Do you have a "signature style?
Can your friends and colleagues rely on you to dress in a certain way?
Are you known for always appearing in a "creative" or "glamorous" or "elegantly feminine" or "sharp and classic" or " head turning and daring" way?
Or are you a little more schizophrenic? Do you have a knack of being all 5 Spice Girls depending on how the mood takes you? (one day sporty, next day scary and who knows...maybe sometimes Ginger too??).
Having a consistent image is a must for any business. People know where they are with us, what we stand for and that we can be relied upon. It is also a must for our personal image too. It silently conveys a inner confidence.
BUT, more importantly than how others see us, it's about how we feel ourselves. It is quite liberating to recognise who you are and then show that to the world. We explored this in some depth at my recent "Style Icon" workshop. I'm strongly against "image stereo-types". I value freedom VERY highly. So this is not about always being neat and perfectly turned out or, conversely, never making any effort because you think others will mock. It's about acknowledging your inner Icon.
A simple exercise to try is to ask yourself:
1. If you were an animal what would you be?
2. If you were a place where would you be?
Ask anyone at hand (ideally 3 or 4 people)to write down against both answers qualities that they associate with them.....and there you have your starting point. The beginnings of an image identikit.
Consistent "style" is not about conforming to other people's expectations. It is about honouring your TRUE self each and every time you decide what to wear. Always be associated with having a GREAT unique, individual and confident style.
Maybe become something of an Icon yourself....
Monday, 19 July 2010
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Summer Style Sabotage
I'm going to get tough now.
But you can trust that it is meant with the BEST of intentions.
It is British Summer Time. That means the weather is warmer, the sky is bluer and we need to adjust our clothing accordingly. I do know that some people struggle style-wise when it gets hot. We are not all blessed with body-parts that are pleasing to the eye when naked. I also understand that it can be very tricky dressing to keep cool whilst maintaining a modicum of professionalism.
However, there are simply NO excuses for sabotaging your style - you deserve better than that. If the following list of "Top Offenders" is alarmingly familiar then please, please seek help immediately:
. Continuing to wear heavy black clothing and footwear. Pretending that it is still the depths of Winter will not make it go away.
. Recklessly adopting the leggings, baggy smock top and flat shoe look with no care for whether it actually suits or flatters you.
. Dressing like a man in shapeless cut-off trousers or shorts and equally shapeless polo shirt....and don't even get me started on those darned CROCS.
. Struggling on regardless in high, high heels and full-on make up. Fact: feet swell in the heat and make up melts = not a good look.
Sorry to be harsh.
... and, yes, I also struggle in the Summer but let me know if you would like me to share some of my "Summer Style Secrets" with you ....
But you can trust that it is meant with the BEST of intentions.
It is British Summer Time. That means the weather is warmer, the sky is bluer and we need to adjust our clothing accordingly. I do know that some people struggle style-wise when it gets hot. We are not all blessed with body-parts that are pleasing to the eye when naked. I also understand that it can be very tricky dressing to keep cool whilst maintaining a modicum of professionalism.
However, there are simply NO excuses for sabotaging your style - you deserve better than that. If the following list of "Top Offenders" is alarmingly familiar then please, please seek help immediately:
. Continuing to wear heavy black clothing and footwear. Pretending that it is still the depths of Winter will not make it go away.
. Recklessly adopting the leggings, baggy smock top and flat shoe look with no care for whether it actually suits or flatters you.
. Dressing like a man in shapeless cut-off trousers or shorts and equally shapeless polo shirt....and don't even get me started on those darned CROCS.
. Struggling on regardless in high, high heels and full-on make up. Fact: feet swell in the heat and make up melts = not a good look.
Sorry to be harsh.
... and, yes, I also struggle in the Summer but let me know if you would like me to share some of my "Summer Style Secrets" with you ....
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Tales of the unexpected
So who do you know that has a "normal" life? Do you have a "normal" life? Are you doing exactly what you always dreamed you would be doing at the age you are now?
I was in a room of seemingly "normal" women the other day. I cast my eye around and came up my opinions and judgements. We were asked to write our "origin stories" - in other words, the significant and important events that have shaped our lives thus far. One lady was happy to share her story with us. I could not believe what I was hearing - her life had run a very different course from the one I had imagined. She had taken brave, perhaps foolhardy, steps to find independence and freedom. We read about these regularly in books such as "Eat, Pray, Love". There is always a "happy ever after" outcome. Bravery and courage = rich rewards. In the case of my lady, it didn't work out like that. In fact she initially ended up in a worse place than the one she had left.
I am privileged to have heard many women's "origin stories" in the course of my work. How many of us figured that we were the only ones struggling in certain areas? Who does "have it all" and where would the challenge be in that anyway? So, in case you were wondering, you are not the only one with fat knees/ greying hair/ a desperate longing for a loving partner/ an un-fulfilling job and so on......
There are enough "self help" books out there designed to "fix us". "How to be a Goddess"(whatever for?); "How to be happy" (get real); "Change your life in 7 days" (no thanks I'm busy) and so I have decided to take a different approach - a sort of "Anti-Goddess" if you will. I simply want to take your experiences, learnings and challenges and put them out there (anonymously) as a guide to "Real Life". I've always been more than a little curious about other peoples lives - it is so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my "un-normalness". It certainly takes the pressure off. I would like to think that you would find it richly informative and just a little comforting too.
I am looking for case studies from WOMEN. That is the only criteria. Age, shape, and birth sign are irrelevant. You may not think that you have an interesting tale to tell but I can assure you that you do. Fancy being a part of this? Simply drop me a line - would love to hear from you.
I was in a room of seemingly "normal" women the other day. I cast my eye around and came up my opinions and judgements. We were asked to write our "origin stories" - in other words, the significant and important events that have shaped our lives thus far. One lady was happy to share her story with us. I could not believe what I was hearing - her life had run a very different course from the one I had imagined. She had taken brave, perhaps foolhardy, steps to find independence and freedom. We read about these regularly in books such as "Eat, Pray, Love". There is always a "happy ever after" outcome. Bravery and courage = rich rewards. In the case of my lady, it didn't work out like that. In fact she initially ended up in a worse place than the one she had left.
I am privileged to have heard many women's "origin stories" in the course of my work. How many of us figured that we were the only ones struggling in certain areas? Who does "have it all" and where would the challenge be in that anyway? So, in case you were wondering, you are not the only one with fat knees/ greying hair/ a desperate longing for a loving partner/ an un-fulfilling job and so on......
There are enough "self help" books out there designed to "fix us". "How to be a Goddess"(whatever for?); "How to be happy" (get real); "Change your life in 7 days" (no thanks I'm busy) and so I have decided to take a different approach - a sort of "Anti-Goddess" if you will. I simply want to take your experiences, learnings and challenges and put them out there (anonymously) as a guide to "Real Life". I've always been more than a little curious about other peoples lives - it is so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my "un-normalness". It certainly takes the pressure off. I would like to think that you would find it richly informative and just a little comforting too.
I am looking for case studies from WOMEN. That is the only criteria. Age, shape, and birth sign are irrelevant. You may not think that you have an interesting tale to tell but I can assure you that you do. Fancy being a part of this? Simply drop me a line - would love to hear from you.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Feet first
I recently was asked to do a spot of personal shopping for a client. The weather is changing and she didn't feel that she had anything to wear - a common situation yes? On inspection of her existing wardrobe it emerged that she had EXACTLY the right clothes, in the right quantities and colours - she simply lacked any suitable footwear. Footwear is crucial to any outfit - it can take a simple, classic look and transform to edgy, individual and stylish. It is also the most problematic area for most of my clients. We all seem to have "problem" feet - too narrow, too broad, too small, too sensitive and on and on. Don't ignore it and hope that people wont notice - they will. Face your demons!
Here's how:
. Take a long, hard look at what you currently have. Now discard any that are worn out; uncomfortable; ill-fitting or plain ugly.
. Look at your clothes and requirements. If you are mainly in smart business dress then you must have complimentary footwear. Take a leaf from the "politicians wives" and opt for peep-toe wedges or slingback court shoes. Black suede will be a lighter alternative to leather. Open toed sandals are rarely appropriate for business wear but heavy boots will make you appear ill at ease in warmer months.
. Most of us find it impossible to walk any distance in high heels, and yet a heel will always make us appear more elegant and polished. This season offers a fantastic selection of mid-heel styles. Try a very low wedge or kitten heel.
. Footwear absolutely has to be comfortable - but that doesn't have to mean boring. I recently wore a pair of enormous platforms for a magazine shoot. Amazingly they were so well proportioned and supportive that I was able to strut around in them for hours.
. Get your scale sorted (no, not talking hard skin here) - if you have delicate,slim feet and toes then opt for delicate, slim footwear. Avoid wide heavy straps/heels as you will look like you a little girl wearing her mother's shoes. Likewise, if you have larger, broader feet and calves then forget the dainty look.
. Finally - even if you have 100 pairs of assorted footwear, but none are quite right then you need to go out and get that 101th pair.
You owe it to those unworn dresses, trousers and skirts hanging in your wardrobe just waiting for an outing....
Here's how:
. Take a long, hard look at what you currently have. Now discard any that are worn out; uncomfortable; ill-fitting or plain ugly.
. Look at your clothes and requirements. If you are mainly in smart business dress then you must have complimentary footwear. Take a leaf from the "politicians wives" and opt for peep-toe wedges or slingback court shoes. Black suede will be a lighter alternative to leather. Open toed sandals are rarely appropriate for business wear but heavy boots will make you appear ill at ease in warmer months.
. Most of us find it impossible to walk any distance in high heels, and yet a heel will always make us appear more elegant and polished. This season offers a fantastic selection of mid-heel styles. Try a very low wedge or kitten heel.
. Footwear absolutely has to be comfortable - but that doesn't have to mean boring. I recently wore a pair of enormous platforms for a magazine shoot. Amazingly they were so well proportioned and supportive that I was able to strut around in them for hours.
. Get your scale sorted (no, not talking hard skin here) - if you have delicate,slim feet and toes then opt for delicate, slim footwear. Avoid wide heavy straps/heels as you will look like you a little girl wearing her mother's shoes. Likewise, if you have larger, broader feet and calves then forget the dainty look.
. Finally - even if you have 100 pairs of assorted footwear, but none are quite right then you need to go out and get that 101th pair.
You owe it to those unworn dresses, trousers and skirts hanging in your wardrobe just waiting for an outing....
Thursday, 4 March 2010
"45"
In a few days time I will turn 45. In many ways it feels more symbolic than turning 40. If we were to take a cross section of other female 45 year olds we would find: mothers; grandmothers; singletons; divorcees; widows; those pregnant for the first time; those getting married for the first time....almost every significant life-stage would be represented.
Our 40's have long been branded as the "mid-life crisis". Astrologers would say that this is no accident but "written in the stars". It is all down to troublesome Uranus and it's "half return". This is when it reaches the exact halfway point in it's journey back to the precise position it was in at the moment of our birth. It brings with it chaos; new beginnings; dramatic changes to circumstances and a greater desire for individuality, self expression and freedom - like our "true self wants to break out in some fashion and make it's individuality known".
It's effects can be felt from our late 30's onwards so perhaps it is no surprise that most of my clients fall in to the 37 - 50 age bracket. Personal image is all about our identity and how we show up in the world and nothing to do with conformity or keeping up with trends.
It makes me smile when celebrities proudly pronounce to have finally found "fulfilment and serenity" when barely over the cusp of 30. Just you wait! Didn't we all feel like that? Everything was still to play for and possibilities were endless.
I recently had the fortune to receive words of wisdom from a lady in her early 60's. She told me to appreciate my age and that I still do have many more options available to me than I will do in my 50's and less still in my 60's. Thanks to her insights I will be more careful with my finances; spend more time being "light"; nurture my relationships and not make work more important than it actually is.
Uranus finally returns at ages 82-84....peace at last!
Our 40's have long been branded as the "mid-life crisis". Astrologers would say that this is no accident but "written in the stars". It is all down to troublesome Uranus and it's "half return". This is when it reaches the exact halfway point in it's journey back to the precise position it was in at the moment of our birth. It brings with it chaos; new beginnings; dramatic changes to circumstances and a greater desire for individuality, self expression and freedom - like our "true self wants to break out in some fashion and make it's individuality known".
It's effects can be felt from our late 30's onwards so perhaps it is no surprise that most of my clients fall in to the 37 - 50 age bracket. Personal image is all about our identity and how we show up in the world and nothing to do with conformity or keeping up with trends.
It makes me smile when celebrities proudly pronounce to have finally found "fulfilment and serenity" when barely over the cusp of 30. Just you wait! Didn't we all feel like that? Everything was still to play for and possibilities were endless.
I recently had the fortune to receive words of wisdom from a lady in her early 60's. She told me to appreciate my age and that I still do have many more options available to me than I will do in my 50's and less still in my 60's. Thanks to her insights I will be more careful with my finances; spend more time being "light"; nurture my relationships and not make work more important than it actually is.
Uranus finally returns at ages 82-84....peace at last!
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Love is in the air....
Let's just forget the Valentine's hype and use February as an excuse to talk "romance". Maybe it's the promise of Spring that turns our thoughts to love? Whatever it is, this time we are turning our focus to our men and what they need to do to be worthy of our attention:
. Show respect to your "date" - forget slogan t-shirts or worn out rugby shirts. Aim to look like a capable man and not someone who still hankers after carefree youth.
. Pay attention to your grooming - smelling irresistible is a must. Choose a cologne that "will burn into her memory" (for all the right reasons obviously)
. Pay attention to the details - this means having a hair cut and shave AND take a look at your fingernails too. Apparently "A man who takes care of his appearance is likely to take care of his home, his future and his woman".
. Dress appropriately for the occasion - but even if that occasion is a walk in the park DO make an effort. Well fitting jeans, cool casual jacket,warm scarf in a colour that you know looks so good on you...you get the gist.
. If your date is more formal then nothing beats a well-cut sharp suit. We are not talking boring and corporate here. Try this season's trend for light navy or charcoal grey. Team with a shirt that tones rather than contrasts (this is a date not an interview) and forget the tie.
. Footwear can seal your fate either way - within seconds. Must be clean and contemporary. I suggest leaving shiny black patent, or colours other than black or brown, to dancers or artists.
Feel free to forward this to any man in your life who could use the advice and maybe win your heart??
. Show respect to your "date" - forget slogan t-shirts or worn out rugby shirts. Aim to look like a capable man and not someone who still hankers after carefree youth.
. Pay attention to your grooming - smelling irresistible is a must. Choose a cologne that "will burn into her memory" (for all the right reasons obviously)
. Pay attention to the details - this means having a hair cut and shave AND take a look at your fingernails too. Apparently "A man who takes care of his appearance is likely to take care of his home, his future and his woman".
. Dress appropriately for the occasion - but even if that occasion is a walk in the park DO make an effort. Well fitting jeans, cool casual jacket,warm scarf in a colour that you know looks so good on you...you get the gist.
. If your date is more formal then nothing beats a well-cut sharp suit. We are not talking boring and corporate here. Try this season's trend for light navy or charcoal grey. Team with a shirt that tones rather than contrasts (this is a date not an interview) and forget the tie.
. Footwear can seal your fate either way - within seconds. Must be clean and contemporary. I suggest leaving shiny black patent, or colours other than black or brown, to dancers or artists.
Feel free to forward this to any man in your life who could use the advice and maybe win your heart??
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Style Tips for the new decade
We have had the mad spending trend - cheap and cheerful and slapped onto the credit card. We've adjusted to the "make do and mend" and "swap with thy neighbour" trend. Maybe now it's time to take a deep breath and go back to sensible shopping. Buying pieces that enhance your wardrobe, fit perfectly, emphasize ALL the right bits and work their magic though out your life.
Roland Mouret (designer of the much-coveted and copied "Galaxy dress") offers such no-nonsense "style pearls" in this month's "Elle" that I feel duty bound to share some of them with you:
. "Shopping is like going to the gym - it's not natural! you have to train yourself to be good at it"
. "Whatever you spend, it has to look at least 10 times more expensive than the amount you paid"
."There are two extremes: trying to to be trendy or playing it safe. Glamour is somewhere in the middle"
It is now your time to ditch EVERYTHING that robs you of your confidence in some way, and work harder at finding those items that you want to wear time and time again. Buy it because it is 100% right for you. Do not compromise and buy a cheaper version that falls short, it will end up as one the "1 out of 4 items that a woman has in her wardrobe but never wears" and that does not make good financial sense.
So what I am really saying here is - you now have permission to buy EXACTLY what you want - and that has to be a good thing. It will be your reward for exercising your shopping muscle and honing your spending habits. Marvellous!
Roland Mouret (designer of the much-coveted and copied "Galaxy dress") offers such no-nonsense "style pearls" in this month's "Elle" that I feel duty bound to share some of them with you:
. "Shopping is like going to the gym - it's not natural! you have to train yourself to be good at it"
. "Whatever you spend, it has to look at least 10 times more expensive than the amount you paid"
."There are two extremes: trying to to be trendy or playing it safe. Glamour is somewhere in the middle"
It is now your time to ditch EVERYTHING that robs you of your confidence in some way, and work harder at finding those items that you want to wear time and time again. Buy it because it is 100% right for you. Do not compromise and buy a cheaper version that falls short, it will end up as one the "1 out of 4 items that a woman has in her wardrobe but never wears" and that does not make good financial sense.
So what I am really saying here is - you now have permission to buy EXACTLY what you want - and that has to be a good thing. It will be your reward for exercising your shopping muscle and honing your spending habits. Marvellous!
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