Is the UK fashion high street REALLY your friend?

Every woman is the same whether she is plus-size, petite, tall or average. There is a feminine mystic that’s inside each and every one of us.  That’s the power of a woman.  We all want to look beautiful.

Over the last few years the high street just doesn’t seem to understand this. Shops seem to have lost direction and forgotten that whatever shape women are they too have the right to look fabulous. The emergence of online shopping is similar to the ‘it bag’ phenomenon. People shop on the move. No longer restricted to just a PC, online shopping now takes place on various formats, the android phones, tablets and laptops.  People now have so much choice at their finger tips.

The changing perception of online shopping has helped with many websites now available that cater for all shapes of women.  Women are no longer just subjected to going into a store, not seeing stock available in their size and no one knows when the next delivery will be. Unhelpful sales staff whom to be honest lack good customer service skills - chewing gum like they are cows eating grass in a meadow or too busy chatting among themselves to be bothered with the customer. Why subject yourself to that!

On the other hand women want to walk into a shop and by clothes that fit and are made well. Online shopping is good but it’s not the same as feeling the item, trying it on even in the badly lit changing room with the dodgy mirrors.  Also being able to find other items to complete the outfit. Even buying shoes and accessories too.  I am forever hearing from women that the high street shops never have anything they like.  Everything seems to cater for the young teenager or early 20’s woman. Many women don’t want to be a ‘fashion victim’, all they want is to look stylish, effortless stylish without all the extra ‘frew frew’ that can add extra pounds to their figures or want to wear the latest trends without looking like they have jaundice. 

Tall women, remember anything over 5ft 5inches which is the standard in the fashion industry is considered Tall, are being penalised. High Street shops like New Look and Dorothy Perkins are now only selling their Tall lines online.  This has outraged the Tall female community, and believe it or not there are many who are very vocal. They don’t see why they cant even buy basic items such as jeans to fit their luscious long legs on the high street. Yes there are more and more website selling Tall clothing but they want to go along to the high street or shopping centres like their friends.

Plus size offerings are slim too (no pun intended). There is one high street shop which I have heard from clients and seen for myself the clothes leave a lot to be desired. However there has been an emergence of online stores that cater for plus size.  Asos has a brilliant range called Curve which is stylish whether you are young or a lady of a determined age.  You will find something for your taste.  Like a pencil skirt, a nice jumper, capri pants which are timeless.

Want to be that woman with amazing style who people are always complimenting? Struggling to find your unique sense of style, outfits on the high street that suit you and your personality.  Let me help you.

Get your free  Consultation and exclusive eBook  “The Secrets To Looking And Feeling More Confident Without Dieting: 30 Top tips To a Better ‘YOU’!” contact Viv@clothes4realwomen.com

www.clothes4realwomen.com Bespoke Personal Styling Concierge Service helps busy women who need help and cannot afford to make mistakes.  Together we can develop your unique sense of style.

I'm going to share a top fashion secret with you.......

 Struggling to find good fitting clothes? A good tailor – can make you look like a million dollars

Making my own clothes, I know how a great fitting garment feels and looks like. However, a client had lost a lot of weight, had lovely dress that she adored but it was three sizes too big and wanted to wear to a black tie function. I stumbled upon a great tailor in London, and have recommended others to them.
 

A good tailor is like a good hairdresser. Once you found both you don’t want to leave them.  You will walk heaven on earth and go where there are, especially if they have changed job location.  We all have a good pair of shoes that we love, fit us comfortably and we wear them at every opportunity.  The shoes have been menders many times over the years, kept in a dust bag or box, make you feel a million dollars as your strut your stuff down the road and when you wear them, the compliments are second to none.

You may even be saying to yourself, ‘I don’t need a good tailor, I am happy with my garments’. I would suggest take a good look at the fit and do they fit properly. Many women have different size tops and bottoms. Do you have a small waist and bigger hips? You have to buy a larger size so that they can fit over your hips but then gape on the waist? Then you add a belt to zinch in the waist, however the waist looks lumpy and bulky, just doesn’t lie flat

Now this is what a good tailor can for you.  Transform an off the shelf garment into a garment that fits you like a glove and makes you feel like a million dollars even though you paid much less. Trousers will fit like they were made for you. Shorten trousers but maintain the same hem style especially important for jeans. Turn your vintage finds into a great one off piece, which will get people guessing where ever did you ever get that great fitting piece from.  Even revive older items, such as a blazer into a jacket that looks chic and modern with the right alterations.

Women’s bodies come in various shapes and sizes; alas many don’t fit the standard sizes that clothes are manufactured in. So we end up buying off the shelf pieces that we think fit ok and look good.  A tailor will fit clothes to your body without changing the look or shape. I challenge you to look at the cuts and the seams of a few designer pieces, even try them and notice how certain designs make you look taller, thinner and more polished.

How to find a find a good tailor.

Ask friends, ask the sales person at a high end boutique and when you do find one talk to them don’t just let them assume what you want. Tell them what bothers you about the garment and ask them what alterations they think it needs. This way you can get a feel for just how knowledgeable they really are. Ask them for advice.

Ask to see a piece of their work. A good tailor is only too willing to show examples of their work. You’ll get a good feel of what they can do especially if you have  complicated alterations or expensive garments. Examine their work, look at the stitches, make sure they look straight and seams finished. If they don’t have a garment for you to look at come back another time.

Remember…..A botched hem ruins the look of a garment. The new hem should be stitched the same way as the original hem. Jeans have straight stitched hems (you can see a row of stitches on the outside). Trousers, dresses, and skirts usually have what is known as blind stitched hems (these can be done by hand or machine and you can’t see the stitches on the outside). A new hem should never be done without removing the original hem first.

Do you dress for your body shape? Play to your best features? Get your free  Consultation and exclusive eBook  “The Secrets To Looking And Feeling More Confident Without Dieting: 30 Top tips To a Better ‘YOU’!” contact Viv@clothes4realwomen.com

Bespoke Personal Styling Concierge Service helps busy people who need help and cannot afford to make mistakes, see how I can help you improve your image www.clothes4realwomen.com

Confidence – do you have it?

Yes, its very true we all come in all different shapes and sizes and many of us still have issues with parts or even all of our bodies. We are still hung upon those permutations which are represented by the number on the size label. 

Confidence in a woman is very captivating, its powerful and it does not fade. You can walk into a room and you project confidence which tells others that you respect yourself and of course love yourself.

Style confidence comes from knowing what suits you an understanding your body shape. Confidence is about knowing who you are, it does not come from wanting to be somebody else, or wanting to shorter, taller, thinner. Come on, lets face it many stylish women in this world have not been or are great beauty queens.

Many women can be dressed in very expensive clothes and but melt away into the distance because they do not have confidence. Confidence has nothing to do with aesthetics. Nothing is better than a woman with self-assurance. A confident woman turns heads and instantly turns up the volume in a woman’s beauty.

We all have our own insecurities; mine are the size of my feet.  I am blessed with UK size 9/43 European or size 11US. Most high street shops don’t cater for me; if they do the shoes are either frumpy or very expensive. To overcome this I have found out where to shop for shoes that I like. My little secret! However the limited styles of shoes never held me back as I believe stylish shoes finish off an outfit. When you are in the presence of a confident woman, she will notice she is not arrogant but even in the face of her imperfections the air around her is striking.  Beauty comes from the inside of her. She may not have a models figure, but she is very comfortable with who she is and embraces her flaws.

Clothes 4 REAL Women will help you build you boost your confidence and your style confidence! Radically change the way you look.  Transform yourself without having to nip, tuck, crunch, squeeze or starve. You'll find out what works for you, edit your wardrobe, hints and tips of what to look for and give you a few insider tricks of the trade. You'll understand that a label size is just a number or how I like to say a numbers game! Most importantly avoid being a fashion victim which screams ‘I have no style’!

Dressing for your body shape, playing to your best features. Get your free  Consultation and exclusive eBook  “The Secrets To Looking And Feeling More Confident Without Dieting: 30 Top tips To a Better ‘YOU’!” contact Viv@clothes4realwomen.com

Bespoke Personal Styling Concierge Services helps busy people who need help and cannot afford to make mistakes, see how I can help you improve your image www.clothes4realwomen.com

How do I look?

Do you ever take a moment to assess yourself and analyse your image?

Many women never take a minute to assess themselves. Whatever your job is do you dress according to the standards of your industry? Are your clothes professional? Is your hair neat? And I mean roots re-touched, a good hair cut and washed. Are your shoes clean and well maintained?

DON'T show too much
This is really something to think out when deciding on your work attire. Do you want to be taken seriously by both sexes? Top tips, avoid skirts with deep slits, short hemlines, and blouses that show cleavage they can be sexually suggestive and distracting. Go with skirts that fall at the knee or below, along with a stylish but conservative blouse. Leave the party clothes for the party.

DO accessorise

We all have a personality and if you are working in a conservatory industry with an ‘unspoken’ dress code where you are expected to wear colours such as black, navy blue and grey, how do you show a bit of your personality.  Understandably you could wearing sexy underwear. However, one of the best ways to show off your signature style is through accessories. A bright coloured bag, a scarf and belt all can add a pop of colour along with tasteful jewellery and. Often set off and complete the outfit. Leave the bling for the evening.

DO use proper undergarments.
Clingy jersey dresses, pencil skirts and light coloured trousers are some of the danger zones for panty crimes. Smooth shapers zap the lines that materialize under revealing knits and pencil skirts, opt for a body shaper or Spanx.  VPL (visible panty line), lacy bras and knickers are a no-no. Flesh coloured smooth underwear is essential.

Dont believe the myth that white panties disappear under white trousers or skirts. It is a myth. Flesh/Nude or skin-tone coloured panties under white trousers or skirts 

If your dresses or skirts are not lined, you may not think about wearing a camisole or slip as they are old fashioned, something that granny would wear. Think again as they help your garments drape well, reduce static and cling, and also cancel transparency. Always check your rear view before leaving for work, and switch to different undies if there's any hint of a panty line

Dressing Your Professional Best

It is important to buy a good fitting suit in a good quality fabric, you may pay a bit more but it will be worth it. Separates, a dress with a matching jacket or trousers/skirt with a matching jacket is ideal

DO attend to your feet.
Shoes should be clean and in good condition. Scuffed worn and unpolished shoes look awful.  It is important that you make sure your heels are not damaged.  Re-heel and add a touch of polish, and what a difference it will make. 

Most workplaces flip-flops in the summer time are a no-no, you can always wear them to work and carry your shoes in your bag BUT don’t forget to change into your shoes. 

If wearing open-toe sandals.  Please, please don’t forget to have a pedicure before wearing sandals and open toe shoes

Dressing for your body shape, playing to your best features. Get your free  Consultation and exclusive eBook  “The Secrets To Looking And Feeling More Confident Without Dieting: 30 Top tips To a Better ‘YOU’!” contact Viv@clothes4realwomen.com

Bespoke Personal Styling Concierge Services helps busy people who need help and cannot afford to make mistakes, see how I can help you improve your image www.clothes4realwomen.com