PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: HOW TO CREATE SMART CASUAL OUTFITS

Many of my clients ask me to help create a more smart-casual look for work, particularly now they are heading back to the office after a long time in more comfortable, casual looks. The usual office look of years past may have been a more formal outfit, but it appears that comfort has been a part of the new office wear. Companies are more open to a smart casual office look, which can encourage more comfort while at their desk, particularly in comparison to the usual formal professions such as lawyers, finance, and banking.

But what does “smart casual” actually mean? Whether it’s attending a meeting, an event, or going out to a special venue that has a dress code, it can be daunting to know what they really mean by this dress code. Then comes the styling of an outfit – are you going to feel too dressed up, or too casual?

In this article, I’ll share a few tips to help you create the perfect smart casual outfit to feel your best!

Fabric makes a difference!

You’ll often find that certain fabrics can feel more or less formal, so finding the perfect smart casual look can be made to work when you find the right fabric for your needs. Think about the beauty of silk – it can feel a little sexy when in a full dress, but when you find a perfect silk blouse, this can upgrade your casual jeans to a smart casual outfit. The same goes for your jeans – investing in a fabulous fitting denim jean will make a huge difference to your smart casual look. I highly recommend looking for jeans that are environmentally friendly, such as the Levis waterless high rise jeans in a deep colour.

Finally, where fabrics can make a big difference is on your feet. Did you know, an outfit really can be transformed when you add the right shoes? Velvet, leather, suede are all fabrics for shoes that can change how your shoes play with your look.

It’s all about the pairings

Some of my favourite looks when in the office for smart casual attire are mixing smart trousers with a casual top and blazer – particularly in the creative world. You can dress up the look with a more structured blazer, or bring a bit of colour into the outfit with a colourful jacket. This can ensure you feel more dressed up, while keeping the outfit comfortable through your t-shirt. I recommend finding a good fitting t-shirt so as not to look too informal, and mixing with tailored wide leg smart trousers, and heels or well-looked after platform trainers. If you prefer skirts, you can swap the trousers for a pleated midi-skirt in a mid-rise, or even a more flowy dress over the more formal go-to pencil dress, and pair it either with a denim or leather jacket, or even a cardigan, to style it down a little, and pair it with trainers instead of heels for an even more casual and comfy look.

Colour combinations for smart casual looks

When curating a smart casual look is considering the colour combinations that work well. Of course, the perfect work look is often black, white, or nude, but when you bring a pop of colour it can feel more approachable and less formal. Pops of yellow, pink, green, or red can be good go-to combinations that work well for work attire.

I recommend adding these colours through the use of accessories so they don’t feel overwhelming in your outfit. Shoes are a perfect way to add colour, but you can invest in a beautiful colourful necklace, fun colourful earrings, handbag, a belt, or if you’re feeling confident, with your blazer! The rest of your look can be monochromatic which will help to keep the look feeling more smart.

You can also be more muted with the tones, such as muted yellows that can be more accessible in the workplace over more neon or bright tones – so play with your outfits and see which ones you feel more confident in.

Your make-up can make a difference

Make-up can completely transform an outfit – think of the beautiful red lip that is a classic for date nights, while more muted tones are more work-appropriate. If you’re reaching for the lipstick, find a less bright tone of red if you love your red lip, to help create a smart casual look that is both work and event appropriate. If you feel a red lip is too much for the location, then a nude lip looks great with a minimal look. The natural look is one that I highly recommend for smart casual outfits as it works across requirements, and can feel well put together without overdone.

Your journey back into the office, to events, or out at special locations shouldn’t be stressful, so when you are building your look consider the well known quote – you can never be too overdressed! It is often better to be more on the smart side over the casual side, so if you feel a little too casual, try to add one of these tips to the look, and it can help you feel more confident.

If you’d like some help curating a wardrobe for getting back to the office, please get in touch – I offer personal shopping and personal style consultations to suit your needs.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SHOPPING TRIP

If you have already managed to get to your local high street, you will have noticed that many people are making the most of once again being able to shop, eat, and connect with loved ones. But the new normal may feel a little daunting in terms of getting out and shopping for perfect items for your wardrobe, without wasting your time and money.

In this article, I wanted to share my guide to maximising your shopping trip to make it enjoyable, functional, and economical. This is so important, as shopping, particularly for fashion, should be an enjoyable experience. For many, it can be overwhelming and expensive, particularly as at the moment, many stores are not allowed to have changing rooms.

Have your technology ready

The first important thing to note for going shopping after lockdown is that many stores will have a QR code to scan for your NHS tracker. Make sure you have that set up on your phone, and can easily check in and move into the store.

Technology can also be really handy too to help you know the items you want to get – so bring your phone with your style board already downloaded (if you’d like your very own style & confidence boosting guide, book my styling session!). This can be a really excellent way to make sure you are picking up the right items for your personal style, without getting distracted by the current trends that feel shiny and new, but may not suit your current wardrobe.

Know what you need, and what you want

What you need and what you want are two wonderfully different things when it comes to shopping. Knowing which of each you would like to get when shopping will help you feel more in control of what you are looking for, rather than aimlessly walking through shops, feeling like you can’t find what you want!

How to know what you need:

1.       Consider the outfits you already have and love – see if they need an update for the season

2.       If you have a go-to outfit that you love, but perhaps an item doesn’t fit, or you have only one so can only wear it once, then see what extras you need to replicate the look regularly!

3.       Know your basics – do you have them? For example – do you have an easy to wear light jumper for spring; perfect jeans you can pop on and feel confident in; a tee that can be comfortable but suitable for seeing colleagues, loved ones, and friends; and if you need an update in shoe options since we’ve been in slippers for a year!

How to know what you want:

1.       If you love a certain style of outfit but your wardrobe doesn’t currently accommodate, you can see if you can make this from items you find while shopping

2.       Non-essential items in your wardrobe, but ones that will bring a little more personality and joy to your outfits.

3.       Special occasion events – let’s be honest, we aren’t going out to lots of parties, so a special occasion outfit isn’t as essential as work, meeting, and networking outfits!

Once you have your “needs” and “wants” lists with you, keep them in your bag so you can refer back to them throughout your shopping trip and tick them off as you pick them up.

Do some research!

One thing my clients find so helpful once we’ve had our personal shopping together is seeing how we plan prior to the shopping trip. I do my research on local shops that offer the colours, cuts, styles, and personal brand options that my client wants.

This helps us to know more than just the right shops to visit, but also that they will be a good shop to go to and enjoy the experience. For example, if you are looking solely for excellent jeans, then you should find the highest recommended jeans shop in your area, or go to a store like Selfridges which has a lot on offer in one easy to visit area. You can then try different brands to see which ones fit your body best.

Within this research stage, you could check out the outfit ideas that are shown on the shop’s Instagram, and website to inspire you for future outfits. It’s also important to know the sizes that fit you in this store. This can be a learning curve, and without being able to try on in the store for many shops, you may want to get a few sizing options and ignore the number – it is different in so many places and is not a reflection of anything other than the shop’s creations.

Enjoy the shopping experience

My most important thing to remember when you go shopping is to enjoy it.

So often we are rushing around, feeling concerned about our timing, other things to do, where to go, and what to find. With your research and list in your pocket, your style knowledge on your phone so you know exactly which colours, cuts, and stores to gravitate to, you have removed the stress element. Then you can make the experience an enjoyable one.

Give yourself time to walk around the shops – don’t have appointments you have to rush to afterwards, let this be a meeting with yourself that you can enjoy.

Find a local coffee shop for a pick me up – I find having some delicious coffee, or tea, stopping for lunch, and knowing the little places you can stop, recuperate, and enjoy the day, is so important to my mindset when shopping.

Bring a friend – when we are able to shop with different households, see if you can bring a friend that is confidence-boosting, who knows you well, and can perhaps bring a different idea to your clothing choices that really reflect you, but perhaps push you to new styles you may not have picked up.

Use a professional – if you still feel overwhelmed by the whole experience, I would love to recommend finding a local stylist who can help you. Whether it’s an online guide, a personalised experience, or just seeing what professionals suggest, will make shopping happy for you.

I hope these tips have helped you feel more encouraged about the shopping experience for yourself. If you have any questions or want to discuss how I can help, please reach out – I love making sure all of my clients get to enjoy their wardrobe and feel confident every day.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: TOP AUTUMN COATS FOR YOUR WARDROBE TO SUIT YOUR SHAPE

As the cooler months set in, and we begin to take out more jumpers and put away the summer dresses, you may be looking to find an autumn coat. Coats can be an incredibly personal thing – I know of one client who tried on 10 coats and just didn’t feel any were “right”. The outer wear in any outfit needs to be comfortable, reflective of your style, and also, importantly for this time of year, warm! There are some go-to classics that will work each and every year, so I wanted to start the Autumn with the top three classic coats I love, with a few modernised versions for the trend-setters among you!

The Trench Coat 

This is a pure classic, and one we have seen throughout the years. Often in a camel tone, it can be an effortlessly chic option to layer on top of your clothes. Usually with a large belt to bring in the waist, this style can work incredibly well for many body shapes. If you are more curvaceous I recommend utilising the belt to show off your waist, whereas if you are tall and slender, keep it open to add more dimension to your shape.

For a similar shape and military style, but with a more elegant look, you could invest in this Danielle Frankel Allegra corded lace-trimmed organza and tulle trench coat – it is definitely an investment, so make sure you truly love the style. If you’re more colourful, you can try out a colourful trench coat, like this Topshop piece in mustard, which are becoming more and more popular and are a great way to add some colour to the darker days.

 (Bottega Veneta – convertible crinkled glossed-leather trench coat)

The trench coat really is the most classic of all coats, it can be worn in a chic way with all black underlayers, all the way to a modern take with a casual t-shirt and maxi skirt underneath.

The Aviator Jacket

An Aviator jacket is a true classic, vintage, boyfriend-esque vibe, while also being super comfortable and most importantly, warm! There are a range of new styles being brought to the fashion world this year, with oversized options by Pieces, to this classic shearling zip-up black jacket by REISS as well as their reversable version which means you have 2 jackets in one!

With most aviators, no matter whether they have the added belt at the base or a shearling interior, the style works perfectly for hourglasses due to the way they are shaped and often tapered in at the waist with their classic pockets. You can also style this jacket as a pear shape as long as the coat is more cropped in style, and finishes above your hips.

Teddy bear coats

You may have seen these blasting across the fashion world last year and they are here to stay again. A warm, luxurious, and comfortable overcoat, the teddy bear coat can come in a range of lengths. The classic teddy bear coat is by Max Mara, and comes in a range of colours to suit your preference.

The great thing about a teddy bear jacket is that it can work for every body shape. I suggest that if you are petite then look for a version that is specifically catered for your height, or a cropped option like this mint green teddy coat by ASOS Design. If you are an hourglass or pear shape, as with many oversized styles, you may loose your shape, so if you can get a belted version or wear it open rather than buttoned, you can still bring in your waist.

If you’re looking for a colourful option, rather than the neutral version, this baby blue Reclaimed Vintage option is a unique choice. You could also invest in this Stand Studio midnight blue faux fur option, that follows the similar styling as a teddy coat, this is another very easy coat that can be good for every body shape, although hourglasses and pear shapes might lose their waist definition by wearing this. It is still considerably cheaper than the Max Mara Teddy, but feels very similar with potentially a more mature fabric.

Double breasted coats

Military has such a wonderfully androgynous styling, and if this is your go to look, or you are looking for a coat that can toughen up your more girly style, then a double breasted jacket can be a great option for the autumn. Keep yourself warmer with a coat that is woollen, like this Balmain option.

A double-breasted coat is perfect for people with a more rectangular shape, who need to define their waist as the shape of the buttons, particularly on the Balmain option, create an optical illusion of a narrower waist. It also works incredibly well on hourglasses, as your naturally defined waist will fit perfectly within this coat. Tommy Hilfiger have also created a checked double blazer that is great if you love a professional pattern that is always a classic.

The belted jacket

If you like a coat that is truly a waist definer, then you can’t go wrong with a coat that has a belt! For added warmth, you can go for a quilted option as with this olive green creation by Alexa Chung – if you choose a similar style to this, be cautious of the quilted style if you are a more oval shape, as the belt may not do your shape justice.

If you are looking for a more classic option, perhaps without the quilted pattern, then & Other Stories are well known for their fabulous belted coats, such as this neutral alpaca option which also has buttons, as often just a belt on a jacket can still let the chill in! 

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS – THE KEY SHOES TO HAVE IN YOUR CUPBOARD

Shoes can be a fantastic finishing piece to an outfit, and I love seeing how many options we have on the market now. Whether you are looking to have an elegant trainer, a killer heel, a statement boot, or a simple dolly shoe, you can make your statement with your feet in this day and age!

The great thing about shoes is that they can last a lifetime with the right care, so I do recommend investing in a few key styles that can work with several outfits.

A pair of boots for Autumn/Winter outfits

I recommend investing in a pair of brown and a pair of black boots – these are excellent for Autumn to Winter. Now we are in Spring, you will find several stores are offering a great discount on their boots in store.

If you want a little touch of personality, you could break from the traditional black and brown, and invest in some colourful boots that work with your personal colour preferences. I love these white booties from Aldo, as they can be a great statement, but you could try maroon, purple, green, or even blue!

Comfortable Flats for every day

Alongside the boots, I recommend a pair of comfortable “every day” flats, these can be plain or with a touch of personality, but they are excellent for running between meetings if you prefer to be comfortable. There are a huge range of options available, but for a more smart look, I highly recommend the classic brogue or dolly shoe, as these can work well with any outfit, and you can potentially head to meetings in them without the need to swap your shoes around. If you need a little height, but don’t want the discomfort of your heels, a platform is an excellent solution.

And don’t forget about the trainers, one of the greatest (and most comfortable) trend in shoes at the moment! The can transform your outfit from formal to smart casual in an instant, making you look fashionable and stylish, while preventing sore feet!

The perfect pair of heels for any outfit

If you are a heels girl like me, then a pair of strappy heels can be great for the summer. If you want to show off a little flair when wearing your black monochrome outfit, then a pair of fabulous statement stilettos can be an fun piece in your shoe cupboard – there are these leopard print stilettos by Moda In Pelle, which are amazing, or for a little less statement, why not try these green stilettos by Hobbs of London. I also think a pair of nude heels can work wonders with a dress, jeans, trousers, or a skirt, so if you fancy treating yourself, I love the look of these nude shoes, as they are just the right heel for newbies and experienced heel wearers, and they basically go with everything!

Whatever your preference, you can truly show off your personality and style with your shoes, even if your business or job title require you to potentially stay a little more muted in your outfit choices. I hope these have given you some fun ideas for the essentials for your shoe cupboard, and I’d love to hear from you which shoes you love most to add a little spark to your outfit!