Fashion Tips for Man

Fit comes first – The most dramatic improvement you can make in your style is to make sure everything fits. Most guys wear clothes that are too large. Make sure everything you wear is almost hugging the curves of your body - without being tight.

Keep it simple – You want a wardrobe that looks great on you but you don’t want to overdo it. For example, don’t wear more than three pieces of jewelry or more than three colors. Don’t dress like a rock star unless you’re in a band. If you want to be flashy, a simpler but stylish look would be sporting a black striped dress shirt with a white blazer, a dark pair of jeans, a white belt, and your favorite pair of shoes. You could also add a flashy watch or a simple accessory like an interesting necklace, but nothing more.

Change the way you see casual - casual doesn’t have to be boring. Have fun with collared shirts, or take some inspiration from those who approach casual a bit differently.

Dress in balance - Some sweaters are lean and others are big and chunky. The first rule of thumb is that your top and bottom halves need to match. If you’re wearing a big, chunky, rugged fisherman knit sweater, your bottom needs to be rugged, too. Don’t wear a fisherman’s sweater with a beautiful silk-and-wool suit pant. Instead, wear it with something as casual as cargoes or jeans, or dress it up with a Harris tweed blazer.

Better overdressed  - Don’t overdo it to a fault, but still take some risks. It’s always better to be a little bit overdressed than underdressed in a situation. All you have to do is think about where and who you’re going to be with and just step it up one notch.

Never underestimate the power of details – The last thing on is usually the first thing noticed. So mind the details instead of throwing together the main parts of your outfit. “Details” can include a scarf, a subtle pocket square, you shoes.

Invest in a good pair of shoes – If it’s one thing that women will notice, it’s your shoes. Especially how clean they are. It’s easy to wash and press the rest of your clothes to keep them looking new, but most guys disregard their shoes. Show you’re a man of taste by getting a nice pair of shoes and keeping them in pristine condition. It’s the fastest way to showing others that you take care of yourself.

Disregard trends – You shouldn’t wear something just because it’s “in” right now. Always build a versatile and timeless (or classic) wardrobe first, and then bring in your own twists with some of the new stuff. This one tip has saved me so much money.

Don’t buy only Brand names -  Before you decide to purchase an item, ask yourself if you are buying it because it’s “in style” or because it genuinely suits you. Ask yourself if you would buy the garment if it didn’t have a logo on it.

Experiment with style – The only way you’ll really learn, is if you go out there and try new things. If you make mistakes, life goes on. So many guys are afraid to express themselves through their style, don’t be one of them.

Brighten up your winter’s day!

Wearing color is the easiest way to brighten up a grey winter’s day. Whether it’s donning a bright dress or coat to frighten away the winter blues, or even as simple as adding a touch of color with a scarf or some jewelry, you’ll find wearing color will bring a smile to you and to those who see you.

Did you know that different colors evoke different feelings and responses from people? It’s sometimes referred to as “The Psychology of Colour”.

Blue is used by some banks and government agencies such as the Police, because it is a trustworthy color. It sends the message: dependable, safe, trustworthy, loyal.

Red = Passion, strength, sensual, power
Pink = Femininity, health, love, confidence
Green = Intelligence, life, nature
Yellow = Sunlight, joy, happiness,playfulness
Orange = Happiness, energy, enthusiasm, flamboyance
Purple = Sensuality, creativity, wealth, royalty

Colour is quite fascinating really. There are some colors which can make people look younger and healthier, and others that can drain them and make them look ill. It’s all to do with the undertone of your skin. You either have a warm or a cool undertone to your skin. Warm being yellow and cool being blue.

So if you have a warm undertone, you will suit colors with a warm yellow base to them. If you have a cool undertone you will suit colors with a cool blue base to them.

Take Red for instance, if you have a true red paint, and you add a bit of yellow to it, you end up with a warm orange-red. If you add a bit of blue to the true red paint, you’ll get a cool blue-red. 

However, when you are wearing a color that doesn’t suit you, any lines and wrinkles, blemishes and dark circles under-eye will stand out more… yikes! You may look more ashen and grey, or slightly sallow, yellow and ill.

Have you ever had anyone say to you “Are you feeling ok today? You look a bit ill.” when you are actually fine? It’s probably because of the colour you were wearing that day. Interesting, isn’t it?

Knowing what colors suit you also saves you time when you’re shopping. You know exactly what colors to try on, and you can pass by entire racks that you know won’t work for you. It’s all about shopping with confidence. You won’t make any more shopping mistakes that end up at the back of your closet!

 
Wear some color to brighten up your grey winter’s day. You’ll be amazed at how it will make you feel. 


If you’d like to find out what colours really suit you, we offer a Personal Color Analysis in which we analyze your coloring and give you a palate of your best colours, that you can take with you when you go shopping. We also do your makeup and show you how to pick the best makeup colours to suit you. View our services to see how we can help. 

How to wear a summer hat

It's not quite as simple as you may think

From Frank Sinatra's Fedora to Charlie Chaplin's bowler, the hat has been a strong sartorial choice by many great men. But a misjudged hat can leave you looking more than a little foolish (think Simon in the Inbetweeners). With this in mind we've got a couple of tips from Julia Rebaudo, resident blogger for StyleCompare.co.uk, on how to wear one with style.

"The key to wearing a hat well is knowing what suits your face shape and picking the right style accordingly. The aim is to remove as much asymmetry as possible and give the appearance of balanced facial proportions – the thinking here is that the eye finds symmetry attractive."

Homburg hat

Face shape: Square. If you have a square face you need a hat that will make you appear less boxy. Avoid a tapered or square crown. Choose a hat with a full, round medium height crown with almost no taper. The brim should be wide, not narrow. Tip: Wear tilted to the side to break up square lines. Style: Homburg, Bowler

Face shape: Round. A round full face needs a hat that’s going to give you a little height to avoid looking short. Make sure the crown is of medium height and size and that there is a slight taper. A narrow band helps lengthen the face. Tip: Don’t tilt your hat forwards as it shortens the face. Styles: Fedora, Gambler, Panama

Face shape: Long. A long, thin face needs to be shortened to balance it out. So avoid hats that have a high or full crown. Choose a style that has a shorter height and a moderate taper. A moderate brim and a wide hatband is ideal. Tip: Hatbands in contrasting colours help break up vertical lines. Style: Porkpie, Fedora, Trilby 

Face shape: Big Jaw – If you have a prominent jaw then you need to avoid crowns and brims that are both too big and small. You need to go for a medium sized brim and crown with a slight taper. Tip: Don’t tilt your hat too far back. Style: Fedora, Trilby, Porkpie

How to wear them: http://www.refinery29.com/shopping-roundup-sizzlin-summer-hats/slideshow#slide-9

Feeling relaxed.....

Today the boys wanted to go to the pools.... the cool breeze was not inviting to go into the water, so I decided to sit and watch them doing their flips and jumps...... lots of fun!
To my outfit: I am wearing a very "relaxed" outfit. its very comfortable and nice fabric. the pants are linen and I love that I can pull them up (to create slimmer legs) I added the orange wool belt to add color and style. An orange singlet to add color and the off white V-neck top  (lights colors are great for summer, white, ivory, coca, cream - stay away from black!! ).
These sandals I have had for years, bought them in Israel....  but as we say trends are always back.. so these type of sandals are never out of style.... it is only a matter of wearing the same style of clothes matching the look (boho, creative) long earnings are ideal for this look...

Linen pants -got mine in Switzerland -  similar style and material can be found in Witchery
woollen belt -  hand made - easy to get in  any markets or do it your self
singlet - from Glassons 
V-neck top -  http://www.worldwear.co.nz/
Sandals  - http://www.shoebuy.co.nz and Hannahs
Earrings -Lovisa 

introducing our new teen blogger! Julia Rose!!

let this coming year...

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Dressing for work as a +size

There are some fashion faux-pas that all women need to avoid in dressing--looking bigger than we are or choosing colors that don't match our skin tones are some basics. Dressing for a size 16+ is no different, but in case you want a few tips on how to shop for your size 16 body, learning the most flattering styles and clothes is a great start to transforming your look and your wardrobe.

Learn how to dress a  + size

• Choose fabrics that compliment your body. Light flowing fabrics like silk, and non-clinging fabrics like basic wool and lightweight knit fabrics are a great choice, while bulky stiff fabrics or stretch Lycra fabrics tend to be unflattering. Most natural fabrics are also a great choice.

• Buy the right size and fit. While it is often tempting to shop down a size to encourage ourselves to diet or exercise, buying the proper size for your current self can make the difference between a stunning outfit and a fashion blunder. Always try on your clothes and if you feel you will get the best fit for your body by going up or down a size, do so. You can always tailor down from a larger size to fit your body perfectly.

• Wear the right undergarments. Wearing a great bra or panty can make all the difference in the fit of your clothes. This means that great dressing starts from the basics up; your bras should fit you well and the proper fitting panty will keep you from getting those lines that all women dread showing through their clothing from their undergarments. Having a good slip in your wardrobe is also a great idea.
  
  Highlight your assets. With all fashion, the goal should be to draw the eye to the areas we choose to highlight. If you love your waist or your legs, choose fabrics and clothing that will attract attention there. That means adding a belt, to show your curves, or wearing a nice calf length skirt to show off your legs. Patterns can be a great way to do this as well. Vertical lines are always slimming, but diagonal patterns and designs will do the trick just as well

• Make a clean line by wearing one color. Though monochrome style isn't always the most fun, remember that black isn't the only way to go. However bright or light you want to wear your outfit, a simple long dress or pantsuit is a great way to give a clean silhouette and compliments every figure

A guideline on Sale Shopping!

With some of the biggest shopping discounts of the year up for grabs, it's hard not to get carried away with the idea of the sales. However the reality of overcrowded high streets, flocks of bargain hunters and unorganized sale rails are a force to be reckoned with. Follow these tips on sale shopping.

Make a Plan
Pay a visit to your local high street in advance of the sales and plan which stores you want to visit. You'll be more familiar with the shop layout and know where to locate your dream items.

Dress Comfortably
Darting in and out of changing rooms, traipsing around your local shopping centre and waiting in endless queues is a tiring business. Wear comfortable flat shoes which can accommodate hot, swollen feet, and clothes that you can easily change out of so you don't waste valuable time in the changing rooms.

Know your Body Shape
The first step to successful clothes shopping in the sales is knowing your body shape. That way you'll know which clothes show off your best bits, making you feel confident about your style all the time. Stick to the body shape rules and you'll never make a rash sales purchase again.  Pay attention to the balance of your figure and proportions. For example, ideal top length is just below your belt. Short jacket looks great with jeans, shirt or t-shirt. Cropped pants should finish at the widest part of your ankle and will look good with high heels, flats or ankle boots.

Stay Classic if you dont know your Style Personality
The sales are not the time to experiment with new fashion ideas. Those gold lame harem pants have 70% off for a reason: no one will be wearing them next year. This sale season stick to wardrobe staples such as a nice dress or a classic jacket  - a much savvier sale purchase.
Classic pieces worth investing into:
- Trench coat
- Leather jacket
- Little black dress
- Jacket in Chanel style
- Neutral colored shirts and t-shirts
Read more about it http://coffeewithpensy.blogspot.com/2011/07/discover-your-style-personality.html

Play with color!
It’s elusive to think that if you fill up your closet with pieces of total black color you’ll have versatile wardrobe. You need color to splash to avoid looking like you’re at the office all the time. There are a couple of ways you can change your style using colors. For instance, a bright t-shirt seen from a V-sweater or a cardigan, loud accessories with a classic suit or a simple dress – will look appropriate both at work and at the party.

Double Up
We all know how difficult it can be to find that perfect pair of jeans. If you happen to stumble upon jean heaven during the sales, it's worth buying two pairs. Save one for when the first are starting to wear out - you'll thank yourself in months to come. Make sure your jeans finish just 5mm over the bottom of the heel.

Try Before You Buy
Although long queues for changing rooms can be off-putting, it's worth trying clothes on before you buy. Always ask if more sizes are available, and check garments for dodgy zips, snags and missing buttons before you hand over your cash.

Check the Returns Policy
Many shops only offer an exchange on sale items. Make sure you're entirely happy with your purchase - or are willing to buy something else from that store - before you buy.

Make your imagination fly
If you have an item that you like very much but it just doesn’t fit in your look don’t hurry to put it away. Think for a minute and make necessary corrections. Experiment with belts because they can change the silhouette. Don’t forget about brooches, scarves, kerchiefs and other stuff. Buy transformer things, look at street style of other people, and runway looks. The livelier your wardrobe is the better.

Try new color combinations

I'm trying to get my head around why in New Zealand people love to dress in black! I understand that the All Blacks are a big part of the culture; but apart from wearing it in a rugby context, black  is a very boring and depressing color to wear everyday! I call black the "colour eater" because it makes people look pale and older!

Well, this season is all about color! I assure you that after you start wearing some bright colors you will love it and never stop! Try new combinations, get out of your comfort zone! wear your best colors closer to your face! Dont forget to use color in you accesories: shoes, jewellery, scarfs!!

Here are some color combinations to try out this season:

• Fuchsia and pale yellow
• Fuchsia and orange
• Emerald green and  red
• Purple and orange
• Red and pink
• Midnight blue and teal

If you want to find out your best colors, book for a Color Consultation and Make-up -  it's a lifetime investment! http://www.confidencestyle.co.nz/services/color

Do's and Don'ts when followingTrends

Today’s women want to look good and trendy at any age. With greater job opportunities, higher disposable income and constant exposure to the latest fashion and beauty trends, women today are certainly wanting to be more savvy in their overall visual presentation. However, the desire to be “IN” may actually become your worst nightmare when you cannot keep up with fashion’s notorious fickleness and end up looking so “last year”! Fashion comes and goes in hyper speed; sometimes a hot fad may fizzle out in a matter of months. To avoid looking like a fashion victim, here are some general guidelines:

1. Do invest in timeless items such as tank tops, jeans, well-cut blazers and little black dresses. You cannot go wrong with these classic pieces. Buy them in neutral solid colours for easy coordination with other trendier pieces.

2. Do opt for a natural sheer look be it your make-up, nail polish or hairdo. If you are in the creative field, you can be more adventurous with your style, otherwise a sun-kissed matte look always project a sharper and polished image. If you want to experiment with bold colour make-up, go for a matte instead of glossy finishing for work.
3. Do update your wardrobe in small doses. For example, trendy accessories such as a bright colour handbag, patterned tights in neutral colours or laced-up booties will add instant wow into your core wardrobe without having to spend too much.

4. Do wear your hair in a neat and light style. Frizzy or flyaway hair can be kept in control with the use of hair products or accessories. Long hair should be sleek and tidy; wear it in a chignon style or low ponytail for an elegant day-to-day look.
5. Do wear trendy fashion because you really like them and not for insecurity reasons. You do not have to be togged in trends from top to toe to look good and feel belonged. Inner beauty triumphs over fashion at the end of the day. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, think positively and cultivate friendships. As designer Kenneth Cole says "To be aware is more important than what you wear."

• Don’t bet on exaggerated styles, cuts and colours to stay for long e.g. acid wash jeans, big shoulder pads, micro minis, neon colours and military jackets. These styles are not only difficult to pull off but they will fade away by this time next year. 
• Don’t wear flip-flops in and out of the office. It does not matter if they are branded, fashionable or ultra comfortable. A slipper is a slipper and it has no place in the corporate world. It instantly diminishes your credibility at work.
• Don’t wear bright make-up to work. Blue eyelids were hot in the 1980’s and are making a comeback but unless you work in a beauty industry, I would recommend that you choose a softer blue palette for the board room.
• Don’t overdo in the accessories department. Big bold accessories may be the trend now, but wearing oversize necklaces or rings will be distracting for the office. You will want your boss, co-workers and clients to focus on your sales pitch or presentation rather than your fashion statement.
• Don’t wear leggings to work no matter how casual your office is. Leggings will continue to be a strong trend but that doesn’t mean it should become your office wardrobe staple. Remember you will want to stand out in the crowd and not be one of the crowd to get that promotion.