Women's style rules

If you have an interest in what you wear, in style and in fashion then you’ve likely spent a fair amount of time reading magazine's, online articles or newspapers full styling tips, street style observations, and educated thoughts about the world of celebrity dressing.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, and it can be hard to know the right things to do all the time.

The good news, though, is that sometimes things are much simpler than all that. There are a few general style guidelines that some of the world’s smartest, sharpest, and most stylish women stick to. I tend to use these rules in general for myself and also with clients. They are so universally wise and helpful that I felt I had to share them with you.

1. Good fit is the most important feature for any wardrobe

You could have on the trendiest, most expensive outfit in the world—but if it doesn’t fit you properly, you’re not going to look stylish, and all your effort and money would have been wasted. Know your body shape and what suits your silhouette. This means that regardless of what's in or out, your purchases will still retain a good fit and will flatter your figure which will leave you looking fabulous. It's better to buy the right length skirts, jumpers and dresses than buy into short-term trends.

2. Buy timeless clothing that will always be in style to underpin your wardrobe

Think indigo denim, shirts, sweaters, blouses, stripe jersey tops, good knitwear, converse trainers, a good jacket, brogues or flats and a leather jacket. These items have always been in style and always will be – how you wear them may change but the items themselves will always be a safe bet. Jeans might be turned up one year & not the next but they’ll always be a wardrobe staple.  This doesn’t mean that you should always play it safe – colour, pattern and texture play an important role in bringing these items to life.

Also, with these items, always remember the next rule...

3.  Buy the best quality you can afford

The best quality items fit better, last longer and some cases will get better with age. Don’t be tempted by cheaper, throwaway items – 9 times out of 10 they don’t last. Invest in key items that you know you’ll get value from such as shoes and denim. Whereas a less expensive, on-trend pair of jeans is fine to grab every now and then, you really need quality denim in your wardrobe to last you from year to year.

4. Buy clothing that's flexible

Build your wardrobe around key items that are versatile and can be worn a number of different ways. A great example is a denim shirt. Worn with converse trainers, over a simple striped jersey dress and you’ve got a great, timeless casual look. Team up with some black skinny jeans, heel’s, a necklace and a smart blazer and you’ve got the perfect outfit for an evening out.

Follow my August pinterest board here for inspiration - August 2016 Edits style inspiration

Edits summer style secrets

Summer's here, which means it's time to start planning for that perfect Summer wardrobe. It's not about blink-and-you'll-miss-them-trends, but investing in cool, stylish pieces you will want to wear again and again. Clothes that fit effortlessly into your life and outfits that make you feel good whenever you put them on.

Chanel cruise show in Cuba May 2016

Here are my Summer Style Secrets...

1. Layering is my secret to always feeling put together. Wearing lightweight stylish jackets over shirts or tee's makes me feel like I am ready for any eventuality.
2. I like my clothes to be versatile. Shirts are still my style hero as they can be worn in so many different ways; with shorts, skirts, jeans and over dresses, tuck it in, roll it up, button it up or keep it open, the style list is endless!
3. Trends are just suggestions of what to wear, so know your style. If you love minimalist laid-back pieces over boho then perhaps a simple white dress is your forever summer throw-on with a few pieces of bold jewellery.
4. Mix old favourites with new finds. I have a 'Summer box' of items I have collected over the years and I will wear them with my new season pieces.
5. Style your shape. Know your body shape and shop for pieces that will showcase your body rather than wearing 'figure fixers' such as baggy linen trousers or long jersey t-shirts.

If you have lost your style and need some help getting back on track and then contact me now for a personal styling consultation. My job is to take the pain and frustration away of not knowing what to wear. I will work with you to create the perfect style that suits your personality, lifestyle and budget AND is easy to maintain.

how to style the maxi dress

EDITS STYLING NOTES

From Winter's midi dress trend comes summer's maxi dress obsession. This season it's all about the long and the floral. As our weather in the UK is ever changeable, is it worth buying a maxi dress to wear for just a handful of days per year? If you are looking to purchase one as an investment piece I have pulled together some looks of how to wear the Maxi dress throughout the next coming months. Maxi dress from Zara £39.99.

FOR MAY/JUNE - Add a lightweight jacket such as a denim one, or leather jacket for evening. Flat shoes such as ballerina's or brogues are essential for this time of year. A cross the body bag in a bright colour adds style to your outfit.

FOR JULY/AUGUST - A fedora and sunglasses is all that is needed in the hot summer holidays to show off the cold shoulder detailing of the maxi dress. Wearing sandles in a bright colour from the print will add style to your look.

FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER - Once the sun has gone away and all that is left is the clouds and the cold, it's time to layer the maxi dress up. By wearing tights and boots you are adding longevity to your purchase as you will be able to wear it all through the year. Layering over the top a cardigan, loose jersey jacket or shirt under a coat means it no longer looks like a summer dress but something that you can wear casually on a daily basis.

your style evolution

As we grow and change, so does our taste and style preferences. There usually comes a point where we feel like the style we have embodied for the last 10 years no longer feels like us.

If this sounds like you then read on for some image consultant tips on your style evolution?

There are a few courageous individuals who embark on a complete style overhaul, and change everything in their wardrobe within a couple of hours and come out the other side looking immaculate. Then there are the rest of us. The ones who feel anxious about change, about looking different and about having to talk about themselves in a personal way, as style is personal. So what are the options you have in taking tentative steps towards a change in your image?

The good news is style does not need to happen overnight. All good things take time. It can take weeks, or even months to find and develop a new style that embodies you for right now. The key is to focus on discarding items that you no longer wear or feel comfortable in and slowly add in some newer basic items that suit and flatter you. Giving your wardrobe a good detox will allow you to see past the pieces you haven't worn for years, that no longer fit you, that have holes in them or you have just plain forgotten about! Starting from scratch can give you a sense of relief and excitement at the thought of creating a whole new wardrobe - and a whole new you!

To learn more about the type of style you want, I suggest starting a pinterest board every season for the styles, looks, images and items you are drawn towards. Keeping upto date with trends and styles will ensure that you will allow yourself have a contemporary and stylish look. If you are unsure about how to put items together or how to accessorize, finding inspiration from your style icons could help your create modern and and stylish outfits. From this you will then be able to create a 'shopping list' of items that you want/need and must-have in your wardrobe to help you become the modern stylish woman you want to be.

When going shopping, the best advice I can give is to save items in your shopping bag as you go along. Don't knee jerk and buy things that you think you need, take your time over spending your money - set yourself a budget. Refer back to your wardrobe, refer back to your pinterest board, refer back to your shopping list at all times to ensure you don't make new mistakes that are just replacing the old ones.

If all of the above still scares you and you still don't know where to start then I am here to help. My job is to take the pain and frustration away of not knowing what to wear. I will work with you to create the perfect style that suits your personality, lifestyle and budget AND is easy to maintain.  By showing you how to dress in a way that flatters your body shape and introduce you to stores that are perfect for you, not only will you avoid those expensive mistakes you've made in the past, but you will have an image that reflects the woman you want to be.  I can also show you how to build on your existing wardrobe to create new outfits that you will look and feel amazing in.  Never again will you utter those words “I've nothing to wear”!

Style and fashion are ageless, and they evolve with you.

If you have lost your style and need some help getting back on track and then contact me now for a personal styling consultation.

Follow me on pinterest and instagram for regular style updates.