, after countless hours of shopping both in-store and online, you still can’t find anything that fits the bill. If this…
Unleashing Your Inner Style Maven As women age, our relationship with style can evolve. While some embrace their newfound confidence and sartorial freedom, others may find themselves feeling lost or unsure of how to express themselves through their wardrobe. Do you feel that you’re stuck in a style rut and are not sure how to…
Frequently, my personal styling clients say to me “I don’t want to look like mutton dressed as lamb!”. It’s a common lament, but what does “Mutton dressed as lamb” really mean anyway? Meaning of Mutton Dressed as Lamb The term “mutton dressed as lamb” has its origins in British slang and has been in use…
A reader asked me if “round adds pounds” why do you say curved hems are more flattering? Aren’t curved hems round and therefore shouldn’t be more slimming than straight ones? So I thought I’d make up this really simple graphic that shows the difference between the two options: a horizontal hem and a curved or…
Have you ever stood in front of your wardrobe, puzzled by a garment that combines both warm and cool colours? You’re not alone. This can be particularly challenging when the pattern includes colours like blue and orange or blue and yellow. Here’s a guide to help you navigate these tricky combinations and ensure that your…
I recently read this quote from writer and designer Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, on what causes old age: “The producer of old age is habit: the deathly process of doing the same thing in the same way at the same hour day after day, first from carelessness, then…
One question I get asked a lot after a personal colour analysis and the client now has their palette and signature colours in their hand, is “Who sells my colours and where can I buy them?” Now I’ve got some posts here to help you identify colours that fit your palette when you’re out shopping…
Do you have a colour palette but are not 100% sure how best to use it? Maybe you’ve been looking for individual colours in the palette and trying to match garments and accessories to those exact colours and ignoring anything that doesn’t match exactly? If this is you, then this post is for you, as…
With winter approaching way faster than I’d like, I noticed that puffer jackets were available and they’ve become such a great staple in so many wardrobes because they are both lightweight and warm. That said, because they are puffy and voluminous in their style, they do add visual bulk to your frame, so it’s worth…
What Styles of Tops Suit Your Shape? Depending on your shape there are some differences in the styles of tops that you should look for when shopping (or sewing) for them. I’ve collected a variety of styles for each of the body shapes on these shoppable boards so that you can easily find some great…
Happy World Book Day! Let’s Crack Open a Universe of Style Have you ever stopped to think about the magic a book holds? It’s a portal to countless worlds, a repository of wisdom whispered across centuries, and a wellspring of inspiration waiting to be tapped. As someone who spends a good chunk of my time…
Did you know that back at the turn of the 20th Century there were women known as the Dress Doctors, who taught in universities how to develop your style and create and curate a wardrobe of clothes that you love to wear and that fit, flatter and express your personality, using concepts from the world…
