50 TIPS TO ACHIEVING STYLE WITH CONFIDENCE
1. Planning
Don’t leave your outfit until the last minute, you don’t want to end up feeling uncomfortable. Make the sure outfit is going to fit you. If you need to go shopping for something new then allow plenty of time.
2. Wear clothes that flatter you.
a. Wear clothes that show off your best assets ie: your body shape, weight and height, etc.
b. Be careful who you ask - remember not all friends and family will be honest with you for fear of hurting your feelings and be sure to ask someone who is going to be true to you.
3. Make the best of what you have.
a. Enhance the best part of your body.
b. Change the look of your clothes you already have.
c. Changing how your wardrobe looks can make a big difference.
4. Tummy Trouble
a. Dress to minimise it. Staying away from pleats and zips will help. Look for flat fronted trousers with zips and buttons at the side.
b. Don’t wear jackets that sit on the waist.
c. Time of the month: Wear floaty tops, dresses and wraps.
5. Buxom Babe
a. Avoid boxy jackets that are tight fitting. Choose fabric that skim rather than cling.
b. Wear a ‘v’ neck rather than a high neck sweater and no chunky knits. By wearing an open necked top will break up the chest area and create more of a waist.
6. Small but perfect
a. There is always some problem with our bodies, even if you do look perfect to other people.
b. You need to give the illusion that you are taller. Avoid cropped trousers with flat shoes, wear cropped with a heal.
c. Slimmer legged trousers that finish at your heel.
d. If you keep to one set colour from head to toe, this will also give the illusion of length.
e. Vertical stripes and pin-stripes.
7. UK’s most common shape – The Pear
a. Avoid accentuating those hips. Avoid bias cut skirts and dresses. A-line skirts in heavier fabrics work well.
b. Look for book cut or wide-leg trousers.
c. Balance out your silhouette.
8. Get the balance right in your wardrobe.
a. Is it a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack?
b. Charity shops are brilliant and recycling with friends is a good idea.
c. Call me and we can have a party.
9. Wear more than a third of your wardrobe.
a. Well you should do but there’s not many people out there that actually do!
b. A professional wardrobe makeover session would help greatly in organisation, assessing what is needed and gain an easy to manage wardrobe free of mistake buys.
10. Look in the mirror.
a. Get into the habit of telling yourself that you are lovely everyday.
b. Like what you see.
c. Get to know your body shape.
d. In the U.K are bodies are covered up so frequently.
e. Invest in a full length mirror.
11. Accessories can really make such a difference to any outfit.
a. Whether its a belt, ear-rings, necklace, bag or scarf, hairpiece or hat.
b. The above can add different colours to a block of colour.
c. Add sparkle to a plain outfit.
d. Wear accessories in different ways.
12. Large bags make your body appear smaller.
a. The large bags at the moment are great.
b. Also if you go to watch a girlie flick, perfect for carrying that bottle of wine and nibbles with your girlfriends.
13. Wear heels to feel feminine.
a. Even if you are tall – girls please wear heels. No excuses.
b. Hold your head up high.
c. What can I say there is not a girl out there that stays in trainers or flats all her life! Is there?
d. The glitz and glamour with shoes now is so on to another level. The shapes and designs are super sexy.
14. Glamour with shades
a. Great if you feel self-conscious in your bikini, you can hide behind them.
b. Large shades are still on trend.
c. They may look great on a celeb in a magazine but dreadful once you try them on – eveyone’s face shape is different to the next person.
d. Have fun in the sun and don’t always opt for designer.
e. Shades are to me like a piece of jewellery.
f. Opt for the cheaper ranges and buy more styles to go with your different trends.
15. Petites look great in hats that gives the illusion of height.
a. Of course petite girls can still wear hats – try a few on to make sure your face isn’t covered.
b. The cowboy hat is still on trend and great for that safari look thats in at the moment.
c. Opt for a hair piece to also gain height.
16. Use trend pieces to compliment your own signature.
a. Fashion trends change so frequently but find out how to get the best out of your wardrobe utilising key pieces.
b. Not everyone can buy everything designer and in fashion. Let me help by giving you a wardrobe makeover session.
c. Why copy celebrities? Use them to help you gain your own unique look.
17. You really don’t have to imitate celebs to find your own style.
a. Create your look, your signature, we all have one and we are all unique.
b. Lets organise a personal style shopping session just for you.
c. You will see what I mean.
18. Don’t stick to the same shades of colour.
a. Fashion is all about having fun.
b. Have fun with patterns of colour.
c. Let me loose on your wardrobe – it generally will only take a morning or an afternoon session.
d. Look at your skin tone.
e. Your hair colour makes such a difference to what shades you can wear. It doesn’t have to end up you buying more clothes.
f. Look at shades that bring out the colour of your eyes.
g. Some colours can be very draining and you end up looking totally washed out.
19. Get down to basics and dress it up.
a. Wear your basic clothes, your everyday clothes and dress them up with accessories.
b. Wear your hair a different style with a basic wardrobe garment.
c. A belt, scarf or large bag in trend will work wonders.
d. Balance out your outfit correctly.
20. Mums at school gates want to look chic with no effort.
a. Do you turn up looking a little dishevelled? Not wanting to get out of the car? Accessories can really make a difference.
b. Once you have the basics of your wardrobe looking right, getting to know what will suit your new body shape perhaps you will feel a lot more confident.
c. Keep make up to a minimum.
d. Perhaps you are out all day whilst your child is at school and you have an event in the afternoon but no time to change. I can help you get ready effortlessly depending on your days events.
21. Don’t give into nature.
a. Keep the look simple. Less is often more.
b. Keep the heavier make up when the lights are shining on you.
c. Exercise when you can. However small the amount is, its worth it and so are you and it doesn’t have to be visiting the gym.
d. Never think you are too old.
e. I can help you gain that confidence boost.
22. Keep fashion fun.
a. Enjoy the experience and don’t just buy for the sake of it.
b. A bit of retail therapy is good but only if you know what you are buying. You don’t want to waste more time taking it back, do you? No rash decisions and don’t waste money.
c. Find out the best places to shop before you venture out.
d. Give me a call and book me for a special day home or abroad, a UK resident or tourist visiting.
e. Allow yourself time.
23. Be comfortable.
a. Wear comfortable shoes when shopping, there is nothing worse than getting ready for a shop and after two shops your feet have had enough and you have ended up buying a pair of comfortable shoes you really won’t wear again, it’s only because it was the nearest shop to you!
b. Work shoes are also important and can be comfortable as well as stylish.
c. Gel soles that go in shoes/sandals are brilliant for an evening of dancing.
24. Hands
a. Moisterising hands will help their dryness.
b. Avoid chipped nail polish at all times. Chipped polish shows cheapness and untidiness.
c. Never bite your nails or skin surrounding them.
25. Designer wear does not always mean style.
a. Mix and match is what I say.
b. Vintage shops are great.
c. High Street designers are brilliant in copying the catwalk styles.
d. Remember the garment has to suit you never just buy because of the label.
26. You are in a rush and late, there’s make up over your shirt.
a. Drape an old silk scarf over your head before pulling on your top to avoid those make up stains.
27. Don’t match your handbag with your shoes.
a. There is still a well known shoe shop that loves to do this!
b. It’s so old hat.
28. No to tattoos.
Express yourself with your clothes, make up and hair. If you make a mistake it doesn’t have to be so costly and its easier to discard.
29. Wardrobe look
a. Wooden hangers in your wardrobe will take care of your clothes and will also look great.
b. Get some clear shoe boxes to show off your shoes – perfect for finding that pair when you are in a rush.
30. Mean business at work
a. Dress correctly and don’t be drab.
b. Take pride in your appearance even if you are at work.
c. Be tidy. Be confident and go for that promotion.
31. Don’t be a smaller size purchaser.
a. The label in your outfit can easily be cut out if it bothers you. Seriously its how the outfit looks on you, not the size.
b. Sizes vary from store to store.
32. Leather can be lethal.
a. What more is there to say.
b. Leather belts are great, leather jewellery but leather trousers?
c. Leather jackets can look really stylish.
d. Keep leather for the bikers.
33. Don’t end up buying accessories last .
Perhaps save money and pair them up with something out of your wardrobe.
34. Show off your figure.
a. Baggy clothes have no shape and should never be in your wardrobe.
b. Don’t wear your partners clothes!
c. We do all have a waist.
d. A personal stylist is not just for the rich and famous.
35. Patterns
a. Be careful with patterns, prints, horizontal and vertical stripes as these can give the opposite effect.
36. Repairs
a. Find a good tailor.
b. You can easily take out trouser pockets if they are not sitting comfortably for you.
c. Repair your own clothes. Don’t just throw them somewhere and forget about them.
d. Recycling is great.
37. Where are your garments made?
a. Who is making your clothes? Look at your labels.
b. Buy at least one organic item of clothing when you can.
38. Washing Instructions
a. Please read the label before you wash so you don’t lose that favourite piece of yours – or even worse perhaps you have borrowed from a friend!
39. Footwear
a. Scuffed shoes, horrendous heels is a definite NO unless you want to ruin that outfit you have just bought.
b. Show off your feet with painted toe nails. Wear open toe shoes/sandals.
c. Try out different styled heels as well as different heights.
40. Every girl needs a little black number.
a. So versatile. Whatever the season.
b. Dress it down for the day and dress it up for the night.
c. Sexy.
d. Don’t wear if you want to stand out of the crowd as can make you a little invisible.
41. Foundation
a. Underwear is where it starts.
b. A good reputable lingerie store will fit you for free. 70% of women in UK wear ill-fitting bras.
c. A good fitting bra will definitely lift your bust and enhance your boobs whether small or large.
d. This will make such a difference to your tops, blouses and jackets.
42. Knickers
a. Wear pretty knickers and stay clear from the ‘thong’.
b. No VPL though.
c. Wear flesh coloured underwear under light coloured clothes.
43. Trousers/Jeans
Just watch that crotch girls, you know what I mean.
Not everyone can wear tight trousers.
44. Short skirt, no boobs on show.
That’s an obvious one. Get to really know what’s right and wrong and get the style that is right for your body figure.
45. Hair
a. Wear your hair in different ways and never keep to one look for too long.
b. Keep your hair in tip top condition.
c. Colour can really change a look of an outfit.
46. A personal stylist for fashion is a great investment to save you money in the long run and is not just for the rich and famous.
47. Posture
Stand tall, shoulders back and stomach held in comfortably.
48. Trends
Remember never overdo a trend. Stick thin teenagers are able to wear a head-to-toe trend.
Adapt the trend for you with either basic or classic items.
49. Experiment
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lengths, styles and colours, you never have to keep to the same look, why not try other looks that you will also enjoy and ALWAYS get good professional advice.
50. You
You are most important. Fashion is about you not the trend or label. Use media for ideas.
Put the images you see in the media into perspective – in real life people come in all shapes and sizes.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my style tips.
Best Wishes
Michelle-Claire
Fashion Stylist x x
