Notebook

Gladiator Ready!

April 24, 2012 – 12:08 pm Comments (2)

A few weeks ago I decided (for many reasons) never to click on a Daily Mail link again but mistakenly did so this morning. And I’m sort of glad I did. It was Mary Beard’s response to AA Gill’s “review” of her tv programme. (Just so you know I’ve watched the programme and love it. It’s revisiting something I studied at school). But that’s not what this blog is about.

Obviously I deal in image and that’s what the row is about.(Gill thinks that Beard doesn’t look good enough for tv.) For the most part, clients come to me because they feel that the image they’re projecting on the outside isn’t accurately reflecting who they feel they are on the inside. Feeling like you don’t look like who you think you are is distracting and knocks your confidence. The crux of my job is to help my client dress in a way that means they don’t have to think about it for the rest of the day. They’re not feeling uncomfortable, they’re not distracted, it’s a confidence boost that means they can focus on whatever it is they are supposed to be doing.

AA Gill couldn’t be more wrong. Mary Beard is obviously comfortable with her image. So she’s not dyed and designer-clad. So what? To suggest that any of us have to subscribe to some prescribed image is misogyny. The whole point of image is that it’s an exterior projection of who we are inside, and nobody can, or indeed, should dictate that to anybody else. The very essence of what I try to do with clients is simply to untangle that projection for them. This is the main reason I think any sort of one-size-fits-all general rules tend to be nonsense and totally lacking imagination.

Our image is the most personal thing we have. Ever wonder why people classed as style icons tend to be trailblazers? Are they super-fashionable? Not usually. They’re just REALLY comfortable in their own clothes. And it’s that confidence that makes people copy them. Mary Beard, style icon? Stick that in your drum & bang it Mr Gill.

Happy Shopping!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2134146/Too-ugly-TV-No-Im-brainy-men-fear-clever-women.html

http://subs.timesplus.co.uk/_signup/?pc=online1&CMP=KNGvccp1-AA+gill+sunday+times

Best Ever Style Tip

March 12, 2012 – 11:12 am Comments (0)

I’m going to assume we’re all more familiar with Angie’s Right Leg than we ever thought necessary, and yes I know I’m coming late to this party. It’s on my mind because I saw a woman this morning walking, well, actually sort of goosestepping down my road because her shoes were so uncomfortable. So I thought I’d share the easiest, FREE and most important style tip of them all. The mother of all fashion advice (ps there’s still time to get your mother one of my gift vouchers for Mother’s Day, they’re brilliant).

If you are not comfortable in what you’re wearing, you will look awkward and not stylish, cool, glam or whatever look you were going for.

That’s it. It’s that simple. I think there’s probably only one look Angelina Jolie can’t pull off, and that’s the one we saw at the Oscars. On paper, there’s nothing wrong with the dress. She just wasn’t comfortable in it, and my god did she look it. There’s more than one way to feel uncomfortable, it might not be physical, it might even just be your mood on the day. But if you feel it, take heed. It’s a faux pas even the most oblivious will notice. It zaps your confidence and if you weren’t already having a bad day, you soon will.

Before I go, it also works with underwear – if you go trying on new clothes in badly fitting underwear, you won’t like anything you try on because it won’t sit properly or look right. Right, we all set? Happy Shopping!

Handbags

March 7, 2012 – 12:08 pm Comments (1)

There is a lot of talk about handbags, “investment” bags (and yes I am doing that with my fingers). Here’s the thing. If you want to spend a million pounds on a bag and you have a million pounds to spend, by all means do it (and book me to come along and advise you). But if you don’t, well, don’t. If you think you’re missing out on some rite of passage of womanhood by not having one, the only bit of womanhood you’re missing out on is the one where you engage your brain before you open a fashion magazine.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to have a good, useful, clean handbag to finish your outfit – yes, you with the rucksack (you’d be amazed the excuses people have) – but that doesn’t have to come with a hefty label and hefty price tag. I have a confession. I have loads of bags. LOADS. Do you know how many I actually use? Day to day: 2. Evening:2. Plus a summer bag. That’s a grand total of 5. And if I had to, I could file that down.

My two day bags weren’t super cheap, one is by Jas M.B. and the other from Whistles. But, I’ve had both for about five years. Five years. And I use them every single day. Also NOT expensive enough to be classed as investment bags. They haven’t aged at all, in fact they’ve just got nicer and softer. And, everything I need fits, all the usual things, plus, at various times, nappies, bottle, wipes, emergency crisps…I can even get a bottle of wine in there. For day bags, buy the best you can afford, evening bags can be purchased on the cheap, in the clearance section. I have a black clutch I got in Wallis in the sale for £12, and the other is a white beaded vintage number that I use for formal occasions and every wedding I’ve ever been to, including my own.

Neutrals will serve you better than black in a day bag – navy, grey, plum, brown, camel, animal-print etc.(Yes I said animal-print – always a neutral accessory, unless you have a leopard-print coat and *want* to channel Ivana Trump. If you have to google who that is, you’re too young, go away). Black bags really only go with black clothes, they are more limiting. Summer bags should be light and bright and don’t need to be pricey either (see evening bag advice).

So, now you know, no excuses. Lose the rucksack. Happy Shopping!

Solid Foundations

February 24, 2012 – 11:58 am Comments (0)

I read in the paper the other day (I say the paper, I mean the internet) that actress Octavia Spencer (The Help) wore three pairs of spanx under her dress to an awards ceremony. THREE. Now, I’m a big believer in wearing the right underwear, but, that did make my eyes water a bit. I really hope she didn’t need the loo in a hurry. Having Bridesmaids flashbacks. Imagine! It has never occurred to me to wear more than one at a time. I may give it a go. I may let you know about it.

What usually never ceases to amaze me, is the number of us who don’t wear the right underwear for the clothes we’re wearing. And I’m not just talking about bras that don’t fit. Proper foundation garments. Like your mother used to wear. How many of us have different styles and shapes that fit with what we’re wearing on the outside? No? Did you know that wearing the right underwear can make you look a size smaller or give you a better silhouette? Bet that got your attention. Muffin tops getting you down? Get some pants that cover most of your tummy, it will smooth down the bulges. Don’t forget, if you’re bulging in the wrong places, it’s the clothes that don’t fit properly and decent underwear can help.

This brings me to my most important point. Listen carefully (well, read carefully) because it may change your life.  If you bought a table that didn’t fit in your kitchen, would you (a)think it’s the kitchen’s fault and start hating your kitchen and wondering how soon you could move house; or (b) think the table’s the wrong size I better bring it back. Can you see where I’m going with this? If you try on clothes that don’t fit, IT’S THE CLOTHES FAULT, not yours. Find ones that do. Stop looking at labels and sizes, it won’t be news to you how arbitrary they are. Because they are. I’ve worked in a buying office, I know firsthand.

Now go and buy some pants. Happy Shopping!

Gets my Goat.(hair cardi)

February 3, 2012 – 11:49 am Comments (0)

I love clothes, but I don’t always love the fashion industry. This is why. http://www.hotelfashionland.com/?p=35305 I assume it’s for publicity. But is any publicity really good publicity? If you weren’t in the industry and wanted to treat yourself, would you really be feeling inspired to go knocking on Thom Browne’s door? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the avant-garde. I think Lady Gaga is amazing. But, if that was all I saw of the fashion industry, I don’t think I’d be keen on finding out more. Isn’t it ironic (Alanis) there is such a lot of The Emperor’s New Clothes going on.

Fashion is not a science. Go with what you like, even if that’s outside your comfort zone a little bit. If you’re scared, try it on a smaller scale – like this season’s bright colours but scared of bright pink jeans? Try bright shoes, or a belt. When you don’t get arrested, and nobody faints, or points and laughs, you can take it further….if you want to. That’s the thing, there are no rules. Don’t believe anyone who tells you there is. There will be styles that work well on you. But there are also lots of variables based on fabric, colour, pattern etc. If something catches your eye, try it on. Even if you think it’s against your “rules”. The more you try, the more adept you’ll become at dressing, and shopping.

Trust me, it’s not scary. And you hardly ever get arrested for wearing the wrong thing. And if anyone (dares) question the wisdom of your outfit you tell them you’re experimenting with your evolving style, and (pointedly)that you don’t want to get stuck in a ten/twenty* year old rut.

*delete as appropriate.

New Blog Alert!

January 23, 2012 – 1:26 pm Comments (0)

So I may as well tell you, I’ve been avoiding this like the plague – writing a blog I mean. But today is D day. I have just finished my tax return (another thing I’ve been avoiding) so in for a penny… Besides I blocked out the whole day for tax and accounts and they’re all done and Neighbours doesn’t start for half an hour. I’m joking. (I’m not really). Deep breath.

I didn’t want to write a blog because quite frankly I struggle enough with finding things to tweet most days so what on earth would I write a blog about? Until somebody suggested I use my lovely clients as inspiration. After any appointment, I email my client a summary of all the things we talked about including any style tips I suggested for them. So that’s what this blog will (mostly) be about. It might not always be appropriate for you, but check back every now and then, you never know what you might pick up!

I might talk about any trends that are around, especially if they look tricky to pull off, or are hideous and we all should avoid them at all costs. Or if I find a local business or service that I like and I think you might too(like the lovely Mags from Magpie Designer Recycling who I met last week, I’ll be doing a blog about that soon).

Right, now that I’ve written this, I’m going to try and get it on my website ALL BY MYSELF! If you’re reading this, I am obviously a technical genius.

Coming Soon

November 17, 2011 – 12:57 pm Comments (0)

The first notebook post will be coming soon…