PS

So the crazy season is over (Christmas, New Year, summer holidays, Christmas bills, back to school, more bills) Did we have Summer? How can it be March already?!

Well, we did manage to spend some quality time with friends and family, and enjoy some wonderfully relaxed days. The grandchildren are growing up quickly; so precious when the youngest is delighted to see me and squeals saying "Nana!" while the older ones can't wait to show off their latest skills and accomplishments.

During the summer break, I took action on client comments and feedback. I split the Personal Style three-hour (sometimes longer) workshop into two, then added more information on identifying and overcoming Figure Challenges. So now you can choose to do Workshop One (focusing on colours and wardrobe planning) then follow up with Workshop Two (specialising in style personality, scale, flattering design lines, body shape & proportion).

Both workshops take about two hours, and can be done as a Private Consultation or Small Group. In a Private Consultation a 90 minute wardrobe audit follows each workshop; the practical application of workshop discoveries. More details and prices are on my website.

As always, I love to hear from you and am happy to answer any queries you may have. Do look at my new look FaceBook business page - it's full of tips and handy hints.

Margaret

Emergency Outfit

On a recent trip to Auckland, I'd carefully worked out what to take for each event and duly packed. But upon arrival I was stunned to hear all my 'hanging-up' clothes had been left behind - OH NO!

I managed reasonably well for a couple of days as I'd worn a sun-dress to travel in and had a pair of jeans, coloured singlet and a merino cardigan in my bag. However I needed something warmer and smarter than either of them for one particular event.

So with a tiny budget and limited time I headed to the shops - see photo above - and bought an outfit for $40!

I was determined it would be a useful addition ie that I'd wear again, and not a double up of something I already owned.

Thankfully my dressy sandals 'made' the outfit. I felt a bit strange not wearing any colour - bright blue earrings not withstanding!

Have I worn it again? Yes! once with a smart little jacket and cobalt blue scarf, another time with a teal green top underneath. Yipee - a winner!

If you'd like some help choosing useful additions to your wardrobe, then please contact me 07 575 7415 or margaret@personal-style.co.nz

2012 Winter Fashions

2012 Winter Fashions

The sad thing about March is that it heralds the end of Summer. (What Summer?!) However it's great to see the Autumn and Winter fashions coming into the shops.

Such an interesting range: there are slim pencil skirts (very popular) AND softly draping A-lines (kinder to more figures). A dress to suit every woman - flattering empire lines, oh-so-useful wraps, straight shifts and waisted with full skirts. Lovely lady-like looks from the 50‘s plus 60’s mod interpretations.

Wide and skinny legged trousers - choose the style that suits you, also leggings (to be worn with great caution: ensure your crotch and bottom are completely covered by your top AND your legs are worth showing off. If not, wear under a dress).

Marvelous jackets - short and long lengths, tuxedo style (a timeless classic) and with peplums (be careful - they tend to emphasise a tummy and widen hips). Heaps of cardigans - especially sweet little waisted ones, some are long and flowing. Plus waistcoats - in fact, lots of tailored-suit styling.

Fabulous colours too; my personal favourites are cobalt blue and teal green. There are some wonderful reds (blue-reds and yellow-reds) from each season’s palette. Lovely grey blues and soft mauve-pinks for the Summers. Oranges continue - bright corals for Springs and deep pumpkins for Autumns, with Mustard making an appearance (this has to be one of the hardest colours to wear, and it doesn’t suit all Autumn ladies).

If you need to update your core essentials ie neutrals, then this is the time to do it as it’s a massive trend to dress only in neutrals this season (boring!). In the shops - as always - heaps of black, but I’ve also found fantastic greys, browns, creams, and whites - you really are spoilt for choice.

Oh and if you need a coat you’re likely to find it - colours and neutrals, plain and prints, short and long, from parkas to dressy.

Remember to keep your wardrobe interesting by embracing different textures (very big this season) there’s leather, velvet, and lace often together on one garment.

Chunky knits and fur aplenty; which is great for keeping warm but can make you look big and bulky so team with slim, flattering lines.

You’ll find metallics and sparkly looks too; be careful where you wear these on your body as they reflect light ie makes things look bigger. Hmm - maybe not shiny silver skinny jeans then! Far better in fabulous accessories.

Animal patterns abound: mostly crocodile & snakeskin versions. Leave it to the young or really outrageous to wear from top to bottom; an item or two is all you need to show you’re up-to-date (perhaps in a top or simply an accessory).

Colour blocking (ref Mondrian style) continues in a cleverer, more flattering way eg a dress with princess seaming, and darker side panels. Tops and dresses that have a brighter colour across the shoulders which visually widens (making hips appear narrower), and geometric patterns - all part of the 60’s inspiration.

It really is a pick 'n' mix season - remember, not everything will work for you so select what will. Having a great core wardrobe (neutral basics) makes it easy to buy just a few items which will update your look.

Have fun! (and if you need some help, just ring me on 07 575 7415 or email me margaret@personal-style.co.nz)

PS

Hello - and welcome to my quarterly newsletter. As usual there are a few useful items: ultra simplified wardrobe planning, tips on knowing which items to hang on to and what to let go, how to choose flattering swimwear, the latest on whether your Season changes over the years, plus a fantastic Special Offer.

Looking for gift ideas? Remember, I have gorgeous silk scarves available for sale - they're light and easy to post. Plus they give THREE times by supporting the Cambodian business where they're purchased, you or whoever you give the scarf to, and again in Cambodia helping someone in need.

Or perhaps a Gift Voucher for someone special? A Private Consultation includes full workshop and wardrobe audit for $290 (or $300 if shared between two). Maybe a mini Private Consultation - come to my home and find out your Season for $59 (refer Special Offer). Or one for YOU; use as you choose eg Wardrobe Audit or Shopping Companion (1 hour = $60).

If you'd like to hear from me more often or learn more tips then come and visit my Facebook business page: www.facebook.com/personalstylenz

We'll be celebrating quietly and working through the silly season until late January, then holidaying at home when my daughter and family visit from Cambodia. Malakai is now 4.5 and Jakin is 1.5 - busy, energetic little boys; it'll be lovely to see them in the flesh - Skype is wonderful but real hugs and kisses are better!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - do enjoy the holidays and have a wonderful summer.

Margaret

Easy Wardrobe Planning

Simply keeping to Warm (yellow-based) or Cool (blue-based) colours makes it easy to have a mix and match wardrobe.

Do you remember a little exercise we do in the workshop? After we identify your Season (Summer, Winter, Autumn, or Spring) I ask you to sort some fabric sample into two piles: Cool and Warm.

All the Cool hues and tones harmonise with one another but steal a Warm shade or tint and put it in the Cool group, and it sticks out like a sore thumb!

Similarly all the Warm colours sit quite happily together but a Cool colour clashes with them.

So even if you don't know your Season, by keeping to either Warm or Cool colours, items will 'go' together easily.

If you'd like to know which colours flatter you (Warm or Cool, clear or muted) and more about simple wardrobe planning then ring or email me, I'd love to help (there's a workshop to suit your budget).

Recycling & Renovating Wardrobe Treasures

Haven't we all discarded something only to wish we hadn't some time later? So how DO you decide what's worth keeping?

Look for classics which are timeless in their design, are a great fabric and well made.

• Fashion tends to run in cycles, so while the latest look won't be exactly the same it may take only minor surgery to update your classic item. Good fit is essential; saggy, baggy, too tight or ill-fitting is out.
• A great fabric is usually natural eg wool, silk, cotton and tends to be a good weight. Synthetics have to be really good quality to wear well (poor quality is never classy).
• Being well constructed is seen in straight seams which lay flat (no puckering), patterns and stripes that match up, hems which are smooth and hang properly nb a lining helps create structure and maintains form.

Tips for Choosing Flattering Swimwear

(from Dec 2010 newsletter)

Highlight figure assets with lighter/brighter colours, prints or detailing and camouflage figure challenges with something darker and/or plainer. For example:

SMALL BUST: choose lighter/brighter colours for top half, add a little padding or detailing eg frills or ruching at the bust.

BIG BUST: make sure you get the support you need. Opt for wide shoulder straps rather than thin or strapless nb the right halter-neck can work well. Avoid detailing at the bust - keep it simple, and remember - plain, darker fabrics visually minimise.

Does Your Season Change?

I'm often asked whether your Season changes as you age. In the 80's we were told "No" but now we recognise that the answer is "Maybe" (!)

Assuming the colour consultant was right when she identified your Season, then I've found you tend to stay that throughout life.

However, I have also noticed that a little fine tuning is necessary. For example, I'm a Winter but now my hair is greying, I can't wear Black as well as I did - it's better softened to Charcoal or kept away from my face (and teamed with a skin-flattering colour eg scarf or necklace).

So I did some research to see if this is true for others and have concluded that we tend to cool and soften as we age; which means that our best colours are also cooler and softer (muted).

You know for yourself that you can tell when a woman is colouring her hair if she chooses the same dark colour she had in her 20's, it doesn't look natural (and no, I'm not saying don't colour your hair - just remember to lighten it as you age).

I recommend that as your hair greys or 'naturally lightens', you opt for the lighter, cooler colours in your Season.

For example, a Spring client requested a wardrobe audit following a Small Group workshop. Years earlier she'd been identified as a Spring but now the Summer tones looked good. Had she changed? Not really, but she did need to fine tune and opt for the cooler colours in her palette.

As I tell all my clients; not ALL the colours in your palette will be 'magic' on you - just some of them. Have fun discovering which ones and remember to adjust and update them as time goes by.

SPECIAL OFFER

Mini Private Consultation

Come to my home and find out your Season; notes and printed swatch included for just $59

contact details are on my website www.personal-style.co.nz

PS

I know everyone tells me it's been a mild winter BUT I feel the cold and my winter coat has definitely been in use! I bought it several years ago but wasn't happy with the fit and shape. So I took it in to Debbie the tailor (Garment Alteration Salon, Piccadilly Arcade, Tauranga ph 07 578 6662) and she worked a small miracle. It fits beautifully, is more appropriate to my scale and cost vastly less than a new coat!!

More silk scarves from Cambodia have arrived so I have a fab range available. Just ring me to arrange a time to call in to view & buy.

This September I’m celebrating six years of Personal Style workshops! The first ever small group workshop was held in September 2005. There have been a few changes to the content since then, and I still love empowering women to look their best.

Enjoy the warmer (and longer) days as we head into Summer.

M

Getting Married

Maybe it's you or someone close to you. Isn't there a lot of planning involved?!

For me, it's my sister who's getting married.... Alison is my younger sister who is taller (she's my big Little Sister, and I'm her little Big Sister).

We started talking about what to wear months ago! She's a Winter (like me) but her style personality is very different: Natural (major) with Expressive (minor).

We had a good look around the Tauranga shops in January when Alison visited (she lives in Auckland). As we walked and talked we narrowed down what she did and didn't want.

Naturals like to feel comfortable in their clothes, they're more informal even when dressed up, and rather practical. Alison rarely wears dresses and she wanted to feel really at ease on her special day. We agreed that a lovely jacket and trousers would fit the bill, and could be worn again together or separately on other occasions.

Meanwhile Alison located a highly recommended dressmaker with whom she could work, who happened to have a background in style consulting (very handy). Together they created a design that was appropriate for the Dressy occasion and flattering to Alison.

In March we went shopping for fabric and found the perfect choice for the jacket; a gorgeous light brocade mostly greys and silver with daubs of black and an all-over geometric pattern. The trousers are silvery grey with a soft sheen and beautiful drape.

The months in between have been filled with organising everything plus fittings to ensure the outfit is perfectly tailored.

Silver jewellery & peep-toe sling-backs .... I can't wait to see it all come together!

What am I wearing? Oh yes, I'm glad you asked. My daughter Cherie gave me some gorgeous silk from Cambodia. It's a bright pink-red and I had it made up into a coat-dress, with black accessories. The wedding is in a church, so quite formal, followed by an afternoon tea/reception in the adjacent hall.

Photos will be on my Facebook business page soon - www.facebook.com/personalstylenz

Colour Terminology

as explained in a Personal Style workshop. Nb other colour models are used eg in printing, dyeing (subtractive) - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow. In lighting (additive) - Red, Green, Blue.

Primary: Red, Blue, Yellow

Secondary: (mix 2 primary colours) Purple, Green, Orange

Tertiary: (mix a primary & a secondary colour) peach, melon, lime, turquoise, periwinkle. magenta nb names vary

The following terms are often used in home decorating.

Achromatic: white, greys & black

Monochromatic: one colour, with variations of texture and value (light to dark)

Analogous: uses a primary colour and neighbouring tertiary colour eg yellow, yellow-green (lime) and yellow-orange (melon)

Complementary: uses colours which are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel eg red and green or purple and yellow. Complementary colours intensify each other so it’s best if one colour dominates and the other accessorises.

Split Complementary: uses a colour in combination with two colours directly opposite it on the colour wheel eg red with yellow-green (lime) and blue-green (turquoise)

Triadic: uses three colours that are equidistant on the colour wheel eg orange, green, purple. One colour tends to be used as the dominant colour and the other two as accents.