Outfit - Style Tips and Updates

Focus on Your Favourite Features

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +1300

How often do you stand and look in the mirror, only to zone in on your figure challenges? “Ah, my bum looks so big.” “My tummy is definitely not what it used to be!” “I wish I had longer legs”.

So often we only focus on the negatives, the things we don’t like about ourselves. Sometimes we can even get a bit obsessive about how bad we think our figure challenges are. This can tend to make us a bit depressed, self-conscious, and insecure. It’s a bad cycle.

We are all different, we all have the body parts we try to disguise or camouflage. We have different body shapes. And that’s how it’s meant to be. If we all had hips as big as mine, then nobody would look good in skinny jeans! They just never would have existed!

Now, unfortunately culture and society has portrayed a “perfect image” which is not really attainable by most of us. It’s just not that realistic, and I don’t think it’s actually as beautiful as someone who is healthy and happy.

The key to looking good, and feeling confident, is to focus on your favourite features.

Focusing on the positive rather than the negative makes you look at yourself in a different light. We each have features that we like about ourselves, and that’s good, it’s healthy. It’s not arrogant to admit that you have nice legs, or great hair. It’s good to be thankful for the positive things about ourselves.

So, I want you to think about your body. What are the 3 things that you love most about the way you look? Do you love your hair, do you have beautiful eyes? Do you have fabulous legs or a great bust? Each and every one of you is made beautiful. We need to celebrate our great features, and learn how to dress our figure challenges.

Looking great is all about working with your body shape, not against it. It’s all about creating balance, by camouflaging your figure challenges, and enhancing your favourite features.

Colour can hugely affect how proportioned you look. Knowing your body shape helps you to know what colour to wear on what part of your body.

Here is my colour rule of thumb: Wear darker, plainer colours on your areas of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours and patterns or texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter shades, and skip over the darker shades.

So, for those of you that have a great top-half of your body, enhance this by keeping the top half interesting with colour, texture or accessories, this makes the eye stay up the top where the interest is. Wear darker, plainer colours on your bottom half.

For those of you that have a great lower-half of your body, enhance this by keeping the bottom-half interesting. Try wearing a patterned or colourful skirt, or textured stockings. Keep your top half, darker & plainer. This way the eye will be drawn to your lower half, to your better features.

I want you to think about the last time you got complimented on your outfit. How did it feel? What were you wearing? What was it about your outfit that looked so good that someone mentioned it? What really worked?

I want to get you thinking a lot more about what you are putting together, what works and what doesn't. Once you can identify that, it makes it so much easier to do the good things again on purpose, and avoid the mistakes.

I have found this to be true in so many people: When you take the time to look your best, you feel so much more confident about yourself. It’s not shallow; it’s about making the most of what you've got.

You are beautiful. Don’t hide behind baggy, shapeless clothing. Don’t try to be invisible. Make the most of your favourite features. You are worth it. I truly believe that every woman is beautiful, and can look stylish, with confidence to boot!

If you’d like some one-on-one advice on what will really suit you, and how to dress to look your best, see our services for more details. I’d love to help you out.

I love Olay’s slogan “Love the skin you’re in”. It’s so true. Love your body, work with it. Be your beautiful self, and have fun doing it.

Packing Light for Holiday

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1300

If you’ve ever been hassled about the amount of luggage that you take with you on holiday, if you end up wearing only half of what you take, or leave important pieces behind, you may have wondered if there is a better way to pack for holiday.

The answer is yes, there is!

All you have to do is make a plan, assemble a clothing capsule, and put it in the suitcase. Once you get good at it, you can be packed and ready to go in about ten minutes.

So, where do you start??

Make a plan

I've known lots of women who insist on packing just about everything they own because they don't know what they'll "feel" like wearing on any given day of their trip.

Translation: They don't know what they're supposed to wear so they take everything, hoping something will be appropriate.

What's a better plan?

Ask. Find out what you'll be doing, where you'll be going, and what the weather's like. If you'll be visiting friends or relatives, ask them. It's such a simple little thing, but so few people think to do it. If you don't know, ASK! It's the quickest way to find your answer. Once you know what you’ll be up to, you can begin to consider what types of clothing you need to take.

Assemble a Clothing Capsule

The next step is to figure out how to take as few pieces as possible yet still cover all of your activities. Sound impossible? Not if you use clothing capsules. Once you master how to mix and match your clothes, you'll be amazed by what you can do with the clothes you already own.

A clothing capsule is approximately 8-12 pieces of clothing that mix and match easily with each other. They can be the same or complimentary colours, and in styles that work well with each other.

Let's say that you're headed to a bach near the beach for the week following Christmas. You'll be eating, shopping, going for walks, eating, going to the beach, and possibly going out to dinner.

A good capsule might include:
• White tank top
• Red merino jumper
• Red t-shirt
• Black shrug/cardi
• Animal print scarf
• Black shorts
• White skirt
• Jeans
• Summer dress – white with black floral print
• Swimsuit

Now, for some sample outfits:

Dinner: Summer dress, black shrug
Shopping: Red T-shirt, jeans,
Walks: White tank top, Red merino jumper, black shorts
The movies: Red merino jumper, jeans, black shrug
Eating out: White tank top, white skirt, scarf tied at neck, black shrug
The beach: Swimsuit, black shorts

See how easy this is? If you stick with a basic colour scheme and pieces that mix and match easily, you'll not only have a variety of outfits, you'll be able to come up with something instantly if you find yourself headed somewhere or doing something you hadn't planned.

Another bonus? You can cut way down on the number of shoes and other accessories you need to take because you won't have to accessorize so many different outfits.

Once you've put together your clothing capsule, decide what accessories you need to take (jewellery, belts, shoes, handbags). These will help make your outfits more interesting and make your pieces look even more varied.

Put it in the Suitcase

Put everything in your suitcase. Add sleepwear, slippers, and a summer robe. Put in your underwear and footwear for however many days you need. If you'll be swimming or working out, pack those clothes as well.

Use travel size toiletries, and keep them in your cosmetic case from here on out. Pack any prescription medications you need and throw in some earplugs in case there are rowdy parties while you are trying to sleep. Make sure you don’t forget your sunscreen too.

Finally, always wear layers when you travel, particularly if you're going to be changing climates. So wear cardigans or pullovers that can be added or removed as needed. If you keep them in the same colour family as your clothing capsule, you now have one more piece to work with.

Make a plan, put together a clothing capsule, and put it in your suitcase. You'll look good, feel great, and save yourself an aching back. You may even raise some eyebrows by how few pieces of luggage you bring - especially when you look great every day of your trip.

If you are still stuck for Christmas gift ideas, check out our services, and think about giving your loved one a gift voucher for some pamper time, shopping help, a wardrobe session or even a makeover.

Swimwear for your Shape

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1300

There's no denying it, most women go into a panic over buying swimwear. Because, let's face it, swimwear is tricky! But don't worry if you haven't got the body of Rachel Hunter and your very own beachwear range to go with it, our useful buying guide will help you find the best swimwear for your shape.

We're talking confidence-boosting tricks, flattering styles, and the odd optical illusion thrown in for good measure. Always remember that you are aiming for a balanced silhouette. As this is (hopefully) the only time you'll appear in public in what amounts to your underwear, you've got to get it right. Time to get your swimwear sorted.

So let’s go through the dos and don’ts for different body shapes and figure challenges for women.

Wide Shoulders

Do's: Balance is the key word here. Wear bikini bottoms that have lots of colour and print and also have detail at the hips such as ties, belts and sashes. Also, halter necks are fabulous for slimming down wide shoulders.
Don'ts: Avoid the "V" silhouette by staying away from those plunging neck lines or teeny bikini bottoms.

Big Bust

Do's: Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice by offering support, while providing some nice cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in back and around the neck. Look for structured swimsuits.
Don'ts: Avoid strapless bandeau top bikinis and tiny tri-tops with minimal coverage and support.

Short Legs or Torso

Do's: Play up your figure by finding a swimsuit that is cut high on the thigh. This will make your leg look much longer. Also, a one-piece suit with a plunging neckline creates a long appearance and is drop dead gorgeous!
Don'ts: Avoid boy shorts and skirted bikinis that draw the eye downward, making you look shorter.

Long Body

Do's: You can go wild with swimwear embellishments at the hips and bust line. Try horizontal stripes and fabrics with texture or pattern. Boy shorts are just the thing for your slim hips.
Don'ts: Avoid up and down stripes, high necklines and dark, solid colours when choosing a swimsuit.

No Waist

Do's: Create curves with a belted waistline, which will give the appearance of a whittled middle. Bikinis are good for you. Add some illusion at the hips with rings, ruffles and bows. If you're small on top, go for a strapless bandeau.
Don'ts: Avoid solid-coloured swimwear or horizontal striped one-pieces.

Small Bust

Do's: You are lucky that you have the body to wear ruffled bikinis and tiny tri-tops. And as for bandeau tops, only you can wear those well. Bright colours are what you want to wear on the beach this summer, so take a risk with a colour like pink.
Don'ts: Avoid bikini tops with too much fabric or have a poor fit. Opt for separate tops and bottoms.

Plus Sized

Do's: A strategically placed cut-out, or a deep V neckline on swimwear can change your image. Dark, cool colours, swirling, or V patterns are always good. Lengthen your thigh with a higher cut leg.
Don'ts: Avoid too much fabric when it comes to choosing a swimsuit. Modesty is certainly OK, but too much coverage is not. Stay away from white, neon fabrics and thick textured fabrics.

Too Much Tummy

Do's: Check out the tankini swimsuits that are on the fashion scene today. They cover just enough, but you still have the freedom and hip factor of a bikini. A one-piece with some ruching around the waist or hips can also help to conceal.
Don'ts: Avoid itsy bitsy bikinis and solid-coloured one-pieces.

Pear-Shaped

Do's: When you are bigger on the bottom you want to draw people’s eyes up by wearing a pretty, eye-catching detailed bikini top. Make sure that your bottom sits well on your hips and that it is a shade darker than your bikini top.
Don'ts: Avoid boy shorts and detailed swimsuit bottoms. Keep the bottom of your suit simple.

Athletic Shape

Do's: Show off your toned arms and shoulders with a halter bikini. If you have a boyish figure, try to wear suits with flirty details. Try bows or ties on the side of the suit that will help create visual curves.
Don'ts: Avoid solid swimsuits without pattern and detail. Stay away from swimsuits that don't have support and shape.

Hourglass

Hourglass figures have balance shoulders and hips with a smaller waist. If this is you, you're lucky because just about any classic styled bathing suit should flatter your figure. Work with your curves, don’t hide them under tank tops and board shorts. If you’ve got it, flaunt it… with taste & style.

Here are some other tips to remember:

· Check your rear view.

· Take a photo on a digital camera when deciding what swimsuit to buy. Sometimes mirrors lie.

· Board-shorts aren’t always the answer. Sometimes they can actually make you look bigger.

If this is still all too scary to face, take a Personal Shopper with you. They will give you honest advice, and make sure that you look the best you possibly can on the beach.

Check out our services to see how we can help.

How to get the most out of your wardrobe

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Did you know that most women wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? That means that 80% of your wardrobe is just taking up space and much of it is quite probably wasted money!

In times like this, when money is tight coming up to Christmas, and the cost of living hurts your shopping budget, there are a few tricks that can really help you look great, while spending very little, or even nothing!

When was the last time that you brought a great item of clothing, and got it home only to find that you had something very similar already in your wardrobe?! Many people make this common mistake because their wardrobes are too full to easily see what they have. If this sounds like you, it’s time for a clear out.

With so many social occasions at the end of the year, summer coming up and sales on in the shops, it can be very tempting to go out and buy a whole new outfit for each event that you have to go to. However, this can be a big waste of money, and end up as that 80% of your wardrobe that you hardly ever wear.

So what other option is there??

First of all, get some inspiration. Flick through a fashion magazine, stroll through the shops and check out the window displays, or go online to some great fashion websites. Once you have an idea of what kind of outfit you want to get, stop. Don’t grab your keys and credit card. Instead, try to shop from your own wardrobe first!

You’d be surprised at how often you can recreate a look from items you already have in your own wardrobe. You may need to substitute one colour for another, or change a straight skirt to an a-line, but give it a go. You may even be able to make the whole outfit from pieces that you haven’t worn in a while. Otherwise, you might find that you only need to buy some new accessories to spice it up, instead of buying a whole new outfit.

Experiment mixing old pieces of clothing together in new ways. Take a digital camera shot to remind yourself of all the ideas you’ve come up with. It’s very handy to have these pictures to turn to on days when you lack inspiration of what to wear.

Try to have a good clear out and an experiment with your clothes twice a year, coming into summer and winter. That way you may be re-inspired to put some of that neglected 80% to use. For those items that you’ve chosen to give away, why not organize a clothes swapping evening with your friends. This is a great way to shop for free and to restock your wardrobe for the coming season. And don’t forget that you can often get great bargains at second hand stores too.

There are lots of ways to look great without spending a fortune. You just need to get creative. Think more. Buy less.

Shop from your own wardrobe first.
Create new outfits from current pieces.
Rediscover the 80% of your wardrobe that hardly gets worn.
Do a clothes swapping evening.
Get a bargain from second-hand shops.

With Christmas approaching it’s time to start thinking about gifts. At Outfit we have gift vouchers available for Christmas, so if you want a makeover or some style advice, check out our services to see how we can help. At Outfit we not only help you look great, but you’ll feel so much more confident too.

Getting Ready for Summer

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +1300

It’s time to get ready for summer. It’s almost here and now’s a great time, before the Christmas rush, to sort out your wardrobe and get it ready for the sunny days ahead.

While you’ve probably heard that you should clear out your wardrobe regularly, chances are that you haven’t done it. Why? Because clearing out your wardrobe isn’t as simple as just putting clothes into piles. The real skill is in knowing what needs to go and what should stay. How do you know what really works on you?

Usually before I sort through someone’s wardrobe, I like to spend some time figuring out what colours suit them, what works on their body-shape, what their lifestyle is like, and also what their style personality is. To successfully sort out and plan a workable wardrobe, you really need to know these things. You may know all this about yourself already, or you might need some help to figure it out. Once we’ve got that sorted, we can start on the wardrobe…

Here are some tips to help you out…

1. Decide how to sort your clothes
Decide what piles you are going to sort your clothes into and where you’re going to put each one.

I suggest the following piles:

a) Keepers: Clothes that go back into your closet because they look great, they are ready-to-wear, and get plenty of use.

b) Storage: Clothes that are basically keepers, but don’t get worn very often (or are out of season right now) so they can be stored elsewhere to free up valuable space in your closet.

c) Repairs: Clothing that need mending, cleaning or tailoring, but would otherwise be keepers.

d) Returns: Clothes that still have tags attached because you’ve never worn them!

e) Giveaway or sell: Nice clothing that’s just not flattering on you but would be great for someone else.

f) Throwaways: Items that shouldn’t be worn by anyone — things that are worn out, badly stained or otherwise unwearable.

You can also make the piles anywhere you want, but having boxes ready for the giveaways and throwaways is a good way to keep them separate, so you don’t accidentally put a keeper in those piles.

2. Sort your clothing

Now you’re going to go through the big stack of clothing on your bed piece-by-piece and move every item to one of the other piles.

Take your time, and don’t put anything back into your closet unless you’re absolutely sure that it’s a keeper.

To be sure that a garment is a keeper, ask yourself the following questions — and don’t forget to answer really honestly! An item isn’t a keeper unless you can answer all these questions with a firm “yes”.

Question 1: Is it free of stains, fading and tears?

Stained, torn or badly faded clothes should not be part of your everyday wardrobe.
You might be able to salvage clothing that’s stained but otherwise fine if you take your clothes to a professional cleaner. Likewise, some tears can be repaired by a professional, but most will mean a garment can no longer be worn.

Question 2: Does it fit perfectly?

Perfect fit is the key to looking like a million bucks even in bargain clothes. Poorly fitting clothes look cheap no matter what they cost.

If an item doesn’t fit properly now, but would be fantastic if it did, consider having it tailored. While not everything will be fixable, a good tailor can work wonders. They can alter the size, length and fit of garments and even make major alterations like removing sleeves or turning a dress into a top or skirt.

If your weight fluctuates, you might keep “skinny clothes” or items that are a little big, in case your weight changes again. It’s fine to keep these if you can reasonably expect to fit into them again, but don’t clog your closet with them. Keep them in storage instead so that everything in front of you each morning fits perfectly and you’re not tempted to wear clothes that pinch and pucker.

Question 3: Does it look great on you?

It’s a gorgeous colour, a fabulous style… but when you wear it, you look dreadful. Don’t keep it; pass it along so someone else can enjoy it.

Can’t tell if it’s flattering? Get some help to determine what actually works for your body shape and what to steer clear of. We offer a Body-shape Analysis to help you here.

You might find that you have lots of unflattering garments because your favourite colour looks terrible on you. If this is the case, try wearing small doses away from your face, in the form of shoes or a bag. Alternatively, look for different shades because a variation on your favourite colour might look a lot better. We also offer Colour Consultations to show you the colours that suit you best.

Question 4: Does it suit your lifestyle?

Clothing you don’t wear every day — like formal wear and out of season items — should be stored away from your everyday clothes.

Question 5: Does it work with your other clothes?

You may have heard me talk about “closet orphans” before. These are the items of clothing that have no family or outfit to be worn with. Every item in your closet should be part of at least one complete, practical, flattering outfit. Otherwise you’ll open your overflowing wardrobe some days and find that you have literally nothing to wear.

To see if a garment can make a great outfit, first look in your closet for things that work with it. If you don’t find anything suitable, make a list of the pieces you need and shop for them.

To save yourself from this hassle, always shop by this rule: only buy something if it will go with 3 other items you already have at home.

3. Do something with all your piles of clothing

You’ve gone through your closet and should have several piles of clothes. Now it’s time to do something with them.

First, deal with the obvious piles. Put the keepers back into your closet; find a new home for the storage pile; take the repairs pile to your tailor or shoe repairer; and put your throwaway pile in the trash. The rest you can either sell to a 2nd hand boutique, or on TradeMe. Otherwise you can give it way to an Opportunity Shop or have a fun clothes swap night with your friends.

Once all this is done, try out some new outfit combinations with your keepers. You may be surprised at some great new looks you can come up with. Get creative with accessories. Take some digital camera shots of your new outfit ideas, so you have inspiration on those days when you can’t find anything to wear.

If you want an unbiased opinion on what really suits you, help in sorting out your wardrobe, or a makeover for Christmas just contact us. We have Christmas gift vouchers available, so start dropping the hints to your family now!

Springs new Trends: Which ones do you suit?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +1200

With each new fashion season, there are new trends that get introduced. The important thing to recognize is this, not everyone can wear every trend. You have to learn to interprete which styles will flatter your body shape and colouring, and which styles to avoid like the plague.

We’re going to go through Spring’s fashion trends and how to wear them:

1. SHOES - Colour & print, wedges (great for thicker ankles), peep toes, cone wooden heels, Gladiators, espadrilles, thick straps. Do not wear any shoes with ankle straps if you have short legs or thick ankles, it will just make the problem worse.

2.    ROMANCE - Tiered ruffles, frills and roses on skirts, dresses, tops, blouses, necklines. Only wear this trend if it suits your personality. Not everyone can pull off frills, but go for it if it suits you.

3.    FLORAL PRINTS - Retro florals, 40, 50s, 70s flower print blouses. There are two things to take into account when choosing floral prints. Firstly, you need to make sure that the colours suit you. Choosing a wrong colour can cause you to look drained, tired and any dark under-eye circles and blemishes will stand out more in the wrong colour. Where as the right colour will make you look fresh, healthy and your skin will look great. If you’re unsure on what colours suit you, check out our Colour Consultation to see how we can help.

Secondly, to be most flattering, the size of the floral print should be in scale with your size. Petite people suit smaller prints and will be overwhelmed by huge prints. Medium sized people suits medium prints. Larger people suit bigger prints, if they wear a small print, it just gets lost on them.

4.    ARTIST BRUSHSTROKES - PAINTERLY PRINTS - Graffiti like scribbles and smears, Ombre dip/tie dyed. If you are going for a dip-dye effect, make sure that the darker shade is on your larger half, and the lighter shade is on your smaller half.

5.    FABULOUS FROCKS - Asymmetric draped dresses, tea dresses, maxi dresses

6.    UNDERWEAR EFFECTS - Transparent chiffons - layered sheers, see through construction dresses, jackets

7.    CITRUS BLOCK COLOURS - Orange, tangerine, mandarin, peach, yellow, gold, lemon, yellow, citrus green. Only wear this trend if you are sure you suit warm tones, otherwise they will make you look quite sallow, yellow and ill.

8.    TRIBAL EARTH - AFRICAN Traditional prints - Earthy Asian textures, animal and feather fabrics

9.    PURPLE REIGN - Violet to lilac. Wear these if you suit cool colours, otherwise they make drain you a bit. Remember if you’re not sure what colours suit you, check out our Colour Consultation to see how we can help.

10.    TROUSERS – High-waisted flared jeans, Coloured skinny jeans (don’t wear these if you have big thighs), cropped narrow jodhpurs (not really flattering on anyone!), wide trousers.

11.    MILITARY SAFARI - Practical pockets, easy shirt stand summer dresses, military touches

12.    THE NEW DENIM - Frayed and faded with white shirts. If you are larger on your bottom half, be careful with light denim as it will probably make your thighs look bigger. Also watch out for the horizontal whiskering lines around the crotch and hips, these will draw attention to the widest point of your hips. You can learn more about dressing for your shape with our Body-shape Analysis.

13.    NAUTICAL TAILORING - Blazers, trims, shoulders, tuxedo shawl collar white narrow/wide pants suits.

14.    LUXURY MATERIALS & FABRICS - Leathers, satins and silks, fine embroidery, fabric flower roses.

15.    ACCESSORIES - Clutch/small handbags, cuffs, bangles, big sunglasses, scarves, skinny belts. Have fun with accessories, they are the easiest way to brighten up a plain outfit.

If you’d like to be more stylish and current but are scared of wasting money on things that won’t suit you, we are here to help. We can show you what colours and styles best flatter and suit you. We can go shopping with you and help you to get pieces that really suit you, teach you how to accessorize, and take the stress out of shopping. Trust me; it will actually save you money, as you won’t have all those shopping mistakes hanging in the back of your wardrobe.

Check out our services to see how we can help. We have makeover packages as well as individual services available.

Plus-Size Style

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +1200

As a style consultant, I have worked with clients of all ages, shapes and sizes. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some gorgeous curvy, voluptuous, plus-size ladies.

Most often, there is a real frustration with the lack of stylish clothing for bigger ladies in New Zealand. And some of these ladies I’ve worked with had given up hope. They had given up trying to look stylish, or sexy, or funky, or feminine, and so they had consigned themselves to just looking ‘comfortable’. They had a ‘that’ll do’ attitude to buying clothing, and so most of them didn’t enjoy shopping. How many of you can relate to that?

While it is true that there isn’t as much choice in plus-size clothing as in many of the regular chain stores, or designer stores, there are still some beautiful generous styles, and of course some great basics to work with too.

I think a bit part of looking stylish is accessorizing. Whether you are a size 8 or a size 28, you can make a very plain outfit look stylish just by putting on a necklace, or earrings, or a great scarf. Costume jewelry is a really great, cost effective way to add some style to your look in a matter of seconds. There are some great accessory stores around now – Diva, Equip, and a new one I found recently in Greenwood’s Corner in Auckland called Kinder Art. Quite a few of the chain stores stock jewelry too.

Some curvy ladies feel a bit self-conscious about their bodies and so they try to blend into the background and become un-noticeable. This however, doesn’t do anything to help your confidence levels, you only become more depressed! Don’t do that to yourself! I think it’s so important to make the most of what you’ve got right now. Don’t wait until you reach your goal weight. Make the choice to look great now. It’s easier than you think, once you learn how to dress for your body-shape. You can then enhance the features you do love, and camouflage the ones you don’t! You’ll feel so much more positive about yourself.

One of my tips for dressing 5kgs slimmer is this; it’s called my Colour Rule of Thumb: Wear darker, plainer colours on your areas of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours and patterns or texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter shades, and skip over the darker shades.

Another one of my style tips for curvy ladies is to make sure you wear the right length. If you are wearing trousers, make sure they are long enough! There is nothing worse than too short trousers. It will make your legs look much shorter, which will make you look heavier! With hems, there are some lengths that are much more flattering than others. Try to stay away from hems that finish mid-calf (at the widest point of your calf) as they will tend to make your legs look like tree trunks with no shape. Instead, go for something that finishes at the slimmest points on your leg, 2-3 inches above knee, just under knee or low calf/ankle. Hold up a skirt against you in front of the mirror and see how these different lengths make your legs look.

Also, make sure that the hem of your top never ends at the widest point of your hips, as it creates a horizontal line that draws attention to your widest point and makes it look even wider!

Here is a list of some great clothing stores for our gorgeous plus-size girls. You can purchase from some of these websites, but I always recommend trying garments on before you buy them.

Precious Vessels - www.preciousvessels.com
The Carpenter’s Daughter - www.thecarpentersdaughter.co.nz
Bella Chic - www.bellachic.co.nz
The Clothes Cupboard - www.theclothescupboard.co.nz
T’da - www.tda.co.nz
Ezibuy’s plus-size label, Sara – www.ezibuy.co.nz
Magazine - 4 Byron Ave, Takapuna, Auckland.
Farmers also have a good selection for our curvy girls.

You may feel a bit insecure because of your size. But don’t try to become invisible, so people won’t notice you. You are beautiful. Make the most of your body by choosing your clothing wisely. Get creative with accessory and shoe choices. Develop a signature look. Have fun with your style.

You can look like a million dollars, no matter what size you are!

If you want to look your best, but are still a bit unsure where to start, we can help. Just check out our services. We offer Body-shape Analysis, to help you choose the best styles for your shape, Colour Consultation, Wardrobe Sorting and of course Personal Shopping. To see the details, c heck out our style packages and feel free to contact us to talk over your options.

Outfit's How-to Guide: Skin Care

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Looking after your skin is like investing in your future… your future face. If you take the time to look after your skin now, you’ll be thanking yourself later in life. And it’s never too late to start!

Your face is the part that people focus on the most, so put your best face forward!

Great skin and makeup can go a long way to making you look stylish. And the better condition your skin is in, the easier your makeup will be to apply, and the better the finished result will be.

The most important thing that you can do to shelter your skin from damage is by establishing a good daily skin-care regimen. This is important for both women & men.

What to do Daily:

Cleanse

It’s very important to clean your skin every day. Deep cleansing is vital as it keeps pores clear and skin healthy. Soaps should not be used on your face. They clean with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This could aggravate your skin and clog your pores.

Never go to bed with makeup on. Makeup left on overnight seeps into your pores, clogs them, and congests your skin. So make sure you cleanse your skin before you go to bed, with a good quality facial cleanser. Remember to cleanse again in the morning, to get your skin ready for makeup application.

Tone

The daily cleansing routine should be followed with toning. Toner helps in the stimulation of the skin, pores and invigorates the blood circulation. Toner also helps to balance the pH levels in your skin, and prepares your skin for moisturising. If you usually skip this step, I’d encourage you to give it a go. Since I’ve been using toner, my skin has been great. I haven’t had to use as much moisturizer, and my makeup goes on and stays on better too.

Moisturise

Moisturising is an important requirement for great natural looking healthy skin. While cleansing is necessary to wash way dirt and unclog our pores, it can also take away the natural oils that keep our skin moisturised. That’s why it’s important to moisturise. Depending on your skin type – dry, combination, normal or oily – you will need different levels of moisturisation. For dry skin a more intense moisturiser is needed. Some companies like Nutrimetics provide their moisturisers in different intensities for different skin types. Remember to use moisturiser on your neck and hands too, as they are the places that show age the fastest.

Use a special Eye Cream to moisturise the delicate skin around your eyes. Normal moisturisers are often too heavy for this delicate skin to absorb.

Sun Protection

Daily use of sunscreen products with at least an SPF of 15 and antioxidants along with protective clothing and hats will greatly reduce the aging of the skin and the possibility of skin cancer. You can often get an SPF in your moisturiser. Sunglasses should be worn while outside. This will protect the eyelids from aging and will help reduce ‘crows-feet’ wrinkles by reducing the squinting which comes from sun exposure without eye protection.

What to do Weekly:

Exfoliate

Exfoliating removes surface dead skin cells and smoothes the skin. A natural skin care scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain coarse elements like small bits of nut or seed extracts or pumice. They may tear and damage the skin. A good skin care scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you. Exfoliate once or twice weekly.

Facial Masque

Facial Masques can have a few different benefits, depending on the type of masque. A clay based masque will help to draw out impurities from deep within your pores, and are great for oily skin. There are masques especially for deep hydration of your skin. There are also some great firming anti-aging masques around too. I had a facial on Tuesday night using Nutrimetics products and my skin was glowing afterwards. It’s a great pampering treat to take some time out once a week to take care of your skin and relax.

Live your way to healthy, vibrant skin

There are also some other ways to care for your skin, which are all part of your lifestyle:

• A good diet: A healthy diet leads to a healthy skin!

• Sleep: You must sleep for eight or ten hours each night, because skin revives itself when you sleep.

• Clean bowels: Elimination of toxins helps maintain healthy skin

• Emotions: Distress shows on the skin in an outburst of rashes or blemishes. So keep that anger in check!

• Exercise: Deep breathing exercises are a beauty treatment in themselves especially when you are filling your lungs with pure fresh air. Oxygen is vital to your skin and blood cells carrying both oxygen and nourishment are circulated to every part of your body including your skin.

Feel free to contact us if you’d like some skincare advice or would like to try out some great Nutrimetics products.

L'Oreal Colour Trophy 2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Recently, I had the privilege of being a part of a big win in the prestigious L'Oreal Colour Trophy 2008, the creme de la creme of hairdressing awards.

I was the fashion stylist for the two entries by hairdresser Aimee Packer of Servilles, Albany.

Aimee won The Couleur Pour Hommes Award (colour for men) for her entry with model, Simon.

Aimee also got Highly Commended for her entry (pictured below) in The Supreme Award: New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2008.

It was a great experience doing styling for this event, and such a buzz at the awards when Aimee won! All that hard work definitely paid off!

It was a pleasure to work with Aimee and I would highly recommend her work, as you can see, it is amazing.

A big congratulations to all the finalists and winners; your entries were very inspiring.

Vintage Style

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +1200

I firmly believe that you don’t have to spend a million dollars to look like a million dollars. You can look really great, at a surprisingly low cost.

There are a few tricks to pulling it off, mainly to be sure that what you are buying really works for you – the colour, the shape, the style – they all need to be flattering on you. But once you know what suits you the best, you can get some great quality pieces and an individual sense of style, all at a great price.

I’m talking about wearing Vintage clothing. Not necessarily head-to-toe, but mixing in a vintage piece of clothing, or a vintage accessory can really add personality and individuality to your look.

Let’s face it; you never want to turn up to a party only to see someone else in the exact same dress as you. It can be funny for a minute, but after the 9th person cracks the joke “Are you two twins?” it’s not so funny anymore. This is why a lot of celebrities opt for vintage. Style, glamour, and a unique look.

Let’s take a closer look at why people wear vintage? There are lots of reasons, including:

1. Great Workmanship

Once upon a time, quality workmanship was the rule. Beautiful linings, elegant closures, finished seams - it was how clothes were made "back in the day." Today you pay extra for beautifully finished apparel.

2. Unique Look

Some people prefer vintage because they feel the old styles best express their personality. Others mix vintage pieces with newer styles for a unique look. Still others want a one-of-a-kind look for a big party or event without the one-of-a-kind price tag that typically goes with it. Vintage helps them do that.

3. Classic Styling

Great styles are great styles whether they were conceived last week or two generations ago. If you like to watch old movies, you'll notice that many of the day suits and evening gowns from the 40's, 50's, and 60's are as chic today as they were when they debuted. Want an easy way to capture some "Old Hollywood" glamour? Wear some Old Hollywood-era pieces.

4. Old-School Accessories

Once upon a time, a woman wasn't properly dressed unless she wore a hat and gloves when she left the house. You could tell she had "married well" if her husband gave her a matching set of jewels, and you knew she traveled frequently if she had a matching set of luggage. Today, few women bother with any of these accessories - which means that those who do really stand out.

5. Cost Effective

Love designer clothes but not the price tag that goes with them? Then look to vintage for your designer fix. You'll get the brand name and the designer look WITHOUT the current season price. Opt for simple lines and classic styling for a timeless look.

6. Going Green

Wearing old styles is one of the easiest ways to get on board with the green movement. Why buy new when you can recycle old?

So is everything that's not current season considered vintage?

No. Technically, here's the age breakdown:

Antique - anything prior to 1920. Most antique clothing is bought to display in a collection, not to wear. Antique jewelry can be worn or displayed.

Vintage – generally anything from the 1920 to 1970.

Retro - 1970 to 1980.

Modern or contemporary - anything produced in the last 25 years.

One way to look for great vintage pieces is to surf the 'Net. You can learn about different eras and designers and start to get an idea of what constitutes a "great" deal. Here are some places to look:

www.TradeMe.co.nz

www.RustyZipper.com

www.VintageVixen.com

www.Vintageous.com

I always try things on before I buy, especially if there is no return policy. So I personally prefer to go straight to vintage shops and have a good hunt, rather than buy online.

Vintage clothing is great way to get a unique look, often for a fraction of modern day one-of-a-kind items. With a little persistence and an eye towards the classics, you can find great looks at great prices. Remember: value never goes out of style.

Like I mentioned earlier, to get items that truly look great on you, you need to get colours, shapes and styles that really suit you.

If you are a bit unsure of what suits you, and how to look your best, we’d love to help you out. Check out our range of Style Packages, Makeovers, and Personal Services. We can help with everything from ‘how to dress for your body-shape’, ‘what colours suit you’, wardrobe sorting & planning, personal shopping, makeup lessons, pampering nights, and a whole lot more.

Shopping Tips for Sale Season

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Have you ever spent a whole afternoon shopping only to come away empty handed? Do you sometimes have that guilty morning-after feeling as you try to figure out why your latest impulse purchase looked so much better in the shop? Do you get hot and flustered in the fitting rooms?

For some people, shopping is more a chore than a delight. There are, however, some simple things you can do to make your shopping trips a much more pleasurable experience. It all starts before you even step out the door.

BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING...

1. Make a list

Take stock of your wardrobe and see what things you need to invest in to work with what you already have, and fill in the gaps in your wardrobe.

2. Have a budget in mind

Try to stick to your budget as much as possible. I know that sales can be enticing, and "Oh my goodness, what a bargain! It would be a sin not to get it!" can flash through your mind many times over, but keep the list in mind, and keep the budget in mind too. This will save you from your guilty morning-after feelings.

3. Dress well

You will always be treated better by shop assistants if you are dressed well while shopping. Call it shallow, but it's a fact of life - people respond differently to you depending on how you present yourself. You are much more likely to get the help and attention you need if you are dressed well.

4. Wear clothes & shoes that are easy to take on & off

One of the excuses I hear from ladies who don't enjoy shopping is that they hate feeling all flustered and hot from getting undressed & dressed again so many times. Make it easier on yourself. Wear clothing & shoes that aren’t hard to take on or off, you'll thank yourself for it.

5. Wear neutral coloured underwear

Have you ever gone shopping for a pair of lighter coloured trousers, shorts or skirt and checked out your rear view only to see a black knicker line staring back at you? The same goes for dark bras while you are trying to buy a lighter coloured top. It's just so distracting! This is something that many people don't think about. However it is a huge help, as it means no matter what you are trying on, your underwear won't interfere with your decision. Ladies, make sure that you are wearing a properly supportive bra. This will instantly improve your silhouette making you look slimmer.

6. If you are trying to match something, take it with you

This may sound completely obvious, but I think it's worth stating anyway. If you want to buy a pair of jeans to wear with heels, take your heels with you so that you know the jeans will be long enough. Or if you want to find a top to match a skirt (which you shouldn't have got, because you had nothing to wear it with!), take the skirt with you to match colours against. Don't just rely on your memory.

WHILE YOU ARE SHOPPING...

7. Make sure you are sure

Beware of things on sale…to many of you this may sound like blasphemy! I'm not saying don’t ever buy anything on sale, I'm just saying be sure that it really works for you. Often things are put on sale by retailers either because they don't fit very well, haven't sold well, or were just a big mistake to begin with. Don't just buy it because it's a "bargain". Think it over properly.

8. Ask yourself the 6 key questions

Will this item go with at least 3 other things I already have at home?
Does it suit my body shape?
Does the colour suit me?
Does it suit my style personality?
How long will this item be 'in'?
Is it within my price budget?

9. If you are unsure, put the item on hold

If you are in doubt about whether to buy the item or not, give yourself some time to think it over. Put it on hold, go and have a coffee or carry on with other shopping. If you can't stop thinking about it an hour or even a day later, then it's probably a good thing to buy. If however, you are still unsure, then just leave it. There's nothing worse that wasting money on something that you won't wear because "There's something just not right about it." (I call these Closet Orphans.)

10. If you find something you absolutely love, buy 2!

I have often heard clients say that they wished they had another of their favourite clothing item. If you find something that is the perfect fit, good price, and it's a great key clothing item, then often it can be a good idea to get another one in a different colour, or even in the same colour if you think you'll wear it often (like the perfect fitting pair of black trousers).

11. Get an impartial opinion

Forget asking a stranger, friend or shop assistant if something suits you. Ask a professional! A Personal Shopper will help you choose clothing to best suit your colouring, body-shape, personality, lifestyle and budget. It is a great investment that will save you buying unflattering clothes or accessories you’ll never actually wear and adds to the retail therapy buzz because you know you’re buying intelligently.

If you’d like to know what really suits you, some help shopping, or a whole makeover, check out our services. We’d love to help you look your best.

Brighten up Grey Winter Days

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +1200

I was walking through town on a drizzly grey day recently, and it seemed as if everyone was wearing dull, dark tones of black and grey. As if winter isn't depressing enough sometimes, we go and put on drab colours that make us feel as dull as the day is!

Wearing colour is the easiest way to brighten up a grey winter’s day. Whether it’s donning a bright dress or coat to frighten away the winter blues, or even as simple as adding a touch of colour with a scarf or some jewelry, you’ll find wearing colour will bring a smile to you and to those who see you.

Did you know that different colours evoke different feelings and responses from people? It’s sometimes referred to as “The Psychology of Colour”.

Blue is used by some banks and government agencies such as the Police, because it is a trustworthy colour. It sends the message: dependable, safe, trustworthy, loyal.

Red = Passion, strength, sensual
Pink = Femininity, health, love
Green = Intelligence, life, nature
Yellow = Sunlight, joy, happiness
Orange = Happiness, energy, enthusiasm, flamboyance, playfulness
Purple = Sensuality, creativity, wealth, royalty

So why not put some colour into your outfit this week!

Colour is quite fascinating really. There are some colours which can make people look younger and healthier, and others that can drain them and make them look ill.

It’s all to do with the undertone of your skin. You either have a warm or a cool undertone to your skin. Warm being yellow and cool being blue.

So if you have a warm undertone, you will suit colours with a warm yellow base to them. If you have a cool undertone you will suit colours with a cool blue base to them.

Take Red for instance, if you have a true red paint, and you add a bit of yellow to it, you end up with a warm orange-red. If you add a bit of blue to the true red paint, you’ll get a cool blue-red.

I know it can be a bit confusing, but I’ll tell you this… wearing a colour that really suits you is like an instant face-lift. You will look healthier, younger and more vibrant.

However, when you are wearing a colour that doesn’t suit you, any lines and wrinkles, blemishes and dark circles under-eye will stand out more… yikes! You may look more ashen and grey, or slightly sallow, yellow and ill.

Have you ever had anyone say to you “Are you feeling ok today? You look a bit ill.” when you are actually fine? It’s probably because of the colour you were wearing that day. Interesting, isn’t it?

Knowing what colours suit you also saves you time when you’re shopping. You know exactly what colours to try on, and you can pass by entire racks that you know won’t work for you. It’s all about shopping with confidence. You won’t make any more shopping mistakes that end up at the back of your closet!

I personally love wearing a bright red lipstick sometimes. For some reason, every time I put it on, I feel amazing. It really does something to me. I also have this lovely dusky pink top that I know looks great, and really makes my skin glow.

Wear some colour to brighten up your grey winter’s day. You’ll be amazed at how it will make you feel.

If you’d like to find out what colours really suit you, we offer a Colour Consultation in which we analyze your colouring and give you a palate of your best colours, that you can take with you when you go shopping. We also do your makeup and show you how to pick the best makeup colours to suit you. View our services to see how we can help.

Stress-free Dressing

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Looking good and feeling great means taking care of yourself – both inside and out.

So often we are rushed of our feet and don’t really take time out to relax and have some me-time.

Many people today are stressed and need time out. There are so many causes of stress: family pressures, work demands, busyness, and financial pressure.

And with all the other stress we have, we don’t need to add our overflowing yet still unworkable wardrobe to the equation.

Does your wardrobe stress you out? Do you feel like you’ve got nothing to wear? Do you go shopping, only to leave empty handed, frustrated and disappointed? You are not alone. It’s a very common problem, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are some tips for stress-free dressing:

Sort your wardrobe out every season

Clutter = stress. Make it easier on yourself by only having viable options to pick from every morning. If you still have half a wardrobe of “skinny clothes” that don’t fit, you’ll only depress yourself. Make sure that your wardrobe is full of clothes that really work for you – they fit well, they don’t need repairing, they are clean, and they mix and match easily.

Know what suits you

If you don’t know what really suits you, then of course shopping is going to be stressful. Once you know what colours suit you, and what styles suit your body-shape you can shop with much more confidence. Check out our services to see how we can help.

Have some no-fail outfits

On those days that you don’t know what wear, you can fall back on your no-fail outfits. These are outfits that you know look great on you, tried and true. This could be a great black dress, or your favourite jeans with a gorgeous top and heels. Throw on some accessories and off you go.

Choose your outfit the night before

This is a great option for those of you who are definitely not “morning people”. Prepare all your clothing the night before (including ironing), so that in the morning, you can just hop straight into it, accessories and all, and leave the house looking stylish and un-flustered.

Shop wisely

You can make shopping so much easier on yourself if you follow a few simple guidelines. Make a list of what you want. Only buy items that go with 3 other things you already own. Wear clothes that are easy to take on and off. See the rest of our Shopping Tips here.

If you’d like some help making your wardrobe work for you, we’d love to help.

Talking of de-stressing, at Outfit we’ve been putting together a relaxing, pampering experience for the girls.

Just invite 4 or 5 friends over to be pampered with a Spa Experience. We will use some beautiful Spa products and go through some relaxation techniques to soothe and de-stress you. You’ll get individual skin-care advice and spend some lovely “me-time” and relax with your friends.

This service is absolutely free, so why not take some time to care for yourself, de-stress and relax with your friends.

Feel free to contact us for more details.

15 Ways to Wear a White Shirt

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 +1200

I love versatile garments. A great white shirt is one of those items. Invest in a good quality, well cut white shirt, and it will take you anywhere. Here are 15 ways to wear your white shirt.

1. Casually Classic: With flat-front pants and Oxford shoes.
2. French Flair: With dark denim jeans and heels.
3. Professional: With a tapered skirt and classic pumps.
4. Beach Easy: With short shots and thongs.
5. Sexy Miss: With a leather miniskirt.
6. Attention Grabber: With an unexpected bright colour below the waist.
7. Pure Elegance: With black capri’s and ballet slippers.
8. Knotted: Tied over a shift or slip-dress.
9. Under Over: Worn under a 'V' neck sweater worn with the collar out and cuffs turned back.
10. Sexy and Man-style: Buttoned very low and worn for evening under a menswear suit with high strappy sandals.
11. Loose and Light: Untucked over narrow pants.
12. Shift Style: Layered underneath a tunic or shift dress.
13. Waistcoat: Worn under a waistcoat with jeans, skirt or pants.
14. Accessorised: Open at the neck with multiple strands of beads.
15. White on white: With other white garments of varied texture.

Excerpt from 50 Image Essentials, by Ann Reinten

If you'd like some help shopping for the perfect white shirt, just contact us.

Men's Winter Style

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Most kiwi guys don’t really think about their winter wardrobe being much different from their summer wardrobe, you just chuck a jumper on! But I'm going to let you in on some great key items, how to wear them, and where to get them, so you’ll be warm & stylish for winter.

Most stores have been stocking winter styles since March or April. Fashion is always ahead of the weather, but now we are definitely feeling the cold, so it’s time to sort out your clothes.

Top 10 things to have in your wardrobe for winter

1. Jeans

Styling: Your choice of wash. Straight & dark is always a good bet.
Shop: Route 66, Newmarket, Auckland

2. Smart trousers

Styling: For work or special occasions (flat-front, right length).
Shop: Barkers, Working Style, Country Road.

3. White T-Shirt

Styling: Wear on its own or layer under shirt, jumper or blazer.
Shop: Levi’s, Industrie, Barkers.

4. Black T-Shirt

Styling: Wear on its own or layer under shirt, jumper or blazer.
Shop: Levi’s, Industrie, Barkers.

5. Long-sleeve T-shirt

Styling: Wear on its own or layer for warmth.
Shop: Industrie on High Street, Auckland.

6. Long-sleeve shirt

Styling: Can be worn with sleeves rolled up and layered over a t-shirt for a more casual look.
Shop: Working Style, Barkers, Country Road, 3 Wise Men.

7. Merino or Woolen Jumper

Styling: Get a colour that suits you, doesn’t have to be black. Get it nicely fitted.
Shop: Country Road, Barkers, Marcs, Polo by Ralph Lauren.

8. Blazer / Jacket

Styling: Can be worn with t-shirt, jumper, shirt or even hoodie under it for lots of different styles.
Shop: Barkers, Industrie, Country Road, Mark Richards.

9. Coat

Styling: Trench coat, Military style, Overcoat.
Shop: Barkers, Industrie, Paddington Coat Factory.

10. Hoodie

Styling: Wear layered over a t-shirt, or under your blazer.
Shop: Amazon, Arizona, Industrie.

Men’s stylish accessories for winter

1.    Sneakers

2.    Black or brown smart leather shoes

3.    Scarf

Styling: Wear with your jumper or blazer.

4. Gloves

Styling: Leather or wool gloves are great for keeping your hands warm while you are walking to work on cold winter mornings.

5. Hat

Styling: Tweed, newsboy-style hat, not big woolen beanies.

6. Waistcoat

Styling: Wear over shirt with sleeves rolled up, paired with jeans, or smart pants.

7. Thin black or dark tie.

Styling: Wear slightly loose with a shirt, (top buttons open) with t-shirt layered underneath.

Now that you’ve got your shopping list for winter, the only thing left is to hit the shops. If you’d like an honest opinion and some help shopping to look stylish for winter, we’d be happy to help.

We know how to shop for guys – know what you want, get in, make the choice, and get out. No mucking around. Just come out looking great. Check out our services for more details.

Back to Work: Re-inventing Your Style

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 +1200

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, we are on the subject of Style Tips for Mums. These tips are especially for Mums who are going back into the workforce.

Different Mothers choose to stay home with their children for different lengths of time, some a few months, some a few years, some for the foreseeable future. No matter the length of time away from work, it can be hard to step back onto the treadmill and get your groove back.

With all the turmoil of emotion and change of routine, you have the added stress of dressing your body that is not the same as it previously was.

It’s quite possible that your old work wardrobe no longer fits, and you are suddenly a lot more self-conscious about dressing appropriately and looking good for work. After all, you are finally seeing people who notice what you wear much more than your baby does!

After spending time in comfy, throw together, clothes-dryer proof clothing, it can be a bit daunting to think about creating a new work-wardrobe.

Here are some tips that may help:

1. Forget about size, look at shape.

Don’t be worried that you don’t fit into your pre-baby sized clothing. Instead, focus on picking out clothing that flatters your body-shape. Choose fabrics that skim rather than cling to problem areas.

2. Wear colours that look amazing on you.

When you wear colours that really suit you, it’s like an instant face-lift, and it’s a great way to hide the fact that you may be a bit tired. If you’re not sure what colours suit you, we can show you. See our services for details.

3. Use makeup to freshen up your look.

Even if it’s just some mascara and lip-gloss, it does make a difference. Use makeup to enhance your features. It will help you to feel more attractive and professional in the workplace.

4. Buy supportive underwear and shape-wear.

Your underwear is so important to get right, as it will determine how well your clothes sit on you. You can get amazing underwear that can hold in a mummy-tummy like a miracle. It’s also very important to get properly fitted for your correct bra size. Apparently about 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.

5. Invest in a mix & match capsule wardrobe.

There are 10 key wardrobe items that form a great work wardrobe. Get them a neutral base colour that suits you (black, grey, brown, natural). Then you can easily mix & match other items with them to create lots of different outfits.

Blazer
Classic Dress Pants
Skirt
Basic Work Dress
White Shirt
Coloured or Striped Shirt
Day Dress (colour or pattern)
Cashmere or Merino Sweater
Cardigan
Trench Coat

6. Get a trusted opinion.

If you are not confident about what suits your new body, ask for some help. We are here to help you to look and feel your best. We can help with a Colour Consultation, a Body-Shape Analysis, some Wardrobe Sorting & Planning, and we can help you shop for your new work wardrobe. We’ll help you to get clothes that look amazing and make the most of your shopping budget.

Check out our services to see how we can help.

We also have beautiful gift vouchers available for Mother’s Day, if you’d like to treat your Mum or your wife (or hint to your husband!)

7. Lastly, hold your head up high and smile.

If you don't feel confident going back to work, just fake it till you make it! Put on your great new work outfit, pull your shoulders back, hold your head up high, use eye-contact and smile. You can do it!

Style Tips for Mums

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1200

We are fast approaching that time of year again... the time to say a huge 'thank you' to our Mums. Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday 11th May, and I've got some great style tips for Mum’s.

So, first of all I would like to honour my Mum, Lyn Packer. Thank you for being such a wonderful role model to me. I count you as a friend as well as an amazing mother. You are the most generous person I know. I love you Mum.

Mother’s are wonderful, aren’t they? They are probably the people who are the most constant givers. They just can’t help themselves!

Many of the mother’s I’ve worked with as a Style Consultant have come to me looking and feeling quite exhausted. It’s a tiring job, motherhood, and often, it shows. These mothers have finally realized (or their husbands have realized) that they deserve a bit of pampering, and a bit of time & money spent on themselves.

Every Mother deserves to feel good about herself. Every mother deserves to wake up in the morning, and be happy with what she sees in the mirror. I firmly believe that when you look good, you feel a lot better about yourself. Looking your best has such a positive effect on your self-esteem and confidence. I’m not talking about size here. You don’t need to be a size 10 to look great. I’m talking about making the most of what you’ve got.

I also think that children pick up on this. If their mum is very self conscious about her body, and her self-esteem is low, then I think it’s probable that the children may also find it difficult to love themselves fully, in spite of society’s pressures. However, if their mum looks great and feels great about herself, the children are more likely to learn that they are beautiful, no matter how they look.

Top Style Tips for Mums

• Accessorize! When you’re in a rush, it’s tempting to just throw on the first clean things you find, and off you go. This often ends up being jeans & a t-shirt, which can tend to be a bit boring. An easy option to make a plain outfit look much more interesting is to put on some accessories. This could be as easy as chucking on a necklace with your t-shirt, or a pair of earrings or a belt. These small things make such a big difference, and are really easy and quick to do.

• Invest in stylish comfortable shoes. Shoes can make or break an outfit. You can see someone in jeans and a top with sneakers, as opposed to the same jeans and top with a stylish flat shoe (maybe like a ballet flat), and the effect is huge. You can dress up casual outfits quickly and easily, just by changing your shoes.

• Outlaw baggy clothing! I often see young mums wearing baggy shapeless clothing, thinking that it will hide the mummy tummy. Unfortunately, shapeless clothing only makes you look bigger. Instead, go for more tailored clothing that gives you a nice shape at the waist. Just make sure you pick fabrics that skim rather than cling.

• Update your hair style. This can hugely improve the way you look. Ask your hairdresser to advise you on a style that will really suit your face shape, and your lifestyle. Make sure that it’s easy to style it yourself at home. Just by adding a few layers, or maybe even a fringe you can easily update your look.

You may be a Mother yourself, or you may be a father who wants to treat his wife this Mother’s Day. Or you may be a daughter or a son, who wants to show their Mum how much they truly appreciate her. For all she gives, why not take this chance to make her feel like a million dollars?

I’d love to offer a special Mother’s Day gift idea for you all.

Treat Mum this Mother's Day with a special style consultation which will make her look and feel fantastic. We will make a personalized gift voucher for Mum, and add in a card and a few pampering goodies, and even a bunch of flowers if you like. We can truly personalize this gift for your Mum, with whatever you would like to give.

Just choose any consultation(s) from our services page. We offer Makeovers, Colour Consultations, Body-shape Analysis, Style Personality, Wardrobe Sorting & Planning, and of course, Personal Shopping.

Then just contact us to discuss what you'd like, and we'll take care of the rest.

We can send this straight to your Mum, or send it to you to present to her on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11th).

Ring Tanya on 021 616 006 or email info@outfitme.co.nz to order your Mother's Day gift.

The all-new Outfit website!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Welcome to the brand-spanking new Outfit website. We are very excited about our new look. We hope you enjoy it too!

Keep coming back regularly for the latest Style Tips & Updates. We'll also have great offers for special occasions, such as our Mother's Day gift offer.

Outfitting you with style,

Tanya.

Tanya is now the resident style expert for Table for Six

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Tanya is now offering style tips for singles, as the resident style expert for Table for Six (www.tableforsix.co.nz).

She will be doing style advice workshops as well as regularly posting style tips on the Table for Six website.

To learn how to make the best first impression, how to dress 5 kgs slimmer, and so much more, check out www.tableforsix.co.nz

Hairstyles to suit your face shape

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1200

There are two things that will update your image, and make you look stylish and current, faster than anything else... great shoes, and a great hairstyle.

Even though you may love a hairstyle you see in a magazine, it might not actually suit you. The shape of your face and the proportions of your features will help tell you what hairstyle is best suited to you.

It's hard to be objective about your own face shape. There are lots of suggestions on how to figure out your face shape: you can outline your face shape on a mirror with lipstick or a bar of soap, or for a more accurate approach, you can measure it.

To find out the shape of your face, measure it with a tape measure or ruler. You will take the following measurements.

1. Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.

2. Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.

3. Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.

4. Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin

OVAL FACE

Length equal to one and a half times width.
Forehead is wider than the chin.
Prominent Cheekbones.
Face gracefully tapers to a narrow oval chin.

Objective: Keep the oval contour of your face.
You're lucky - this is the kind of face shape that suits just about any hairstyle. Both long and short hair cuts look great on you, as your face shape is well balanced.

ROUND FACE

Your face is as wide as it is long. This may vary a little but generally the measurement is close.
Face is widest at the cheeks.

Objective: To create the illusion of length.
Hairstyles with fullness and height at the crown will give the impression of a narrower face. Try a cut with layers while keeping the sides close to your face to make your face appear longer. Round faces suit either short hairstyles swept back from your forehead, or hairstyles that are longer than chin length. Wispy fringes and side parts are also good.

Avoid chin length hair, center parts, fullness at the sides of ears, straight "chopped bangs - these wll all emphasise the shape of your face.

RECTANGULAR FACE

Longer than it is wide.
Forehead, cheekbones and jawline are all about the same width.
Can tend to have a prominent chin.
Has an elongated appearance.

Objective: To minimise the length and create the illusion of width.
If your face is long and slender, with your forehead and below cheeks about the same width, hairstyles that balance out the length of your face work best for you. These include short to medium lengths with fullness at the sides and soft wispy bangs. This will shorten the length and add width to your face. Layered styles work well and add softness to the straight lines of your face.

Avoid too much length, it will only make your face look longer. Too much height will also lengthen your face.

HEART-SHAPED FACE

The heart shaped face is widest at the temples and narrowest at the chin, which can appear pointy.

Objective: To decrease the width in the cheek bones and forehead, and create illusion of width at the chin.
Short hair and chin length hair often looks great on this face shape, as the fullness can even out the jaw and chin lines. Chin length bobs, short shags, swept forward layers and wispy bangs all work well.

Avoid full styles that emphasise the upper face without balancing out your narrow chin. Too much height at the crown and tapered necklines will make you look top heavy.

SQUARE FACE

Your face is about as wide as it is long.
Forehead, cheekbones and jawline all about the same width.
Squared jawline is the most obvious feature.

Objective: To create the illusion of length to offset the squareness of the features.
If your face is square, with a strong, square jaw line and often an equally square hairline, the right hairstyles for you are ones that soften the square look of your face. Short to medium length hair cuts, with soft wispy bangs and a wave or curl will compliment and balance out your straight face shape. If you hair is straight, maybe consider a body wave. Side parts and fullness/height at the crown can add length to your square face shape.

Avoid straight styles - long straight hair, blunt bangs, straight bobs and center parts, as they will emphasise your square jawline.

DIAMOND FACE

Widest at cheekbones, narrow forehead and jaw line of approximately equal widths.

Objective: To create the illusion of width at the forehead, and chin areas, while keeping hair close to the cheek bones.

Avoid strong straight fringes, as the horizontal line will broaden your cheekbones. Go instead to fullness at the crown and at the jaw, with layers that flick outwards to balance your narrow chin.

TRIANGLE / PEAR SHAPED FACE

Reverse of the heart-shape.
A dominant jaw line with narrowing at the cheek bone, temples and forehead.

Objective: To create the illusion of width at the forehead and lengthen the face.
If you face is triangle, with a wider chin that narrows at the forehead, you want to stick to styles that narrow your chin and widen the forehead. This will balance out your features. Shorter hair can often balance out your prominent jaw line, as well as styles that are full at the temples that taper at the jaw. Off-center parts, wedges and shags are also good styles for you. Lots of layers will give you the fullness through the upper part of your face.

Avoid Styles that are full at the jawline and center parts.

Make sure you find a good hairdresser. They can work wonders by creating a style that works best for your face shape. If you see someone with a hair style you love, ask who their hair stylist is, always go by recommendations. I love my hairdresser! For anyone who is looking for a great hairstylist in Auckland, I’d highly recommend Aimee Packer, from Servilles in Albany. She’s amazing.

If you’d like help to look your best, we can show you what colours suit you, how to dress for your body shape, and take you shopping for clothes that make you look fantastic. Check out our services to see how we can help.

Style Question: Mutton Dressed as Lamb

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: I’ve just turned 60 and I don’t want to dress like a granny, but I don’t want to look like Mutton Dressed as Lamb, either. How do I create a look that is stylish, but age appropriate?

A: First of all, I have to say that I don’t think you should dress as a granny, or shop in old ladies stores! You can be stylish at any age. The main thing with not looking like Mutton dressed as Lamb is to steer clear of showing too much flesh. Don’t wear skirts any shorter than your knees, and watch out that necklines don’t plunge too low. I think the trick is to go for more classic styles, and add personality with great accessories. Start collecting interesting jewelry, handbags and shoes. Make sure you wear colours that really suit you, especially close to your face. This works like an instant face-lift! Check out our services for details on our Colour Consultation.

Style Question: The Black Addiction

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: I’m stuck in a rut of wearing black, because it’s so slimming. I want to wear some colour, but I don’t know what will suit me. Do you have any suggestions on how to wear colour and still look slim?

A: This is such a common problem for people. Aucklanders especially are addicted to black clothing! It’s true that dark colours are slimming, but this doesn’t restrict you to only black, you could try dark navy, charcoal, or dark chocolate brown too. If you are unsure what colours suit you, I’d recommend getting a Colour Consultation done. This really helps you to make sure you are choosing colours that really suit you. Check out our services to find out more.

My colour rule of thumb is: Wear darker, plainer colours on your area of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours, pattern & texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter colours, where the interest is, and will skip over the darker shades.

Style Question: 3/4 Pants on Short People

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: I’ve heard that short people shouldn’t wear ¾ trousers, why is that? I live in mine over summer!

A: What you’ve heard is true! ¾ trousers will make your legs look shorter, so if you have short legs or if you are not tall, stay away from ¾ pants at all costs! The reason behind this is that visually, the eye will travel down your silhouette until it has a reason to stop. Any hemline, colour change or horizontal line will draw attention. So basically, when you wear ¾ pants, it looks as if your legs stops at the hemline, and your foot starts from there, which makes your legs look much shorter than a full length trouser. If you’re unsure, check out some photos of yourself in ¾, then in full length. You’ll definitely notice the difference. You can learn more about how to dress your body shape with our Body-shape Analysis. Check out our servcies for more details.

Style Question - "I look too young. Nobody takes me seriously!"

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: I am a 23 year old woman that works in an office, but people say I look like I’m only 17 years old. How can I dress to make people take me more seriously?

A: You could try the look of a nice blazer/jacket with trousers or jeans and some heels (closed toe, maybe pointy). Stronger design lines will always look more mature, such as the strong shoulders and v-neck of a blazer, and the same with the shoes. But don't forget your accessories too, a nice necklace maybe.

Also, stay away from pastel colours such as baby pink or baby blue, these will make you look younger.

Make sure your trousers are hemmed to the right length - not too short (it will make you look shorter), and not too long (it will look like you haven't grown into them yet). You will always get taken more seriously if you are dressed smartly and fashionably than casually and scruffily.

Also keep in mind that your hair style is current and that you remember to style your hair and do your makeup, that will help too. Definitely don't wear your hair in pony-tails or pig-tails. If you aren’t confident doing makeup yourself, get someone to teach you how. Contact us and we can help you out there.

Finally, stand tall, with good posture and confidence and people will start to give you the respect that you deserve.

Style Question - Trends vs. Body-Shape

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: I work in the fashion industry and need to stay up to date with the trends, but find that my curvy figure doesn’t suit a lot of what is in this season. What should I do?

A: It can be tricky to look stylish when the fashion styles don’t suit your body shape. However, there will often be one or two main styles that will suit your shape. The trick then is to use the same key items and rework them with accessories and layering to keep your look fresh. Don’t be tempted to wear styles that don’t suit you, just for fashions sake. You can look stylish and up to date; you may just have to think creatively.

Style Question - Trousers to suit big hips & thighs

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: If you have wide hips and thighs, but slim lower legs, what style of trousers will suit you best?

A: Definitely stay away from skinny jeans or stovepipe trousers, as they will emphasize the triangular shape of your legs. You need to balance the weight on your upper legs by wearing either a wide leg trouser, a boot-cut trouser, or a straight leg trouser that still has enough room for your thighs, but doesn’t taper too much at the bottom of the leg. You can learn more about how to dress your body shape with our Body-shape Analysis. See our services for more details.

Style Question - Bulky Pockets

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: Guys often have a few things to carry around - typically their wallet, cell phone and keys to start with. Sometimes this is difficult to just fit it all in your pockets without it looking bulky, what are some other solutions for guys?

A: Streamline your wallet - get rid of receipts and unnecessary cards you don't use. Do the same with your keys, only carry the ones you need with you. Wear a leather satchel or similar type bag if you have a lot to carry with you. Do make sure your bag goes with your clothing , for instance, avoid wearing a back-pack with your suit or with smart clothing.

Style Question - Redheads

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1200

Q: Is there any colour a redhead shouldn’t wear???

A: Redheads generally suits warm, yellow based colours. So they shouldn’t wear cool tones such as grey or silver. However, some redheads suit crisp, clear colours, and others suit more muted autumn colours. Get a Colour Consultation if you’re not sure. Check out our services for more details.

Men's Style Bloopers

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1300

I’ve previously concentrated a lot on Women’s Style topics, so this week, boys, it’s your turn.

Whether you like to admit it or not, people do notice how you present yourself, and studies have shown that in the first 15 seconds, a new person meeting you forms more than a dozen impressions about you and your life, based almost entirely on your appearance.

Do you know what message you are sending out? Do you send out a “Yeah, whatever, who cares!” attitude? Do you look scruffy? Do you look as if you have no attention to detail? Or do you send out the message that you are successful, stylish and in good shape.

Your personal presentation can send out all those messages, for better or worse. Do yourself a favour and make it work for you, not against you.

Unlike women, men have a tendency to go for whatever that is easy and comfortable. Hence, they often overlook the small details which actually matter the most if you want to dress for success. Here’s a look at the style bloopers that men often make and should be avoided at all cost:

1. Wearing Socks With Sandals

This definitely proves your lack of men’s style. The only place that you can wear socks with sandals and not get labeled as a fashion offender is in the privacy of your home. Do not, I repeat “DO NOT” ever step outside your home looking this way.

2. Too Much Jewelery

Now, who said it was ok to wear as much jewelery as Mr T? A wedding band and a watch is all you need. Do yourself a favour and don’t pile on those gold neck chains, bracelets, body or facial piercings. They make you look very try-hard.

3. Wrong Length Trousers

Always try on trousers before buying as different brands have different lengths and cuttings. If the waist of your trousers sits higher than the belly button, it is too high. On the other hand, trousers should not fall below the pelvic bones. According to Michael Anderson, vice president of men’s apparel at Banana Republic, “A good rule of thumb is that the waist should rest comfortably just above the hip bone.” The length of the hem should end where the sole of your shoes starts at the back, just above the floor. Too short trousers are a style disaster.

4. Stained Clothing

Given the fact that spilling coffee on the shirt happens to all of us, it would be wise to keep a stain stick or a clean shirt in the office as a backup. Otherwise, I would suggest that you simply go out and purchase a new one when a stain occurs.

5. Shiny Shirts

Shiny fabric shirts are a thing of the past even if you are considering wearing them for clubbing purposes. Instead, try a form fitting back shirt which can be worn with jeans or trousers.

6. Anything Novelty

Novelty clothing does not project style and are meant to be left on the racks of the store where you last saw them. Have you ever seen those satin cartoon character ties, waistcoats or boxer shorts? They should be burnt. All I can say is “Ewwww….”

7. Chunky Shoes

Take my word for it, chunky shoes are no longer cool unless you have travelled back in time to the 90s. You have my permission to throw them into the nearest garbage bin. Make sure your shoes are clean & polished (if they are leather). If they are noticeably scuffed at the toe, they are past their use-by date.

8. Wrong sized clothing

Don’t wear a shirt or pants that are 2 sizes too big for you, it will make you look chunkier, and not in a good way. Also, don’t wear clothing that is too small; make sure your buttons don’t gape open, as that will also make you look chubbier. Get clothing that fits you properly, and you will look much smarter and more confident.

9. Way Too Casual

I know some guys who wear shorts and jandals all year round. Not to mention track-pants and the habit of wearing sneakers with everything! Women appreciate men who make a bit of an effort to dress appropriately for the occasion. Many restaurants and bars have a dress code, to keep the standard at a reasonable level. Don’t make her embarrassed to be seen with you.

10. Un-groomed Manliness

I’m not saying that we are hunting for metro-sexual men who take longer than us to get ready; we do like our men to be men. However, there are a few things that should just be common sense. Bad breath, body odour and dirty fingernails are all things that people notice, and well, they are gross.

Now you know what NOT to wear, you may still be at a bit of a loss as to what actually will look good on you. My advice: get some help!!

For men, it’s all about making stylish clothing choices easy, quick and simple. Check our services to see how we can help.

Trinny & Susannah here to rescue saggy boobs and flabby tums

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Trinny & Susannah have been here in Westfield Malls, showing the ladies of Auckland how to dress for their body-shape. From pears, apples & hourglass figures to bricks, vases & goblet shaped bodies; they have been pulling up saggy boobs and transforming flabby tummy's with their magic knickers.

The main message they are here to give is, no matter what body shape you have, don't hide under shapeless clothing, but make the most of your best features. Create a waist where there is none, give yourself feminine curves and show off those great legs.

Make the most of your shape. You'll feel so much more confident and stylish. See how we can help!

It's not about size. It's about shape!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +1300

For those of you that have recently set foot in an Auckland Westfield Mall, you will have been bombarded with posters announcing that Trinny & Susannah, the UK’s best-known Style Experts are here in Auckland this week. Starting Thursday, they will be in Westfield Malls talking to the crowds about different body-shapes and how to dress them. Now if you’ve seen them on TV, you’ll know that yes, they are a bit brash, but they do know their stuff. If you are near one of the malls, go along and check them out.

The message they are here to spread is the same one that I have been talking to you about for a while now… “It’s not about size. It’s about Shape”. When I am choosing clothing for someone, the most important thing to take into consideration is that it’s not actually about the size of the person, it’s about their body-shape. That is far more important when dressing to look your best.

I think so many women & men here and around the western world have become so pre-occupied with size. For some, being a size 14, instead of a 12 is the end of the world. Whereas, for others, the frustration of being a size 24, can lead them to hide behind shapeless clothing, and be ashamed of how they look. We’ve seen this in the media, with the debate over too-skinny models, and magazines splashed with photographs of a celebrity that has cellulite… gasp!

Many women that I work with won’t even try on a garment in a bigger size than their normal, even if it will fit and flatter them better, because of this mental block about clothing size.

It’s not about size. It’s about shape!!

Once you know what your body shape is, it means you can truly dress to make the most of the body that God has given you. You will know how to shift attention away from your figure challenges, and how to draw attention to your best features. It’s all about looking good and feeling great. It’s about feeling confident again, and not letting low self-esteem and body image stop you from living your life.

Stand back and take a look at yourself in the mirror. Don’t just stare at your big bottom, or wobbly thighs, or flabby tummy. Look at your entire shape. What do you like about yourself? Make a list of your positive features. You just need to learn how to dress yourself to look more balanced, top & bottom. It’s worth making the effort. Who wouldn’t want to feel more confident and comfortable with how they look?

We would love to help you out with making the most of yourself. Check out our services to find out how to dress your body shape with our Body-shape Analysis.

Men's Key Wardrobe Items

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +1300

I've had some men asking what the key items would be for their wardrobe... so here it is:

-- the classic white shirt
-- dress pants
-- blazer (can be worn casually with jeans)
-- trench coat (or alternative over coat)
-- jeans
-- cashmere, woolen or merino sweater
-- casual jumper
-- t-shirts (polos & regular)
-- shorts
-- suit

Then in terms of accessories:

-- casual shoes
-- leather dress shoes
-- leather belt
-- sunglasses
-- tie
-- scarf

If you would like help in sorting out your wardrobe and shopping, see our services for more details.

10 Key Wardrobe Items for Women

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Have you ever looked in your wardrobe and wondered why it’s so hard to find something to wear? Do you have a bunch of random items that are nice, but are hard to make an outfit from?

The key to making your wardrobe dilemmas disappear is to assemble a capsule wardrobe. You may have heard me talk about it before, but today I want to let you in on the 10 key items to base your wardrobe around. Having these things will make dressing stylishly for many occasions, so much easier.

In the TV show “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”, he gives each woman this list of 10 items to base their wardrobe around. So let’s have a look at what they are:

1. Basic Black Dress
The basic black dress has been around for a long time. It is often called the "Little Black Dress", and it's true that shorter skirts on the basic black dress, when they hit you in the right place, can be more flattering than a long black dress.

2. Trench Coat
The trench coat is one of the pieces that is both classic and currently a hot fashion item. Many stores sells this piece now. It is great for autumn and you can pick it up in a wide range of lengths. Pick a single breasted version if you are larger on top, or if it is double breasted, make sure the buttons are close together. If this particular style doesn’t suit your body shape, go for a classic coat in a better shape for you.

3. Classic Dress Pants
Although it doesn't say black, this is probably what you want to look for. Black is flattering on all figures and goes with everything.

4. White Shirt
The white shirt is a definite classic. But it can also come in many different styles to make it look trendy and not dated or like a man's piece of clothing. Find one that accentuates your best attributes and minimizes trouble spots. For example, if you have wide shoulders, stay away from large collars.

5. Jeans
Everyone has a pair of jeans, but does everyone have a pair of jeans that make them look great? The low-rise jean style has been popular (and still is) but a narrower leg is coming back along with a higher waist, which eliminates the unflattering "muffin top" look.

6. Cashmere Sweater
This is one item probably not many people own. But including it forces people to buy a piece of clothing that is high quality and that is also a luxury item. Having a cashmere sweater in your closet is like giving a gift to yourself. And aren't you worth it? A less expensive alternative is Merino.

7. Skirt
If you need dress pants then you also need a skirt. A skirt is womanly and can be feminine or businesslike. Nowadays women do not wear many skirts or dresses, which makes a lot of them fall into a rut of dressing sloppily or like men. See number 8.

8. Day Dress
Women also are not wearing as many dresses anymore. It was certainly liberating to go from the '50s when women wore dresses every day to wearing more practical pants for gardening, exercising, and so forth. But the dress does not have to be abandoned altogether. They can be very flattering, and there is nothing wrong with "dressing up" for daytime.

9. Blazer
The blazer sounds very masculine, but when you get the right one with a proper shape it is not. Women's blazers should follow the silhouette of a woman's body and accent the hourglass curve at her waist. It is also a perfect piece to put with the skirt or dress pants, and white shirt. Or make it casual with a pair of jeans.

10. Sweat Suit Alternative
Some women have taken casual to the extreme and spend days on end in sweat suits. It is possible to be casual and comfortable without looking like a slob. Find a comfortable material (that's why this doesn't say jeans again – denim is not as comfortable as a nice soft cotton) that you would want to wear every day. It could be khakis, cords, a cotton dress, or much more.

Bonus: One Indulgent Trendy Item

You may still be a bit stuck on what shape of dress or pants to get, and what length of jacket suits you best, and not to mention what colours to buy! If you would like to be sure that you are investing in pieces that will make you look your best, book in for a Colour Consultation and a Body-Shape Analysis. Check out our services for details.

Style vs. Fashion

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Fashion and style, are they the same thing? Which is more important? I've been pondering these questions recently, and have come to a conclusion...

Fashion is about trends.
Style is about what really suits you.
Fashion is temporary.
Style is timeless.

I place much more importance on dressing in outfits that really suit your colouring, your body shape, your personality and your lifestyle, than in just being a slave to the "must-haves" of the season.

Every season, fashion will come out with a whole bunch of trends that apparently you “must-have”, the only thing they don’t tell you is that you have to interpret what will work for you, and what won’t. You most probably won't suit all of the fashion trends that come out each season, so you need to pick only what really works for you.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love both fashion and style. That’s why I do what I do. But I’ve also seen some things that make me go “Stop right there, fashion police!!!” You see, it’s all about working with your body shape, not against it.

Just because skinny jeans are in, doesn’t mean they’ll look good on you! Over the last few seasons, the really low hipster jeans were in, and I’d see young girls wearing them, and they would have these “muffins” of flesh hanging out over top, because their hips were too big to wear them. It’s just not a good look. They would have been better to wear a slightly higher waist jean, and then a top over top, no-one would notice.

Which is more flattering? This...

Or this?

And I see some ladies, who are a bit shorter, absolutely living in ¾ pants all summer long. Did you realise that ¾ pants actually make your legs look shorter, which, if you have short legs, is not a good look! The reason for this is that the eye stops at the bottom of the pants, and then it visually looks as if your ankle starts from there down, which makes your leg look shorter. A full length trouser actually elongates the leg, because the eye keeps going all the way to the ground. Variety is the spice of life! We are all different. We all have our favourite body assets, the things we like about ourselves, and we also all have the parts we try to disguise or camouflage. We have different body shapes. And that’s how it’s meant to be. If we all had hips as big as mine, then nobody would look good in skinny jeans!

So what are the different body shapes??

Triangle or pear shaped, like me, where your hips are bigger that your bust and waist.
Upside down triangle or apple shaped, where you are more top heavy, with a thicker waist, and slimmer hips and thighs.
Hourglass shape, in which you have a balanced hip and shoulder width, with a defined smaller waist.
Rectangle shaped, in which your hips and shoulders are balanced but your waist doesn’t go in much.

The aim is to make your figure look as balanced as possible. Colour can hugely affect how proportioned you look. Knowing your body shape helps you to know what colour to wear on what part of your body.

Here is the simple rule of thumb: Wear darker, plainer colours on your areas of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours and patterns or texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter shades, and skip over the darker shades.

Horizontal lines or stripes make you look wider, so don’t wear them on your widest area, as it will just draw attention to it.
You have to be honest with yourself and what works for you. Have fun with fashion, but don’t be a slave to it. Be creative instead. Have fun with accessories. Express your own sense of style. You don’t have to show 90% of your skin to be noticed. Don’t feel pressured to wear a skirt that actually just looks like a wide belt. You can look fantastic and be admired for your style sense without being a slave to fashion.

If you’d like some one-on-one advice on what will really suit you, some help shopping or even a whole makeover just check out our services and contact us.

Wardrobe Sorting

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Do you ever stand staring at your wardrobe full of clothes and think “I’ve got nothing to wear!”? Is your wardrobe a mess?

We have some helpful tips for giving your wardrobe a much needed sort-out, a New Year makeover.

While you’ve probably heard that you should do this regularly, chances are that you haven’t done it. Why? Because clearing out your wardrobe isn’t as simple as just putting clothes into piles. The real skill is knowing what needs to go and what should stay. How do you know what really works on you?

Usually before I go sorting through someone’s wardrobe, I like to spend some time figuring out what colours suit them, what works on their body shape, what their lifestyle is like, and also, what their style personality is. To successfully sort out and plan a workable wardrobe, you really need to know these things. You may know all this about yourself already, or you might need some help to figure it out. Once we’ve got that sorted, we can start on the wardrobe…

Here are some tips to help you out…

1. Get out the clothes you want to sort

Start with either your hanging clothes or your folded clothes. You may not have enough room to get them all out at once. The bed is a great place to put them because it’s probably near your closet, and it’s elevated so you won’t have to keep bending over.

2. Decide how to sort your clothes

Decide what piles you are going to sort your clothes into and where you’re going to put each one.
I suggest the following piles, but you could break them down however you want:

1. Keepers: Clothes that go back into your closet because they’re awesome, ready-to-wear, and get plenty of use.
2. Storage: Clothes that are basically keepers, but don’t get worn very often (or are out of season right now) so they can be stored elsewhere to free up valuable space in your closet.
3. Repairs: Clothing that need mending, cleaning or tailoring, but would otherwise be keepers.
4. Returns: Clothes that still have tags attached because you’ve never worn them!
5. Giveaway or sell: Nice clothing that’s just not flattering on you but would be great for someone else.
6. Throwaways: Items that shouldn’t be worn by anyone — things that are worn out, badly stained or otherwise unwearable.

You can also make the piles anywhere you want, but having boxes ready for the giveaways and throwaways is a good way to keep them separate, so you don’t accidentally put a keeper in those piles.

3. Sort your clothing

Now you’re going to go through the big stack of clothing on your bed piece-by-piece and move every item to one of the other piles.

Take your time, and don’t put anything back into your closet unless you’re absolutely sure that it’s a keeper. To be sure that a garment is a keeper, ask yourself the following questions — and don’t forget to answer really honestly! An item isn’t a keeper unless you can answer all these questions with a firm “yes”.

Question 1: Is it free of stains, fading and tears?
Stained, torn or badly faded clothes should not be part of your everyday wardrobe.
You might be able to salvage clothing that’s stained but otherwise fine if you take your clothes to a professional cleaner. Likewise, some tears can be repaired by a professional, but most will mean a garment can no longer be worn.

Question 2: Does it fit perfectly?
Perfect fit is the key to looking like a million bucks even in bargain clothes. Poorly fitting clothes look cheap no matter what they cost.

Question 3: Does it look great on you?
It’s a gorgeous colour, a fabulous style… but when you wear it, you look dreadful. Don’t keep it; pass it along so someone else can enjoy it.

Can’t tell if it’s flattering? Get some help to determine what actually works for your body shape and what to steer clear of. We offer a Style & Line Analysis to help you here.

Question 4: Does it suit your lifestyle?
Clothing you don’t wear every day — like formal wear and out of season items — should be stored away from your everyday clothes.

Question 5: Does it work with your other clothes?
You may have heard me talk about “closet orphans” before. These are the items of clothing that have no family or outfit to be worn with. Every item in your closet should be part of at least one complete, practical, flattering outfit. Otherwise you’ll open your overflowing wardrobe some days and find that you have literally nothing to wear.

To see if a garment can make a great outfit, first look in your closet for things that work with it. If you don’t find anything suitable, make a list of the pieces you need and shop for them.

4. Do something with all your piles of clothing

You’ve gone through your closet and should have several piles of clothes. Now it’s time to do something with them.

Once all this is done, try out some new outfit combinations with your keepers. You may be surprised at some great new looks you can come up with. Get creative with accessories. Make the most of what God has given you, and have fun.

If you want an unbiased opinion and help in sorting out your wardrobe check out our Wardrobe Sorthing & Planning session.

Back in action for 2008

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope you've all had a great Christmas, New Years & summer holiday. We are now back into it here at Outfit. I'm so excited about 2008. It's going to be a great year!

Our Radio Style Slots start again next Thursday 17th January on both Rhema (1251 AM) at 9:40am, and Life FM (99.8FM) at 11:00am, and will continue fortnightly. We have lots of great topics coming up this year, so make sure you listen in for some helpful style tips.

Remember, if you have a style question that you'd like an answer to, just email me at tanya@outfitme.co.nz and I'll post your question and the answer you need on the blog... easy as pie! P.S. It can be on a no-name basis if requested.

Outfitting you with style,

Tanya Howie

Stumped for Christmas Gift Ideas?

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +1300

What do you get for those people who seem to have everything?

Last Christmas, instead of just buying "stuff" for our family for Christmas, we decided to buy them an experience. For my dad, we brought a hand gliding experience, which was something he had always wanted to do. For someone else, it was a relaxing massage. These kind of presents are experienced and remembered with a big smile. So, maybe this Christmas, try to think in terms of creating memories, rather than creating clutter.

Does someone special in your life need a bit of pampering, a bit of time to just focus on themselves? Maybe your mum, sister or brother spring to mind. We can be so busy around Christmas, that we often don't take time out to do something special for ourselves.

Have a browse through our brochure for some great gift ideas... a bit of wardrobe help, some "what not to wear advice", a personal shopping trip, a makeover, and lots more great Christmas gift ideas.

So check out our services, and contact us for help.

P.S. If you are too short of time (and patience) for Christmas gift shopping, leave it to the professionals! We can help out with your Christmas shopping, leaving you stress free, but still with the brownie points!

What to wear to a Christmas Party

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +1300

It’s that time of year again… that stretch of weeks when we are feeling rushed, overworked, and desperately looking forward to a holiday. We can so often get caught up in deadlines, Christmas shopping, and the fluster of the looming season, that we don’t have time to think about what to wear to the many functions that crop up around this time. The last thing you want is to get to Wednesday, and think “Yikes, the Christmas function is on Friday night, and I have nothing to wear!”

As I’ve mentioned many times before, the way you present yourself sends messages about your personality, lifestyle, character, your status, and so much more. Ask yourself what message you want to send with your appearance, and make sure that your outfit and overall look supports that message.

For Men:

Your work culture will often determine how casual or dressy you should be for the function. If you are in doubt, ask. That will be far less embarrassing than turning up in jeans, when everyone else looks suave and classy. Remember that often this is a chance to dress up a bit, shake off the work blues, and have some fun. So make sure you are comfortable, but always aim to be smart and stylish.

And whatever you do… make sure you leave the knitted Rudolph jumper in your closet, just don’t do it. The same goes for satin waistcoats with anything resembling a cartoon character or Christmas paraphernalia – these should be burnt!

Instead, if your function calls for casual dress… go for a nice chino or smart dark jean, with a nice long sleeve shirt. Make sure your shoes are clean and polished.

For a more formal function, stick to a suit. Choose a great shirt and tie combo that reflects your personality, but don’t go cheesy. Remember, photos will most likely be taken.

For Ladies:

Again, make sure you know how dressy your work function will be. This is your chance to look fabulous, show your personality, and get complimented on your sense of style. Make sure, however, that you don’t go overboard. Choose an outfit that is appropriate for your body shape, colouring and age.

There are a few options for outfits: you can go with a trousers and a gorgeous top, you can go for a skirt and top option, or a fabulous dress.

So what are the dos & don’ts?

DON’TS

• Don’t dress like a prude
• Don’t do the ‘Mutton dressed as Lamb’ look either
• Don’t dress too sexy for the office crowd, as you may attract unwanted attention that could take months to shake off
• Don’t dress too casually
• Don’t wear the same thing you wear to work every day. Show some personality and creativity
• Don’t wear shoes that you can’t walk in without falling over
• Don’t wear lipstick on your teeth
• Don’t wear a frumpy jacket over a gorgeous outfit, it will ruin the look completely

DOS

• Do accessorize – show some personality with your accessory choices
• Do look absolutely fabulous
• Do make sure you are comfortable in what you’re wearing (nothing looks worse than a lady who continually hitches up an ill fitting strapless bra)
• Do dress appropriately for the occasion – no towering heels for a beach function
• Do bring something warm that works with your outfit
• Do get help with your makeup if you don’t do it well yourself (try a department store)
• Do put on some fake tan if you are pasty (test it well in advance)
• Do layer with opaque stockings or footless tights if you are cold
• Do check your back view in the mirror before you leave

Remember that photos will probably be taken during the function and pasted on the office wall the next week, so make sure that you are happy with how you look, stand up straight, and remember the number one accessory you can’t go without: a smile.

If you need some help shopping for a party outfit, take a Personal Shopper with you. Check out our services for more details.

Are you stuck in a Style Rut?

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +1300

A style rut can happen at any age. It happens when you get stuck in one way of thinking and dressing, without taking notice of the changes that have happened to you and around you.

There are a few different style ruts that we tend to get stuck in:

The Comfort Rut: where you can’t be bothered to try any new looks, you just grab your easy clothes and chuck them on. Often you are a bit scared to change because you don’t know what will suit you. For instance, do you look in your wardrobe see mostly one colour (black) or mainly one or two styles of clothing?

The Busy Rut: when you are too flat out to even think about clothes, so you just wear the same thing over and over again (black pants and shirt), and you know that you don’t feel great in your clothes or that they are really ‘you’, but you don’t have time to figure it all out by yourself… where do you even start?

The Flash Back Rut: where you look like you just stepped out of a former fashion decade… “Excuse me, the 80’s called and they’d like their perm back please!” You haven’t moved on and it’s clearly visible. You are a bit oblivious to this, but also a bit scared to try something new.

The Mutton Rut: You’ve all heard of the saying “Mutton dressed as Lamb”. It sounds harsh of course, but really it’s just when you know you looked good in a certain style and you find it hard to let go of that, even though your body and looks have likely changed. In this rut, you are often dressing in too young a look for your age. Now, I’m all for stylish looking ladies of all ages, but there are some things that are appropriate, and some that aren’t.

So, how do you know if you are stuck in a style rut?

You are totally uninspired by what you see in your wardrobe.
You end up buying an item when you already have several others just like it at home.
Your wardrobe could have a past decade to describe its look.
You hardly ever think of wearing other colours or styles. (Black!)
You just feel that clothes and style are ‘too hard’ or not your thing.
You can’t remember the last time you did something different with your hair, makeup or clothes.

Life is always changing around us. Fashion changes, our body shape changes, our personality or our lifestyle may change, and we need to be able to adapt to these changes, and still reflect who we really are in the way we dress.

If you feel like you are stuck in a style rut, don’t feel depressed, instead feel inspired to change. Deep down, most women want to look their best, and want to feel attractive. That’s great because when you look good, so often you feel better.

Just because style or fashion doesn’t come naturally to you, it doesn’t mean you are doomed to a life of comfort dressing and feeling blah. We can easily show you what colours and styles suit you, and how to discover your style personality. Then when you do go shopping and start to create your new look, you’ll know what will work for you, no guess work involved, and no expensive shopping mistakes!

You can get a bit of help to just tweak your look, or you can get a whole makeover and totally reinvent yourself. It’s all in your hands. You are the only one who can make the choice to change for the better.

So do away with the excuses of age, time, money and body issues. You can look great, with little time & money, and regardless of your age and body shape, you can look and feel fabulous.

It’s time to break free of your style rut. Experiment, get creative and have fun with fashion. Start to create your own sense of style. When you know you look good, your confidence soars and you feel so much better about yourself.

If you would like some help in breaking free from your style rut, check out our services or contact us to see how we can help.

Mothers & Daughters

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Recently I have had quite a few mothers & daughters book in for consultations together, and it has got me thinking… what a great way to do mother/daughter bonding!

I remember when I was younger, watching makeovers on Oprah with my mum, and being fascinated in the transformation of the women & men involved. That’s probably one of the things that steered me towards being a Personal Style Consultant.

Our mothers are one of the biggest influences in our lives growing up. Whether we want to admit it or not, they will have influenced our sense of style. That doesn’t mean that we all end up like little clones of our mothers, not at all, but rather, that we watch and learn, and decide what we like and what we don’t like, starting from a very young age.

When I was young, my mum used to make clothes for both herself and for me, and she showed me how to get creative and have fun with fashion. That influenced me quite dramatically growing up, as I learned to have an eye for what looked good and what didn’t and to have a love of fashion.

As us daughters grow older, the roles can sometimes reverse, and we can find our mothers looking to us for inspiration of what is current, and for new ideas in style. This has happened with my mother, as I’ve grown up, often Mum looks to me for ideas and fashion advice, and of course shopping help, which is great, as it’s always such a fun bonding time for us to go out shopping or look through each others wardrobes. We enjoy this time together, and although are tastes are not the same in all areas, we do inspire each other in different ways.

There are also however, the Mother/ Daughter relationships in which their sense of style is quite different, and they may not be able to understand each others taste, let alone pick out gifts! This can be source of tension sometimes, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can learn to understand what suits yourselves and each other, from colours & styles, right to your style personality.

This is where I think these Consultations together can help quite a lot. As you learn what colours suit you and each other, what styles suit your body shape, and what your own sense of style is, it takes all the guess work out. It gives you a much better understanding of your own body, and each other. Plus, it’s heaps of fun. You get made over together, and get to have a great girly bonding time, and create some new memories together.

So whether it’s with your Mum or even a best friend, check out our services and book in soon.

The Magic of Makeovers

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +1300

I love seeing the difference that a makeover can have on the confidence of people. I’m hooked on makeover shows, which is probably why I enjoy doing what I do, so much. My current favourite, the programme on Fridays, 7:30pm, Channel One, called “How to Look Good Naked”, really intrigues and inspires me. Albeit, there is a fair amount of nudity on the screen, so be aware of that, but its results that I’m there for.

So they start out with a person who is self-conscious, low self-esteem, often doesn’t like part or all of their body. This often affects their relationships, especially intimate ones. They will often dress to hide themselves, but hate the fact that they do this.

Now on the topic of often not liking one part of your body… one interesting part that they do, is line up about 7 women from smallest to biggest of that particular body part, (be it breasts, stomach, thighs, etc) and then the woman has to put herself in the line, where she thinks she fits in size order. Every time, she will put herself as much bigger than she actually is! Often right near the biggest, when she may be the second smallest! It amazes me how convinced they are about their size, when really they are much smaller. It’s a huge revelation to them. And slowly they start to see the truth about themselves – that they are beautiful, gorgeous women, who have great features, worth loving.

Through facing the truth, that often a lot of the problem is in their mind, rather than their thighs, they come out the other end alive, eyes sparkling, confident, proud of who they are AND how they look, and this has such a dramatic effect on their relationships and their whole lives!

They get a new hairstyle to suit their face, lifestyle & personality. They learn how to dress for their body shape & their colouring, do their makeup, and really how to make the most of themselves. Then they walk down a runway in front of thousands, strutting their stuff, and love it! What a turn around!

I love seeing people who are proud to be who they are. I love how makeovers can help to do that for people stuck in a rut. That’s why I love makeover shows, and why I love what I do.

Feel free to get in contact if you are interested in getting a makeover for yourself, or someone you love. See our services for more details.

Inspired into Style

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Here is a lovely email I got recently from a client who used to struggle with shopping and finding the right look for her...

"Thought I'd let also let you know that the shopping I did with you was excellent and I am now inspired to keep adding to it!!! I have bought a couple more dresses, skinny jeans (that I love!), gold flats and some tops/shirts for going out/casual Friday's at work - I'm not a t-shirt / hoody and jean girl anymore!! - Caroline."

Shopping Tips

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +1200

For some people, shopping is more a chore than a delight. There are, however, some simple things you can do to make your shopping trips a much more pleasurable experience. It all starts before you even step out the door.

BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING...

1. Make a list

Take stock of your wardrobe and see what things you need to invest in to work with what you already have, and fill in the gaps in your wardrobe. Keep in mind upcoming events that you will be attending, and what you will need to wear to those. (What do you have that you can use for the events? You may not need to buy a whole new outfit, rather just accessories or a new top.)

2. Have a budget in mind

Try to stick to your budget as much as possible. I know that sales can be enticing, and "Oh my goodness, what a bargain! It would be a sin not to get it!" can flash through your mind many times over, but keep the list in mind, and keep the budget in mind too. This will save you from your guilty morning-after feelings.

3. Dress well

You will always be treated better by shop assistants if you are dressed well while shopping. Call it shallow, but it's a fact of life - people respond differently to you depending on how you present yourself. You are much more likely to get the help and attention you need if you are dressed well.

4. Wear clothes that are easy to take on & off

One of the excuses I hear from ladies who don't enjoy shopping is that they hate feeling all flustered and hot from getting undressed & dressed again so many times. Make it easier on yourself. Avoid wearing stockings if you are going shopping for a pair of trousers. Wear clothing that isn't hard to take on or off, you'll thank yourself for it.

5. Wear shoes that are easy to take on & off

Same as the above rule - avoid lace up shoes or boots if possible. Wear slip on shoes if you can. It will make your dressing room time a lot shorter.

6. Wear neutral coloured underwear

Have you ever gone shopping for a pair of lighter coloured trousers, shorts or skirt and checked out your rear view only to see a black knicker line staring back at you? The same goes for dark bras while you are trying to buy a lighter coloured top. It's just so distracting! This is something that many people don't think about. However it is a huge help, as it means no matter what you are trying on, your underwear won't interfere with your decision. Ladies, make sure that you are wearing a properly supportive bra. This will instantly improve your silhouette making you look slimmer.

7. If you are trying to match something, take it with you

This may sound completely obvious, but I think it's worth stating anyway. If you want to buy a pair of jeans to wear with heels, take your heels with you so that you know the jeans will be long enough. Or if you want to find a top to match a skirt (which you shouldn't have got, because you had nothing to wear it with!), take the skirt with you to match colours against. Don't just rely on your memory.

WHILE YOU ARE SHOPPING...

8. Beware of sale racks

To many of you this may sound like blasphemy! I'm not saying don’t ever buy anything on sale, I'm just saying beware. Often things are put on sale by retailers either because they don't fit very well, haven't sold well, or were just a big mistake to begin with. Don't just buy it because it's a "bargain". Think it over properly.

9. Ask yourself the 6 key questions

Will this item go with at least 3 other things I already have at home?
Does it suit my body shape?
Does the colour suit me?
Does it suit my style personality?
How long will this item be 'in'?
Is it within my price budget?

10. If you are unsure, put the item on hold

If you are in doubt about whether to buy the item or not, give yourself some time to think it over. Put it on hold, go and have a coffee or carry on with other shopping. If you can't stop thinking about it an hour or even a day later, then it's probably a good thing to buy. If however, you are still unsure, then just leave it. There's nothing worse that wasting money on something that you won't wear because "There's something just not right about it." (I call these Closet Orphans.)

11. If you find something you absolutely love, buy 2!

I have often heard clients say that they wished they had another of their favourite clothing item. If you find something that is the perfect fit, good price, and it's a great key clothing item, then often it can be a good idea to get another one in a different colour, or even in the same colour if you think you'll wear it often (like the perfect fitting pair of black trousers).

12. Get an impartial opinion

Forget asking a stranger, friend or shop assistant if something suits you. Ask a professional! A Personal Shopper will help you choose clothing to best suit your colouring, body-shape, personality, lifestyle and budget. It is a great investment that will save you buying unflattering clothes or accessories you’ll never actually wear and adds to the retail therapy buzz because you know you’re buying intelligently.

If you'd like some help shopping, see our services for details.

What topics do you want to hear on radio?

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Post a comment to let me know what topics you are interested in hearing about on Life FM or Rhema every 2nd Thursday. I'll also post the info here for you to read. Any idea is a good idea. Thanks for your help. Contact us to let us know your ideas.

What do your shoes say about you?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +1200

The way that we present ourselves gives off messages about what kind of person we are, the life we live, our interests, our confidence, our sense of style, often without us even realizing it! Today we are going to look at what your shoes say about you, and some of the common shoe sins that people commit.

So many people think that shoes are the one thing that people don’t really notice in an outfit… I beg to differ! You’d be surprised how shoes can make or break your look.

Isn't it a terrible shame to have a great outfit fall short because of an unattractive pair of clodhoppers? At the office, parties, and in our daily lives we witness this unfortunate phenomenon. All of us have seen others, or worse ourselves, let footwear drag down a great look instead of being the crowning jewel to complete it.

So what are some of those nasty shoe sins that people slip up on?

Jeans with running shoes (running shoes are for running!) Sneakers are ok, but they need to be more of a street shoe, rather than a running shoe.
Suits with skate shoes
Socks with sandals or jandals

Scuffed or dirty shoes
Shoes you can’t walk in properly (too high or uncomfortable)

Black shoes with white socks (especially if your trousers are too short)
Stockings with open toed shoes (unless extremely sheer toe)

What do our shoes say about us? What messages do they send out?

Strappy high stilettos - they make for a very sexy look are ok for a night out, but keep them away from the office, and especially job interviews, as they aren’t a respectable corporate style, go for closed toe pumps.

Ballet flats – current, stylish and yet practical and comfortable, friendly
Converse sneakers – popular, casual, arty, laid-back cool
Fashion boots – keeps up with the latest, likes to be noticed, current
Bold, colourful or patterned shoes – confident, loves to be noticed, creative, stylish

Crocs – not my favourite shoes at all – they are all about comfort, but not style
Running shoes while not running – This says "I haven’t taken any thought to what I’m wearing. These are my one and only pair of shoes."
Men’s slip-on smart, stylish shoes – confident, stylish, good taste, attention to detail

If you'd like some help shopping for shoes, or anything else, see our services for details.

Fat Days

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +1200

We all have those blah days in which we feel frumpy, fat or just generally very unattractive. But do we just have to suffer through them, or is there a way to trick the mind and the eye?

Here are some of my tips for avoiding fat days:

Pre-planning – Have in mind some no-fail outfits in which you know you look good. If you know that something fits well, and the outfit looks good as a whole, you have more confidence than if you just chuck on the first thing you see in your closet.
Buy clothes that fit you well – don’t buy a size too small hoping that you’ll loose weight. Also, if you’ve put on weight and something doesn’t fit you properly anymore, don’t wear it, you’ll only depress yourself further. Ill fitting clothing actually makes you look bigger.
Don’t wear anything too big, or too small. Too big and you’ll look frumpy, too small and you’ll look pudgy.
Some styles of clothing will just not look good on certain figure types. If you don’t know what to avoid for your body-shape you could be causing yourself unnecessary fat days. Getting a Body-shape Analysis will let you know what works for you and what doesn’t. Check out our services for more details.
Avoid horizontal stripes, or noticeable seams, horizontal lines make you appear wider. Go for vertical lines instead.
Try wearing just one colour on both top & bottom, or different shades of the same colour. This makes you look more slender, as the eye doesn’t stop at a mid-way colour change, but keeps going.
Here is the simple rule of thumb: Wear darker, plainer colours on your areas of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours and patterns or texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter shades, and skip over the darker shades.
Wear colours that suit you – this always brightens up your face, and makes you look healthier and happier. It’s like an instant face-lift. If you’re not sure of what colours suit you, come for a Colour Consultation.
Take an extra 5 minutes to do your hair & makeup. It will make you feel more attractive and ready to face the day.
Treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee!

Summer's Fashion Forecast

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Here are a few observations from my Europe trip of the up & coming styles for summer 07:

Looks:

80’s inspiration – highlighter colours, over-sized t-shirts with slogans, brights on brights
Prints – on dresses, t-shirts
Vintage - from accessories to dresses, waistcoats, bags, shoes, the whole 9 yards
Man Style - boyish charm with shirts, waistcoats, wide leg pants and panama hats

Nautical is back again with fresh blues & whites
Metallic – silver & gold has made it’s mark on dresses, shoes, bags, accessories, tops, prints, well just about everything
Prim & proper - high waisted skirts, tucked in shirts, bows

Colourful – even the men are not scared to use lots of colour!
Guys – Light cotton shirts with rolled up sleeves, waistcoats, skinny jeans, converse sneakers, and a Panama hat

Jackets:

Cropped jackets with big buttons
Voluminous swing jackets

Dresses:

Voluminous styles

Layered pinafores
Tunics layered over skinny jeans or leggings
Fresh cotton dresses
Bright colours

Skirts:

Tulip shaped
High-waisted

Tops:

Layering
Playing with lengths – long tunic tops, short waistcoat

Puff sleeves
Extended shoulders
Oversized t-shirts with slogans

Pants:

Skinny jeans
Wide-legged jeans/pants
High-waisted

Shorts:

Very short once again
Can layer with longer cardi’s overtop

Layers:

Waistcoats

Tunics
Cardi’s
T-shirts under dresses
Leggings

Accessories:

Long necklaces, bigger is better, beads, pendants, antique
Gloves – fingerless leather, bright colours, driving gloves

Scarves – silk, light fabrics, long length
Sunglasses – Ray Ban Wayfarers – bright colours, big, bold looks
Hats – Panama, Fedora (as seen on Pete Doherty)
Handbags – absolutely huge!! Big buckles, padlocks, luxurious leather, but also the whole “I am not a plastic bag” phenomenon

Shoes:

Ballet flats
Silver or Gold Metallic
Converse, as always

Balance:

With all the volume out there, it is important to make sure you have balance. If you have a voluminous top or tunic, balance it out with skinny jeans or leggings. Alternatively, if you are wearing wide leg jeans, steer clear of baggy tops, otherwise you will just end up feeling frumpy!

Check out our services for help with updating your style.

Fortnightly Style Slots on Radio!

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Some great news... I will be a guest on Radio Rhema (1251 AM) at 9:40am, and Life FM (99.8 FM) at 11:00am, every 2nd Thursday for a Style Slot. I'm really looking forward to this!

We will have heaps of things to talk about, from great style tips, to new shops I've discovered, trends, caller questions and heaps more. So listen in this Thursday 23rd September, and every fortnight from then on, for a great Style Session to brighten up your Thursday.

Shopping on Camps Elysees in Paris!

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

This is the most amazing shopping street in Paris. It has all the top designer stores from Louis Vuitton to Dolce & Gabanna and so many more, right through to some great cheaper European chain stores. What an experience! It stretches from the Lourve right to the Arch de Triumph, and really does live up to it's prestigious reputation.

I brought a gorgeous red satin jacket with a same fabric belt which I am wearing as write this update. I'd love to go back and browse some more, but we are off to Venice tomorrow, and we still have a bit more sightseeing on the menu.

Well, must dash, we are off to the Eiffel Tower for sunset!!

Top Shop

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Today I went shopping at Top Shop on Oxford Street in London. Wow!! That place is so huge, and totally incredible. I didn't get nearly as long as I wanted in there, but I'm going to go back again (without a man in tow!).

In the women's section there was accessories as far as the eye could see... my paradise. I noticed a bit of peasant/bohemian style in again, which I was a bit surprised at, but also quite a bit of the fluro colours and a huge 80's presence too. I saw the section that was designed by Kate Moss, which had some great pieces in.

In the men's styles fluro and 80's was huge too, as were waistcoats, and great old style hats. Quite a variety in styles. Colour is big for guys.

We are off to Paris tomorrow, so I'm sure that will be very inspiring. Keep tuned.

London

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Hi from London! So far we have had an amazing time here in London seeing the sights - Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, Soho, Covent Gardens, The London Eye (big ferris wheel), walking along the River Thames, Tate Modern Museum/Gallery and there's still so much more to see. Very exciting.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for great London Fashion and will try to take some photos of inspiring people I see. So far I've noticed that men in London are a lot more confident with colour than our Kiwi blokes. Pastels and great colour combinations are a refreshing sight. As it's still a bit chilly here in London, with very changeable weather, I haven't seen too much of the Summer fashion for women yet, but will let you know what's around once I see it. Keep checking in, and I'll try to post regularly.

Street Style: Men's Satchel

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

This is Al Gough, a hairdressing tutor at Servilles Academy. What a great satchel he has!!

I especially love the carabiner used as a clasp. It makes it even more of a masculine look.

What Not To Wear - on Life FM

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

A big thanks to all of you who listened in to Girls Talk on Life FM this morning. We had a great time talking about 'What Not To Wear', fashion mistakes, dressing for your body shape and shopping tips. I got to answer quite a few caller questions, which I hope was helpful.

If you have a Style Question that you would like an answer to, just email me on tanya@outfitme.co.nz and I'll post your question, and the answer here on the Style Tips section.

There is also a slot on Men's Style which is coming up on Life FM (99.8 FM) at 5:00pm today, with Frank & Di, so listen in guys!

I will be critiquing Frank & Di's outfits...

So keep posted to see what they've done right, and what needs a bit of a brush up!!

Boot Accessories

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Check out these great accessories on the boots. It's like a fur cuff that has been tied around like a boot bracelet! I'm not sure if they were originally meant for boots or whether they are a fur cuff that she has used instead, but what a fun look.

Outfit Radio Interview

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Here is another Radio Interview that I did a while back. Read on for some great tips on Winter Style...

Well it truly feels like winter has settled in – time to face a whole new wardrobe. Do you suggest doing a full wardrobe change-over from summer to winter?

I don’t think that’s completely necessary. I’m all about using the least number of clothes in the most number of ways. The best way to re-use the summer favorites is to layer either over or underneath them. Dresses – layer a merino knit underneath, and opaque tights or leggings underneath too. Team boots and tights with skirts to update them into winter.

How long do you think we should hang on to THOSE clothes that we love but maybe don’t wear so often?

Ohh, that’s a hard one… It depends on why you don’t wear it. If it’s unflattering for your figure shape or it’s a bad colour on you … get rid of it. If it just needs repairing or re-working, take it to a seamstress and see if she can make it work for you, but that’s unlikely, say your goodbyes. I’d say, if you haven’t worn it in the last 2 years… out it goes.

How do we deal with the fact that a lot of buildings are air-conditioned so we are so much colder outside?

Layering is the key to this Laurel. Use knitwear, cardigans, wraps & jackets that can be taken off inside. Make sure though that your jacket does still go with your outfit. I’ve seen so many outfits ruined by a big chunky casual jacket over top that just doesn’t go. Use scarves coats outside.

Also at the moment the temperature changes quite radically from morning to evening? How do we adapt our wardrobe?

Layering again, I often pop some tights in my bag, and an extra layer to go over top of my outfit.

What do you think of scarves and hats?

I love scarves! I think they are one of the most under-utilized winter accessories. They can brighten up an otherwise dull outfit, easy to take on or off depending on warmth, and they add a great deal of interest. For me they are about style, not just warmth.

Hats – I don’t like beanies very much personally, but there are some cut beret’s and knit style hats around this season, though they don’t suit all faces shapes, so be careful with them. Watch out for hat hair too!

Can guys wear them as well?

I love guys in scarves, and no they are not just for the metrosexuals. It’s a huge style factor that can add interest to an otherwise plain outfit. Wear them folded in half, looped around the neck, then put the ends through the loop, or just wind around the neck, on end in front, one end on your back, or just draped around the neck, both ends in front.

What are the popular colours this winter?

Grey is very popular, but only wear it next to your face if you suit cool colours. Red & Purple are quite big this season, as is black of course. But be careful with black next to your face, as it is often too harsh for a lot of people, and can make you look more drained and older.

What styles are in?

Dresses are very in, and will continue to be right into next summer too, so invest in one or two. Layering is a big look, as is footless back tights underneath skirts and dresses. Volume is a key look too, but make sure you only wear it on one half and keep the other half sleek. For Guys layering is big too - go for a nice dark slim jean, a merino knit, a blazer, a scarf, and some great shoes.

So much of the clothes that are in the shops are made out of t-shirt material - but this does not hang well, what material should we look out for?

Yes, definitely stay away from t-shirt fabric dresses or skirts if your hips & thighs are a problem area. It will cling in all the wrong places. I would look for a thicker knit, or otherwise a slightly heavier fabric that will glide over figure challenges rather that cling to them.

Check out our services to see how we can help.

Street Style: Men's scarf & jacket

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

This is Rick, a Business Analyst from Auckland. I was sitting across from him on the bus today.

Check out his scarf and jacket combo. Such a great winter look for guys.

Winter Style: Scarves

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

One of my favourite accessories for Winter are scarves. Not only on women, mind you, but guys as well!

Most men tend to shy away from wearing scarves, as they think it will make them look less manly.

I beg to differ. Here are some photos of guys wearing scarves and it looks really great.

So get into it guys! Grab a scarf and step into style.

Outfit on the Radio!

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Happy Friday! I thought I'd post the written version of a radio interview that I had recently, on Rhema 1251 AM. I hope you get some good tips from it...

Is it important for us to take care with our appearance?

I definitely think so. Whether we like it or not, the fact is that people make assumptions about us based on our appearance. Studies have shown that in just the first 15 seconds, a new person meeting you forms more than a dozen surprising impressions about you and your life, based almost entirely on your appearance. But more importantly, I have also found that women who have a makeover, or have been shown how to look their best, always have improved self confidence. So it's not only because of others, but it's about what it does for us. How good do you feel when you get a compliment about your outfit, or how good you look? I love that feeling!

Do we always know how to make ourselves look good?

Unfortunately we aren't all born with style know-how, it needs to be taught and caught. I would say that the majority of women & men are not 100% sure what suits them, they get frustrated shopping, and "have nothing to wear" even with a wardrobe full of clothing. Thankfully it's easy enough to learn how to look your best with a little help & guidance from a personal style consultant.

How do we find our personal style?

It's a combination of things: knowing what colours suit you, knowing what styles of clothing suit your body shape (how to enhance the features you love, and how to camouflage the ones you don't), discovering your style personality (how to make your clothing reflect the real you), and having a wardrobe that works with your lifestyle. Your personal style is what your outfit/style says about you.

Do we need to have a huge wardrobe filled with clothes to look good?

Not at all. I'm a huge fan of what we call a capsule wardrobe, which is having a certain number of key pieces in your wardrobe that can all mix & match, no closet orphans. That means that when you go shopping, you don't buy just because it's a bargain, you only get it if it will work with 3 pieces that you already have at home. The key for me is definitely accessories. With a good range of accessories, you can change the look of outfits in no time.

What part does colour play in making ourselves look good?

It plays a huge part! Have you ever had anyone say "Wow, you look so good today" or "Are you feeling ok?", when you are no different than usual? Often this can be because of the colour you are wearing close your face. Knowing what colours suit your complexion, whether they are cool based or warm based, means you can get that healthy glow every time, no mistakes. It's the cheapest face lift ever!

How can we enhance our best features?

Knowing your body shape helps you to know what colour to wear on what part of your body. Here’s my rule of thumb: Wear darker, plainer colours on your areas of figure challenge, your larger half. Wear lighter, brighter colours and patterns or texture on your smaller half. The eye will be drawn to the lighter, brighter shades, and skip over the darker shades. It’s also important to know what cuts & styles of clothing enhance your good features, and what to avoid on your areas of figure challenge. That makes a huge difference.

I also wanted to touch on another subject - we were looking at an article in the challenge newspaper and there was a piece about how mothers should be responsible for passing on sensible dress sense to their daughters. Too many young girls nowadays are copying the fashion sense of various celebrities which is not always advisable. Then they end up dressing too provocatively and that invites all kinds of trouble??!!!

I think that she has a good point there. Society and culture promotes fashion that is often far less than modest. I would say that while it is important to dissuade young girls away from provocative dressing, it’s also important to let them express themselves with fashion too. It needs a good balance, encourage the safer trends that look great on them, let them have fun with it, it doesn’t have to be expensive, but do draw the line where you feel is appropriate. Be a good role model. If you look stylish as their mother, they are much more likely to understand that being stylish doesn’t have to mean being a fashion slave.

Feel free to check out our services if you are wanting some one-on-one help with your style & image.

Outfit goes to Europe!

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 +1200

I just thought that I'd let you all know that I'll be going to Europe for the month of July. I'll be going to London, Paris, Venice, Rome & then Hong Kong on the way home.

I'm so excited, as you can imagine. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled the whole time for great style on the streets, in the shops, and I'll be taking loads of photos to post when I get back. This way you can steal some great style ideas and put them into action before the rest of New Zealand does.

Keep a watch out for further news...

Tanya

Welcome

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post in the blog and I'd just like to say hi, welcome, and thanks for coming along.

I will be blogging regularly with style tips, great new stores I've found, Outfit news, and stylish things like that. I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to ask any style questions you may have, such as "I'm really short, can I wear 3/4 pants?" :o) I'd be happy to help.

Keep checking in to get some great style advice. Also check out our services for how we can help you personally.

Outfitting you with style,

Tanya