Put on your Sparkle…

Getting ready for the party season

Shimmer in this dress from Frank Usher

 

There’s nothing like glittering sequins, sparkling diamantes and shiny precious metals to give you instant glamour and brighten your spirits through the winter nights.

The right colours for you…

Just as with colours, certain gems and metals will complement your colouring better than others, so choose carefully and you really will dazzle in December.

For your Statement Dress….

The Christmas party season is perfect for a dazzling dress.

The obvious choices for metal shades are gold or silver and here is where you really need to know which suits your colouring best as you will be wearing it virtually top to toe.

Gold or Silver?…The ‘Rules’…

Gold wrap style dress from Republic

The rule of thumb is that warm skin tones should stick to gold and cool skin tones should opt for silver.  Depending on your overall colouring you can work with variations in between of course.

True redheads can go for really warm colours such as bronze and copper shades for example.

Light blondes may find full on sequins too overpowering for them so they could opt for a simple gold or silver (depending what their skin tone is) sheen or a light gold/silver dusting on a white background. You will also find shimmering fabrics in a range of colours so don’t be afraid to go for your most flattering hue.

For your Eyes…

CMB Eye Base Cream

Don’t forget to keep your make-up fresh and dewy. You want to reflect light in the right places to add brightness to a Winter complexion.

Keep your eye make-up looking fresh with CMB’s eye base cream.

Shimmering eye shades will finish your look perfectly. Choose these winning eye shadow combinations:
Warms – Khaki and Gold Shimmer

Cools – Heather, Pearl & Silver

Something Different…

Funky leggings from New Look

If the dress is not for you then you can find pieces with an interesting embellishment, or if you want to be more funky than elegant try some sparkling tights or leggings.

New Accessories…

We can’t get away from it: accessories are the easiest way to add sparkle to winter outfits whether for daytime or evening.

Hair accessories are a big feature this season with diamante, feathers, netting and beads echoing glamour of bygone eras.

Brooches are also popular as are neck collars (for medium to long necks only) which can really set off the most simple outfit.

The sequined clutch bag is still a favourite for Christmas and there are lots more new designs to enjoy this year.

To help you invest in the best party wear for you this season, contact me to see how she can help you make the right choices with a Colour Analysis Consultation, a Personal Style & Body Shape Consultation or simply get a seasonal Fashion Trends Update.

Our bodies are all beautifully different which is why we don’t all look good in the same clothes.

Gift Experience Vouchers for your loved ones...

 

Gift Experiences make unique presents that will make them feel extra special.

So that’s all for now….

Have a wonderful party season…

All the best…

Isabel x

How to wear accessories Part 3 – Handbags

All about Handbags…

If you are a handbag obsessive you probably create looks around your favourite pieces already so you will love all the attention being on your most prized accessory.

How to choose a handbag…

Key look: The Satchel

There are a few things to consider when choosing a handbag.  If you choose carefully you’ll enhance you’re whole outfit and cleverly balance your figure. Whichever style your opt for, it’s best to make sure that the bag balances and compliments your entire outfit and look.

Questions to ask before you part with your cash…

How am I going to wear this?  On my shoulder?  In the crook of my arm? Or across my body?  Handbags can get pretty heavy, which is why it’s important to pay attention to how you are carrying it.

If I’m wearing it on my shoulder, is the strap long enough or too short? Remember that the position of the bag will draw interest to that part of your body.  For example:

If you’re ‘Pear’ or ‘Triangle’ shaped:  If the strap is  too long the bag will sit too low on your hips making your silhouette look more bottom heavy – not a great look!  Try adjusting the strap so that the bag sits on the slimmest part of your body – usually the waist or just under the arm making your upper body balance with your lower half

Key Colour: Camel

If you’re a ‘Inverted Triangle’ shape or you’ve  got a full bust, then wearing a bag right under your arm will broaden your bust and widen your upper body, so adjust the strap and move the bag down slightly away from your bust area. This will have the effect of narrowing your upper body and balancing out your proportions.

Does the bag balance my scale?

It’s crucial to consider your own scale and proportions before selecting a bag.  Be careful that the bag doesn’t overwhelm your entire look .

For instance:  If you’re petite and very slim, you would be better suited to a bag that is not too large, but if you’re very tall with a grande frame a teeny-weeny bag will look plain silly – you’ll look more balanced with a larger bag.

Where am I going to wear this bag?  Does it suit the occasion and compliment my outfit?

Types of handbag…

Bold handbags

If you’re a bit ‘dramatic’ or ‘creative’ you probably love bags with a bit of the ‘wow’ factor.  Choose bags with animal prints, sequins or fringes in bold exciting colours.  It’s best to team these bags with more neutral outfits so that the bag remains the focus of your look.  Unless you have a really ‘creative’ personality, it’s best to avoid teaming up a patterned bag with a patterned outfit.

Clutch bags

Clutch bag are really impractical for day-to-day.  Let’s face it, you can’t put much in them, can you?  However, they can certainly add an air of sophistication to your evening ensemble and look very pretty teamed with a gorgeous gown or cocktail dress.  Clutch bags are also very practical at weddings and parties when you’re only carrying a ‘lippy’, a small purse, keys and phone.  And they are can be really pretty with embellished and beautiful exteriors.  ‘Romantic’ types will love all the details!  ‘Classics’ will love these for formal events but all the ‘naturals’ out there will probably find a clutch a bit of a nuisance!clutch is a versatile piece that denotes a sophisticated air.

Vintage handbags

Trend: Ladylike bags

Vintage bags will always be fashionable providing that you know how to wear them.  When experimenting with a bit of ‘vintage’ chic, it’s best to balance the look and keep it looking modern by mixing it with a few contemporary pieces from your wardrobe.  Otherwise, you’ll look like someone straight out of an old black and white movie!  This season, the ladylike bag can be worn with a cute skirt and cardigan combo or at the weekend try wearing it with a pair of jeans, a simple T and a great jacket.

Super large handbags

A really enormous handbag is the perfect choice for a casual, everyday look. Most ‘natural’ types will love these bags  as they can put everything in them!  However, do be careful that it’s not TOO big for you, or you’ll end up looking a bit unbalanced and scruffy.  On the whole these bags look better in colourful shades and with softer, lighter fabrics.

This season’s key looks:

This season it’s been all about camel and satchels.  So if you’re still looking for a new bag, then this is the style to go for.  ‘City Chic’ types probably wouldn’t associate them with their usual simple, elegant style, but they can look very stylish teamed up with jeans or even with a maxi dress.  ‘Naturals’ will love this look as it’s so practical and easy to wear.

Fun for Christmas - A red bag!

Finally, a word about ‘matchy-matchy’.  I know that the ‘classics’ will find this a bit tricky, but these days it’s really not necessary to match your handbag to your shoes or outfit.  In fact it looks a lot more modern and fashionable to do precisely the opposite and pick a bag that tones with the whole ensemble.

So that’ it for bags.  Come back next time when I’ll be writing about scarves and pashminas.

Have fun with your ‘arm candy’…

All the best

Isabelx