PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: 7 WAYS TO STYLE CROPPED JEANS.

Jeans – they’re an essential part of most of our wardrobes, but when it comes to the styles we can wear, they are countless. Cropped jeans are one of the styles of jeans that is a more recent trend after years of skinny shapes dominating the fashion world, but can be tricky to style.

The first thing to think about when it comes to getting your cropped jeans is how can you style them with confidence? Here are my personal styling tips to help you discover new ways to play with your cropped jeans and perhaps add them to your wardrobe!

Cropped jeans with ankle boots

When you think of cropped jeans, you may not initially think that wearing ankle boots are a great option, but they can be super stylish together! Adding your little ankle boots, particularly when it’s a colder day, can be one way to continue to style your cropped jeans, while remaining a little warmer. I recommend wearing cropped jeans with higher boots that can hide under the jeans leg, but if you prefer to show a little space between your jeans and your boots, and your cropped jeans are the same length as your boots, then roll them up a little to show off that little bit of skin and create a break line.

A black pair of cropped jeans with black zip up boots, that have a little detail can be a great “rock chick” look to try out. However, if you’re more “romantic” in your styling, find a boot that has a thinner heel or have a quirky pattern to them to bring a little elegance or flair to your look.

Cropped jeans with a long overcoat or jacket

Layering is one of those styling additions that can transform a look, particularly for winter wear. Find a jacket or a shirt that comes to the length of your jeans and style them together to bring a complete look together. When you are looking at attending a smart/casual event this can be a great look to try as it can elevate the jeans you are wearing to a more smart-appropriate style, while remaining comfortable.

For the layering items, you can find blouses that are meant to remain open all the way or just at the top, and you can go for a fully fashion-forward look by half tucking your blouse at the front to bring an a-symmetry to the outfit. This can also be where you add your colours to the outfit, particularly if you have blue or black jeans that remain more neutral – add the colours and patterns to your outfit with a bright blouse or jacket and you’ve brought drama to your outfit!

Cropped jeans with a blazer

Now, if you know me, you know that a blazer is an essential piece I recommend to any client that wants to have an easy to add item to an outfit that brings a formal/business-appropriate addition to any item – and the same goes for your cropped jeans! Where your blazer may be more form fitting, this is where you can find a “mom” style cropped jean to your outfit or a looser fit to the bottom, that is then bringing the eye to your waist with your buttoned up or belted blazer.

For more ways to style your blazer, I have created a blog that shares a few ideas!

Cropped jeans with stilettos

With this outfit choice, you’re really going to town with the casual jeans paired with your formal or even sexy stilettos! I love bringing a heel to my jeans, so with a stiletto, go all out and make them work for you. You can have your looser fitting cropped jeans paired with your stilettos to create a sexy date-night look in a flash – with just a change of shoes! These are one of the best accessories that you can bring with you in a bag if you’re going to meetings and then seeing friends or your partner in the evening. But, with the right stilettos, you can also make these jeans work for business meetings. Find a nude or black pair of stilettos and pair them with your cropped jeans for a more work-appropriate look, that works if you are more comfortable with a smart/casual business attire.

Cropped jeans with platform trainers

Platform trainers are an excellent shoe to add to your collection – they remain comfortable, yet chic and stylish, while adding a little height. A classic white platform sneaker is a great option to add to your cropped jeans, as you can look slick and feel confident running between meetings – while remaining stylish and professional. If you want to add a little more personality, you can find platform sneakers in a range of styles, so go all out, try adding a little splash of colour to a neutral look with pink or bright blue platform trainers, while you could invest in a pair of designer platform trainers to really upgrade your look if your jeans are more budget friendly.

Cropped jeans with a shirt

You really can’t go wrong with a crisp shirt and any style of bottoms, and with your looser cropped jeans this can be another way to ensure a more smart/casual look that may work well for a more relaxed business person. A looser shirt can be a good option if you have a larger bust, as you’ll be able to tuck in your shirt into your cropped jeans to bring you in at the waist – adding a little definition with a belt can be another way to continue to bring your waist in.

Finding a cotton shirt that works for you is one investment piece I highly recommend bringing into your wardrobe, as it can go really well with many bottoms.

Cropped jeans with combat boots

Finally, one of the most rock-chick ready looks to wear with your cropped jeans is with combat boots which are another huge trend at the moment – best if you can invest in a leather or vegan leather option. With combat boots you could play with different options, from the classic punk-look of Doc Martens, to a more modern and romantic style with stiletto fronted combat boots! If you are conscious of your leg length, then matching your jeans colour to your boots is a good way to help your legs look elongated, or buy a pair of platform or heeled combat boots to add a touch of height.

While this can remain the most casual of looks, it can work well if your business style is more rocker or design-led, depending on the combat boots you try (for inspiration on how to style your combat boots in a variety of different ways, go here).

If you are planning on trying some cropped jeans, I hope some of these styling ideas have inspired you to bring new looks together! If you are unsure on how to style outfits, or want to have a professional helping hand when you go shopping, please get in touch.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: TOP WAYS TO ADD COLOUR TO YOUR WINTER OUTFITS

We all tend to wear darker colours in winter, and it is true that in fashion it can be tricky to find bright colours during the winter months, but wearing our colours is something that we should always do, so how to do that?

Whether you are looking to embrace colour in new ways into your wardrobe, or are a colour-lover and want some on-trend colours to add to your collection, this article will help bring some fun & colour to the grey months of winter!

Colour trends for 2021

While I don’t condone following trends flippantly, when it comes to finding the colours that may inspire you to add some new options to your winter wardrobe that will bring fun & personality to your day to day outfits, discovering new colours through the trends we see can be a good way to get started! Here are a few of my favourite colour trends for Autumn/Winter 2021 to try!

Yellows for Winter

One of the brightest and most fun-filled colours, yellow, was a big hit on catwalks for Moschino, Marc Jacobs, and even Dior were showcasing this fun colour on their Fall/Winter 2021 shows.

Yellow can be a tricky colour to work with depending on your season (the colour group you fall into depending on your skin tone), so look out for the yellows that work for you. From sherbet yellow shoes, to designer bright yellow suits, you’ll be dancing as if you were basking in sunshine in this colour!

Pink hues to try out

Pink is a great colour (for those who like it) and it really is a fun, upbeat colour with a huge range of different shades and tones – whether it’s an incredible shocking pink dress or baby pink bags – add this quirky fun colour to your winter wardrobe to feel a touch of brightness.

Jewel Tones – Purples and Greens

The jewel tones of previous years continue to be on-trend this Autumn/Winter and have packed the runways. These are accessible, easy to find, and will work throughout the seasons, when you choose the right tones for your skin. You can even go all out and clash the purple and green colours together to create a statement look. Try bringing a satin green skirt into your wardrobe, or a deep purple knitted jumper into your wardrobe to add the jewels to your outfit!

If you’d like to know which colours work for you, so you can try trends that will feel great, find out more about my Colour Analysis Services (available in person and online).

Start small – adding colour through accessories & jewellery

One of the most impactful parts of our wardrobes, that are often not invested in, are the accessories! You can transform an outfit with just a belt or a pair of shoes, you can elevate your brunch outfit ready for a date with just the addition of jewellery, and when it comes to adding colours these can be the quickest and most effective way to do it, particularly if you are new to colour.

Another great thing about using jewellery and accessories to add colour is that they are often work-appropriate no matter the office requirements.

Here are a few of my favourite colourful accessories and jewellery to add to your winter wardrobe to perk up your outfits and mindset, in a flash:

• Colourful earrings – earrings are a great start to adding colour, whether you’re just adding a little dash of colour through some colourful studs; some small hoops are a slightly greater option; or going all out with statement earrings, these can easily be added or taken away from an outfit.

• Statement bags – I am a lover of showing personality through my bags, and you really can have the whole spectrum of these excellent (and useful) accessories! Finding a colourful crossover body bag is a great option for day to day or running around, whereas if you go to the office regularly and are in the market for a new larger option with bags(!) of personality, why not get a colourful one?

• Upgrade your rings – yes, rings really are a way to add the finishing touches to your outfit and why not make them colourful and quirky? They can be anything from finding a colourful gemstone such as sapphire or emerald, or even full rainbow; to more original ideas that really make a statement! Just like all of these accessories, they are easy to take off if the occasion doesn’t call for them, so you can show off your personality as and when appropriate.

These are just a few of my favourite ways to help my clients dip their toes into adding colour to their outfits, and I hope they have inspired you to just get started by adding accessories or jewellery with a touch of colour this winter, however, now you’ve started on the colour train, let’s try out a few other ways!

Next Steps to Colour in Your Wardrobe – Your Coats!

Next steps to your colour freedom without feeling overwhelmed is with your coat. You can pop on a big blast of colour which, yes, may feel like a lot of colour at first, but the good news? You can keep it unbuttoned to show neutral tones underneath, and take it off when you arrive at your destination. What I love about adding colour with a coat or jacket is it is a statement – you will showcase your personality in a flash, but there is the ease of being able to take it off and be ready for meetings should you feel you have to stay in classic colours.

Consider light blues which work well with navy tones (and work into the monochrome trend, really well!), as a gentle start into colourful coat options; or you can try out a pink (also available in purple, and blue!) option to embrace the 2021 Winter trend! While if you love the autumnal colours and want to bring them into your wardrobe, you can try out a bright orange coat which really is a statement piece.

Consider the shapes of your coats and jackets, as well as the colours, as they play a huge part in the confidence we will feel when wearing them.

A little jump into colour - Knitwear

Now that the weather is so much colder, you may be considering investing in new knitwear and snuggly items to keep you warm, and if you are looking at the classic darker tones, greys, and deep browns, I would love to challenge you to find just one (or two) colourful knitwear items to play up your outfits.

This can feel like a big step, that’s why it’s my next step in my colour transformation for you – as it is shown in a much bigger block, but it can easily be removed, covered by a coat or jacket, and played down with neutrals, navy, and black on the bottom half and in your shirts or blouses so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

Play with the colours within your season as a part of your colour analysis, and if you haven’t got one of these handy go-tos for colour, put the colour next to your face and see how you feel about it alongside your skintone – while this isn’t the fool proof way to know your colours, it’s a good starting point to feeling your most confident in the colours you choose. Start with items that are going to be pieces you may take off when you get to work or meetings, or perhaps are your seeing friends outfit additions, so you can dip your toes into colour without feeling completely overwhelmed by it. Things like cardigans, cropped jumpers, or v-neck jumpers that have just the colour around the neckline, can be a good start.

These are just a few ways to add colour to your winter wardrobe if you are feeling unsure about adding colour through your traditional items of your outfit, such as trousers, shirts, and so on. I hope this has inspired you to add a spark of colour to your wardrobe, and if you are feeling unsure or overwhelmed about where to start, please get in touch about my colour analysis or personal styling services.

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A BUSINESS OR BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT

I love being a business owner. It gives me the ability to work with people I love working with, do what I adore, and have special time with my family around my business commitments. Something I have discovered over the years of running my own business is the importance of photography.

People buy from people, so having photos of myself is something I have invested in regularly, particularly as I am a sole trader, to help people connect with me and find out more about me in a matter of seconds.

Something that truly worried me at the beginning of my business journey was how to show myself in the right way to my potential contacts, clients, and colleagues. As a personal stylist, I knew I had the edge in terms of knowing the right colours and shapes to feel my best, but it took time to understand the key elements I needed to get these branding photos just right. I discovered some really important tips, and use these with my clients that I now help solely for their business branding photoshoots.

If you are planning your own business photoshoot, but are feeling overwhelmed by the feeling of what to do to get it right, you’re not alone. So, I wanted to share with you a few of the top tips I share with my clients, to help you feel more confident.

Choose the venue carefully

Your photographer may be able to help you with this, as the venue can transform the way your photos look. If they are not from the area that you want to have your photos, then it’s time to do some research! Think about what you want your photos to portray – if you want it to be fun and relaxed this will mean the venue will be completely different to a professional and corporate style of branding images.

If you are having a multi-venue shoot, you will want to make sure the journeys between the venues are easy and well planned so you aren’t going back and forth with your team and your photographer!

There are also some important things to consider when it comes to photographing at venues, such as being permitted to do so without a fee; what the lighting will be like; how many people there will be, if it is a public place; and do you need to pay for a private room? Venues can have a huge array of legal requirements for photographs that will be used for marketing, so before you book your photographer, you’ll want to speak with the venue/s to make sure you are legally permitted to have photos there.

If you are planning to have some photos outside, speak with your photographer to understand the best time of day to do this, and so they can bring the right equipment. This is also important when it comes to your outfit choices as during the heat of the summer you won’t want to be overheating, and on the opposite side of the scale, you won’t want to be incredibly cold if you’re outside in the winter!

This leads me perfectly onto the photographer choice!

The photographer is so important

We all know that we get what we pay for, so one area to always invest in when it comes to your business photos is a great photographer. Not only do they need to be of great quality, but I find, they need to be in alignment with you.

You’ll want to feel comfortable and confident with your photographer, so get to know them before the photoshoot, and do some research before booking them. A few things to ask yourself during your photographer search are:

·       Do you like their style of photography?

·       Do you align with their story?

·       Can they share some examples of similar photoshoots, perhaps within your industry, to help inspire you?

·       What will the journey look like up to and during the photo session?

One great way to know you can find the perfect photographer, is to ask people who have had photos done that you like. Word of mouth is fabulous in this case – because you know they do a great job!

Plan your outfits attentively

I can’t share branding photoshoot preparation tips without talking about the outfits, I am a personal stylist after all! I find it’s really important to prepare in advance to help you know if you need to get any extra items to make the outfits pop, and to make sure your garments feel and look right for what you want to achieve. Here are my tips for planning your branding photoshoot outfits:

1.     Select the clothes you want to wear and put them out on the bed (or on your door).

2.     Create potential combinations to elevate your looks – and create the opportunities for multiple photos that can be used across social media and marketing.

3.     Don’t forget your accessories! Jewellery, scarves, shoes, and bags can transform a look – so add them to your outfits that are hanging up or on the bed and see how they can work together.

4.     Now take a photo of every combination and save them into a folder that you can access quickly, like Pinterest, or a camera roll folder in your phone!

5.     On the day of the shoot, steam/iron your garments to make sure they look their best.

6.     Pack your garments by outfit, to help you quickly change into what you had originally planned for.

These are the steps that I follow for myself and for my clients when helping them organise their outfits for a branding photoshoot, and it really helps save time on the day and be more efficient. If you would like support to make sure your branding photoshoot is a breeze, please get in touch.  

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: 10 WAYS TO WEAR A BLAZER

After the announcement by Boris, you may be getting incredibly excited about the future of potentially going outside with friends, or heading into the office. Even if you aren’t planning on going out, but need some ideas to freshen up your Zoom meeting looks, I wanted to share with you a few ways to style up one of my favourite crossover pieces – the blazer!

Why I love the blazer

Let me first share with you why I love wearing a blazer, and recommend at least 1 or 2 in my clients wardrobes.

They can upgrade a look without having to feel stuffy or overdressed; they come in a fantastic range of shapes, colours, styles & patterns; and they can add a dash of style to a casual look or personality to a traditional office outfit.

So, let’s see some ways you can wear your blazer…

Traditional Blazer Styling – with your suit

This is where the blazer was born – to be put over your suit. Whether it’s your tailored suit trousers and a shirt, or a pencil skirt, your blazer works perfectly over a suit and is the optimum meetings/professional outfit.

Over a dress

For those of you who love to wear your dresses to meetings or on Zoom calls (or like me, are dressing up once a week during this lockdown with a lovely dress!) you can always add a fabulous blazer to finish off the look and keep yourself a little warmer in the cooler months. Try to add a pop of colour or statement patterns if your dress is a neutral or simple style.

Draped over the shoulder

Ahh, the gorgeous and ever-sophisticated “over the shoulder” look and one that can work fantastically to add a touch of warmth without the restriction of arms. Pair with a hand held clutch, your favourite pencil dress, or suit, and you are heading for French-girl chique. For a more relaxed way to wear this, I recommend platform sneakers, a pair of your favourite wide-legged trousers, and a casual tee tucked in.

Over your favourite t-shirt

That brings me perfectly onto one of my favourite ways to wear the blazer – over your favourite casual t-shirt. Instantly you will upgrade your outfit to a  more professional one, and can work really well for brunch, or networking social events where you can be a little more smart/casual with your look. I recommend a graphic t-shirt to add a touch of style, but you could also have a plain white tee and have your blazer do all the talking.

With jeans

Time to get a little more casual with your outfit, and this can work really well for seeing friends or going for drinks (when we are able to do so!). Pop your blazer with a shirt or simple top, and then pop on your pair of jeans to help make the outfit a little less formal. You could wear this with heels or trainers, depending on the type of event you are heading to.

Make it sexy…

If you are planning to go on a “date night” indoors, or even to a restaurant when they are open, you can go really sexy with your double or single-buttoned blazer, and wear a beautiful piece of lingerie and nothing else. This isn’t for the faint-hearted so if this feels a little too much, try starting with a deep v-neck top underneath and see how you feel. Pair with a statement necklace or earrings to really finish off the date-night look.

Clashing prints

If you have a few suits, with blazers and trousers or skirts, and they have clashing prints, this modern and quirky look can be a fun way to add a little personality to your outfit. Pop on your blazer that is in one pattern, and clash it with the trousers or skirt. This can be a difficult look to try out, but once you find the pairing you love, you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd.

Keep it monochromatic

If clashing prints feels a little too much, then you can keep your fresh look to a monochromatic style – which means in the same colour or similar colour shades. This is a simple and easy to throw together look, especially if you know your colours that are already in your wardrobe.

Wear your blazer over a slip dress or maxi-cami dress

With the warmer weather coming, you will probably be getting out your spring/summer wardrobe – with that, comes your slip dress or maxi cami dresses which continue to be in-fashion. This can be a great way to feel a little more comfortable in this body-skimming style of dress, as well as add a touch of warmth. Pair with colourful stilettos, and you’re ready to go out for a party or a gorgeous date.

Layer over your comfortable trousers

While we have all been living in our comfy tracksuit bottoms or loungewear, this is actually a style that can work (with the right bottoms, of course!). Pop your sophisticated blazer over your comfortable lounge items for a way to Segway into the more professional styling of being back outside.

To make sure you feel more professional (if you need to) pop on a pair of heels which can elevate the look.

So, will you be trying out some of these blazer outfits? If you’d like to know the ways to make your wardrobe work for you, rather than against you, I’d love to chat. Arrange a free call, and we can see how I can help.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO WEAR COMFY CLOTHES AND STAY STYLISH!

Style is changing, we have seen during the last year that fashion and style has evolved into a comfortable, practical form while we stay home and stay safe. However, for many of us, the “comfy” look can feel frumpy, and unstylish, so in this blog I wanted to share with you a few ways to make your comfy clothes feel & look great!

Go for colour!

Often the first thing I recommend to any of my personal styling clients is the importance of colour, and there is never a more important time to consider colour than when you are looking at your comfy wardrobe. While remaining comfortable, you want to feel put together, and a splash of colour really can help to bring through your personal style. Whether it’s a bright hoodie, or a colourful headband, bring some colour to your comfy wardrobe to feel more stylish.

Bring in texture

Something I find important about comfortable clothing is the textures. From textured velvets to wool, the textures you can find in your clothing will not only add an extra layer of comfort, but also work really well in adding a little style to your look. Velvet, for example, can look fantastic when on a video thanks to the different ways it picks up the light. Find some great textures & fabrics to add to your wardrobe and upgrade your comfy style.

 Add a blazer!

If you want to upgrade your athleisure look in a flash, add a blazer! The added layer works beautifully over many different casual looks – from over a hoodie and jeans, to upgrading your workout top if you need to jump on a video call. I recommend having a few different styles of blazer in your wardrobe, a formal muted blazer, a fun piece that showcases your personality, and a thicker (perhaps wool) blazer for colder days.

Indulge in high quality comfortwear

While you may feel that the classic active wear you want to wear to work out in can be a budget piece, I highly recommend investing in some key comfy pieces that will last a lifetime. When you invest in a high-quality piece, you instantly feel more put together. This isn’t to say you have to spend thousands on a designer item, but looking for something that isn’t fast-fashion priced will mean your piece will last longer, and feel a better quality too. Knitwear is one category I recommend investing in and you can find some stunning items from the high street that are built to last and look unique. I also recommend getting a few “casual” pieces that can also transform into work-ready items like a matching set.

Embrace comfort

My final tip is to embrace that many of us are having to deal with a huge amount right now, from looking after the kids, living through a rollercoaster of changes, and our lives genuinely changing almost every day, you should give yourself the permission to embrace the comforts in your every day life. Whether that’s giving yourself time to yourself, or living in your favourite snuggly jumper and yoga pants, giving yourself the permission to be comfortable is just one way to help build your wellbeing during these trying times.

If you would like some advice to upgrade your comfort wear, or want some advice on how to create a wardrobe that is stress-free, I’d love to chat.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIP: THE CROSSOVER PIECES EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR WARDROBE

I love a tidy, organised, and season ready wardrobe, which you can learn about here, but there are often pieces that we call “crossover” pieces that can stay in our wardrobe during all seasons. They are items of clothing that you love, and can be timeless in your wardrobe.

Crossover clothing examples

I wanted to share with you a few of my favourite crossover pieces in my own wardrobe to help inspire you, and recommend some items you can add to your wardrobe that will work for Autumn, all the way to Summer!

Leather jackets

A leather jacket can be a staple in your wardrobe, and will always stand the test of time. I recommend investing in a really good jacket that you adore, if you are vegan there are countless faux-leather jacket options you can get nowadays, such as this Melrose vegan moto jacket, or this bright cobalt blue BB Dakota biker jacket, for those of you who just love a splash of colour! There are also the classic leather jackets that age with time and become softer and more classic with the years, such as this black All Saints moto jacket or this DOUBLE-FACED BIKER JACKET by Zara.

As someone who truly believes that eco fashion is something we really need to be conscious of, you can get some incredible vintage leather jackets from vintage shops in London or surrounding areas, so if you are able to visit a vintage clothes shop, I recommend having a browse for one that has been preloved and is much softer to use. You can also try out one of the online vintage stores such as Vestiare Collective, hardlyeverwornit.com, Thrift.plus, houseofvintageuk.com, or Vinted – which is an app you can use to sell or buy preloved items. Whichever place you go to, I truly love a leather jacket as it can last a remarkable number of years in your wardrobe as long as you take good care of it. You can wear these in the Winter as your top layer, or in the summer as outerwear over your shoulders to add a touch of protection for the evening.

Classic tee

A good t-shirt is hard to find, but when you have the go to shape and style that works for you, then you can utilise them as a great crossover piece in your wardrobe. I have a selection of white and black t-shirts that can just be thrown on in the summer, or added as an extra layer in the winter, that can I go to in my wardrobe when I need them. A cotton t-shirt is best for all weathers, like this one from & Other Stories, but if you are looking for something a little more trendy, you can look for a vintage band t-shirt, or a graphic tee with a cute design on it like this one from Lanvin that can add a little flair to your simple outfit of jeans and trainers, or keep some casual fun to your midi-skirt and heels.

One of my favourite t-shirt stores is Happyfern, a new sustainable brand launched by Gosha Doubtfire, that makes t-shirts and sweatshirts in recycled cotton, for women, men and kids. We’ve even collaborated to create a one of a style tee too!

Crossover dresses for all seasons

Dresses can be a really easy way to dress up or dress down in a flash, just using the right accessories. There are of course dresses that work specifically for summer or winter, but with the right additions you can change up your favourite dresses with a simple knitwear item over the top, or a long-sleeved top underneath. You could even add that excellent leather jacket or a blazer in autumn and winter to keep yourself warm. A simple strappy dress, such as this one from & Other Stories or this slip style dress from Envelope1976 can work beautifully for summer with a light blazer on top, as well as in winter with a lovely big high neck jumper over the top. If you prefer to keep your arms covered during the summer and winter, then this long sleeved polka dot midi dress can also work with a cardigan, or a cropped jumper to keep your waist the main focus while remaining warm.

If you like items that come as pairs, then this season, All Saints have already done all the hard work for you, with their jumper and dress combinations. I love this black feather print strappy dress with luxurious over jumper, both of which can be used separately or together so you truly have several outfits you can make with just 2 crossover items in your wardrobe!

I hope this has inspired you to not only see the benefit of having crossover items in your wardrobe for all seasons, but helped you know how to maximise those items already in your wardrobe. If you’re unsure on where to start when it comes to personal styling, then I’d love to chat with you.

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: 3 STEPS TO STYLE SUCCESS

Style can feel a little overwhelming as an aspect – many of my clients feel they don’t know their own style before coming to me. They do know that they like certain fashions and styling, but are unsure where to start.

In this article, I wanted to share 3 steps you can take to help you start your journey to finding your own style, and make it a pleasure rather than stressful.

Step 1 – Colour can make all the difference!

Have you ever noticed there are certain colours you may gravitate to? Perhaps there are patterns and colours that make you feel your most confident? These are often the best colours for your wardrobe and for your skintone, which can be a great starting point to your style vision.

Look at your wardrobe and see which colour/s you see most of in there. Do these colours make you feel confident, beautiful, even sexy? These are the colours that you can go towards for the future investment pieces that you make.

I do suggest a more in-depth colour analysis to truly know the colours that work best for you, but to help you for the short-term, this step can be really helpful!

Step 2 – Consider what your day to day life looks like

Now that you know the colours you want to include in your style, you can think about the types of clothes that will work for your every day life.

What do you get up to each day? Are you running to the office and require professional looks to maximise your confidence and feel appropriate for the office?

Perhaps you are a business owner and head to meetings with clients, as well as needing comfortable clothes to work from home, but that can instantly swap out to work for the virtual meetings?

When you know what your daily needs are, then you can look at what can work for your wardrobe. Your style doesn’t have to follow the rules that others impose, but they do need to work for your needs. If you are a busy mother who runs your own business, 6 inch stilettos and pencil skirts may not be the most appropriate thing for your day to day style needs! However, you could have a pencil skirt and wedges, if that feels right for you.

This takes me onto step three!

Step 3 – Who are your style icons?

Something I often ask my clients in our Personal Style Masterclass, is who their style icons are. What makes them your icon?

Knowing who dresses in a way that you love can really help you find clothing that is similar, and can help you create a style that works for you. There can be several icons you can find that can have similar styles, so it can help you really drill down and see what styles are the ones you gravitate to. One of my clients I worked with recently shared that her style icon was Cate Blanchette, with an androgynous style and blazers that stand out, this helped her curate a wardrobe with outfits she loved.

When you feel your wardrobe sings your personality, and works towards building your daily confidence, dressing can be a pleasure each morning. If you are finding it difficult each day to plan an outfit, or go through clothes overwhelm, I’d love to help you with my Personal Styling Masterclass, where we will have 2 hours to create a style, learn your body and face shape to enable you to find the styles that work for you, and make you more confident each day. 

TOP TIPS TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL BRANDING AND ALIGN IT WITH YOUR PERSONAL STYLE

When it comes to running a business, your brand is something that makes you unique. Often, this branding is something that you work on studiously with a professional, so you can ensure that your business shares the right message, style, personality, ethos, values, and attracts the right clients. This branding is something that can carry across to your personal style, and it is something I love helping my entrepreneur clients work on together, so we can align their business brand with their personal brand.

Something I must share before I get into the nitty gritty, is that you don’t have to be a business owner to have a personal brand or personal style. When you discover your personal brand it makes shopping effortless, styling yourself stress-free, and helps you discover the style that you love for yourself, for each day. So whilst this article starts out with the background of business branding for entrepreneurs and how they can align their personal style with it, this can be beneficial to anyone looking to create a personal style that they can feel confident and comfortable in each day.

Authenticity is the base for your personal style

When I co-hosted a workshop with branding expert Marianne Hartley in May 2020, we spoke about the way business branding and personal branding can come together. The first thing we picked up on was the essential element to any personal branding and personal styling journey is authenticity. To be authentically yourself is something that can become a blessing each day. When you feel you can be confidently yourself, you will feel more comfortable, attract the right people to you, and you will be able to distinguish yourself in a unique way, without feeling uncomfortable.

When you can curate an authentic wardrobe that you can go to with confidence, you will be able to be yourself when it comes to conveying your message to new potential clients, in meetings, and through social media. Consider a few questions when starting to discover your authentic style:

1.       What do I feel most confident in?

2.       What style icons do I gravitate to the most, and why?

3.       What message do I want to convey to clients and with my personal style?

These are just a few questions you can ask yourself when you start to take the journey to working on your authentic style wardrobe!

The psychology of colours

I recently shared an article which takes a deeper look into the psychology of the colours we wear, and how they can be seen by others & affect your mood, which you can read here. Colours can be an incredibly important part of your business branding process, as you will discover when you speak with your branding expert. They can have hidden meanings, deliver certain reactions for people, and create an instant response when people see your branding. The same goes for the colours you choose in your outfits. Not only are colours an important part of helping you feel a certain way, as well as helping your specific skin tone light up (which can be discovered through a colour analysis), but they can also develop an instant psychological response by people who see the colour.

With just the above three options I have shared, different reactions to their colour choices for their outfits will happen, automatically and subconsciously within you. They are all professional women, who have chosen their outfits based on their personal style choices, their branding, and their confidence. This is not to say any colour is “wrong” to wear, it’s to consider what colours work best for your business and personal branding, so you can easily and effectively convey your personal message quickly, without having to say a word.

The reason why I love being a personal stylist is that I can work with men and women to help them create a wardrobe that speaks their message, helps keep them confident each day, and help them to discover the joy of shopping and creating outfits. This is never more important than with the colour choices they have – as this can so effectively boost your confidence in a moment.

Clarity and Consistency

My final tip, when discovering how to create a personal brand and personal style for yourself, is that you need to make sure you give the right message through your image, that your image quickly tells who you are and what you do at first sight, as well as making sure that this message is aligned with your brand message. That’s a lot to take in, I know! So let’s just quickly discuss the clarity side of your personal style.

When you work with someone, like a personal stylist, to help you develop your business wardrobe, you will speak with them about the day to day requirements of your wardrobe. You will also speak with them about the message you want to convey to those you meet, whether this is “confident and laid back”, “quirky and unique”, “professional and trustworthy” or any mix of feelings you want to bring to others. With this in mind, you have therefore discovered the clarity you need to have within your business wardrobe, making it much easier to know what outfits and colours can be used to convey these messages quickly to others, just through your personal styling. Just as you would do with a branding expert to create your logo, your website, and your marketing message!

For example, with a quirky, feminine personal style, like the first image above, you can play with the shapes of your dresses, the patterns, and even the colours, whilst continuing to have clarity around the message you wish to convey. In the second styling option, you can convey a professional yet approachable message, with the jewellery being a stand-out piece throughout your styling, and having a more laid-back styling option with your clothes, which you can easily add more professional styling with just with a change of shirt or less jewellery. Finally, a professional and corporate option as with the third styling image, will be easy to continue throughout your outfits with the addition of a blazer, suit trousers, a shirt, or more laid back blazer if you want to remain professional but perhaps a little laid back.

Once you have the clarity around what message you want to give to others through your business styling, you can then create the consistency within your wardrobe. You can have outfits that are easy to create each day, helping you to have a stress-free morning, and you can easily find new options when you go shopping.

If you are looking to develop your personal brand, or create a wardrobe that can be a joy to open up each morning, then I hope this article has helped. If you’d like a little more assistance to help you on your journey to creating a personal style, I’d love to help you. I offer my online personal style masterclass in just 2 hours, which can be hosted online and will help you create a personal style that you feel confident in. Give me a call to arrange a free virtual consultation and we can take it from there!