Silk Scarves

I have more gorgeous silk scarves available, thanks to my nephew recently visiting my daughter in Cambodia. I asked Cherie to select extra Autumn and Summer colours, as I had so few.

So if you'd like to have a look at the new range, please ring and arrange a time with me. (Sorry, only available to local residents.)

Creating Colours

Pure Hues are clear = Winters (sharp, icy, brightly contrasting)

If you add white, a hue becomes a Tint = Springs (fresh & bright)

If you add grey, a hue becomes a Tone = Summers (soft & muted)

If you add black, a hue becomes a Shade = Autumns (deep & rich)

Remember to choose hues that flatter YOU :

WARM for Springs & Autumns

COOL for Summers & Winters.

Looking Slim

continuing a series based around Leah Feldon's 10 Rules for Dressing Slim (www.leadfeldon.com) It's good to know her Top Ten are covered in the Personal Style workships, so consider this a refresher for you.

Rule 7 Beware of Stiff, Shiny or Bulky Fabrics

Clothes made from stiff fabrics tend to look shapeless, boxy and larger - and so will you if you wear them. Even soft fibres eg silk, can make stiff fabrics so if it looks and feels stiff; avoid it!

Shiny textures reflect light thus visually enlarging you and the garment. The reflected light also highlights every bumps & bulge however minuscule. A little bit of shine can make for interesting texture mixing but all-over shine will make you look bigger.

Consider the thickness of a fisherman's sweater or heavy corduroy trousers; bulky fabrics add mass to YOU. Anything Fluffy, Feathery, Fuzzy, and Furry adds volume (so choose carefully where you use, ie not all over). Generally, opt for finger, light-weight varieties however don't over-compensate as fabrics must have enough weight to skim not cling.

Select fabrics that move and drape. Picture yourself walking in a soft fluid skirt that falls into slimming vertical lines around your body. Now imagine you're wearing a rigid A-line skirt ... obvious isn't it?

Conversation Starters

Introduce yourself, "Hi, I'm xxx - what's your name?" Make a comment about their name (it will help you remember it) and ask a question eg "Hi Janeen, what a lovely name - were you named after someone? / How do you spell that? / that's unusual, where does it come from?"

Use open-ended questions (closed questions can be answered with one word) "How do you know xxx (the host/s)?

Make an observation followed by a question; you could comment on the venue, the people or something pertinent. "That's a great gift you gave xxx, where did you find it?"

Or try this: "If you had to choose between two super-powers, would you rather fly or be able to turn invisible?" (nb in a study, men preferred flight while most women chose invisibility.)

Jackets

The right jacket can be very flattering to you as well as 'making' an outfit. Conversely, the wrong jacket can emphasise figure faults and ruin an ensemble.

Remember, it's virtually impossible to buy a perfectly fitting jacket off the peg (ditto for most items actually) so please budget for alterations.

Here's some advice on how to choose the right length for you.

SHORT JACKETS: end in line with your waist or slightly below. They will make you look taller BUT will also highlight any extra weight you may be carrying around your middle.


MEDIUM JACKETS: end just below the widest part of your hips which they'll emphasis (avoid if you are a triangle / pear shape)

LONG JACKETS: Measure the distance from the top of your shoulder to the floor (take off your shoes when measuring). Now halve it. This is your personal long-jacket length ensuring your body looks in proportion. (NB for easy reference, note where this is on your body eg end of your little finger or take a tape measure with you when shopping.)

EXTRA LONG JACKETS: suit taller women (over 1.65m or 5'6"). They work best with slim pants and short to knee length skirts (definitely not long skirts - they'll mess up your proportions). I love this look but I'm too short to wear it!)

Choose a jacket that fits your shoulders (avoiding expensive shoulder alterations) and skims your waist (a semi-tailored fit is universally flattering).

Sleeve length is important; they should end just below your wrist bone (if they end at the widest part of your hand they make your hands AND hips look wider.)