Colour blocking brilliance

Anyone who has any experience with us here at www.wardrobeflair.com knows we just LOVE LOVE LOVE colour blocking. It's bold, its sometimes a little scary, but its truly fabulous so its time to give it a try.

If you keep those colours of a similar tone and depth, you never need worry about 'clashing' as such, as that is the whole point! It's about having fun and showcasing beautiful colours against each other.

The rules of engagement are: TONAL flow with colour blocking. Bright dark with bright dark. Lighter with light. Neon with neon!

This trend takes us completely out of the comfort zone as we end up using colour with colour, rather than colour with neutrals and base colours.

Purple and lime green, hot pink and purple, purple and green. See how many colours go with purple. Who would have known it was such a versatile colour?

My favourite 'warm' colour blocking is mustard with burnt orange. It is about how brave you feel. But once you bite the bullet, it's a great, enjoyable and exciting way of receiving many compliments and looking really confident.

If you need help doing it or finding out more about what suits you, then you know who to call. Get in quick for a winter 'pick-me-up".

Stay colourful!

Trudi
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Serious 70s Vibe

Many of us have been there before! But personally, I can't remember it too well, except maybe brown flared corduroys. Yes! I am talking about the 70s! They are back with a vengeance and are mainly responsible for the increase in warm toned clothing.

Most exciting is flared trousers are coming back. SUCH a great style for balancing out hips and those with a larger chest. Very flattering. This also means skirts are getting longer (to hopefully just below the knee rather than above) and the maxi dress is staying around for another summer. Hooray!

Colour blocking is BIG BIG BIG and I shall dedicate another whole blog to this as it's something Sarah and I have talked about for years. Colour on colour. Very exciting, very slimming. Very scary for some. But when done well, wow, it's a fabulous way of feeling as tall and thin and funky as you possibly can.

Other than bold colours there will be a trend towards floral and 1970's glam retro looks. Think flares, florals and platform shoes.

Those who have already signed up to get the new Spring Newsletter due out Aug/Sept 2011 are in for a treat as we give great details about what to expect for Summer 2011/12. If you haven't signed up yet, email Trudi@wardrobeflair.com and for $25 per annum get all the trends and where to find them for YOUR colour palette and body shape to your inbox!

Stay colourful!

Trudi
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Bloomin beautiful boots

I have heard myself say this for over 6 years. Every woman needs a pair of knee-high boots in their base colour. That is the start! How many you have after that (like me and my.... 10) is up to you (and your husband and your storage space and your budget!)

How many pairs of ankle boots do I have? 1 pair, which I only wear with jeans. That is why I am great advocate of knee high boots as they are so much more versatile. Knee highs can be worn under trousers and with skirts, dresses and tunics.

Do they need to be high? No way! A good pair of boots have a comfortable heel that you can run around in all day and never think "my feet are KILLING ME". So go to the level of comfort that is right for you, irrespective of your height. For Victoria Beckham that is 10 inches, for you it might be half an inch!

For me it is the court heel (so a fairly decent chunky heel), flats, OR my other favourite, the small wedge. The wedge is fantastic because it give you a little bit of heel but you feel like you are wearing flat shoes.

The base colour of either brown or black will go with everything. But don't be scared to get another colour down the track. Blood red is gorgeous, khaki green, bronze or purple! Fantastic.

The boot colour doesn't have to match ANYTHING, so don't worry on that score. What it will do is create a talking point and a whole load of compliments.

For those who have struggled to find boots to fit their calves, then never fear. You need to be looking out for boots that have buckles that open the whole gusset out and can fit any size. Then you pull the buckles in to fit your calf.

Where do I shop for my boots? I love Overland. But have also seen some fabulous pairs in Hannahs, Max, Mischief, Wild pair to name but a few. There are a LOT out there and sometimes it can take time to find them. But once you do you will get SO much wear out of them it will all be worth it.

Stay colourful!

Trudi
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Cardigan conundrum

"I'd like to know about cardigan style for body shape? I'm struggling to find a cardigan I like. Obviously a v-shape or scooped neckline is good but there aren't many around. Which button do I do up? Or should I just wear them undone? I find tie cardigans are often too short ... ahhh ... can you help please?? Maybe I'm just not a cardigan girl, perhaps structured fitted jackets are more my thing."

The cardigan conundrum is one many women struggle with. If you are looking for a traditional button up cardigan then Jacqui E and Glassons usually have them in store. Jacqui E's are better for shorter people and Glasson's ones are usually quite long so suit a taller person. They both have V necklines so idea for those with a larger chest. But those with a smaller chest can also wear these and pop a higher layer underneath.


The upside of wearing cardigans is that they are a nice, easy, fine layer. The downside is finding the right one for your chest size and height and not letting them HANG down so you loose that precious waist shape.

Tie cardigans need to be tied a full hand span under your chest and not clasping your bust. Currently Shanton has a great purple tie cardigan that is a great length for all people. I tried it on many heights and bust sizes at the Walk in Wardrobe at Westfield Queensgate last week and it suited everyone cool toned.

Button up cardigans do need to nip you in at the waist, so make sure you do at least 2-3 buttons up at all times (in the middle). The only time you can let a cardigan hang is the longer line ones that are currently in MAX in Rust (warm) and forest green (Cool). These are made with a very stretchy fabric and they tend to 'stick' to the side of the body and can be left to hang as they show off your body shape well. If you still want to accentuate your waist in these, they are perfect for teaming with a stretchy elastic belt. These cardigans are better on people over 5ft 6.

I hope that answers your questions on cardigans. Feel free to send me any more questions you may have.

Stay warm and colourful!

Trudi www.wardrobeflair.com
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Winter Wonderland

How do you make the gloom of winter take on a brighter note in an inexpensive and practical way? By using winter accessories is how! Using colourful and fun accessories like scarves, hats, gloves and funky coloured boots are a great way to enjoy the colder climate with the added extra of all those compliments!

If you have as standard black winter cool coat, think how a fashionable scarf in a colour that brings out your eyes and encircles your face will help with the draining effect black can have on many people. Don't go too bulky, but by all means go bright and funky, my favourite for this season is a striped scarf.

Hats are great but many people are scared of them. If you have a smaller round head, then look for something with a peak. A baker-boy style hat is great on this face shape. The peak balances out the 'roundness' of the head and these look very stylish while keeping your head lovely and warm. Those with more of a pronounced chin and a larger head can wear beanies, which look fabulous and usually have scarves that match - bonus!

I like coloured gloves in great colours or good old fashion, smart leather gloves that keep hands beautifully warm and keep you looking stylish. Another addition to the wardrobe of 'fun' can be a coloured pair of knee high boots. Many people have a good base colour like black or brown, but maybe it's time to invest in a green or blood red pair? Don't worry about 'matching' enjoy them, clash them with any colour.

If its time to buy that new winter coat then be brave and go colourful! Trust me, people will smile at you on the street. Too many people are concerned with matching, but with winter coats which get taken off when you arrive somewhere, there is no need to worry about this. It is better to make that impact as soon as you walk into a room with a great coloured coat. First impressions count!

Enjoy winter, its a great time for layering up on lots of lovely items. This season's goal is to try and add a little colour into your winter accessories and enjoy the effect it has on your mood and everyone else's!

Trudi www.wardrobeflair.com
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Copy Cats

To copy someone or something is the greatest form of flattery. That may be so for the person you have copied, but for the 'copier' they end of feeling like a fake version of the 'real' McCoy.

So many men and women find it so difficult buying and shopping for clothes that they choose to copy more stylish friends, shop assistants or even mannequins in shops! This is no joke! It is absolutely true. It is also understandable as when you don't know what to do yourself, you seek help through what you see others do, hoping it will work for you too. More often than not, it doesn't.

But I am here to say you don't need to copy-cat. Don't see something that you think is great and decide to replicate it. Go down your own path. Find what is right for you. The sense of satisfaction in doing this will be wonderful for your self esteem.

Need help finding YOUR style and colours that suit you? These may differ from that stylish friend of yours, but no doubt so do many factors like your budget and body shape! So let’s find out what works best for YOU. Not them.

Be original. Be confident that you can do things your way and still feel great. Let us help you do it. Know your colours, know what styles are great on your body shape and how to adapt the current trends. Then make sure everything fits like a glove and shows your fabulous form. Size is irrelevant when it comes to dressing well. Once you know the Wardrobe Flair mantra of COLOUR, SHAPE, FIT, you will always look and feel fabulous.

Trudi www.wardrobeflair.com
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Layer upon layer upon Layer

Remember how we laughed about that silly Sara Lee cheesecake ad where the Swedish woman kept saying Layer upon Layer!

How right she was!! I really enjoyed my little foray into TV land and my wee stint on Good Morning TV on Monday 14th March. It was nerve racking but lots of fun.

I talked to Sarah Bradley and the good people of NZ who were watching about how great layering your clothing is. I am a firm advocate as my clients will attest! I believe it’s a versatile, modern and funky way of dressing which also happens to be hugely practical.

On the show I wore a tunic dress that was way too short for my years! So I took inspiration from the fabulous Sarah Nichol and teamed another longer tunic slip dress underneath and Voila, it worked a treat.

So layer upon layer of dresses. I also highlighted how great it is to choose to either layer OVER your clothing (dress, summer top etc) or to go UNDER. Both look great and can be adjusted to the season.

If you are say a menopausal woman, then going with an over layer allows you to quickly and easily get it off when you experience a hot flush. If you are a cold fish like me during winter time then I always layer my merino underneath to keep that extra warmth near my core.

Summer dresses can become all year rounders. Arms are never shown and we KNOW how many of you hate your arms!!

For more hints and helpful advice, tune into my facebook account for loads of advice on what to do, what NOT to do and where to go to buy it!www.facebook.com/WardrobeFlair Wardrobe Flair believes our clients are wonderful and deserve ongoing advice. We are always happy to help.

Stay colourful, keep layering during autumn!!

Trudi www.wardrobeflair.com