Your 2018 style resolutions

The start of the New Year is the perfect time to take stock and re-evaluate your personal style.  Resolutions don't have to be those dreaded things you make at the beginning of every year, only to be cast aside and forgotten. When it comes to fashion, committing to some new resolutions can help reinvigorate your personal style. Regardless of whether or not you feel like you're in a bit of a fashion rut, or you just want to take your style to the next level, 2018 is the year of making leaps.

Read my style resolutions to help your start your new year in style!

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Everyday is your 'best day' 

This means not saving anything for best – life’s too short not to wear that amazing jumper, or go for dinner in that OTT dress. Embracing your special pieces will instantly change the way you see your wardrobe.

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Don't be seduced by the sales

Let 2018 be the year you don’t buy that dress you’ll never wear just because it’s got a 50% off tag. I recommend adding to your basket online in advance of the sales, so you know you’re purchasing items you actually love.

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Invest in accessories

From statement earrings to wow factor shoes, accessories were the star of the show in 2017. The perfect investment for colourphobes and black devotees, try investing in this season’s crop of must haves to easily transform simple looks to stylish outfits.

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Wear more colour

Wearing the right colours that suit your skin tone can change your style, your wardrobe and your life. Knowing your colours improves your confidence when pulling outfits together and when shopping. It also gives you more ideas if you are stuck in a rut wearing black all the time. Break out of your black habit and get your colours done and change your outlook on colour forever.

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Love your wardrobe & it will love you back

Hands up if you’re guilty of ‘the chair’? Stop throwing everything into a pile this year and, instead, take the time to fold things, hang them up, buy good hangers, head to the dry cleaners – making a little bit of effort will make your wardrobe last.

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Try somewhere new

Whilst I love a high street bargin and will always be a Topshop girl at heart, it's always great to try new places to shop. Read my blog on where to find clothes you actually want to wear and get upto date on the new places to shop online.
 

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Buy Less, buy clever

Make the most of your budget by spending more wisely on pieces that have a big impact on your wardrobe rather than buying throw away items in the sale.  Avoid impulse buying by delaying your purchase by a day, walk away from the shop, save the link or add it to your wish list and give yourself a chance to really think it through.

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For more style tips and advice then follow me on social media or book me for a consultation.

Style rule breakers: how to wear navy and black together

Recently I have been asked a lot by clients and friends for inspiration on how to style navy. What other colours can it be worn with and the ultimate style question is can you wear navy and black together? The answer is YES! It has long been considered a winning colour formula, dark navy and black and both from the same colour category (Winter), so sit tonal well together. But if you are still hesitant at this coupling of colours, then read on and take note.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring in the mirror asking, “Can I wear this navy blazer with these black trousers?” or “What colour shoes and tights go with this navy dress?” You’re not alone.

However, the old sartorial rule that cautioned against wearing black and navy together, has no real merit. The truth is, most neutrals look great together, like white and beige, black and white, white and navy … You get the idea. These colours usually make up the foundation of our wardrobe, so it’s only natural that we’d wear them together.

Whether in a single garment or combined in a head-to-toe look, black and navy blue look ultra-sophisticated together. It’s dark without being gothic, and sleek without being too stuffy. Adding the dark blue shade can soften the look of a harsh all-black edit, whilst still nailing a cool winter style. Consider it as low maintenance styling at it's best as you most probably own both colours in your wardrobe, all you need is some styling inspiration. Follow my pinterest board for more style ideas - Navy & Black

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Shop for black and navy

1. Blouse with neck tie, Zara £39.99

2. Wool sweater with silk insert, Sandro £209.00

3. Peacock sequin embellished dress, Reiss £350.00

4. Rokka Navy mid heel boot, Kurt Geiger £169.00

5. Navy velvet tux jacket, Jigsaw, John Lewis £230.00

Disco jumper fever!

Sequins, embellishment, embroidery and glitter - anything that sparkles and shines on your jumpers should be your mid-season purchase.

At this time of year, I usually spend most of my day scrolling relentlessly through every party dress the high street has to offer. Granted, it is part of my job to find clients the perfect dress, top, skirt or outfit combo for their Christmas social occasions coming up. But from the beginning of the Autumn I feel there has been a shift into the day-to-evening jumper and just about everyone has one to offer. 

The knits I’ve been coveting in place of dresses are a whole lot more decadent than your run of the mill chunky cable knits. In fact, I’ve christened them "disco jumpers" because they look like they’re made for just that – dancing the night away. In both comfort and style, I might add. And when Gucci starts a trend luckily it gets embraced wholeheartedly by the high street and now, the Gucci pipe dream has been replaced by the entirely more feasible likes of Topshop, Uterqüe and &other stories.

The reason I love these jumpers so much is that you can put them on with jeans or a pleated midi skirt for a jazzy daytime outfit that also works for drinks in the evening. A stylish but also comfortable outfit will be music to your ears! So now your jeans and jumper combo will look anything but basic.

Let the shopping commence....

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1. Ruffles tricoloured sweater, £78.00, Uterque

2. Renata stripe jumper, £70.00, Boden

3. Graduated roll neck jumper, £36.00, Topshop

4. Sweater with coloured sequins, £39.99, Zara

5. Fashion sparkle jumper, £285.00, Bella Freud

STATEMENT KNITWEAR

Knitwear is making a strong statement for AW17. With alluring embroideries, powerful patterns and bold colours creating a stylish impact in cold weather wardrobes. From easy Autumn days to those chillier winter months, wearing statement knits has never been easier - just throw that sweater on!

Now the days are starting to feel chillier, it's time to think about the knits that you currently have in your wardrobe and what you want to buy to update it. See my pick of the high street and styling tips on how to wear your statement knits.

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Statement knits

1. The embroidered knit - Embroidery is showing no signs of slowing down for the new season, with intricate needlework patterns elevating the knits of now. Bring the trend into your AW17 wardrobe with this soft, grey marl jumper with exaggerated sleeves, detailed with trailing floral embroiders in a vibrant red hue. Style it with a pleated green midi skirt, completing the look with a fedora hat and black ankle boots. Monsoon, £69.

2. The bold knit - Colour blocking is the easiest way to make a stand-alone statement this season, with striking separates adding a burst of brightness to your AW17 wardrobe. Prove the theory with this red cable-knit jumper, tuck the front into the waistband of dark blue skinny jeans, wear with black biker boots for a stylish and upto date look,  Topshop, £39.

3. The "What are you saying?" knit - What's not to love about this jumper?! The Love jumper will perfectly complement everything from jeans to skirts. Layer it over a shirt for ultimate autumnal chic with jeans, or dress up with a pair of eye popping red heels for an evening out. Hush, £85.

4. The frilly knit - Frills have been a main stay of style over the past couple of seasons, so you can't go wrong with adding this style detail to your wardrobe. Frills ensure you have a feminine feel to your look but you can add a heavy weight belt, biker boots and a bomber to harden it up. Frill knitwear is also great for smartening up your workwear style with a pencil skirt or pair of fitted trousers, can be easily dressed up for the evening - this could be the most versatile piece in your wardrobe this Autumn.  &other stories, £69.

5. The sparkle knit - Sparkle and knitwear always seem to come out every Winter, but they make a great partnership for your wardrobe. Style your sequin and sparkle knitwear in the daytime with jeans and trainers for that laid back look, or in the evening add a pleated skirt and a leather biker jacket and you are good to go!  Mango, £35.99.

6. The cover-up knit - Long have we loved cardigans, but quite often it can be default dressing that isn't flattering, is normally frumpy and doesn't add any personality to your style. This season the cardigan is breaking out the box, but you have to be brave to wear one! Take the plunge and add tassles, cable knit, printed patterns and belts to over sized or pretty cardigans this Winter.  Zara, £79.99.