Frolicking Frills

The shops are awash with frills. On shoulders, down dresses, on skirts. Horizontal, vertical, cascading. You name it, frills are flowing. So who can wear this pretty, feminine symbol? Luckily most people, but in varying different ways.

If you have a good set of shoulders on you, steer clear of any frills off the shoulder-line. No need to add bulk to an area that already is wide enough. Therefore think about the diagonal frill across the chest (but only if you don't have huge boobs as well....) OR even better, a nice vertical frill down the skirt or at its outer edge.

Those who are not well-endowed, think about using those frills to your advantage. Frills down the chest add that little 'extra' that is really flattering. It essentially hides the fact you don't have much in the chest department.

Those who consider their hips a focal point and have smallish shoulders, consider doing the opposite of our broader shoulder friend and widen this area with pretty frills.

Life is about balance. Dressing for your shape is about balance too. Fashion phases come and go and its handy to know how to use each different aspect to best suit YOUR OWN shape.www.wardrobeflair.com

STOP! no really I mean STOP! - Hammer time

You may be aware that the 80s are back. What mystifies me about fashion is not that an era's fashion sense returns, more that what was pretty awful back then is revived again! Seriously, we checked out those low-crotched hammer pants back then and they were ugly. Guess what? They are STILL ugly!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE fashion. I just happen to have that logical and practical eye that sees the shapes and designs on REAL bodies. Hmmm.... Who suits the Hammer/Harem/Carrot top pants this season??? wait for it..... NOBODY!

If you are a stick thin model and you wear Harem trousers, you are likely to look like a stick thin model with great big thighs. If you have thighs, you are going to look like someone with BIGGER thighs. Obviously some versions are not quite as extreme as others. If you must, then at least choose that tamer option and make sure you balance out the upper half of your body.

I have also seen a huge comeback with the Cargo trouser. The shops are loaded with them. Men and women's versions. Cargo pants can look great, but women who have those aforementioned thighs, beware of stitching AND where those pockets sit. On the side of the largest part of your thighs is again not a good look. Pockets that are at the front of your trousers do not need to draw attention to these areas either.

If YOUR eyes are drawn to your thighs, so will everyone else's! So trust your instinct. If you FEEL 'hippy', its not right for you. If you feel great, and take the time to scrutinise yourself well, then you will enjoy them. I am all for finding alternatives to wonderful - but overused - jeans.www.wardrobeflair.com

The September Issue

If you haven't been to see this facinating documentary about the trials and tribulations of getting American Vogues biggeset issue of the year out, you should. There are no surprises with Anna Wintour - she is the ice-maiden and we learn her father's father was Victorian which may go a way to explaining this 'coolness' During the movie she says of her grandfather's realionship to her father 'I don't think he ever actually spoke to him'.

I thought Anna had very expressive but sad eyes, which is why I think she always wears sunglasses. If the women is bored my word do you KNOW about it just from a look. She doesn't suffer fools gladly and can make a decision in a split second. She does however melt once during the filming and that is when she is with her daughter. It is lovely to see.

As all the reviewers are saying, and rightly so, the spotlight does however fall on Anna's sidekick Grace Coddington. She of the sacky clothes, frizzy triange red hair and stomping clunky granny shoes. Once a gorgeous model, now a creative genius, the relationship between her and Anna is interesting and funny. It was amazing to watch her work. How she visualised the fashion shoots, the models, every single detail was perfect and inspirational.

All in all a real eye-opener to the inner workings of the elite fashion magazine world. Facinating, scary, frantic and taken very very seriously. www.wardrobeflair.com

My Wardrobe

Its personal I know, but this is my wardrobe. Full? Yes. Perfect? No. When I was featured in the Dom Post last November, it was stated that I love every piece in it. Yes, this is true. Why have a piece if you don't love it? What is the point in having 'fat' clothes, or the ones you wear because everything else is in the wash? Why step out the house feeling bad about how you look and start your day that way?

You don't have to have as many as I do (occupational habit...) If they are right, they will mix and match. You will have basic pieces which you team with funky, fun pieces. You will have classic staples and designer goodies (from designer shops, Savemart or Trademe).

As important as this, you will also have great accessories. As you can see from my photo, I have all my necklaces at the end of my wardorbe with my bags so I can select them WITH my outfit. Unseen are my shoes (below) and at the door end of my wardrobe I have my scarves (many) and other accessories. Don't underestimate them. They add that extra finishing touch.

My wardrobe is hung colour-coded - this enables me to see what colours I have too much of, need more of, and what goes with what. Don't have skirt, top, trousers blocks. If this sounds anal, it is! LOL. BUT it helps you every single morning when you are racing to get to work/school/anywhere! So lets say HOORAY to anal and boo hiss to messy, unco-ordinated colours and clothes. www.wardrobeflair.com

My FIRST post!

Hey everyone. I am really excited about starting this blog up. I have so much I see on a day to day basis that I would love to share with you. Great clothes, fashion trends - what's hot and what is NOT!!! Who I'm working with, what Wardrobe Flair is up to.

I plan on adding handy hints of everything from clearing out the deadwood from your wardrobe to choosing a great piece of jewellery. Speaking of jewellery - have you checked out the brand new website??? This has been 8 months in the making and many many hours of work! All credit to the awesome designs of Leyla and Paul Bennett (no relation!)http://thingsilearn.wordpress.com/portfolio/, who makes it work (crucial one might say...)
www.wardrobeflair.com

More posts to come soon! Look forward to hearing from you. Any of my wonderful clients who have found fabulous pieces of clothing - let me know!!! I will put a posting up about it so we can spread the word and making shopping even easier.