“The best colour in the whole world is the one looks good on you.”
Coco Chanel
Colour is individual, natural, magnetic, influential, emotional, therapeutic and joyful and the emotions it stirs are a vital part of a woman’s beauty and charm. Everyone is different – hair, skin and even eye colour change constantly with the play of light and shade, and these nuances mean that every woman can possess a colour of her very own, one as personal as her signature. Women who understand colour look more interesting, more in control, more confident, more self-assured and ultimately more attractive. These women have more personality in their looks, because they have created their own colour signature.
The choice of colours out there is enormous and can be not only confusing but also quite daunting. Why is it that sometimes the colour blue looks great on you, then just ok and at other times doesn’t work at all? The answer is that every colour comes in different shades, tones and intensities. So, blue is not just blue – there is icy blue, pale blue, light blue, pastel blue, clear blues, soft blues, clear blues, medium blues, dark blues etc. Once you know your dominant colour (which is based on your personal colouring) you’ll know which type of tones and shades of blue look best on you and which look just ok. These ones can be made to look better by combining them with other colours from the dominant colour palette.
Also, note that colours will either lose or gain intensity with your choice of fabric. So a blue linen can look lighter or softer, because it’s translucent, while a blue corduroy might gain intensity because it’s a more heavily textured fabric. There’ll be other blues that you love but if they just don’t work on you, stop wearing them and integrate them into your life in another way – for example, use the colour in your home.
In total we recognise 6 dominant colours. Now you can not only find out how to wear your colour palette but also shop for the most recent added product by your dominantcolour!
“I am against fashion that doesn’t last. I cannot accept that you throw your clothes away just because it is spring.”
Coco Chanel
Women will spend more than £1billion in the sales – on clothes they will never wear, research reveals.
In total, Britons spend some £4.1billion in sales on goods that are never used, at an average cost of £85.60 a person.
Women are the worst offenders, with 10 per cent of their average wardrobe consisting of clothes and accessories bought in sales but never worn – and more than half of the items still have the price tag on.
Some love sales – others hate it – some are impulse buyers – some spend more than they can afford.
No matter which group of shoppers you fall into – if you are somewhere in between – maybe it is time to have a more systematic approach or just keeping the following things in mind when you go shopping the next time.
Budget: How much can you spend per month?
It is not worth going overboard and being always in debt with your credit card. So, if you are an impulse buyer or someone who plans their shopping trip- know always how much you can spend when hitting the shops.
Investment buys- Classic clothing
Investment pieces or classic clothing will vary according to your life style and personality, but they are classic or investments buys because they can be worn most of the year – independent of which season- or which trend is dominating that year or season. They can be worn for years without looking dated! Important here is to keep focus on the quality and buy the highest you can afford. So, make the math here – how many times will you wear this item in that season – year – or years? The cost per wear is much lower – the more you wear something, the less expensive it becomes!
Shop only when you feel good about yourself
Hitting the shops when feeling low about yourself in order to do some shopping rehab ends up most of the times in a bad experience. You will be ending up buying just for the thrill but with any thought about it, so they joy will last only for a moment and the end will be even more depressing because you spend money on something you don’t want and will end up returning it in the end. Or you will end up even more depressed because you can ‘t find anything you like or you don’t like anything on you when you look at your image in the mirror. You are much better off buying yourself some nice chocolate to make you feel good. Dress comfortably
Don’t bother with a full make up or great hair do- it will just get in the way while trying on clothes – look nice and at ease with yourself. Also wear clothes that are easy to get in and out of otherwise you will start to loose interest of trying something on, because it takes too long or it is just to difficult to get out of your clothes. Don’t forget to wear as well comfortable shoes when going shopping – and take the shoes with you that you will be wearing with the garment your buying
Shop when the stores are least crowded
Some people can’t avoid to hit the shops when everyone goes because of work, kids or other commitments. But if you can try to go when less people are in the shops, so you don’t have to queue at the changing rooms, can move around the shops easily and see the garments in full display. Know the store’s return policy
Each store or department store has different return policy- some return your money and in others you just can exchange it for another garment. The normal return policy is two weeks, but can go up as well up to 30days. Be careful when shopping in sale, because most often they cannot be returned at all!
Shop only for things which work for you!
Know your colour palette, your body shape, scale and proportion, so that you know what fabrics, patterns and styles will look great on you. That doesn’t mean you should not experiment, but also you should be honest what works for your figure and colouring. Be true to yourself and shop for the body you have got and not the one you want! It is all about feeling good now in the clothes you buy and not when you will loose some weight then and there! It just will end up in tears because this garment will come with a “but” and will put pressure on you and so the beloved item will turn into a be hated one instead. Last but not least the clothes you buy need to be for real life- don’t try to buy items you might wear but don’t know yet or because they look so pretty but you won’t wear them so much because they might be not comfortable. Keep remember looking good is all about feeling good that means when you are in pain e.g. because trousers are too tight or heels are too thin then you don’t feel like yourself and therefore you don’t look yourself- it’s going always to show how comfortable you are in your clothes!
Items, which are always useful to have:
Click here to shop more for bargains-remember you will see all reduced prices once you clicked on the buy button and you are diverted to the retailers shop.
“Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.”
Coco Chanel
Wearing a bright colour in your dress will enable you to wear it for daytime occasions, but also for evening engagements- you just have to combine the right accessories. Dress these coloured dresses up or down by wearing them with boots, flats or high heels or nude tights, coloured or patterned tights or with chunky necklaces and bracelets, or with hats or scarves or with a faux fur jacket or fancy dress coat. The choice is yours.
These dresses are great to add your signature style, by dressing them up or down or with your individual style and making them your own. Therefore they make great investment buys since you can create so many looks with them for different occasions and make them work as well in different seasons.
Have fun and experiment with colour, but since these dresses come as block colours you need to make sure you wear the right colours for your colouring, body shape and proportion. Colours bring the spotlight on you and the darker the colour the longer you will appear visually- and vis versa. But also bright colours are adding volume while darker shades are more slimming.
Dressing in the right colours is about creating balance and harmony between your own colouring and the colours you wear, in both clothes and make-up. Balance and harmony is achieved by wearing colours that have similar characteristics as our colouring so that the undertone, depth and clarity are in a similar range. It’s an easy way to look good, feel good and co-ordinate your wardrobe. Not only that but wearing the right colours can help you achieve a younger, healthier and groomed look.
Wearing your favourite colour and wearing the right colour for your colouring and body shape might not always be the same thing. Keep also in mind that little changes in your hair such as highlights or lowlights in your hair will affect your dominant colour. This means a colour that may have looked great in the past, now doesn’t work so well because your hair colour has changed or skin matured. So, don’t try to force it and try something new instead – embrace change rather than seeing it negatively. If there are colours that look great on you, but for one reason or another you don’t like the colour on you or at all, then just don’t wear it. As important as it is to wear the right colours, it’s also important to feel comfortable with the colour choice you are wearing.
Also, this the last blog before Christmas. We will be back with more blogs around the New Year! I am wishing you all a merry Christmas and a relaxing and happy time. All the best for the New Year- hopefully you will have a fantastic beginning.
Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportion
Coco Chanel
Make the most out of the new season’s knits. The big cardigan is the new cover up and the waist belts will give you an edgy layer look.
Some quick guidelines how to keep the look in the moment:
Mismatched texture and fashion style- contrast is key
Multi layers for the oversized look ” a la just have thrown these clothes on”- Allow layers to peek out, combined with cheerful or icy colours in order to keep the look sharp. Be careful you don’t look messy, uncoordinated and unproportional.
Layer over coloured tights, funky leggings, skinny jeans.
Make sure that your knitwear looks current in order to avoid a dated and dull look
Also, please caution this oversized, layered look is not best for women who are apples, full hourglasses, pears, big busted, non balanced in proportion.
But here are some ideas how to enjoy your knits for any body shape. Keep your dominant colour as well in check for maximum impact!
“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone”
Coco Chanel
Colour cannot only affect your mood and your energy but also how you are seen by others, from your partner to your friend or boss. It has a definite psychological and emotional impact on us. Being aware of the emotional impact that the colours you wear will have on others is an important consideration and can affect the people with whom you are meeting. (This advice is most relevant for Europe and America).
Black/Navy/Grey. Navy and black are true “power” colours. Black is the colour of sophistication and power. However, whereas women can wear all black during the day, on a man, all black is best reserved for a black-tie affair unless it is broken up with a white or coloured shirt and tie. Dark colours tend to make a person appear thinner and taller. Wearing a dark skirt with matching trousers and shoes will make a short woman appear taller.
Grey is the colour of teamwork, agreement, and passivity. In a darker charcoal shade, grey is a true power colour. In a lighter shade, it becomes more relaxed. Grey is a good choice for people in sales, banking, or finance and it is ideal in combination with other colours to personalise according to colouring, scale and proportion. However, grey is not a colour to be worn on its own – it will make you look “robot like” ie lacking any own personality…
Red is the most active and energetic colour and a powerful accent colour for men. It is the colour of the initiator; no wonder red foulard ties are considered “power” ties. For women, red is an excellent choice for jackets, blouses, and dresses but it is usually too strong in a suit. Red is the colour of power, sexiness and energy. It also subconsciously transmits an aura of success. Wear red and you’ll feel confident, dynamic and in control- taking on its strength and dynamism.
Red is big this season and you have the choice to wear it at work or when out and about.
Every woman should own a pair of red shoes- an instant updater no matter what the occasion and looks great with formal wear or just a pair of jeans.
Red bags- you just can’t go wrong whether you choose a workbag, handbag, shopping bag, clutch bag, shoulder bag, rucksack. Choose one that that suits the cause and your personality.
Red gloves, hats, scarves, belts all great choices to inject energy and dynamism to your day.
Red lingerie: Looks always glamorous and desirable.
Red coat or jacket will see you through a grey season and will keep look energised.
Red Dress- never goes out of fashion. But keep lines sharp and don’t over accessories. Let the dress do the talking.
Don’t be afraid mixing different reds with each other- it is better to go for obvious different red tones than to go for similar red tones. It will give you a dated & tired look and show you are trying to hard.
Best is to make red to a focus point. But remember when creating a focus point it should highlight a feature what is flattering about you. Don’t just buy something because everyone has it with the risk it will show cast a feature that is not the best on you. Know what your best feature is before putting the limelight on it.
“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny”
Coco Chanel
Not only the “40ies” but as well suspender, hold ups and stockings are back in fashion. The interesting twist is how to wear them- is not just by night- but also by day. Some brave ones and who have the legs to show are making a fashion statement with it. London retailers such as Figleaves and Agent Provocateur say they experiencing currently a boom, because women are experimenting with lingerie and hosiery. Apparently it is a Dita von Teese effect. “Women want to improve their mood in a recession”.
Wearing nice lingerie and hosiery can give women a fantastic boost in self confidence and as long as you don’t wear them for everyone to see you just have to focus on the right fit and size of the garment in question. As soon as it becomes part of an outfit, watch out that you choose them carefully. They need to suit your body shape, your leg line and the size of the calves. It is not about showing of the garment but instead showing how the garment is underlining the shape of your body, leg line and calf size.
The new way of wearing the Sequin trend is to wear them in your everyday wardrobe rather wearing Sequins just by night. Best is to wear the metallics by mixing them up with different textures, patterns and styles . It is all about mix and match rather “matchy matchy” as it was in the “80’s”. They don’t come only in different colour variations, but also they can be found in every clothing item like leggings, tops, belts, shoes, bags, berets etc. The trick to wearing sequins is to use your ” Sequin” only in one clothing item, so it adds the right day shine to your outfit and gives your look a bit of glitz and glam. While wearing Sequins at night e.g. a Sequin dress it is important you don’t get your look dated by wearing it like in the “80’s”. Instead shake it up by combining them with current and edgy items, which will give you an up to date look.
One more important thing to remember: Sequins will put the spotlight on you. So, make sure you choose the right Sequin items to wear, so they will complement your body shape and your body features.
“Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportion”
Coco Chanel
Here are some Sequin outfit ideas for various bodyshapes:
Coco Chanel wasn’t just a fashion designer – she was one of the very first fashion icons.
The summer fix for 2009 took inspiration from Coco Channel’s iconic fashion trends.
1. The Classic blue- and- white Breton stripe top
“Inspired by the French sailors she used to see.”
“With white, one can never put a foot wrong.”
It is a fashion trend you don’t have to spend your wardrobe budget on-leave that to must have coats, jackets and denim jeans. Secondly nothing says dressed down- chic so well. The stripy look works all year around. In summer pair it with shorts, ballerinas, cropped trousers or wear them with your summer dress, tops or bikini. Spin it for autumwinter by wearing stripes in your full length tights, over knee tights, cardigans or complement your stripes with coats and jackets.
Coco Chanel introduced this bag in February 1955 (as in 2.55). Coco wanted a shoulder bag to free up her hands .The quilts were inspired by jackets worn by jockeys.
“The best colour in the whole world is the one looks good on you”
The affordable alternative you can find at Dorothy Perkins. This shoulder-style bag has the iconic gold signature turn lock hardware , chain plated strap and quilted pattern.
“A fashion that does not reach the streets is not a fashion”
Michaela Jedinak is the founder of Joy of Clothes, the easy way to buy the clothes for you, your body shape and your colouring . She is also the founder of Joy of Colour one of the leading colour and style consultancies click here to read full bio
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