PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: SUMMER OUTFIT INSPIRATION 2023

The sun is out and whether you’re embracing the heat and wanting to relish in it, or you’re feeling overwhelmed by what to wear without your jumpers of the Autumn/Winter, it can be daunting to know what to wear during warmer months. If you’re looking for some summer outfit inspiration you are in the right place! In this blog, I am going to share 5 of my favourite summer outfit ideas for you to play with during the warmer months.

Midi skirt and a tee

If you know me, you will know that I love a graphic tee and a midi skirt combination! Not only is it great for feeling summery and free, but it also works across all different occasions. Whether I am heading out to work meetings, or having brunch with friends, I feel like my outfit is appropriate, just with a change up of accessories.

When you get into the warmer months, you want to feel cool and comfortable. The great thing about this outfit is that you can quickly and easily put it together when you are in a rush, if it suits your personal style.

You can reflect your style in the graphic tee you choose – whether it’s a glittery quote, a classic rock tee, or a v-neck classic white tee – it works across the different personality types. You can then also do the same with the colours or styles of your midi skirt. Whether it’s a pleated midi length colourful skirt, or a leather look midi skirt that brings out the rock chick in you, there are plenty of options for this outfit!

If you are heading out and there may be a chance of cooler weather, you can pop on a blazer or a leather jacket for that added warmth.

I personally love to elevate this look for meetings with heeled sandals, or for more casual events I wear platform trainers or slide on sandals, depending on the weather forecast!

Linen two-piece set

For a beautifully chic yet cool look, linen is the perfect way to go. This works well for people who are more of a Classic or a Creative personality type. If you are a Classic, you can make a clean, crisp yet comfortable look with a white or neutrally toned two-piece set. Whereas, if you are a creative, you can discover sets with patterns or colours that reflect your personality.

With linen looks they can sometimes feel a little more casual, so you’ll want to embrace the flowy nature of the fabric. However, fashion designers have worked to take away the usually flowy nature with more figure hugging options, to help bring you in at the waist. You also don’t have to reside with wide-legged trousers and an oversized blouse, consider finding a skirt and cropped top option for a unique look.

Cropped jeans and a blouse

Cropped jeans are a must try style as they work beautifully for both petite and standard height people with a range of body types (depending on the cut). When you pair them casually with a blouse the look is very chic and laid back. If you want to go for Classic styling, wear a fully monochromatic look of white cropped jeans, a white blouse, white heeled sandals and a crossover body bag in white with hints of gold to elevate the look. Whereas, for a romantic look, bring some of your favourite ruffles or bows with your blouse – also a great option if you are more pear shaped to balance out your shoulders!

For more inspiration on how to style up your cropped jeans, visit this blog!

Midi dress with sandals

If you love to dress up and dress down a look in a flash, without having to worry about what works with what, a midi dress is a great option to add to your wardrobe. Thanks to the length, it is suitable for both professional and relaxed events. Paired with sandals you can style up or down the look with just the change of heel! Flat sandals, with a sun hat and your midi dress are a great option for late afternoon drinks, whereas heeled sandals with a laptop bag and perhaps even a blazer works well for meetings during the day.

Midi dresses come in all shapes, styles and patterns so you’ll want to check out which style of dress may work best for your body shape. For pear shapes, a dress that comes in at the waist, with structured or detailed shoulders are a good option for you. For ovals, you will want to have a more flowy option around the waist and have perhaps a v-neck or wrap dress style. If you are a rectangle, you’ll want to find a shift dress shape. For inverted triangles look for a midi dress, that has minimal details at the top while adding volume at the bottom to create balance.  

Wear the shorts!

Finally, my summer go-to for us is to wear the shorts. Many clients I work with feel overwhelming fear of wearing shorts (myself included!) but this is because we hadn’t found our perfect style or length.

If you have thighs that touch – which is many people by the way – then you’ll want to invest in shorts that come down long enough to prevent any discomfort. There are plenty of excellent styles of shorts that you can try out in a variety of fabrics that work for the summer weather helping you feel cool and comfortable, as well as confident.

A few of my favourite types of shorts, depending on your body shape, are:

Rectangular: Straight cut or Mom shorts. Finding a pair of mid to short shorts work perfectly for you, in a straight cut. This is because they ensure your shorts aren’t too tight, but continue to show off your leaner legs. Whereas a Mom cut will add definition to your hips where you may want to add a little volume to create an hourglass effect. If you have slightly shorter legs, this will also help to elongate them. Match with a pair of heels or platforms to lengthen, or just go all-out summertime and pair with your favourite sandals and a loose tee.

Hourglass: High rise shorts. Because you go in at the waist, you want to show this off. Look for high or mid rise shorts that cover your thighs about half way between your pelvis and your knee for an elegant option. Look for trouser-style fabric shorts, to keep the look feeling professional, and match with a blouse in a monochrome style for a chic option.

Apple shapes: Short shorts to show off those legs! When you are an apple shape, you tend to have longer and leaner legs. This means you can go for those shorter options to help show off the length of your legs. Look for a pair with an elasticated waistband too, to make you feel more comfortable. Match with a flowy top tucked in loosely for a casual option.

Pear shapes: High waisted looser shorts with minimal detailing. You may want to look for shorts without pockets, and definitely without pleats. Feel confident and comfortable with shorts that are tailored to feel slightly “wider”. Paperbag style shorts are great for pear shapes, as they bring your eyes up to your small waist. Look for a pair that come with or allow for a belt to add that extra oomph to your waist and make sure the fabric is soft, rather than stiff. Elongate your legs with a pair of neutral stilettos, and add definition to your shoulders with a blouse that has volume at the top.

Summer shouldn’t be a time of year where you are feeling daunted by the prospect of what to wear. Your clothes should be an extension of your personality and help you feel your best no matter what the occasion! If you are feeling conscious that your wardrobe isn’t reflecting your personality, or you want support from someone who can help you discover outfits that help you shine with confidence I’d love to help.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW CAN I ADD MORE COLOURS TO MY WARDROBE?

As spring is welcomed here in the UK, the colours are bright and abundant. This is usually the time when people yearn to add colours to their outfits. If this feels alien to you, and you are wondering where to start with colours, then I am here to help.

If you are just beginning to dip your toe into adding colours to your outfits, or haven’t yet tried to do so and are feeling overwhelmed, then here are my tips for adding colours to your wardrobe.

Play with colours that match your neutrals

If you want to make your colours feel appropriate for a look, investigate the colours that work with your neutrals. As a part of a colour clinic with us, we provide the base neutrals and complementary colours to work with them in your very own colour palette. This can be taken with you in your handbag so you can quickly pick and choose colours that go together.

If you don’t yet have one of these, here are a few of my favourite complementary colours that go with specific neutrals:

Colours that work with black:

Considered one of the most versatile neutrals, black is in fact one of the hardest colours to wear. Breaking up this basic colour with an additional colour within your colour wheel will make a huge difference to your look.

Some of my favourite colours to put with black are:

• Dusty rose

• Fuchsia

• Green

• Metals (copper, gold, silver, platinum)

• Lilac

• Red

Colours that go with navy:

Navy is a great base colour in particular for professional outfits as it isn’t as harsh as black.

Some of my favourite colours to put with navy are:

• Pink

• Red

• Orange

• Lime green

• Mustard yellow

• Gold

Colours that go with beige:

Perfect for the warmer months, beige is a light, airy colour that can be an excellent neutral in your wardrobe.

Some of my favourite colours to put put with beige are:

• Rust

• Aqua green

• Burgundy

• Olive green

• Mauve / lilac

• Pastel pinks

source: In an Elegant Fashion

Start with the extremities

There is nothing more daunting than an entire outfit full of colours. This is why for those of you who want to dip your toe into adding colours to your looks may be stepping back.

The first way to approach colours can be starting with your extremities – such as your hands, feet or head.

These smaller areas of your body can take on a little dash of colour, while the rest of your body remains neutral, permitting for that colourful flash to be more approachable.

Shoes & bags are often the best place to start as they come in so many different colourways and patterns. Shoes can be covered gently with wide-leg trousers or bootcut jeans meaning the colour peaks out.

Bags can be swapped out easily between outfits (as long as you remember to swap out your essentials!) so you can play with whatever look you feel like. Take a bold bright bag one day, and more composed look with a colourful handle the next.

Another option is to add a colourful headband, scarf or earrings, which can also quickly and easily be swapped depending on the occasion.

Break up the colours with your layers

Now you have your neutrals and your accessories set, you can look to adding additional pieces to your outfit. You can break up the colours in your outfit by wearing layers such as a blazer, a jacket, or even hosiery.

For example, if you want to bring a dash of colour to a summer dress, you can pair a neutral dress with a colourful blazer. You could also add an underlayer to your dress such as a thin long sleeved mesh top in one of your colours.

For your two-piece, why not add a colour through a slogan tee under your neutral suit? Pick out the colours from the tee and pop on a pair of shoes or a bag which has a colour that is in it.

Monochromatic looks

Just like your neutral suit feels less daunting than a bright one-off dress, you may find that monochromatic looks can be an excellent solution for adding colour to your outfits.

Picking one colour and seamlessly utilising it across your outfit can be a beautiful way to make an outfit feel approachable yet bright and inviting.

Consider a green suit, or match a pink dress with pink shoes and accessories. Picking out different levels of the colour can make it more dimensional as a look, too.

If you are looking for someone who can help you discover the perfect colours for you to add to your looks so you can shine, our colour clinics can be an excellent solution.

And if you can't meet us in person, we could help through our Online Colour & Style Clinic.

PERSONAL SHOPPER ADVICE: WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON?

With February fast-approaching, this means Fashion Week is coming to London from the 17th – 21st February to showcase the Spring/Summer trends to look forward to.

With the catwalks filled with warm-weather looks, you may be wondering what new items may work in your current wardrobe that you may want to invest in.

While I work around the ethos of a sustainable and capsule-like wardrobe, there are sometimes seasonal pieces that certainly feel right to add to my wardrobe. As long as they work alongside at least 3 of my current outfits, and make me feel great (and will last!) then they are worth purchasing.

Being a considered shopper makes each season more exciting as you take a moment to consider if the pieces you quickly react to will have a long-term effect. This is one thing to bring into your mindset each time you go shopping – give yourself the time to question if you have pieces that work with that garment, or if you love it enough to make some!

With this in your mind, let’s share a few of the new season favourites I have found.

Baggy jeans

I shared a guide to the top jeans to suit your body shape (which you can download here) last year, and baggy jeans are one of the most approachable pieces. They are often comfortable, and work beautifully on a range of body types.

If you are an hourglass or a triangle you will want to make sure you have a waist height that comes in at your natural waist. Tuck in your shirt, blouse or light jumper, and then add a belt to really level up your shape!

For an inverted triangle shape, a pair of wide-legged jeans that fall more on the flared side are a great option for you. Pop on a pair of heels to lengthen your legs and a form-fitting top to finish off the look.

Or try a pair that have a little bit of volume or pockets to the front will make a definition to your hips. And a square neck top, a crossover body bag and a pair of platform sneakers to make this cool-girl look complete.

Oversized Blazers

My favourite piece to have in any woman’s wardrobe – the blazer! This season it is coming in an oversized form, which can be comforting yet sometimes tricky to wear depending on your personal style and body shape.

Blazers can upgrade any look, and add that extra layer of warmth that can be so needed in the spring in London. With an oversized blazer you have more freedom for the layers underneath, and you can also play with the shapes and fits of the clothes you choose.

For example an oversized blazer that is just shorter than your skirt, with tights, boots and a comfy jumper is a great brunch or date night look. While the same blazer can be worn with a detailed blouse, your favourite wide-legged trousers and your heels for a day of meetings.

For a few ways to play with blazers and how to style them, click here.

Going Sheer

Now, bear with me here, but the sheer trend that has been shown across countless catwalks can be a great additional layer to add warmth, intrigue, or style to your outfit. While the catwalk stylings feel less approachable (but if you love it, go for it!) adding a covered layer beneath the sheer garment is a great way to make this trend-setting garment more likely to work in your wardrobe.

If you want to add colour to a look, for example, but you want to keep your neutral tones across your look, then adding a sheer long sleeved top over your vest will perk up the look in a flash.

For the sheer skirts, you can add these over another skirt of a similar length, or add definition to your waist by adding the skirt over a full length dress.

Sheer pieces are also great for adding texture, definition, and flair to your outfit. If you are cautious of going fully sheer, you can find several fashion houses that have added a sheer element to a piece such as the bottom of a midi skirt or in panels to just show a little skin.

So, what do you think of these three spring/summer seasonal trends? Will you be trying a few of them in your wardrobe? If you feel a little overwhelmed by all the changing trends, and don’t know where to invest and where to walk away, I offer a Personal Shopping experience, so you and I can go together to view and select the best items to match your style, needs, and body shape.

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: STYLISH KNITWEAR YOU MUST TRY THIS WINTER

Gone are the days when Autumn/Winter means bulky, unfashionable garments that you have to pile on to keep warm. Fashionable knitwear is obtainable now for our wardrobes, and there are some fantastic options available depending on your personal style preferences.

If you haven’t yet discovered your own personal style, you can check out my previous blog which shares a whistlestop tour of the different types.

Knitwear for Natural Style personalities

Comfortable, neutral tones, that are easy to care for and throw on are your go-to preferences. A beige, funnel neck jumper from Sweaty Betty is an easy to put on item. Wear with a pair of comfy trousers, or leggings, with your favourite sneakers or boots and you’re ready to go.

A slightly more elegant option for a special occasion, could be this knotted round neck jumper. Pair with a pair of straight leg jeans, or pleather leggings and a pair of wedges.

For an everyday item, this Uniqlo crew neck sweater is an every day classic you can include in your wardrobe.

For a full outfit that is warm and cosy, you can look for a knitted dress in your go-to neutral tones. This FCUK high neck midi dress is super easy to throw on, and can work with leather knee-high boots, sneakers, or even heels (which I know you only wear on very very special occasions!). If you have a larger bust, a roll neck may not be suited to your body shape, so look for a wrap dress that feels comfortable and cosy.

Knitwear for Classic Style Personalities

As a classic style, you want to feel elegant, pulled together, and more formal. With knitwear this can be tricky, as often they come in a bulkier form. So, you need to look for garments made with more elegant fabrics such as cashmere, velvet, or high quality wool.

Much like naturals, you want to have a more neutral wardrobe, but you do use some colour such as navy, peach, or pinks, depending on your skintone.

This off the shoulder, cashmere piece works elegantly with a midi skirt, pencil skirt, flares, or even wide legged trousers. The styling of the neckline works beautifully on triangle shapes so as to bring some broadness to the shoulders. It would work beautifully with a pair of bootcut jeans for a casual look, or with a pair of tailored trousers and court shoes. While this pearl-embellished neckline knit jumper has an elegant, yet comfortable feel.

This belted cable knit cardigan is also a good piece for every day, while remaining elegant enough to feel more dressed up than a casual sweater. Pair it with a pair of camel wide legged trousers and neutral heels for an every day go-to look, or with a silk midi skirt and knee high boots.

This 2 in 1 midi dress is great for any season, as it pairs a turtle neck jumper with a midi dress that has an approachable slit in the side. With a pair of leather boots, or heels this will be a complete look that you can quickly put together, while remaining elegant.

While this tied waist knitted skirt in cream, will pair elegantly with a blouse and heels, or a turtle neck and boots for the winter.

Knitwear for Romantic Style Personalities

You love to get dressed up when you are a Romantic style personality! Knitwear may feel unapproachable for you. However, looking for knits that have extra pieces such as pearls, fringing, or patterns will help you stay warm and confident!

This cashmere cardigan with sequins is perfect for the festive season! Adding some sparkle, shine, and warmth makes this cardigan a great option for Christmas festivities. While it is in a deeper colour, the charcoal can work well with a bright dress or skirt underneath to bring some colour to the look.

This pink, ribbed, button knit dress is another excellent option for colour pop and warmth. The slightly puffed sleeves will be an added bonus for the look, and pairs well with a pair of boots, a crossover body bag, and your favourite coat.

For a sexier look, this bodysuit is, in fact, a knitted garment so adds that extra warmth you need in winter, without giving up on the body shape you’re looking to show off! Great for hourglass, pear, or inverted triangles, the corset shape pulls you in at the waist and can work well with a variety of bottoms. Whether it’s a midi or mini skirt, a pair of high rise jeans, or a pair of tailored trousers, this can work well across the board of occasions. Pop on your favourite blazer, or a sequinned jacket, and you’re ready for a night on the town!

Knitwear for Creative & Dramatic Style Personalities

Creative and Dramatic style personalities can feel difficult to differentiate, but it is in fact all about how you make the look. Creatives and Dramatics love bold, statements with their looks but Dramatic personalities tend to mix up patterns and shapes, adding details and accessories to create a statement look, while creatives prefer to create looks that follow a little more structure.

These style personalities loves picking from current and past trends. Consider finding your knitwear from high street, luxury, and vintage stores to satisfy your creative needs.

This quirky cloud patterned jumper brings a little artistic flair to your look. With a pair of vintage flares, sneakers, and trench coat, you’ll feel right at home in this piece.

This jacquard knit mock-knit short sleeved top in gorgeous bright yellow and orange, or purple and lilac, is spun from a featherweight Italian yarn that is wrinkle-resistant. Pop on a knitted skirt, or over a pair of mom jeans, with a pair of combat boots and it’s a great everyday look for a dramatic personality. The way this has been styled below is a perfect example of how a dramatic would create a look – mixing two diverse patterns together in one look.

This quirky wool blend jumper by Ralph Lauren is just the ticket to add that touch of drama to any look. With the unique polo bear to the front, it can work over a shirt, blouse, or maxi dress depending on your needs for the day! Pop on a pair of colourful combat boots, a beret, and your favourite jewellery and you’re ready to rock. 

To fulfil your creativity for an evening look that combines edgy with sexy, this cut out top in charcoal works perfectly with a silk midi skirt, stilettos, and statement jewellery. This feather trimmed cable knit jumper is another fantastic option that combines some edgy styling, with a unique shape. Available in emerald or pink, it can work for a variety of skintones. You could bring this look together with a pair of leather trousers, or over a summer dress to enable you to continue to use your summer looks throughout the colder months.

As you can see, knitwear is not drab! When you know the styling that works for you, you can easily find and create looks that bring confidence to your day. If you know you need a style refresh, but can’t easily fit it into your schedule, my personal style masterclass is the perfect first step. 

In less than three hours, I’ll help you understand what shapes, colours and cuts work best for you, and share advice and inspiration on how to shop and dress with confidence. Click here to find out more, or call me to discuss the best personal styling experiences for your needs.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR STYLE PERSONALITY

When it comes to showing off our personality one of the best and quickest ways we can do this is through our style. But what do we do if we are in a style rut?

For many of us, our style may change throughout the years but our core style personalities will tend to stay the same. This is because it reflects who we are as people! So, how can you discover your style personality and what can you do with fashion once you know yours?

First, we need to know the different style personalities we have!

As a personal stylist, I want to make it as easy for my clients to quickly navigate the different fashion stylings out there. With this in mind, there are generally 5 main style personality types that we tend to tap into.

Natural Style Personality

What is a Natural Style Personality?

Natural style personalities tend to want to feel comfortable in their clothes. This is the most important factor to choosing what to wear. Casual styles are their go-to option, think simplicity, comfort, and minimal patterns. Just like with a natural make-up look, natural style personalities like to keep it simple!

If you feel like comfortable, monochromatic looks are the perfect way to describe your happy place when it comes to fashion then you may fall into this style.

How to style your natural style personality

If you are a natural style personality, then you will want to look for simple lines within your outfits. Find fabrics that are easy to care for that don’t need special treatment such as dry cleaning or even ironing if possible! You want to make your outfits feel as comfortable as possible. A neutral, simple, easy to put on midi dress for the summer is a great option. Pair with simple sandals and a backpack and you’re ready to go out.

For a more casual look, you could find your favourite pair of straight leg jeans in a denim-lycra mix for a more comfortable fit, and pair with a simple white tee or camisole. Add a pair of boots, and a leather cross over bag in a neutral brown or beige for your essentials!

If you want to feel ready for the office, find a pair of neutral beige or white trousers that are lightly cropped, add a leather belt, and a pair of slip on brogues or trainers. For the top half, either a classic striped tee (which is the best pattern for you to dip your toe into) or loose blouse tucked in, with an oversized neutral blazer or denim jacket to finish the look.

Classic Style Personality

What is a Classic Style Personality?

Classic Style Personalities tend to feel their best in a more formal outfit. They like to appear well turned out, with elegance as a key factor for their outfit choices. Classic hairstyles that rarely change throughout their lives, and the same goes for their outfits. Once they have found a comfortable, classic, go-to look, they will feel a little intimidated to perhaps veer away from this.

This isn’t to say they will keep away from colours. Tones like peaches, pinks, navys and deep browns are perfect! 

How to style your classic style personality

If you feel you’re a classic style personality, then looking for fabrics like silks, linens, and wools will be a good start. You will want to make sure your outfits have a feel of elegance and perhaps professionalism with each look. While stilettos can be a go-to shoe for you, if you prefer less of a heel, court shoes or even high quality platform trainers could be an option.

Some outfit inspiration could be a pussy-bow blouse in white or cream, tucked into a pair of tailored trousers in a peach or salmon colour. Put on a pair of nude pumps or elevate the look with a pair of nude stilettos.

For a more relaxed event, keep your tailored trousers and swap out the blouse for a cashmere polo neck, or high quality silk camisole. If you prefer a skirt, swap the trousers for a midi skirt in silk or with pleats. A clutch or handbag in a neutral tone, paired with your slip on sandals can help finish the look.

Romantic Style Personality

What is a Romantic Style Personality?

A Romantic Style Personality loves dressing up. Think little details like bows, ruffles, flounces, appliques and fringes. Prints and colours are also a go-to for them. They bring this feeling of dressing up to their makeup and skin care, and will even have a favourite fragrance. They tend to spend time on their look, and will never leave the house without their make-up done!

How to style your romantic style personality

If you think you are a romantic style personality, you’ll want to find looks that help you show off your passion for dressing up! A maxi dress with colourful florals, a ruffled neckline or pleated skirt will be a great look for you. Add a bold shoe, and a handbag to finish the look which has a similar tone to your shoes to make the look feel complete.

If you prefer two pieces, look for a colourful, patterned midi-skirt in perhaps an animal print or a floral pattern. A graphic tee, with a fringed crossover body bag will make the look feel just perfect for you. A red lip that works with your colour tone, also wouldn’t go amiss.

Dramatic Style Personality

What is a Dramatic Style Personality?

Dramatic Style Personalities often buy their items on impulse. This is because they are attracted to the garment, it stands out, or makes a statement. Bright, bold colours, and graphic prints that are on trend are their go-to. A wardrobe is filled with current pieces that have volume, personality, and boldness at their core. 

How to style your dramatic style personality

With a dramatic style personality, you can go all out with your boldness. Scour the fashion catwalks for inspiration, and depending on your budget, you can invest in pieces that will make a statement.

While your outfits may change with the trends, current options that may feel great for you, would be a voluminous sheer maxi dress with ruffles at the bottom and statement shoulder pads. Underneath, add a body suit in a neutral or black, and make your look a bold monochromatic look by matching your bag, shoes, and accessories with the bold colours you select. Think orange, yellow, or lime green – all of which are very much in fashion right now.

For a two piece outfit, invest in a patterned pair of flared jeans, colourful heeled boots, quirky graphic tee, and if you need it, a blazer with statement shoulders for added drama.

As the name goes – it’s all about the drama for you – so enjoy those quirky finds and colourful, unique patterns & pieces.

Creative Style Personality

What is a Creative Style Personality?

The last personality that most people fall into, is the Creative Style personality. Creatives have wardrobes full of items from different sources, including vintage mixed with high street, online, and high end purchases. They love to collect and curate their wardrobes, and love to shop. They feel that shopping is an art form, and often are found studying fashion magazines or Instagram for inspiration.

How to style your creative style personality

If you feel like you may be a creative, you’ll want to hit different sources for your wardrobe. As I mentioned, you love combining vintage, high street, high end, and online fashion, so embrace that joy and create looks you love from across these outlets. Mixing fabrics can also be a great way to get your creative fix, such as velvet, satin, silk, wool, and denim.

For some outfit inspiration, why not try a pair of 70’s flares with a modern oversized blazer, atop a graphic tee, with a high end designer bag. You could also pair a vintage band tee with a silk midi-skirt, leather biker jacket, and biker boots. Add colour and creativity with quirky sunglasses, beads, and earrings for the finishing touch.

So, which personality do you feel you fit into? Have these outfit ideas inspired you to play with your wardrobe and style more?

If you want to discover your personal style, as well as the ways to create outfits that feel truly you, please get in touch.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: THREE COMMON STYLING MISTAKES (and how to avoid them)

When you want to feel your best in the clothes and outfits you put together, there are some fashion faux pas that I recommend steering clear of! So, what are the three biggest styling mistakes that we should keep out of our outfits?

Wearing mainly black – particularly if you think it makes you look slimmer

We have been told in the past, that black is “slimming”. Well, what if I told you this was actually a common styling mistake? Now, there's nothing wrong with wearing black per se, the problem is doing it with the wrong purpose: hiding and looking slimmer, as opposed to enhancing your look. Moreover, black is a very harsh colour that suits very few people, so while we CAN wear it, it is also important to understand HOW to.

If you love wearing black, or it is a colour that works with your skintone, here are some top tips to making it feel more fashion-forward.

• Add pops of colour with your accessories – such as jewellery, shoes, hair accessories, or even your layering.

• Wear Black in a print, mixed with your best colours.

• Keep black on your bottom half, and wear one of your colours on the top half.

Hiding under baggy clothes

Wearing clothes that hide the figure actually don’t help to enhance your shape – they can do the opposite! While baggy clothes can be “in fashion” it only tends to work on certain shapes, and this has to be done with intent. However, many of my clients feel they want to wear baggier clothes to hide their features, rather than accentuate their shape in the best way.

Baggy clothes can also work against you and make you “invisible”. As a personal stylist, I want to help people feel like they can shine in a room, and show off their personality in the best way. A few options to help you overcome this baggy look and show off your best features are can be:

• Understanding your body shape. When you know your body shape, you can invest in pieces and create outfits that build your confidence.

• Know where to go baggy, and where to add definition. While for some, a baggier bottom half can be a great option – perhaps with wide legged trousers, or with flares for pear shapes – this can be the completely wrong option for others. For example, apple shapes, having a fitted bottom half while having a baggier blouse or top is much better for them.

• Loose fitting layers are better than baggy clothing. Now, this is a mind-shift! Loose fitting overshirts, or perhaps looser fabrics can be a first dip into changing how you see your baggy clothing. Don’t hide under them, rather have them as your additional layer over the top of flattering fitted items.

Imitating other people’s style

Well, this is maybe the biggest mistake of all. First, everyone is different, both physically and personally; and your style should be a reflection and an extension of who you are, not an imitation of someone else. Besides, what suits someone else won't necessarily suit you.

While I ask my clients to share their style influencers in our personal styling session, we only take inspiration from them, rather than replicating their styles. You will want to show off your own personality through your fashion, and with this, you can curate your very own style. It's so important to feel yourself when it comes to walking out of the door in the outfits you create, so embrace your true personality!

What can you do to start discovering your personal style?

• Find the colours and shapes you love, and add them to your wardrobe. If you have a “uniform” you can add your personal touches with your accessories.

• Play with fashion, don’t let it stop you. Fashion should be something that works with you, not against you. Take time to discover the stores, styles, and outfits that you love to wear.

• Trends come and go, but your personal style will remain. So rather than going for the latest fashion trends in the stores, consider which styles you love to wear, and keep with them!

If any of these three styling mistakes feel like they resonate with you, I’d love to help you change how you feel about fashion. I can help you discover your best colours (and how to "fix" black, should you want to keep on wearing it!), the most suitable clothing lines for your body shape, scale and proportions. As well as recommended hairstyles and accessories for your face shape, and how to develop your unique personal style. This is all part of my Style Masterclass, available in London, Kent or online, to suit you!

I'm looking forward to helping you shine through your style...Because you are one of a kind ✨

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO WEAR GREEN THIS SPRING

Spring/Summer 2022 trends have come in and one of the top trends is the use of green. Green is a great colour, as not only is it a colour that feels fresh and springlike, it is also available in a variety of tones so can work for any skintone, as long as you find the right shade.

If you want to add this colour to your wardrobe and ensure that you pick up the perfect shade for your skintone, here are my top picks for you depending on the season you fall into.

How to wear green as a Spring

If you are a Spring – someone whose undertones are just like spring – bright, varied and with light features, then you want to find a bright or vivid spring green to add to your wardrobe. This is because the fabulous bright tones steer clear of those darker, muted tones that tend to drown you out.

Green pieces to add to your wardrobe as a spring

If you want to add pieces to your wardrobe in this on-trend colour, that works perfectly for you, then designers have a large selection of options for you. If you are on more of the tentative side and just want to add a little splash of green, then an accessory such as a bright green bag could be the perfect option for you. Whether it’s a designer piece such as this beautiful Mini Jodie bag by Bottega, or for a high-street option, this bright green shoulder bag from River Island is a quirky and bright addition to your wardrobe. The great thing about adding colours through accessories is if you want to keep more neutral with the rest of the outfit, you can do so. With bright greens, whites and creams are best to match, and they are best for your brighter skintone, too.

For a little more green to your look, you can add green with your trousers – wide leg trousers are a classic, while becoming more popular this year. They work perfectly for workwear, meetings, or casual brunches, depending on how you style them. Again, look for bright or light greens for your skintone. These bright, turquoise green, high rise Ted Baker trousers are a great option for you, or you can head to Nasty Gal for a pair of warmer green wide leg trousers. Match with your platform trainers for a more casual look, or heels for a more professional style.

How to wear green as a Summer

Summers have soft and cooler undertones, with pastels and blueish undertones working best for them. Think colours that aren’t too vivid, so as to not overwhelm your lighter features.

Green pieces to add to your wardrobe as a Summer

You will want to look out for more pastel or less vivid greens when adding this on-trend colour to your outfits. You can look for accessories to start adding a little touch of the colour to your wardrobe, and shoes are a great option for you. As we head into the warmer weather, you can look at adding these aqua green from Salvatore Ferragamo to your shoe cupboard, or try these slip on flats by Dune. And for a touch of glamour, without giving up on comfort, I find this metallic green loafers by Tod’s an excellent choice.

If you want to take the green in your wardrobe to a new level and add it as a full outfit, you can try out a spring/summer dress. I love when the seasons change, so being able to wear a dress without countless heavy jumpers over the top means I can try out a few brighter colours too! If you feel the same, then try this beautiful backless maxi dress by Aeron – a great date night or brunch with friends piece, or pair with a blazer to cover up the back and you could wear this to meetings, too. For a smarter style, this belted jumpsuit from Zara in sea green is a great option for your wardrobe.

How to wear green as an Autumn

Just like Autumn, people within this seasonal toning have deep and warm undertones, with soft contrasts. This means colours that work best for you are deeper colours that you would spot at this time of year.

Green pieces to add to your wardrobe as an Autumn

When you fit into this season, you will want to look for deep, rich greens to bring into your wardrobe. For a quick splash of colour, look for scarves in deep green, or with patterns to bring a little personality to the outfit, or accessories such as jewellery to easily update your look with this on-trend colour. Scarves are an often overlooked accessory, but can be used in a multitude of ways to update your outfit – from the different knots you can try around your neck, to playing with them as hair accessories, you really can play with them in unique ways. Find ones that are slightly slimmer if you are wanting to try out the different options without having to fold them over a lot to fit on your head or neck.

For a powerful, all-over green look, you could bring the colour to your wardrobe with a women’s suit all in green. The great thing about suits is that you can play with the way you wear it – wear the full suit together for a professional end result, or just wear the blazer or trousers and dress it down for a less formal look. This beautiful deep green suit by Ami Paris is a perfect formal yet comfortable option with it’s more relaxed tailoring. For a high street option, you can’t go wrong with this rich green suit from Zara.

How to wear green as a Winter

Winters have cooler undertones with deep and bright tones, which means you will want to look for those wintery colours such as bright icy greens to play with in your wardrobe.

Green pieces to add to your wardrobe as a Winter

When you consider adding green to your wardrobe, you will want to remember the colours of the winter – icy, bright, and cool. This will help when you look for options to invest in for the Spring/Summer and throughout your shopping! Whether it’s an emerald crossover body bag like this by Bottega Veneta, or emerald green sandals like these by Jimmy Choo – the accessories are always a place to start with colour additions. As a Winter you can wear black, unlike the other seasons, so when you bring a dash of colour to an all-black outfit in this way, you really can make an impact.

As we head into the warmer months, you may want to try out a more appropriate dress for the weather. Whether that’s a slip-style dress made of satin-crepe, perfect for feeling luxurious and sexy, or a more casual swing dress like this from Whistes, finding a dress in your green tones will be a great addition to your wardrobe for Spring/Summer 2022. Style them with a rocker vibe adding a black leather jacket over the top, or go for a more romantic style with silver accessories & a blazer.

I hope these ideas for adding green to your wardrobe this spring have given you some inspiration to add this on-trend colour to your wardrobe.

If you would like to know more about how to discover the season you fit in to, I have shared more detailed information about the 18 seasons method, here, or get in touch to arrange a colour analysis to help you know the colours that work best for your skintone.