Photo courtesy of Tara Winstead   Are you going to a wedding this year? Maybe you’re “just” a guest or perhaps you’re the mother of the bride or groom. In either case, you will want to make sure you look your very best.  Here are some tips to help you get your outfit right so that you look and feel fabulous. Dress Code The first thing to establish is whether there is a particular dress code. If there is, this will be stated on the wedding invitation but, if in doubt, the venue and time of day will provide clues.  Generally, the later in the day the wedding takes place, th ..read more

  It’s always exciting when new season clothes start to drop but, before you put together your spring-summer wish list, I recommend that you “shop your wardrobe”; in other words, take stock of what you already have and identify any gaps. The chances are that you will only need one or two additional pieces to update your wardrobe. Below are some of the key trends you might like to choose from for the upcoming season: High rise trousers These look particularly good on women with long/low waists. If you tuck your top in,  high rise trousers will shorten the look of the torso and length ..read more

As someone who is 5’3” (in the morning, on a good day, standing up as straight as I can!) and has styled literally hundreds of petite women, I know how frustrating shopping for clothes can be if you’re short. Given that the fashion industry typically designs for women 5’6” – 5’8”,  if you are buying from a brand’s standard range, you are likely going to need to get your clothes altered. There are some workarounds though. Your proportions can make a real difference Depending on how short you are and, most importantly, what your proportions are, you may be able to buy certain garments from ..read more

I saw this article in The Times the other day and it prompted me to review my own wardrobe to see what I have been wearing most over the past year. I found it a really useful exercise which you might like to try as I think it says more about who you are and what you really like to wear than any style personality quiz! Here’s a rundown of my most worn items: A mustard turtle neck jumper from Mango – bought this November It’s very cosy, a great colour and length for me, is machine washable! It’s the easy choice for jeans but, because it’s relatively short, works well with skirts too. In fact, I ..read more

If ever there was a time to dress up, it’s Christmas and New Year! There’s no need to rush out and buy a whole new outfit though; think about how you could use jewellery to add some glamour to one you already have.  Have a root through your jewellery box to see if there are any hidden gems in there, or buy some inexpensive costume jewellery to add some sparkle and make your outfit celebration-ready. To look your very best, there are a few “rules” you might like to bear in mind when accessorising your outfit. These take account of your physical characteristics and also the style of clothin ..read more

  The festive party season is almost here! If you’re in the process of planning your Christmas party outfit, your shoe choice is no doubt somewhere at the top of the list.  Alongside being stylish, how do you ensure that your festive footwear choice is comfortable enough to party the night away without a hitch? I came across these foot care tips from Charles Clinkard which I think you will find helpful. Invest in non-slip pads Good grip is essential when it comes to footwear to prevent the risk of falls. A brand-new pair of shoes can be slippery at the best of times if you haven’t h ..read more

“Buy less, choose well, make it last” Wise words from Vivien Westwood which increasing numbers of us are buying into.  Rather than blindly embracing fast fashion and acquiring ever more clothes,  my clients are more interested in building a curated wardrobe of outfits that they look and feel their best in. Fortunately, the fashion world seems to be buying in to this approach and, this season in particular, the key trends focus on great, well-cut basics that you last you for years to come.  This makes them very wearable for the mature woman. Even better, you probably already hav ..read more

Here’s a round up of some exhibitions which you might enjoy. Personally, I loved “Crown To Couture” and I have tickets booked for the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at the V & A next year, which I’m very much looking forward to. Crown To Couture Kensington Palace  Closes: Sunday, 29 October 2023 £25.40 This brand-new fashion exhibition for 2023 takes over Kensington Palace’s State Apartments and Piggott Galleries, featuring over 200 items from ball gowns to court suits and handbags to jewellery. The exhibition draws fascinating parallels between the world of today’s red carpet an ..read more

  Just about every woman who comes to see me says her goal is to look effortlessly stylish. You know the look; relaxed but also pulled-together. For most people, this means looking good without looking like you’ve tried too hard or spent hours getting ready. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that there is in fact some time and effort involved in achieving this apparently effortless look but, fear not, it can be relatively little! Everyone is different and staying true to your style personality is very much part of nailing the effortless bit. So, for example, someone with a Romantic ..read more

This dress can easily transition from summer to autumn   Keep your wardrobe current It should only contain clothes that you are realistically going to wear during the current season. In this way,  you will be able to see pretty much at a glance what your clothing choices are for any particular occasion. You will also be able to identify if there are any gaps in your wardrobe that need filling. Don’t have anything in your wardrobe that: Doesn’t fit – don’t torture yourself! (By all means store it elsewhere if you  love it and think that you’ll fit back into it at some point thou ..read more