Gold Coast Personal Stylist offering personal styling for real people on a real budget
Phone: 0422 439 005

Archive for the ‘Body Shape’ Category

Peplum Power

It’s baaack..! Unless you’ve been living under a fashion rock for the last 4 years, you are no stranger to the Peplum. Dating back to the 1800’s, the Peplum first hits it’s fashion mark in the 1930-40’s, when this simple circle of fabric re-instilled the lost femininity and shape to women’s fashion during an era previously dominated by the masculine influences of war.

The peplum resurfaced in the 80’s providing a much needed balance between the over-the-top shoulder pads and tight skirts – aka Alexis Carrington.

Fast forward 30 years and the Peplum is back with a vengeance, with no signs of it going anywhere soon. What started as a trend in 2011, has continued to dominate the runway, reinvented each season in the key colours, fabric and prints. Variations in leather, lace, bold floral, tropical prints, cut-outs and colour-blocking are all featured next S/S 2013.

Peplum Masterclass

Proportion is key. Always balance out the flounce of the peplum with a fitted bottom half for a Peplum top or a fitted top with a Peplum Skirt.

Ensure you choose the right Peplum length to suit your body, if you have a short torso, the peplum should sit at or just below hip length. Vice-Versa for our long torso sisters.

Peplums are a great way to elevate your look, Throw on a gorgeous Peplum top  with your favourite jeans, add some bling and your good to go – instead style cred!

Look for quality over quantity, one Peplum top in a fabulous print/material that suits you to a T and will work back with your existing wardrobe, is far better Cost Per Wear than multiple cheapies that will barely see you through the season.

Use the Rule of 3 when purchasing your peplum pieces, if you can’t visualise it working back with at least 3 other pieces you own, chances are it will never see the light of day.

Making the right choice in the neckline of your Peplum pieces is the difference between working the trend and just simply “wearing” the trend. The most flattering bodices are your basic thick strap tank style or strapless. Thin spaghetti straps or dramatically cut in armholes can throw your whole proportion off balance, defeating the whole purpose of this trend in the first place.

Fashion 101 Personal Styling

 

 

 

Rules to Shop By

Accessorise – Updating your look is easy and affordable, instead of wearing the current trend head to toe, buy a belt, bag or jewellery. This works especially well if the current trend does not suit your body shape or colour palette. Another trick is to wear the trend colour on the bottom half, ie: pants or a skirt, keeping the colour away from your face.

Stock Up – If on the other hand the current colours are YOUR key colours, consider buying a few classic pieces, shirts, pants etc. These items will not date and you know the colour is fabulous on you!

Cost per Wear – When considering an expensive purchase, divide the cost of the item between the number of times you expect to wear it, if your purchase is an awesome pair of jeans for $200 and you wear them every weekend, they will pay for themselves in no time!

Rule of 3 – To ensure that each new item fits seamlessly into your current wardrobe, visualise the intended purchase with 3 other items you already own.

A Good Tailor is your Best Friend – A GOOD Tailor is truly invaluable, particularly if you are petite, however ensure that you factor in any alterations to the final cost of the garment before deciding to purchase.  A minor nip or tuck can alter a garment entirely – from OK to Fabulous in a heartbeat!

Shape Wear – What can I say, if it’s good enough for Sarah Jessica Parker and the Red Carpet elite – then its good enough for everyone!!

LBD – Not necessarily black, if black is not one of your best colours. Think navy blue, jewel greens etc.  Invest in a dress that is a classic cut and in a block colour, i.e. plain black, navy etc. This will give you amazing versatility and value for money.  You can “reinvent” the dress for various occasions by creating  a multitude of different looks by accessorising with different elements, i.e. gold, silver, jewel encrusted, animal print – the possibilities are endless!!

Go- To- Pieces – In order to have a fully functional, phenomenal wardrobe, it is essential that you compile a collection of “Go To” pieces, these are the items that you can put on and feel and look great, regardless of “Fat Days” or “Bad Hair Days.”

Invest Wisely – Spend more on classic pieces, a trench coat, stunning evening dress, quality knitwear, jeans, bags, shoes and stunning statement pieces. These items will not date and still look gorgeous for years.  Trend items – are just that –a trend, The latest “must have” tie dyed maxi dress will be obsolete before you have even paid off the purchase on your credit card!

Experiment – By all means, go ahead and indulge in that tie dyed maxi, simply  buy a cheaper chain store version, ALWAYS ensuring that the cut, colour are flattering to your individual body shape and season pallet.

Style doesn’t have a price tag!

Fashionista or Fashion Victim…

Fashionista or Fashion Victim?

A Fashionista by definition is up to the minute with the latest trends, “must-haves”and key pieces of the Season. But what if the latest trend is just all wrong for her in terms of body shape, colouring etc?

Most of us look to fashion magazines or store windows for inspiration when it comes to what’s in v’s what’s out. For the most part this is a brilliant resource tool, but like anything – too much and its overkill. Both magazines and store windows while showcasing the latest “Must-Haves” aren’t  taking into account your own personal needs.

Black coated skinnies and a silver metallic peplum top is absolutely “of the moment hot”, just maybe not so right for you…or me. Particularly if you’re an Autumn or Spring colour palette, silver will just wash you out, same said if you’re a pear shape, the key is to balance out your top and bottom by adding more presence to your upper torso –  a peplum will only add more bulk to your mid-section. Black coated skinnies, on the other hand, will work on nearly everyone – just in different ways. If you’re a cool Summer / Winter Palette, silver metallic will look awesome, and provided you’re not pear, peplum is also a great choice. However if the piece in question was a deep jewel toned green – you would be in the same boat as our Autumn/Spring  friends. The colour would be just too heavy for you.

The trick is to pick the key pieces of the Season that relate the best to you, incorporate on-trend accessories that compliment your look and leave the rest to those who it will look amazing on. Never sacrifice your own true style for the sake of a head-to-toe –trend. So, Fashionista or Fashion Victim? I guess it’s all in the interpretation………..!

 

Sandra Harrison

Personal Stylist Fashion 101