Pokemon Go – What to Wear!

It appears that catching Pokemon has recently become a national pastime and as such it’s my duty as a Personal Stylist to give you some guidelines on what to wear so you can look stylish while capturing Pokemon.

Footwear – choose comfortable and good looking shoes, with sufficient grip to allow you to run and leap when necessary.

Pants – choose a style with lots of stretch. Pokemon Go players are sometimes required to climb over fences into private property (so I’ve heard) so dresses are definitely out of the question.

Tops – A T-Shirt emblazoned with your favourite Pokemon is just perfect.

Costume – Cause confusion and show those Pokemon you mean business by disguising yourself as one of them.

Head wear – I suggest you wear a balaclava to avoid being recognised by friends and family.

Although this may lead to others misunderstanding your activity and YOU could end up being the one captured.

If you would like to know more contact me via my website or Facebook page.

Short and Stylish – Top Tips for Looking Taller

A lot of my shorter clients ask for styling tips and tricks to make them look taller, and what they should avoid wearing. Sc I’ve put all my best advice here in one blog for you!

Tonal colour from head to toe.

This creates a lengthening column of colour. If you wear a different colour on your top half to your bottom half you will visually shorten yourself.

Heels.

This seems fairly obvious, but remember to keep the height of your heels in proportion – if you are very short you do not need a very high heel. In fact, going too high will only highlight your shortness. Matching your shoe colour to the colour on your legs is a simple but effective way to look taller. For example, if you are wearing bare legs, wear nude coloured shoes. Wear black shoes with black opaque tights. It’s another form of column dressing.

Shorter hemlines.

Going above the knee with your hemline will make your legs appear much longer than they are. But you can also embrace the midi trend by choosing a dress/skirt that has a shorter underlay over sheer lace, or wearing a fitted, deep V neck top, over a high waist midi skirt, with heels.

Highlight your waist.

Find wear your natural waist is by running your hands down the side of your torso. The most narrow part is the area you want to highlight. Make sure your tops and dresses are fitted in this area, or use the half tuck method on looser shirts.

Wearing belts and high waist skirts and pants, cropped tops and jackets will all visually lengthen your legs. And who doesn’t want long legs?

Point your toes.

Choose pointy toe shoes over rounded toes to visually lengthen your legs. This is especially useful when choosing flat shoes.

Smaller handbag.

It’s all about proportion. An oversized handbag will accentuate your shortness, but a small bag, clutch or a mini satchel will be perfect. Mini satchels are very on trend, so embrace them!

What to avoid…..

Big prints.

Mid calf length boots.

Wide length pants.

Round toe shoes.

Jeans that are too long, causing bunching at ankle.

Oversized accessories.

Midi length dresses and skirts with flat shoes.

Ankle straps.

3/4 length pants.

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia. For more information on all things styling, visit myFacebook page or website.

Winter Weekend Capsule Travel Wardrobe

Going away for a weekend this Winter? Margaret River or somewhere similar?

You really only need to take a few carefully selected garments, similiar to those above, to have an outfit for any occasion that may arise. Except a black tie function.

Here’s how to combine these items for 5 different looks:

Friday Night – Travelling and Arrival – A, D and G. 

Saturday Morning – Al Fresco Breakfast – A, B, E and H. Wear scarf and gloves for extra style and warmth.

Saturday Afternoon – Wine Tasting and Lunch – C, D , H and scarf.

Saturday Evening – Dinner – C, F and H. Wear E for extra warmth, and necklace for style.

Sunday – Check out, Breakfast and Travel – A, E, F , B and G. Add scarf and gloves for warmth and style.

You should be able to fit your weekend travel wardrobe, including toiletries, sleepwear and underwear, easily into an overnight bag. Leaving plenty of room in the boot for cartons and cartons of wine!

Cheers!

If you would like to know more contact me via my website or Facebook page.

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Winter Weekend Capsule Travel Wardrobe

 Going away for a weekend this Winter? Margaret River or somewhere similar.

You really only need to take a few carefully selected garments, similar to those above, to have an outfit for any occasion that may arise. Except a black tie function.

Here’s how to combine these items for 5 different looks:

Friday Night – Travelling and Arrival – A, D and G.

Saturday Morning – Al Fresco Breakfast – A, B, E and H. Wear scarf and gloves for extra style and warmth.

Saturday Afternoon – Wine Tasting and Lunch – C, D , H and scarf.

Saturday Evening – Dinner – C, F and H. Wear E for extra warmth, and necklace for style.

Sunday – Check out, Breakfast and Travel – A, E, F , B and G. Add scarf and gloves for warmth and style.

You should be able to fit your weekend travel wardrobe, including toiletries, sleepwear and underwear, easily into an overnight bag. Leaving plenty of room in the boot for cartons and cartons of wine!

Cheers!

If you would like to know more contact me via my website or Facebook page.

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Cankles – What to Wear and What to Avoid

Cankle – “The absence of a defined ankle on a person – whereby the calf of the leg merges directly into the foot.” Urban Dictionary

Ankles and calves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, just like most other body parts. Some women are naturally slender in the lower leg and others are not. Hormonal changes, pregnancy and fluid retention can also cause temporary thickening and swelling of the ankles.

Here are a few of my favourite tips on what to wear to visually lengthen and slim the lower leg and ankle, and what you should bypass to avoid highlighting or visually thickening the area.

LOOK FABULOUS IN……

Full Length Pants – Opt for a straight leg or boot cut style over leggings or skinny leg pants unless you’re wearing long boots.

Boots – Long boots worn over leggings or skinny leg pants will elongate and slim your legs. There are are a few stores that stock boots made for wider calves, such as Autograph Fashion but if you are unable to find a comfortable fitting pair, try some ankle boots, which can be worn underneath your boot cut or straight pants, or  matched colour with tights and leggings to wear with dresses and tunics.

 

Chunky Shoes – Look for some height and thickness in the heel of your footwear. Think proportionally – a more substantial shoe will make your ankle appear slimmer. Details on the front of the shoe, open backs and round toes are all features to look for.

BE CAREFUL WITH:

Cropped Pants – These will draw attention to your calves and ankles. 

Ankle Straps – Direct attention to your ankles and also cut off the length of your leg, visually shortening.

Pointed Toes and Kitten Heels – Will make the foot look too large for the shoe. Think proportionally.

 

But wait….there’s more!

The length of your pants and boots, and the hemline of your dresses and skirts must also be a factor. Avoid anything that is mid calf length, instead find the narrow part(s) of your lower legs. This is usually just above and just below the knee.

Hemlines should be simple (no frills or flounces) and sit at the slimmest part of your leg. Try matching your hemline, hosiery and shoe colour for a longer, leaner look. 

Last but not least….Draw the attention upwards with a statement necklace, bold earrings or a scarf. Distraction works a treat!

Robyn X

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Deciphering Dress Codes – Made Easy

Have you ever been invited to a function and been unsure of the correct style of outfit to wear? Most of us have – whether it’s a beach wedding, a business awards night or a fundraiser,  dressing for an occasion that is not a usual part of our daily life can be confusing and leave you feeling less confident that you would like to be feeling!

Your first step is to check the invitation for the dress code. Hopefully the expectations of the host in regard to guest attire will be clear, and this is usually the case with weddings. You might see the words ‘Formal’, ‘Smart Casual’ or ‘Cocktail’, for example.

If you’re attending an event such as a ball, fundraiser or business awards, the dress code may not be so clear, although clues are often in the title of the event – a black tie ball or a cocktail party fundraiser etc. If it’s an annual event, perhaps you can have a look at websites and/or social media pages for photos from previous years for guidance.

Smart Casual

Probably the trickiest of all dress codes, and you really have to consider what type of function you’re going to – what might be considered smart casual for one event might be too casual or dressy for another. Generally though pants, above the knee dresses and flat shoes are all acceptable.

Photo from Pinterest

Photo from Pinterest

 

Cocktail

A knee length dress (above, on or below the knee – whichever suits you best), an evening pantsuit, dress pants and evening top are all appropriate. If you’re a clever dresser, you can go straight from work to play by wearing a simple but well fitted dress, and then changing your shoes, accessories and lipstick.

It’s really best to avoid wearing a full length dress to a cocktail event – especially if it’s a wedding.

Anthea Crawford dress

Black Tie

Black tie events generally start after 6 pm, and are pretty fancy! Men will be tuxedos (yummo!). Floor length gowns are traditionally worn to black tie events, but in this day and age, a cocktail dress in rich colour or fabric will suffice – just make sure your accessories, hair and make-up are immaculate so you don’t look too casual.

Anthea Crawford

Anthea Crawford

White Tie

The most formal of the formal. Dress in a floor length gown, adding gloves and wearing your hair up.

Photo from Vogue

Can you wear white to a wedding?

Although it’s becoming more common, I’d check with the bride. The safe bet, though, is not to, as even if the bride doesn’t mind, you can bet someone will take offence at your ‘attempt to steal the bride’s thunder’!

Finally

Remember you will feel more comfortable if your outfit matches your style personality so try and stay as true as you can!

 

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

 

 

 

 

How to Wear a Scarf – Perfectly!

Scarves Equal Style in Winter

Adding a scarf can add instant warmth and style to your outfit, and here a few of my tips and tricks to scarf wearing that will raise your outfit much higher in the style stakes.

Your Body Shape Matters.

The way you wear your scarf can make you look taller and slimmer! One of my styling mantras (to do with everything you wear, not just scarves) is not to add bulk to areas you feel are already bulky enough.

If you are big busted you’ll suit a finer fabric scarf tied in a way that creates a deep V, or a scooped cowl. Leave some space beneath your chin!

Photo from Pinterest

For the oval / apple body shaped ladies, scarves worn long and narrow will be flattering. You can also tie a knot in the scarf just below your bust for another look.

Photo from Autograph Fashion

For those lovely ladies who are broader through the hips, thighs or bottom – well, you are the lucky ones! You can go to town with scarves – get on You Tube and watch the millions of tutorials on how to wear a scarf. Scarves are perfect for you – they help to balance, visually creating an hourglass body shape.

Photo from Katies Fashion

The Question of Colour

Because you wear your scarves close to your face, choosing a flattering colour is imperative. If you have a few minutes spare, grab all your scarves, and in natural light, hold each one up, right underneath your chin, and look at the effect the colour has on your skin and eyes. If your skin looks fresher and eyes brighter, it’s a keeper. If not, toss it.

Be Careful of Clutter

Finally, ensure that the scarf doesn’t clutter your outfit – if you have too many focal points to an outfit it (and you) will look messy.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Three Wardrobe basics to buy during Winter Sales.

Winter sales are about to start in most clothing stores and although I’m not an advocate of waiting for it to go on sale before buying a garment, here are three items that you need in your winter wardrobe and can be bought on sale.

1. Coat.

Metalicus Austin Textured Coat $199 (was $299.95)

A good quality coat in a timeless style will last much longer than just one winter.  A beige trench coat or a classically styled wool coat can be almost an investment, so buy the best quality you can afford. Which is even better if the coat is on sale. Make sure the colour and style will mix and match with your current wardrobe – you will want to be able to wear your new coat with everything. Look for a flattering fit and length.

2. Jeans

Jeanswest Tummy Trimmer Slim Straight $23.99, reduced from $69.99

Sale time is the perfect time to buy a high quality pair of jeans. When trying on jeans, remember that they will give almost a full size, so make sure the fit is super snug. Generally speaking, if you want a dressier pair of jeans, choose dark or black denim, but for a casual look, go for a lighter or faded denim. And yes, no matter what your age is, you can wear ripped jeans, while they remain on trend. For solving problems often encountered with buying jeans, read my blog here.

3. Leather boots.

Sandler Lennox Black Glove boots at Myer $174.96, reduced from $249.95

Not only will you be stepping out in style with a brand new pair of stylish leather boots, you’ll also have a spring in your step if you managed to get them at discounted price!

One of the most important thing about choosing boots, besides comfort, is the correct length. A flattering boot will lengthen and slim your legs, while the wrong boot will do the reverse. Choose a style that fits with the clothing you already own – if you have a wardrobe full of classic clothing, a pair of cowboy boots are not going to get much wear!

 

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Using a Personal Stylist – Why it’s the New Norm

In the early 1990’s, I was a young mother of two working part time as an aerobics instructor at various local Tasmanian fitness centres. One day, I came home and told my husband that I had an idea for a business, but that I would need to travel to mainland Australia to do the training for it. I discussed my idea with a few close friends, most of whom told me to forget it. I was living in a small Tasmanian city, and they could not see how my business vision would ever work.

No-one in their right minds would ever pay $20 an hour to have someone physically train them – personal trainers were only for the very wealthy and famous. I persisted and became one of Tasmania’s first female personal trainers.

Me! Circa 1995 – Photo by  Karleen Minney

More than twenty years later, Personal Trainers are used commonly by the general population. Everyone I know has used one at some stage, for a variety of reason.

A few years ago, as owner and manager of a fashion boutique, I did a Graduate Certificate of Business at University of Tasmania, and completed an assignment predicting that, in the same way people now use personal trainers to maximise their fitness goals, there would be a rapid growth in the use of Personal Stylists.

Why use a Personal Stylist?

We live busier lives these days, with different priorities. The rise of social media has made us become very much aware of the importance of our image. More and more women and men are choosing to use a stylist to help with their wardrobe, either on a one off basis, or two to three times a year.  You may think it’s expensive (around $100 per hour is an average fee) but go and add up how many items you have in your wardrobe that you’ve only worn once or twice, or, even worse, never. And how many hours and hours have you wasted trying to find the right outfit!

Instead of thinking “Can I afford to use a stylist?” ask yourself if you can afford not too?

 

Who uses Paterson Personal Styling?

Most of my clients are not rich and famous – most of them are everyday women living in normal circumstances who are feeling frustrated  and lost with their clothing and that their clothing doesn’t really reflect who they are and is not flattering to their body shape and colouring.

And I can fix that!

The benefits of using me as your Personal Stylist

My clients come to me because it saves them a lot of time and stress, and also quite a bit of money. Together we create a wardrobe that mixes and matches, is flattering shape wise and colour wise, and is in line with their lifestyle, personality and, importantly, budget.

And you know what I love about personal styling particularly  in comparison to personal training?

The results are IMMEDIATE! I can make you look younger, slimmer and taller in about two hours!

Without you even breaking a sweat!

 

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.

 

Building Your Brand Using Your Wardrobe

In a recent blog post I explained the importance of making a good impression – in a nutshell, you have three seconds. So you can see that most first impressions will be based on body language and appearance.

Although most of us aware that it’s not nice to judge someone based on the way they look, we are doing it subconsciously all the time, and similarly, others are also making assumptions about us.

For the business person, using your wardrobe as part of your personal branding is a great strategy.

Dress to reflect not only your personality, but also your business. And not just your business, but the most successful vision of your business. In other words- as Roxette once sang about – get dressed for success.

Today, I am talking specifically to owner/operators about how you can  enhance not only your own personal style, but also use your wardrobe to create an awesome personal brand for your business.

There’s a lot of stuff on the web about this, but I noticed that it’s quite generic. And yet, as small business owners, we are not generic! And the clothes we wear when conducting our business should not be generic either- we should radiate the essence of our business and reflect its personality.

But how do you give your business a style personality?

If you were to put your ‘why’, mission statement, point of difference, unique selling point AND you into a blender, what words would come out?

Professional, ethical and honest? Trustworthy? These are obvious words and most articles on wardrobes and branding are based on creating the image that you are all of the above.

But go further than just that. Look for the words that are less generic, more individual and unique. These words help you define the personality of your business.

For example, is your business creative or artistic?  Remember, you have only three seconds to impress upon your potential client that you are not only professional, ethical, honest – you are also creative and artistic, so your clothes should have an element of creativity or even drama about them.

Style a wardrobe to reflectyour business personality, in it’s most successful form.

You will be very comfortable wearing your ne
w work wardrobe, as it’s based  both, on you personally, as well as the fundamentals of your business. 

I am available for Personal Style workshops, public speaking, wardrobe and colour consultations and personal shopping styling sessions, based in Perth, Western Australia.