edits guide on how to wear trousers that are not jeans

Edits Style inspiration

Wearing denim everyday is a hard habit to break and one that alot of clients ask me about. We default to dark blue denim most days and why not, it's comfortable and you know how to wear them right? What if there was an alternative trouser that you can wear outside the comfort of your home and doesn't involve any fitness activity! 

Because there is another way. Instead of going through your day in a pair of uncomfortable skinny jeans, with the waistband squeezing against your stomach left, right and centre, you can now look to many different and comfy trousers instead. From paper-bag waists, to pyjama style, peg trousers and everything in-between, momentum is really gathering for the non-jeans trend. So now is a great time to try it.

Follow my pinterest board here - 2017 trouser trends

My trouser styles to try this Summer

1. The side stripe trouser - If you were a fan of last year’s comfortable 'athleisure' trend then rejoice, because the side stripe trouser is still big business for SS17. This year, the style set is channelling 'athluxury', teaming casual, sporty pieces with more luxe offerings for an elevated look, meaning the striped track pant is now the easiest way to fool the world into thinking you’re all dressed up.

Whistles side stripe crop £119.00

Me & Em double stripe jogger £59.00

Boden Richmond trousers £65.00

2. Paper bag waist - A high-waisted cut with gathered detailing at the waist, there’s a bit of added drama to this style, with a choice of wide-leg or tapered designs depending on your go-to look. The key is to team with a tight tee or body – no baggy tops or knits – for a leg-accentuating, day-to-day outfit. This trouser silhouette looks effortless and is flattering, especially when paired with platform heels and a simple knit, making it a perfect workwear option.

Zara high rise trousers £29.99

ASOS Tie detail trousers £30.00

Mango cotton belted trousers £49.99

3. Khaki chinos - Khaki trousers might have frumpy connotations, but they have been given a makeover for S/S17, and according to the likes of Vogue, they are about to replace your skinny jeans as your everyday staple. A bold claim, yes, but given they were featured in many of the major S/S17 runway shows they have a new femininity about them - think drapey fabrics, layered pockets and the wide hem's. Pair them with crisp clean shirts, jumpers tucked in and heel's and it gives them a fresh new look.

Mango elastic waist trousers £35.99

Gap paper bag waist high rise chinos £34.99

Whistles Cargo chino trouser £119.00

Face your non denim fear because sometimes you gotta branch out. Because if you don’t, you might never discover a new favourite pair of trousers that will become your wardrobe staple this Summer.

Edits guide on how to dress as you get older

edits styling tips

The pursuit of individual and personal style becomes much more important as you get older. But as you get older your style changes less. What changes is your outlook on life and your opinion on style and fashion.

As you get older you care more about quality over quantity. You’re looking for something that has a little bit of longevity – not just in terms of style but also physically lasting a little bit longer. The key is to be true to yourself and confident about what you like. It’s not necessarily about what’s in fashion, it’s what you love for you and your style. Perhaps you have never been comfortable in structured clothes, for example, so now is the time to accept that. Perhaps you can’t wear high heels because you can’t walk fast enough in them, so wear flats all the time.

Getting the classic's right is a simple approach to your wardrobe but one that works. If you start with a very classic approach to your clothes, you can add anything flamboyant to that. If you start the other way round, it’s much harder to tone it down afterwards. Start with the boring bit, then add to make it feel more relevant to what is going on in fashion.

Women who dress and age well.

A camel coat is a true wardrobe classic regardless of season or trends. The same with a V-neck jumper and a white cotton shirt. It’s that simple approach to fashion that allows you to dress it up as much as you want, or dress it down. It still leaves a lot of it up to you. But women are loving fashion at all ages now, it’s cross-generational. Think of how jeans have become the norm. Women are wearing jeans into their seventies but their mother's before them would never have worn them. Now you can wear leopard print when you’re sixty but it doesn’t mean you look like Bet Lynch– unless you want to. And if you want to wear sequins, you can wear sequins.

Of course there are still compromises to be made the older we get. But as long as you retain your style personality, just move it on so it becomes more relevant to the age you are.

If you need a helping hand to find your style then call me now for a free consultation.

Can you wear converse with everything?

edits styling notes

This humble sneaker has long been owned by many of us and considered as one of our wardrobe staples. But should it be elevated to 'hero' due to it's ability to multi-task within our wardrobes? No longer a sports shoe, the classic Chuck Taylor has made it's way into the fashion mainstream. The timeless all-white sneaker is all the rage — again. Actually I don’t think it ever really went away. And just like denim jeans and the classic white shirt, the white sneaker is also ageless, classless and timeless. Just what every woman needs!

Last week Alexa Chung was seen on the beach with hers, gone are the Birkenstocks of last year, her old faithfuls went on holiday with her this year.

For several years now, a younger fashion set have ditched their predecessors’ love of stilettos for more sensible footwear — mostly sneakers — a trend coined as “normcore”. Needless to say the fashion industry, which often takes its cues from the street, has in recent seasons featured more athletic-inspired and the very on-trend sports luxe looks on the runways. As a consequence the traditional sports shoe has transformed into more contemporary versions and is being paired with everything from couture to casual.

So to prove how versatile they are, I set myself the challenge of whether my white converse high-tops can be worn with everything in my wardrobe, read on for the outcome....

1. Dungeree's + Converse = A timeless duo

2. Jumpsuit + converse = Will never go out of style

3. Jeans + sweater + converse = Relaxed weekend look

4. Trousers + converse = Sports luxe look

5. Flowery dress + converse = A match made in heaven

6. Tailored masculine pieces + converse = Most stylish at the office

7. Skirt + converse = A modern and stylish look

Women's style rules

If you have an interest in what you wear, in style and in fashion then you’ve likely spent a fair amount of time reading magazine's, online articles or newspapers full styling tips, street style observations, and educated thoughts about the world of celebrity dressing.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, and it can be hard to know the right things to do all the time.

The good news, though, is that sometimes things are much simpler than all that. There are a few general style guidelines that some of the world’s smartest, sharpest, and most stylish women stick to. I tend to use these rules in general for myself and also with clients. They are so universally wise and helpful that I felt I had to share them with you.

1. Good fit is the most important feature for any wardrobe

You could have on the trendiest, most expensive outfit in the world—but if it doesn’t fit you properly, you’re not going to look stylish, and all your effort and money would have been wasted. Know your body shape and what suits your silhouette. This means that regardless of what's in or out, your purchases will still retain a good fit and will flatter your figure which will leave you looking fabulous. It's better to buy the right length skirts, jumpers and dresses than buy into short-term trends.

2. Buy timeless clothing that will always be in style to underpin your wardrobe

Think indigo denim, shirts, sweaters, blouses, stripe jersey tops, good knitwear, converse trainers, a good jacket, brogues or flats and a leather jacket. These items have always been in style and always will be – how you wear them may change but the items themselves will always be a safe bet. Jeans might be turned up one year & not the next but they’ll always be a wardrobe staple.  This doesn’t mean that you should always play it safe – colour, pattern and texture play an important role in bringing these items to life.

Also, with these items, always remember the next rule...

3.  Buy the best quality you can afford

The best quality items fit better, last longer and some cases will get better with age. Don’t be tempted by cheaper, throwaway items – 9 times out of 10 they don’t last. Invest in key items that you know you’ll get value from such as shoes and denim. Whereas a less expensive, on-trend pair of jeans is fine to grab every now and then, you really need quality denim in your wardrobe to last you from year to year.

4. Buy clothing that's flexible

Build your wardrobe around key items that are versatile and can be worn a number of different ways. A great example is a denim shirt. Worn with converse trainers, over a simple striped jersey dress and you’ve got a great, timeless casual look. Team up with some black skinny jeans, heel’s, a necklace and a smart blazer and you’ve got the perfect outfit for an evening out.

Follow my August pinterest board here for inspiration - August 2016 Edits style inspiration