Category Archives: Body shape

Accessories, Autumn Winter Style, AW21, Body shape, Colour Analysis, How to wear green, Image Consultant, Image Consultant Hertfordshire, Personal Stylist

Wear Your Greens!

In the world of fashion, colours that reflect nature have been trending for a while now – some say it’s been reflecting the desire for comfort and stability during the uncertain times we have been living through.

In this AW21 season, we are seeing nature colours like green continuing to trend – but with wider and more diverse shades of green.

Pantone announced its AW21 colours which included the core colour of ‘Olive Branch’ – a tasteful green symbolic of growth, alongside ‘Green Bee’ – a grassy green that perpetuates nature.

So whether you are already a green fan, or the shade makes you think of your old school uniform – this season is the season to GO GREEN.

So here’s my tips on how to look great in green this season.

Greens this season aren’t just the deeper, darker shades that you can often associate with autumn/ winter fashion – this season the shades also include lighter (and brighter, but more on that later) shades. One of my personal favourites is this mint coloured biker jacket from the French fashion brand Captain Tortue. Not only is the colour perfect, it’s also a great layering piece which will take you right through to Spring. Dress down with jeans, or wear with a floaty dress to elongate your summer wardrobe.

Jacket, Captain Tortue, £106

Another great layering piece for those of you who prefer a lighter green is this super snuggly cardigan from White Stuff. The leaves pattern is perfect for Autumn!

Falling Leaves Cardigan, White stuff, £69

If you have dark hair and dark eyes then a deeper shade of green will emphasise those features, and look great on you. I love this animal print midi dress from M&S. Animal print continues to trend in AW21, and this dress can easily be layered up (underneath as well as over the top) and worn all through the season.

Animal print midi dress, Marks and Spencer, £45

Lets Show The Love

Whilst this last year has been a year of challenges, I think it’s also been a year of LOVE. We have missed friends and family, and made us realise how much they mean to us and how much we love them.

So this Valentines Day, lets to share the love and show some kindness through our outfits!

An easy way of adding the LOVE to your outfit is through accessories, and a scarf is also perfect at this time of year for an extra layer of warmth. This stylish scarf from Accessorize will add a touch of colour and Valentines LOVE to your outfit

Scarf, Accessorize, £20

I’m obviously hoping that we won’t need an umbrella on Valentines Day, but given the British weather it’s probably quite likely! But if it does rain, this umbrella from Next is guaranteed to cheer you up.

Umbrella, Next, £11

Exercise in Style

Well what a year 2020 was!

If you are like me, my saviour during lockdown 1 was PE with Joe. I was home-schooling at the time, and that 30 mins in the morning meant that the day started with a positive experience.

And since that I’ve been lunging, squatting and crunching in the privacy of my lounge. Now I can do a hiit session, but I’m no runner (and seriously admire people who can!) I know that lots of people have taken up running and jogging too, or even incorporating a daily walk into their working from home routine.

But whether we are exercising alone in our own private space, or heading out to get some fresh air and miles in the legs, we will feel better knowing that we are not only improving our bodies on the inside, but we also look the best version of ourselves on the outside.

I often get asked ‘should my exercise gear be in my best colours?’ And my honest answer is ‘why wouldn’t it be’? When working out we tend not to have as much (or any!) makeup on, and our hair is tied up out of the way – all we have is the clothes we choose to wear to make us look good – so my advice is to make those clothes work hard for you.

Whatever type of exercise you do there are two important style considerations: Colour and Patterns

Colour: Colour will brighten up a January jog or a winter workout. Plus colour brightens up how we look too. So wear your best colour on your top and next to your face – this way that fab colour will reflect on your face and give the effect of a brighter healthier you (even before you start your work out!).

This vest from Sweaty Betty in teal – is great if you like your colour on the subtle side. Plus Teal is a universal colour, meaning that it looks great on many of us.

Sweaty Betty Athlete Seamless Vest, Green, £38

Checkmate!

As an Image Consultant, I love the change in Seasons! But this one has been quite a challenge!!

The AW20 season hit the catwalk back in Feb, and since then our shops have not only faced the challenge of covid19, they have also had to take the catwalk trends and shape them into wearable pieces for us everyday. Also during this time, how we have dressed has changed, with more home working – some of us will be happy with this, whilst others will be wishing to get back to their ‘normal’ dress code and the desire to get out and about again.

One element that came through the catwalk trends was a continued focus on sustainability, and pieces that are more classical and wearable over time. CHECK is a key ‘trend’ for AW’20. Check never goes out of style for long, which is presumably why with sustainability and a more seasonal-less approach to dressing, it was thought that AW’20 was the perfect time to bring it back to the foreground.

Checks are an easy pattern for even a print-avoider to incorporate into their wardrobe. However as ever there are some keys tips for getting the most out of this trend for you personally.

Colour checks:

If you suit dark colours, you probably have dark hair and eyes – and this cape jacket from River Island is a great throw on over everything from jeans to a pencil skirt

Black mono check cape jacket, River Island, £68

Whilst if dark colours overwhelm you, you probably have blonde hair and light eyes, and hence something like this fitted jumper from Marks & Spencer will balance out your delicate colouring. Its super soft, so great for the autumn days ahead, and whilst the design is bold but the lighter colours make it easy to wear.

Covid-19 and what it means for your Consultation

covid-19 colour consultation, covid-19 image consultant, covid-19 personal stylist

When I am in the appropriate tier and allowed to work face to face, this is an overview of what changes I have already made in my studio, which are aligned to the Government Guidelines.

So what will be different?

Face to Face Consultations (in my home studio)

I have PPE in place, along with all other measures you would expect e.g. hand sanitising, distancing as much as possible etc
Due to the COVID guidelines for the virus on fabric, my fabric colour drapes need 72 hours between clients, so I have limited slots for Colour Consultations (I would advise that you book ahead to secure your date)
I will also be consulting in a different place within my house – to limit your exposure to soft furnishing etc, and have direct access to use any hand washing, toilet facilities
All facilities will be cleaned before your Consultation, and fresh hand washing towels etc will be provided

Face to Face Consultations (in your home environment)

I am also offering mobile consultations – where I come to your home environment
I will wear my (now) ‘normal’ consultations PPE, hand sanitise, even bring my own hand towel for hand washing, and minimise contact with items in your house eg seats, sides etc
I charge a little extra to cover the extra travel time (based on your location from my studio), but if you are more comfortable in your own surroundings, then this is a perfect solution

Virtual Consultations

However just because I can see clients face to face doesn’t mean that is the only option
I will still conduct virtual consultations online, as these have been working very well during lockdown
So if you are isolating, or just prefer a remote option, then virtual sessions are perfect for this

Posted by asvasv on 21/07/2020

Accessories, Body shape, Denim, Personal Style, Seasonal Style, Spring Summer 2020, Spring Summer Style

The Denim Edit

It has been said that if there is one fabric that characterises the modern wardrobe, and the ever increasing fluidity of our lifestyle its denim – and I couldn’t agree more.

It is a timeless fabric that has been reinvented over the years – and this season is much more diverse, with new shapes and textures.

So for those of you who love denim, you really will be in heaven this season!

In addition to this, Pantone have announced that their colour for 2020 is Classic Blue. So if there ever was a time to get out that blue denim – it is now!

Here’s a quick round up of some great denim options:

Jumpsuits are still very much on trend, as they have been for a few seasons now. The cut of this jumpsuit from White Stuff is slightly more relaxed, and is lovely and soft. A great casual option.

White Stuff £65

Whilst this one from Oasis is great for layering when the weather is still a little on the chilly side.

Oasis £56

Seasonal Style Update Workshops for Spring/Summer 23

Booking is now OPEN for my (very popular and always fun!) SEASONAL UPDATES for SS’23

SEASONAL UPDATES include:

– The key trends for SS’23

– The ‘hot’ colours for SS’23

– How you can wear the latest trends, taking into consideration your colouring and body shape

– Tips and advice on how to put whole outfits together for the new season

– Handy take away guide

All from £25 pp (or bring a friend, and both of your tickets will be £20)

Please email me if you would like to book a Seasonal Update

Posted by asvasv on 12/06/2019

Accessories, Body shape, Colour Analysis, Holiday Packing, Make Up

How to holiday like a Pro: My 8 top tips to avoid a holiday packing nightmare

How many times has this happened to you? You come back from a wonderful holiday in the sun with a great tan, your phone full of photos and videos, totally chilled – and a suitcase full of clothes only half of which have been worn? Okay so the laundry load may be lighter, but how frustrating is it to realise that there was no need to pack it all in the first place? Think of all the space you could have saved for souvenirs!

In the past I’ve fallen into this trap just as often as the next sun-seeker, and these days I have the double challenge of packing for my young son too. I often find my suitcase filling up with hisbooks, toys, inflatable crocodile and snorkelling gear. Add enough sun screen to sink a battle ship and you can begin to understand why I’ve now been forced to hone my holiday packing skills into a fine art.

It seems that we’re required to travel light these days. Airlines have put increasing restrictions on checked-in baggage weights and the volume of liquids you can carry with you are severely limited, so we can’t sneak things like cosmetics or toiletries into our hand luggage. They don’t make it easy for us girls, do they?

Over the years I’ve learned the hard way how to pack smart so now I’m sharing my top tips with you. My experience as a personal stylist has taught me how a simple holiday capsule wardrobe and just the right accessories can see me from beach to bar and beyond without breaking into a sweat.

Tip #1:Put everything you want to take out on your bed. Then put half of it back. That sounds a bit drastic but it forces you to focus. Be ruthless – you always wear less than you think you will!