Strapless - Do We or Don't We?

Ladies,

Let's talk about strapless dresses. We need to. Summer is here in force and so are weddings, summer parties, barbecues and holidays - all of which seem to bring out the strapless queen in us.

However - beware.

Most women look simply dreadful in strapless dresses - and don't seem to realise it. Why? Well, let me tell you.....................
1. A full bosom does not work in a strapless dress. It's asking for trouble when it comes to a public, unplanned nudity moment and can be distracting (to say the least), when walking. And you can forget running for a bus.
2. The whole 'yank the dress back up' look is just dreadful. This means it's not fitted enough to stay put and shatters any illusion of being ladylike and is utterly conflicts with the whole 'ladylike' look we're going for.
3. Short necks; broad or very sloping shoulders and batwing arms all don't work with strapless - equally a very bony, scrawny top half doesn't look good. Wear a pashmina or bolero cardigan for coverage.
4. Unless your skin is flawless - absolutely smooth and clear - no spots, bumps, wrinkles, sunburn or flakiness - then just.......don't.
5. And beyond a certain age - exposing all that flesh just isn't great. (And I say that as a woman who is enjoying middle youth - not middle age).

So who does it work for? Ladies with long necks, slim shoulders, small chests and toned arms are most likely to look stunning. So by my reckoning that's about 4 of us.

Celebrate International Women's Day

Monday 8th March is the day to celebrate women - all of our qualities, capabilities and achievements. It's International Women's Day.

Today also seems appropriate and timely as the day to acknowledge the success of Kathryn Bigelow, who won the Oscar for Best Director and also for Best Picture at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Amazingly it's the first time that a woman has won in either of these categories. So - much to celebrate but also a reminder of how far women still have to go when it comes to being equally recognised for their talents and skills.

The recent research into pay equality in the UK revealed that the gap between men and women's pay isn't closing. It's not right; it's not fair but it's how it is. I have a wide range of amazingly talented clients for whom my mantra is 'success is a combination of style and substance'. Being good enough for a role isn't actually always enough; you've got to consistently look, behave and communicate in a way that says to others: 'I'm the one for the new job opportunity/pay rise/project responsibility'.

Women everywhere take note: it's not about style over substance...........you need both to succeed. Enjoy International Women's Day and always remember - stand out from the crowd for the right reasons and never blend in with everyone else for the wrong ones.