Finding the right choices for you!
Over at the G&T Style Club - which is me and my friend Gill's style group on Instagram - we opened the floor up recently for people to send in their style dilemmas for us to answer and it was interesting to see that there were a few issues that popped up time and time again.
It's all about getting the fabric right as sometimes a jersey fabric, while very comfortable, can just highlight the bust area even more. I also think the waist height on trousers and skirts is incredibly important. You need to create space between the bust and the waist, so if you go for something super high waisted, you are just shortening the torso area.
For me, anything with a super fussy paper bag waist just never works well so I tend to avoid that style.
Another question that people seem to struggle with is how to add colour to your wardrobe. I’ve always been a big fan of bright and vibrant colours but I know that many people shy away from them in favour of a more neutral and muted colour palette.
The easiest and most simple way to add colour to your look is with accessories. Hairbands, scarves or a brightly coloured shoe are all super simple ways to add your favourite colours to your outfit without a big cash investment. If you’re feeling a little braver, then pick a coloured top and pair it with your favourite denim. In summer I like to wear white or cream jeans and these act as an even better base to bright summer shades. Also a cream or white denim or linen jacket, which to me are summer wardrobe staples, and also work well to tone down coloured dresses and make them that bit more accessible to someone who is experimenting with wearing colour.
The last dilemma that a few people had was whether to buy one more expensive thing or a couple of cheaper items.
This is really very subjective to each person and to their budget. You can buy cheaper items, but look after them with care, storing them correctly and washing them on gentle washes and not using the tumble dryer much.
I’ve bought items for not that much money and they have lasted me for years and years. Look at your wardrobe and the pieces you wear most often. For me it's jackets and a few years ago I invested in an All Saints leather jacket. However it was a style I had worn many times before in fake leather options from the high street so I knew the shape suited me and it’s been an investment that I have worn countless times. Things like t-shirts I tend to just buy quite cheaply and replenish them every few seasons when needs be.
If you’re someone who wears denim a lot, it might be worth investing in a good pair of jeans.
Again, it's all very dependent on what you wear a lot of, but personally I think you can’t go wrong with outerwear as an investment piece. It’s the item we wear most in Ireland and it can really make or break an outfit plus it’s the first item people notice when they meet you!
It’s worth having a look in charity shops (when they re-open), consignment stores, Depop and Ebay for second hand items from more expensive labels. You can often get lucky and find a great investment piece for a fraction of the original price.