What’s chic at any age ?
Knowing what works and working it with confidence
Why it matters
Clothes are an investment in yourself
Dressing well shows respect for yourself
Clothes help you get noticed for the right reason
Dressing is an opportunity to be creative
WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF- YOUR CLOTHES AND YOUR GROOMING-IT GIVES OTHERS CONFIDENCE THAT YOU DO THE SAME IN YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS
Where to start
1.Get everything out the wardrobe and drawers and dejunk
2.Set up 4 piles
3. Keep ,Save ,Donate ,Dump
4.Try on everything
WWD
Those bargain sale items with the tickets on that you brought because they were cheap & you haven’t worn stick on EBay or donate them NOW .
Try on
Try on everything you decide to keep anything “after the diet etc” dump it who needs to open the wardrobe and be reminded of what you can’t wear
Focus
focus on what you like to wear what makes you happy what outfits do people comment on when you are at you most fabulous
Arrange in either item order or colour order
Hangers the same style and all hooks the same way
Organise in a order you can keep
Fold cashmere & jumpers
Put out of season stuff away either vacuum pack or store in a bed box or suitcase. when the seasons start to change exchange the items again keep re-editing again over time this gets easier
Vacuum up at the end of every season
Consumption
Avoid fast fashion I practice one in one out I tend to buy what’s going to last. It’s not about price, ,it’s about quality and buying better. Style can be about wearing something that’s 30 years old and making it look great. This cardigan is from the 1950s and it’s been with me for 30 years seen in my Chic-mas blog.
It’s important to remember and check what you already have and what’s missing I am overloaded with t-shirts but I need a couple of white round necks and a white shirt items like these I call fillers classic items that need replacing regularly due to over washing and discolour
What do I need
Be honest
If you don’t take the time to see what you’re got you won’t be able to establish your needs.When shopping instead of enhancing your wardrobe your adding the same clutter
Shopping
Looking good
It’s not about buying new garments but spending time figuring out what makes you feel confident comfortable and chic
As you become sure of your personal style you’ll buy fewer but better clothes You’ll look great,have more wardrobe space. Gradually your understand what works for you and makes you feel comfortable and look great. Buy a full length mirror take some pictures start putting looks together add a belt some jewellery only by doing this will you establish what’s right. Life moves on and so should your wardrobe don’t get stuck with your old look in your current life if it’s tired and old is that really what you want to look like
Inventory
Jeans
I own 7 pairs of jeans 5 blue 1 black 1 white..
I don’t need another pair ..why because I brought well I have the shapes that fit my body I like a high cut relaxed fit I like loose jeans. There are so many to chose from always try on ignore sizes all brands vary having worked for Gap and other retailers I have fitted jeans and helped men and women buy their perfect pair…..Remember you body shape changes your lifestyle will as well buy for the you that you are today …
What I’ve got
Jean jeanie
I’m covered smart, casual, cut off, flare cargo good for shopping walking the dog or holiday dressed up or down they all fit perfectly. The white are vacuum packed in the Summer box.
Star denim style
Sharon Stone
I love this image she’s comfortable happy and confident rocking her denim and in flats ..this is who she is Wow
Image WWD
SJP
Sarah Jessica Parker has these jeans in several colours the ankles are exposed the cut is perfect for her tiny frame and shows off her shoes in the Summer she rolled them up a few inches with flats perfect
Image Instyle
Boucle Blazer Zara my essential
Black leggings black vest …..just add accessories
Classic cut round neck or v neck Zara produce them every season I always look on EBay for them below the same jackets with shorts culottes and leather leggings
Accessories
Add a scarf, different shape sunglasses 3 completely different types of bags but they all work
Then and now star style
Images Harper’s Bazaar
The coat
2019 ,2020.2021
The same reversible coat from Marks & Spencer the same black cashmere jumper from N.Peal the cost of the coat was about £120 the sale jumper £149 .
I purchased the coat for the colour the brown tweed reverse is my favourite with jeans, it’s a great length large pockets a classic cut timeless elegant practical, it works well with greys, whites and khaki
Buying classics
Roll neck sweater
A rib roll neck merino wool from Zara £29 I buy one every year slightly thinner than the cashmere you can see it’s looser round the neck a wardrobe staple.
Zara
All Zara the roll neck brings the look together with black suede boots and a quilted bag to add colour that lifts the colour in the skirt, if the bag was black it would look to heavy
My style
When putting together a wardrobe if your budget is limited the most important thing is having the discipline to invest in one or two beautiful key pieces like the cashmere sweater great denim the perfect white shirt.
50% of my wardrobe is 2nd hand I couldn’t afford to buy this Micheal Kors jumper new but I found it gifted for £3.99 in Rokit vintage
Buy quality it lasts longer
Black MiuMiu bag £25 Red bag £25 Charity shop finds both new. I knew these bags would go with everything in my wardrobe this is an example of buying the perfect accessory that makes the rest of your outfit look just as polished.
see Bag section on website
Only buy pieces that you can’t live without don’t be tempted by disposable trends
Accessories
Jewellery
To wear small things well you must organise them, sort through bracelets, rings and hang necklaces. These display boxes keep the dust away and I can clearly see everything at a glance.
Sunglasses 🕶
The art of wearing accessories is being able to grab them on impulse.The designer glasses are away but my everyday favourites are here again no dust on them ready to go
Wearability
Two items I wear again and again a huge wrap scarf from Mango it’s black and white animal print it goes with everything. The leather jacket a second hand bargain about £10 great with dresses, cargo pants or jeans it a timeless cut
when I shop I always think about what’s in the wardrobe where would I wear it what would it go with or do I already have something similar. The item could have been £5 or £50 but if it doesn’t go with anything I’m not going to spend money buying more items to justify buying it
if I’m unsure I let it go
Key pieces multi ways
Large scarf
Leather jacket
Jeans jacket sunglasses
It just works
Images Instyle
Their style
Helen Mirren
Killer accessories and a touch of print
Enjoying where you are now Jane Fonda & Sharon Stone
WWD
Ines de La Fressange
Role model
My idea of style making it look effortless classic clean and natural
Finally
once you know your look and your happy keep it simple, keep it fresh, top it up with QUALITY items a couple of sparkles some great accessories you have other things that need attention…..not your style you’ve already found it
Tom Ford
Style is very different from fashion. Once you find something that’s works keep it .
more blogs to enjoy
-
beautiful boots
-
vintage jeweled brooches
-
Aspinal collection
