These are the clothes they mean when they talk in the magazines about ‘investment’ pieces or ‘wardrobe classics’.  That is quality items that will never date and will look good [...]]]> Get on down to the Designer Room at Nunawading if you really appreciate the quality of European clothes that are designed to look good for years.

These are the clothes they mean when they talk in the magazines about ‘investment’ pieces or ‘wardrobe classics’.  That is quality items that will never date and will look good season after season.  These are the kind of clothes you can dress up or down and, if you buy the right designs for your body shape (see the post on Body Shapes), they will keep you looking fabulous whatever the occasion.

Don’t forget also that for the over 50’s the aim is to go for more simple clothes but the best quality you can afford to get that effortless chic style we all so admire.

My pick of what’s in store at the moment is the new Jaeger range of jackets, skirts and suits – fabulous styling, fabulous quality and fabulous prices – believe me! You corporate ladies should definitely be making some serious purchases!

Marc Cain has some very sassy leopard print shaped tops – if you dare – and Basler has a new range of knitwear that is very attractive.  I also liked in the Clearance section the long grey wrap over jacket cardis from Firetrap (not a make that the over 25’s can usually get away with) – very versatile to carry you through to summer.

There is still a lot of very smart  Basler in the Clearance sections at great prices if you prefer the classic cuts and styles and, incidentally, the staff are very helpful and savvy too !!

Spring is not too far away and the shops will soon be full of the new fashions to tempt us but do you really know what suits you?  If [...]]]> The essence of true style is to feel and look comfortable and confident and the first step to getting it right is to know your body shape.

Spring is not too far away and the shops will soon be full of the new fashions to tempt us but do you really know what suits you?  If you don’t or you’re not sure you need to go back to the drawing board before parting with any hard earned cash on new outfits.

First of all take a good long look at yourself in a full length mirror from the front sides and back in your undies and focus on your gorgeous bits.  The next step isa to look at the width of your shoulders in comparison to the width of your hips.  If they are more of less the same and you have a defined waist you are an hourglass shape.  If you don’t have much waist definition you are a rectangle.  If your shoulders are broader than your hips you are an inverted triangle and if your shoulders are narrower than you hips you are a pear shape.

Once you have worked this out then you will know that the clothes that will look best on you will be those that tend to even out your shape (silhouette) to a more balanced hourglass.  For example a pear will look good with a smooth fitting dark skirt or pants and structured wider shoulders on jackets and tops.  The opposite for the inverted triangle – smooth dark tops and colourful decorative bottoms will even out your silhouette.  A rectangle can be quite boyish so the aim is to define the waist and the easiest way to do this is with belts!!  Also don’t be afraid to create shape by choosing fullness in skirts and wider shoulders and necklines.  The hourglass must always choose clothes that fit her shape regardless of size.  Smooth fitting tops and bottoms will show off the curves and always look good.  If you are larger, as many hourglasses are, DON’T fall into the trap of choosing big boxy shapes.  They make you look much bigger and heavier.  If you are more of a general oval shape with not much of a waist and a bit of a tum then emphasise the narrowest part of your body with empire line dresses and tops and slim down your middle by adding a long jacket or cardigan to form a central panel that slims and elongates your shape.

Remember that no one is a perfect anything so just work out which shape is closest to you and experiment with styles!

Go shopping not to buy, but just to try on, and pick out items you would never normally look at – you will definitely get a few pleasant surprises and have fun in the process !!

You’ve probably noticed that the shops are full of black again and I am amazed at how many women I see who wear nothing but black top to toe – [...]]]> Now is the time to pack away all your summer stuff (after you have had a sort out of course) and enjoy rugging up for winter.

You’ve probably noticed that the shops are full of black again and I am amazed at how many women I see who wear nothing but black top to toe – there is a reason it is the traditional funeral colour you know girls – it’s because it makes most of us look like death.

Anyway that aside the trends for winter are once again the structured shoulders on jackets and coats with a definite 80’s vibe.  My advice would be to be cautious about investing a lot of money in this trend as it will surely not last much longer after this year.  Stick to classic lines that suit your body for investment pieces.

Skinny jeans are still current but unless you are a skinny minnie and under 40 I would suggest a straight leg is more flattering.  Team with thigh boots and a sloppy knit or a neat pair of shooboots and a long jacket cardi for a more subtle look.  Hemlines are still high for you youngsters with sky high platforms, chunky ankle boots  and strappy shoes.

Now is the time to experiment with layering up and its a good way to use some of your summer items through the winter to increase your cost per wear.  See Ralph Lauren’s tweed jacket and fur wrap worn with a voile skirt and riding boots – fabulous.  The mix of fine and chunky textures is always interesting and attractive.  Try a cable knit sweater over a full cotton skirt with opaque tights and shoo boots.

Jewellery is still big in size, even watches,  so pick up a couple of statement necklaces at Diva or Equip to finish your outfit off, especially if you like to draw attention to your face and away from other areas.  If you are petite or just don’t like big pieces try wearing a few finer chains or bangles to get the same effect without the bulk.

Metallics and studs are still big for party wear as are bold colourful graphic prints and don’t be shy – mix them up – if you think it works then it does!  Check out Ginger and Smart and Tina Kalivas for drama or the lovely prints at Easton Pearson and Dries Van Noten.

So get to it girls, review the closet and draw up your list of must have’s -  don’t you just love Melbourne for the changing seasons and the opportunity to change what you wear, how you look and have an excuse to go shopping  …..

I hear you all exhaling in desperation [...]]]> As usual the new season’s offerings from the designers bring a lot of stuff that is aimed at the 30’s and below market in terms of style and sizing with black (again) and purple de rigueur. Hemlines continue to be bottom skimmin’ and heels sky high.

I hear you all exhaling in desperation as did I at some of the runway shows at the recent L’Oreal Fashion Week.

The designers are, naturally I suppose, mainly focussed on their ‘art’ but it seems that more and more high street retail chains are lowering their sights as far as age is concerned. I read somewhere that the average woman over 50 only spends approximately $40 a week on clothes! Could this be why we have become the forgotten generations?

If this figure is the correct I suspect the reason is that there is a huge gap in the market for women over 50 who want to look stylish but desperately want to avoid the mutton syndrome. Could it be that they just can’t find anything to buy other than another pair of black stretchy pants?

Certainly women of this age often have more cash to spend and are also more concerned about quality and workmanship (or should be) so come on you fashion gurus, produce something that a normal size woman, warts and all, can look good in when she’s passed the stage of wanting or needing to expose herself or, alternatively, truss up in great voluminous swathes of knitted (one size covers all) fabrics.

What’s that you say about deaf ears?

The only solution, believe me, is to get on out there girls and try everything on regardless or better still, save up your $40 weekly spend and invest in a stylist to go shopping with you – you might just come back looking and feeling better than the 30 year olds!

The [...]]]> Well you may think the sales are over now and it’s time to think about the autumn but if you love a bargain – and who doesn’t? I would say get out there because there are now some REALLY good buys to be had with lots of shops offering 70% off the normal prices.

The trick, of course, is to not get caught out buying summer stuff that will be out of date next year so think more classic shapes and cuts. Alternatively think practical as the clothes that are comfortable for hot summer days tend to reappear every summer. My guess is that it will be a while yet before the maxi dress looks jaded because when the heat is on it is just so good to wear for any occasion, especially over swimmers or with no undies around the house.

Another staple is the cropped pant, mini skirt if you can get away with it or the wide soft cotton or linen pants. Ballet pumps, flat sandals or wedges are guaranteed to make an appearance every year because they are kind to feet in the heat.

Now I have been around the last week checking out the best places to shop and my recommendation would be DFO Essendon where I picked up a pair of Nicole Farhi linen pants for $49 (woohoo!) in the European samples rail at Trent Nathan Resort. Frat House is selling Abercrombie and Fitch T shirts at 2 for the price of 1 with some fine long sleeved T’s going for an incredible $5 for 2. Ginger Tree has racks of amazing bargains with maxi dresses at $19 and many items below cost. Witchery and Country Road have good stocks of discount items and Oroton have got $30 off already reduced prices. Jag has good discounts throughout the store on jeans, dresses and T’s and the store staff are really friendly and helpful.

Brand Smart at Nunawading has David Lawrence and Jigsaw offering the best bargains with leather belts reduced from $99 to $19 and Diana Ferrari has discounts still on the smart casual clothes ranges as well as summer shoes. The Designer House has some good one off bargains of Firetrapfor sporty young gear and designers such as Jil Sander, Betty Barclay, Jaeger etc. for timeless classic pieces.

In Westfield Doncaster try Arthur Galant for evening wear, Laura Ashley still has clothes at great discounts (also log onto their website for the 50-60% sales on furniture etc. customer.service@laura-ashley.com.au) Pepe for sweet little sun dresses and Myer still has racks of sale items for most of the labels they stock.

So if you love a bargain now is the time to shop but my advice would be:

1) Don’t compromise on fit unless you are sure you can get it altered at reasonable cost
2) Don’t be swayed by the label ask yourself ‘If this was in Best and Less would I still buy it?’
3) If it’s poor quality, damaged, not your style or a hideous colour leave it on the rack

Happy Hunting – go to it girls!

Chris

Well with a few tricks it’s very easy to transform your office outfit to party wear and the key, of course, is accessories.

The easiest way [...]]]> It’s the time of the year when lots of you working girls will be thinking about parties and get togethers after work with little time to go home and get changed.

Well with a few tricks it’s very easy to transform your office outfit to party wear and the key, of course, is accessories.

The easiest way to do this is to keep the work wear simple by choosing a basic outfit like a neat dress or a skirt or pants in a block colour  (yes black is a no brainer but remember you will merge with 80% of the other women at the do who will also be wearing black).  Why not try burgundy, navy, beige, blue grey, cream, or any of the jewel colours instead.  They can be kept simple for work with a bright scarf,  bead necklace or neat leather belt or perhaps with a little cardi or shirt over the top.

When the bell rings for play time you can cast off the flat shoes, change into a pair of metallic sandals or heels grab a little embellished clutch bag and pop on a pair of sparkling pendant earrings and a couple of bangles, throw a bright silky scarf or pashmina over your arm and away you go!

Alternatively you could take a sparkly tank or cami to change into if you are wearing a suit.  Adding heels and jewellery will add glamour to the look.  Don’t forget that a pair of black pants is very versatile and can be matched with a tuxedo jacket for evening wear along with a great rope of pearls.

All the things you need to change can be taken to work in a small tote bag and don’t forget to touch up your makeup and you’ll probably feel better if you take a small toothbrush along for a quick brush.

Make the eyes a little smokey with  a smudge of darker liner close to the lids with some highlighter on the brow bone and in the centre of your lid.  Apply a couple of coats of mascara and finish off with a dust of bronzer on your brow cheeks and chin and a bright lipstick.  Last but not least a spray of perfume and  Hey presto! gorgeous!

Have a great party season and remember style is about confidence not clothes.

The atmosphere was busy and excited as everyone anticipated the fun of Spring Racing Carnival and the prospect of the return of summer and warm weather.  The retailers showcased their latest lines and were offering some fantastic discounts [...]]]> The Spring Fashion week at Stockland The Pines was a great success for customers, retailers and the organisers.

The atmosphere was busy and excited as everyone anticipated the fun of Spring Racing Carnival and the prospect of the return of summer and warm weather.  The retailers showcased their latest lines and were offering some fantastic discounts and promotions as well as treating shoppers to free goodie bags, champagne and complimentary seats at  the three fantastic fashions shows.  Congratulations to all involved.

The stand provided for me  by the Centre Management was a very popular feature and the free styling advice was hugely in demand by all shoppers ranging in age from 11 years to  70+ which just proves that there are a lot of ladies out there who would love to change the way they look!   For all those of you I met I would like to say thank you for your interest and it was a pleasure to meet you.  I do hope that you got a little inspiration from our chat and you will follow up some of the ideas we discussed!!

For those who were interested in knowing more please note:

The next Style Workshop will be in Warrandyte on Wednesday October 7th -

so give me a call and let me show you how you can look good and feel great every day whatever your size, age, budget or preferences!

See what you missed or browse at your leisure at the new spring arrivals from the boutiques appearing here shortly in full technicolour glory !!