Category Archives: Personal Style

Animal print, Body shape, Colour Analysis, Exercise in style, Image Consultant, Image Consultant Hertfordshire, Personal Style, Personal Stylist, Style Personality

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

How To Wear Black

As an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist I get asked about the colour black a lot! ‘Can I wear black?’ ‘Please don’t tell me that I ‘cant’ wear black!’ BTW I would never tell someone that they couldn’t wear a specific colour, but I would show them the most flattering way for them to wear that specific colour.

Many women use black as a staple ‘uniform’ or their wardrobe, whether that’s a working or social wardrobe. It’s often also the first colour choice for evening / socialising wear.

It’s often thought that black is slimming – it can be, if worn in the correct style and fabric. In fact, it’s just darker shades that are slimming rather than black per se.

But also – it’s not just the colour you wear but how you wear it that makes it a success.

Wear black on its own

If you can wear black on its own, then go for it and make a bold statement. You could add different textures to add interest your outfit e.g. if layering

Wear black in contrast

Some of us can wear black, but not on its own, and we need some contrast i.e. lighter or brighter colour teamed with it. Think monochrome look, or adding a splash of your best colour

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

The language of colour

What does the new year hold for you? We often take the turning of the year to reflect on the year past, and what we would like the future year to look like.

I see many clients in the New Year who want ‘New Year, New You’ – and in my world that means an image refresh. Rightly or wrongly we are judged on our appearance – someone who looks very well presented is assumed to be ‘on top of their game’. But our image also sends messages about who we are (or who we want to be perceived as).

In my new Personal Branding consultation, I focus on what our image says about us, and ensuring that image is the one that we want others to have of us. One element that I touch on is the psychology of colour.

Colour can not only make us look amazing, it can also send messages to others about us. Plus, the Colour we wear also has an impact on how we feel too!

So if you are thinking about your image going into the New Year – whether that to give you inner confidence or to wow your new boss at your interview – then maybe you might like to think about how you can use colour to your advantage to tell the world what you are all about:

Here’s a quick run through the primary colours.

Red – Is a real power colour! It’s exciting, energetic and ambitious. But beware, the power of this colour can be seen as aggressive to some. So use in situations carefully, and ones that you want to be in charge of!

If you just want a hint of this powerful colour, then an accessory like this chain strap handbag from Marks & Spencer is perfect.

Whilst if you want to command the attention that you deserve, then you will receive it in this structured but feminine silhouetted jacket from Hobbs.

Blue – In contrast to red, Blue is calmer. It conveys messages of trust, peace and order. It can also be seen as predictable and conservative – great for saying ‘I’m a safe pair of hands’, but not so much if you are more creative and want to shake things up a bit!

This Seasons Party Tricks

Well hello party season! How we do love you! This time of year often gives us the opportunity to get a bit dressed up – whether we have a party to go to or not – as it is the season where we can add a touch of glamour and shimmer even if we are on the school run, nipping to the shops, or having a quick coffee catch up with our friends! This is particularly true this year, with the autumn / winter catwalks showing lots of ways to dress up the everyday outfit, and as ever the catwalk trends have made their way to our local shops.

So what does this party season look like?

Enter the party in style:

Capes are not only bang on trend this season, they easy slip over whatever your outfit. This cape from Joules (available from your local Next) not only ticks the checks trend, also the faux fur trend this season.

Joules Tweed poncho, £100

This season the key outerwear accessories are colourful gloves. These gorgeous and super soft leather gloves from John Lewis come in a wide range of colours – so there is bound to be one that suits you!

AW trends, Accessory trends, Glove style

Red leather gloves (John Lewis) £25

The Main Event:

To Mix or to Match? The key question for Autumn / Winter’19

When its the start of a new season, its always best to remember what makes you uniquely you. We don’t want to be clones of each other – we want to be the best version of ourselves. Helping my clients do this is what makes me really happy as an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist.

Now is also a great time to have a declutter – so you know what you have, and what you might want for the new season to refresh your wardrobe to ensure you look current, and like the well dressed woman you want to be perceived as.

Each new season, the fashion industry and retailers bombard us with images of whats ‘hot’ right now. How I tackle the new season, is to work with my clients to see how they can incorporate the latest trends into their wardrobe, whilst still feeling like themselves.

This Autumn/winter season we are seeing two opposing trends that I want to focus – to help you understand which might be ‘the trend’ for you. These 2 trends are ‘Mixing Patterns’ and the ‘Tone On Tone Look’:

Statement Shades

The sun is shining, and its time to get to get our sunnies on!

Sunglasses not only protect our eyes from harmful UV rays, but they are also a wonderful way of updating our look, adding interest to our outfit and showing our personal style.

Here’s my tips on choosing the best sunglasses for your face shape, personal colouring, and your unique style.

There are 3 things to consider when looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses: Shape, Colour and your personal Style

Shape

Different shaped sunglasses suit different face shapes – so I would suggest that you choose a frame shape that flatters and suits your personal face shape.

The general rule is if you have an angular face shape – where your cheekbones and jaw are in line (sometimes called square or rectangular shape) – then use glasses to soften the angular lines. So go for round or oval shapes – like these from Polo Ralph Lauren or these from Prada for a more statement look

Polo Ralph Lauren round, House of Fraser, £127

Prada Oval sunglasses, John Lewis, £127

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

Colour Analysis, Personal Style

Why Sustainable Fashion Matters

Did you know that the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters on the planet, second only to the oil industry? That sounds bizarre but when you think about the water pollution, water consumption, waste accumulation, microfibres, chemicals, carbon emissions, soil degradation and rainforest destruction involved in producing textiles – the fashion world has a lot to answer for.

And as consumers we can be just as much to blame. The ‘fast fashion’ habit – where you might buy a cheap top for a night out only to have it fall apart after a couple of washes so you throw it away – only exacerbates the problem.

What is “Sustainable Fashion”?

“Sustainable fashion” is a bit of a catch-all phrase for the growing movement within the industry towards a more environmentally conscious approach to design and production.

The industry is doing its bit to clean up their act by developing processes that are kinder to the environment and to the people involved in production. And you canfind designerswho focus on sustainability and fair trade, but you do need to hunt for them. I think it will be a while yet before sustainable fashion goes mainstream.

What is “Sustainable Fashion”?

So what can we as consumers do in the meantime?