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.

men, don't be afraid!

I received a lovely testimonial the other day from a fella that I recently helped sort out his wardrobe and upgrade his style. No he wasn't drunk, but yes his wife had coerced him into it by buying the overhaul for him for his birthday present. We all know men are hard enough to buy for so why not get them something you want for him instead, it's a win win situation! I could tell he was slightly unconvinced at first but once the new pieces started arriving from his online shop, he swiftly changed tack and realised that having someone else do the hardwork for you was easy.

Men’s style has changed dramatically over the past few years. It used to be very rare for a man to have any concern at all for his personal style but today more attention is paid to it and along with that more choice is in the shops to meet that demand. However, a large number of men find shopping tiring and confusing, largely due to the huge amount of choice and new style expectations. As a result, many guys fall into the gap of choosing the same ‘safe’ items falling into a rut, lacking inspiration.

Finding out what the right cuts, colour and styles are that suit you individually, will make a huge difference to the way you look and feel resulting in a more confident, successful you in both personal and professional environments.

When dealing with men there are some slightly different rules that apply to them over women. One being they like anything for an easier life. So if you are not sure that getting an image consultant to help your other half, brother, dad or son then read on and see if these thoughts apply to them... 

Read Steve's testimonial below and next time you wonder what to get your husband, I will be happy to help!

I would thoroughly recommend getting Nina to advise on Men's clothing!

It's not a typical bloke thing to do, but not having a clue about which clothes to wear and having a wardrobe default option of Fat Face and Superdry, it was time for action.

My Wife arranged for Nina to come over (that's the way to do it as you can then tell your friends in the pub that it was arranged for you as a surprise) for a wardrobe detox!!

Nina was brilliant and quickly got me at ease with looking at different clothing options! She ran through some different styles, educated me in the world of clothing and went through various pictures to see what I liked. She then looked through the clothes I had accumulated since university and advised which were keepers!

Her helpful approach on the day, was quickly followed up with a Online shop Lookbook (I now know the terms!), which is basically a book full of clothes which work, different brands and price ranges and a link to buy them - that's the type of shopping I like, someone picks the clothes and all I have to do is click a link and pay - easy!

I would highly recommend that all Men go for it - give Nina's wardrobe detox a try!

Check out my men's services on the drop down menu.

how to get out of a rut & feel inspired again

Getting stuck in a rut happens to everyone. Especially at the start of a new season, you start to get bored with what you are wearing and don't know how to change your shopping habits.

If you have ever felt nothing but intense boredom at the sight of your wardrobe and wished you could just throw it all out and start from scratch, you know what it feels like to be stuck in a style rut. A most miserable place where clothes you once loved and felt inspired by, now just seem dull and underwhelming.

The key to getting out of a style rut is to break through old thinking patterns and the comfortable, monotonous routine you have built up for yourself, put on your creative hat and immerse yourself in new inspiration.

The best way to get out of a rut is to get some outside help. Most people only wear about 10% of the clothes in their wardrobe, so it is easier for somebody else to see the gems in your wardrobe than you can. I'll go to a client's house who has said "I have nothing to wear" and after I spend a couple of hours editing her wardrobe and putting new looks together she realises that she has a lot of great outfits waiting to be worn. 

Read Jane's experience -

" I have to admit I had reservations about the wardrobe detox and styling session my husband had brought for me for my birthday present. I thought my wardrobe didn't need editing because I don't own alot of clothes but it turns out I was wrong! Having Nina give a fresh eye is pretty revealing; for starters I had no idea I owned so many pairs of jeans (18!), but rarely wear more than 3 pairs of them. I also discovered I am seriously lacking in items that make up outfits together and Nina was really helpful with her styling tips on how to utilise what I have in my wardrobe and what I need to fill the gaps. It was such a thrilling and enjoyable process, and much less exhausting and over whelming when you are not the one pulling everything out. I loved Nina's easy technique, as I sat on my bed answering questions such as, "Do you wear it?" and "Do you love it?" at no point did I feel under pressure to ditch anything or embarrassed by some shopping mistakes. Afterwards I felt exhilarated, buzzing and confident about my clothes and what choices I wanted to make when shopping in the future based on Nina's appraisal of my wardrobe. The follow up email with Nina's edit of item updates and wardrobe gaps is a great starting point for my shopping trip and will ensure that I make better-informed purchases rather than panic buys. I have recommended Nina's service to all my friends and can't wait for them look and feel better about themselves too."

Here are some tips you may want to try, as the smallest changes can also create big results-

1. Assess one part of your wardrobe - such as your jeans - spend some time trying them on, looking in the mirror and asking yourself some questions, such as; "When did I last wear these?", "Are they flattering for my figure?" or "Do I feel good in them?". You might find a pair that you had forgotten you had and you can incorporate back into your wardrobe again.

2. Take a style risk - do you need a new pair of trainers or bag or scarf and feel bored of the same things you normally buy? Then take more of a risk with your accessories purchase, perhaps buy the brightly coloured trainers over the blue ones, or a bright yellow bag instead of a black one, or even a over-sized leopard print scarf instead of a grey one. Just by adding one thing different it can rejuvenate your look and make you feel more confident.

3. Try shopping in a new store - Go in and walk around, or go online and take a browse. Perhaps is somewhere you've not shopped in years or somewhere some recommended, you might be surprised what you like and how the style could influence your outfits and looks.

4. Give yourself a pep talk - You need to be prepared to feel differently when you’re coming out of a rut. When you try on something that’s out of your comfort zone, you may feel nervous, or excited!  This is the time to pause and have a conversation with yourself. What’s stopping you from wearing this new style, colour or accessory? Maybe this new look is the real you; the part of you that’s wanted to be expressed for a while. Give yourself a chance. Don’t put the brakes on. Experiment and have fun. 

5. Find someone to help -  I’d love to help support you in finding ways to get out of your rut.

reasons to be cheerful

Often at the start of a new season you see some theme's emerging that will end up becoming a big part of our lives culturally, socially and stylishly for the next few months or years whether we realise it or not. Recently in these turbulent times, there hasn't always been alot to be cheerful for, but designers are giving us something to smile about and it is filtering down to the high street and social media. With fashion month in full swing, now more than ever designers are getting the opportunity to say how they feel using what they know best - clothes and style.

Take the Channel 4 show 'Inside Dior' for example, it wasn't just about how new designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, prepares her first collection and shows it at Paris Fashion Week. All anyone could talk about afterwards was the feminist slogan t-shirt she sent down the runway with "We should all be feminists" on it. Feminist is a word that always gets people talking, but the slogan tee paired with a blue tulle skirt was the most instagrammed moment of the entire show.

Designers are responding to the political upheavals of the past year by injecting some much needed humour into women's wardrobes. Clothes are becoming more playful, less about rules and more about having a potent pick-me-up kind of power, one that consumers are responding to. Bold colours being mixed and matched, cartoon creatures and stickers adorning bags and upbeat slogan t-shirts are ironic and lighter than perhaps more serious trends of previous seasons. 

We are all feeling like we don't want to conform to the norm of the highstreet and as customers we are getting increasingly confident with our own style. Street style bloggers have such an important part to play in the current fashion trends. Their looks are playful, original and inspirational but not out of reach for everybody to take cues from.

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

In these uncertain economic times, consumers are buying less clothes but doesn't mean they are spending less. More and more I am finding clients wanting to slim down their wardrobes, take the stress out of getting ready in the morning and investing more in pieces that will last. Wanting to buy something colourful and fun can easily lift your mood and increase your confidence in your style. I always suggest buying something because you love it, not because you need it, but because it makes you happy and excites you! Wearing your clothes with joy and having fun with your style is a formula for dressing your way to happiness.

Here are my top 5 pieces to give you something to smile about:

1.  Mini Banana crossbody bag - Zara £17.99

2. Ruffle crepe midi skirt - Topshop £42.00

3. Shoplifter Tuft call t-shirt dress - &other stories £39.00

4. BDG More self love hoodie - Urban outfitters £49.00

5. Leather glitter sneaker - &other stories £69.00