Mar 12, 2019 | Accessorize, Clothing, Fashion, Men, Style, Style Personality
Lots of my customers have never heard about style personality before and yet it governs a major part in the decisions that we make in relation to hairstyles, clothing styles, footwear and even the cars we drive, the homes we live in, or the holidays we enjoy. I have therefore set myself the task of covering all six style personalities in my blog over the next six months. That way you can start to piece together the two or three categories that you align yourself too.
So what is “style personality”? In an nut shell, it’s your first buying decision so it’s the subconscious pull that you get when you first walk in to a shop. Naturally, the colour and styling of your clothes play an important part in your appearance, but it is your personality above all else that acts as a catalyst to pull your whole look together. Your personality dictates your style, which is your own interpretation of fashion, ignore it and buy clothes simply because they feature in all the glossy magazines or look great on a friend and you will not look comfortable, nor will your wardrobe be very user friendly, instead it will be a muddle of styles which will only add to your confusion.
So lets kick off our tour of the six style personalities with our creatives, our trend setters rather than a trend follower. Shopping to these men and women is an art form. If you fall in to this category you will be great at combining different items of clothing and accessories to give yourself a unique and interesting look. You rarely throw anything out because you know you will use it again at some point, even if it has to be remodelled. You prefer public transport to any other methods of getting from A – B. Your wardrobe is full of items from many different sources be it vintage, hand me downs, one off boutiques, E-bay purchases or charity shops, with the occasional high-street gem thrown in for good measure. You may feel challenged in a very formal business environment but with careful modification your creative urges can still be fulfilled with one-off pieces of jewellery, a statement tie or an eclectic jacket. You will often make interesting purchases whilst away in unique holiday destinations far off the beaten track.
My one area of advise to all those creatives out there is to be careful that your passion for being an individual does not result in you being inappropriately dressed for certain occasions.
Celebrity examples would include, Sir Elton John, Paloma Faith, David Bowie or Nicki Minaj.
Feb 11, 2019 | Accessorize, Clothing, colour, Fashion
Scarfs are a fantastically versatile accessory that can be tweaked to flatter most people. Having said that not all clients will accept scarf wearing as part of their daily ritual as this has more to do with style personality than the actual scarf itself.
The colour of said scarf is clearly important as this is the colour that will draw all attention up to our face. Because of this you have to be sure that its not drawing unwanted attention to that spare chin or dark shadows that already might be lurking as it will only work to enhance these if its the wrong colour! I always opt for one of my “wow” colours for scarfs, I have around 20 in my collection and team them up with most outfits, especially when I’m making a bit of an effort (admittedly not very often these days but I’m hoping this will improve as the kids get older). If you don’t know what your “wow” colours are but would like to find out more then why not research “colour analysis” on my website at https://www.styledincolour.co.uk
The second thing to consider when choosing a scarf is the bulk factor. Generally speaking, the longer the neck, the bulkier you can go. However, there is a word of warning here, if you have an extremely long giraffe neck like mine, coupled with big boobs then tone down on the bulk just a smidge, otherwise you’ll be using the scarf as a makeshift table top because of those bresticles! With a long neck you also have the luxury of being able to double up on scarfs which is what I often do when using our raw silk range as the colour blends that you can achieve are simply stunning.
The third thing to consider is how to tie said scarf and where to house the knot/tie. For those of you with shorter neck proportions you can create the ultimate optical illusion of a longer neck, simply by fastening your knot lower down your breast bone.
Finally, you need to consider patterns and prints. The classic in me will often opt for block colours in scarfs whilst rarely venturing in to the world of patterns. That said, patterns are hugely popular. The size of the print is crucial. If, like me you are carrying around a rather large skeleton, then avoid delicate petite patterns or prints. Conversely if you are petite then go small with the patterns you choose. Interestingly, your body shape can factor in to the choice of patterns too. If you’re lucky enough to have lots of curves then think spots, swirls or animal print designs. If however you are more straight and angular then head for geometric patterns or stripes instead.
There’s such an array of colourful scarfs out there at very affordable prices so what are you waiting for?
Jan 16, 2019 | Clothing, colour, Footwear
Being predominantly a Classic style personality, nothing makes me happier than having matching outfit staples that all effortlessly co-ordinate. This can include anything from jewellery sets to underwear to matching handbags and shoes. Over the years, shopping for shoes and boots has been born out of necessity rather than any real choice. Having a size 10 foot can limit what’s available and create challenges when looking for something specific. This made my historical purchases rather predictable, black was a colour that I could source in shoes and boots so my wardrobe was filled with what I could get. I didn’t really consider how limiting this was until I had my colours done back in my twenties and then it suddenly dawned on me that black is not the most versatile of wardrobes staples, especially, if like me most of your neutrals are navy’s or taupe’s.
It got me thinking about finding the most versatile colour for a winter boot that would co-ordinate with your entire wardrobe, thereby harnessing the concept of creating a capsule wardrobe with fewer items inside whilst providing more options of what to wear. My conclusion was to look for a pewter alternative in the form of a winter boot and handbag combo and the results have been fantastic. Pewter is such a fabulous neutral to have at your disposal. Not only is it a universal colour, meaning that it suits all 6 of our colour dominants, but it is also an extremely adaptable colour that will co-ordinate with any shade within your wardrobe.
So the next time you’re investing in new footwear, ask yourself this simple question. How many items from my existing wardrobe will these new boots/shoes go with? If your estimating over 50% then they’re definitely worth your investment as they will get plenty of airtime in the weeks and months ahead.
If you’ve enjoyed this months blog and would like to hear more from Styled In Colour then why not subscribe to my monthly newsletter featuring monthly tips relating to the wonderful world of colour, style and make-up, simply visit https://www.styledincolour.co.uk and hit the subscribe button.
Nov 6, 2018 | Clothing, Fashion, personal branding, Shopping, Style
I love meeting people for the very first time and trying to guess their own individual style personality. It’s a science in itself you see, and everyone has their own unique sense of style which is that subconscious pull that you get when you walk in to a shop, go looking for a new car, choose a partner, a handbag or even a holiday. Its your very first buying decision and comes before any consideration of colour or even shape. It can be rather important to know what yours is, as it may need tweaking every now and then to give you the best possible results when out shopping, attending a special occasion with a specific dress code or even when purchasing something for a loved one who may or may not share the same style personality as yourself. There are 6 different style personalities in the Colour Me Beautiful system and the majority of people fall between 1 or 2 categories. It really is fascinating as it can tell you a lot about yourself and your daily choices around make-up routines, shopping habits and outfit co-ordination.
I’ll start with our Creatives, the ladies and gents who want to carve out their own individual sense of style. Looking like everyone else is really not high on their agenda. Instead they opt for a sometimes quirky and eccentric approach to dressing with no fears of trying new things or standing apart from the crowd. Celebrity examples would be Paloma Faith or Lady Gaga.
Next we have our Dramatics who like to be seen and who like to make a show stopping entrance. They are conditioned to follow trends and require a new outfit for every occasion that they attend. They do not shy away from colour and like to make a statement with their outfit choices or make-up styles. Think Katy Perry or Angelina Jolie.
Next up is our Romantics who crave detail and femininity, whether that be in material choices where texture is crucial or in the finer details of the outfit such as buttons, fringing, beading ,hair adornments or in jewellery. Everything oozes all things pretty so underwear is often very delicate and detailed and the wearer will persevere with it even if its uncomfortable! Think Kylie or Katherine Jenkins.
We then have our Classics (like myself) who are creatures of habit when it comes to dressing. We shop in the same “safe” shops and buy simple yet elegant items that invariably match other items in our wardrobes. There is not a lot of risk involved in this category as we stick to the same tried and tested formula whether that be make-up application which may not have changed since we were teenagers or hair styles. Think Deborah Meaden or Hilary Clinton.
Our Naturals come next who have a no fuss approach to dressing. Comfort and practicality feature heavily in these wardrobe choices and they prefer an uncluttered look. Low maintenance is crucial for these individuals so a hair cut that styles itself, a low time investment make-up routine and flat shoes tend to be preferred. Think Julia Roberts and Kate Winslet.
Finally we explore our final category, City Chic. This is a far edgier version of the Classic. It has a more modern and European feel to it which oozes elegance but still has the ability to take a risk. Good tailoring is essential and investment pieces fill these wardrobes where items tend to cost more at ticket price as the buyer knows how to take full advantage of a timeless piece that will co-ordinate effortlessly. Think Halle Berry and Kate Middleton.
So now that I’ve got your all thinking about the style categories that you may fit in to, take some time to guess which style personality best fits your friends and loves ones, It can really help with present buying and with Christmas just around the corner this is my early gift to you!
Nov 15, 2017 | Clothing, Fashion, Style, Wedding
During my Capsule Wardrobe Workshops we spend a little time on how to carry out a successful wardrobe audit in which you are left with clothes that you look and feel good in. For those “maybe” pieces that you’re unsure of, there could be a solution in the form of a reputable dress maker.
I was recently tasked with the job of finding a full length dress for a black tie event that I’ll be attending later this month. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be found that matched my requirements of flattering, floor length and not black. I did have a dress which I’d been lucky enough to source as a bridesmaids dress 7 years ago (see the picture above) that was both floor length and colourful but the straps on it weren’t particularly flattering (making my shoulders look even wider than they are in their natural state)! A little bit of brainstorming with my style rules to hand and I found the perfect solution of having the dress altered by making the straps less “Grecian” and more “Halter-neck”. A trip to a fab local seamstress later (Michaela Sneddon at Measured and Made) and not only did I find that this was possible but I was also inspired to add a contrasting colour to the hem of the dress to lengthen it. Obviously, floor length for me is quite a challenge so this idea not only created my first ever floor length dress, aside from my wedding dress, but the clever idea of adding a contrasting colour worked to achieve a colour block which actually has the effect of making me look a little shorter, win-win!
I was able to chat through my ideas with an expert who could tell me if it was possible and the cost of having the work done was cheaper than buying a whole new outfit. I also get to wear the dress again which appeals to my Yorkshire inherited, no waste, state of mind!
The black tie event is quickly approaching and is a big deal for Styled In Colour as I’ve made it in to the final 3 for the “Creative” category in The Made In Bury Business Awards. I promise to share some pictures from the night in my December newsletter but there’s a sneak preview of the dress in the picture above (I’ve purposefully not shown the contrasting colour as I thought it might be fun for you to take a guess)!
For anyone who hasn’t signed up to receive my newsletter yet but who would like to be added to the mailing list, simple drop me a line to styledincolour@gmail.com.
Finally, for those of you who are interested in my Capsule Wardrobe Workshops, I have dates available in the New Year, simply call or text on 07941739347 or drop me an e-mail to the address above.
Oct 23, 2017 | Clothing, Fashion, Shopping
If like me, shopping is a past time that feels more like a chore than a hobby, finding a way to shop both efficiently and effectively is key to inner calm and happiness. In order to make the most out of your purchases, it’s all about the planning.
Set aside an uninterrupted period of time that you can allow for the trip, factoring in travel time and coffee breaks if required. Keep distractions to a minimum so I would recommend leaving the children, husbands or pets behind if possible and that way you can make the very most out of the time frame you’ve allocated. If you’re not a keen shopper, Id recommend planning 2 trips a year to update your wardrobe with a few essential pieces from that season’s latest fashion trends or must have colour. That way you will still feel current but without a huge investment of time in order to achieve it.
When planning a shopping trip, always set aside some time to do a mini wardrobe audit so that you can establish which key pieces are missing and what you’re looking for. There’s nothing worse than wandering around the shops aimlessly until something jumps out at you. Invariably this wont happen and this will have a knock on effect with regards to motivation levels for future trips. If you’re unsure about how to go about doing a wardrobe audit then why not consider booking a place on one of my very popular Capsule Wardrobe Workshops and learn all there is to know about how to create one for yourself.
Itemise a maximum of 10 pieces for any one shopping trip and then give them a hierarchy of importance so you know how to plan your day, focusing on which bits are essential versus things that are less important.
If you’ve had a style consultation in the past it’s always worth re familiarising yourself with your “rules” to establish the key things to look out for and more importantly what to avoid. Set aside an hour or so to do some internet research and look at the top 5 clothing stores that you’ve historically done well in. Look at new and existing collections and save pictures of anything that catches your eye whilst fitting the brief. You can then form a plan for which shops you will be visiting on the trip and start to think about what you’ll be trying on.
When the day arrives, It’s all about practicalities. Have you got a comfy pair of shoes on that you can walk for miles in if needed? Can you slip off your outfit easily? Can you get away with a lightweight jacket so that you don’t over heat going into warm shops whilst still being able to fit said jacket in your handbag to keep you hands free. All of these things matter because they will allow you to have a stress free trip.
Whilst on the trip it’s important to not go “off piste”, certainly with sales racks, as the adrenaline surge you may get from the feeling of “bagging” a bargain may not last that long, especially if it sits in your wardrobe with the price tag still attached never getting any airtime. I’m not adverse to a bargain, but if you are naturally drawn to the sales rail I always ask myself the question “Would I be willing to pay full price for this item?”. If the answer is “yes” then go ahead and enjoy the pleasure that comes with getting something for less!
Sticking to your plan where possible is hugely beneficial. I have now mastered the art of nailing shopping trips for myself to within 3 hours. That way, I get what I want without getting disillusioned, tired, frustrated or fed up!
Happy shopping everyone.
For anyone who would like to take the headache out of shopping then why not consider a personal shopping trip with myself, It’s fun, efficient and hugely effective!
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