Inside Out Style

Advanced Style – Tips for the over 40s

Imogen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Many clients tell me that they’re worried about looking like mutton dressed as lamb (ie, too young for their age). But just as much I have clients who don’t want to look or feel frumpy and old, they want to be modern and youthful, but still appropriate – so how do you achieve this?

Jill Chivers of My Year Without Clothes Shopping and I share tips to help you have style whatever your age in this short video.

Professionality – A Blog Worth Checking Out

Imogen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Professionality Blog by Dawn Stanyon

Today I want to feature a fellow image consultant’s blog, one that you may not have found yourself, but one that I enjoy checking out.

It’s written by Dawn Stanyon of the Emily Post Institute and has lots of short posts about what to wear in the workplace, how to interpret fashion trends in an appropriate manner, and information on personal branding.

So get yourself over to Professionality and say Hi to Dawn!

Stylish Thoughts – Style Makeover HQ

Imogen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Today’s Stylish Thoughts contributor is Jane Liddelow Style Makeover HQ who is a Sydney (Australia) based Image Consultant, and blogger.

What is the secret to great style?
If I had to sum this up in one word it would be…knowledge!

And I think that can be broken down into 3 parts:
1. Knowledge of what constitutes style — A minority of women seem to have been born with knowing what to wear to which occasion, what suits their body shape and colouring, how to create flattering proportions and to express their personality through their appearance. However, for most of us our education didn’t include the fundamentals of how to dress well.

There is now a lot of good information available online, including Imogen’s great blog here, that helps women gain that knowledge. And TV shows such as Trinny and Susannah’s “What not to wear” and Gok’s “How to look good naked”. These shows, even if they don’t directly help you, should make you realise the difference your appearance can make and that there are professionals who can help you learn about style.

2. Knowledge of yourself — be aware of your personality, understand your body shape and your colouring. Acknowledge your ambitions, your strengths, your weaknesses. Know how much you’re prepared to put into creating your own style, both initially and on an ongoing basis. For example, if you want a low maintenance look, don’t choose a hairstyle that needs lots of work to keep it looking good, or clothes that need hand washing.

3. Knowledge of how to pull the above 2 areas together to create your own great style! This comes with practice, so don’t be afraid to have fun with your style!

What’s the best piece of style wisdom you’ve ever received?
I started my style journey in my late 20s by realising I was wearing a lot of colours that did nothing for me. I found an Image Consultant and booked a colour analysis consultation. I came out as an Autumn, but I’d been wearing a lot of cool, pale colours, when warm, medium strength colours suit me best. I then went on and had a style consultation as well.

This helped for a while, but then I found that, even though I now knew my best colours and styles, I still often struggled to find outfits in my wardrobe that I liked to wear. The frustration was particularly bad at each change of fashion season. So, I decided to gain more knowledge. As a result I trained to become an image consultant myself. I’m not suggesting you need to go that far, but it is a really good idea to gain some style knowledge.

When I started my Image Consulting practice I quickly came to realise I needed to find an easy way for my clients to understand what they needed to know to improve their appearance, without getting overwhelmed.

This resulted in me having a “eureka” moment, when I realised I could formulate the attaining of style as 6 elements or steps. So, this is the best piece of style wisdom I’ve ever “received”.
My 6 style steps are:
1. Great grooming — includes hair and makeup
2. Wear your best colours
3. Dress to flatter your body shape
4. Understand your style personality and reflect it in your appearance
5. Assess and plan your wardrobe at least twice a year, at the change of fashion seasons
6. Shop to your plan

Imogen’s blog contains lots of really great information on each of these areas and I give more detail on my website too.

The one piece of advice most women need, but don’t get?
In a style context, it would be to invest in yourself: it’s that knowledge word again — learn how to present your best appearance. Get professional help, if you need it. The time and money you invest will repay you 1,000 times over by boosting your confidence and having people take notice of you for all the right reasons.

And the best “piece” of style wisdom I can give is to assess yourself periodically on the 6 steps to style above. It’s especially important to re-assess your look after major changes in your life, such as having children and menopause, when our bodies change, and after events such as divorce, or illness, when you may need to re-invent yourself. When women don’t have style knowledge, these are the times that it’s easy to lose any style mojo you had and to lose self-confidence.
What is your favourite current trend?

It’s hard to pick just one! I love colour blocking. I especially love the oranges, reds and warm greens we’re seeing a lot of just now.
I also LOVE leopard and snake prints. I find I have to take care not to overdose on these!

What’s your favourite short cut to style?

Adding an on-trend necklace or scarf to an outfit. For example, the fun, inexpensive, statement necklace in the picture, from Wild Bling (oops leopard again ;D).

How would you describe your personal style?

Mainly natural with a creative twist. I like clothes that are comfortable and practical, but that have some fun or edgy element to them. For example, I’ll wear turquoise and red together with leopard print sandals. And I love the tunic below, from NZ label VSSP, with its funky zips and pocket detailing.

For more traditional business situations I go for more classic styles, still with a natural feel (such as a fabric with a bit of stretch), but with a little injection of interesting style detailing or colour.

I’m still having fun evolving my personal style. It’s not a static thing.

How to Flatter a Protruding Stomach

Imogen — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Hi. Imogen. We visited your talk recently and enjoyed it immensely. Have downloaded your ebooks and getting lots of helpful hints. On your blog I have just read the article about why dislike your stomach? and want to comment – I am an older woman whose anterior abdominal wall muscles have collapsed making my stomach poke out like a pregnancy. I am now as large in front as my bust! I am sure this is a problem for many older women and they (and I) would love to know how to disguise this problem. I do go to a gym to help tighten the muscles but I am realistic – they will never go back to their original tightness. Please help.

Rounded stomachs can be difficult to hide, they’re right out there at the front, but what tricks can you use to make your tummy look less obvious?

How to Flatter a Rounded Stomach by imogenl featuring long tops

Pants/Skirts/Waistbands should sit about at the belly button. Too high and it will force your stomach to pop out below, too low and you get muffin top.

If you really do have the pregnant tum look, even if you’re not – rather than go up into larger size skirts and pants, head to the maternity department and try on the pants and skirts as you’ll find there isn’t so much extra fabric through the thighs, just extra for your tummy.

Wear a darker top (create a column of colour too!) and then a lighter jacket or cardigan over the top – the dark top will recede and your tummy won’t be as obvious.

Look for fabrics without too much elastane or lycra – we don’t want cling, we want skim.

Strategically placed ruching and draping on garments can really work well to disguise your tummy.

Curved hems, rather than straight ones, can elongate your legs, whilst hiding your stomach.

Ending tops at the point just below (and I mean just below) the widest point of your tummy can also work – try it in the mirror by folding your tops to different spots til you find your sweet spot. Tops that cup your tummy will make it appear larger.

Jackets are a great way of bypassing your personal statistics. Their little bit of extra structure will hide what is going on underneath. It’s the power of the 3rd piece at work!

Don’t forget, make your mid-section kind of boring and plain, low in detail such as pockets, belts, seams, not layering different coloured tops etc. Draw attention up to your face with scarves and jewellery – remember – it’s all about the art of illusion and distraction!

How to Wear Skinny Jeans

Imogen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Could you do a post on skinny jeans? They are in all of the shops right now and I’m not sure if I can wear them. I’m an I shape with my shoulders a little wider than my hips, average B cup bust-line and I’m a petite at 5’2″. What sorts of jackets and tops should I pair them with if they are suitable for me? Thanks Robin

How to wear skinny jeans for your body shape by imogenl featuring amethyst rings

Skinny Jeans have been the trend jean for a few years now and they don’t look like they’re going anywhere fast. So how to wear them to flatter your body shape?

One of the benefits of skinny jeans is that they make your legs look longer – if you want to further elongate your legs, use a column of colour, wear a wedge or high heel, tone shoes to jeans (or go slightly darker).

Worried about them highlighting your hips? Here I use a column of colour to elongate and then a long-line cardi to skim past my butt.

The trick with wearing any garment is to think about balancing your body – if you are wide somewhere, then balance the narrower part with something that makes you look a little wider there – it’s like balancing two triangles on each other at the pointy end. Wider shoulders, then add some width at the hips or knees. Wider hips, add width at the shoulders and/or the ankles.

I shape – they suit you and your straighter shape. Want to have more curve? Wear a jacket that ends around your hip bone. Jackets with peplums will also give you the illusion of curve, as will distressing around the hip area.

H shape – you can wear longer tunic tops, or shorter tops that end around your high hip area, but never tucked in around the waist as it will make you look boxy.

A shape – you may feel that this jean over emphasises your hips and thighs – if so, wear them with a longer tunic top that’s belted at your waist to show off your slim feature.

8 shape – make sure your tops come in at the waist – peplum jackets are perfect for you to wear with a skinny jean. Make sure the jacket ends no higher than your high hip, preferably a little longer to bypass your widest point.

V shape – rock the skinny jeans with boots or a tunic top.

X shape – highlight your waist, balance with boots or a wedge. Avoid ending tops at the upper thigh, end them at the high hip or waist.

O shape – wear a tunic top that skims, and highlight your slim legs with these jeans. Skinny jeans are ideal as they are the slim garment that goes with your more voluminous tops.

Shoes

Knee high boots are made for skinny jeans, the boot will balance the hips. Ankle boots will also work, as will ballet flats or even not-too-chunky wedges.

What do you find works best with your skinny jeans?

How to Accessorize – Belts and Scarves

Imogen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Today Jill Chivers of My Year Without Clothes Shopping and I share part 2 of how to change your look with accessories in this short video.

And I apologise for the background noise, next time Jill and I get together and make videos we promise to find somewhere quiet!

Win a Pair of D&G Sunglasses from Sunglassesshop.com

Imogen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

D & G

We all need a good pair of sunglasses. I’ve found that better quality sunglasses don’t break as easily as the cheap versions too. To celebrate Valentine’s Day the lovely people at Sunglassesshop.com want to give one of my readers a pair of these D & G sunglasses. These are a great frame, that is big enough to really protect your eyes from harsh UV rays.

You can choose between the brown or the white pair if you win! How fantastic is that.

To enter, leave a comment here and share the competition on facebook or twitter. Plus LIKE the Sunglasses Shop facebook page and follow them on twitter if you use these social media.

Winner will be drawn at random on 29 February 2012.

How to Wear Horizontal Stripes Without Looking Wide

Imogen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:02:45 +0000

Should you wear horizontal stripes?

Many people talk about horizontal stripes as the work of the devil. It’s true they can be widening, but some can also be lengthening. It’s all in the detail, the scale and your shape and scale and how you wear them.

horizontal stripes by imogenl featuring striped tops

The wider the horizontal, the more your eye will slow down and focus on it. Why? Because we’re looking for the horizon – it gives us balance. How often when you see a picture that is crooked do you feel compelled to straighten it up? That’s the effect of horizontal lines on our own perception of balance and what is straight.

The narrower the stripe, the harder it is for our eye to focus on one line, so narrow horizontals actually start working like verticals, moving the eye up and down, rather than side to side.

The longer the garment, the more easy it is to wear stripes, as the garment is a more vertical garment, than a short horizontal one, further made to look broader by the horizontal stripes.

What is your scale? If you’re petite, medium or larger stripes will dwarf you. Look for only narrow stripes. If you’re medium scale, you can choose a more medium stripe as I have in my skirt. Very tall, but naturally slim? Then you can work with the larger scale stripes. Larger scale but curvy? Go for a medium stripe rather than a large one.

Inside Imogen’s Wardrobe – Jeans casual

Imogen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Imogen, casual in jeans and pink chiffon top

Frequently I’m asked “As an image consultant do you always have to dress up?”. My answer is, “Well I still wear jeans and t-shirts, but they’re good jeans and t-shirts and I tend to accessorize too.” You never know when you leave the house, even if it’s just the supermarket or the school run, if you’ll be bumping into your next client, and as they say, you never get a second change to make a first impression.

So I thought I’d share some of my outfits over the coming weeks and months and also write a little about why I wear them, why they work for me and how I put them together.

When I’m not seeing clients, I don’t dress up quite so much, particularly if I’m spending most of my day sitting in front of the computer writing blog posts, working on my business, creating new products, and dealing with the general administration of running a business, I like to feel comfortable, it’s one of my drivers. So what do I wear?

Imogen casual in red

Outfit 1: Stretch straight leg jeans (Country Rd), ballet flats (Novo), Pink chiffon top (boutique buy) with pink shrug (Temt) and peacock necklace (Wild Bling).

Outfit 2: Jeans as in outfit 1, sandals (Novo – Giselle Bundchen IPANEMA), red top (Target), black shrug (Glassons), Necklace (market find).

So why these outfits?

Body Shape

Well as you’d know I’m an H shape, so I tend to avoid clothes that have too much waist definition – always avoid anything with an obvious waist seam as it makes my large (G cup) bust look larger, and my waist look proportionally even shorter than it already is.

You’ll notice that neither of these really highlight my waist – they bypass without drawing attention.

Even though I’m bypassing my waist, I still need clothes to come back in and fit my body around my high hip area so that it doesn’t all just look baggy and make me look really big.

Body Proportions

I’ve got fairly long legs, and a slightly shorter body, which particularly with a large bust, looks visually shorter than it is, so I need my tops to finish no higher than my hip bone and can go down to my upper thigh, just past my widest point so that it doesn’t make my thighs/hips look even wider.

Body Variations

My main body variation is my large bust, it’s the reason I became an image consultant as I had to learn how to dress it so I didn’t look like a page 3 girl and so people would talk to my face rather than my chest. Lower necklines also visually diminish my bust size. I’ve discovered that cowl necklines can be really flattering, they drape softly, not clinging and then I use a large scale piece of jewellery to create the optical illusion that my breasts are smaller than they are. Believe me, it works.

Like many women, I don’t have Michelle Obama arms, so I make sure that sleeves cut at narrow points, rather than wide ones, either 3/4 is fantastic or notice how the red top the sleeves are vertical rather than horizontal, and vertical lines slim!

I’ve had a couple of kids, and with a short waist and H shape, my tummy is a little soft and cuddly, so I’m always looking for clothes with some drape or a bit of ruching so that the fabric doesn’t sit flat and smooth against this part of my body – for my clothes that do sit that way I end up wearing some shapewear underneath, which is not something I want to do everyday – particularly in the summer months.

Shoes

On my feet it’s always about comfort, but in a feminine way. I can’t wear sneakers unless I’m doing exercise. The minute I stop exercising I feel I have to take them off, they just aren’t mentally comfortable for me. So the shoes I choose when I want to be comfortable are flat and don’t bind my feet or press on my bunions, but I still like them to be feminine in some way, not too chunky, a little bow or other detail.

Choosing accessories

Accessories in Detail

My necklaces, as I’ve mentioned earlier are always large in scale because of their optical illusion effect of making things next to them look smaller. I chose the peacock necklace as the small detail in its construction works with the bitty pattern of the pink chiffon top.

The silver swirl necklace works with the cleaner lines of the red top, but relates to the curve of the neckline and drape (it wouldn’t look right if I’d put on a really angular necklace).

The leather studded cuff that’s next to my more feminine but still a little creative watch works with the casual feel of my jeans and toughens the look up a touch.

So there you go – I’ve deconstructed how I put my outfits together and what I wear when I’m in casual non-work mode. What do you think about when you get dressed?

How to Accessorize – Jewellery

Imogen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Today Jill Chivers of My Year Without Clothes Shopping and I discuss how to use accessories to change your look in this short video.