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Thank goodness January is over and we can start to get a little bit excited about spring summer and maybe, just maybe, get out of our loungewear and hoodies and into clothes that not only look good but help us to feel good also.

I don't know about you, but I have definitely noticed that during this lockdown, I've neglected my style and have found myself reaching for the comfiest, warmest items that are suitable for dog walking, but not much else.  I've also noticed that on those days I'm not feeling as perky or upbeat as I usually do.  Now I know we're living through unprecedented times and could never have predicted how this last year would have panned out, but my low energy isn't just as a result of working online only, not seeing friends or family and home schooling (to be fair, my daughter has been amazing) but the impact of wearing dull clothes has had a dulling effect on my mood too.

The days when I make more of an effort, put a bright lipstick (yes it might only be smeared across the inside of my mask and half way up my face but hey, it's colour!) and do my hair, I've noticed a big difference in how I feel, my mood and energy levels and I'm reminded of why I love clothes and how the power of a good outfit can instantly revive me and help put me in a better frame of mind.

On a recent poll I did on my Instagram page (if you're not following me, here I am instagram.com/karenlowepersonalstylist) 97% of people said they felt that Covid and lockdown had had a negative impact on their style.  If you can relate to that statistic and are fed up of feeling flat and want to give yourself a brighter, more colourful outfit and outlook, let's chat.  I promise I can help you to rediscover a sense of style that will fit into all aspects of your new normal - however that looks right now. And whilst I'm on the subject of all things brighter and more colourful, isn't it amazing to see the snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils flowering.  As we've learnt through this experience, it's the small things that make a big difference.  Oh and a great outfit!!

I was recently approached by Jemima Carr-Jones, Deputy Style Editor of Bristol University's Independent Student Newspaper Epigram who was interested in picking my brains on what's it's really like being a Personal Stylist.  We talked about the ups, the downs, my clients and how personal styling is a bit like being a therapist......

"Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Karen Lowe, the Bristol based personal stylist and image consultant responsible for instilling new-found confidence in the lives of men and women across the West Country. Whether you’ve lost your style mojo, find yourself with all the clothes, but nothing to wear, or are simply suffering from a lack of inspiration; Karen champions the power of a well-put-together outfit, offering consultancy and advice about how to reinvigorate your wardrobe... and life.

I started following Karen on Instagram about a year ago and a few months later chanced upon her while shopping in a little boutique in Clifton. We started chatting, thankfully (!), and I have since been lucky enough to have the opportunity to pick her brains about what it's like being a personal stylist.

Bearing in mind that designer brands aren't totally suitable for a student budget, I've had to reluctantly resign myself to the fact that, as stylish as I hope to be, I just don't have the cash to splash. Yes, high-street brands usually look like a lot of the stuff on runway, but I often struggle to find cheaper clothing that is as durable and has the quality which the more upmarket stores offer. At least... this is what I thought until I spoke to Karen. Just from talking to Karen for an hour in Boston Tea Party, I was changed. Despite using clothing predominantly from high-street brands, Karen's outfits are both stylish and well made; something that I couldn't reconcile with the price tag. In my interview with Karen, she reveals how a carefully chosen Primark jumper matched with the right accessories can suddenly look as though it were straight off of the rails of And Other Stories. I am a Karen convert and will now look at clothing through fresh, scrupulous and frugal eyes!  Read more:

You may have watched Stacey Dooley’s eye opening documentary last week called Fashion’s Dirty Secret and if you haven’t, I highly recommend you find it on iPlayer (link below) to gain an insight into the reality of fast fashion and over consumption and the devastation it’s causing the environment.  It’s pretty tough going and not an easy watch, but a worthwhile one no less.

I love clothes and fashion and always have and I’m hands up guilty of enjoying shopping a little bit too much, that thrill when you find something you love and it’s a bargain, you know you don’t need it but hey, it’s gorgeous and it’s only £30, but, and it’s a big but, I’ve never really thought about the impact throw away fashion has on the world we live in.  Until now.

Watching textile factories in Indonesia pumping out chemicals and dyes into the dirty, foaming Citarum river where adults and children wash, clean and play and the effects it was having on them was heartbreaking.  Seeing the Aral river, now mostly dried up and desert like due to cotton production puts things clearly into perspective and really, do I need another pair of jeans when the 5 pairs I already have are perfectly fine and good especially when you consider it can take over 15,000 litres of water to grow the cotton to make a pair of jeans.  I don’t think so.  So what can we do?  

For starters, before you go shopping just because you fancy something new, ask yourself do you really need it or can you wear something you already own yet hasn’t seen the light of day for a while?  Can you style it up differently or even take it to your local tailor and make it into something else ie a dress into a top, a maxi dress into a skirt? 

Assess what is in your wardrobe already and look at what gaps you have rather than duplicating something you already own because let’s face it, you really don’t need  another stripey top! Invest in a piece that is going to enhance your collection and won’t end up months later wasting away in your wardrobe with the labels still on or worn once and never again.  

Instead of heading straight to the nearest shopping centre or high street, check out your local charity shops, they are treasure troves of amazing pieces at great prices.  Why not gather all of your friends together and do a style swap, investigate dress agencies or online pre-loved websites - you never know what you may find.  *If one million women bought their next item of clothing second hand instead of new, we would save 6 million kg of carbon pollution from entering the atmosphere*.

Don’t let your heart take over your head when shopping, if you find something you like, ask yourself, how many outfits can I make from this one new item.  If it doesn’t create 3 new outfits from your existing wardrobe don’t buy it otherwise you’ll find yourself on the financial merry go round of having to spend more and more money on new pieces to go with the other items in your wardrobe and needlessly consuming.  Remember “less is more”.  More clothes doesn’t create more choice, it just makes it harder to see what you already have which more often than not means you reach for the same few pieces again and again.  Most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time……Ring any bells with anyone?!  

Be mindful of where you spend your money.  If you can, invest in quality timeless pieces that will stand the test of time and please look after them.  Don’t boil them in the washing machine, or over heat them in the tumble dryer, treat them with love and kindness, you spent your hard earned money on them after all.   Get to know your local independent shops where more often than not the items are not mass produced but manufactured in smaller quantities and always ask yourself “do I really need this and why am I buying it”.  

It’s been an interesting week following on from the documentary.  I had a moment where I questioned my future of being a personal stylist but I honestly believe that using the services of a good stylist is not only beneficial to you but also the environment.  Firstly we aim to get you making the most of your current wardrobe and showing you how to wear more of your clothes more of the time by combining existing pieces in new and exciting ways.  If we do take you shopping , it’s usually with a focussed shopping list and we’re mindful of the choices we’re making for you and don’t suggest buying in vast quantities just for the sake of it regardless of the cost.   One of the things that saddens me most is seeing shoppers loaded down with overweight Primark bags buying in bulk because it’s cheap with the idea being "if it falls apart after a couple of washes, it doesn't really matter because it only cost £10" - it's a false economy.

As your stylist we don’t making buying decisions based on the heart, we will only suggest something for you if it truly enhances your wardrobe and we know it will give you flexibility.  Our aim is to get you to a place where you have a smaller capsule collection of clothes that all co-ordinate and work together and where possible there is minimal divide between work and casual.  

Our priority is to eliminate the need for you to constantly drip feed your wardrobe and ideally we’d like you to only shop twice a year, for autumn/winter and spring/summer. I don’t want to be a fashion kill joy and absolutely appreciate that sometimes you just want to buy something to reenergise older pieces and because you have hook, line and sinker fallen for something that you love, but I would like to encourage you to make sensible buying decisions and not spend to fill an emotional void or out of boredom which is very often the case.  Go for a run instead.  

If we all made small changes to our shopping habits and became more mindful of what our spending is supporting, together we can make a positive difference and stop the mass consumerism that is destroying our planet and peoples lives. 

For further information on how I can help you have a better curated, stylish and timeless selection of clothes that is kinder to the environment and your wallet, email me on [email protected] or have a look at my website: www.karenl.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bn6034/stacey-dooley-investigates-fashions-dirty-secrets
*Statistic courtesy of One Million Women*

It’s not often that I come across an item that makes my heart beat that little bit faster, makes me smile with joy AND has a functional purpose too.  I usually find one is compromised for the other which is always a disappointment so when the gorgeous people at Tovi Sorga contacted me to see if I’d be interested to try their pure leather contactless payment bracelet I was definitely intrigued.  

I first came across this beautiful luxury leather accessories company a couple of years ago when I was looking to purchase a mobile phone case that was worthy of the money spent on my brand new iPhone.  I instantly fell in love with each piece as works of art and knew that I’d found something special that I would enjoy interacting with.  Let’s face it, we spend enough time on our phones so why not make it as pleasurable an experience as possible….but I digress!

There is a wide choice of styles available for the bracelet which are all gorgeous but there was only ever going to be one for me - leopard.  A quick glance at my IG account and you’ll see why!  I knew that it would work with everything in my wardrobe as a stunning piece of jewellery and would create that all important finishing touch.  The great thing about this piece though is that it’s not just a pretty face, it’s also very clever too and is a dab hand at multi-tasking.  

I don’t know about you but I hate carrying a heavy, bulky purse and in this day and age where cash is no longer king, thankfully you don’t need to.  With the contactless payment bracelet there is a concealed payment chip on the inside which allows you to make payments of up to £30 with just a touch of your wrist wherever you see the contactless symbol.  It works with any Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card and all you need to do is download the bPay app or visit bpay.co.uk/tovi-sorga to activate your account.  It really is that simple.  Prices start at £50 and is available in 4 different sizes. 

It’s fair to say I LOVE this bracelet and whenever I wear it, it attracts a lot of attention but for me the beauty is that it does that rare thing of combining form and function so well, so easily and so effortlessly and with Christmas coming up……#justsaying

www.tovisorga.com

I was recently invited by Maria, owner of Shy Mimosa Perfumery in Clifton Village, to come along and experience the world of unique and niche perfumes and learn the stories behind each and every heavenly scented creation.  From the moment I walked in I knew I was in for a very special couple of hours.  As we started chatting it was clear that  both myself and Maria approached our work from a very similar point of view.  We discussed how clothes, shoes and accessories can make a huge difference in how we look and feel but often perfume is overlooked or not even thought about as the unique and final touch.  In response to this I asked Maria to write a blog post for me that would give you some hints on how to match your style with the right scent whether it's 'classic', 'effortless', 'edgy' or 'quirky'.  I hope you enjoy it and if you're looking for something truly special I highly recommend a visit to this oasis of aromas.

More often than not, we want to have the killer outfit that will represent who we really are, but have we thought to complement it with a perfume?  A fragrance that make us feel ourselves but at times to play a certain role, that of a lover, a busy mum or a boardroom boss.

Talking to Karen recently about style, made us think and I’ve picked a few perfumes from our curated collection of artisanal brands to match a few styles.

For a ‘’classic’’ look, I cannot help but reach for the collection by French brand Le Galion that oozes timeless glamour.  Our ultimate choice will be ‘’Sortilege’’, which is a floral perfume, sensual and seductive that gently whispers ‘’timeless sophistication’’.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Le+Galion&name=Sortilege

My choice for an ‘’effortless’’ look will be ‘’Cierge de Lune’’ by Aedes de Venustas.  An elixir of delicate sensuality, inspired by an orchid, which blooms at midnight, ones a year.  This is not just a perfume but a liquid poem dedicated to hidden beauty.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Aedes+de+Venustas&name=Cierge+de+Lune

For those with an ‘’edgy’’ look, my choice is a raw but chic, leathery and refined perfume ‘’B683’’, which is the vision of Marc-Antoine Barrois, a French Couturier, expressing his avant-garde style though exceptional fabrics and beautiful cuts.  A subtle refinement with an edgy look.

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/products/view.asp?brand=Marc%2DAntoine+BARROIS&name=B683

For someone who enjoys a ‘’quirky’’ look I usually reach for any perfume from the brand Gri Gri, inspired by the ancient art of tattooing.  But don’t be alarmed, if you don’t have a tattoo, the perfume police won’t come for you!  The perfumes are unusual, quirky and utterly delectable.  

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/shop/brands/view.asp?name=Gri+Gri+Parfums

We offer a personalised service for anyone who is looking to change their perfume, or looking for a signature scent, either to mark a certain milestone or entering a different chapter in their lives, or just because!  Get in touch with us to arrange your visit www.shymimosa.co.uk/contact/mimosa.co.uk/contact/ 

And finally to finish off with a few tips on how to find the perfect perfume; choose with your emotions and not with your practical mind.  Always try it on your skin, and you will know if it is the one. 

Visit our boutique for more personalised tips. If you are unable to visit, we offer samples to ‘’try before you buy’’ which we will happily post to you.  

https://www.shymimosa.co.uk/services/perfume-samples/

I spend a lot of time talking to women about the importance of correctly fitting underwear, mostly bras to be precise. It really is where the start of looking and feeling good really begins and the power of the right size bra should never be underestimated.... but it so often is!

In over 6 years I've helped many women with their style yet can count on one hand the number who were wearing the correct size. Almost always the cup is too small and the band is too big making your boobs look droopy, adding pounds to your overall size and any definition that you may have in your waistline, well it's gone....

When was the last time you prioritised bra shopping over a new top or pair of jeans or specifically went out to be fitted for a new one??? I'd be willing to put money on you saying "not very often". So why not set yourself a task for this month which I guarantee will help to make you look and feel fabulous in your clothes. I was once told by a client who'd been fitted after our wardrobe consultation that she looked like she'd been for a boob job but without the cost!

For extra feel good factor you can then send your old but still in good condition bras to the Smalls for All charity based in Scotland who in their own words are "a Scottish Charity which collects and distributes underwear to help women and children in Africa. We help those living in orphanages, slums, IDP camps and schools, as well as providing underwear to hospitals to help those suffering from medical conditions like obstetric fistula.

Please check out this fantastic charity and do something positive with your unwanted bras or even make a small donation to support their work: www.smallsforall.org and if you want share with all of your female friends - you'd be doing them a favour too!

I listened to this really inspiring Ted talk earlier from Mindy Scheier, a fashion designer, who has a child born with a degenerative disorder and the difficulties he faced not being able to dress himself. As a result his parents, to make it easier for him, bought jogging bottoms which he began to wear every day, for school and parties and everything else in between. He felt that these singled him as all the other kids were wearing 'cool' jeans and he just wanted to fit in. He said that his joggers were making him feel more disabled. And so started the journey for his mum of how to adapt fashionable clothes to not only make him feel good and give him confidence but also allowed him to be "just like everybody else". 
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I'm in agreement with so much of what she says about the power of clothes, how they can give you confidence, empower you, make you happier, and learnt that scientists have given this a name, Enclothes Cognition. This relates to the symbolic meaning of clothing and the physical experience of wearing the clothes both of which have a direct correlation to how you feel about yourself. I often discuss this with clients and during talks and quote the same fashion pyschologist used in this talk, Dr Karen Pine and how "when you put clothes on you adapt the characteristics of what you are wearing". That's why when you wear your favourite dress or item of clothing that you know you look good in, you feel amazing. 

It's such an interesting talk and for anyone that enjoys clothes and fashion, or even for those of you who think fashion is irrelevant and unnecessary, although I don't know why you'd be following me if you did!!, I highly recommend listening to this engaging and emotional talk whether you have a child with a disability or not.

Please watch and if you do I'd love to hear your thoughts. 
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