When thinking about putting together an outfit once you’ve got the basics sorted (find out more about my Outfit Formula and choosing the best neutral basics for you) you may want a uniting or linking piece that ties other elements of it together. This may be a garment or accessory that contains elements such as…
X body shapes (hourglass figures) have defined waists, but their shoulders and hips are the same width (unlike the A who has wider hips than shoulders). There is a longer straighter slope from waist to hips (unlike the high shelf-like curve of the 8 shape). You can see that the X shape has a much…
Have you ever put on a casual outfit and felt…well, invisible? Like you’ve gone from “put together professional” to “I gave up today”? You’re not alone. A lovely reader recently shared this exact frustration with me: “When I wear casual clothes, I look like I’m not trying. I want to look more put together.” It’s…
Age is Just a Number Let’s kick off by debunking the myth that age should dictate your fashion choices. Your style is a reflection of your personality, and it’s time to embrace your unique self. Instead of conforming to what used to be style rules and societal norms such as having to cut your hair…
It’s not what is similar to others that makes you memorable, instead, it’s your differences. Rather than wearing a style that is a bit of a clone of everyone else you see around you, wearing the same fashion trends in the same way as every other person which ends up making you bland, think about…
Recently, I received a raft of notifications from Linked In (the ‘business social media’ platform) with congratulations from colleagues and clients to mark my “14 year work anniversary” as they call it. And one of these notes came from my brother which started a conversation about some of the ‘family values’ we’d been brought up…
Have you ever felt that your naturally relaxed, casual style lacks the polished edge of a more “put-together” look? I know exactly how it feels to want to elevate your casual style. One of my readers wrote to me and let me know that despite loving a natural, laid-back wardrobe, she sometimes struggles with the…
How to Stop Second-Guessing Your Style Purchases (And Give Yourself Permission to Buy the Good Stuff) Have you ever stood in a store, holding something beautiful, but put it back because it felt too expensive or too risky? Michelle did. In fact, she wrote in with a question I hear all the time: “I have…
I’m delighted to be introducing you to Shellie Bowdoin blogger of The Fabulous Journey. Based in Manilla, the Philippines Shellie is sharing her Stylish Thoughts here. What is the secret to great style? One of my favorite “fortune cookie” sayings is, “Know Thyself.” I believe the secret to great style is knowing what works…
“Do you think certain body types/faces look better in certain styles of clothes – and what I mean here is either casual, classic, sporty, etc.I have an X shape (hourglass) and with it being spring going into summer here in Canada, everyone wears t-shirts and capris/shorts a lot, but I find I look dumpy/matronly in…
If you learn how to mix prints and patterns in an outfit like a pro, you’ll expand your selection of possible ways of putting your existing clothes together and get way more bang for your fashion buck. Are there any fashion rules regarding mixing prints and patterns in your outfits? Mixing prints in fashion is…
Hi, could you please address what color and shape of glasses to wear depending upon coloring? I am a cool brunette. Thanks. There are so many elements to choosing a flattering frame, including colour. Here are my top 5 essential factors to consider. 1. Colour Is your undertone warm or cool? If you are warm…
A reader question… You recently asked for reader input, and I have a styling question. How do I style an extreme dropped crotch harem pant? I saw a woman wearing something like this on the street this summer and completely fell for them. I love the clean, simple lines, and the drama and contrast if…
What does the back of your outfit look like? It’s something that many of us ignore. Pretty much every outfit you see here is a front view, sometimes a little side, but that’s about it. So how about what is going on in the back? What’s Your Back View? Most of the time our back…
A while back I bought a tunic top from Target. I fell in love with the fabric, and overlooked that the shape didn’t do anything much for my body. Every time I put it on I felt frumpy and looked pregnant as my larger breasts made it balloon over my tummy. It’s design was the…
Today I welcome a guest post from Jill Chivers. Jill runs a program and award winning website called My Year Without Clothes Shopping which she invited me to be a guest contributor for, writing the lessons on colour and style. Jill’s own year-long challenge, her year without clothes shopping, finishes on Wednesday December 15 2010. Here…
How to Choose a Garment with Detail Have you ever thought about where a garment is making you look? Garments can have focal points, particularly with pattern and detail (or colour changes) so it’s good to be aware of where these are and what is ideal for you. Design details can draw attention to different…
Reader Question – I’m an o-shape and I find that jeans just never stay up or if I belt them really tight, they hurt. I find it impossible – any tips? All of us have different shapes, sizes and styles so finding the perfect pair of jeans can be a massive task with an overwhelming number…
In this podcast with Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types we discuss strategies to building a wardrobe – whether you’re a new graduate from university and need to build a work wardrobe, you’ve moved industries and the dress code is different, or you’ve gone from the workforce to either bring up your kids or retire,…
Do you have a hobby or some sort of activity you enjoy doing? What is it that you enjoy? There are so many different sorts of hobbies – from the physical (sports, golf, rock climbing, hiking, skydiving, yoga. etc) to the home-based (gardening, cooking etc.) to the social (dancing, Italian conversation classes, chess, mahjong etc)…
I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the Miss Fisher Mysteries (ABC TV) costume exhibition just opened at Rippon Lea House, a gorgeous Victorian mansion in Melbourne’s Elsternwick. We were plied with yummy champagne and fed with canapes before we got to hear from the producers of the ABC TV show…
