Interesting Quote

I heard an interesting quote today and it certainly resonated with me. So much so, it had me pondering on the various occasions this applied to across my 37 years of life:

 “It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little”

Male Clients Experience

I’m launching a new service shortly that I’ll need to promote and come across well. With that in mind I realised my wardrobe was a bit tired and needed updating.

I have baggy old things for working at home and slightly more respectable outfits for pub lunches with friends. I have a range of suits - summer/winter, country/town. I think (!) it’s relatively easy to dress for formal business meetings and I’ve no shortage of ‘hanging around in baggy type’ clothes. But the one thing I absolutely can't do is smart daywear. I find it especially difficult to get a jacket/blazer, trousers, shoes and shirt that don’t age me by 20 years.

After a chat, we proceed upstairs to my wardrobe and Katie starts pulling clothes out. If she likes them she puts them in either two piles: work or social. But more often she asks the killer question, 'When did you last wear this?' and Katie knowingly puts the item in the ‘charity/gardening clothes’ pile.

Katie has made me think differently of how I want to look… more relaxed and effortless smart in both work and social time. A look I have yet to seem to master… I also now know which clothes are for different parts of my life: work and casual.

So what do I conclude? Buying the right clothes, takes a considered approach. To look really smart, you have to find items that work well together and are versatile. You can try and do this by yourself, or your can use Katie's help to save you time, as she'll do a lot of the research, get her valued opinion. Quite often what she'll find are stunning clothes that work for you that are not the most expensive.

Why bother dressing right...?

Things have drastically moved along a lot since the Sunday best culture and parameters for dressing have certainly changed. Nowadays dressing formally does not necessarily equal getting it right! All very confusing from the good old days I know… However, there are still occasions like the theatre or going out for dinner when it is nice to have a sense of occasion and wear those lovely outfits you love to wear!

Even dressing for work can be tricky, we all know the rules have changed these days. Unless you are in a formal profession (…. Lawyer/ accountant), then dressing smart is still an expected part of being in that role. Alternatively, most other job roles allow some flexibility, some allowing a great deal of creativity – although not be translated as an opportunity to dress sloppily or badly.

Having a flexible wardrobe helps people to have the right outfit for various occasions. In fact, clothes focus the mind on the role you are playing at any one time. I am a great believer in performance clothes, where clothes have to earn their place in your wardrobe. So your wardrobe works for your life now not you 5/10 years ago….

Less is more...

Did you know that women own at least 20 items they have never worn. And in a lifetime are expected to buy £133,640 on clothes. Shocking I know..

You may have noticed that over the last decade there are a rising number of womenswear items to choose from (increased by 21% from 2001-2005), whilst the cost of items have come down by 14%.So when you look around your friends, family and colleagues you may have noticed that they have contributed to this shopping pattern.

My point here... is to buy carefully and less.  A wardrobe that works effectively is like a well oiled machine that works around the requirements, needs and beliefs of their owner. Avoid the trap of thinking... that because you are buying something, you are adding to your wardrobe, sometimes you are simply confusing and cramming your wardrobe and mind simultaneously.

What do I wear to… My first day at work?

The key for getting a successful ‘first day office’ outfit is to wear keep your outfit simple but add personality with carefully chosen accessories: a stylish bag, a patterned scarf or a piece of statement jewellery.

In today’s current job market, more than ever employers expect for you to be on top or your game, and you can easily do this by showing you know what is currently happening in the world of fashion, with these key hottest trends for Autumn/Winter:

* Camel is a big look this coming season. If you have dark hair, with warm toned skin you can wear a top or jacket in this colour. Everyone else should wear sparingly as an accent colour only eg.shoes, bangles, rings or handbag.

*Square toes heels worn with either a buckles or bow. Go for buckles if you want a statement, bows if you want pretty.

* Structured handbags on a short strap: any colour! Your choice here…

* Wide legged and high waisted trousers worn with a polo neck is a demure work-wear alternative to skirts or dresses.

* Hem length skirts are in this season! Great for office work, but avoid the ‘mini’ at work, which is also making a come back.

* Top tip: wear heels, since they are an instant confidence boost.