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 wearing fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wearing fashion. Show all posts
Monday, 9 August 2010
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.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Should We Be A Slave To Fashion?
It was extremely sad news to hear of the death of Alexander (Lee) McQueen last week. 40 years old and in his prime. Much has been written about his work - his was a huge talent and yes, we all know he was the bad boy of British fashion. But the reality is that he knew how to dress for women's shapes, cut fabric exquisitely and experiemented with pattern, texture and detail to wonderful effect.
The question I'm often asked by my clients when it comes to designers 'though is: 'but what about the outfits which appeared on the catwalk?' You can't wear that!! It's true of course - but catwalks are a theatre of expression - a place to be creative, frivolous, expressive, joyous, mischievous and sometime shocking with a 'look'. The themes, trends and ideas are interpreted in cuts, shapes, details for clothes which subsequently do appeal and can sell by the bucket load.
So what about the fashion shows and seasonal trends when it comes to the 'Stylish Woman'? Should we all rush out and buy 'luxe sportswear' for Spring/Summer 2010 for example? Hmmm. The reality of most women's lives (and wardrobes) is that they do not have the money, time or energy to continually change their closets to suit the 'trend'. And the good news is that you don't have to.
As the fabulous Coco Chanel said: 'Fashion comes and goes; style is forever'. Have 'fashion items' in your wardrobes by all means - experiment with pieces that are 'on trend'. You may find they become old friends; but you may also find that they do their duty and then need to be retired at the end of the season. So - don't feel obliged to spend vast sums of money on very fashionable pieces, and know that the good news is you don't have to - there are plenty of high quality fashion pieces in shopping malls the world over. Having between 10-15% of your wardrobe for high fashion is plenty, plenty, plenty.
Enjoy and experiment with fashion; have fun with it; see how it can transform an outfit. But don't be a slave to fashion - remember that not all trends will suit you anyway (no matter how hard you try). Finding your style - loving and living that through your clothes is always the best way to go.
The question I'm often asked by my clients when it comes to designers 'though is: 'but what about the outfits which appeared on the catwalk?' You can't wear that!! It's true of course - but catwalks are a theatre of expression - a place to be creative, frivolous, expressive, joyous, mischievous and sometime shocking with a 'look'. The themes, trends and ideas are interpreted in cuts, shapes, details for clothes which subsequently do appeal and can sell by the bucket load.
So what about the fashion shows and seasonal trends when it comes to the 'Stylish Woman'? Should we all rush out and buy 'luxe sportswear' for Spring/Summer 2010 for example? Hmmm. The reality of most women's lives (and wardrobes) is that they do not have the money, time or energy to continually change their closets to suit the 'trend'. And the good news is that you don't have to.
As the fabulous Coco Chanel said: 'Fashion comes and goes; style is forever'. Have 'fashion items' in your wardrobes by all means - experiment with pieces that are 'on trend'. You may find they become old friends; but you may also find that they do their duty and then need to be retired at the end of the season. So - don't feel obliged to spend vast sums of money on very fashionable pieces, and know that the good news is you don't have to - there are plenty of high quality fashion pieces in shopping malls the world over. Having between 10-15% of your wardrobe for high fashion is plenty, plenty, plenty.
Enjoy and experiment with fashion; have fun with it; see how it can transform an outfit. But don't be a slave to fashion - remember that not all trends will suit you anyway (no matter how hard you try). Finding your style - loving and living that through your clothes is always the best way to go.
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