Aug
10
I spy a trend ALERT!! No more LBD this season, it’s all about the LWD. Team with gladiator sandals on the days the sun still shines, wear with nude accessories for a relaxed look, team with black jacket and black flats for an instant Channel feel that would be perfect for the office, and wear with black heels and black clutch for a fun evening look. So versatile, so now!
Remember 2 things: 1 – flesh cloured underwear, as white can be see through; and 2, napkins when you eat! You don’t want ketchup ruining the monochrome look you’ve pieced together so carefully.
So go for it ladies, try a new LWD to bring your wardrobe up to date. And of course the other brilliant thing about this trend is, if it doesn’t last or you decide it’s not for you, you can always dye the dress black for the winter! Perfect!
Mar
02
Spring is definitely on it’s way so to celebrate this week I’ve put together my must haves for the new season that will suit most body shapes and sizes. We’re all familiar with the feeling of seeing a new trend, falling in love with it, rushing out to try it on… only to discover it’s the most unflattering and awful trend for your shape no matter how you wear it! Here’s our spring-inspiration for 2010!
Spring Clothing
This season I’m not even going to mention the word ‘mini shorts’. They look set to make some big appearances this year, but problem is they’re incredibly difficult to pull off for anyone over the age of 15. One trend I am keen to here that should be hanging around is the structured jacket and denim jacket which are flattering for just about everyone and an ideal way to update your spring look with one staple piece.
Patterns and prints are also set to be a big favourite this spring and summer – our tip for a pattern that suits pretty much everyone? Polka Dot! Whether you wear them big and bold in contrasting colours or small and petite in pretty pastels, there’s a polka dot design that’s perfect for you. Outfits with small polka dots on a structured dress or skirt are great for the office, while big bold prints are fabulous for a retro vintage look on a casual summer dress. The bonus? The bold print means your new denim jacket or boyfriend blazer will look great over the top! Wear with flat ballet pumps for daywear and add a pair of heels for evening wear and you’ve got a foolproof summer look.
Accessories
The simplest way to freshen your look for Spring – Summer 2010 is of course by updating your accessories. Oversize bags are still the style for 2010, so if you haven’t got a great size carry all, it’s time to invest. The great thing about bags however is that if you buy a quality one that you love that goes with everything, you don’t need to buy them too often.
If you’re trying to save this season, opt of bold accessories from high street stores with reasonable prices, such as this amazing bangle at plus size fashion retailer Elvi, or these fabulous earrings from Topshop.com:
Mar
02
When spring comes difficult decisions have to be made, do you shed the heavy winter coats for a strappy top and sacrifice the warmth? It’s this transitional period that can cause great dilemmas due to the sun being out but it’s still really cold. Transitional dressing is the way to avoid this unpredictable season and make the most of those cold, crisp sunny days.
Start off by checking your wardrobe for any spring clothing that’s already there hidden away at the back. Then separate your heavy winter items from your lighter clothes. White and light pastel shades are these seasons’ colours and go well with the cool weather. Switching fabrics will make a big difference to your wardrobe such as wool to wool blends and silk to cotton. Put a few of your warmer weather outfits back into your wardrobe as well as a warm waterproof coat, if the weather takes a turn for the worst as it can turn very quickly and you don’t want to be stranded with nothing to wear.
Now, it’s all about swapping, changing and accessorising. Thick tights with a tunic instead of wearing it with jeans will give it that spring look and still keep you nice and warm. Pairing a light coloured dress with a few different darker coloured autumn cardigans with keep the outfit looking different, new and fresh plus will have the added bonus of keeping you warm. The same can be done with belts giving the dress a new statement each time it is worn.
Having a spring suit in the closet is an essential; Roman Originals have great new spring additions for a classy neutral look. Suits can be used for all occasions in your spring diary, just by accessorising they can be transformed from business to party and will give a great fresh look.
Meanwhile for those spring parties it is important to have a piece of evening wear which can be time and again. Try opting for a light coloured dress to reflect the change in temperatures and to brighten up those spring evenings. Try choosing a classic piece of evening wear which can be combined with a number of different accessories to create a different look each time. What’s more although spring sees a rise in temperatures it is often still very cold and as such you should always remember to team your choice of evening wear with a cover up of some sort. Shrugs and boleros are a great choice when it comes to more formal events, whilst cardigans are better suited to more casual settings.
I think the biggest must for the spring are hats. They are a great compliment to most outfits and can be worn throughout the day giving you a chic look and will keep you warm making the transition to summer that bit easier.
Building your spring wardrobe is no easy task and with the credit crunch taking full force buying any new attire can prove expensive. Shops are feeling the strain as much as we are so try shopping online to get some great deals. Make sure you accessorise this spring to get the most out of your clothes, be creative with cool airy colours and enjoy the return of the sun.
Jul
05
The days are far behind us now when all office staff wore tailored suits for the working day and, indeed, some wear casual clothes almost as a kind of uniform.
Many companies such as building societies, banks, etc. provide matching uniforms for their staff to wear which takes away the choice completely, but I do think a smart corporate image is essential even in these modern times. I always find I take the company and the staff members far more seriously if they are smartly dressed. It creates a very professional impression.
In many offices recently I have noticed that some of the workers always dress smartly but some do not, and it surprises me that the management do not state a policy one way or the other. Of course, nowadays, we also have ‘dress down’ days so, even in workplaces where uniforms or smart clothing is expected to be worn, for a small amount of money, usually a donation for a charity, workers can wear casual clothing for the day. This is a very good but simple way of raising funds for those in need.
Jul
03
In this day & age, when everything is getting faster, who can be bothered with a tailored suit. Lunchtimes (therefore shopping times) are getting shorter, offices are moving outwith cities and into huge business parks and most importantly clothes are getting cheaper to buy.
A suit used to be something that took a whole Saturday, fathers would take sons to buy their first suit and it would be a coming of age experience. Nowadays even the supermarkets sell them. Which is not quite as memorable a location for the father son bonding experience.
The fact is that a more expensive tailored suit only looks more expensive to those in the know. Worn by a confident individual it will look expensive to everyone except those in the know. Who probably have the same supermarket suit on as well. Because why pay quadruple the price for something that doesn’t look four times better.
Jul
01
There was a time in the not too distant past that if you went for an interview in for an office job you would wear a smart suit with shirt and smart shoes and bag. This is no longer the case.
I recently made the transisition from a fashion retail career where you could were almost anything as long as it was stylish to an office career. Before embarking on this new journey I bought many smart blouses, trousers, pencil skirts and shift dresses. Approximately 2 weeks into my new role I was wearing jersey dresses and flat ballet pumps. The perception of what is smart and acceptable office wear has shifted dramatically for women. As long as there is no denim or logo tees and you are well groomed then almost anything goes. Team the chosen outfit with smart accessories and it is perfectly acceptable.
Unfortunately for men, it is more difficult to move away from the suit, shirt and tie look to be taken seriously in business. How sexist we are!
Jun
30
Tailored suits are increasingly becoming a thing of the past. As they become less and less popular, the price of them continues to rise. While a tailored suit is undoubtedly the best option if looking for that one special suit, high street retailers are now able to offer a large range of sizes and fits for a much cheaper price.
In any department store one will be able to find slim fitting suits, comfort suits, traditional suits etc. usually avaliable in all sizes. This has somewhat ended the need for tailored suits.
The modern consumer is looking for convenience in suits that don’t necessarily need to be dry cleaned. meanwhile, even some low paid jobs now require employees to wear a suit, day in day out. Many can no longer afford to but a tailored suit, let alone several different ones!
As more and more retailers offer suits and supermarkets begin to seek a share in the market, it is likely that tailored suits will become evermore expensive and even less common in today’s workplace.
