Michaela

View more mandarin-red bags!

Michaela

Fashion comes and goes but Style is eternal! Yves Saint Laurent

1.  Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Coats that are “simple in style ” on top and get more dramatic from the waist line downwards. Hip details and and asymmetric hemlines or colour blocks are are ideal.

2. Lean Column Body shape

Clutter and details on top and lower part are best here. Oversized,double breasted and down coats are good for giving you a shaped waist and curves.

3. Rectangle Body shape

Create the illusion of a waist and roundness.  Single breasted  and asymmetric styles are great choices.

4. Apple Body Shape

Choose coats that have shoulder details and hang loosely fitted from the shoulders downwards.

5.  Pear Body Shape

Choose styles that keep details and attention to the top and go quieter downwards. Hooded styles, wide lapels and colours are ideal.

6. Neat Hourglass Body Shape

Choose what you like best since you can wear any style.

7. Full Hourglass Body shape

Opt for fitted styles that follow your body shape . Avoid any clutter – you don’t need it.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Michaela

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Michaela

Important here is who can wear which style, type and length of a scarf. Scarves attract focus and attention to you, so you want to make sure it is complementing your body shape.

Best practice who can wear which type of scarf

Experiment with scarf lengths to find the right size appropriate for your body shape. Scarf lengths can be determined by the amount of folds there are, knots made, how many times it goes into self-made loops, and so on. For example, you can make one side shorter than the other, or have crisscross patterns for special lengths.

• The smaller busted you are the more easily you can wear long scarves, chunky scarves with bright colours or strong designs around your bust area- whether in amount of folds or knots.

• If you have a short, wide or short wide neck you should be avoiding any scarf fashion and use them only for keeping you warm in the winter.

• The smaller and thinner your neck the more detail you can take in that area- no matter if you are wearing a neck tie scarf or, chunky knit or knot around your neck.

• Inverted triangle body shapes need to choose their scarves carefully in order not to add more volume to their broader shoulders. Best is to wear neck ties, short or medium length scarves in solid colours, that fall straight down the neck. Important is to avoid any styles that will sit or wrap around the shoulder broaden them. Avoid as well any pattern and clutter that creates volume on the shoulders.

• Full hourglass and apple body shapes should choose scarves of medium length and wear them best in folds up in their neckline. Ideally they shouldn’t lie over the bust neither should they be placed or dangling over the tummy area. Best way of wearing scarves here are off-the- shoulder by choosing long and wide scarf styles or as well shawls.

• Rectangle should be choosing “round” shapes in their pattern like floral or polka dots to create visual balance.  Best styles are folds up or knots, which will help to create visual balance here.

• Pears should keep the attention to the upper part with their scarves. So, best is to wrap chunky, long, scarves around the shoulders or make many folds up around the neck. Avoid wearing the scarves straight down the neck.The bigger, chunkier, louder the better for them. As long as they to the upper part.

• Lean columns can wear what they like. Since they need to create volume and roundness to their shape it will be best to wear chunky styles and busy pattern that create volume and clutter to their neck,shoulders, bust, waist, waist, hips and thighs.

Michaela

• Old charm with new touch at a Royal State Banquet

• Attending a Cocktail Party
  

• Attending a Museum opening
  

• Watching a Polo Game with friends

• Out and about in London town

• Afternoon Garden Party

• Attending a Royal Open Air Concert

• Attending a friend’s wedding:

• Lady like on a state visit meeting Mrs. Michelle Obama:

Michaela

She loves  to add a modern touch to retro outfits. So, here is Kate’s new wardrobe for various occasions:

• Sunday at Church in Sandringham

• Cocktail at Downing Street with Samantha Cameron

• Charity Committee Meeting

• Visiting a Children Hospital

• Lunch with the Wedding Planer

• Out Shopping

• Interview with the Press

• On Honeymoon in Africa

• Busy planning the wedding

• Ladies Lunch in Chelsea

• Dancing away at Mahiki

• Watching Prince William at Polo Match

• Royal Variety Performance

• Attending a Soiree
  

• After Fashion Show Reception

• Chelsea Flower Show

• London Fashion Week

Michaela

But this year will be different, because the key is to avoid making the mistakes that cause failure like setting the long term goal so far away that we will give up before reaching it. So, instead of making New Year’s resolutions or commandments let’s go with decisions in 2011. Decisions are final and is easier to act on what will help us to succeed.

Some women look always great no matter the size they are, they are ( almost always) happy, rarely get sick and are always fizzing with energy, they don’t gain weight or lose memory  .

So what’s their secret?

1. Like yourself: “The sooner you become your own best friend, the better live will be“- Diane von Fuerstenberg

There is no point of dwelling I wish I would be taller, younger etc and losing all the energy on the wrong factors. Accept who you are! If you don’t like your weight- this is in most cases- something you can change- then do ” walk the talk rather talk the walk”. Otherwise make the best out of your size since there are so many retailers out there who provide fashion options no matter what size you are.

2. Accept what you can’t change: “The key is being yourself. Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live”- Gianni Versace

Once you have accepted who are you will start to find things and features you love about yourself. You will start to dress for yourself, you will find your signature look and style personality- the result is that you will feel happy in yourself and with yourself- you will be true to yourself. All this will keep you motivated, positive – and fashion forward, because you know what works on you.

3. Be true too yourself: “‘How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone“- Coco Chanel.

Also, buy only clothes that fit you in the moment- never get trapped of buying clothes in a smaller size because you have plans to shed pounds or because you are dieting. That concept never works because firstly you tend too loose always weight in a different way and places, secondly  don’t reward yourself before you have achieved your end goal. The risk of slipping is too great and last not least once you bought the item in question most women lose their will power to lose the weight to fit into that dress. So, better reward yourself for small achievements and buy always  items that fits your current build, body shape and weight. Be someone rather trying to be someone you are not!!!

4. Stop to shop until you drop: “I am against fashion that doesn’t last. I cannot accept that you throw your clothes away just because it is spring”- Coco Chanel

Buy clothes that only work for you, your life style and budget. Meaning stop buying clothes you never wear because they are the wrong size, you don’t have an occasion for them to wear or because they are too expensive for the salary you make. Fashion is only fun when you start to build a workable wardrobe that consists of having clothes that work for your body shape, colouring, proportion, the life style you are leading and that you can afford! Make good investment buys rather than bad fashion buys.

5. Don’t get yourself in too much debt!:” Style is very different from fashion. Once you find something that works, keep it.”- Tom Ford

Fashion is just not worth it! They are just things, which are not as long lasting as it takes to pay back your credit card. We all know this feeling ” I am dying to have that dress”, ” I just needed to have this bag” or ” Every penny spent on those shoes are worth it”…unfortunately all not true. It is not that once you satisfied yourself with that purchase you stop shopping for more. No, there will be another item that you need because it will look great with what you bought before….and that is how it goes one. Break out of the devil circle by building a workable wardrobe where you only buy what you need to update or replace. You will see you have much more of your clothes because you start to work them by wearing them rather building up clutter of clothes that don’t work with each other or won’t work for most occasions.

6. Declutter your wardrobe! “When putting a wardrobe together, if your budget is limited, the most important thing is having the discipline to invest in one or two beautiful key pieces and mixing these with classic pieces. Plan your long-term wardrobe. Only buy pieces that you can’t live without; don’t be tempted by disposable”. Roland Mouret

Everyone is different in their needs, but keep in mind that changes in your lifestyle will affect your working wardrobe. So, before you start of thinking of planning your wardrobe, assess your lifestyle and what you need to wear. Start with a wardrobe audit and go through your clothes piece by piece, assessing whether they are the right colour and if they are right for your body shape, proportion and scale.Clothes that you don’t wear and which only have sentimental value should be put away out of your workable wardrobe. So, make room for clothes that complement you and the way you live. It is so therapeutic as well to get rid of “the old you” and make way for the ” new you”.

7. Be Fashion Forward- Say hello to Eco fashion and No to animal cruelty in the name of fashion!:” Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be better every single day.”- Oscar de la Renta

It is time to be fashion savvy, knowing a little bit more about the label you buy- making a difference to our lives and how we live. Say Hello to Ethical fashion that it ethically sourced.Ethical fashion and ethical products should promote the use of environmentally-friendly materials & production processes, as well as providing good working conditions and a fair wage. As well say NO to real fur and buy faux fur instead.  It is a big revival in fashion and it has never looked more chic or real than this time around by none other than Kate Moss. Other animal advocates are Stella McCartney and Bridget Bardot. It is without doubt the only way to go for fashion!D

8. Moderation is key for a balanced you! “Fashion is all about happiness. It’s fun. It’s important. But it’s not medicine.” Donatella Versace

Unfortunately most of us lead their lives in extremes at work or in our private lives or in the way we eat and drink. Either we work or party full on or we indulge ourselves without measures in food or/and drinks or we diet in excess. Therefore it shouldn’t come to us a surprise that such a life style doesn’t leave us damaged. Our body needs time to recover from work or play. So, build in some time to give your body and mind some time to recover and to re energise. You will feel better and look better rather worse to wear – no label in the world can and will change that.

9. Sleep, keep fit and eat well: “Mens sano in corpore sano”- (a healthy mind in a healthy body) is a famous Latin quotation, often translated as “A sound mind in a sound body.

Sleep will keep you balanced and calm, give you piece of mind, energise you and will help you to stay focus for the day. Plus it does wonder to your skin and digestion. Try to keep fit and to increase your activity by incorporating exercises into your daily routine e.g. using the stairs instead the lift, walking the kids to school, take the bicycle to work instead the car or get off 1 or 2 tube stop before your final destination. Why not keeping the same standard of high quality and labels in clothes as well in food? I never understood how some have high standards in clothes labels but none in food and opt for junk food or settle for bad quality in food. Eating bad food will show! There is no way of hiding no matter how much money you spend to try to hide it. So, do a U- turn and be good to your inner self by eating well, keeping fit and sleeping enough hours to feel energised, healthy and look your best.

10. Wear the right colour: The best colour in the whole world is the one looks good on you.”- Coco Chanel

Dressing in the right colours can improve your self-esteem and confidence. 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 without having to resort to drastic measures. In business first impressions count and these are often based on your outward appearance.

Colour 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

We are all leading a busy life style, where it is difficult to carve out some time for yourself. But it is important to find time to yourself and for yourself! Get some “me time”, which means to every woman something different. It will make you feel calmer, balanced and happier when interacting with family, friends and the outside world.

Click here for more info

Food of thought for 2011: :“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

Have a great 2011,

Michaela

Here is a fashion compass of what to wear where from the East to the West, from the North to the South of London:

East London Girl

It it the living ground of creative minds like artists, architects, fashion designers, musos. The aim is to be someone with an individual look and their own unmistakable style personality. This is the group that starts  trends. They have an undying love for printed T-shirts, leather or biker jackets.

Style Icons

Fashion buys:

West London Girl

Quite the opposite is here the case. Most important thing is to show and let everyone know that you are part of a selected group-”the it” group. It is the the playing ground of all ” limited editions” in fashion! Therefore you need to apply the key looks to be recognised as such- e.g.the glossy long hair, legs, latest “it” bag and sunglasses. This is the group that adds the polished “it” stamp on a trend.

Style Icons

Fashion buys

North London Girl Their look is dressed down, no fuss or attention seeking. It is about tuning in rather standing out- being part of a tribe. Though not recognisable from the outside the clothes are from expensive labels.  It is about conscious living. Mantra: “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body”. This is  the group that takes a trend to the “streets of London”- make it wearable in our daily lifes. They are inseparable from their skinny jeans, boots and trainers.

Fashion buys

South London Girl

Think bohemian, avant-garde fashion and vintage clothing. Retro is king and making it to your daily staple wardrobe is queen. Simply it is the breeding ground of the English eccentric. This is the group that mix matches old with new trends. Embellished tops, double breasted jackets or coats, floral print and horizontal stripes can be always found in their wardrobes.

Icons

Fashion buys

Michaela