how to style the maxi dress

EDITS STYLING NOTES

From Winter's midi dress trend comes summer's maxi dress obsession. This season it's all about the long and the floral. As our weather in the UK is ever changeable, is it worth buying a maxi dress to wear for just a handful of days per year? If you are looking to purchase one as an investment piece I have pulled together some looks of how to wear the Maxi dress throughout the next coming months. Maxi dress from Zara £39.99.

FOR MAY/JUNE - Add a lightweight jacket such as a denim one, or leather jacket for evening. Flat shoes such as ballerina's or brogues are essential for this time of year. A cross the body bag in a bright colour adds style to your outfit.

FOR JULY/AUGUST - A fedora and sunglasses is all that is needed in the hot summer holidays to show off the cold shoulder detailing of the maxi dress. Wearing sandles in a bright colour from the print will add style to your look.

FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER - Once the sun has gone away and all that is left is the clouds and the cold, it's time to layer the maxi dress up. By wearing tights and boots you are adding longevity to your purchase as you will be able to wear it all through the year. Layering over the top a cardigan, loose jersey jacket or shirt under a coat means it no longer looks like a summer dress but something that you can wear casually on a daily basis.

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.

shake those pompoms!

Head pompom!

Within a season a micro trend often comes along that's fun, frivolous and plays on our inner child. So while I'm feeling optimistic about the warmer weather, let's jump board the sweetie train and embrace the colourful pompom into our stylish lives.

The best way to wear this trend is through accessories as they will change up any outfit and are relatively in expensive. Some high end designers have added pompoms to their shoes, bags and jewellery and where they lead, the high-street follows.

Dolce and Gabbana Pompom shoes

So whilst these Dolce and Gabbana pompom shoes aren't exactly practical, these ones from Glamorous at ASOS certainly are!

Glamorous pompom sandles, £29.00, asos

I am currently obsessed with finding the right clutch bag with pompoms on it to take on holiday with me. But with so much choice it's hard to make my mind up.

Textured envelope bag, £29.99, Mango

Star Mela floral clutch, £60, asos

A fab statement necklace is he bets way to show case this trend. This one is from Zara for £17.99, it will see you through the Summer and can be worn in the daytime or dresses up for the evening - everyone's a winner!

Pompom necklace, £17.99, Zara

You can even have the mutli-coloured ball's in your home -

Boho Pom Pom mirror, £16, notonthehighstreet.com

Or if you are crafty, there is nothing stopping you from making your own trend inspired pompom adornments.

Pompomania, £3.99, amazon

No one can be in a bad mood in the presence of a pompom which is why I am encouraging you to go forth and purchase something now! Share with me what you have brought in the comments below or on social media.

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