January 30, 2023

CLOTHING CAN POSITIVELY INFLUENCE OUR WELL-BEING

With a real commitment to team ‘wellness’, I recently delivered a session to a Yorkshire-based business during which  I explored the way that clothing can positively influence our well-being.  The topic certainly resonated with my audience as I shared my insights on the way our clothes have the power to influence the way we feel.

The clothes we wear are an expression of our own unique and individual identity and have the power to support us, elevate us, enhance our personal brand, differentiate us and fill us with joy.   Every clothing decision we make therefore can support our mental-health.  The best thing is that we don't even need to wait for a special occasion to do so.

Fashion and the clothes we wear are a way to express ourselves.  Our clothes boost our creativity and offers others a glimpse of our personality.   That has to be good, right?

Imagine selecting your clothes from a wardrobe that is vibrant and joyful vs facing a dull selection of clothes that do nothing but make you sigh with frustration.   Now imagine how that would impact your day.

Our clothing choices can positively influence our well-being.   there, I've said it again.   If you have ever worn ill-fitting clothes, arrived to an event feeling over or underdressed you may remember having felt ill at ease, self-conscious causing you discomfort and unable to participate or engage.  Similarly, clothes that fit well and align with your sense of style will have the opposite effect and improve your levels of confidence.

Read on for my 5 Top insights about how clothing can positively influence our well-being.

Look good Feel good

We’ve all heard this expression but never underestimate it’s effect.  Making the effort (very true of so many aspects in our lives) gives us a purpose and who knows what might occur as a result!  Dressing up could mean the difference between lounging around and getting nothing done or accomplishing something.  Dressing for a day at the office for example mentally prepares us for business and in doing so you may find yourself feeling more confidence and better prepared to meet others.   The effect can contribute to all sort of other positives.

Dopamine Dressing

Essentially, Dopamine Dressing involves us dressing in clothes that bring us joy.  After the loss of control we experienced during the Pandemic years the clothes we chose to wear now can positively influence our well-being.

What brings us dressing joy will differ between us all.  It’s all about personal preference.  The key here is to identify certain aspects that make you feel good.  For me it is the drama of a ruffle or some kind of animal print.

You could always write a clothing journal that records which clothes make you feel most comfortable.  Of course I can also help with that during my Personal Styling experience.

clothing can influence our well-being

Colour is a visual phenomenon

Choose colour to influence our well-being

Colour is a visual phenomenon and a natural way to energise us.  Colour creates a whole host of emotional responses.  Consider it to be energy with massive therapeutic benefits.  Each colour is  associated with a different psychological connection.

For example, wearing red promotes feelings of power, action and of danger.  Blue for example the colour we associate with peace, trust and dependability and Green, the colour that fills us with new beginnings and relaxation.

Bright and colourful clothes are usually associated with energy, happiness and bright sunshine-ey days.  Regardless of the weather, reach for something cheerful.  Choosing a scarf is a good way to test the theory.

Wearing colours that flatter your own characteristics takes this to a whole new level having the power to elevate complexions and amplify eye colour in a natural way.   Take a peek at my Colour Analysis service here.

clothing can postively influence our well-being

selecting something out of our comfort zones can break the monotony

Step out of our comfort zones

Research shows that the majority of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time so adding a different accessory, or selecting something out of your comfort zone can also help to break the monotony and trigger a dopamine release.  Really get to know what you have in your wardrobe and pair some of your pieces differently.  Get creative and mix and match things differently to maximise what you have to express yourself in a different way.  It could even elevate your thinking process.

Clothing creates positive associations

Remember the last time you wore something that made you feel great? A figure hugging dress, a pair of killer heels (it will be different for all of us) and during the wearing of it, you received a compliment.  How good did that feel?  The confidence-boost to our own well-being and self-esteem is palpable.  We should seek to replicate that.

Perhaps seeing ourselves in a way that creates a positive emotion can override any negative thinking.

 

At the end of the day, our clothes should make us feel good.  That’s it!  Wear what brings us joy and boosts our mood.  Clothing doesn’t need to be an additional stressor.  There are plenty of those around.

Leave a comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Jackie Crawford

  • Cover image credit Olivia Brabbs
  • Other images Yorkshire based David Lindsley of Lindsley Weddings

can clothing influence our well-beingAbout the author

Jackie Crawford is a transformational image consultant dedicated to helping women of all life-stages dress with confidence and enhance their personal brand.

Born out of her own dressing frustrations during a corporate career, Jackie uses her own experiences to skilfully guide her clients through a process of positive change with their appearance.  The benefits can lead to life-changing situations.

To have a chat about how you could work with Jackie, you may reach her on 07494 644788 or email image@jackiecrawford.co.uk or visit her website at www.jackiecrawford.co.uk

 

January 31, 2022

BACK TO THE OFFICE FOR WORK? DRESSING MADE SIMPLE

Back to the office for work?  Dressing made simple

Over the last couple of years, our working environments were switched to our kitchen tables, home offices or our spare rooms as we settled into working from home. The lines of home and work were blurred and inevitably a more relaxed and casual dressing style followed.

However as many of us prepare to go back to the office for work, it’s going to mean a shift in our dressing style!  Our morning dressing routines are going to look a lot different.  For some this may be causing a little dressing anxiety as we transition from loungewear to more office-appropriate pieces.

Are you excited at the prospect of dressing up again in your smarter clothing or are you feeling a little reluctant to part company with your leisurewear?

You may need to invest a little time to reap the rewards, but trust me, it will be worth it.

But first…create your own Style Mantra

The fact is that clothes are incredibly empowering so the key to successful dressing is that we feel good in our clothes and particularly at work.  Having style confidence provides us with the power to feel comfortable, to feel authentic. Confidence in our presentation can open doors and new opportunities. Firstly we need to identify clothes that help us feel confident.

Implementing a style mantra really helps when choosing clothing from our wardrobes or when selecting new clothing.  By choosing three words that describe the feeling we want to have in our clothes allows us to apply these words to each garment we choose.  For example, feminine, edgy or professional.  We can then assess if our mantra aligns with the clothes hanging in our wardrobe.  Of course I am able to help you develop this during a Personal Styling session.

Let me inspire you to dress with confidence for your return back to the office for work.  Read on for some top tips.

Assess your wardrobe

Take some time to try everything on that you have in your wardrobe.  Does it still fit?  Does if flatter?  It matters!

Ask yourself how it makes you feel.  Our wardrobes should be a place of joy and should inspire us as we leave our homes each morning.  Wouldn’t we rather make clothing choices that have a positive impact?  I assure you that the way our clothes make us feel, influences our day ahead.

New Pairings

This editing process will shed some light on these those items that don’t look or feel good but may also highlight some new pairings and create some entirely ‘new’ looks.  Shopping our wardrobes (particularly in January) is also worthwhile and reminds us of the hidden treasures at the back of our wardrobes…and maybe with the tags still intact!

Lay your clothes out the night before

Lay your clothes out the night before

This is a great strategy and saves valuable time in the morning.  This helps us identify the stain from a garment’s last wearing or the missing button that needs replacing.  We  have time to take action when we spot it early!  Dare I say, that it’s even better of you can plan for the entire week.

Knowing what may need laundering, which shoes may need a polish, will all save dressing anguish in front of our wardrobe in the morning.  Trust me it’s a game-changer.

Work out our wardrobe neutrals

What about  wardrobe Neutrals?

We all need a neutral base in our wardrobe that make creating oufits a little simpler.  I’m talking about navy, grey, brown, beige, camel tones, white, cream and black.  In choosing our base colours carefully we will find that introducing complimentary colours to your basic outfits is simplified.

Work out our wardrobe staples

Image Credit Pexels

Image credit Pexels

Our choices will differ wildly dependent upon our own personality but also our industry or place of work.   Therefore spending money wisely on our outerwear is a good investment.  For example, a good quality leather item will look better for longer when cared for so your footwear, handbags and laptop bags are important.

Consider a great fitting blazer, a couple of blouses, a white shirt, tailored trousers and a smart pair a well-fitting jeans will all serve us well.

What if we have gained weight?

I hear this often particularly since the uncertainty of these last couple of years… we have been opting for the comfort of an elasticated waistband and lost sight of how our more tailored pieces might fit.

What can we do?

A blouse that gapes at the bust and no longer fastens can be used as a loose ‘shacket’ style layer with a smarter tee under

A shirt dress that no longer fastens can be worn open with a pair of trousers and fine knit under

The trend for more fluid trouser styles will be with us for some time so perhaps seek out a pair in a colour that can be worn with your existing wardrobe.

If you are pondering your own office return  and you are back to the office for work, take a peek at my suggestions here.

How would you feel if  your  'back to the office' dressing choices were a little simpler?  I would love to work with you personally, do get in touch if I can help.

Jackie Crawford

07494 644788

February 28, 2021

ACCESSORIES AMPLIFY OUR PERSONALITY

Accessories amplify our personalityACCESSORIES AMPLIFY OUR PERSONALITY

Anything we choose to put on our bodies is a form of self-expression and so whatever we choose to wear, we are using our clothes to develop our own style, our personal brand.  In the same way, our accessories amplify our personality.

A carefully chosen accessory adds a different dimension to an outfit creating visual impact.  It's also a way to enhance a certain part of our body - a belt to show off a waist or  a necklace to flatters our neck and decolletage.

When Zoom is making us all 'above the waist visible', our accessories are particularly important right now.

Many things influence the clothes we wear.  It is personal choice and a wonderful form of self-expression don't you think?

 

 

Our accessories are a great way to amplify our personality whether for our working or social wardrobes.

What makes us choose our accessories and jewellery, patterns or frills over clean lines or clothing made of natural fabrics?  The answer is that many things contribute to our choices such as our childhoods, the influence of a family member, celebrity and what we may see virtually.   Accessories enhance our personal style.  They elevate an outfit and complete the look.

Think of our accessories as our 'best friend'.  They make us smile, elevate our best bits  and serve to emphasise our personal style and preferences.

The key to successful accessorising is understanding what works for us.  A few good accessories add versatility to our wardrobe so by changing our accessories we extend the life of our clothes giving them a new lease of life if paired differently.

A good start is if we take some time to consider the shapes we prefer, the materials that resonate with us - gold or silver, wood or glass, felt or pearl and if you prefer sparkly or matte and the overall style.  We soon develop a familiar style that feels comfortable for us.

Here are my Top 3 Accessories for 'above the waist' dressing....

A colourful scarf can take your outfit up a notch

Scarves

A colourful scarf is a great way to take an outfit up a notch whatever the time of year.  It would be a shame to wear them only when the weather is cooler.  Use a finer scarf to protect your shoulders  from the sun or use as a belt on a favourite pair of trousers.  You could also wrap a scarf around the handles of your handbag.  As you can see here, a scarf is a great way to inject colour.  Heaven knows we could all do with a little more colour in our lives now that Spring is emerging.

Accessorise - Alba Statement Green Resin Earrings

Photo credit; Accessorize - Alba Statement Green Resin Earrings

Earrings

Particularly important now that Zoom or Team meetings are the order of the day.  Great to add interest to plainer clothes and are instantly visible adding an instant 'zing' which can really complement your face shape and enhance your cheekbones if chosen wisely.  Think about your face shape...

Oval Face - can wear most shapes

Round Face - choose earring styles that elongate your face such as drop earrings

Angular - choose diamond, rectangular or sqaure shapes to flatter your face shape

Accessories amplify our personality

Consider adding colour for a bit of fun

Necklaces

Are a great way to make a statement and to enhance your neck and décolletage area.  Long necks look great with chokers whilst shorter necks are flattered by longer layered necklaces.

Rather than gold or silver, consider introducing colour in a necklace.  It adds a bit of fun.

 

 

 

The smallest change to our appearance can have a huge impact so its not about busting your budget.  Spicing up your outfit with a carefully chosen accessory is a great alternative to forking out on an entire new outfit ...a new scarf, handbag or shoes....or how about these...your sunglasses, umbrellas, watches, keyrings, laptop bag, purses, spectacle case and even the spectacles.

Our accessories allows us to repeat the same outfit but give it an entirely different feel!  Our accessories can differentiate us and set us apart.

As we emerge from this Pandemic and start to swap our leisurewear for smarter choices, get into the habit of adding an accessory every day.   As one client said to me recently..."following your advice, I now wear jewellery every day and feel fabulous, thank you".  Our accessories amplify our personality.

Even the smallest of changes can lead to a whole host of positive outcomes.

If you'd like to continue this conversation or would like to learn more about my services, I'd love to hear from you.

Jackie Crawford

Image Consultant

07494 644788

October 30, 2019

IT’S TIME TO FOCUS ON FOOTWEAR FOR AUTUMN

As we coast into November, get your feet ready, it's time to focus on footwear for Autumn and the season ahead.  Who doesn't love a fabulous pair of shoes or boots for that matter?   Shoes are a wonderful accessory that can add interest and personality to your outfit.  The choice is huge, where do you even start!  Autumn footwear is no exception!   Comfort is the key but remember if you can, spend as much as you can afford on good boots and shoes.  They are one of those things we should never ‘scrimp’ on and good quality will stand the test of time.

However, our image matters so remember that everything we put on our bodies says something about us.  There is no doubt that a smart pair of shoes help to elevate our look so if you want to be the epitome of style and sophistication, look after your shoes, clean them after each use and polish regularly.

You also want to maximise the wearing of them.  How many of us have boxes of shoes we barely wear as the wedding outfit we bought them to go with, went out in the last charity bag!

Don’t forget proportions - your choice of shoe should always suit your foot size, petite feet never look good in big ‘clompy’ styles in the same way that the effect of wearing teeny strappy shoes on a larger foot, look out of proportion.

Finding comfortable shoes in your preferred style and heel height can be difficult to find!  When you do find a pair that fit you like slippers, try to get a second pair, you will never regret it!   If you then find them in the sale, even better but consider that good shoes do sell quickly, so if your feet are an ‘average’ size, my advice is snap them early!

 

TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON FOOTWEAR FOR AUTUMN

Over the years I have learned that the best time to buy shoes is prior to lunch, your foot is at its truest size!  Remember to try your footwear wearing a similar pair of socks to those you intend to wear with them.

A chunkier block-heel will be more practical in the colder, wetter and icy weather offering you a little more protection and support.

You can help your money go further if you can find your footwear in an end of season sale.  My advice is to both shop the stores in person and online.   How about looking at more expensive brands as a pair of shoes originally costing £200 for example may be reduced by half.  You will find that these will be more comfortable and will last longer than a pair originally retailing for £75.00.

For Autumn footwear I recommend three styles that should feature in your wardrobe for maximum flexibility.

 

‘Posh Trainers’

An all-round casual shoe you can wear with ankle grazer trousers, dresses, jeans and skirts.  Try a pair in this season’s metallic!

Photo credit: Moda in Pelle Fiarli Pewter Leather

 

Ankle Boots

Always fabulous styled with a dress, try a neutral this year so it will go with just about anything.

Photo credit: LK Bennett Ayla Bronze Velvet

 

 

Long Boots

Since brown features heavily in this Season’s trends, opt for tall brown boots.  Always very elegant and with such a wide range of styles, they may well become a firm favourite to pair with many perfect ensembles.  This will pair equally well with skinny jeans, a skirt or floral dress.

Photo credit: Dune Tabby High Leg Boot

 

Wide Calves?

If you have difficulty in finding boots in wide fittings, no problem, Duoboots offer their range of boots in up to 11 calf sizes.

 

You will see here a few of my favourite footwear styles for Autumn/Winter 2019 saved to one of my Pinterest Boards.  Said Marilyn Monroe - Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.  Amen to that!

I do hope that this helps you to focus on your Autumn footwear but if you would like a hand to choose any items for your wardrobe, please do call me for a chat on 07494 644788, feel free to leave a comment below or visit my website here.

Colours . Clothes . Confidence

September 30, 2019

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

In our less formal and modern digital world the expression   “Clothes maketh the man” has never been more relevant  which I guess has been replaced by Dressing for Success.  What we wear, our image and our personal brand, matters.  Our clothes  should enhance both our reputation and credibility.

I’d like to think that we don’t always make such snap judgements and whilst speaking generally, it is human nature to shape an impression of another in the blink of an eye.

This ‘blink’, according to studies is in-fact 7 seconds which is not so long to establish that lasting impression.

Successful women in business rarely look ‘thrown together’ or dishevelled and this is clearly no coincidence.  We should bear in mind that the clothes within our working wardrobe be considered as an investment in our future success - an ‘investment in our ourselves’.  Our appearance sends a positive message to our peers and colleagues about who we are and how we expect to be treated.  Dressing in a suitable and smart manner speaks volumes – “I know what I’m doing, take me seriously”.  If we care about ourselves and the way we present ourselves it is perceived that we also care about the job we do and also those around us.

First and foremost, it is worth thinking about the clothes we wear to our workplace each day.  Few of us have the resource to look like a catwalk model but clothing in colours and styles that flatter your own characteristics will increase your confidence, self-esteem and will undoubtedly command attention.

The key, I believe, to dressing for success, requires a plan

When we plan and gradually build a wardrobe of co-ordinated pieces, we gain maximum flexibility ultimately saving valuable time.  My suggestions here could be a starting point:

Get the balance right

There is nothing wrong with wearing a striking pair of stilettos or skin tight leather trousers but you know in your heart of hearts that this does not project the right image in many environments.  Wearing revealing necklines or inappropriate clothing will get you noticed for all the wrong reasons.  Finding some business staples will give you a polished and professional look.

With the loosening of business dress codes, you still need to consider your own working environment, your position within the organisation and of course the company culture.  Our positions very often involve a ‘portfolio’ of roles and for those who are self-employed and working from home, it is still important to be clear about the image you wish to convey.  Consider also the clients you wish to attract.

The clothes required of a highly corporate environment will vary to those of a self-employed Business Coach working in say in a creative environment.

Even more formal working environments have veered away from a business suit in black, navy and grey but if it is still a need for you, colour is important here, don’t feel you have to stick to these conformist colours when it comes to the shirts or blouses you wear with them.   Don’t be too afraid of colour.  There are clever ways to infuse some personality to your working outfits.  A day in the office should not be treated as a fashion parade but think classic cuts and add your own stylish twist with accessories to give your outfit the edge.

Embrace colour and pattern into your working look

Image Credit Lindsley Weddings

Image Credit Lindsley Weddings

It is easy to inject some colour and pattern to your working wardrobe and still look professional.   A subtle pink can enhance navy blue or grey whilst a rich emerald green works well with a variety of neutrals.  It is a matter of choosing the colours and patterns that are right for you.  We can also use colour to project authority or approachability.

If you do not wear a suit for work, the same rules can be applied when wearing separates.  Add a brighter cardigan to black and white or inject the colour to your accessories but a word of warning, no need to overdo them particularly if you lack the confidence to wear a brighter colour!

What about Fashion Trends?

My advice is to wear selectively but on a positive note, does suggest you have your finger on the pulse, you are ahead with current trends.  The assumption here is that of course you are ahead of your game in your field of expertise.

Invest in your outer wear

Spend wisely where it matters most - those items that are most visible as you arrive and depart, our shoes, coats, bags and laptop bags play an important part in our overall look.

Accessories

Image Credit Pexels

Image courtesy of Pexels

Selecting accessories for a business environment can be a challenge so wear your accessories wisely…simple, discreet and nothing too distracting.

The ‘less is more’ approach is good here although such self-expression can help to boost our confidence.

If you do lack the confidence to wear bolder clothing colours perhaps try a brighter colour in a single piece of jewellery, a belt or a contrasting pair of heels which is usually sufficient to pull the look together.   A good handbag is another way to inject some personality and style into your work wear wardrobe.

What about your shoes?  If you love heels and they still allow you to move around comfortably, stay with it or try a stylish loafer or elevated wedge trainer (which of course have to be spotless).  There are some great options if you wish a more comfortable option.

 

If however you are still confused about dressing for success, wish to understand the colours and styles that are perfect for you or you need help to discover some ‘successful’ dressing tips for your professional or social wardrobe, then please get in touch.  Better still you can call me on 07494 644788, I'd love to help you navigate the dress-code dilemma.

February 28, 2019

DID YOU WONDER WHAT TO WEAR TODAY?

Did you wonder what to wear today?

Be honest what was going through your mind?

It can be a real dilemma when we face our wardrobe for the day ahead?   As we (potentially!) approach the finer weather we are perhaps thinking of a few new wardrobe additions and hopefully pairing up with the items we already own.   Does it still fit?  Does it still suit me?  Is it appropriate for that new role?  Does my ‘bum’ look big and what about my flabby arms?

All this frustration and self-doubt before we have even got dressed!  A whole lot of stress before our day begins but one thing is true.  If we face a wardrobe of uninspiring clothes, how do you imagine that makes us feel throughout the day?  Perhaps you feel a little lacklustre, dull, lifeless and well, uninspiring!

Imagine that if each time we dressed, our clothes felt as if they belonged to us, were part of us and represented who we are?  Our day may have a whole new outcome.  Think about that!

The way we present ourselves, the clothes we wear all help us to feel good about ourselves, help us gain recognition.  This in turn can lead to increased confidence.

It is true also that confident people inspire confidence in others and I am a great advocate that wearing clothes in colours and styles to flatter, we do feel very different about ourselves.

Being comfortable in our clothes gives us one less thing to worry about and more time to focus on our work, our business and our relationships.

In the digital world we now inhabit, our image and the first impression we create happens in the blink of an eye.  A positive image can open doors for us.

If you wondered what to wear today and are tired of not knowing what to wear or your image needs a review, maybe it’s time to get some help and work with someone to develop your personal style?   With specialists to file our tax returns and people to service our cars, it’s not so difficult to imagine that there are people to help YOU present yourself at YOUR very best?

Here are just a few things that working with me can do for YOU?

  • Together we can develop and define a personal brand that is unique to YOU
  • Help YOU develop a wardrobe that suits all of your needs, your lifestyle, your personality, your body shape and your budget.
  • I can Help YOU to maximise the items within your wardrobe and avoid future impulse purchases

My clients report feeling "more confident" and "empowered" about their  personal brand and dressing style.  If you would like to learn more about developing or refining YOUR personal style, I’d love to hear from you.  Do please give me a call if you'd like to chat.  07494 644788

Colours . Clothes . Confidence

December 30, 2018

PERSONAL STYLE, IS IT A NEW YOU FOR THE NEW YEAR?

With Christmas over, we prepare to welcome in the New Year with great anticipation and the optimism of a fresh start.  Look to your Personal Style, is it a new YOU for the New Year? Have you thought about your aspirations, your million dreams and what you wish to achieve?

Do you imagine changing jobs or working towards a promotion, perhaps you are returning to work after maternity leave or maybe you find yourself back on the dating scene?

Whatever your plans or expectations for this year, I wanted to share with you some pointers which may help to illustrate how confident I am that your own personal image and style can help to support your personal dreams and  career goals and not just for the year ahead.  My clients regularly hear me saying that a positive image can impact the rest of your life.

Dressing for Success

If career development is high on your priority list, you will have heard the old adage “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”.  It sounds perfectly obvious but if you are in a ‘job rut’ it is easy to see how we can fail to make an effort when we dress for work.  We are creatures of habit and can tend follow the ‘same old’ mentality particularly now when business dress codes have become more relaxed.  In my opinion, not the best decision to be made.

I am a firm believer that when we have confidence in the way we look, we also feel better about ourselves and able to tackle our roles with renewed vigour.  This can result in enhanced efficiency allowing us to elevate ourselves and get noticed by our boss for all the right reasons.  To me it says “look at me; I know what I’m doing”.  There is no doubt that taking care of our professional image can open doors.  If we care about the way we look, the perception is that we also care about our work.

At the same time, we should not feel the onset of a second mortgage in order to create a professional and authentic impression.  The secret to successful dressing is about understanding the colours and shapes to suit us.  Knowing how to wear what you already own and how to maximise these using the combination of colour, style and accessories appropriately also helps!

Get Fit and Lose Weight

We don’t all share the desire to head to the gym after Christmas excesses, however for me  as nature takes its course and gravity plays unpleasant tricks on us, I find that a great motivator for the day ahead is an energising speed walk around the block – you never know who you might bump into!

However, if you are averse to any kind of exercise, there are some very clever dressing techniques that can help elongate, shorten or slim a body to enhance or disguise any number of body attributes.

This leads nicely into my next goal……

Love, Love, Love

Don’t you think that like charity, love begins at home and how you feel about yourself?   Learn to love yourself and to feel comfortable with the body that you have.

I am well aware that when we look for love, it rarely comes knocking but it is true to say that we often meet someone when we least expect it.  With that in mind, make your personal style a priority and it should help you attract the attention you deserve.

You may have fallen out of love and care for your wardrobe so you can help by removing all items that do not fit or give you joy ensuring your wardrobe largely contains items in which you look good!

Take some time to identify items of clothing that you love which may give you the extra confidence you may be looking for!

Let’s all save some Money

I know! We’d all like to do a little more of this but how?

At this time of year I like to take a peek through my wardrobe and in the same way we detox our bodies, I apply the same logic to my wardrobe and edit it.

Some of my favourite pieces are those that I have ‘rescued’ from the back of my wardrobe by updating them using for example, an inexpensive piece of costume jewellery to make it ‘current’ or pairing it with a blouse, cardigan or jacket in a contrasting colour I’ve never tried before or even simply with a scarf to create a totally different look.

 

Try to develop a ‘capsule wardrobe’ of flexible pieces that mix and match together.  See image showing one jacket four ways.  Go on, get creative!

Although not just for the rich and famous, you may consider hiring the services of an Image Consultant who is able to advise you on colour and garment selection that perfectly suits your individual colouring, lifestyle, personality and clothing preferences!  Believe it or not, it can support your career aspirations AND avoid many unsuccessful purchases hanging unworn at the back of your wardrobe.

I do hope that some of this has provided some food for thought and spurs you on to achieve your own goals for 2019 be it a new position, new partner or a renewed interest in purging your wardrobe.

You may wish to take some action and understand how colour and style can help you develop your personal style.  I can help you perfect an authentic look that is just right for you.

If you have any questions about how to best use colour in your wardrobe, call me on 07494 644788 to book an appointment in my comfortable home studio in York.

September 30, 2018

AUTUMN FOOTWEAR FOCUS!

Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world!  Marilyn Monroe

As we coast into October, get your feet ready for Autumn footwear.   Who doesn't love a fabulous pair of shoes or boots for that matter?   Shoes are a wonderful accessory that can add interest and personality to your outfit.  The choice is huge, where do you even start!  Autumn footwear is no exception!   Comfort is the key but remember if you can, to stay true to your colour pattern and wardrobe personality and always buy the most expensive you can afford.  Shoes are one of those things we should never ‘scrimp’ on and quality will also stand out!

However, our image matters so remember that everything we put on our bodies says something about us.  There is no doubt that a smart pair of shoes help to elevate our look so if you want to be the epitome of style and sophistication, look after your shoes, clean them after each use and polish regularly.

 

You also want to maximise the wearing of them.  How many of us have boxes of shoes we barely wear as the wedding outfit we bought them to go with, went out in the last charity bag!

 

Don’t forget proportions - your choice of shoe should always suit your foot size, petit feet never look good in big ‘clompy’ styles in the same way that the effect of wearing teeny strappy shoes on a larger foot, look out of proportion.

Actually, before I go any further I should let you ponder on this, finding comfortable shoes in your preferred style and heel height can be difficult to find!  When you do find a pair that fit you like slippers, try to get a second pair, you will never regret it!   If you then find them in the sale, even better but consider that good shoes do sell quickly, so if your feet are an ‘average’ size, my advice is snap them early!

You can help your money go further if you can find your footwear in an end of season sale.  My advice is to both shop the stores in person and online.   How about looking at more expensive brands as a pair of shoes originally costing £200 for example may be reduced by half.  You will find that these will be more comfortable and will last longer than a pair originally retailing for £75.00.

Top Tip:  Over the years I have learned that the best time to buy shoes is prior to lunch, your foot is at its truest size!

For Autumn footwear I recommend three styles that should feature in your wardrobe for maximum flexibility.

 

‘Posh Trainers’

An all-round casual shoe you can wear with ankle grazer trousers, dresses, jeans and skirts.  Try a pair in this season’s metallic!

Photo credit: Moda in Pelle Fiarli Pewter Leather

Ankle Boots

Always fabulous styled with a dress, try a neutral this year so it will go with just about anything.

Photo credit: LK Bennett Ayla Bronze Velvet

 

Long Boots

Since brown features heavily in this Season’s trends, opt for tall brown boots.  Always very elegant and with such a wide range of styles, they may well become a firm favourite to pair with many perfect ensembles.

Photo credit: Dune Tabby High Leg Boot

 

You will see here a few of my favourite footwear styles for Autumn/Winter 2018 saved to one of my Pinterest Boards.

I do hope that you have enjoyed reading my Autumn footwear insights but if you would like a hand to choose any items for your wardrobe, please do call me for a chat on 07494 644788 or visit my website here.

Colours . Clothes . Confidence

August 20, 2018

JEWELLERY AT WORK?

There are many things that help to influence our style and the way we dress.  Accessories are the perfect way to enhance our personal presentation within our work or social environments.  Here are some guidelines to help you accessorize with jewellery at work.

Your profession during the working week may dictate or shape your approach to jewellery at work whilst the weekend for many, is the time to inject more personality into your look.

In some working environments, a jewellery ban is totally justified and certainly our work place is not the place for sparkly, dangly or even noisy styles that only serve to distract our audience.  There is however a way to introduce a carefully chosen accessory to give your work outfit an instant lift.

So what is appropriate and how do we accessorize our working look?

Consider your environment

Simple studs remain stylish

Working in a more traditional culture such as a corporate office, your choice of jewellery at work will differ greatly to one working in a more creative field.   Selecting accessories for a business environment can be a challenge so wear your accessories wisely.  I would go for simple, discreet and nothing too distracting although not at the risk of removing the joy and fun that wearing jewellery can bring.

Keep it simple

Everything we put on our bodies says something about us and whilst we want our outfit and accessories to reflect our personality, take the ‘less is more’ approach.  It is still possible to make your look simple but classy with jewellery appropriate to your role, status and environment.  A delicate necklace or pendant or gemstone ring can help to turn your outfit from boring business to simply stylish.

Recalling a Coco Chanel quote – “Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror and remove one piece of jewellery”.  When was she ever wrong!

Inject some colour

Image credit Pexels

I have to admit that it can be difficult finding business suits in colours other than black, navy and grey however colour is important here, don’t feel you have to stick to these conformist colours when it comes to the shirts or blouses you wear with them.   Don’t be too afraid of colour.  There are clever ways to infuse some personality to your working outfits.  A day in the office should not be treated as a fashion parade but think classic cuts and add your own stylish twist using jewellery or if appropriate, a pair of killer heels to give your outfit the edge.

Choose a single statement accessory

As multiple pieces can sometimes create an unprofessional working look, consider a single necklace - the longer the choice, the taller and slimmer you will appear.  As we coast towards Autumn, pair a block colour knit with a single necklace to look stylish.  A growing trend favours brooches as a way to introduce interest with maximum impact either on a jacket lapel or well placed on a smart knit.

 

Create Balance and proportion

Each piece should complement your scale and facial features – for example, a petite frame will be overpowered by large scale jewellery whereas a larger frame will be complemented by larger accessories.

Gold or Silver?

The effect of different metals against our skin tone, hair and eye colour can help to illuminate our natural skin tones.  If chosen well, the metal can bring out flecks of colour in our eyes and complement our hair colour.  Yes, really!  It is a real benefit when we know the colours that work for us.  You may see here details of my Colour Analysis service which ascertains your individual colour palette.

Consider also that silky or finer fabrics are best complemented with shiny jewellery whilst matte jewellery looks more at home with textured fabrics.

Choose versatile pieces

I am a great advocate that like our clothes, our jewellery is best when it can mix and match with a number of outfits. In my book, our jewellery collection is as important as our clothing selection allowing us to create a variety of dressy or casual looks.

And finally…

Here’s a thought…..

If like me you already have an eclectic selection of amazing  and perhaps sentimental pieces within your jewellery box?  Gathered over time to go with ‘this and that’.  Why not take a peek into your box and next time you feel stuck in a style rut and want to ‘re-charge’ your work outfit revisit your selection and you may find a forgotten gem!  As I did right here………

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading my styling insights about jewellery at work but if you are still at a loss about knowing what suits you, please do call me for a chat on 07494 644788 or visit my website here.

Colours . Clothes . Confidence

COLOURS • CLOTHES • CONFIDENCE

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