At the moment it’s Christmas Party season. Some are more formal, some more casual. Some are for work functions. Some are completely social. So what to wear to a party? Here are some ideas for your next event. What to Wear to a Formal Cocktail Function If the dress code is cocktail or after 5…
I am a sewer and some ideas about how to choose fabric to sew would be great. It can be challenging to locate good fabric and then imagine how it will look best sewn, and then find a suitable pattern. Fabric Drape How fluid or stiff is the fabric. The drape is not about how…
Tips on What to Keep and What to Let Go I love shopping my closet and tend to keep things a long time as a result. My problem is knowing when to get rid of things. I don’t believe in throwing clothes out just because they’re X years old, but I worry that I don’t…
Colour surrounds us, and we a coloured experience is much more impactful on us than a black/white/grey experience. We make buying decisions based on colour. Here are just a few interesting infographics and informational pieces on colour. Picture Source Men and Women label colours differently. Men tend to go for simpler names, and group more…
Discovering clothes that not only suit your age but also flatter your figure can be a daunting task. Many women face the challenge of sifting through racks of clothing, only to find options that are either too revealing or ill-fitting. If you resonate with this struggle, rest assured that you are not alone. Fashion Trends…
One of the big life changes many women go through is having kids. And adjusting to life with young children is difficult. Even more so if you have come from a professional workplace and you have a preference for the Classic personality dressing style, one that loves a crisp button-up shirt and a smart blazer…
From London in the UK comes Rebecca Ffrancon, a graduate of the Academy Professional Image and Image and Colour Consultant who shares her tips on building a more stylish and colourful wardrobe on her blog and Instagram. 1. What is the secret to great style? I think it’s all about understanding the huge role your…
Today is Australia Day, and it’s a day that is traditionally celebrated with barbecues. It’s a day at the end of the summer school holidays that is usually hot and a reminder that the working year is gearing up again (Australia really does go on holiday most of January). We love a bbq so I…
There are some colours and neutrals we label as “universal”, in that they can be worn by all. That said, the version of each of these colours varies depending on the colour properties of the colour direction. For example, the colour may be brighter or more muted and smoky. It may be a lighter or…
Maybe there’s a better way… How to find the right balance of practical clothing that work from general household chores to running to the shops. Reader Question – How do I find the right balance of clothing for my varied life? From home cleaning and yard maintenance to going out to the shops. I like…
Today I’m excited to be introducing the lovely Vix from Building a Colorful life who lives in Oregon in the USA. 1** What is the secret to great style? As many of my posts center on how I’m learning to dress myself after decades of being style-impaired, I’m still trying to unravel that! While I…
Picking Your Size from On-Line Size Charts by Catherine Scholze The internet has been a boon to independent designers over the last ten years: it allows us to talk directly to our customers and meet the needs of under-served markets that conventional retailers can’t address. But it also means that you, the customer, cannot try…
If you don’t know which colours flatter your complexion and then you get a colour analysis and discover that a heap of your clothes are not in the right colours, it can feel like an expensive exercise to replace everything. But this doesn’t have to be so as there are ways around this conundrum without…
Shoes, I love them, they really can have a huge impact on your outfit. They can be talking points, starting conversations, and can really elevate an outfit. Which is why I was excited on my recent trip to Canda, whilst in Toronto, to visit the Bata Shoe Museum. It’s home to one of the world’s…
Welcome to my weekly round-up of my Style Q&A videos that I publish each weekday on my Inside Out Style Facebook page (please join me there and leave me questions to answer in upcoming videos. In this Video: Is there a typical transition path to one’s style as you age through the decades? How do…
How we can we honour our style recipes in a retail world where quality is low, prices are high and individuality is minimum? I live in NYC and many of the interesting boutiques are gone and most stores carry very similar inventory. Honouring Your Style in a Mass Market Retail World To feel truly stylish…
Today’s Stylish Thoughts contributor is Jane Liddelow Style Makeover HQ who is a Sydney (Australia) based Image Consultant, and blogger. What is the secret to great style? If I had to sum this up in one word it would be…knowledge! And I think that can be broken down into 3 parts: 1. Knowledge of what…
The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival brings together not only fashion shows, but also fashion exhibitions and here is one worth visiting if you enjoy seeing exquisite brocades and silks and understanding more about the artisan processes to create the divine garments you see on display. Supported by the Ministry of Textiles India and the…
Loved this post from Vintage Current about how a cat call made Candice’s day and helped her think more positively about body image This post from Sal about seeing her body through the lens of style is a great read. Carly shares how embracing a label has been powerful for her. Grown up dressing and…
The Barossa Valley in South Australia is a glorious place to visit, both visually beautiful and also one of Australia’s wine production hubs. If you enjoy wine and want a leisurely break in the country, then head there for a day, weekend or mini-break. There are a huge number of wineries both large and small…
