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Style Advice

My Spring shopping list

April 1, 2019

Every new season I write a wish list and I encourage clients to write a shopping list of the wants and need of your wardrobe. Firstly though you need to asses, edit and detox your wardrobe. This is a hugely important starting point as it gives you clarity , reminds you what you have, what you loved last year and what you need to replace. Once you have detoxed your wardrobe and have invested in the basics that can be worn day in and day out, you now need to think about the seasonal items that give your style personality.

Each season my advice is to invest in just five fashion‑forward statement pieces to update your look. The idea is that limiting your choice will make you think more about what you buy, so there will be fewer regrettable impulse purchases. Plus, you can invest more in high-quality pieces that you’ll love for years to come.

So now is the time to make your five piece list for Spring Summer. Think about your budget and stick to it and by writing the items down you can always refer back it to throughout the season - it will ensure you don't impulse buy without consulting your list first.

If you need some inspiration, here is my Spring Summer five piece list (some of which I have already brought).

MY SPRING SHOPPING LIST

NEW WHITE TRAINERS - The trend is to ditch the trainers this season and when the weather hots up I will be getting my toes out in sandals but for now and again into Autumn a pair of box fresh white trainers is a must-have to make my outfits look fresh. Adidas Stan Smith’s are a fail safe option for me and for my clients, but this season I am going to invest in a pair of VEJA trainers. Now just to choose which pair.

Veja V-10 leather sneakers, Net-a-Porter, £115

Veja Nova canvas trainers, Matches.com, £80

2. PINK BOILERSUIT - the jumpsuit and now the boilersuit is my go-to item in my wardrobe. I love the denim jumpsuit that I brought from Topshop in December, as this is black I would like a lighter one for Spring Summer.

UO rosie pink utility jumpsuit, Urban Outfitters, £79

3. MINI CROSS BODY BAG - the trend for bags is going mini and micro, some are totally impractical but I do like the idea of not carrying alot in my everyday cross body bag, especially for the evening. So I have my eye on a couple of coloured bags that will be an investment item for me.

Marc Jacobs Snapshot small leather bag, My Theresa £280

Saint Laurent Mini Loulou leather bag, My Theresa £815

Mulberry Small Darley leather bag, My Theresa £595

4. UPDATED BLAZER - I have worn and worn my check blazer from Mango that I brought last year so I feel that I need a new one because it’s abit worn and I like wearing blazers to consultations with clients and also over dresses in the summer. I want another check as I like having the pattern, but not sure what kind yet so I am keeping my shopping eye out for the one I want and that I know will last my through Autumn too.

Astrid Check Blazer, All Saints, John Lewis, £258

Hourglass Houndstooth blazer, &other stories, £129

5. THE PERFECT MIDI DRESS - The midi dress has been on trend for a number of seasons now and the retailers offerings are going from strength to strength. I found my perfect evening one last season, the animal print from Whistles dress, so now I am on the hunt for a summer day version of this.

Floral Asymmetric Midi dress, &other stories, £79

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Your wardrobe hero - the leather skirt

March 17, 2019

In the past 6 years of working with clients to improve their wardrobes and style, I have often turned to a leather pencil skirt to transform clients workwear style. Only last week on a personal shop I suggested to a client who works as a HR director for a bank to try out the Reiss leather pencil skirt to update her workwear image and style. Suggesting a leather pencil skirt is always met with apprehension and trepidation, but as soon as she tried it on she immediately fell for it’s buttery leather fabric, it’s flattering form fitting style and the sophistication it brought to her style. I often suggest the Whistles burgundy leather pencil skirt to move away from black and it can still be worn with black tights, but it is consistently sold out and is their best seller.

A leather skirt is a perfect addition to any woman's wardrobe. It's the same as leather jacket, it looks both feminine and edgy and has longevity. Yes it is an investment purchase, one you would never regret and one that will enhance your style for years to come.

But this season it seems that Leather is having a reinvention, in particular the leather skirt. This bottom garment has become a must-have piece to buy for your wardrobe, it’s out on the high street in various styles, lengths and colours.. It's a skirt what brings a bold fashion statement, no matter what top you choose.

I think this garment is a great addition to any wardrobe. Personally, I do love this bottom piece for its both edgy and feminine look. It’s a unique garment that comes in so many designs and details. All you need is to choose the one that will undoubtedly fit your everyday and special evening outfits. Here are some styling tips and ideas on how to wear a leather skirt in 2019.

METALLIC LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT

TAN MIDI SKIRT

WRAP LEATHER SKIRT

BURGUNDY LEATHER SKIRT

If you want more inspiration then check out my pinterest page - leather skirts 2019

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How to wear clashing colours

February 11, 2019

One of the big trends for 2019 that has been bubbling under for a few seasons is the art of clashing bright colours in one outfit. So whilst there are lots of khaki’s, rusts, browns and mustard’s around for utility is a big trend for this year, these clashing bright colours is the antipodean of utilitarian chic.

If it’s been a while since you embraced head-to-toe colour, step into the bright. The good news is that so long as you pick your shades carefully, you really can’t go wrong. And this is not about needing to buy a host of colourful clothes – I bet you’ve already got enough colour in your wardrobe to pull off a stylish clashing outfit. Creating great style often means breaking the fashion rules. Colours that clash can be worn together to design vibrant, eye-catching looks and styling. The only rules for mastering this look? Skip subtle pieces and stick with bold statement items.

Here I have some colour clashing ideas to inspire you to break the black habit.

For more inspiration check out my Pinterest board - clashing colours 2019

Pink & Green

Try pairing green and pink together, and you might be surprised by how well-suited these two colours are. These two colours create a vibrant, eye catching combination that just works. For tricky colour clashes like these, use a darker contrasting colour to add a few little break up the look - for example black and white.

Orange & Pink

This combo is anything but subtle. While a pair of hot pink trousers and an oversized tangerine top might not sound like they’d work together, they actually look modern and cool. These vibrant tones hit it off together in a seriously bold way.

Red & Pink

Wearing red and pink together was once considered a fashion faux pas; now it's one of the coolest colour pairings. Valentino, Gucci, Céline and Balenciaga all sent red and pink looks down the runway last season. As did Victoria Beckham, who wore her a fresh-off-the-runway raspberry and maroon ensemble to run errands.

Tonal brights

The easiest way to ensure your enthusiasm for colour comes over as effortless (rather than – oh, the horror – matchy-matchy) is to wear the same shades in different textures. Mix wool and cotton with velvet, silk and suede. The point is that if it’s all in a similar colour then the fabrics will play very nicely together. And then don’t be afraid to add clashing accessories.

Block colours

When you switch to block colours and forgo prints, the cut and fit of your clothing really come into their own. Meaning, you need to think about how the shapes of your clothes work together. As a general rule when you’re putting clothes together, if one part of the outfit is oversized or billowing then pair it with something tailored or fitted to achieve balance.

Whilst its all about re thinking the fashion rule book, ensuring you know which colours suit you the most comes before the styling. It is important to understand the right colours for your skin type, hair and eye colour, then we can identify the colours that suit you the best. We can then use these in your wardrobe, styling and shopping and you can start to feel confident about bringing colour back into your life. Don’t be shy about pairing different colours together you might not normally think about, just ensure that those colours are ‘right’ for you.

Shopping inspiration for bright clashing colours

Whistles, Green ash full leg trousers, £139

2. John Lewis & Partners cobalt blue blazer, £120.00

3. &other stories Orange silk shirt, £69

4. Whistles Yellow oversized funnel neck knit, £119

5. Boden, Clarissa Jumpsuit, £140

6. Marc Jacobs snapshot bag, £285, Selfridges

If you want more information about colour analysis or styling head to the services pages or contact me for a consultation - nina@edits-styling.com

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My first fashion obsession of 2019 - Boilersuits

January 15, 2019

There are fewer things you can be comfortable in over wearing a boilersuit. Loose-fitting but flattering, casual but chic with heels and easy to layer throughout the year, this pedigree breed of an all-in-one is a true wonder. I have an age-old Topshop cotton / linen boilersuits lurking in my Summer wardrobe as it’s the kind of throw-on piece that is easy to wear and comes back around in fashion every couple of years.

At the end of 2018 I noticed a resurgence of the boilersuit on the high street, in social media and I started feeling the urge to wear one with a roll neck underneath. I tried Topshops stitch denim one but I seemed to be inbetween sizes to make it work. Selling out twice now, this is the third delivery of the denim one and they now have it in different fabrics and colours which makes me think this trend is only going to get bigger and better into Spring Summer.

Since this big hitter I am confident that like the jumpsuit the boilersuit is versatile, stylish, easy to wear and well translate well into next season.

So I have done all the hard work for you and found the best boilersuits on the high street right now so you can get yours before everyone else - you can thank me later!