some ‘not trendy’ fashion rules to live by

• Trends can turn into fashion favourites when we resonate with the colour, the pattern, the scale, or the mood of the piece. If we resonate with some aspect of it or it relates to our personality or personal style somehow, then it looks like it belongs to us and not to the fashion season. When you wear a trendy item this way, the response should be, “You look so you” not “You look so Autumn/Winter 2009.”
• Buy that trendy item you love. Take it home but leave the tags on it. Let 72-hours go by. Do you still love it? Then cut the tags off and go for it.
• It’s okay to ignore very current trends, and just tweak last years favourites that worked. Aim to look your best and you’ll always be in style.

The picture above is just that example. Unless you’re a 20-year-old professional rockstar, it’s not great to put every single trend on your body at once. To be fair, this is a model paid to wear these clothes, photographed by professionals for catalogue depictions of current trends.

Look closely at the different trends:

1. Punk leggings (note the numerous zips)
2. White shirt
3. Faux fur gilet
4. Big handbag
5. Gladiator studded heels

You’re (hopefully!) unlikely to get dressed in this outfit for ordinary life, yet, taken bit by bit, there may be a trend idea here that is perfect for you. The key is to modify, modify, modify. Here’s how.

• Leggings are so useful, and so you’ve got a figure that can handle them, try them. If you’re over 19-years-old, be cautious. This is a look (especially with the zips) that could make a more mature woman look trashy. Instead, look for close fitting trousers that follow the lines of your body but aren’t as tight as spandex.

• White shirts are very popular and a crisp white shirt, either simple or with interesting designs, can be a great wardrobe basic. In fact, if the price is right, buy two or three, as they need to be laundered more often than coloured blouses.

• A faux fur gilet like this one could be a great “third” piece in an outfit. Wear a classic slim skirt with black tights and ballet style pumps, a white shirt and add a vest and you’ve got a great way to wear this season’s trend without looking too trendy. A vest would be great with jeans or full trousers as well, with a slim-fitting poloneck underneath it.

• A big handbag could is great accessory that is your season’s key piece. A handbag that we feel great about gives us great confidence compared to something we’ve been using for years and is showing wear. Who needs all the other trends when you’ve got this showstopper?

• These gladiator-studded heels are pretty over the top but you can find some that have 40% fewer studs, and maybe they would be the attitude shoes of the season for you. Wearing those modified heels with the addition of some layered longer chain necklaces could be a nice combo with some tamer separates.

I discovered Biosculpture about 3 years ago and I have converted quite a few clients from false nails – which I personally find a bit fake looking however short and neat.

It basically looks like regular nail polish, but is a gel which is set under UV light. It offers a protective coat to the nail which is why I love it. They don’t break, split or chip and I get 3-4 weeks out of them before they need to be soaked off and redone. I tend to go for the natural look at the momnet, which means i can paint a bright summery colour over if i fancy it for a day or two, and then remove as normal using an acetone free remover.

Anyway, I went to Nails Inc on South Molton Street yesterday to get them re done. I decided to go pale pink this time and the lovely Chantal did a fantastic job…

Its amazing how much getting my nails done gives me a lift and makes me feel groomed. I totally recommend it!

Here are some tips and ideas from my newsletter on how to feel and look cool in this heat – long may it continue!

look for natural fabrics. Cotton muslin, organza & chiffon, light weight linen, and wool. Knowing what fabrics to shop for is half the battle to overcoming summer heat. Read the labels! Natural fibres – cotton/silk/wool – breathe better than manmade. Layer lightweight loose fabrics over an absorbing cotton vest for a cool solution. In direct sun it is cooler – and healthier- to keep skin covered up in a fine cotton shirt, and wear the vest alone when in the shade. Gap and Uniqlo have great cotton casual shirts, and try Top Shop and American Apparel for a rainbow assortment of plain vests.

wear clothes that don’t restrict. Be especially careful at the arms and the waist. Pinched biceps or waistlines are more miserable in heat. When things look too tight, you look uncomfortable and probably feel uncomfortable, and that’s not cool. If your are concerned about looking pregnant in some looser styles, make sure you show off the smallest part of your waist with a skinny belt, and slim legs in a white skinny jeans or leggings. This goes for shoes too. Tight and uncomfortable shoes are even worse in the heat. If you are a heel wearer, invest in some comfortable wedge sandals, and if you are a flats girl, try some gold gladiator style sandals. Clarks – yes said Clarks! – have some great summer styles in and they are comfortable, stylish and they come in half sizes so they will fit!

follow the 50/50 rule. All-over fullness looks sloppy and adds imaginary pounds. If you’re wearing one close-fitting garment such as a skinny jean, you can let the top be looser. If you’re wearing a close-fitting summer top or a vest, wear a looser skirt, wide-legged or baggy trousers.

printed fabrics hide perspiration better than solid-colored fabrics. If you need an excuse to step outside your comfort zone and try a print, this is it! If you are prone to perspiration, disguise your sweat marks by wearing a patterned summer top or dress. Also, make sure you buy one of the ‘anti-white mark’ deodorants to make sure you don’t mark your coloured and dark clothes.

cover ups. If you don’t like to show off your arms, buy a lightweight casual linen jacket as a cool alternative to cardigans. Top Shop and Gap both have good value ones right now. Otherwise, you can transform a cotton or linen blouse into a jacket when you roll the sleeves up. Expose your wrists and forearms and wear a vest top underneath. Also try Banana Republic and Uniqlo for loose cotton cardigans. Carry a shawl or fine-weight pashmina with you. It can be great over bare arms for protection from the sun and is also perfect in air-conditioned restaurants for added warmth.

update your sunglasses. This will be your defining summer accessory when your clothes are simple. Sunglasses will instantly update your look. Pick a classic pair in black or tortoise shell frame that have ‘style’ written all over them, and make sure you try on lots of different shapes! Choose ones that suit you, that you feel comfortable in and that work with the shape of your face, rather than following celebrity trends.

book a pedicure! Or at least paint your toenails – essential if you’re wearing sandals that bare all. Have fun choosing the colour. You can afford to go brighter and more daring on toes than on hands, and wear colours that would not suit your skin tone normally. There are some gorgeous corals and oranges available – I’m loving nails inc’s orange called Hans Place.

switch your leather handbag. Try canvas, cotton, or straw for a lighter, more summery look. This is a refreshing change from heavy winter bags and a great source for style and individuality. If you wear lots of prints, look for a solid, natural-coloured bag. Otherwise, a gorgeous leather bag in a bright colour is a great way to bring in a splash of colour if you are not brave enough to wear it on your person.