0771 875 0019   [email protected]
"effortless personal style"
  • Home
  • About Me
  • How I Can Help
    • Colour Analysis
    • Wardrobe Consultation
    • Personal Shopping
    • Special Occasion Shopping
    • Wardrobe Organisation
    • Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
    • Style Parties
    • Public Speaking
    • Gift Certificate
  • Testimonials
  • News/Events
  • Contact Me
  • FAQ's
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog

How to wear stripes

28/2/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
This Spring/Summer, which by the time you read this, Spring will officially have sprung, stripes are going in all directions - horizontal, vertical, diagonal, chevron.  You'll see them on anything from tops, dresses, and skirts to shoes, bags and scarves.  As with all trends, I recommend using them as a starting point to influence your own style.  Being stylish isn't about being 'trendy' and looking like a high street mannequin but expressing your own individuality in a way that is natural and feels comfortable to you AND makes you look and feel great.  

If you're not careful stripes can make you look wider but if you get them right, they can also make you look slimmer so don't be afraid of wearing them, there is one out there that is just right for you.  Here are a few tips that will help when looking for the right stripe for you:

-   Pair stripes with a solid colour on the larger part of your body i.e. if you're heavier in the lower half of your body, keep this simple and monochromatic and use the pattern on your upper body to draw attention to it, for example a black
pencil skirt belted with a black and white striped blouse.

 -   Vertical stripes are great at lengthening the body, so if you have a shorter torso – wear a vertically striped shirt to create the illusion of length – just be aware of how wide the stripes are. A chiffon striped blouse worn with a pair of skinny jeans would look great.  If you have shorter legs, a pair of striped trousers will make them look longer and if you add a heel, you're instantly going to look taller.  Pinstripes are a classic style but experiment with colour and opt for a
coloured stripe instead for a more modern look.

-    If you have a small waist, a chevron striped top that draws in at your waist will accentuate your petite waistline.

-   If you're top heavy, wear a smaller, thinner stripe or if you want to enhance your bust, choose a bolder, wider stripe.

-   If you have a small frame – wear a small pattern, if you have a larger frame – wear a larger pattern.

-   If you like the idea of stripes but are still fearful of them, introduce them through your accessories.  A striped scarf with a silky tee and skinny jeans is an easy way of nodding to the trend without being too over the top.  Now that we've hit Spring and the weather should (I say this lightly) be warming up, a striped pair of espadrilles or wedges worn with a dress are a good alternative to plain sandals.  A striped bag will add a different dimension to your outfit and can give a plainer look some added interest.

However you choose to wear stripes, have fun with them and use them to your advantage and don't be afraid to get a little creative.



0 Comments

New seasons collections

18/2/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture

I spent a happy few hours on Saturday researching the new trends that are slowly slowly making their way into the shops.  The sales have stuck around for longer than usual this year so it's a welcome sight to see the new collections.  There's lots of gorgeous hot colours and patterns around with orange being particularly strong again, so if you bought items in this tone last Summer, brilliant, get them out and start wearing them now.

If you're unsure of wearing such a bright colour here are a few facts about the pyschology of orange that might pursuade you to give it a try:

“The color psychology of orange is optimistic and uplifting, rejuvenating our spirit. In fact orange is so optimistic and uplifting that we should all find ways to use it in our everyday life, even if it is just an orange colored pen that we use (or a gorgeous handbag!). It radiates warmth and happiness, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow.  Orange brings spontaneity and a positive outlook on life and is a great color to use during tough economic times, keeping us motivated and helping us to look on the bright side of life”.
-
 Empwer Yourself with Colour Pyschology

 Back to fashion with flat blocked heel sandals (hurrah for comfort AND style) cropping up everywhere. Clark's had a few fab pairs that will look great with everything from skirts, to ankle grazers to rolled up jeans and a blazer.  Florals are stronger than ever and split skirts of all lengths were popular too.  Being a bit of a rock chic at heart, I'm always partial to a biker jacket and so was particularly drawn to H&M's hot pink style which means I can still have an edge, but a feminine one!  It didn't make it home with me, but it has been playing on my mind ever since........

I couldn't photograph everything I saw and liked but here are a few items that will give your wardrobe a colourful boost without costing the earth.

a – Clark's 
b – Oasis
c – BHS
d – Nine West
e - Clark's
f - Clark's
g – Oasis
h – H&M
j – H&M
k - H&M
l – Top Shop


 


0 Comments

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue......

6/2/2013

0 Comments

 
If December is all about Christmas and January is all about new years resolutions, then February has to be all about love. There are many cynics out there who complain that Valentines Day is designed for card and flower companies to make an extra mint, but in my mind, any reason to celebrate the love in your life, whether it's your partner, children or even your dog (I know my parents dog will get a special treat once the 14th hits!) is a good enough one for me.  

Wearing the color red affects us physically by increasing enthusiasm, stimulating energy and can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate . It encourages action and confidence and provides a sense of protection from fears and anxiety.  So if Valentines Day isn't a good enough reason to wear this gorgeous colour, then there are a few other ones to think about.
 
However you choose to spend the night, whether it's a quiet meal at home, sharing a bottle of wine and watching a DVD or a full blown posh meal in an expensive restaurant, celebrate in style.  Here are just a few of the things I've seen recently that might inspire you and get your pulse rate up and your heart beat racing......
Picture
1 - White Stuff £49.95
2 - M&S £19.50
3 - Zara £169
4 -Alice Temperley for JL £160
5 - H&M £12.99
6 - Mango£34.99
7 - People Tree £65
8 - Schuh £60
9 - Lulu Guiness£245
10 - Oasis £35
11 - Joules £69.99
12 - Mint Velvet (top) £55
13 - Not on the High Street £160

0 Comments
    Picture
     I'm a lover of all things fashion, style and image related but more than that I believe passionately in the power of feeling good in your clothes.
    I'm also a mum to a teenage daughter who is taller than me with legs longer than mine and a dog whose curls are glossier and bouncier than mine!!

      Subscribe to my mailing list:

    Submit

    Archives

    March 2024
    October 2022
    January 2022
    February 2021
    February 2019
    October 2018
    June 2018
    January 2018
    March 2017
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Accessories
    Advanced Style
    Ageless Style
    A-line Skirts
    Animal Print
    Autumn/Winter
    Autumn/Winter
    Aztec Prints
    Bags
    Beauty
    Biker Jacket
    Bishopstonvoice
    Bobbi Brown
    Bristol Fashion Week
    Camouflage
    Cashmere
    Charity
    Charity Chic
    Charity Chic
    Charity Fashion
    Charity Fashion
    Checks
    De Clutter
    De-clutter
    Designer
    Dieting
    Ditch The Diet
    Dorothy Perkins
    Dresses
    Easy Going Fashion
    Embellishments
    Fabulous Fashionistas
    Fashion
    Fast Food Fashion
    Floral Prints
    Flower Power
    Gold Jewellery
    In-store Personal Shopper
    Jackets
    Jewelled Tees
    Jewellery
    Karen Millen
    Khaki
    Leather
    Limited Collection
    Little Red Dress
    Live Life Diet Free
    Looking Good
    Lose Weight
    Love
    Love Yourself
    Make-up
    Marks & Spencer
    Mascara
    Maxi Skirts
    Midi Skirts
    Miss Selfridge
    Monochrome
    M&S
    M&S
    New Seasons Trends
    Next
    Oasis
    Orange
    Partywear
    Pastel Tones
    Pencil Skirts
    Personal Shopper
    Personal Stylist
    Positive Body Focus
    Positive Body Image
    Quilted Jacket
    Rainwear
    Red
    Second Hand Clothing
    Second Hand Clothing
    Sequins
    Shoes
    Shopping
    Skirts
    Smokey Eye
    Sparkles
    Spring/Summer 14
    Stripes
    Sugarhill Boutique
    Sunshine Colour
    Sustainable Fashion
    Sustainable Fashion
    Tartan
    Tees
    Thick Eyelashes
    Unique Style
    Valentines Day
    Vavista
    Wardrobe Clear Out
    Wardrobe Detox
    Wardrobe Weeding
    Warehouse
    Waterproof
    Weight Loss
    Whistles
    Xmas Party Wear
    Yellow
    Zara

    RSS Feed

Picture

[email protected]

© Karen Lowe 2025
Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.