Travelling Light

Developing your wardrobe with the capsule concept makes travelling light easy to achieve. I think everyone has taken far too many items 'just in case'. On returning home you realise you only wore 20% of what you took!

Here's a simple system: limit yourself to two neutrals - one dark, one light - and one colour (two if you're away for a week or more). *see below for your seasonal colour suggestions

Make sure you have an outfit for each type of occasion: Casual, Smart, and Dressy. Remember, some items will work in two categories eg well-cut trousers (Smart and Dressy) as long as you have the right accessories to zhoozh it up.

Think of your time away as a pie and consider how big each slice needs to be. Is your trip 1/2 Casual, 1/4 Smart, 1/4 Dressy? Then pack accordingly.

Layers are the most practical solution when travelling to different climates. Opt for light, breathable fabrics such as merino wool, silk, or rayon and choose items that are multi-use eg camisoles which can be worn alone or under tops.

Large scarves are easy to pack and wonderfully versatile: sarong skirts & dresses, shawls & shrugs, they covers arms and/or heads as well as providing an extra layer.

Wear your Smart jacket to travel in; it will arrive less wrinkled than in your bag and maybe you'll be up-graded!

Travel Capsule Suggestions

Winters: black and white with bright turquoise

Summers: charcoal and white with smoky, medium blue

Autumns: chocolate and oyster white with muted green turquoise

Springs: camel and ivory with bright aqua

Lipsticks for your Season

Knowing your Colours (season) makes life so much easier - especially when it comes to choosing lipsticks.

I found a UK website which sells lipsticks and lists them by your season. While you may not want to buy from them & pay the postage etc, the site is useful to view the recommended shades.

Spring: Coral, Warm Pink, Poppy

Summer: Dusky Rose, Sweet Pea, Garnet Red

Autumn: Warm Spice, Copper, Ruby Red

Winter: Burgundy, Fuchsia, Cranberry

Go to www.janefardon.com

Pilling - those annoying fuzzy balls

Pilling is created when short fibres roll, creating a ball.

The best quality knits will NOT pill (some woollen and cashmere garments have a combination of short and longer fibres woven together).

If a garment has a high acrylic content it is much more likely to pill.

So that's the problem - what's the answer?

Buy really good, quality knits - which are more expensive (although price alone is not a guarantee).

Or be prepared to spend time depilling items using a small fabric shaver. Do NOT use a razor - I can virtually guarantee you'll nick the garment and create a hole (yes, this is the voice of experience speaking)!

Photo Update

We caught up at the Women's Business Web March meeting. Phyllis - what a gorgeous silk scarf you're wearing! It's definitely one of your colours :-)

I sold the silk scarf to Phyllis, it comes from Cambodia where my daughter works. 75% of the money goes to support projects in Cambodia (IRD view it as income so 25% is retained to pay taxes)

She's Someone Special (3)

For the photo shoot Phyllis' daughter-in-law helped her put her hair up, and Phyllis did her own make-up (ie NOT professional).

But the 'after' photo is very definitely showing the difference a professional photographer can make to a photo - wow! Isn't Phyllis stunning?

Oh yes, and here's the update: early in 2009 Phyllis attended a family wedding in Australia. She bought a new outfit in Sydney - she looked (and felt) a million dollars! Note: she didn't need my help when shopping because she now understands her Personal Style.

And that's why I love my work!

She's Someone Special (2)

Charmaine took another 'before' photo of Phyllis, this time she wore a lime green polo neck jumper (see Undercover post on why this style doesn't suit full figured women).

She's Someone Special (1)

I love my work! I meet such wonderful women; teaching and sharing some style basics. Sometimes I hear about the changes they've made as a result and the effect that's had. Some may say 'it's only clothes' but changing what you wear can change how you feel about yourself (and how others see you).

Late in 2008 Marinkovich Photography and I created a package deal titled "She's Someone Special". It consists of an Individual Consultation with me (Personal Style Workshop and wardrobe assessment) and a Design Consultation and Portrait Shoot with Charmaine, all for just $300

To help us promote this package we worked with Phyllis; we have some great 'before' and 'after' photos to show for our time together.

When I arrived at Phyllis' home she was wearing a shapeless, warm red shirt and her hair was a golden honey blonde (see photo). During the Personal Style Workshop we identified she's a cool Winter. We spent time going through her wardrobe and selecting clothes she already owned, which would be ideal for her portrait. Before the shoot, Phyllis chose to re-colour her hair to Ash Blonde.

Undercover

The right underwear can make the most amazing difference! Lumps and bumps are smoothed away, small breasted women develop cleavage, large breasts are supported, shaped (and minimised if you want).

Personally I've always wanted a bit more; let's face it I was embarrassed to be 30 years old and 30AA! Things improved as I got older - 34B at 40 and 34/36C at 50 - I was thrilled! Then I was gently advised that 'we soften around the sides as we get older'. Sadly I've 'softened' around the sides AND waist AND tummy ....Sigh!

Anyway, for the ladies who want to flatter a fuller bust here are some reminders: DO get fitted professionally, it's essential (and a good corsetiere will NOT embarrass you in anyway). V-necks are the most flattering necklines; high neck lines eg crew, jewel, turtle, polo can make you look larger. Avoid details at the bust line eg yokes, pockets and horizontal lines eg sleeve hems.

I recently heard a stylist advocating 'cleavage divas' should wear double-breasted jackets as it 'squashes' them. AAAGH! The last thing you want is to look broader and/or shapeless. Opt for a single-breasted tailored or semi-tailored jacket with a low stance (where the buttons & lapels meet - the bottom of the V-neckline) ie at mid-chest or cleavage level and with just a one-button fastening.