Autumn 2014 Fashions & Trends cont

Pantone advised Radiant Orchid was the fashion colour for 2014; you'll see many variations of it from deep purples to lilacs through to fuchsias.

Blues are widespread including navy blue (very useful and kinder than black), cobalt blue, some dusky blues.

Autumn 2014 Fashions & Trends cont

Grunge and Punk themes abound; leather, chains, spikes, mesh with tartan ... okay, not for everyone.

Have fun with interesting textures such as feathers, crocodile-skin prints, metallics and faux fur.

Statement sleeves, deep plunging V-necks, and polo-necks are in vogue. (And yes, it's fine to layer the high polo-neck with the deep V-neck.)

Black and white monotones continue, also available in warmer tones ie black with ivory or cream).

Lots of denim - waistcoats, shirts, jackets, dresses and, of course, jeans.

A delicious variety of browns are coming through eg cinnamon, nutmeg. Some deep burgundy reds, and a few oranges.

Spring-time Fashions

One of the dominant trends this Spring is black and white; a timeless look, and relatively easy to create thanks to Kiwi women's fondness for black.

Be cautious with the design lines, as these are emphasised in monochrome. Remember that darker blocks camouflage, while lighter blocks highlight so ensure they accentuate your best features.

A touch of colour helps to soften the strong contrast, and you know how flattering the right colour is!

Black and white suits most Winters yet it can be adjusted to work for other palettes.

Summers: try navy and a softer white, or dial down the contrast eg smaller stripes/patterns for a more flattering grey (at a distance).

Autumns: hunt down black and cream options, wear one of your best colours near your face (earrings or scarf).

Spring: keep the combination lighter eg 70/30 rather than 50/50, and opt for ivory with navy.

 

Spring-time Fashions cont.

Of course there ARE fashion colours - something to please everyone this spring-time. Bright pinks, deep cobalt blues and teals (Winters), soft blues and greens (Summers), deep rich oranges, and olives (Autumns), clear bright oranges, leaf greens and warm reds (Springs).

Useful neutrals are easy to find too; light oatmeal, sand and khakis, blacks, greys and navies.

Ensure you have the essentials to make your wardrobe work; neutral jackets, bottoms, and footwear because they'll go with any of your colours. Once you have the basics, then splash out with some fun items so you'll look up-to-date.

Wardrobe Treasures

Most of us have them - wardrobe treasures. They're the items we wear again and again, our favourites. They may be clothes or accessories (jewellery, bags, belts, footwear, scarves).

So what is it that makes them work so well? Because if you know that, you can repeat the success. Here are the aspects I've identified:

Colour: treasures are often in your Season's neutrals as they go with any of your colours, often core pieces ie essentials. Other success stories will be in your Season's colours. Have you discovered your 'magic' ones? There are usually two or three colours within your Season that look particularly amazing.

Style: there are two aspects to style; the first one is about your style personality. A favourite item reflects your style personality mix, with similar percentages.

The other aspect is the style of the garment; treasures have a timelessness about them (they may need a bit of tailoring to update them). The design lines flatter your shape, camouflaging and highlighting the right bits. Also the scale of the item is appropriate to your personal scale.

Fit: treasures fit properly. Make the effort to have items altered (especially tailored pieces) as it's rare to find something that fits perfectly.

Condition: treasures are worth repairing, although eventually they'll wear out (which is why it pays to buy quality pieces as they last longer).

Treasures aren't always in fashion yet thanks to trend cycles, they'll come back.

TV Debut

I was invited to take part in the Bella Vi seasonal make-over programme recently. I met with Tracey Ruddock-Gudsell of Creative Tauranga for her Personal Style workshops one Monday. It was a beautiful day and we had great fun discovering Tracey's personal style.

Tracey was up early for the next day's filming; I caught up with her mid-afternoon in Mt Maunganui. My interview with Aimee and shopping with Tracey was filmed at Women. Within a week it was edited and broadcast.

to view the programme, click here

to see just my interview, click here

Travelling Light

Going somewhere this summer? I used to take far too many things 'just in case' (and feel embarrassed about how much luggage I had) yet only wear some of them!

"This is NOT working." I grumbled. So I spent some time trying to figure out what did work, and how I could pack less but better.

Using the capsule concept to build your wardrobe really helps; neutrals for core essentials with flattering colours to liven things up. When you're packing, limit yourself to two neutrals eg a dark and a light*, and two colours (one main, one minor).
*a light neutral is good for holidays in the sun

Make sure you have an outfit for each type of occasion: Casual, Smart, and Dressy. Some items will work in two (or three) categories eg well-cut trousers for Smart and Dressy. Consider your trip; is it 50% Casual, 25% Smart and 25% Dressy? Then pack to that proportion.

Separates offer the most flexibility so pack more tops than bottoms (5:1)

Select items you can layer for maximum versatility. Take multi-purpose favourites - the ones you turn to again and again.

Choosing neutrals for footwear means they'll go with whatever you wear. One pair for each type of occasion; pack two and wear one for travelling (make sure they're comfortable as you'll probably do more walking than you expect, especially if you're flying - airports are enormous!)

Accessories don't take up much space yet can quickly take an outfit from Smart to Dressy. Scarves and sarongs are useful because they're so versatile: tied as a dress, a skirt, a top or a jacket. They'll cover your head / arms when sight-seeing or over-dosed on sun, and warm you in chilly air conditioning (or an NZ summer!)

Ideally, opt for things that hardly wrinkle (most creases will fall out if you hang items in the bathroom while you take a shower - it's the steam).

It can make sense to wear your Smart outfit to travel in as: a) you may be upgraded, b) you make a good impression en route and upon arrival, and c) you don't have to pack it (jackets can be bulky).

Travel Capsule Suggestions

Winters: black, white & bright turquoise

Summers: grey, white & smoky, Wedgewood blue

Autumns: chocolate, oyster white & deep jade

Springs: camel, ivory & bright aqua

Spring Fashion

So many delicious colours and gorgeous fashions coming into the shops now (and the weather is warming up too - yay!)

There's something for everyone this season ... clear bright yellow-based colours for the Springs (coral, yellow, peach, neon green). Lots of pastels - great for Summers and a few Winters (lemon, lilac, spearmint). Some very bright deep colours just for Winters (neon pink, cobalt blue). Perhaps fewer colours for Autumns but there are some of your blues and teals, plus deeper corals and peaches.

Unusually there isn't a dominant style personality; plenty of florals and lace for the Romantic, exotic prints for the Expressive, tailored timeless styles for the Classic, fabulous denims and loose, comfy tops & jumpers for the Natural.

I'm seeing a tidal wave of ocean shades (cobalt blue, blues, turquoises, teals, aquas - a hue for every Season), heaps of black & white, and some classy metallics (silver, gold, even bronze).

Historically, there's a sense of the Baroque period (very rich, ornate materials) and the 1920's (drop waist, long fringing - think Charleston dress). The contrasting lady-like 50's with the colour-blocking and simplicity of the 60's continues.

Peplums (a short flared piece of fabric attached at the waist) are still popular - they don't work for every figure, and not every peplum is the same.

Key items are pretty dresses (lace, pastels, brights & floral prints), short, tailored jackets, and coloured jeans (plain & prints).

Have fun!

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)

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).

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

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 Blocking

is a very popular trend ie wearing two or three blocks of colour at one time, usually very bright complementary hues (see Colour Terminology item)

Classic’s won’t feel comfortable with this so try wearing your favourite neutral and one colour, then add another colour in an accessory.

Expressive’s will be thrilled, just remember to be careful as colour blocks can very easily make you look shorter and wider.

Avoid wearing lighter or brighter colours on an area you prefer to camouflage, and remember a horizontal line adds width at that point. Understand your shape, use flattering lines to work it. If you’re a Triangle opt for darker colours on your bottom half. If you are a Rectangle, avoid horizontal blocks across the tummy. Minimise a large bust with a darker shade on top, do the opposite for a small bust. You need to be a tall Hourglass shape when colour blocking cuts you in half ie right on the waistline.

Remember to wear your best colours near your face. Winters & Springs wear Brights, Summers & Autumns wear Muted versions. One of the popular combinations is cobalt blue and orange ie a Cool and a Warm together. How can you make that work?

Either get the right colour near your face:

Winters: wear a bright cobalt blue nearest your face (and the bright orange away from it).

Summers: choose a greyed blue for near your face (a muted orange for away from it).

Springs: wear the bright orange near your face (the cobalt blue away from it).

Autumns: choose a burnt orange or a muted warm blue to wear near your face

Alternatively, substitute the ‘wrong’ hue for another fashion colour which is in your palette:

Winters: bright cobalt blue with shocking pink or raspberry red

Summers: smokey blue with muted pink or a soft berry tone

Springs: bright mandarin orange with warm aqua

Autumns: burnt orange with warm muted teal or blue

Spring Fashion Advice

Isn't it a wonderful time of year? I love looking at all the new clothes and styles in the shops, reading the fashion magazines, and updating my wish list (oh dear, it's getting rather long!)

Let's start with COLOUR. Thankfully there's a lot of choice and whichever Season you are, you'll find something in your range.

You’ll see lots of brights - best for Winters and Springs - in cool AND warm colours. There are oranges, blues, greens, reds, and corals. Keep hunting and there are some wonderful muted tones - for Summers and Autumns.

Springs: Fashion is in love with your light brights; a vast range of oranges from apricots to corals and brightest mandarin. Some lovely aquas, teals, light greens and chartreuse. Snap up your neutrals in creams, sand, tans and browns.

Autumns: I know it’s often hard to find your palette, so you’ll be thrilled with the choice. Try to avoid the Spring tints and zoom in on your deep rich shades. Gorgeous colours: burnt oranges, paprika, brick reds, mustards, golds, olives, and fantastic neutrals: khakis, creams and browns.

Summers: Plenty of your delightful smokey blues, reds, pinks and teals. White is a big hit for the warm weather, a lovely albeit impractical look. Navy and grey continue to be available (hurray! you don’t have to make do with black).

Winters: Heaps of bright pinks, raspberry reds, cobalt blues, turquoises, and teals. Black (of course!), greys, some navy, and stacks of white.

LACE is everywhere but now it’s heavier, more antique-style, plus crochet and macrame are coming through. Tassels seem to be on everything!

SHEER lots of see-through looks: lace & crochet dresses (choose your slip or underwear wisely), floaty chiffons and voiles in tops, skirts and dresses (all lengths).

LADY-LIKE elegant blouses with billowing sleeves and bows at the neck, full skirts and dresses to the knee or mid-calf.

ORIENTAL kimono-like sleeves, obi-like sashes, origami-like pleats and folds, very sculptural.

TROUSERS - wide legs and flares are back in (Curvy's rejoice they’re much more flattering to your shape) but narrow-legs and leggings haven’t disappeared there’s just more choice in styles.

ACCESSORIES are bigger and bolder. Big bangles and cuffs. Necklaces are real statement pieces. Ladies, please mind your scale: a Petite’s big is smaller than a Grande’s. An Expressive will delight in a larger piece than a Romantic.

Oh, and don’t discard accessories; they may be currently out of fashion, but they’ll come back! (I threw out my narrow belt a couple of years ago - duh!)

About 70-80% of your clothes can be basics (essentials) so only 20-30% needs to be in vogue. Most of us don’t have to buy an entire new wardrobe, just mix and match what we have with a few new purchases.

Chrissy's Make-over

Make-overs are great to see aren't they? But a make-over may not help you know what actually works for you - it's a wonderful experience yet afterwards you can still feel a bit lost.

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine; Chrissy of Bliss Baskets & Gifts. She entered a magazine competition late last year and won a fab make-over.

I recognised Chrissy in the magazine and was delighted for her but some of the stylists' choices made me shudder! So I made contact and gifted a Personal Style Private Consultation (comprehensive workshop with wardrobe audit).

Chrissy is a Summer and suits the blue-based, greyed colours, her style personality is primarily Classic-Chic with Feminine-Romantic and a touch of Exotic-Expressive.

Like many mainly Classic-Chics she had great core essentials in her wardrobe but 'something' was missing. Now she knows to incorporate some soft draping and prettiness with a touch of pizzaz to reflect all her style personality.

Chrissy is just 1.57m (5'2") and Petite in scale, she is short-waisted with an enviable Hourglass figure. Best design lines for Chrissy highlight her lovely shape while elongating her.

This all made a lot of sense to Chrissy, who now understands what is was she liked about her favourite clothes and how to make wise buying choices in the future.

I referred her to my hair stylist Becky as Chrissy's hair cut was rather severe and the warm shades were aging her.

Becky began correcting the colour and gave Chrissy a softer style, as well as helping her with some easy ways of styling it.

Chrissy's Make-over (3)

Our photographer Justine's experience in family portraits, weddings, commercial, and make-over guaranteed great photos and her practical expertise meant she could advise on flattering poses too.

It was a relaxed yet focussed photo shoot, we all enjoyed working together and - most importantly - Chrissy loves the outcome.

Men & Style

I'm sometimes asked whether I run workshops for men; the simple answer is 'No' (I've chosen to focus on women). Usually the query is from a woman wanting to help the man in her life. Well, the style basics for his personal style are very similar to her own.

Can you determine his under-tone? Do warm, yellow-based colours compliment him or cool, blue-based ones? Which is more flattering, white or ivory? Then decide if it's clear and bright hues or muted and smokey tones.

There are some difficulties; most Kiwi men - even if they looked good - won't wear colours that women will (Winter's bright pink?!) Also a brown suit doesn't have the same panache as a grey or navy one. So I'd just use it as a neutral and encourage him to wear a shirt with the right undertone for him.

(more in my next newsletter)

More tips

Here are some tips & comments I've posted on Personal Style's FaceBook page www.facebook.com/personalstylenz

Figure Challenge: long waisted? Elongate your legs - opt for higher waisted clothes; slim legged trousers worn long; hosiery and slim heels which match skirt/trousers, belts to match your skirt/trousers.

Avoid anything low-waisted, patterned hosiery, capris and cuffed trousers.

The trouble with Fashion: a camel coloured trench coat does NOT suit everyone. Camel/tan is a warm colour so won't flatter cool-toned folk. Trench coats are double-breasted ie rather shapeless, which will make you look the same. Pockets and details add volume too (do you WANT to look bigger?)

How to shop UNsuccessfully: don't try on clothes. Buy for when you've lost weight. Buy something you feel uncomfortable in. Compromise so you haven't wasted your time :-(

Want to know what you REALLY wear? Try this for a month: everything you actually wear goes back in one side (eg Right) of your wardrobe. At the end of the month what you haven't worn will be on the other side (eg Left).

check out more comments on www.facebook.com/personalstylenz