There’s no ‘best before’ date on style

The lady wore black……. almost unrelieved black.

An electric blue fairy danced gaily on her hat and a scatter of white polka dots, like a starling’s wing, graced the gauzy silk of her scarf. But, apart from that, she was in black; black hat, wide black belt nipping in a slender waist in a black winter coat, black gloves, black riding boots.

And she looked great!

We bonded over a stray shopping trolley which required escorting ‘home’, when she expressed admiration for my sartorial style (I, needless to say as a Spring, was not in black).

Well, right back atcha, sister!

The curls escaping from her hat may have been silver, the mischievous eyes set in a sea of fine wrinkles but this lady clearly showed that you don’t have to give up on looking spectacular just because a certain birthday has passed.

When I told her how fantastic she looked she giggled unashamedly and told me it was all done on a shoestring. The belt had come from Primark, the scarf from a charity shop, the hat from Claire’s Accessories. The dancing fairy had been made for her by her great grand-daughter. The coat and boots she laughed, well they had been in her wardrobe for ever!

Despite obviously being in her eighties, this lovely lady was subtly but exquisitely made up, with a vibrant raspberry coloured lipstick enhancing her bright blue eyes. Black was so obviously right for her, the neat but slightly dramatic style complementing her naughty personality.

I didn’t get her name but she was an inspiration. I think I want to be just like her when I grow up - only not in black - Chocolate or Geranium Red, maybe……..?

Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Update

Elie Tahari

The House of Colour Fashion Update for Spring/Summer 2014 has just been launched and it is one of my highlights of the year. After completing my Colour and Personal Style classes, I feel confident on how to use this information, however I want to keep my look current, so the fashion update is a great way of adding contemporary trends to my wardrobe to update my style.

I don’t bother with fashion magazines anymore as they all tell you that everyone can wear all the trends, but if I try an asymmetric biker jacket with lots of zips and buckles, it wouldn’t suit my Romantic Classic style (not enough sparkles!)

That’s why I love the Fashion Update. It shows the on trend looks that will work for my Clothing Personality so eliminates the risk of buying into a trend that won’t work for me. I love looking through the fashion images and looks, and drawing inspiration from the different sections in the fashion update. I love the mood board page that includes visual images and key words for each look and the key details and accessories which provide great ideas to refresh my wardrobe. 

Skirt by Oasis

Tanya Taylor

Of course this doesn’t always mean going out shopping for a new look each time. When I get my copy, the first thing I do is a mini wardrobe review to see what I already have. One of the looks I can do this season is Carnival which is all about colourful prints and patterns and gorgeous fitted silhouettes to create a Rio vibe. Currently in my wardrobe I have this pencil skirt from Oasis that I purchased last year. The tropical print of this skirt will work perfectly for this trend and this season I will update it by teaming it with a bright Raspberry or Magenta top to add a bright colour, and an on trend statement necklace (sparkly of course) for my interpretation of the Carnival look.

When you get your copy of the fashion update, now available from your consultant, try looking through your wardrobe first before you hit the shops. If you have been following your colour and style advice, you may be surprised to find pieces you already own that will work with the new trends for this season to give you an instant style update.

A Colour Revelation

I’ve been working directly with colour for many years and love being surrounded by beautiful things.  Beauty for me is in the delicate and subtle, the harmonious and blending, the segue through the seasons and the balance between natural and manmade. 

 

Spring is on the way, the birds are singing, the daffodils are peaking through, the snowdrops are making an appearance, hellebores are showing up for their long lasting display and I’m planning a trip to the Winter Garden at Anglesey Abbey.

 

Seeing and experiencing something deliberately designed to lift and provide pleasure in what is considered a fallow season is inspiring.

I adopted many of their ideas for my front garden and in those brief moments of arriving or leaving the house, I’m greeted with sights and smells that lift my spirits and gently remind me that I’m alive, all is well and there is life in the winter!

 

Colour has a profound impact on us and yet we’re not always conscious of it nor any better informed on how to use it powerfully.  Colours affect your mood as much as your mood can affect the colour choices you make.  Wearing your right colours will make you appear healthy; clients observing and participating in a colour analysis frequently acknowledge that someone looks more confident!  Younger!  Slimmer! In their right colours.  I know I feel happier when surrounded by my colours, wearing them or viewing them and find it far more appealing to view people also wearing their best colours, regardless of whether I personally like them or not.  And it’s all a trick of the light!  So set about employing these tricks gainfully to support you in pursuit of your goals.   If you apply for our free Colour Guide, researched and compiled from the world of fashion, you'll find this season’s colour trends laid out in the context of your season. Next week Harpreet will be introducing the new trend looks for Spring/Summer 2014.

My first foray into this world of influencing those around me with the colours I wore was totally innocent and over 15 years ago; I wasn’t feeling great but had some important work to do.  I deliberately choose a great colour (on me) with the intention of keeping my head down and avoiding conscientious concerned comments; ‘are you ok [you don’t look it!]?’ what I experienced and hadn’t expected, were positive comments, such as ‘you look well’ resulting in my feeling empowered – a revelation! 

Wearing Colour Trends

When I had my colours analysed 3 years ago, I left the session both excited and with renewed confidence having discovered the palette of colours that suited my natural complexion. Click here for more information about the colour analysis process

I certainly enjoyed shopping for my ‘star’ colours and wearing my new wardrobe for a while but what do to, six months or a year after I’d first had my colours analysed, when I wanted to update my wardrobe?  There are only so many damson or royal blue pieces I can wear!

I love fashion and looking current and on trend is important to me.  Each new fashion season sees a dominant colour palette take the title of the ‘must have’ trend colour and although I do feel slightly resentful when the ‘it’ colour is orange (I’m a Winter), we can all adapt certain colour trends to suit our season. 

This season it’s all about Pastels, featured everywhere in fashion publications.  It’s all about introducing pretty pastels such as peachy rose tones, soft forget-me-not blues and baby pinks, even leafy greens and pale lemon yellow, which are all key for this season’s more feminine looks.

At first I  was sure this would be another colour trend I couldn’t invest in as I need cool, bright colours to create contrast, however when I looked through my colour wallet I realised I could do it as long as I remembered my ‘rules’ for wearing colour. I would recommend that you consult your wallet each season to see how to make the ‘on trend’ colour work for you, ensuring your wardrobe stays current and on trend.

It’s easy for all seasons to update their look with a few pastel shades. Here are a few suggestions for each season:

 

Winters – Look out for Ice Aqua and Ice Blue. Team with a strong neutral such as black or navy to give you the contrast you need.

Springs – Mint Green looks amazing this season, team with a brighter colour such as Geranium Red to ensure your vibrancy.

Autumns – Look out for lemon yellows for extra zing. Textured finishes such as lace or brushed wools will ensure you are bang on trend.

Summers –Look out for this season’s key colour trend, Dusty Pink, especially in outerwear and a lot of other soft, muted tones such as Powder Blue will work well for you, especially when worn together.

Generally, look out for Winter Pastels in soft tailoring, knitwear, especially with brushed or textured finishes, and outerwear. 

Find out what colours work for your season with our free Autumn/Winter 2013-14 colour guide