SUCCESS FOR #STYLEHUNTERS

Our #STYLEHUNTERS event at The Guildhall Shopping Centre from 30-31st May in collaboration with Stafford FM and Go Ape has proved ‘extremely popular’ with customers in Stafford and ‘hugely successful’ with the centre’s management team.  

Last weekend #STYLEHUNTERS arrived at the Guildhall Shopping Centre where the team ran a treasure hunt and invited customers to follow a series of clues around the shopping centre that took them into twenty-four shops across the centre to seek the answers.

Anne Graham, Marketing Manager at the Guildhall said “We were absolutely thrilled with the response to the event. Over the course of the 2 days over 400 people followed the clues around the shops. The feedback from our store managers and our customers has been extremely positive and I think everyone has had a good time. We are very grateful for the support shown by Stafford FM who joined us for the 2 days and also to Go Ape who sponsored the event”.

First prize went to Kelly Bradley who completed the trail with her son Tyler and won the top prize of £100 of shopping vouchers. Two runner-up prizes of £50 of shopping vouchers went to Mark Davys and Kelly Griffiths and 4 prizes of £25 voucher went to each of people putting the best photos on the Guildhall’s Facebook page. They were Daisy Heys, Grace Hawkins, Aidan Doran and Holly. All of our winners come from Stafford and Stone.

Every participant received a free gift and there were spot prizes throughout the day including over £450 worth of vouchers to the Go Ape Forest Adventure and other prizes donated by Guildhall stores. A full gallery of the images from the event and snapshots of some of our spot prize winners can be seen here.

The #STYLEHUNTERS concept was developed by Hannah Jean of Find My Style and Laraine Robathan-Field of LRF Style as part of their Only On The High Street consultancy . We would like to thank everyone who made the event a success!

RETAIL THERAPY OR THERAPY FOR RETAIL?

I saw this little sign and it made me smile but it also made me think about what shopping has come to mean to us. We know it ticks a lot of boxes. When we get the outfit right, we look good so we feel good. 
A compliment about our purchase raises our self esteem and we know the influence of power dressing. Affordable fashion has encouraged us to chase trends and because it's cheap, we've been told it's okay to throw it away.  It's so tempting to go out and get our next fix or satisfy our cravings. 







Shopping for clothes has become a social pastime, it helps the economy and with faster and faster broadbands the next purchase is just one click away. Shopping has a massive influence on our wallets, self image and even our storage space. However, I pose a  controversial question. Are we buying too much and are some of us in danger of becoming shopaholics needing therapy for our shopping addiction?

Aargh I hear you say! Here's someone who makes a living from selling image telling us that shopping is bad for us. Not at all,  I acknowledge all the good stuff about shopping and I love seeing people transformed by their purchases. I love dressing up and a beautiful pair of shoes can still make my heart flutter.  However, I try to practise what I preach and be selective about my purchases. When I am tempted, I ask myself this question when I'm in the changing room, "do I like this better than what I was wearing when I came in?" 

I have discovered so many times, when I've been hired to edit and review a client's wardrobe, a little gem that they had forgotten they had or didn't know what to put with it. We can lose touch with what we already have and really we should look carefully at what we need to buy before we rush out to buy more. 

BEACH BOYS

Ever since Daniel Craig showed off his trunks  in Casino Royale, men’s swimwear has been under the spotlight. There’s a huge range to choose from, however, it’s just as important for guys to follow a few style guidelines as us ladies. I’ll keep this brief haha:

• Choose a style that flatters your physique in a colour that suits you.
• Decide if they are fit for purpose. If you are going to be doing a lot of swimming as opposed to posing on the yacht then you need practical and dependable fabrics.
• Board shorts should end at mid knee. Anything longer and you will look like a surfer which is okay if that's what you do.
• Forget thongs and mankinis.
• If you are average height to tall with a tidy body you will look good in most styles but try some pattern or bright colour rather than dark and plain.

Burtonmenswear/prshots.com

• Tall & thin - avoid vertical strips and go for horizontal. Full cut but not baggy, traditional board shorts will work, avoid skimpy briefs.
• Tall & big build - go for a dark coloured board short or opt for a micro pattern.
• Short with tidy body - you can go with trunks or boxers. Board shorts should have a shorter inseam. Make sure that they don't hang over over the knee, they will make you look shorter. Look for vertical stripes.

Matalan/prshots.com
Low contrast vertical stripes

• Short & thin - opt for trunks or slim fit boards with short inseam. Look for small pattern or low contrast vertical stripes.
• Short & contoured. Look for higher cut leg to give illusion of longer legs. Darker colours will be slimming and try vertical stripes providing they are not too bold. You may be better going for a bigger size with a button fastening than an elasticated waist.

WATER BABIES

A beach holiday would never be on my bucket list and for someone who has to be pulled screaming and kicking from her winter wardrobe, swimwear doesn't feature strongly in my wardrobe. In fact, I have one reversible bikini, one swimsuit and one cover up, all of which would be considered vintage!  I will confess to a few sun hats and several pairs of sunglasses. 

TU at Sainsburys

I know, however, that many people love nothing better and can't wait to put their holiday wardrobe together. Buying swimwear has to be one of our most strategic purchases, after all we are about to bare a huge amount of skin!  The same principles apply to choosing swimwear as to the rest of our outfits. We want to make sure it fits and feels good, accentuates our favourite parts and disguises our least favourite bits.  We want one in a flattering colour and style so that when we eventually hit the beach and drop the towel we feel confident.

Here are my thoughts on figure flattering swimwear:

Phase Eight 

• Think about what you need it for - do you just want to lounge around the pool or do some serious swimming. If it's the latter it needs to be practical and dependable, forget the bling.
• If you are a pear shape, wider at the hips, look for details and brighter colours on the top half and darker colours on the bottom half.
• If you're worried about your tummy, a one piece is the best solution or a tankini would be another option. Look for ruching at the waist to camouflage the stomach. Draw the eye upwards with a v neck or details at the shoulder.

  

  Marisota 




• Ruffles and frills give the illusion of more, so if you want to amplify your boobs go ahead with the details. A moulded cup with slight padding will also do the trick.



Dorothy Perkins

• If you are tall avoid vertical stripes, high necklines and solid colours. Look for patterns or two tone styles and brightly coloured swimwear. A plunging neckline will balance out proportions  and horizontal lines at the midsection will help to define the waist.                                                                        

Debenhams

• Petites can turn heads in prints but keep the the size of the pattern in proportion to   your size. The smaller you are the smaller the pattern should be.

George at ASDA

• For those with bigger busts  a halter neck will offer support and create great cleavage.  Shirring on the bottom half will draw the eye downwards if you want to divert attention.

Bouxavenue

• Sarongs and kaftans can cover a multitude of sins. Be stylish and find one that co-ordinates or matches your swimsuit or bikini.  If you are still concerned about exposing your bod remember that fabulous accessories can distract the eye as well as protect from the sun. Invest in a great pair of sunglasses, hat, flip flops and beach bag.

  

  Accessorize

  
  

  

  Debenhams

  
  

  

  Accessorize

  Happy Holiday!
  
  
  Thanks to prshots.com for all images

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

We are continually exposed to pictures of beautiful people and it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves unfavourably to these unrealistic ideals. Whilst some are undoubtedly natural beauties we also know that the photographs we see have often been airbrushed, the best lighting will have been used and a team of expert make-up artists, hairdressers and stylists will have brought their skills to the shoot. So someone may not be 'perfect' but the rest of the world can be made to believe that they are! 

Chances are that the person being photographed has some insecurities about their appearance that we wouldn't have even noticed or seen as a flaw. I once met a 'Miss Universe', who having won the contest, had her lips surgically enhanced. I was puzzled as to why a woman who was considered to be one of the most beautiful women on the planet (oops Universe), needed that treatment. However, many clients later, I have come to realise that everyone has moments of self doubt and negative self esteem.

Well it's time to be kind to yourself and think about the positives! I want you to think about your 3 best features and write them down. If modesty prevents you from thinking like this or you're not sure, ask your friends and family and think about compliments you have received. Next, think about ways to draw attention to and accentuate those features. Likewise, consider ways of deflecting attention from those parts of your body you are least happy with. 

Remember to use eye catching details to draw attention to the part of your body that you want to emphasise.

For example, if you prefer your legs to your arms invest in fabulous shoes to draw attention to your pins.

Office

If you want to divert attention from your hips and thighs, draw attention up to your face and neck with eye catching earrings or scarf.

La Redoute

If you've got a fabulous back show it off in a backless dress.

www.olvistrend.com

If you like your thighs, skinny jeans will reveal your shapely assets, however, if you think your thighs are too full then counterbalance them with a boot cut jean.

La Redoute

La Redoute

If you are concerned about your arms keep them covered and look for 3/4 length sleeves that finish at the slimmest point of your arm. If you've got pretty and well toned arms, show them off in a sleeveless top.

 River Island Clothing Company Ltd.

If you think you've got great abs show them off in fitted tops and sweaters but if you are worried about a bulging tummy disguise it with ruching or an empire waistline and at all costs avoid low rise jeans.


Flatter a great cleavage with a v-neck top or draw attention to it with a pendant necklace. A ruffled neckline will highlight your décolleté.

La Redoute

Fenn Wright Manson

www.vestryonline.com

Use colour strategically, remembering that as a general rule dark colours minimise and light colours highlight. Likewise fabric finishes can reveal or conceal. Matt fabrics will minimise and shiny fabrics maximise. 

Stripes are a great way of creating illusions, vertical lines will elongate and horizontal lines will widen.



All images from www.prshots.com

Trend Liberation

The good news about the coming season is that anything goes.  The key message is to be relaxed and to express your individuality rather than be dictated to or reprimanded for not wearing the season's 'in' colour or shape. Women everywhere, of all shapes and sizes and of all ages have cried out for fashion that fits with their moods and personality and gives a versatile and varied wardrobe. Ladies you won't be disappointed, a cornucopia of wearable trends await you. Just use your imagination and remember the idea is for you to own the look not the other way round! 

All images http://www.prshots.com

Welcome to the fold. Pleats or origami folds make for super sharp tailoring.
Skirt from River Island

Anorak or trench? Thankfully, planet fashion meets planet practical.
Ovoid mac from Next

It wouldn't be spring without  florals.
House of Fraser floral prom dress

Glossy silk and satin gives the sporty bomber jacket
über glam. Team it with jeans and heels for evening.
Marks and Spencer Limited Edition Jacquard Bomber

Battered, frayed, patchwork,
or faded. Ladylike or street smart, denim
remains a favourite. Denim shirt dress from Next

Bling it on! Embellishment continues its appeal
 Skirt from River Island 

A quiet word or two!. Typography is in abundance.
Be subtle with this one. It's not about making
 headlines. Sweatshirt from La Redoubte

Sheer, transparent, will-o-the wisp fabrics and floaty layers add a touch of romance.
All items from Marks and Spencer

There's nothing square about checks, gingham and plaid.
A roll over from last season but in lighter weight fabrics.
Trousers from River Island

It's a work of art. Fierce tribal prints, bold colour palettes and oversized add ons feature strongly as do tassels, trims and other exotic embellishments.
Dress & bag from River Island 

The Art of Shopping

http://prshots.com/image/details/194723

Betty Barclay

One of my favourite films is Pretty Woman and I love it when Julia Roberts gets the opportunity to kick sand in the faces of the snooty sales staff on Rodeo Drive. Let's face it we've all probably been made to feel like that at some time or another which brings me to my point of today's blog. Shopping can be hard work and overwhelming!

Hopefully, the service that Miss Roberts received is confined to the annals of retail history and sales staff everywhere are much more attuned to the customer. However, we can help ourselves to become better shoppers and achieve retail contentment. We want to enjoy the shopping experience, spend our hard earned cash wisely and build a wardrobe of clothes that will give us confidence and love wearing. 

Here are a few tips:

• Know what works for your colouring, body shape and proportions - that means knowing what colours and styles suit you best and which fabrics, cuts and patterns are most flattering. Having this knowledge means you can zone in on items, saving you time, effort and money.
• Buy clothes to suit your lifestyle and don't build a wardrobe on fantasy. You may dream of floaty dresses and killer heels but if you spend more time in trousers and flats it makes sense to allocate more of your budget to those items that you will actually wear rather than collect dust at the back of the wardrobe. Look for items items that will add versatility and range to your wardrobe.
• Don't be lured by the sales. It's only a bargain if you are going to wear it. Better to look for classic pieces that stand the test of time and basics, such as white shirts and black trousers that work as building blocks for the rest of your wardrobe.
• Think about cost per wear. If an item carries a hefty price tag but you know you will wear it over and over again then see it as an investment.
• Get to know the places and staff where you shop and find out about their return policies, loyalty schemes, discounts and price matching. Check out whether they offer extra perks like free alterations or private viewing. 
• Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and put back on and wear seamless bra and pants.  If you are looking for a specific outfit make sure to take with you the accompanying shoes, underwear or accessories.
• Your clothes should look up to date without you being a slave to fashion. Invest in garments that you know are right for you and only choose high fashion pieces if they flatter you or if you want to add a personal touch. 
• If you find a basic item such as trousers or t-shirt that ticks all the boxes, by all means buy in more than one colour. However, avoid buying the same prints in different colours because you will soon get tired of them.
• Make your clothes interesting. Pair an item of designer clothing or accessory with budget finds. A higher quality item will upgrade everything it is worn with. For unique style mix a high fashion piece with a classic.
• If in doubt, go away and think about it. 
• Less is more! Don't overbuy and don't cram wardrobes to a point where you can't see what you've got in there. 
• Never feel pressurised into buying something.
• WEAR IT AND ENJOY IT!