Style - Archive

 

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING!

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society"
Mark Twain.
 

It's Christmas party time and dressing for the occasion, in a sexy and glitzy way, can be a nightmare as we get older. Short, sequinned numbers don't really do it for most of us but we don't want to revert to the LBD (Little Black Dress) we've had in the wardrobe for years either. So in the spirit of Christmas, and with money perhaps being a little tight, I've decided to help you out. Below are my top tips for looking glamorous and gorgeous without having to take out a second mortgage, unless you want to of course.
 
1.    Whatever you choose you must wear the correct underwear. I know it's not sexy but the correct underwear can take pounds and years off you. Overhanging flesh, panty lines or lacy bumps visible under the fabric of your garment will instantly ruin the effect, regardless of how much your outfit cost. There are many, many types of control underwear in the shops these days and it can be confusing knowing which one to choose so do yourself a favour and see a professional. John Lewis has a specialist service as do many other department stores and lingerie specialists. This is one purchase, chosen correctly, will never let you down and will be worth every penny.
 
2.     The LBD (Little Black Dress) can be a versatile piece but just make sure it's not looking dated. Unflattering hemlines, dated shoulder pads, old fashioned necklines just add years so look carefully before you try and resurrect. If it passes the 'modern' test, you can adapt it so it looks different from the last time you wore it. How you do that depends on your personality. Adding sparkly earrings, a new necklace, a faux fur shrug, leggings, a belt, great pair of shoes or a pair of gloves (never underestimate the power of gloves to transform an outfit) will all immediately transform. Unless you're really funky, hip, eccentric or massively creative, don't go overboard or you'll look like a Pantomime Dame. 'Less is More' as the late and wonderful Audrey Hepburn will confirm. She is 'huge' this year, so emulate her look and remain simple, stylish and elegant without all the razzle dazzle. Just add a string of pearls (BHS do some amazing ones for £15). Think about the impact you want to make this year and adapt as necessary. I love adding some funkiness to my simple dresses with the addition of unusual tights, which, luckily for me are also on trend this season, creating a whole new look for very little outlay.

3.    Metallics are huge right now and can be really cruel, adding unwanted weight and mirroring facial wrinkles. Take heart as you don't have to dress head to toe in gold. A new clutch, a belt, great strappy sandals (if you can walk in them) or an oversized metallic thread wrap can work wonders. If all else fails, paint your nails - silver or jade polish is very 'now'.

4.    Personality is key to getting your look right. It's no good trying to make scarlet work on a head to toe basis if you're painfully shy, quiet or don't like the limelight. So be honest with yourself and what suits you. If you want to brighten up and don't have the confidence to do so in a full on way, choose an accent colour in earrings or a bracelet.

5.    If you have a good décolleté, showcase it with a great pendant or a low cut top. How low is up too you and I trust you know where to draw the line. Sun damage, wrinkles and a droopy bosom are not sexy in anyone's book.

6.     Dress to suit your figure.  If you're curvy, choose fabrics with drape. Stiffer fabrics will pull and look tight in all the wrong places and you'll look and feel uncomfortable all night. You want to enjoy yourself not keep fiddling around with your clothing.

7.    Style Alert - this is really DATING.  Matching your earrings to your necklace, your handbag to your shoes and so on. Please don't. It's more stylish to carry through a colour theme but in a different pattern, fabric or texture. It also looks clever and like you know what you're doing!

8.    As I've aged, I realise that I NEVER want to be seen in something that another person is wearing - EVER. However, many of you continue to shop in stores such as M&S so, be warned, this might well happen. If you truly don't mind, you might want to look at supermarkets as they 'give great value for party wear. To look unique, you'll need to make some adjustments. If the dress is too short, team with leggings, add a great jacket, a belt or a scarf and change the overall look of the garment. You can also change the buttons, add fringing or beading and make it totally yours.

9.    A garment that is a half size too small will add one or even two sizes to your overall look. That's really not a good thing is it? So ALWAYS buy the right size. It's not glamorous to be spilling out of your clothes and if your outfit is too tight, you will visually gain weight (as above), possibly labelled with the dreaded 'mutton' word and you'll definitely be noticed -but not for the right reasons. We know there are no standards in sizing, so going up a size label is truly not the end of the world because it means nothing. If you hate it that much, cut the label out. Fit is everything and can make a cheaper outfit look expensive and vice versa if the fit isn't right. Because of this, you should also always look at your rear view, often the part where the damage occurs.

10. Spend time on your hair and makeup. After all, your face is the part of your body that is most looked at. Generally speaking, make up wise, it's either the eyes or the mouth but these days you can do both and get away with it if you know how. If you don't, see one of the cosmetic salesladies (and some men these days too) in your local department store. If you prefer a more natural look, Bobbi Brown is probably the best option as she in also in her 50's so understands our skin better than most. The consultants treat it like a lesson, so you'll know what to do when you get home.

11. If your arms are flabby, and it bothers you, wear a delicate and beautiful wrap as a camouflage or team a great shirt with beautiful trousers like Katherine Hepburn and Sharon Stone. If you decide to go that route, wear trousers or jeans with a beautiful embellished top or jacket. A few (operative word being few) sequins will create vra vra vroom. The Tuxedo is back with a vengeance too. This time with a highly structured shoulder line - great for minimising hips. You can get them for as little as £60 if you look around. Don't spend more, as they will be out of fashion next year and you'll look dated if you pull it out again next party season.    

12.A new pair of shoes, especially if they are sexy, will uplift any outfit, even jeans. If they are new, and fairly high, you might want to invest in some gel inserts to protect the balls of your feet or better still, wear them around the house to break them in. Nothing worse than blistered feet - believe me, I know.
 
13.Smell delicious.  Wear your favourite fragrance but not so much that you overpower any interested onlookers. According to some recent research, it's as much of a turnoff as BO or garlic breath!
 
14.Try your outfit on well before the actual event. If it doesn't fit, has a stain or you just don't like it any more you need time to get a replacement.

15.Last but not least, smile! Look as if you are on top of the world and you are here to enjoy yourself and guess what, you will.