November 2, 2024

Racing Rival Shack Heatss

Fashion Trends, Shopping More Joyfully

Ageless style tips from a fashion director

Ageless style tips from a fashion director

Just because I’m in my mid-forties, doesn’t mean I want to be invisible or look ordinary! Having said that I don’t want to look ridiculous either, like I’m trying too hard to keep up with the youngsters.

Even though I work in fashion, for me it’s not about looking so “fashionable” that I’m “unfashionable” by lunchtime. I’m very selective about what I buy. I prefer to have a minimal wardrobe of classic pieces which have a contemporary twist (take a sneak peak of a little home video I took of my wardrobe on GH’s Instagram).

For me, modern dressing is all about looking good, not younger, and working in the fashion industry for over 25 years, I’ve picked up on a few style secrets stylish women of all ages have in common. Whether you’re 18 or 80, these are my top tips guaranteed to supercharge your everyday style…

Try high-low dressing

This is probably my personal favourite style tip of all time. You’ll always hear me banging on about “high-low” dressing, but what does the term actually mean? It’s when relaxed, low-key pieces and wardrobe basics such as a simple cashmere jumper or a Breton T-shirt are mixed with formal, high-octane dressier pieces like silver leather trousers. When the party’s over, try pairing your sequin skirt with a casual sweater, a shiny satin shirt with denim or smart tailoring with sporstwear — think opposites attract!

After writing about high-low fashion in GH‘s March issue, a reader emailed me to say that, as a teacher, she’d tried this form of dressing at work: “swishing down the corridors I received so many comments! The number of compliments easily into the double digits! High-low dressing is where it is at! Thank you Amanda M!!!…”

So, don’t just take my word for it, others are huge fans, too!

Rixo Ardith Sequin Midi Skirt, £195

Ardith Sequin Midi Skirt, £195

Grab a great coat

Nothing is worth the investment quite like a brilliant coat. If you have a wardrobe full of classic neutral cover-ups (don’t we all), be brave, try something a little livelier.

Sometimes you want a coat that is the outfit. It’s a show-stopping look in a single piece that will give everything you team it with some added va-va-voom. It’s the last layer you put on, so make it count.

Hobbs Mireya Wool Blend Coat

Mireya Wool Blend Coat

Wear a belt with benefits

Yes, this humble accessory is your secret weapon to instant sophistication, especially if you like to dress head-to-toe in neutrals. A gorgeous leather belt will instantly add a little something interesting to a tonal ensemble.

The White Company, Massimo Dutti and Uniqlo do great quality belts. Personally, I love a gold buckle — a flash of gold hardware always makes accessories look extra-luxe. The belt is a wardrobe game-changer and can extend the life of any item of clothing, whether cinching a waist or adding a standout detail to paired-back looks. For extra polish, be sure to colour match your bag to your belt, women who do this always look so chic.

a black belt with a gold ring

UNIQLO

Double Ring Narrow Leather Belt, £24.90, UNIQLO SHOP NOW

Be confident with colour

“Colour can raise the dead,” wrote the late Iris Apfel who’s unforgettable kaleidoscopic outfits made her a style icon. As we get older, dark colours can become draining as we lose colour from our hair and skin while brighter tones or vivid hues can create a highlight, lifting our skin tone and hair.

The key to being older and bolder, is to wear brights in a cut you feel most comfortable with and wear on a regular basis. Blending brighter shades in with navy, khaki or denim (not black or white), makes the transition easier and less alarming to a colour shy minimalist. One of my favourite combos is navy and orange. Blue and orange are direct opposites on the colour wheel, which means they complement each other and look absolutely sensational together.

M&S Cotton Rich Crew Neck Relaxed Sweatshirt

Cotton Rich Crew Neck Relaxed Sweatshirt

Delight in denim

Timeless blue denim is an absolute year-round staple in every woman’s wardrobe, so much so that we consider it a neutral – a piece that goes with pretty much everything.

Let’s face it, day or night, you simply can’t go wrong with a great pair of jeans, but have you thought about introducing a new modern style of jeans? Cuffed (turn-up), frayed hem, cropped, barrel or wide-leg, or try something completely different such as a standout denim dress, ruffle blouse, or a jumpsuit (which always looks effortlessly cool). Ladies, it’s time to diversify your denim portfolio!

Hush Evelyn Denim Relaxed Jumpsuit

Evelyn Denim Relaxed Jumpsuit

Just add trainers

Trainers have skyrocketed from sports staple to fashion statement. They have styling superpowers which bring new wardrobe energy to beloved basics and let’s face it, they never fail to make you feel cool.

Looking to update your kicks? New Balance, Veja and Adidas are the labels on fashion-forward feet. Not sure which style to go for? Skip box-fresh white trainers (always a safe bet) and slip on a retro-chic sneaker in high-impact hues. You’ll find vibrant sneakers are a quick and easy way to add outfit-boosting colour; they give a casual, playful appeal to tailoring, midi dresses, jumpsuits or separates and allow you to play around with shades that you might not choose to wear as clothing.

adidas Originals Handball Spezial Trainers, £85

Handball Spezial Trainers, £85

Go crazy for khaki

Over the last few years, I’ve gone khaki crazy. I know earlier I was singing denim’s praises, but if you’re looking for a contemporary alternative to denim blue, army surplus green (not to be mistaken for camouflage print) is just as a versatile neutral, providing a great backdrop for pattern and colour.

Top of your wishlist? A pair of military green trousers (I’m wearing my Toast ones today) or a multi-pocketed utility jacket are the combination of sturdy and snazzy, which is always a style winner in my opinion. Adding a smart blazer, white shirt and glossy black loafers or colour-pop trainers, creates an outfit ready for everyday action.

Toast Kathe Flat Front Cotton Twill Trousers

Kathe Flat Front Cotton Twill Trousers

Be brave with leopard print

You can master any dress code with leopard print! Favoured by style icons of every era for its ability to add a wild touch to any outfit, there’s no doubt that timeless leopard print will always be spot-on, whatever the occasion. Pub, party, dinner or work — you can always rely on this modern-meets-classic print. Whether you want to wear a little or a lot, leopard looks great with everything, including more leopard!

Ganni Leopard Cotton Poplin V-neck Maxi Dress

Leopard Cotton Poplin V-neck Maxi Dress

Rethink the midi

From breakfast meeting to parents’ evenings and anything in-between, when it comes to all-day dressing, the midi makes the mightiest statement of all. The ditsy floral midi has reigned supreme for several years but if you want to look and feel modern, it’s time to embrace a different type of day-to-night dress. Look to strong silhouettes, puff sleeves, exaggerated cuffs, asymmetric hems and interesting necklines. Wear with chunky boots, stompy sandals or trainers to take the sweet mid-length dress to a much cooler place.

COS Pleated Skirt T-Shirt Dress

Pleated Skirt T-Shirt Dress

Look out for unexpected details

Whether you’re 18 or 80, a small, unexpected twist is sometimes all you need to give boring outfits a fashion boost. Interesting extras, bring personality to your outfits, they’re an easy way to be bold without being outrageous. I call them “fizz” buys, those little details that suddenly make your outfit sing. In my wardrobe I have a tan wrap belt, ruffle trim layering top, bright orange leather tote, leopard pumps, red trainers, raffia basket, sunglasses, grey cashmere hoodie and spectacular sparkly earrings that I whip out if I feel my outfit is looking ‘meh’.

Boden Structured Cross-Body Bag

Structured Cross-Body Bag

Love those layers

When it comes to day-to-day-wear, mastering the art of layering will do wonders for your wardrobe. Luxe hoodie, gilet, knitted tank, T-shirt, denim shirt, rollneck, cardi — these are the hero items fashion editors have on standby to create interesting outfits. The contrast of textures, silhouettes and lengths just feels effortlessly elegant. I’m obsessed with ME+EM’s ‘layering’ top section on its website (thin tops that are designed to be worn under things). I own many of them! Remember, if in doubt, always add an extra layer.

ME+EM Frill Neck Scallop Detail Layering Blouse, £125

Frill Neck Scallop Detail Layering Blouse, £125

Match your glasses

Don’t let your glasses be an afterthought. Eyewear designer Tom Davies recommends buying a playful pair and make your glasses the star of the show. “Don’t be afraid of colour. People tend to have a bit more fun with their sunglasses and you should do the same with your reading glasses.”

Bright colours naturally lift the complexion, and it looks modern, too. Not sure which colour to choose? Tom recommends matching the frame to your eye colour. I learned a lot from Tom, who was a guest speaker at GH Live, and despite popular belief it’s all about framing the top of your glasses so they’re inline and the same shape as your eyebrows.


link

Copyright © All rights reserved. | Newsphere by AF themes.