Blog - "effortless personal style"

"effortless personal style"

Put your necklace away..

23/10/2013

Jewelled necklace tees are big news this season and are such an easy item to wear as they eliminate the need for accessories. Wear them with anything from a pencil skirt to your faithful skinnies or for a smarter night out, a pair of cigarette style trousers and heels. For an edgier look, just add a leather biker jacket and patterned trousers.

Following on from yesterday's post about being more creative with your existing clothes, why not go to your nearest haberdashery dept and invest in a selection of sequins, beads and jewels and have fun creating your own unique neckline that no-one else will have. If you need a bit of sequinspiration, take a look at these from Dorothy Perkins (if you're not ever likely to sew your own and would like to buy one of these, use code DPFW25 for 25% discount).

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

3/10/2013

Image care of Reuters - Burberry

Oh my goodness! Have you seen the weather? I just got caught in it wearing suede boots but thankfully I had already sprayed them and my leather bag with rain guard so no wet feet or ruined bags here!

Now the seasons have most definitely changed its worth spending some time waterproofing your leather and suede shoes and bags. It will help to keep them looking as good as new and will stop unsightly water stains.

Most shoe shops and dry cleaners sell it and for around £4-£5 and it can mean the difference between keeping a great pair of shoes for years or having to replace them year in, year out.

Check This Out

30/9/2013

I talked yesterday about red being the colour of the season, well now it's the turn of the print. Taking centre stage this Autumn/Winter is the mighty tartan in all its highland glory. Not just appearing in traditional reds, there are lots of alternatives in muted colours if you prefer a more subtle take on this print.

If you normally shy away from pattern and colour, step outside your comfort zone a little: there's a tartan out there
for everyone.

Lady in Red

29/9/2013

This season there's one colour that is going to overshadow all the others and it's bright, bold and beautiful. It's the colour of love and passion and is sure to get you noticed. Move over the LBD, this Autumn/Winter it's all about the LRD.

It's a brave colour so if the thought of head to toe scares you, break it up and use it in a jacket, a necklace or even a hat. I've done a quick round up of some items currently on the high street which includes Warehouse, Oasis, Hobbs, Phase Eight, Debenhams and M&S.

Two of my particular favourites are the double breasted coat (Hobbs) and the leopard print pencil skirt (Warehouse). If anything catches your eye and you'd like to know where it's from don't be afraid to ask. This season be bold!

More Ageless Style

27/9/2013

I think it's pretty obvious that I have a bit of a thing for old ladies after all my talk recently on FB about Fashionable Fashionistas so when I spotted this lovely lady coming up the stairs at The Mall during Bristol Fashion Week, I had to stop her and take her photograph and have a bit of a chat.

She's 72, gets up early every day to do her hair and make up because its important to her that she looks stylish and feels good. For the last few years of her husbands life she cared for him but still made an effort over her appearance. Often the carers would turn up first thing in the morning and she would be there glamorous and looking amazing much to their astonishment.

When something is important to you and of value, making the effort isn't a chore and you're happy and willing to invest the time. I already know this but this inspiring woman reinforced it to me. Isn't she great.

Camouflage Queen

4/9/2013

Firstly, I need to point out that the 'tangoed' look I seem to have taken on in this photo isn't a case of me over fake tanning (I have been on holiday and I do have a tan but not to the point of looking like I've drunk too much Sunny Delight)...!! I'm a crap photographer and don't know how to take a decent photo which is a bit limiting with an iphone anyway, but you kind of get the idea of my outfit which is the most important thing. Just don't look at my face!

This Autumn/Winter there are two prints that are going to be everywhere: plaid and camouflage. I'm not a big fan of the former but love a bit of camo and wanted to show you how I've incorporated it into my wardrobe without looking like I'm coming over all Private Benjamin.

I've opted for an H&M skirt in a tightly pleated chiffon which helps to break up the print up making it more feminine than if it was on a flat A-line shape for example. The skirt has a lovely drape and nice swishy movement when walking which also helps to give it a girly edge. If you're tempted to try out pleats, be a bit careful if you're bottom heavy as they can accentuate your curves making you look bigger, so always wear with a top tucked in and belted to highlight your waist.

As the skirt is the star I've kept everything else simple with a 'vintage' Primark linen vest and Bertie wedged gladiators.

What do you think? Are you tempted to try camouflage? If you do, please post a photo, I'd love to see how you've styled it.

Below are a few other items I've spied on the internet. I particularly love the Topshop trousers........

Reiss at TK Maxx

28/6/2013

I love a bit of TK Maxx and have picked up some great bargains there. You have to be in the right frame of mind for it with lots of time to spare and be dedicated to searching through the rails, but if you love a rummage, you can't go
wrong.

My latest label spot there is Reiss available at brilliant prices. They've got some great things both online and in store, so if you love the understated modern sophistication of Reiss but don't like their prices - this is definitely one for you.

Casual boyfriend chic

28/6/2013

Unless you've been walking around with your eyes closed for the last few months, you'll have noticed that boyfriend jeans are everywhere. I've personally been wearing them for years as I love how comfortable they are yet they still have a stylish vibe to them and sometimes you just want an alternative to the ever faithful skinny.

There are lots of styles around with ready made rips which unless you smarten the look up with a blazer, could look a bit grunge. I also love how wearing a smart heel can change the feel of the outfit. So I thought I'd create a couple of looks for you and show you how I put together my cool casual look for a night out last week.

Latest Outfits for St Peter's Hospice

12/6/2013

For about a year and a half now a highlight of my week has been to spend a morning volunteering at St Peter's Hospice on Cotham Hill, dressing their mannequins for them. The anticipation of what I might find makes me almost break out into a run and once I've arrived I'm like a child in a sweet shop. Some of the items I've given a new home to include a leather Hobbs bag, brand new never worn leather Spanish brogues, Diesel scarf, Cos jacket....I could go on and on.....But it's not just the clothes I get excited about, I always meet a range of interesting people from all walks of life with a story or two to tell.

It never ceases to amaze me what people will give to charity, designer items barely worn, garments with labels still attached, and a whole host of accessories that only need a bit of TLC to bring them back to life (don't ask me about dirty underwear though - I kid you not!). A charity shop really is a treasure trove of loveliness and is a guilt free way of shopping to your hearts content.

I highly recommend spending a bit of time having a good old rummage. Don't walk in, skim the shelves and walk back out again because nothing catches your eye. Go through the rails item by item and wait for that special something to leap out at you - because I guarantee it will.

Here are some of the outfits I've created for St Peter's Hospice over the last few weeks.

Ageless Style

23/5/2013

One question I'm always asked by women of a certain age group is how to look stylish and age appropriate. Not wanting to dress like their daughter but not wanting to look like their mum either is a real concern for many women. My
response is always that style is ageless. Using the current trends to INFLUENCE your wardrobe rather than have them dictate what you should wear, is a pretty good rule to stick to. There are a few others, but that would involve a longer post and I've got a 6 yr old that needs picking up from school and taking to her swimming lesson.....I digress....

Anyhow, whilst out and about in Bath yesterday I came across the most amazing woman who's style was so unique and was carried with such confidence that I was captivated by her. Her name is Jean Woods and she's a very stylish 75 years old!

What do you think of her style? To me, she embodies everything that clothes should do: express your unique personality, send a message about who you are, be fun and give you confidence. Jean certainly says all of those things doesn't she?

If you're interested in fashion for ladies of a more advanced age but of a youthful spirit, check out Ari Seth Cohen Advanced Style Blog - it makes me smile every time my Inbox pings with a post and might make you think twice before you say "I'm too old to wear that". http://advancedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/