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Little Black Dress - 3 Ways

We all want to get good cost per wear from the pieces in our wardrobe and if you have watched my online workshop you will know how much importance I place on a versatile wardrobe. For this post I am using an old shift dress from Eileen Fisher, I have in my wardrobe. But I have given alternative options including a navy dress if you don't like or want to wear black.

To be really versatile I would suggest a simple style with a short or 3/4 length sleeve that you can layer under and over. A mid weight fabric such as crepe or viscose will work day and night.

By using accessories cleverly no-one will think it is the same dress you are wearing again.

Outfit 1 is for the Office.

For an office look I have added an open front jacket, silk scarf and quilted handbag with heeled boots.

(Contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission if you buy items using these links) Similar Jacket // Dress, similar Eileen Fisher, Budget friendly, Navy alternative // Bag...

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Outfit Ideas & Tips For Party Wear & The Festive Season

 

Watch the video - below are items from my wardrobe that are still available or similar where I could find.

Please note: #AD - most of the links below are affiliate links which means I receive a small commission if you use the link and purchase the item.

Animal Print Clutch available in Tiger and Leopard.

My red Dress - also still available in deep green (came up a little small on the bust for me)

Red Boots

White/Cream trouser options - left with chiffon panels, right wide leg.

Faux Fur Collars

Sheepskin Scarf

Velvet leggings (incredibly soft & don't slip down!)

 

Deep Teal Culottes // Velvet Top

 Most of the outfits below I have created from items I already had in my wardrobe. By adding just a few new pieces and building up a collection of accessories it is easy to create some new festive outfits.

 

Outfit 1. Velvet Top Eileen Fisher old Similar, Culottes Phase Eight, Necklace similar, Bag Vivienne Westwood old, similar and shoes...

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Over 40 Autumn Outfit Ideas - My Capsule Wardrobe

This blog post accompanies a video I created for YouTube and is an update to the blog post from a few weeks ago with the start of my Autumn Capsule Wardrobe. Watch the video to discover the process I used for creating this capsule, why I chose certain pieces, my recommendations and the items that are key to this capsule.

With the video I photographed over 40 outfit ideas!

Download my FREE Ebook to discover how to create your own capsule wardrobe. 

 

The Capsule Wardrobe Pieces - some are the exact pieces I have and some are alternatives for older pieces I have had in my wardrobe for a while.

Where to buy (#AD some of the links below include affiliate links which means that should you click through and buy I will receive a small commission):

Long chocolate cardigan // Long green cardigan - similar shorter version (moss) // Orange cardigan - similar in Coral // Camel sweater // Black jacket // Chocolate sweater // Green/black shirt // Black print top // ...

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My Autumn Hair Makeover - Getting Back Hair Confidence

Like many women I know, my hair and how it looks is one of the most important parts of my personal style. I'm not afraid to give it a makeover and try something new and over the years I have been from shoulder length highlighted blonde, to a few inches long, to bra strap length and almost black, to today just below the chin with a mixture of warm gold and copper blended with my natural colour.

The constant striving for perfect hair has finally ended and I am happier now than I have ever been with it. The following story of my hair history, will illustrate why I am so pleased to have finally found a salon that I wouldn't hesitate in recommending. 

You may have heard me tell the story that I was born blonde and saw my hair grow naturally darker and more mousy into my thirties. All that changed when I had my children and my hair started to go much darker (actually complementing my naturally dark eyes and eyebrows) and at that point I was ready to embrace a little drama. I...

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New In My Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

This week I have started putting together my own Autumn Capsule Wardrobe. I will be bringing back pieces from last year, but have already added a few new items to freshen  up the existing pieces.

I'm adding some of the traditional Autumn colours like Tan, Light Olive and Orange to pieces I already own in Mustard and Black. And as brown is so on trend this season, I will also be expanding on the few pieces I have of Chocolate Brown (one of my favourite neutrals that at last is readily available this season)

The Chocolate Brown satin skirt from last year will carry forward, as this style of skirt is still so popular for both day and evening. Slouch boots are also still very much in, so these I bought last year will go with the new skirts I have included as an alternative to shoes.

I didn't get much wear out of the olive embroidered shoes I bought in Boden's sale last year or my gorgeous metallic Coach bag. Bringing in more greens will mean more outings for these much loved...

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What To Wear This Autumn

It’s the start of a new season and it’s one of my favourites. Who doesn’t love boots and cosy knits? But what to buy when there is so much choice? What you need is s bit of insider knowledge and that’s where I can help. Each season I take all of the stress out of what to wear by finding you the colours that will suit you and interpreting the trends that are worth investing in.

This season at first glance, you might think that if you have a cool skin tone there aren't many colours for you. But actually there are not only some great colours for you, there are also some gorgeous combinations. And yes, if you have a warm skin tone there are plenty of fabulous Autumnal colours. I've been longing for my favourite Chocolate Brown to be back "in" and finally it's here as Chicory Coffee. But there is also plenty of Rust, Camel and Taupe too.

My top tip for wearing colour this season is be brave. Try out some new combinations; Forest Biome and pink (light or bright) or...

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5 Styling Tips For How To Wear Wide Leg Trousers

This post contains affiliate links.

It’s been a hot one this week and I’m not a big fan of shorts. I prefer a loose dress or a pair of wide leg trousers, full length or cropped, in a lightweight floaty fabric like a soft cotton, viscose or Lyocell. But I have lots of readers asking how to wear wide leg trousers, especially crops because they can make you look square and boxy. There are some tricks that you can use though, to create shape and balance. Here are 5 styling tips for how to wear wide leg trousers and crops to flatter any shape.

1. Create long lines with a tunic style top and a long necklace to elongate the body.

How to wear wide leg trousers, red print trousers with long red tunic top

Trousers // Top Same in Navy // Similar necklace // Similar bracelet // Similar cuff //

2. Use statement accessories, or details to draw the eye where you want it to focus.

How to wear wide leg trousers, red print trousers with white camisole red cat eye sunglasses

Top // Similar sunglasses // Alternative necklace //

How to wear wide leg trousers, red print trousers with navy bardot top blue sunglasses

Top // Alternative necklace // Sunglasses //

3. Add a chunky wedge sandal to create balance.

How to wear wide leg trousers, blue print trousers with navy bardot top, wedge sandals

Trousers // Similar...

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How To Mix Colours In Your Wardrobe

This post contains affiliate links.

One of the most common questions I get asked is how to mix colours in your wardrobe. You may know what suits you, but you either only wear a handful of colours or you don’t try different combinations of colours. That is one of the reasons I created the new Colour Manual. As well as showing you which is your best Dominant (Light, Deep, Warm, Cool, Bright or Soft) it will also tell you how to discover your secondary colouring; are you better in warmer or cooler colours and for Warm and Soft Dominants are you better in Bright or more Muted colours?

Once you know the answers to those questions you can start to personalise your colour palette by adding in colours that you love. Although you may have a Dominant palette with 30 or so colours in it, there are actually hundreds you can actually wear. Shades of the same colour in slightly lighter or darker hues will also work for you. If there is a colour you love that isn’t in your palette, you...

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Mini Capsule Wardrobes To Suit Your Colouring

This post contains affiliate links.

One of my most popular posts ever on the blog was about 4 years ago, but it still sends me traffic pretty much everyday. So this week I thought I would create a new version of 6 mini capsule wardrobes to suit your colouring. I was going to create a video but when I came to edit it, part of the film was blurred (agh) but I think it probably works better as a blog post anyway – Phew!

If you watched last week’s video about why I don’t believe in seasonal colour analysis, you will have seen that I talked about bringing in your personality to you colour palette. Sometimes – and it’s not infrequently – I have clients who don’t actually like the colours that suit them physically. To make a colour palette that works for them and that they are happy to wear, I make some adjustments. In fact it’s really common that those with Bright colouring don’t want to wear a bright red lipstick that should look...

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A Summer Capsule Wardrobe in Earthy Tones

If you are about to go away and haven’t thought about what to pack, here is a done for you, Summer capsule wardrobe in this season’s earthy tones. There are only 11 pieces to pack, plus accessories to give you more than 2 weeks of outfits. For this smart casual capsule, I have included pieces that can be dressed up for evenings or worn more casually during the day. Although these pieces would easily pack into one carry on bag, they also make a great capsule to wear at home during the heat too.

I have included linen and silk pieces (roll when packing to minimise creasing) to stay cool in, but also to add a touch of luxury. When you are packing light, remember to add accessories so that you can change the looks. Pack your jewellery into one of the handbags to save space. With this capsule I have only included 2 pairs of shoes, but if you want to add another pair you can wear them to travel. For your travel outfit choose pieces that tone with the capsule and you can create...

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