style tips

Feminine Florals

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Florals may typically be seen as a springtime print but they’re also a great way to add a pop of colour to your Autumn/Winter wardrobe too if you pick the right kind. Here are three that you can wear right now, during the transitional season, or during winter.

Summer Florals

What a great maxi this is! The floral print on this is rather abstract and not obviously floral so this dress could work for a few summers. It’s 100% silk so super luxurious, flirty and feminine and currently on sale for £139.30 from Ted Baker at ASOS. Grab it whilst you still can!

Transitional Florals

This floral print blouse is perfect for the transitional period between right now and Autumn. It’s silk blend (54% silk and 46% linen) so it’s also rather luxurious too. Team with tailored trousers or shorts depending on the weather for dressed up chic. Buy from Tucker at net-a-porter at £230.

Winter Florals

What blog post on florals would be complete without a mention of Liberty? This Prova for Liberty scarf comes in at £250 which may seem a little steep for a scarf but it is a classic Liberty print. This would be perfect for the cold winter and also add a splash of colour amongst the usual winter colour palette of blacks, browns and greys.

What to wear on a flight

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

It’s July, and I’m sure some of you will be jetting off for warmer climates – and with the recent rainfall in the past couple of days, who could blame you?! If you’re going to be on a long haul flight, here are our tips for what to wear on a flight so you can keep comfy and still look stylish at the same time!

1. Layering is a must! Whether it’s a rainy or sunny day here before takeoff you must consider what the weather will be like at your destination and the aircon on planes.

2. A scarf is a good option to have if you feel a little nippy, as is a lightweight jacket (we will be featuring lightweight linen jackets soon!) or cardigan to cover up. Both these things can be used to layer up on the plane or worn before and then taken off if needs be.

3. Don’t let VB fool you into thinking you have to wear heels on a plane. Flats are a must! Wear flats that have details on them like studs or flats that are brightly coloured if you want to add a glamorous touch. Lizzie loves Bloch shoes, so be sure to check them out for comfy fun flats!

4. Loose clothing is a good way to keep comfy. I love this loose dress from American Apparel. Cinch in loose fitting garments with a belt before boarding if you wish and take the belt off on the plane for ultimate comfort.

5. A bag that is big enough to fit all of your onboard essentials such as that scarf or jacket or cardi we talked about. We will also be blogging about the best bags to take on a flight soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for our picks! The best bags are sort of deceptively big – they fit far more things than they appear and bags that aren’t so structured so that they can be squeezed below a chair or up in the overhead compartments.

How to Pick Flattering Swimwear

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Even if your body is less than perfect, however, you can still find the perfect swimsuit to make the most of your assets while minimizing your less-than- perfect bits.

Here’s some tips on how to pick flattering swim wear to reduce your figure flaws so you can enjoy the sun, sand and sea.

1. Pick swim wear that features Lycra for extra holding power. Look for styles like the “Miracle Suit” which feature three times as much Lycra to pull in typical trouble spots like the tummy and bum. They claim you can look 10lbs lighter, and I think they do when I have seen them on my clients.

Figleaves Swimsuit, £55

2. Look for designs with material gathered around the stomach and back, which can camouflage tummy or back bulges and enhance the look of your waist. Some elongated tops like Tankinis have drawstrings down the sides that allow you to adjust the amount of gathering the suit has around the middle.

Bikini Top, Debenhams £6.40

3. Choose a suit or bikini to flatter what you’ve got on top. If you have a fuller figure, choose swim wear with an underwire bra or a molded v-neck style in your correct bra size. If you are on holiday and in a bikini all day, every day, you need to maintain the support. It will also help your figure look its best by keeping the bust line in place and therefore making your waist look trim.

If you are small busted, find a swimsuit with built-in foam cups or pads. Make the most of only requiring fine straps for support, and accentuate with ruffles

4. Use bold and eye-catching prints to further conceal any imperfections in your figure. Geometric prints, floral designs and diagonal stripes break up the space and draw the eye away from a troublesome tummy, for example.

Seaspray swimsuit, £43.80

Video: Lizzie’s Top Ten Tips

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Last week we posted a video of Lizzie being interviewed about what she does. This week we bring you Lizzie’s top ten tips! It’s lunchtime, so put your phone on hold, ignore your emails for seven minutes and sit down and enjoy!

Praise for Prints

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

You’re going to bump into all kinds of prints this season. How will you decide which ones are for you? Well, prints are personal. While one person goes mad for polka dots, another person will live for animal prints. Do you know your print favorites?

Floral

From mini floral prints to large ones, you’ll find one that suits you. A word of caution: tiny floral prints have an innocence to them and may be better suited to a young girl and not a mature woman. I like this quite bold print by DVF at Matches Here are some combinations to consider: a floral top with a solid-coloured trouser; a floral dress with a plain leather belt; and the easiest of all to wear, something you can add to any outfit are scarves in floral prints.

Bohemian/tribal

This print makes for bold statements. There are a wide variety of bohemian prints to choose from. One suggestion is to look for colours in the pattern that are the same colours as you might have in your hair, eyes or skin tone. If it is a very detailed print, make sure something in your outfit is neutral or the print will look like it’s carrying you away with it.

Stripes

From the thick sailor stripes to teeny rows of stripes that might make your eyes sore (especially if someone’s wearing them on TV!), you can hardly go wrong with stripes for spring. Stripes are classic. They’ve been making us think “nautical” for years but depending on what fabrics they’re in, they can be very fun and playful as well.This dress is from Urban Outfitters.

Graphic/eye-dazzling/puzzle prints

This print has a lot going on in it. Don’t get lost in the maze of it all! Somehow the attention needs to come back to your face for you to be flattered. I love this Issa dress from Net-a-Porter. If you are not so brave, try this style of print in a skirt, keeping the print a distance from your face. Break up the intensity with a more restful simple, solid-colored top.

Animal prints

Are animal prints the new black? I think so! They show up in neutral colours, brights and high contrast colours as well. Using multiple animal prints in one outfit is mostly just wrong. If a blouse like this one from Urban Outfitters is too bold for you,  try this style of print in a shoe, t-shirt, or scarf.