It's the time of year when we're seeing real transition in the shops - the summer sales (in Europe) are finishing and the Autumn/Winter season 2010 is starting to appear......we're still all in our summer clothes; but it won't be long before we're pulling out boots and thick tights.
Yikes!
So - while you've a mo' why not have a tidy up and sort out of your wardrobe? The chances are you've got too much stuff in it anyway which you don't wear; doesn't suit you or is serious need or love, repair or retirement.
Let me share some top tips:
1. Anything you've not worn for the last 3 years should go - unless it's something which you have an emotional attachment to and couldn't bear to part with (e.g. wedding dress etc.)
2. Your 'When I've Lost Weight' clothes. No woman should open her wardrobe and look at clothes which she can't currently wear. If you TRULY mean to lose the weight then pack them away until you're ready to wear them....otherwise, stop kidding yourself and move on.
3. Items with the tags still attached which remain unworn from...............the mists of time. The chances are that you weren't sure; bought it anyway; aren't reaching for it and.........it doesn't quite work - and you knew that deep down when you pondered in the shop for ages trying to decide!!
4. Create a 'this needs repairing, dry cleaning, new buttons etc. pile' and get it to the dry cleaners.
5. Store your shoes in clear plastic boxes so that you can see what you have.
6. Fold all sweaters - never do hangers for those.
7. Remove any plastic covers from dry cleaners on clothes - not good for them and can increase moisture on your garments.
8. Replace your mothball deterrents regularly. You don't want your clothes ruined.
9. Invest in odour sprays for your shoes and spray them before putting the shoes away. It kills all bugs that create the odour.
10. Hang your most worn garments to the right as you look at your clothes; least often worn to the left and organise in groups of garments (e.g. all skirts/all trousers/all shirts etc.) then colour.
Wardrobes should inspire and excite; not depress and confuse. So get in your closet and create space, order and possibility with your clothes....so that you can go shopping...........guess where...in your wardrobe!
Showing posts with label Looking Good. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Looking Good. Show all posts
Monday, 9 August 2010
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Wearing White Well
As I watch the longest EVER match in Wimbledon tennis history; I'm struck by the notion of wearing white. How do you wear it well? What does white as a colour mean? And frankly, should any of this matter?
In Western culture, white is associated with purity; in Eastern culture it's associated with mourning.
In North America, there are unwritten rules about not wearing white before Memorial Day (end of May) and after Labour Day (first Monday in September).
Different cultures; different countries; different rules; but the same colour. So, what does white mean when it comes to clothing?
Combining white with a deep colour (e.g. black, navy, slate grey) for clothing creates a powerful and authoritative look. For both ladies and gentlemen, combining deep and light colours in our clothing enables us to look our most formal and professional.
White reflects light and so is more comfortable to wear in warm weather than black (which absorbs light), and in which we feel the heat more easily.
To wear white well means knowing what TYPE of white suits us best. If you have glorious warm colouring, then actually cream will look better on you. Cream is in fact a warm white - and by that I mean it's a white which has yellow in it. Cream and chocolate brown (which is high contrast), will look much better on you than black and white.
If you have 'salt and pepper' colouring in your hair, then probably a muted white (i.e. it has grey in it), will look better on you than a bright, sharp, clear white. And by the way a clear bright white looks glorious if you have high contrast between your skin and hair colour, or if you have gorgeous, bright eyes. I love wearing a bright white, and combine it often with black; because it matches my hair colour. If you have white hair; wearing white will suit you!
Knowing your best white is extremely useful to identifying some superb staples for your wardrobe - shirts, blouses and tees for example.
Why do some women typically hesitate over white trousers? Because white is a light colour and will increase the perception of size - so great if you want to wear a white top and make your bust appear larger - less good if you have a larger bottom and want to make it appear smaller.
As soon as any of your whites appear tired (e.g. through washing, piling, dullness of colour); replace them. They're not worth keeping and if you wear 'tired whites' in a professional environment, then beware of communicating tired and dull through your clothes. Nobody wants to say that do they?
In Western culture, white is associated with purity; in Eastern culture it's associated with mourning.
In North America, there are unwritten rules about not wearing white before Memorial Day (end of May) and after Labour Day (first Monday in September).
Different cultures; different countries; different rules; but the same colour. So, what does white mean when it comes to clothing?
Combining white with a deep colour (e.g. black, navy, slate grey) for clothing creates a powerful and authoritative look. For both ladies and gentlemen, combining deep and light colours in our clothing enables us to look our most formal and professional.
White reflects light and so is more comfortable to wear in warm weather than black (which absorbs light), and in which we feel the heat more easily.
To wear white well means knowing what TYPE of white suits us best. If you have glorious warm colouring, then actually cream will look better on you. Cream is in fact a warm white - and by that I mean it's a white which has yellow in it. Cream and chocolate brown (which is high contrast), will look much better on you than black and white.
If you have 'salt and pepper' colouring in your hair, then probably a muted white (i.e. it has grey in it), will look better on you than a bright, sharp, clear white. And by the way a clear bright white looks glorious if you have high contrast between your skin and hair colour, or if you have gorgeous, bright eyes. I love wearing a bright white, and combine it often with black; because it matches my hair colour. If you have white hair; wearing white will suit you!
Knowing your best white is extremely useful to identifying some superb staples for your wardrobe - shirts, blouses and tees for example.
Why do some women typically hesitate over white trousers? Because white is a light colour and will increase the perception of size - so great if you want to wear a white top and make your bust appear larger - less good if you have a larger bottom and want to make it appear smaller.
As soon as any of your whites appear tired (e.g. through washing, piling, dullness of colour); replace them. They're not worth keeping and if you wear 'tired whites' in a professional environment, then beware of communicating tired and dull through your clothes. Nobody wants to say that do they?
Monday, 8 March 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
What Goes On Inside The Fitting Room?
This weekend I went shopping with a very dear friend who I have known for 20 years. She is also a client of mine. During our gloriously precious time together, I was reminded of what happens when women get into fitting rooms inside shops. We become the most critical, intolerant, harsh -sometimes even cruel - observers of ourselves and our perceived physical flaws.
No amount of cheerleading by a loyal friend will do the trick - we're on a "my bum looks the side of a house" kind of a roll and nothing is going to stop us. We lose perspective, patience, enthusiasm and often head home feeling frustrated and fed up...........as well as fat. It seems that as women, we're really good at beating ourselves up and really bad at being objective about our appearance. I've seen it so often with my clients.
It's time to stop this, and here are some practical tips to help you avoid a depressing slump in morale inside the fitting room:
1. Never come out clothes shopping and venture into a store's changing room without doing your hair and putting on some make-up. Why? Because the lights and mirrors are harsh. That's not our fault; that's the store. But don't put yourself through that kind of trauma. It's entirely avoidable.
2. Take whatever shoes with which you want to wear your new clothes. You can't 'imagine' what the outfit will look like on you as easily without your footwear - so think ahead and plan to bring it with you.
3. Always have a compact or small hand mirror in your purse. You want to see what's going on behind you there. The back view is important.
4. Forget the 'communal fitting room' scenario. Past the age of 24 who wants that whole scene? I guarantee that if you do have the guts to undress in public; a very svelte lady will come in who clearly doesn't have any cellulite anywhere and looks fabulous wandering around in her undies. Personally, any shop that still wants to do that to their customers is not a favourite of mine.
5. On the topic of undies - wear nice ones when you go shopping. You'll spend quite alot of time looking at yourself in the mirror wearing just these items, so make sure they're ones that you feel good in - pretty and feminine - rather than big grey knickers that have starting pilling. That's not good for morale. And forget the 'magic-knickers' on shopping days. You'll be in a sweat and and in a state trying to rock and roll in and out of those that's for sure.
6. Keep in mind that your weight isn't important when it comes to looking gorgeous in clothes - but your shape is. The key to successful shopping is all about finding cuts and shapes of clothing that work for your body shape. And staying well away from those garments which are never, ever, ever going to work for you.
Finally - and most importantly - always remember this. When you're inside that fitting room and you look in the mirror and don't like what you see - it's the clothes that are wrong - not the body. Remember that.
No amount of cheerleading by a loyal friend will do the trick - we're on a "my bum looks the side of a house" kind of a roll and nothing is going to stop us. We lose perspective, patience, enthusiasm and often head home feeling frustrated and fed up...........as well as fat. It seems that as women, we're really good at beating ourselves up and really bad at being objective about our appearance. I've seen it so often with my clients.
It's time to stop this, and here are some practical tips to help you avoid a depressing slump in morale inside the fitting room:
1. Never come out clothes shopping and venture into a store's changing room without doing your hair and putting on some make-up. Why? Because the lights and mirrors are harsh. That's not our fault; that's the store. But don't put yourself through that kind of trauma. It's entirely avoidable.
2. Take whatever shoes with which you want to wear your new clothes. You can't 'imagine' what the outfit will look like on you as easily without your footwear - so think ahead and plan to bring it with you.
3. Always have a compact or small hand mirror in your purse. You want to see what's going on behind you there. The back view is important.
4. Forget the 'communal fitting room' scenario. Past the age of 24 who wants that whole scene? I guarantee that if you do have the guts to undress in public; a very svelte lady will come in who clearly doesn't have any cellulite anywhere and looks fabulous wandering around in her undies. Personally, any shop that still wants to do that to their customers is not a favourite of mine.
5. On the topic of undies - wear nice ones when you go shopping. You'll spend quite alot of time looking at yourself in the mirror wearing just these items, so make sure they're ones that you feel good in - pretty and feminine - rather than big grey knickers that have starting pilling. That's not good for morale. And forget the 'magic-knickers' on shopping days. You'll be in a sweat and and in a state trying to rock and roll in and out of those that's for sure.
6. Keep in mind that your weight isn't important when it comes to looking gorgeous in clothes - but your shape is. The key to successful shopping is all about finding cuts and shapes of clothing that work for your body shape. And staying well away from those garments which are never, ever, ever going to work for you.
Finally - and most importantly - always remember this. When you're inside that fitting room and you look in the mirror and don't like what you see - it's the clothes that are wrong - not the body. Remember that.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Top Ten Tips to Style in 2010
At this time of year, many women face up to the dreaded 'D' word - 'DIET'. A festive season of eating and drinking whatever we want finally catches up with us, and as we breathe in to squeeze into those dresses, jeans, skirts and tops which used fit beautifully, a New Year means a New (Smaller) You and we head for those low fat meals, the gym and a sense of self loathing at some speed.
What's the point? Well, if it makes sense to lose a pound or two, then I'm all for it BUT - many women use this activity as an excuse or a rationale to not look good NOW. This I simply do not subscribe to as a view.
Looking good in your clothes is a matter of creating optical illusions. Women need to understand how to draw the eye to our best features, and away from a wobbly bottom or bloated tummy.
So, here are my top tips:
1. Decide if you want to draw the eye VERTICALLY or HORIZONTALLY with your outfit.
2. If we're trying to appear slimmer, then we want to draw the eye VERTICALLY because this will automatically lengthen and slim our silhouette. Continuity of colour on top and bottom, vertical stripes and darker colours are all slimming and lengthening.
3. Draw the eye horizontally where we have an asset we want to emphasize e.g. a great waist needs a belt; a full tummy can be ignored by an eye-catching necklace or great lipstick to draw the eye upwards.
4. Your size doesn't matter; your shape does. What do I mean? Look at where you carry your weight. Women tend to carry it either IN FRONT (i.e boobs, mid-riff, tummy) of them or BEHIND THEM (bottom, hips and thighs). When you gain weight; it's usually where you least want to; and when you lose weight, it's always where you least want to.
5. If you want to look great in your clothes - they should follow and fit your silhouette. Fit is king. I'm so tired of seeing women in poorly fitting clothes. Get them altered or tweaked to take them from 'blah' to 'wow!'
6. Wearer darker colours where you want to slim and lighter brighter colours where you want to draw the eye.
7. Never underestimate the effect of a great haircut (and keep your colour looking good if you wear any).
8. Always do your make-up and look after your skin and nails.
9. Indulge in the world of accessories - great costume jewellery, bags, scarves, hosiery and shoes litter the high street and shopping mall. Don't shop for new clothes when you're dieting - shop for accessories; which are cheaper and can completely change the look of any outfit.
10. Walk tall - shuffling along and looking miserable is now a good look. Head up; shoulders back; deep breath; smile and off you go.
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