How statement earrings can save your January style

If like me you are doing dry January, which also means not spending any money (more about that in next week's blog post), then going out with nothing new to wear can feel rather depressing. Of course I can advise you to re-look at your wardrobe and utilise those forgotten pieces lurking at the back but sometimes it is nice to wear something that has impact - makes a statement. 

Recently I have become a huge fan of the statement earring. Not just for Christmas, I believe that a fabulous pair of earrings can be a game-changer for any outfit. Something bright, bold, glitzy or colourful worn near the face can magic the most dullest top or boring jumper into a stylish outfit.

The statement earring is here to stay and I say the bigger the better! It’s the perfect accessory to dress up a shirt, jumper or t-shirt. They can be perfect for day or evening - in fact, they are probably your most versatile accessory right now and are easy for everyone to wear. Fashion influencers and street style regulars are pairing them with jeans and Breton tops, minimal make-up and generally low-key looks. Sales of earrings have been increasing throughout 2017 and it doesn't look like it will slow down anytime soon with people buying into mainly statement, drop earrings, mostly with coloured tassels and beads.

So if you are going to buy anything to style up your daytime or evening looks then splash out on a pair of statement earrings (or 2!). See my favourite statement earrings of the moment...

1. Toolally Half Moon drop earrings, John Lewis £45.00

2. Crystal and thread ball drop earrings, JCrew £38.00

3. Green Resin abstract earring, Jigsaw £30.00

4. Crystal fabric drop earrings, Topshop £14.50

5. Mahli Jewelled Tassel Earrings, Anthropologie £44.00

What to ditch from your wardrobe to make you happy

There is a difference between saying you hate everything in your wardrobe and owning items that actually make you feel sad. When it comes to your wardrobe, stocking it with items that make you happy should be a number one rule. If you agree, then you need to ask yourself why are you holding on to pieces that trigger feelings of insecurity, disappointment or the kind of nostalgia that hurts, such as trousers you used to fit into or gifts from someone special who is no longer in your life, or maternity wear that you no longer have a need for?

In my opinion, life is stressful enough, so when it comes to my wardrobe, I want it to be a place where I can temporarily escape to; one that makes me feel like the best version of my current self, and nothing else. Here, I break down the items I (not so easily) ditched from my wardrobe in order to make my life a happier one overall. From personal experience, I can tell you that letting go of the five types of items was not a walk in the park, but after ripping off the Band-Aid, I live a life that is generally more at peace with my style, I increased my self confidence as I now know the pieces I own fit and suit me, and I have less urges to buy new things all the time.

Go on to read about the items I ditched from my wardrobe that lead to a happier stress-free style!

---

ITEMS THAT DON'T FIT

I think it's safe to assume that most women (and men) keep that more than one article of clothing hidden away in their wardrobes that used to fit them, but no longer does. The intention behind keeping said item is to hopefully motivate yourself to trim down enough to fit into whatever it is. From personal experience, this tactic only stirs up negative feelings about your body, and no one wants that.

Instead, I recommend ditching those items. For me, it's my "too-skinny" jeans. I'm now investing in jeans that not only fit, but ones that make me feel more confident and happier with my body.

Jeans chuck out of skinnies that no longer or will never fit me again.

PIECES WITH UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

When I was younger I had tended to buy articles of clothing that require a lot of work to wear—fashion tape, cross-over bras, slips, etc. Or items that I can only wear to one type of event or holiday - that strapless ball gown or an over complicated top and skirt, that kind of thing that you end up never wearing again. These items always overwhelm me when I come across them, as I remember all the activities I imagined myself doing in them, but never actually did and all the extra items I had to buy to make them work. 

Once you get rid of these not so versatile items from you wardrobe, promise yourself to buy pieces that are a breeze to wear, uncomplicated and doesn't require a slip or cami top in every single colour you can think of.

Unrealistic ball gown that is never going to be worn again.

PIECES GIVEN TO YOU OR HAND-ME-DOWNS

We can all fall into that trap of accepting items from our Mothers, Mother-in-laws, sisters, friends but this is just a cycle of cluttering rather than making you feel good. They are handing you the items that they no longer want, so why would you want them? If it's a Burburry Mac, Chanel bag or a pair of Chloe boots I wouldn't say no, but your mother-in-laws purchase from Matalan 5 years ago, just isn't going to cut it with your style let alone your confidence.

Learn to say thanks and then bag it up for the charity shop. Don't feel bad about this, if they were going to chuck it out then there is no problem with you doing it for them. 

TRINKETS FROM A PAST RELATIONSHIP / LIFE

When it comes to nostalgia, I am someone who appreciates my memories more than the physical items that trigger those memories. But I have clients out there who love keeping their memories alive with items of clothing or gifts that have been given to them from a past relationship. Unless this is something you wear everyday, like a ring from your grandma for example, then keep them in a memory box. You don't want that cut up t-shirt from circa 1990 from your travels around Europe clogging up your wardrobe in the summer months, when you could be making room for something that fits and suits you.

If you make a memory box with items that bring back good memories then make sure you put it somewhere you will remember and won't throw out in the future.

ITEMS THAT HAVE DUST GATHERING

When I am helping clients detox their wardrobes we often find items of clothing with a heavy layer of dust on them. Most commonly this is suits that women have worn in a past corporate life and are now either in a different job, are Mothers who don't work or just have no need for suits in their life. Don't hoard these in your wardrobe thinking one day if you go back to work in a corporate environment that you might drag those suits out of the back of your wardrobe, because inevitably you will buy yourself new clothes for your new job.

Think of all that space you will create by getting rid of all those old suits that by gathering dust they are no longer wearable anyway. 

Upto date suits, gathering no dust.

---

By having the items we love the most in our wardrobes we are taking back control of our identities and have a wardrobe that serves your life and future goals. If you need help with reviewing what you have in your wardrobe and want to develop your signature style then please get in touch now to book your consultation with me.

Dreaming of an uncomplicated de-cluttered wardrobe.

Taking time to detox and recharge your wardrobe

Every January I write a blog post on detoxing your wardrobe. It always feels like the perfect time to de-clutter after the chaos of Christmas. January is a month for taking stock and planning for the year ahead. Refocusing on yourself is a great resolution and by starting with your wardrobe it can give you a renewed sense of self confidence and excitement for the year ahead. Re-organising your wardrobe can be a daunting task, and despite knowing you’ll feel better once it’s done, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Start by giving yourself the time to do the detox, from my experience when working with clients I allow for 3 hours, but you might need more if you are on your own. Pull out everything that you want to go through, it might just be seasonal clothes or everything you own! Once you are ready to make a start you will need to ask yourself these questions when looking at the items in your wardrobe:

1. When was the last time I wore it?

2. Does it fit me?

3. What can I wear it with?

4. Does it need mending/altering/dry cleaning?

5. Do I love it?

There are many reasons why you might not have worn something for a long time and it's very tempting to hang onto clothes that remind us of a period in our lives, but your wardrobe should reflect the person your are now so LET THEM GO. Your wardrobe should reflect and represent your personal style, but if you are not sure what that is then starting with de-cluttering your wardrobe will help give you some direction. By loving everything you have in your wardrobe it will give you the confidence to own your own style and less of an effort when pulling outfits together. If styling isn't your strong point then having your wardrobe organised will make your wardrobe work harder for you so that getting dressed in the morning isn't as stressful.

If this still seems daunting, then hiring me, a Personal Stylist to help guide you through the process is one of the best investments you can make. Not only do I bring my creative eye to your wardrobe, giving life to your old clothes, I can also help you work through your wardrobe objectively. It’s very easy to underestimate the emotional connection we have to our clothes and having someone there to help make those decisions without judgement (and the desire to help you look and feel your best self) is an investment worth making. 

If you are still unsure then read Helen's testimonial that you can find on my website-

"I booked a ‘wardrobe detox’ with Nina. I was excited and nervous at the prospect but really wanted to give it a go. Nina advised me to gather all my clothes (even those lurking in boxes in the loft!) in order that we could do it properly. We spend 2.5 hours detoxing my wardrobe, Nina was brilliant providing lots of tips on colour, cut, fit, and material. She also helped me put together some new outfits from my wardrobe that I wouldn’t have thought of before. It was a very therapeutic exercise – I soon got into it and was quite ruthless – I ended up with 3 bin bags of clothes for the charity shop and a lot of empty hangers!"

If you would like some help with your wardrobe then book your detox with me now- nina@edits-styling.com

Online shopping mistakes to avoid

How not to get caught out when shopping the sales this holiday period.

We are a nation of online shoppers. Be it on the commute to work, inbetween playdates at the park or Sunday-night sofa-slouching, if there are card details and wi-fi to hand we can turn it into a bona fide shopping opportunity. Between 2015 and 2016, the average online weekly spend grew 22 per cent, while this year it is predicted that 1.61 million of us globally will use e-commerce, with it taking just six minutes to place an online order.

There is no doubt that online shopping is a wonderful thing, not only for its utility (anything that facilitates the acquisition of new stuff without having to leave the house is saintly), but for its cheering abilities. Who hasn’t found solace on Zara’s sandal page during a particularly crappy day? But what happens when it all goes wrong?

Earlier this month, Dee Lewis caused a Facebook meltdown when she posted pictures of the dress her daughter had ordered online for her prom. What was undoubtedly supposed to be an elegant creation of the Beyoncé 2015 Met Gala ilk turned out to be a badly fitting see-through body stocking with what looked like tissue paper stuck on the bum and a curtain stapled to the hem. Needles to say, it was not as advertised.

Lewis’ shoddy prom dress is just one of many #onlineshoppingfails that have recently been doing the rounds on social media. There is a lesson to be learnt and valued...be careful what you click for.

But while these mishaps undoubtedly have a funny side, online shopping mistakes are incredibly annoying, not to mention it can be expensive. How many items do you have hanging in your wardrobe that were brought in the sale but you never wear?

So, in the interests of saving us all time, money and sanity, I’ve rounded up the best online shopping tips that I divulge with clients on a weekly basis. I want you to be able to shop the sales with confidence and only buy clothes that you love! Happy shopping!

---

DON’T BUY ANYTHING UNLESS IT’S PHOTOGRAPHED ON A PERSON

I don’t buy anything I can’t see on a model. Even though the model is nowhere near my size or height, it still gives me a better idea of size, fit and proportion than something that is shot flat or on a mannequin. This rule even applies to bags and earrings. Same applies with the next rule...

WATCH THE VIDEOS

I always watch the videos on sites like ASOS, Gap and Matches to get a better idea of how the fabric moves, real-life colour and how something sits on the body. Usually, if I'm dithering over the photos, the video makes my mind up for me.

SHOP WITH A LIST

Always have a list in front of you when shopping in the sales that way you will not over-buy, buy the wrong items and get distracted by shiny things that you do not need. Consider what your wardrobe really needs and then go for it!

SIZE DOES MATTER

When shopping online (or indeed in a shop), do not buy anything that you're going to slim into. You won't. And even if you do, you'll have looked at it too many times and will want something new. 

WARDROBE STAPLES

Now is the chance to by those wardrobe staples that you always covert when shopping online but just can't bring yourself to buy because perhaps they are too expensive or they aren't 'sexy' enough. This is the BEST time to buy them! That amazing leather biker jacket will feel so much more stylish if brought in the sales. A pair of new skinny jeans in a different wash, you will thank yourself everyday you brought them. You can never go wrong with buying black Winter boots in the sale, wears per purchase are huge!

CHOOSE THE CHEAPEST DELIVERY OPTION

Read the terms and conditions and only ever buy things that you can return and get your money back on if it doesn’t work. (For example Reiss only give you store credit for your returns). Always go for the cheapest delivery option – if you’ve already spent £20 getting it to you, it can be tempting to think, “I might as well keep it,” even if it’s not right (if something doesn’t fit, send it back before you even think twice). Also, don’t be influenced by tags that say things like “selling out soon”. These are lies that sites use to push you into making a purchase.

STAY SOBER

Do not do drink ’n' shop in the evenings. A client did just that and bought some yellow culottes which were God-awful in the cold light of day. It is best to shop first thing in the morning, when you have a clear head rather than in the evening with a glass (or 2) of wine in hand!

---

Got it? Great. Time to put that all into action. But if you just can't face scouring through the sales then let me do the hardwork for you with your online sales Edit. Email me now to get yours before everything sells out!