When Net-A-Porter first launched; I thought to myself 'that will never work'. How wrong I was. Natalie Massenet recently made £50million from the sale of the business and rightly so. She proved what the sceptics thought wasn't possible - and her premise was simple:
WOMEN LOVE TO SHOP!!!
All Massenet did was realise that there was a gap in the market and that online is as good a way as any to buy clothes - especially when the women of today have even less time and more to do than ever before.
The A/W2010 season is just around the corner and the new season's styles are coming in....so now is the time to log on and check out the new trends (although the whole camel colour things is absolutely vile - sorry but it is. Few women can wear it well and it's a nightmare to keep clean). Anyway, before I digress any further, go and check out some of my favourite online websites and see for yourself:
www.my-wardrobe.com
www.asos.com
www.mulberry.com
www.topshop.com
www.theOutnet.com
www.Brownsfashion.com
www.ShopStyle.co.uk
Happy Shopping!!!
Showing posts with label looking good; stylish women; looking great; fashion for women; fashion; looking stylish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label looking good; stylish women; looking great; fashion for women; fashion; looking stylish. Show all posts
Monday, 16 August 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
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.
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.
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?
Thursday, 17 June 2010
FINE HATS AND FRIPPERY
As it's Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, it seems only right to talk about hats. Big hats, small hats, silly hats, sassy hats will all be out in force today.............and most women love to wear them.
Why?
It's a chance to express our individuality, creativity, femininity and drama.....all through an accessory which, outside of a wedding, has vanished from our daywear wardrobe.
So what are the dos and don'ts?
1. A hat should harmonise and balance with your face shape and size- not overwhelm it or might your face look 'bigger'.
2. Most people wear the hat incorrectly - it should sit on the crown of your head.
3. I'm all for wearing a hat at a jaunty angle - but make sure it's fixed on properly. There's nothing more damaging to the delight and look of wearing a hat than having to spend your whole day with your hand on your head trying to keep it on as the wind blows.
4. A great alternative to the hat is the 'fascinator'. These gorgeous creatures come in all shapes and sizes and can attached to the hair with a slide or clip.
5. Don't feel that you have to match all the colours of your accessories - so for example - cream bag, cream shoes, cream fascinator, cream pashmina etc. This can all look too 'matchy matchy' and can look dated.
6. You can pick a colour as an accent to wear for the hat/fascinator, or if you are wearing a pattern in your clothes, then choose one of these colours as the colour for your headgear.
7. Don't do pattern in the hat or fasinator AND in the outfit. You'll look like a pair of curtains.
8. Dark colours and bright colours suit ladies with high contrast (e.g. dark hair; light skin). Low contrast colouring suits lighter colours for the headgear.
9. Decide on which part of your outfit is the focal point - is it the hat or is it something else? Don't have too many in the whole 'look' - the eye likes to be deceived - but not confused.
10. Whoever thought that wearing a fruit bowl; telephone box, a kitchen utensil or any item of furniture on your head looked great......clearly needs their eyes testing.
Finally - never buy hats....rent them. Much cheaper and much more practical!
Happy hat hunting.
Why?
It's a chance to express our individuality, creativity, femininity and drama.....all through an accessory which, outside of a wedding, has vanished from our daywear wardrobe.
So what are the dos and don'ts?
1. A hat should harmonise and balance with your face shape and size- not overwhelm it or might your face look 'bigger'.
2. Most people wear the hat incorrectly - it should sit on the crown of your head.
3. I'm all for wearing a hat at a jaunty angle - but make sure it's fixed on properly. There's nothing more damaging to the delight and look of wearing a hat than having to spend your whole day with your hand on your head trying to keep it on as the wind blows.
4. A great alternative to the hat is the 'fascinator'. These gorgeous creatures come in all shapes and sizes and can attached to the hair with a slide or clip.
5. Don't feel that you have to match all the colours of your accessories - so for example - cream bag, cream shoes, cream fascinator, cream pashmina etc. This can all look too 'matchy matchy' and can look dated.
6. You can pick a colour as an accent to wear for the hat/fascinator, or if you are wearing a pattern in your clothes, then choose one of these colours as the colour for your headgear.
7. Don't do pattern in the hat or fasinator AND in the outfit. You'll look like a pair of curtains.
8. Dark colours and bright colours suit ladies with high contrast (e.g. dark hair; light skin). Low contrast colouring suits lighter colours for the headgear.
9. Decide on which part of your outfit is the focal point - is it the hat or is it something else? Don't have too many in the whole 'look' - the eye likes to be deceived - but not confused.
10. Whoever thought that wearing a fruit bowl; telephone box, a kitchen utensil or any item of furniture on your head looked great......clearly needs their eyes testing.
Finally - never buy hats....rent them. Much cheaper and much more practical!
Happy hat hunting.
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.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Blue Is The Colour
Did you know that colours evoke different emotions and associations with all of us? We speak a language of colour (e.g. seeing red; feeling blue; green with envy; yellow-bellied etc.) which connect colour to emotion - and it's everywhere.
I read an article recently which talked about the colour BLUE. Although scientists believe we associate it with being calm; research now suggests it makes us more creative and imaginative. Who'd have thought that?
A Canadian study found that volunteers who had blue walls and furniture took more risks and were more creative - whilst RED helped concentration. Interior designers have long used colour to influence our mood through the use of pale, muted tones.
Interesting, but who cares you might say? Well, think about it in the context of your hair, clothing and accessories. I have clients who 'feel pretty' in certain colours - or more confident or more sexy.....and I believe them. For sure you will have colours which you don't like with a vengeance (Yellow anyone?) Some colours we just don't 'do' - and it's different for everyone. I'm not a fan of grey - but that's just on me. On others it can look gorgeous.
The point is this: yet again it shows that when we wear something which we positively emotionally connect to then we feel better/more confident/more like ourselves. So, whether it's blue, green, red, yellow, purple, brown, black, white, orange, cream or any other colour under the sun - go wear it - enjoy it and feel better and more like the real you.
I read an article recently which talked about the colour BLUE. Although scientists believe we associate it with being calm; research now suggests it makes us more creative and imaginative. Who'd have thought that?
A Canadian study found that volunteers who had blue walls and furniture took more risks and were more creative - whilst RED helped concentration. Interior designers have long used colour to influence our mood through the use of pale, muted tones.
Interesting, but who cares you might say? Well, think about it in the context of your hair, clothing and accessories. I have clients who 'feel pretty' in certain colours - or more confident or more sexy.....and I believe them. For sure you will have colours which you don't like with a vengeance (Yellow anyone?) Some colours we just don't 'do' - and it's different for everyone. I'm not a fan of grey - but that's just on me. On others it can look gorgeous.
The point is this: yet again it shows that when we wear something which we positively emotionally connect to then we feel better/more confident/more like ourselves. So, whether it's blue, green, red, yellow, purple, brown, black, white, orange, cream or any other colour under the sun - go wear it - enjoy it and feel better and more like the real you.
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