your style evolution

As we grow and change, so does our taste and style preferences. There usually comes a point where we feel like the style we have embodied for the last 10 years no longer feels like us.

If this sounds like you then read on for some image consultant tips on your style evolution?

There are a few courageous individuals who embark on a complete style overhaul, and change everything in their wardrobe within a couple of hours and come out the other side looking immaculate. Then there are the rest of us. The ones who feel anxious about change, about looking different and about having to talk about themselves in a personal way, as style is personal. So what are the options you have in taking tentative steps towards a change in your image?

The good news is style does not need to happen overnight. All good things take time. It can take weeks, or even months to find and develop a new style that embodies you for right now. The key is to focus on discarding items that you no longer wear or feel comfortable in and slowly add in some newer basic items that suit and flatter you. Giving your wardrobe a good detox will allow you to see past the pieces you haven't worn for years, that no longer fit you, that have holes in them or you have just plain forgotten about! Starting from scratch can give you a sense of relief and excitement at the thought of creating a whole new wardrobe - and a whole new you!

To learn more about the type of style you want, I suggest starting a pinterest board every season for the styles, looks, images and items you are drawn towards. Keeping upto date with trends and styles will ensure that you will allow yourself have a contemporary and stylish look. If you are unsure about how to put items together or how to accessorize, finding inspiration from your style icons could help your create modern and and stylish outfits. From this you will then be able to create a 'shopping list' of items that you want/need and must-have in your wardrobe to help you become the modern stylish woman you want to be.

When going shopping, the best advice I can give is to save items in your shopping bag as you go along. Don't knee jerk and buy things that you think you need, take your time over spending your money - set yourself a budget. Refer back to your wardrobe, refer back to your pinterest board, refer back to your shopping list at all times to ensure you don't make new mistakes that are just replacing the old ones.

If all of the above still scares you and you still don't know where to start then I am here to help. My job is to take the pain and frustration away of not knowing what to wear. I will work with you to create the perfect style that suits your personality, lifestyle and budget AND is easy to maintain.  By showing you how to dress in a way that flatters your body shape and introduce you to stores that are perfect for you, not only will you avoid those expensive mistakes you've made in the past, but you will have an image that reflects the woman you want to be.  I can also show you how to build on your existing wardrobe to create new outfits that you will look and feel amazing in.  Never again will you utter those words “I've nothing to wear”!

Style and fashion are ageless, and they evolve with you.

If you have lost your style and need some help getting back on track and then contact me now for a personal styling consultation.

Follow me on pinterest and instagram for regular style updates.

put a spring in your step

The 5 pairs of shoes you will need this Summer.

Finally the clocks have gone forwards and so now's the time to discuss spring shoes. What can we wear on our feet to make us feel “new season”. So shoe lovers rejoice, this season it's all about what you are walking in so step up your shoe game and book that pedicure now!

1. The Ballerina

Let your inner Ballerina shine through with the biggest move on for the flat shoe we have had in years. It's the soft, tie up, true ballerina shoe. These from Mui Mui are what little girls dreams are made of...

Check out Kurt Geiger for a more affordable pair in white, pale pink or tan - £89.00 Kitty flat ballerina

2. The espadrille

So easy to slip on, so versatile and in so many prints and colours, what's not to like about them? I love my Boden espadrilles - £69.50

3. The no-back loafer

At its simplest it’s like a prayer shoe, but this season anything backless goes: loafer, block heel, espadrille. Last year's biggest shoe for the fashionista's from Gucci, this one from Topshop KOLA loafer £59.00 is a little bit more in my price range!

4. The pimped-up trainer

Trainers or sneakers are thankfully here to stay as a trend item. But who says they have to be plain, white and boring like Victoria Beckham. Many designers have pimped their's up with metallic's, embroidery, colours and jewels. River Island high top trainer - £95.00

5. Block heel's

Chunky block heels ruled the runway, which are not only on-trend but also comfortable. Our feet will be very happy! Whistles VOE high sandal - £185.00

6. For that style statement shoe, go with Pom Pom's

Zara Pom Pom sandles £ 49.99

Style rules for transitioning into Spring summer

This week I finally went outside without my Winter coat on! Enough was enough, it's April and I was still wearing my winter scarf round my neck and sometimes even putting my woolie hat on. BUT then the sun came out and I feel I can finally move forward towards Spring style.

With it being so cold it's hard to make that transition from Winter to Summer without feeling the chill. So if the thought of trying to give your winter pieces a spring-appropriate umph is overwhelming, I'm here to share with you my style tips on how to transition your daily wardrobe from the big freeze to the well, slightly milder change without a complete wardrobe overhaul.

1. Double jacket

It's jacket season, but the key to keeping warm is layering your jackets up on top of each other. My favourite is wearing my black biker jacket underneath my khaki parka, leather is warm and always instyle as it can be teamed with anything. Bomber jackets are also good for layering, put your denim jacket on underneath one and you have two great layers to keep you warm. Failing the double jacket look, you can invest in a lightweight Summer duster coat that will see you through Spring, Summer at Autumn, my bright yellow one is my go-to piece for this time of year.

2. Layer-up

Layers, layers and more layers is currently my unofficial motto! So to ensure you beat the April showers and are prepared for glorious sunshine, in equal measure, use what you already have in your wardrobe to keep you warm underneath your lightweight jacket. Wear your stripe tee, with a denim shirt, thrown over the top is a sweater all worn underneath your bomber jacket.

3. Scarves

The key to transitional dressing is being prepared for all the elements – the Great British weather means having sunnies and an umbrella on you at all times. Ensure you always have an extra layer of warmth with a chic lightweight scarf – opt for neutral hues that are ready to be paired with any look, and tie around your bag when you don’t need it for an extra accessories injection.

Jigsaw floral print scarf, £49.00

Zara stripe cotton scarf, £17.99

Becksondergaard Scarf, The Dressing Room £65.00

4. Get rid of the winter boots

Pop those Winter boots back in the cupboard for next year and it's time to get the flats out. I am currently living in my trainers, brogues and loafers to update my look, but I can't wait to move into my ballerina flats and espadrilles when it does eventually get warmer (see next week's blog on Summer's hottest shoe trends). From lace-up flats, a now familiar sight on shop floors, to pretty scallop-edged pumps, there are numerous offerings to give your wardrobe an injection of femininity. If you’re after a more androgynous look, invest in a pair of tassel-detailed brogues.

5. Add some colour!

Desperate to ditch the black and winter hues in favour of something brighter but aren’t quite ready to go the whole hog in bold colours? Injecting colour into your wardrobe now will brighten up your mood and your style. Last week I blogged about colour and what colours can do for you if you wear the right ones. Add a touch of Rosa Quartz to your look. A hot colour trend this season (see last week's blog post), give the feminine tint an edge by teaming it with an otherwise monochrome look – from a pale pink coat to a candyfloss knit, it’s the perfect spring shade to bring your wardrobe up to date.

Cos Coat £150.00

Zara Asymmetrical blazer £69.99

Oasis paper bag trousers £40.00

how to wear gingham - Spring's most wearable print trend

Checks are always in style, they never go away each and every season. But gingham it seems has it's own print trend it follows and whilst it's been around for a couple of seasons, it just got bolder for 2016.

Audrey Hepburn made gingham a fashion staple with her gingham capri pants, a-line dresses and feminine blouses. Since then everyone from Marilyn Monroe, Bridgett Bardot, Alexa Chung and Amal Clooney have followed in her fashion footsteps.

This trend started on the SS16 catwalks, where we saw gingham fading into abstract floral print dresses appear at Marc Jacobs. DVF brought in some gorgeous works that gave gingham a softer, more amiable appeal, while Victoria Beckham's vision for the trend included more contrast, a bit more subtlety in changing colors and plunging necklines on dresses reaching around the ankles.

The high street has now followed. Gingham is an easy two colour print trend that can be worn very casually with jeans, smarter under blazer jackets or as a statement on it's own in a dress. Which piece will you invest in this season? Here are my top 5 high street picks...

1. Mango gingham check pattern blouse £29.99

2. Madewell gingham shirt dress - £75.47

3. Whistles knitted check skirt - £65.00

4. Whistles navy gingham strappy top - £110.00

5. Warehouse gingham off the shoulder dress - £49.99

Follow my pinterest board for more gingham styling inspiration at - Gingham SS16 looks