Archive for the ‘Style’ Category

A – Z of Styling C is for Column of Colour

A-Z of Styling C is for Colourr

 

C is FOR COLUMN OF COLOUR

What is a Column of Colour?

There are many ways to combine colour in an outfit for different effects. This post looks at the what, why and how of creating an outfit using tones of the same colour (neutrals & colours) which is called a monochromatic colour scheme. The colour wheel is great tool for exploring colour combinations. Each pie section of the colour wheel is an example of a monochromatic colour scheme. A column of colour is created when your outfit combines tones of the same colour top to toe.

Colour Wheel

 

What effect does a column of colour have for the wearer?

A column of colour is created when your outfit combines tones of the same colour top to toe. When you have an unbroken colour combination in your outfit there is no disruption or distraction. This creates a lengthening and slimming illusion for the wearer.

There a number of ways to create and wear a column of colour. Let’s look at some examples.

 

Column of Colour

In the above examples a column of colour has been created by using only one garment – long dress, jumpsuit and a short dress.   A column of colour has been created by colour matching the shoes with the outfit colour.  Wearing low vamp shoes that harmonise with your leg tone will create a column of colour. Low vamp shoes show the top of your feet. Wearing a nude toned shoe will create a continuous colour line up to the hem of the dress, skirt or shorts. Another way of creating a column of colour with a short dress is to tone hosiery / tights and shoes in a colour similar to the dress.

 

The examples above have created a column of colour on the outside of the body. An outside column of colour works well for those bodies with a defined waist. Attention is drawn away from hips, thighs and bottom area. Colour can be used to draw attention to the top half of the body. If you have a defined waist wearing a belt in a different colour can work. If you have an undefined waist toning belt colour with the internal colour will create less emphasis to the waist / tummy area. Note that shoe colour is toned to the outfit colour to create a continuous line of colour. If your legs are showing remember to tone low vamp shoes with leg colour to look taller.

 

Column of Colour Inner

The outfits above have been created with an inside column of colour. Wearing a column of colour works well if you have an undefined waist as it draws attention away from this area. If you have shorter legs wearing nude low vamp shoes will give the illusion of longer legs.

 

A column of colour works well for all body shapes, sizes and ages. This way of combining colours can be used with prints & patterns and plain colours. It can be used with light, medium and dark colours as well as muted and bright colours. The key to achieving this look is to make sure that there is little difference in lightness to darkness and colours are blended. The lengthening and slimming illusion of the column of colour is disrupted when there is a greater difference in colours and value.

 

 

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8 Prompts For Creating New Outfit Combinations

8 Prompts for Creating New Outfit Combinations

 

8 PROMPTS  FOR CREATING NEW OUTFIT COMBINATIONS

There are many  unworn outfit combinations in most people’s wardrobes. Let’s discover how to create more outfits with what you already have. Take some time to think about how you approach putting an outfit together. Your habits and routines when getting dressed can sometimes result in outfits being on repeat and many clothing items not being worn. When this happens you are missing out on many outfit possibilities that are hiding in your wardrobe.

The secret to creating more outfit possibilities is to explore and experiment. Wardrobes are much more than a storage space for clothing items and to wear more of your clothes most of the time you need to think outfits and not individual clothing items. Just by changing your getting dressed habits and routines you can put some spark and interest into what you wear.

Let’s look at some ways to explore and experiment to create more outfit possibilities by shopping in your wardrobe.

Try these starting prompts to assist in exploring and creating new outfit combinations and note the term clothing item refers to clothes, shoes, jewellery, scarves, bag, hats etc.

  • Choose an old favourite top / pants / shorts / skirt / dress to create an outfit. If you follow this prompt over a week you can potentially create 5 new combinations.
  • Take a favourite item of clothing and team it with something very rarely or not worn.
  • Select a coloured item of clothing first.
  • Find something that you haven’t worn since last season and create a different outfit.
  • Make your starting point a pair of shoes.
  • Choose a necklace, brooch, earrings, bangle as your starting piece.
  • Select a pattern piece of clothing and see what you can create.
  • Choose a favourite outfit and change one item to make it look and feel different.

 

When you are changing any habit or routine it takes time so it may be best to set aside time the night before or on the weekend to create some new outfits for the next week.

It is important to take notice of how you feel in different combinations and take photos of those outfits that worked for you. This is important because we can very easily forget what worked.

 

MY OUTFIT COMBINATIONS FROM THESE PROMPTS

Examples of outfits that I created using the above outfit creating prompts.

Please note:- no photo of the last prompt because I forgot to take the photo. The outfit was the first one and I changed the shoes to a wedge black pair to wear out for dinner.

 

Outfit Combinations

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WHAT WENT WRONG WITH MY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

What Went Wrong with My Shopping Experience

 

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH MY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

It has been quite some time since I have made a wrong purchase. However this is exactly what happened to me at the last Handmade Canberra Markets.

That shopping experiences did not go as planned. I reflected on the when, how and why of what happened during that shopping experience. These are the factors that contributed to my shopping misdemeanour:-

  • SHOPPING WITH LIMITED TIME

That particular day I was assisting my friend Josephene at her stall. On my way to start working my ‘that looks like me’ radar spotted a tunic style top at a stall.  With  five minutes to spare I quickly tried it on.  It felt good even before I looked in the mirror. After a quick glance in the mirror and a happy twirl I purchased this tunic.

  • SHOPPING WHEN EMOTIONAL

At that particular time life had turned upside down with the recent passing of my dad. I had been wanting to buy something new to wear to his Life Celebration Service. My dad and I have had a long time love – hate relationship over my choice of clothing. He was very conservative and didn’t appreciate my less than conservative dressing style.

I really wanted to find something that was my style, appropriate for the occasion and something that was not over the top. The tunic I tried on ticked all these boxes.

  • SHOPPING WITHOUT LISTENING TO AND CONSIDERING THE DOUBT FROM MY INNER VOICE

There was a voice inside my head questioning whether the berry colour I had chosen was right for me. I wanted this outfit to work for me and I convinced myself that it was the light in the pavillion.

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THIS PURCHASE

When I got home I tried the tunic on with the pants I planned to wear them with. I looked in the mirror and realised the:-

  •   top of this tunic was TOO big for me and
  •   colour was not going to work for me.

This story does have a happy ending. The next day I returned to see Alison Dominy.  I tried on a smaller size in a different colour and this tunic had the Goldilock’s Principle and was just right. My  dad would have approved of this outfit. When I wear this tunic I feel he is giving me a style hug. That makes me smile.

What went wrong with my shopping experience

REMEMBER – When you are shopping the WHEN, HOW and WHY can make a difference to the outcome of a shopping experience.

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM YOUR SHOPPING MISTAKES?

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Colour, Shopping, Style

Three Top Styling Tips to Enhance Your Look

Three Top Styling Tips to Enhance Your Lookyour

 

THREE TOP STYLING TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR LOOK

Creating a stylish outfit that looks and feels great takes more than reaching into the wardrobe and selecting a number of clothing items and putting them on.  It is not only what you wear but how you wear your clothing that can make a difference to how you feel and look. Many times we love the individual items we have selected to wear but when we create an outfit and look in the mirror something is not right.

These three top styling tips can be a great starting point for examining why your outfit may not be working and creating a more stylish and enhancing outfit.

1.What is Underneath Your Clothing Makes a Difference.

Foundation garments can play an important part towards enhancing your look. I am not advocating wearing spanz or a girdle unless this works for you. I am however referring to your bra and how it is supporting you. Take a moment to think about how your bra is supporting you by answering these questions:-

  • When was the last time you adjusted your bra straps?
  • How much support and uplift is your bra cup and straps giving you?
  • How old is the bra you are wearing?
  • How comfortable is your bra?
  • Do you know your band and cup sizing?
  • Are your breasts supported enough that they your breast midpoint (nipples) is sitting in line with the midpoint between your elbow and shoulder?
  • Have you ever had a proper bra fitting?

A well fitted bra is like a magic wand as it can instantly change the fit and look of your outfit. When your bra supports and fits you properly you lengthen your torso space between the top of your ribcage and your pelvic bone. This creates a lengthening and slimming effect in this area and who doesn’t want this.

Read more about finding the right bra here. https://www.individuallyyou.com.au/style-2/what-is-your-bra-doing-for-you/

ACTION: Have a professional bra fitting with a reputable company and replace your old and worn bras. Also remember to adjust your bra straps over time.

 

2. Take Notice to Where Your Hemlines are Stopping.

This styling tip relates to where your hemlines are sitting on your body and the impact this may have on the width of that area. A straight hemline creates a horizontal line and has the potential to create a widening effect especially if placed on an area of the body that you would rather not be noticed.

Take a look in the mirror and observe where the hemlines of your sleeves, tops, skirts, dresses, shorts and pants are located. You want to avoid a hemline cutting across a wide part of your body. This is different for everybody and includes bustline, waist, hip, thighs, calves and ankles.

Let’s look at some examples.

A  straight hemline that ends in line with your bust, waist, hips or thighs can make that area look larger. If you don’t want an area of your body to appear larger then ensure that your hemlines don’t sit in line with an area you don’t want to widen or draw attention to.

If you are smaller in an area (such as breasts or hips) and want to create the illusion of more shape and balance between your upper and lower body a horizontal hem can create the illusion of more shape.

This also applies to pant lengths as well – shorts, crop pants, ¾ and full length pants. If the hemline is stopping at a point that is in line with the widest part of that area you may want to shorten or lengthen the hem if you are able.

For most women the most flattering length for skirts or dresses is just above the knee, midpoint of knee or just below the knee. If you prefer a longer calf length ensure that the hemline falls above or below the widest part of your calf.

Experiment with lengthening or shortening hemline lengths to create your most enhancing look.

ACTION: Place a horizontal hemline above or below the widest area for a more enhancing look. Consider altering hemlines if necessary.

 

3. How to Combine Clothing with More Volume.

This style guideline relates to the Principle of Volume and avoids creating a boxy look when wearing clothing with more volume.

The following clothing would be considered to be fuller and more voluminous.

  • flared, gathered and circular skirts / dresses
  • wide legged  pants
  • swing / boxy tops, cardigans or coats
  • bulky jumpers, tops
  • kaftans

When creating an outfit that combines a top and bottom it is important to consider the fullness and volume of the clothing. A top or bottom piece of clothing which has more volume or fullness will always look more enhancing and flattering when it is combined with a slimmer, more fitted item.

 

 

ACTION: Experiment with your top and bottom combinations. If one of the items is fuller or more voluminous then try pairing it with a more fitted top or bottom piece.

 

These three styling guidelines can elevate your look and create a more contemporary and enhancing look.

 

 

 

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Five Steps to Develop Your Style Sense

Five Steps to Develop Your Style Sense

FIVE STEPS TO DEVELOP YOUR STYLE SENSE

This Five Steps to Develop Your Style Sense post has been incubating inside my head for months. Let’s start by identifying what I mean by ‘Style Sense.’ ‘Style Sense’ refers to how our five senses can support and guide us to understand the elements of our individual and unique dressing style or as I am calling it ‘Style Sense.’ It is all about identifying and choosing your personal preferences so that your clothes are supporting who you are as a person, your NOW body and your lifestyle requirements.

Let’s explore how your senses can contribute to your ‘Style Sense.’

STEP 1. SIGHT – What do You See? 

The sense of sight relates to understanding how to dress your body shape, proportions and variations in an enhancing way.

We use our sight to interpret what we see when we look in the mirror, wardrobe, shops, magazines and at others. Quite often this leads to thoughts of comparison which leads to undervaluing yourself.

Many women avoid looking in the mirror and when they do, they focus on what they see as perceived flaws and the lumps and bumps that may be covered by the clothes. When you do this you are missing a great opportunity to change your focus from  your body  to the clothes and observing how the clothes are working with or against you. It is worth noting that other people don’t notice your ‘perceived flaws.’

Sometimes shopping purchases are made on the premise that the clothing fits and looks okay – (a friend or shop assistant said so) and then the purchased item remains in the wardrobe not worn. Beware that clothing can fit the body and look good but still not appeal to the wearer. This is where your sense of taste becomes important.

STEP 2. TASTE – What are Your Personal Tastes?

You are probably thinking that the sense of taste has nothing to do with getting dressed and developing your style. Taste is the sense that traditionally relates to eating and enables us to distinguish between food items we like or don’t like.

I am going to stretch the interpretation of this sense to relate to recognising the elements in clothing that relate to  identifying your Style Personality.

The elements that make up your Style Personality include:-

  • colours,
  • patterns,
  • shapes,
  • fabric,
  • accessories,
  • patterns and prints,
  • hair style,
  • levels of detail,
  • comfort levels,
  • underwear style,
  • scale.

These elements become your unique style fingerprint and tell the story of how you wish to be perceived.

Your visual appearance and ‘Style Sense’ is not just based on your outward appearance but comes from the inside out through your personal preferences.

The chances are you have clothes in your wardrobe that fit you well, look good but you still do not wear. This is because there are aspects in these unworn clothing pieces that are not part of your Style Personality.

Understanding your Style Personality is an important element and influences 80% of your shopping choices. When you know your Style Personality elements you will save time and money when shopping. You will also have less unworn orphaned clothes hanging in your wardrobe.

Take notice of the elements listed above and identify which ones relate to you. Let these items guide and influence your future shopping choices. If you try something on and it fits and looks good but you just don’t feel right in it, it is because something in the clothing / outfit is not relating to your Style Personality elements.

STEP 3. TOUCH –  How does it feel?

The sense of touch also relates closely to your Style Personality. Wearing clothes is definitely a sensory experience. Everybody is different and unique in their preferences for what fabrics & materials they prefer to wear and have different comfort level requirements.

I have a very high comfort level requirement which has resulted in a wardrobe with mostly stretch fabrics and some linen. I cannot tolerate any shapewear / spanx garments as I feel like I have been put in goal. I do not buy online because I have a strong need to touch the fabric before I try it one. My tactile sense is high when it comes to the clothes I wear.

Do you have clothes in your wardrobe that you are not wearing because they do not meet your comfort and tactile needs?

A very important question to ask yourself when shopping or creating outfits from your wardrobe is ‘How do I feel?’ I call this the ‘Goldilock’s Principle.’

Do not purchase any item that doesn’t feel just right. If it is not just right then you are wasting your money and it will take up valuable real estate space in your wardrobe.

STEP 4. HEARING  – What do You Hear?

The sense of hearing relates to the voice inside your head, what others are saying to you as well as your personal noise barometer. What are you saying to yourself? Start to listen to that voice inside your head and take notice to whether your thoughts and comments to yourself are being positive or negative.  This inner critic voice will always want to foster negative thoughts if you let it. 

It is time to start to reframe your thinking when looking at your body and outfits. The other day I tried on a jumpsuit that I didn’t buy because it was just a little firm around the hips. When I came out of the change room and the sales lady asked , ‘How did it go?‘ I replied ‘This jumpsuit wasn’t made for my hip area.’ My words were not focused on my body not being right but on this article of clothing not being the best choice for the look I wanted and needed. It is possible to change the focus of your inner critic from being negative to being supportive.

What do you do when someone pays you a compliment? Many of us usually argue against what was said. Take notice of compliments and be accepting of them with a thank you and a smile.

Some accessories and fabrics can be distracting for the wearer and others because they can be noisy. Do you have some accessories or clothing that you are not wearing because it makes a noise. I had a pair of shoes that I loved wearing but they were so distracting because they made a squeaky sound.

STEP 5. SMELL – What are your preferences?

This sense is not quite as significant as the others. If your sense of smell is strong then you may find that some fabrics may not appeal to you. The other area that this sense can impact on is our personal hygiene and perfume preferences. It is important to remember to not over or under do the amount of perfumed products you wear.

Take a look in your wardrobe and notice the clothing that you are not wearing. Create outfits with the unworn clothing and try to identify what is not working for you.

‘Style Sense’ needs to start with recognising the elements in the clothing  you wear that you love, bring you joy and confidence. When you recognise these elements then use this knowledge to inform the outfits you create and the clothing you buy. Become more aware of YOU.

A professional style consultation explores how you can combine these elements to create a harmonious, coordinated and balanced outfit that enhances who you are, your NOW body shape and supports your work and social lifestyle.

FURTHER READING

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How Can Vertical Lines Impact on Your Look?

How Can vertical Lines Impact on Your Look?

 

HOW CAN VERTICAL LINES IMPACT ON YOUR LOOK?

Vertical lines can have a positive effect on your look and style as they have the power to create an optical illusion that can create a lengthening and slimming effect.  Our eyes travel more quickly up and down vertical lines and this means that the eye is drawn upward thus elongating your look. When you understand how to dress for your body shape and proportions you can use vertical detailing and lines to create an enhancing outfit.

1. Vertical Details in Construction

Next time you choose an item of clothing take notice to the vertical detailing that it has. There are many different ways vertical detailing can be expressed in clothing such as:-

  • seams
  • pleats
  • zips
  • single breasted buttoned fronts
  • vertical stripes (width and colour combination of the stripes can influence your look in different ways)
  • folds created by the way the fabric drapes and hangs
  • pintucks
  • trouser seams and creases
  • vertical panelling

2. Vertical Details in Your Outfit

Vertical details can be created by the way you put your outfit together.

  • Wearing a monochromatic colour scheme. A monochromatic colour scheme is one that consists of tones of the same colour. When you wear a monochromatic colour scheme you are creating a continuous line of colour with no colour breaks to interupt the eye . This creates a lengthening and slimming effect.

How can Vertical Lines Impact on Your Look - Monochromatic Colour Schemes

 

  • Accessories such as scarves, earrings  and necklaces also can create a vertical line.

How can Vertical Lines Impact on Your Look - necklaces, earrings, scarves

 

  • A handbag shoulder strap also can create the illusion of lengthening in the top half of the body. Be aware of where the bulk of your bag stops in terms of your body. You don’t want to add any bulk to an area of your body that you don’t want to draw attention to such as bust, tummy, hips or even thighs.

How Can Vertical Lines Impact on Your Look - Shoulder Strap

 

  • An open cardigan, jacket  or vest will break your body up into thirds and create two vertical lines. This will be more flattering if the opening is not too wide. I have tried on many cardigans that fall on the outside of my breasts and this tends to make me look and feel wider. A more flattering effect is when the body appears to be more evenly divided.

How can vertical Lines Impact on your Look - Open Cardiga

 

  • Toning your shoe colour with the colour of your pants or skintone (if wearing skirts or dresses) will also create a continuous line and draw the eye upward. (I do not own a pair of nude / skin colour shoes because I haven’t found any that matched my preferred shoe style).How can Vertical lines impact on Your Look - Tone Shoe Colour to outfit

3. Vertical Stripes – What to be Aware Of 

Not all vertical stripes are created equal. The colour combination and width of the stripes can impact differently.

  • Narrower stripes lengthen.
  • Larger stripes widen.
  • Low contrast colours – These are colours that sit close to each other in terms of their lightness or darkness and can be more slimming.
  • High Contrast colours – These are colours that are light and dark (eg:- black and white) will be more noticeable and attract more attention.

How can Vertical Lines Impact on your Look - vertical stripes

 

4. Vertical Details – Creating Body Balance

Dressing your body in a way that enhances your look is about balancing your body shape and body proportions. Using vertical details can support the creation of balance in the following way.

Most of us have an area of the body that tends to be the place where we experience more weight gain. The area/s of our body where we tend to experience weight gain is generally a proportionally shorter area on the body.

Your body proportions could be:-

  1. longer body, shorter legs
  2. shorter body, longer legs
  3. balanced top and bottom but proportionally shorter from the bust to knees (this is me)
  4. balanced top and bottom.
  • Vertical detailing placed on your shorter area/s  will create the illusion of lengthening and balance.
  • Using vertical detailing throughout your outfit is a way of appearing taller.
  • Low contrast, narrow stripes can be great for someone who wishes to appear slimmer.
  • High contrast, wider stripes  can give the illusion of more width and work well for petites or those that want a look that creates curves.

Vertical detailing in your clothing can be your best friend. Take notice of the vertical detailing in your clothing and notice what is doing for your look.

A professional consultation is a great way to understand how to dress your body shape and proportions to discover

CONFIDENT STYLE – YOUR WAY EVERY DAY

 

 

 

 

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B is for Bra Support

B is for Bra Support

 

B IS FOR BRA SUPPORT

Most women overlok a very important element when creating an outfit. This element isn’t even visible but it can impact on how flattering and enhancing your outfit appears as well as how comfortable you feel. You can change the look of an outfit by wearing a good fitting bra.

BENEFITS OF WEARING A WELL FITTING BRA

  • Breasts will be supported and uplifted so that the fullest part of your breasts sits halfway between your shoulders and elbow thus lengthening the mid section of your body and creating the illusion of a waist even if you don’t have one.
  • Stay uplifted and supported by adjusting the straps of you bra as they stretch over time. Ideally you want to be able to fit no more than two fingers between the strap and your body.
  • Your overall silhouette will be enhanced.
  • Comfort is improved greatly. You avoid boob spillage, straps digging into your shoulders or falling off and the band riding up all the time.
  • Can have a reduced impact on back, neck and shoulder pain especially if your breasts are larger.
  • Save time, money and frustration by shopping where there is a professional fitter. I had my first bra fitting five years ago and it  is the best thing I ever did. Size is determined by circumference measurement of your breast (cup size) and circumference of the area just below the breasts (band size). If you need a bigger cup size you need to godown a band size.

 

FIND THE RIGHT BRA SUPPORT

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A WELL FITTED BRA 

SUPPORT YOURSELF EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY BY HAVING A PROFESSIONAL BRA FITTING

 

FURTHER READING:

What is Your Bra Doing for You?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What is Your Shoe Style?

What is your shoe style?

 

WHAT IS YOUR SHOE STYLE?

Shoes are an important element when putting together an outfit, look what they did for Cinderella and Dorothy. There are shoes for for all ocassions,  varied styles and in many colours.

Everyone has unique style preferences when it comes to choosing the shoes that are ‘just right’ for them. These style preferences relate to your Personality Style. The elements that relate to your shoe Personality Style include:-

  • colour,
  • shapes and styles,
  • comfort level,
  • level of detail,
  • heel shape and height,
  • fabric choice

Last week I visited Tascha at Mainstreet Shoes in Queanbeyan and talked all things shoe related.  Let’s look at What’s Your Shoe Style. Remember when you look at these photos that your shoe preferences can be a combination of a few of these Personality Styles.

 

CLASSIC SHOE STYLE

Classic shoes have a timeless, understated classy look. They are mainly in neutral colours with a low vamp and do not have much detail. The classic style includes court shoes with low to medium heel height.

 

NATURAL / RELAXED SHOE STYLE

 Natural / Relaxed shoe styles are generally practical, comfortable and functional with a no fuss look. A low heel is the preferred option with comfort being the number one factor in selecting shoes. The patterned floral print shoe at the front is a combination of  relaxed / natural style with a feminine floral print in creative colours.

 

FEMININE SHOE STYLE

Feminine shoe styles include court shoes, ballet flats and slip ons. Heels can be low or high and usually in colours to match outfits. These shoes will not be shiny or chunky but will have soft feminine features such as bows, ribbons, lace, flowers and sparkles.

 

CREATIVE SHOE STYLE

Creative shoe styles include shoes with quirky and interesting detail such as unusual construction, styles, shapes, any patterns and combination of colours. These shoe styles will make a statement and create a focal point in your outfit.

 

DRAMATIC SHOE STYLE

Dramatic shoe styles are usually bold, and make a modern, contemporary statement. High heels, stilettos and pointed toes are usually preferred to flats. Geometric, graphic and animal prints are favoured. The animal print flat shoe would be a combination of relaxed and dramtic because of the animal print.

 

ELEGANT CHIC SHOE STYLE

Elegant Chic shoe styles have a modern, sophisticated look. They are usually court shoes or ballet flat styles with metal decorations such as discs, buckles and flat squares. Preferred colours are usually light to medium neutrals – grey, camel, browns, burgundies and blues but nothing too dark or bright.

 

REBELLIOUS / SEXY SHOE STYLE

Rebellious / Sexy shoe styles are those that are somewhat unconventional or really sexy. The favoured colour is black and more black. Shoe styles in this group include doc martins, motorcyle boots, metal detailing such as chains, spikes and buckles and very high sexy styles.

Take a look at the shoes you love to wear and take note of the elements that you like to wear. These elements become your Shoe Personality.

 

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What are Your Clothes Saying?

What are Your Clothes Saying?

 

WHAT ARE YOUR CLOTHES SAYING?

Our clothes serve a greater purpose than just covering our nakedness. What you put on can have a positive or negative impact on how you feel, look and act. Studies have shown that what you wear can greatly influence your confidence, feelings, moods, productivity and  self concept. Professor

Karen Pine wrote a very interesting article Mind What You Wear: It Can Change Your Life.

How does your clothing make you feel?
When I started working from home I realised that what I wore or didn’t wear greatly effected my productivity. I found that I needed to get out of my pj’s or tracksuit if I wanted to have a positive working day. When I lifted the level of refinement of my outfit from tracksuit to jeans, top & jacket and added a splash of lipstick and earrings I felt in a frame of mind for work and achieved more. It is worth taking notice to how you feel in different outfits both physically and emotionally.

Does the clothing you wear tell your story?
The clothes you wear and how you wear them lets the world know who you are. Our clothing and grooming needs to reflect who we are from the inside out. When you dress to your Personality Style you will look and feel comfortable and confident. Your Personality Style influences your clothing choices in may ways and is an important factor in whether you feel ‘just right’ in your outfit. 

What you wear and how you wear your clothing will change depending on the activity you are dressing for. You need to consider how you want others to perceive you. This will vary depending on whether you  are dressing for a backyard barbeque, going out for dinner, job interview or a professional meeting.

The clothing you wear needs to be a great FIT in many ways – your clothing needs to fit your:-

  • Personality Style
  • Lifestyle
  • Now body shape and proportions

You might like to read Getting Dressed Using the 5 F Principles.

 

 

 

 

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How to Upstyle an Outfit from Day to Night

How to update an outfit from day to night

HOW TO UPSTYLE AN OUTFIT FROM DAY TO NIGHT

The clothes we wear need to complement our lifestyle and be appropriate for various activities and occasions. Levels of Refinement refers to the different classification of clothing and accessories for different occasions from very informal and relaxed to formal.

The level of refinement is determined by:-

  • type of activity or occasion,
  • differences in fabric or material, shape and drape of material, textures and patterns.

Read more about levels of refinement here.

It is possible that you can take a casual outfit and upstyle it to create an outfit that can take you from a very relaxed day at home to lunch and then a dinner date. Let’s look at how I upstyled an outfit to take me from day to night.

How to upstyle an outfit from day to night

When I dressed in these pants and top it was for a very relaxed day at home. There was no jewellery or shoes and the top was hanging loose. As you can see it is not a flattering outfit because of the proportions and the hemline. The horizontal hemline is in line with the widest part of my body and is also cutting me in half.

 

When I received an invitation to lunch with a friend I added the necklace, earrings and sandals.

I also changed the unflattering hemline by using the half tuck method.

Just by adding  jewellery and using the half tuck this outfit became lunch ready.

 

How to upstyle an outfit from day to night

 

I had forgotten that I was also going out for tea so another upstyle of this outfit was required. By adding a different necklace, pair of shoes and long cardigan I became dinner ready.

STEPS TO UPSTYLE AN OUTFIT FROM DAY TO NIGHT

three easy steps to upstyle an outfit:-

  • add accessories – earrings, brooch, necklace, bangle, scarf
  • add a third piece – jacket, cardigan, vest, kimino
  • change shoes to suit the activity

Play with your outfits to see how you can upstyle them for different activities and get more wear, value and versatility from them.

Know what you have in your wardrobe and wear it as much as possible.

 

 

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