The new season is here. I know, it feels a bit early as we haven’t even had a summer yet! We’ve all seen it: fashion victims that are overcome by a season’s trends. You might wonder at what point could you fall victim to trends? Here a a few tips to help keep you looking current and stylish, and not like you’re trying too hard.

some ‘not trendy’ fashion rules to live by

• Trends can turn into fashion favourites when we resonate with the colour, the pattern, the scale, or the mood of the piece. If we resonate with some aspect of it or it relates to our personality or personal style somehow, then it looks like it belongs to us and not to the fashion season. When you wear a trendy item this way, the response should be, “You look so you” not “You look so Autumn/Winter 2009.”
• Buy that trendy item you love. Take it home but leave the tags on it. Let 72-hours go by. Do you still love it? Then cut the tags off and go for it.
• It’s okay to ignore very current trends, and just tweak last years favourites that worked. Aim to look your best and you’ll always be in style.

The picture above is just that example. Unless you’re a 20-year-old professional rockstar, it’s not great to put every single trend on your body at once. To be fair, this is a model paid to wear these clothes, photographed by professionals for catalogue depictions of current trends.

Look closely at the different trends:

1. Punk leggings (note the numerous zips)
2. White shirt
3. Faux fur gilet
4. Big handbag
5. Gladiator studded heels

You’re (hopefully!) unlikely to get dressed in this outfit for ordinary life, yet, taken bit by bit, there may be a trend idea here that is perfect for you. The key is to modify, modify, modify. Here’s how.

• Leggings are so useful, and so you’ve got a figure that can handle them, try them. If you’re over 19-years-old, be cautious. This is a look (especially with the zips) that could make a more mature woman look trashy. Instead, look for close fitting trousers that follow the lines of your body but aren’t as tight as spandex.

• White shirts are very popular and a crisp white shirt, either simple or with interesting designs, can be a great wardrobe basic. In fact, if the price is right, buy two or three, as they need to be laundered more often than coloured blouses.

• A faux fur gilet like this one could be a great “third” piece in an outfit. Wear a classic slim skirt with black tights and ballet style pumps, a white shirt and add a vest and you’ve got a great way to wear this season’s trend without looking too trendy. A vest would be great with jeans or full trousers as well, with a slim-fitting poloneck underneath it.

• A big handbag could is great accessory that is your season’s key piece. A handbag that we feel great about gives us great confidence compared to something we’ve been using for years and is showing wear. Who needs all the other trends when you’ve got this showstopper?

• These gladiator-studded heels are pretty over the top but you can find some that have 40% fewer studs, and maybe they would be the attitude shoes of the season for you. Wearing those modified heels with the addition of some layered longer chain necklaces could be a nice combo with some tamer separates.

I am a massive fan of Biosculpture Gel- or as nails Inc call it the 3 week manicure. If i don’t have it done, my nails break and split and never grow. If I have a regular manicure it lasts a day or two and then looks chipped and a bit rubbish.

I discovered Biosculpture about 3 years ago and I have converted quite a few clients from false nails – which I personally find a bit fake looking however short and neat.

It basically looks like regular nail polish, but is a gel which is set under UV light. It offers a protective coat to the nail which is why I love it. They don’t break, split or chip and I get 3-4 weeks out of them before they need to be soaked off and redone. I tend to go for the natural look at the momnet, which means i can paint a bright summery colour over if i fancy it for a day or two, and then remove as normal using an acetone free remover.

Anyway, I went to Nails Inc on South Molton Street yesterday to get them re done. I decided to go pale pink this time and the lovely Chantal did a fantastic job…

Its amazing how much getting my nails done gives me a lift and makes me feel groomed. I totally recommend it!

So May just flew by, and now June is here again and summer feels like it’s well and truly upon us! It’s great to finally be shopping and creating wardrobes of summer outfits in the sunshine and warmth, rather than in rain and cold and having to rely purely on imagination! If you find you are struggling with your summer wardrobe now we have experienced some hotter weather, I have a few dates still available in late June and July. If you would like some help in getting your holiday or summer wardrobe organised then give me a call.

Here are some tips and ideas from my newsletter on how to feel and look cool in this heat – long may it continue!

look for natural fabrics. Cotton muslin, organza & chiffon, light weight linen, and wool. Knowing what fabrics to shop for is half the battle to overcoming summer heat. Read the labels! Natural fibres – cotton/silk/wool – breathe better than manmade. Layer lightweight loose fabrics over an absorbing cotton vest for a cool solution. In direct sun it is cooler – and healthier- to keep skin covered up in a fine cotton shirt, and wear the vest alone when in the shade. Gap and Uniqlo have great cotton casual shirts, and try Top Shop and American Apparel for a rainbow assortment of plain vests.

wear clothes that don’t restrict. Be especially careful at the arms and the waist. Pinched biceps or waistlines are more miserable in heat. When things look too tight, you look uncomfortable and probably feel uncomfortable, and that’s not cool. If your are concerned about looking pregnant in some looser styles, make sure you show off the smallest part of your waist with a skinny belt, and slim legs in a white skinny jeans or leggings. This goes for shoes too. Tight and uncomfortable shoes are even worse in the heat. If you are a heel wearer, invest in some comfortable wedge sandals, and if you are a flats girl, try some gold gladiator style sandals. Clarks – yes said Clarks! – have some great summer styles in and they are comfortable, stylish and they come in half sizes so they will fit!

follow the 50/50 rule. All-over fullness looks sloppy and adds imaginary pounds. If you’re wearing one close-fitting garment such as a skinny jean, you can let the top be looser. If you’re wearing a close-fitting summer top or a vest, wear a looser skirt, wide-legged or baggy trousers.

printed fabrics hide perspiration better than solid-colored fabrics. If you need an excuse to step outside your comfort zone and try a print, this is it! If you are prone to perspiration, disguise your sweat marks by wearing a patterned summer top or dress. Also, make sure you buy one of the ‘anti-white mark’ deodorants to make sure you don’t mark your coloured and dark clothes.

cover ups. If you don’t like to show off your arms, buy a lightweight casual linen jacket as a cool alternative to cardigans. Top Shop and Gap both have good value ones right now. Otherwise, you can transform a cotton or linen blouse into a jacket when you roll the sleeves up. Expose your wrists and forearms and wear a vest top underneath. Also try Banana Republic and Uniqlo for loose cotton cardigans. Carry a shawl or fine-weight pashmina with you. It can be great over bare arms for protection from the sun and is also perfect in air-conditioned restaurants for added warmth.

update your sunglasses. This will be your defining summer accessory when your clothes are simple. Sunglasses will instantly update your look. Pick a classic pair in black or tortoise shell frame that have ‘style’ written all over them, and make sure you try on lots of different shapes! Choose ones that suit you, that you feel comfortable in and that work with the shape of your face, rather than following celebrity trends.

book a pedicure! Or at least paint your toenails – essential if you’re wearing sandals that bare all. Have fun choosing the colour. You can afford to go brighter and more daring on toes than on hands, and wear colours that would not suit your skin tone normally. There are some gorgeous corals and oranges available – I’m loving nails inc’s orange called Hans Place.

switch your leather handbag. Try canvas, cotton, or straw for a lighter, more summery look. This is a refreshing change from heavy winter bags and a great source for style and individuality. If you wear lots of prints, look for a solid, natural-coloured bag. Otherwise, a gorgeous leather bag in a bright colour is a great way to bring in a splash of colour if you are not brave enough to wear it on your person.

How you dress has a big influence on how others assess you and your abilities, and can also affect how confident you feel about yourself and your work.

In this new economy, putting your best professional foot forward is more important than ever. Whether it’s in your current profession where you don’t want to be overlooked, an entrepreneurial career, or a new job interview you’re preparing for, looking good is your strongest opportunity for winning in the workplace. Research has shown that when well-groomed men and women are placed in identical situations with poorly-groomed men and women the well- groomed person got the job/promotion/pay increase date every time. Rather than take offense at this, you can take action and do something to increase your chances of success. When presenting yourself, your clothes are your silent but strongest partner. Here are some ideas to consider when creating a professional wardrobe that yields natural confidence and competence.

bring in some colour!
Colours have a powerful psychological effect on other people and can help you project yourself as you want to be seen by others. This important element of the wardrobe is absolutely free! It costs no more to buy a suit or top in a colour that makes you look amazing, as it does to buy one that drains you.

In a corporate setting, clothing criteria is more formal. Colours tend to be dark such as navy, black, charcoal grey and burgundy. Contrast these dark colours with light ones – a light-coloured blouse under a dark jacket will pull attention to your face. Your face is your best asset in business – it’s your communication centre, so it’s where you want people to focus.

When you wear colours that relate to your own colouring, you automatically hold people’s attention. Don’t underestimate the power of wearing a shade of green if your eyes are green, or wearing a brown jacket if your hair is brown. It makes you appear more approachable, credible and capable. If your workplace is more creative, wear more creative colour combinations or more variety of colours. Choose colour wisely, and consider calling me to have a professional colour analysis done.

grooming
A well-groomed woman speaks loudly in the workplace. Her appearance sends the message that she’ll take care of details and get the job done. Polished, natural makeup makes you look professional and productive. Invest in good quality makeup and make sure your foundation matches your skin. Consider booking a professional makeup lesson with Kit Hall at Babet to shop for the best products and learn how to apply them. Otherwise make an appointment with a brand such as Bobby Brown, who specializes in natural-looking makeup, in a department store. Get your hair coloured and cut regularly in a good salon. It does not pay to scrimp on a good haircut! I thoroughly recommend Joe’s Salon in London’s Burlington Arcade (http://www.joessalon.co.uk). Joe Mehmet will give you a fantastic cut and Dan Rice is an amazing colourist. Dan also offers the latest Brazilian system in hair-straightening which is perfect for those who need to tame unruly frizz and struggle to find the time each morning to get their hair looking its best.

Well-groomed hands are definitely a must! Scraggy cuticles and bitten nails detract from everything else. If you struggle to get yours growing I recommend having professional biosculpture gel. It looks like nail polish but lasts for 3-4 weeks and acts to coat and protect your nails, helping them to grow. It is available at most good salons, including Nails Inc, who call it the 3-week manicure. Light nail polish is great for a fresh, healthy nail look, but if it’s appropriate for your position try out one of the new bright spring colours.

is your work wardrobe a winning one? get a second opinion!
Over the years the workplace has become more casual, but in these times it wouldn’t hurt anyone to take his or her wardrobe up a notch. Appearances count, not only in first impressions but also in ongoing interactions.

If you’re wondering how to ensure you’re looking your best, don’t hesitate to call me to help you find the best colours and wardrobe for you and what you need to project of yourself. You can count on me to make your appearance your best asset! For more information about the services I offer visit www.babetstyle.co.uk, or to enquire about my availability please call me on 020 7193 8956, or send an email to info@babetstyle.co.uk.