Yesterday’s post titled Curves are Back! has sparked some interesting discussion. One of the most obvious points about these articles is that curves are only ‘media acceptable’ when they’re the ‘right kind of curve’, that is, hourglass, slim waist, no potbelly, bust and rounded bottom, and generally around a size 12-14, definitely not size 22…
Many people in warmer climates would like to add a 3rd piece (that extra garment that adds some extra interest) but find it’s too hot for a jacket, so why not try a waistcoat. 5 Easy Ways to Style Waistcoats as a Third Piece Wear a vest over a dress Wear a casual or unstructured…
Why should you care about the size of your clothes? Yet I see again and again women judge themselves, their value, their worth on the number that sits on a label inside their clothes. That’s it, it’s just a number. A number that has no value. You are worth so much more than any number…
Yes, body shapes can be confusing, we are all unique, so there is no exact standard for body shapes, but these are guidelines. You can be a mix of body shapes, though you will probably find that you fall more into one shape than another. If you have the top half of an A and…
Winter is a time of year that allows you to throw on more, not less, which means it’s way easier to create more interesting outfits as you can keep adding layers of texture, pattern and adding details (unlike in summer, where even adding a “third piece” can be too much, which is why I’ve shared…
How to Choose an Empire Waist to Suit Your Body Shape An Empire Waist garment has a high cut waist seam that sits directly under the breasts (above your natural waistline). It’s flattering on so many body shapes because it doesn’t require a defined natural waist to work. For petites it works because it raises…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the A body shape? The A shape has narrower shoulders than hips with a defined waist and is often described as a pear shape body. If you want all the details grab your Body Shape Bible here. The widest part of the hip is at the…
Hi Imogen, I am 5’0 and 120lb with a figure of eight shape. I am very short waisted (my waist is the smallest about 1.5 inches from the bottom of my bust). So I’ve been wearing shirts untucked with a belt as I have a little bit of a belly. The only thing is, it…
I don’t belt often as I’m an H shape and have a short waist with large bust, so belting at the waist draws attention to my boxy shape and makes my breasts look larger. But occasionally I do like the addition of a belt as it adds a detail to my outfit to make it more interesting.…
We’ve all grown up with dolls, celebrities, and media ideals quietly whispering (or sometimes shouting) what the “ideal” body should look like. And for many generations, Barbie – with her impossibly long legs, tiny waist, and perfect proportions – has set a standard that’s not just unrealistic… it’s physically impossible. But don’t take my word…
Jewellery is the icing on your sartorial cake. Accessories can elevate an outfit with ease, which is why I wanted to share two great videos on the 2026 jewellery trends. Now, if you’re like me and don’t throw out jewellery when it’s out of fashion, you’re in luck, as there are many trends that have…
Diagonal lines create movement and action. They move the eye from one element to another and can be used to move the gaze upward or downward, depending on the direction of the diagonal. In Western cultures, because we read left to right, the left to right diagonal moves the gaze upwards (towards the face). The…
Becoming a magician with clothes involves learning the illusion of line. The slowest line we see is the curved line. Why? Well as our eye follows its path, it’s curves slow us down. Thus, if it’s a slower line to look at, it adds volume and curves to our bodies. Where do we find curves…
Jackets are one of the essential third pieces in your wardrobe. They can cover a multitude of sins, and dress up a more casual outfit, or if made from a casual fabric, dress down a fancier one. Jackets bypass many of your personal ‘statistics’. The can diminish the appearance of a large bust or tummy,…
Your weekly roundup of style and colour Q&A videos – please do email me your pressing colour and style questions to answer in upcoming videos! Your Questions Answered in this video 0.10 How can I create a capsule wardrobe when I have low colour contrast and don’t want to include neutrals? 4.15 As a low…
A reader asked if I could write a post on when and how to wear necklaces. Well, I think when – anytime, all the time, whenever you want! So how is another question. How to Choose Jewellery to Suit Your Personality Style Some tips. Really long necklaces look best on those with a small bust,…
The H shape body guide is making sense to me. The one piece of advice I find confusing is to avoid anything at the waist. I though if you don’t have much waist definition you can fool the eye by adding a belt or using contrasting colors where your waist should be (in my case,…
I’ve brought you the Stylish Thoughts of lots of other bloggers, but never shared mine, so I thought that this week I’d give you a taste of my personal style. What is the secret to great style? Knowing who you are, owning that, and expressing it through your clothes. Good grooming. Grooming is the first…
I want you to take a look today at Karen Of a Certain Age’s blog post today about Russia’s first lady, Svetlana Medvedev. Given her status, I’m guessing she’s dressed designer – so why doesn’t she pay to have her hems altered professionally to a length that suits her figure, buy a more uplifting bra,…
In this Video: How to deal with boredom in your outfits and wardrobe when you can’t shop? How to do an inner column of colour without getting bored (particularly in summer when it’s too hot to wear a third piece)? Discuss Matchy Matchy. Matching shoes and accessories. Does this make the eye dart around or…
1. Being influenced by the sales assistant who is paid to get you to buy clothes (whether they suit you or not). Retail sales staff are paid to sell you clothes. Some are even paid extra commissions based on how much they sell. So it’s in their interest that you buy as much as…
