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!

MEGA MONDAY

Mega Monday, Cyber Monday, or Spend, Spend, Spend Monday - I think most people indulged in a little online shopping this week. 

I like online shopping, I like it a lot but it's not without problems. it can be just as overwhelming, time consuming and delivery can be a pain. However, on the whole, it's easy, convenient and it's here to stay but does it mean the demise of the high-street?

High-street retailers can give us customer experiences that we will never get online but for sure they have to up their game. Dynamic, energetic and knowledgeable sales staff would be a good start and clean changing rooms, unrestricted number of items when trying on and prices to match those on the internet should be the norm. However, customers love to feel special and valued and retailers need to invest in ways that show that. 

I recently took a client to an independent high-street retailer where we were warmly greeted and offered refreshments. Clothes were displayed in colour themes, well spaced out with just one of each size on display and there was room to move around. Staff were happy to fetch other sizes or to answer questions. Alterations were free of charge, a discount was given to compete with Cyber Monday, items were carefully wrapped and a free pair of tights added to the parcel.

I asked my client about her experience and she said that she loved it because it put the feel good factor back into shopping and she felt her custom was valued. Will she go back? You bet!

If we don't use it we'll lose it. Give the retailers your feedback, negative or positive!

SHOPPING THE TRENDS

My wardrobe is definitely more suited to the autumn/winter season; it's the time of year where I get to dress up and be creative with my outfits.  I love layering and indulging in luxurious fabrics. 

Exposed to all the latest a/w trends it's tempting for me to get carried away, therefore, I decide what I want to buy before hitting the shops. Wandering around aimlessly can be demoralising as well as time wasting so I make myself a wish list. The one rule I do have, no matter what the season, is that the trend must suit me. I like to be fashion savvy not a fashion victim.

The key pieces for me this season would be:

WALLIS

0844 984 0266

www.wallis.co.uk

The Coat 
Always a big style investment and a favourite autumn/winter purchase. This year is no exception with styles ranging from oversized to streamlined, tomboy to womanly. Whilst neutral colours remain a popular choice, think about investing in a coloured, bright coat as seen on the catwalks. It will give your autumn wardrobe an instant update, add a new dynamic to your outfit and bring cheer to a dull, grey day. Given the British weather you will probably get to wear a  coat for a good chunk of the year so value per wear it’s a winner.

DOROTHY PERKINS

0845 121 4515

www.dorothyperkins.com

The Flat Shoe 
Loafers, brogues and oxfords are this season’s alternative to the ballet pump. Look out for silver and gold for extra polish. 

The Sweater & the Skirt

DOROTHY PERKINS

0845 121 4515

www.dorothyperkins.com

Embrace femininity and invest in a skirt. Knee length and longer are the order of the day in keeping with the more womanly and elegant trend. Pleats are flirty and the full circle skirt reminiscent of retro glamour.

The sweater and skirt combination featured heavily at the shows. Keep the sweater on the slouchy side and go for a skirt cut to the knee.  You will find an abundance of embellished sweaters if you want to add some razzle dazzle to your outfit.

Finally, a word on colour! Pink - a welcome injection of colour and femininity to our autumn and winter wardrobes! Anything pink from the palest rosebud to dusky rose. It looks great when teamed with grey, navy or black. 
Tip: Cooler complexions look best with the icy pinks and warmer complexions with coral or salmon pinks.

DON'T SAVE IT FOR BEST

My philosophy regarding getting the most out of my clothes is:  

“Wear it and love it. Don’t save it for best, best is everyday.” 

Given that I have a few fashion years and purchases under my belt, I've had the opportunity and life experiences to reach that conclusion but I was surprised the other day to hear the same mantra from a 15 year old fashionista. 

I was admiring her jacket. She told me she had bought it at an auction and that it had once belonged to a famous singer. She went on to tell me that she never has it off her back! She wears it whether she's meeting the girls for coffee or cleaning her bike. She loves it and when she wears it she feels special. How's that for style?!

So don't put your clothes into the holy shrine of 'only for best'. If it's a fashion item chances are you will get fed up of it before you can wear it out so wear it whilst it's still cutting edge and get your money's worth.  If it's a classic, with good care and maintenance, it will serve you well for many years.

HAPPY FEET

This weekend I was lucky enough to work with a very talented group of dancers at a marketing event at the Potteries INTU Shopping Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. High energy dance routines and scorching temperatures called for several wardrobe changes but the crew nailed it! Shoppers couldn't help but tap their feet!

http://www.marilynjonesdancecentre.com

BODY LINES

Clients often ask me about bodyshape and are intrigued to know whether they are pear, apple, diamond or triangular. In the first instance, however, I encourage them to think about their overall silhouette and whether the outline is straight or curved or a combination of both.

Complement the line of your body by using similar lines in your clothing. Curvier body lines benefit from a contour in the pattern or drape in the fabric whereas straighter body lines are complemented by geometric patterns and stiffer fabrics.

Once the bodylines have been identified we can then think about disguising

common figure variations or enhancing our best assets. I'll cover these in a future blog.

STRAIGHT CLOTHING DETAILS 

Jackets - square shoulder lines, square hemline, asymmetrical fastening, contrasting buttons and trims

Lapels - pointed or square, straight, stand up, piped 

Necklines - square, v-neck, slash, shirt collar

Sleeves - set in, square shoulders, cap or short sleeve, stiff cuff

Pockets - well defined, square, piped, slit

Hemlines - straight

Pleats - pressed down, stitched down

Darts - long and straight, sharply defined

Seams - well defined, perma creased, top stitching, piping

Belts - angular clasps

Buttons - angular

Fabrics - stiff, structured, crisp

Cuts - straight, angular, boxy, masculine

CURVED CLOTHING DETAILS

Jackets - curved hem, rounded shoulder lines

Lapels - rounded, notched, shawl

Necklines - round, draped, shawled, cowl

Sleeves - raglan, drop shoulder

Darts - soft

Pleats - eased, soft

Seams - curved, fine or no top stitching

Belts - soft materials, rounded clasps

Buttons - rounded

Fabrics - soft, flat, smooth with drape, flowing

Cuts - fitted, contoured