Layering your clothings - the mid-season must know

Being able to layer your clothing is not just a easy way to stay stylish, it is incredibly practical. When you are in-between seasons as we all are, knowing you can wear a multitude of fine layers for the climate that will not bulk you out is great.

How many ways to layer? Many, but my two favourite ways that everyone should be able to do is what I call OVER layering or UNDER layering. A cardigan or coat is an over layer. This is when you have your base clothing and you are adding pieces on top of it. The only thing to remember about this type of layering is, don't loose your side shape by letting your cardigans hang down or wear boxy styled jackets. Do a couple of buttons up on your cardigan or throw on a belt over the cardigan to give yourself some shape and always buy well cut jackets.

Under layering is when you may have a sleeveless dress or top and you decide to wear a fine layer underneath this piece. Whilst the downside of this type of layering is that you can't take any layers off, the upside is that if you have a lovely dress or top layering this way allows people to see the detail. When people throw cardigans over lovely detailed dresses or tops often the best thing about the item is hidden.

I often layer both ways. This way I can wear a sleeveless outfit if I don't want to show my arms, show the detail of the outfit but also have a fitted jacket over both layers. As mentioned, as long as these layers are not bulky, you can easily wear 3 fine layers and be totally comfortable, stylist and practical at the same time.

Stay colourful!
Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
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A week in the life of a Personal Stylist

When you go to a party and people ask what you do for a job, do you get a standard next question? As a Personal Stylist I do. Men often say "Is there really a market for that?" Women "wow, cool, but what is it that you actually do?" Both regularly ask if they are wearing the right colours. All Stylist's do things differently, but today's blog is about what I do and what a typical day and week can be like.

A typical day for me starts with, you guessed it, what to wear? Everybody knows how you look is only skin deep but also that first impressions count. If I talk the talk, I have to walk the walk. Once dressed it's some work in the office first thing in the morning, replying to emails and talking to clients. One morning I could be doing some local radio chats, another writing my fashion blogs. I will sort the social media for the day, posting on the company Facebook page and Tweeting.

I'll perhaps then head to a client's house to do a wardrobe consultation. When client's open the door I see the standard nervous/excited mix and always do my best to engage the client and set them at ease so they can enjoy their experience as much as possible. We begin with colour draping, which can be a revelation to people as it's amazing to see the changes in your skin when colours are good or bad. We move on to discussing body shapes & any particular problems with dressing. Once we understand the colours and shape and have chatted about lifestyle and work we check out what is in the wardrobe. Now the client is able to assess their clothing and understand why they haven't worn something.

I then may head off to a mall, the city or a pre-loved warehouse to shop with another client. I take my notes so I know exactly what we are looking for so we keep the shopping focused and within budget. It's always great to see the client again after the wardrobe session. They are usually excited to see the visual of all the practical advice already received. The next day I may be presenting a workshop for a corporate conference or seminar. Friday nights are popular for school fundraisers, where I do a 2 hour talk that is focused on people having a good time, laughing and picking up practical styling advice.



I'm passionate about people and helping them feel as confident as they possibility can. I love the variety of the interaction with mums, media, corporates, groups and public speaking. I get hugs and wonderful emails from client's who feel their life has been changed for the better. Be it in a pair of jeans that makes them feel sexy or them feeling they can finally find clothing that looks great on them.

It takes patience, empathy, high energy levels and skill dressing all body shapes to be a personal stylist. This is an extremely personal experience and I am always in awe of my client's bravery at tackling this issue which has often plagued them all their lives. I get a huge sense of achievement and reward from helping so many different people, which is why I love my job.

Stay warm, stay colourful, don't hide. Enjoy the benefits of Winter clothing and swim against the stream of dull and bulky clothing. You can do it and trust me when the compliments come streaming in you with be rather pleased you did. Wardrobe Flair Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair

Stay colourful!
Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair
www.twitter.com/WardrobeFlair

Are you hiding under your clothes during winter?

Many people say they find Winter dressing much easier. Much easier to hide certain body parts they giggle. Whenever I hear the word 'hide' I have to grimace. The reason is that 9/10 times, the body part you are trying to hide is actually made to look much bigger. The right styles for your body shape is the way to go if you want to successfully disguise certain areas.

So other than inappropriate volume, usually in areas that don't need that volume, what other ways to people 'hide' during Winter? They hide with a lack of colour. I can't tell you the number of times someone says to me "oh my summer wardrobe is full of colour, but I only wear black and grey in Winter."

Call me crazy, but don't you think Winter is the perfect time to inject some colour when it's cold, wet and dark outside? I realise some people do seem to associate colour with sun and happiness and Winter with dreary darkness, but I'm here to try and change that. Colour during the colder months makes us look better. It perks up other people too! I am ALWAYS going on about people needing to buy a coloured Winter coat and sure enough, the people that do report back to me to say people smile at them in the street.

You suit the colours you suit rain or shine. If you need a tan to wear a colour, this probably means that colour isn't right for you. Find one that you don't feel washed out in or need to do extra's with (need to add a scarf, more lippy etc.) There are plenty of your own colours to choose from.

Another way people try to hide in their Winter clothing is by adding bulky knits in the hope that with the bulk, they will get superior warmth. Nowadays with all the fine merino around, you can layer for both superb warmth and looks. There really isn't any need for big bulky sweaters if you don't suit or like them.

Don't get me wrong, texture is a wonderful thing and in full abundance this season. Velvet, lace, wool, leather or fur, choose your texture and enjoy it. There has to be other major benefits to Winter other than crockpots and roaring fires. For fashion this season, it is about wearing and enjoying textures but also making sure they suit your shape.

Stay warm, stay colourful, don't hide. Enjoy the benefits of Winter clothing and swim against the stream of dull and bulky clothing. You can do it and trust me when the compliments come streaming in you with be rather pleased you did. Wardrobe Flair Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair

Stay colourful!
Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair
www.twitter.com/WardrobeFlair

Can YOU wear ankle boots?

Winter is on it's way. It has been a long time coming but it is now time to haul out your boots and shove those peep-toe sandals to the back of the wardrobe for another year.

Most people are pretty comfortable with wearing knee-high boots which are flattering for all body shapes and heights. They are also hugely versatile as you can wear them under trousers and my favourite with warm winter textured skirts and funky day dresses.

The only time I find people run into problems with boots is with calf length and ankle boots. Both of these options have to be worn a little more carefully and are heavily influenced by height factors.

It is all about flow when you are vertically challenged! if you have shorter legs then as much as possible, you don't want to be chopping them in any places below the knee. You want that area to flow. So I would advise no mid-calf boots for the under 163cm - 5ft 4. They cut you at a wider part of the leg and shorten the leg. Two reasons for the price of one!

Ankle boots CAN be worn, but again more thought is needed on tonal colour flow with your stockings / tights / leggings. So obviously if you wore black options in those listed above and black ankle boots you would have complete flow. If you want to be a little more adventurous with your colours, then by all means don't match the colours, but at least don't contrast too much. So a darker colour on the legs and a darker boot, lighter and light. That way the leg seems to flow and extend rather than be cut and look shorter.

It is really good to have a variety of winter boots. Start with classics in colour and shape that will see you through all outfit combinations. Once you are ready to add to your boot collection think funky and think colour. On one of my last Facebook posts, I had over 45 people comment on what colours they have and what colours they are looking for. The surprising result? Loads of people have purple knee high boots and many are looking for grey.

Wardrobe Flair Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair

Stay colourful!
Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair
www.twitter.com/WardrobeFlair

Ready, set, texture! Autumn 13's biggest trend

On your marks, get set, TEXTURE! That's right, this Autumn/Winter 13, one of the biggest trend is going to be having interesting fabrics in your wardrobe, and combining them! For instance, tweed and sheer fabrics will be popular, as will adding fake fur, leather, chunky wool knits, brocade or gem embellishment aka BLING.

I'm a huge fan of texture. If you are scared of colour and would rather poke yourself in the eye than wear bold pattern then texture is the perfect way of making your wardrobe more interesting. You can then buy simple, classic pieces in beautiful fabrics. Problem solved.

My ideal of course is to have colour, pattern AND texture in the wardrobe, but lets do baby steps shall we? The question for the practical people who like to make sure they invest their hard earned money into things that are not too much of a 'phase' is, will I be able to continue wearing it next year?

If you stick to a style that suits your body shape and that you feel amazing in, then yes. Each winter there is always leather, corduroy and fake fur around. It is the season for warmer textures so it stands to reason they keep coming back round each year. Plus if you buy classic and enjoy being a fashionista, then add that season's trend to your piece. Lets say you have a cable knit jersey from a few winter seasons ago, with this season jewels and gem theme, you can add a brooch to your jersey and bring it up to date. Or find yourself a fake fur colour to drape over the cardigan.

Enjoy the textures of Autumn/Winter. They will be very luxurious this season, which means in the cold, dark winter, you will be a ray of textural delight.

Stay colourful!
Trudi
www.wardrobeflair.com
www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair
www.twitter.com/WardrobeFlair