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Side Zip Trousers

Thursday 15 January 2015

If you want to create a slimmer silhouette then avoid trousers that have bulky buttons & zips at the front; those that zip at the side are much more flattering, particularly under tunic tops.  

However, they are not always easy to find, but here are some in the shops at the minute:

Side Zip Trouser, available in Black & Charcoal


Side Zip Trouser, available in Navy & Black



Cropped side zip trousers, available in Black & Dark Blue

Side Zip Wide Leg Trousers, available in Black & Navy

Berry Side Zip Jegging





Slimming gym clothes

Tuesday 6 January 2015

You may have decided to hit the gym after all the excesses of Christmas & the New Year, but the thought of all the toned gym bunnies may put you off going there!  The answer?  Look like you're the weight you want to be already by creating an optical illusion; here are some of my favourites:

Marisota Performance Tee
 
Simplybe Body Star Performance Pant

 
Spanx On-The-Go Pant

Marisota Performance Zip Jacket


Magisculpt Vest Top


Forever 21, Colour blocked Track Jacket   


Marisota Body Star Performance Sports Top





NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

Friday 2 January 2015

Although it's almost 7 years ago now that I trained to be a Colour Me Beautiful consultant, I still remember the feeling of wishing I'd known the colours and styles that suited me 10 years earlier!  As I'd spent 12 years working in the corporate world my working wardrobe was mostly black; if only I'd spent my money on light navy & charcoal I would still have those items, & wouldn't have looked so washed out every day!  Instead I sold all my black clothes, at a fraction of their cost on ebay, and started to buy the colours that flattered me, even without make-up.  It was a costly lesson to learn, but now my wardrobe is full of clothes in colours & styles that I love and feel confident wearing.

If you want to start 2015 only purchasing clothes that make you look and feel great (& not wasting money on clothes that are worn once), I cannot recommend having a professional Colour Me Beautiful consultation strongly enough.  Click here to find your closest UK Colour Me Beautiful consultant, or Color Me Beautiful if you're reading this in the US.

It's just amazing how you can instantly look younger and slimmer by understanding what suits your colouring & body shape ...


Example of a Colour Me Beautiful makeover, the before & after


Spanx, putting the skinny into jeans!

Thursday 9 October 2014

Spanx have just introduced a new range of jeans to their ever increasing range of clothing.  Their jeans come in different shapes, from skinny to boot cut, and a range of colours.  They 'feature an injeanius design with patent-pending technology that act like a hidden shaper, to tame your tummy, trim your thighs and lift your rear'.

I love that they are high-waisted & will give customers the option to wear top styles that they may have previously avoided. 

If you sign up to their newsletter you receive a 10% off code!


The Signature Skinny



The Slim-X® Slim Boot - Rich Indigo




The Signature Straight - Dark Dipped




Statement Shoes

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Just like a statement necklace is brilliant at detracting the eye away from any extra inches around your waist, a statement shoe will attract the eye away from hips / thighs / etc.  In the case of Boden's flat jewelled pointed flats there is no way an onlooker could focus anywhere else!  

If you love sparkly shoes you'll have to act fast when these beauties come online this autumn, even at £129 a pair (available in gold and black) they already have quite a following.  


www.boden.co.uk - Boden pointy flats
Pointy toe flats are a great way to extend your legs, and if they have a little extra detail (pattern / bows / sparkles) they work even better at detracting away from not-so-perfect areas. 

They look best with a little bit of skin on show, as those that are too closed can elongate your foot, as the final pair below demonstrate:



Skin on show elongates your legs

Fine if you're trying to lengthen your foot, but avoid if it's already long!


40+ Style ... J Crew

Thursday 31 July 2014

J Crew opened its' much awaited London store on Regent Street, London, 8 months ago, and although their clothes are gorgeous & great quality, it would be great if their UK prices were equivalent to what they charge in America :-( 

However, now that their sale is on there's no excuse not to add a few items to your wardrobe; here are some pieces to wear now, & some to save for Autumn / Winter ....


Colorblock tunic



Curator pant, available in a variety of colours

 


Perfect shirt in crosshatch linen, in a variety of colours

 


Swiss-dot tuxedo shirt

 

Schoolboy Blazer


Collection featherweight cashmere long-sleeve tee in stripe

 

No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool, in a variety of colours

 

As for their jewellery, well, I could buy it all, if I won the lottery that is!  They do great statement pieces; wear them with a pencil skirt and cashmere jumper, or dress up a simple white shirt & jeans:


Lulu Frost for J.Crew tropicale necklace



How to look slimmer in a swimsuit

Monday 21 July 2014

If your New Year’s Resolution of going to the gym 5 days a week and perfecting The Plank didn’t quite pan out, you’ve come to the right place ...

Marilyn Monroe showing how it's done in style!

 In summary, to feel confident in your swimwear, you need to:
  • select the right style for your body shape
  • get the same support you have from your underwear 
  • wear one of your most flattering colours
  • use accessories to deflect attention from your 'not-so-perfect areas'
The key thing to remember is not to get hung up on the size of your swimsuit, this is one item of clothing that you may have to go up (at least) one size to your usual sizing.  



Before you get started tips:
  • Be kind to yourself, if you’re going to wear fake tan on holidays then make sure you apply it a couple of days before you go shopping for your swimwear.   (Before application, exfoliate your skin by mixing a handful of brown sugar with your body lotion.  Rub the mixture in a circular motion over your skin, then rinse under a warm shower, and hey presto you'll have softer skin). 
  • Avoid foods that bloat you.  
  • Make an appointment with your beautician for waxing, a pedicure & manicure, or do it yourself.  
If you’re not ready to strut your stuff in front of a well-meaning shop assistant, why not order online and try on in the comfort of your own home?  Remember to check the sizing details for each retailer before ordering & read the reviews from other customers to avoid disappointment.  Once it arrives, do a little bending, sitting, and swimming practice to ensure you feel comfortable wearing it.  


Best for pear-shapes

If you're pear-shaped, avoid patterns or any detailing below your waist; you always need to draw the eye up to your top half and away from your hips.  Choose a darker colour for your bottom half; tankinis are often a good choice for pear shapes as you can choose plain bottoms with a patterned / bright top. 


Pour Moi Sorento Control Tankini from Simply Be

Best for apple shapes


If you are apple shaped, a one-piece with a central panel in a darker shade will give the illusion of a slimmer shape, and choose a style with subtle tummy control panels. A plunge or square neckline will draw attention away from the midriff up to your decolletage and shoulders.




Magisculpt Bandeau Swimsuit
Best for disguising an untoned tummy



Choose a suit with shirring or ruching to help disguise an untoned tummy.  Try to wear one with a little detail away from the stomach area to attract the eye upwards, this one from Lascana receives great reviews:

Lascana Navy Ruched Swimsuit at www.swimwear365.co.uk

Best for a large bust

An underwired, or support style with adjustable straps, is essential for you to make sure the fit is as good as you would have from your bra.  The better the support in this area to lift the bust, the better your midriff, waist, and hips will also appear.  Thicker straps are a good idea for extra support, but avoid halter necks which can cause neck and shoulder ache if worn all day. 

If you are particularly large on top then balance out your figure by choosing a suit that has a patterned or lighter coloured bottom half.  

Miraclesuit - Up and Coming Caliente


Best for thigh coverage

Swimdresses are becoming more & more popular and receive brilliant customer feedback, so, rather than feeling you have to have your sarong over your thighs at all times, you can just relax and jump in the sea when the mood takes you!  This black one was designed by the queen of designer swimwear, Melissa Odabash, for Marisota

Slim down those thighs in a swimdress from Marisota

Best for lifting your bottom

Gravity has met its' match with Marisota's MagiSculpt Bum Lifter Swimsuit, in a beautiful coral colour that will flatter pale skin as well as a tan:

Marisota's MagiSculpt Bum Lifter Swimsuit


Choose matt not sheen

Matt fabrics are a lot more forgiving than those with sheen; I doubt you'd treasure your holiday photos wearing this shiny fabric from Asos Curve:


Too much sheen = extra weight

Cheat a little

Take a tip from the Victoria Secret models; to create the perfect illusion, apply St Tropez’s Illuminators to where the light would naturally reflect off the front of your leg, this will lengthen and sculpt.  You can apply on your collar bone and along your arms too.  Choose the rose shade if you have a paler skin tone.  

Apply St Tropez's Illuminators to arms & legs to appear slimmer


Choose a Flattering Cover-Up

A deep V-neck, opposed to a high round neck, will make your neck look longer and therefore, your whole body appear leaner.


And finally, add a little sparkle

Choose sandals with a little sparkle to attract attention away from any problem areas & make you feel a little glam by the pool:





Now that you know you'll look good, focus on enjoying your holiday!  Enjoy x