Style

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Spring is in the Air – isn’t that the title of a song?

I love the Spring time because I feel there is a sense of anticipation, of something new and wondrous just waiting to happen. I love the crisp smell of the air, the bright sunny faces of the pansies, the first blue skies of the year and the chance to put all my winter woollies into storage and transform my wardrobe – or do I?

When I was younger, the idea of shedding jumpers, thick skirts, knee high boots and opaque tights for sleeveless T’s, short skirts and bare legs was my idea of heaven. But not now. Unfortunately, the wobbly bits have started to take hold of my entire body and I wouldn’t expose my lily white flesh if my life depended on it. So what’s the alternative if you’re a woman?

 Firstly, don’t think that because you need to cover up you can hide away under a long skirt. Unless you have really long legs, and even then you’ll have to choose your top carefully, longer skirts can be so aging. Much better to choose a pair of great linen trousers. Just as comfortable, but much more modern and they never seem to date. Team with a great T-shirt worn under a fabulous shirt or a light fitted jacket and you’ll look heaps better.

If you’re slim and tall, you can always opt for harem pants. Team with a silky top or a loose, but stylish, cardigan and transform a simple outfit into a gorgeous showstopper.

Unless you really love your arms, are a regular at the gym or naturally look like Madonna, you’ll probably put sleeves high on your list on ‘must haves’.  The most flattering tend to be ¾ or bracelet, which for some reason also make your legs look longer which is no bad thing, but if these are too hot for you try a cap sleeve which extends the shoulder line making the hips looks smaller.

Fabric is important as you’ll need something that breathes so you don’t get too hot. Choose natural fibres if you can, though they can crease, or slightly looser styles that skim the body but don’t hide it completely. It it’s sheer or see through, you’ll need a slip.

As the weather gets brighter so can you. Grey and other muted colours never look so flattering when the sun is high in the sky. Think of the Caribbean – not many pastels there! So choose fabrics and accessories in your favourite shades so you can feel cheerful as soon as you dress.

Sandals and flat shoes might be the most comfortable footwear but make sure they aren’t dowdy. Look for unusual colours or textures if you want to liven up a plain outfit.  If you wear red shoes, you’ll definitely be noticed.

Tights are probably our most uncomfortable item of clothing when it’s getting hotter outside. I swear by Donna Karan tights that are so light you hardly notice you’re wearing them. They come in differing shades, like a foundation, so you can match to your skin tone. Sold also with tummy/bottom controllers if you need them and without toes, so you can wear with peep toe sandals.

Take the focus off the bits you don’t like by wearing fabulous jewellery. I still believe less is more but that really depends on your personality. Go with what suits you but just make sure you love it. If you’re at work, make sure it doesn’t distract and annoy - jangling bracelets or pendulous earrings for example. You’ll get remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Because we are wearing less, the maximum effort should be on what you’re wearing underneath. Don’t skimp on the right underwear or you’ll sag and fold – not particularly attractive.

Lastly, don’t forget your sunscreen. Even if you sunbathed like a sausage on a spit in your earlier years, you still need to protect yourself.  SPF15 minimum, and don’t forget your hands as that’s where the secret of your real age is hard to hide.  Sunglasses can hide a multitude of sins and a hat not only prevents sun damage but can look really chic.

 

 

 

What if you’re a man? The biggest faux pas I see, and all women agree with this, is not the socks and sandals – though this is bad enough – but the short sleeved shirt worn with a tie. When you wear a suit jacket, the shirt sleeve cuff should be clearly visible under the sleeve hem. If the shirt has short sleeves, this can’t happen so is deemed unprofessional. It reminds me of a schoolboy. What more can I say.

 

On the subject of shirts, generally speaking the hemline will determine how the shirt should be worn. If it has a distinctive shirt tail, then it is meant to be tucked into the trousers. If it has a straight hem, then it can be worn outside in a more casual way.

Although the fashion is for all shirts to be worn without a tie these days, the only shirt traditionally worn in this way is the button down collar variety. Usually made from a more pliable, softer fabric and originates from the polo shirt so was intended to be less formal than a normal shirt. As with women, as the heat increases you get hotter so it makes sense to stick to natural fibres. Linen and cotton are good choices.

Bright colours look great in the sun but don’t wear them for work, unless it’s your tie. It’s not professional.

Chinos are usually the choice of casual trouser for most men. Most designs tend to have a pleated waistband, which is fine if you have a bit of a paunch. If you still have a slim physique, opt for a flat fronted fastening instead. It’s far more flattering.

Shorts are a bit of a minefield but most men seem to wear them regardless of whether they look ok or not. My tip would be to wear them longer rather then shorter. Team with flip flops or sandals, no socks, rather than shoes or trainers.

The sun doesn’t care whether or not you are male or female. It can still cause lots of damage unless you protect yourself. Even if you wouldn’t touch a pot of moisturiser, you need to apply a sunscreen daily. A hat also helps if you’re follicly challenged (losing your hair).

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