Summers 10 Must haves. Do we agree?

Fashion NZ (www.fashionz.co.nz) released its '10 Summer Must-Haves' list and I was curious to see if I agreed.

1. A cute Crochet top - personally, this is something I will leave to the 'youngins'. Its a season piece and will be gone in the shake of a lambs tail! I do like lace as an alternative and feel that has a lot more longevity in the fashion stakes.

2. Coloured skinny jeans. Completely agree. What fun! I already have 3 pairs and thinks this is a great, fun way of wear trousers or using them as leggings under longer tops and tunics.

3. A colourful, light weight printed scarf - again agree. Scarves are great. Check out www.wardrobeflair.com for some fun ones. Also check out our youtube video on how to tie them! www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuFgADvaAI

4. 4. Bright polishes! - again, its all about having a bit of fun. So go for it.

5. A light, floaty maxi dress or skirt - I'm a fan, but I am also tall. Maxi dresses/skirts are great but I would advise anyone under 5ft 4 or 160 that it may 'drown' their frames a little. This is definitely better on average to taller women.

6. A Printed Mini-Dress - this will depend on three factors. Your AGE, your SHAPE and how you WEAR it (i.e alone or with leggings)

7. A great pair of short-shorts - see youngins again.

8. Something stripy - absolutely. I love stripes and I love the variety of stripes this season. Up, down, all around. All are good. Medium sized are brilliant, go striped blazers, unders, dresses, singlets. So many options, a must have!

9. Animal print - I like a bit of animal print. But it IS a small print so be careful it doesn't make you feel larger if it doesn't FIT your body size. Cools go with grey print, warms, brown. And remember, less is more!

10. Espadrilles - I love espadrilles and wedges. That are so fab. Giving you COMFORTABLE height. Lovely.

So those are my thoughts. Love to hear yours.

Stay colourful

Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
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Wardrobe Flair and Bikram Yoga - a perfect fit!

Odd you may say that I make such a statement? But it is true! When I look around the Bikram Yoga studio http://www.bikramyoga.co.nz/page/home.aspx, I see the same demographic of people that Sarah and I see each week.

Mostly women, quite a few men and more importantly, every size, shape, age and nationality. It's a truly diverse place where you find the range of people interesting and inspiring. There are no boundaries or barriers to Bikram Yoga, anyone can do it. Likewise there are no boundaries to being Wardrobe Flaired! www.wardrobeflair.com

The beauty of our profession as wardrobe and image consultants is this diversity. The misconception has always been that we see rich, thin people who love to shop and have lots of money. Let me tell you, it is very rare we see people who love to shop. In fact I think Sarah would agree with me we mainly see those who say "I hate shopping". As to all the other factors in the statement, again the majority of who we see do not come under these 'headers' as such.

When I talk to people about doing Bikram Yoga, they always say 'oh I can't do that, I'm not very flexible". My answer is always the same, 'neither am I, and that is WHY I do it!" Other than for the many other amazing benefits.

I spoke with the owner of Bikram Yoga Wellington this week about running a workshop for the students and we are all set to go. Bikram Yoga inspires me with its diversity of people and the different benefits it gives to everyone. I hope that my workshop will inspire the fellow students and other people who come along to realise everyone struggles with colours, shapes, coordinating outfits or shopping.

And like anyone can do Bikram Yoga, anyone can look gorgeous!

Stay colourful, warm and bendy!

Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
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Pretty patterns

Patterns, so many people are so scared of them! Don't be. They are amazing and suit everyone. This season we have a plethora of pattern. Best of all it comes in every shape, size and style.

This season we have two patterns that I find 'come around' most years. Stripes and animal print. What I like about this season's stripes, is that they are little more of a medium width, and therefore more flattering to the 'medium sized' woman. There is usual navy and white that is rather common when each year we have a burst of 'nautical'. This year there are many colours, not all are vertical OR horizontal -which for the record do NOT make you look fat. Some are swooping up into a point - see the attached photo of the current David Lawrence dress that we here at www.wardrobeflair.com.LOVE.


Other patterns big this season include polka dots - big and small, graphic prints (see Robyn Mathieson dress also attached), brush strokes and the very popular floral print.

The floral prints are riding the current 'ladylike' trend and can be found in larger, medium and smaller versions. Those of you scared of floral or pattern, have lots of choice this year. You can jump on to the patterned highway, or ease in with a dress that maybe has a little bit of pattern at the bottom, leaving most of the top 'safe'.

Anyone who feels they have any type of tummy issues, should embrace pattern. It really does distract the eye and does wonders for 'lumps and bumps. Rule of thumb is to get the pattern that fits your body shape. If small go for small-medium. If Medium stick with medium pattern, larger on larger frames only.

Enjoy, it's a wonderful season. Stay patterned and colourful!!!

Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair
Twitter/wardrobeflair