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Smart Shopping at Kettlewell Colours in Somerset

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Finding Kettlewell Colours

I’ve known Kettlewell Colours since around the time Melissa created the company, and I’ve seen it grow from strength to strength. The fabulous thing about Kettlewell Colours is that it plugged a gap for ladies who knew what shades of their colours to buy but couldn’t find them! Her approach makes shopping easy (you can shop by season or by colour) from the website. I can only speak for being a UK customer (they sell around the world), but from my perspective orders arrive quickly and are beautifully packaged. Kettlewell Colours has a fair returns policy too. Nowadays, there are items for men as well, and there are accessories in addition to colourful clothes.

Twenty five years ago, things were very different in terms of finding the range of colours in the shops. Melissa built a company and brand that shares her love of colour and how it makes us feel knowing we look our best. When you are newly “diagnosed” by an image consultant it is easy to add staples to your wardrobe that will serve you for many years. They will transition you quickly to your colourway and likely get you compliments immediately – confirming the analysis. And, nowadays with sustainability in mind, there are active buy, sell and swap opportunities to keep these pieces in circulation if you want to change up your wardrobe.

The future vision

In the last couple of years Melissa has realised another of her visions: to create a “shop” where you can try before you buy (instead of just being able to purchase online), and there is a studio in Cricket St Thomas you can visit, where you can also have your colour and style analysis. It’s a lovely space, and full of colour of course, which “fills you with joy as soon as you step inside” (said another of my clients who visited with me last year).

Try before you buy

Having experienced their shopping experience myself last year at the Colour Studio, I wanted to share that with my clients. So, I asked, and two of my lovely clients responded. We booked quite ahead, and finally the day came. They drove to me and we set off in one car. It’s about two hours door to door, and we were blessed with a sunny day. We took a slightly more scenic route as the day was about rest and relaxation as well as fun.

Fiona's two happy clients trying things in the Kettlewell Colours Studio, July 2025

Oh, we had fun!

Since I love helping my clients try new things and discover even more fabulous looks, although I was working it felt like fun for me too!

Both clients said they had a wonderful time and were surprised at how the time went, how many things they could try, and learned about the different materials, necklines, and combinations of colours that worked for them. One was a Spring, and the other a Summer, so their colours were very different.

We learned how the shades of colours sometimes appeared differently in different materials. Amazing. And, how useful that we could try so many clothes to discover that.

Overall learning to improve my offering

On the way home I quizzed the clients about their experience and what I could do to improve it, for the future, since I want to take more clients there to experience such easy and fun shopping. I learned that I can help my clients a bit more, as the amount of Kettlewell items brought to try can be overwhelming and we did overstay our appointment time slightly – although Kettlewell didn’t make us feel that. Thank you!

My clients both said they appreciated having me there, as well as the Kettlewell staff who are mostly trained stylists, since I know my client a bit more, but Kettlewell know their stock and materials more than me. It’s a collaboration to give the client the very best experience. I have to say I like the fact that Kettlewell are not in the slightest bit pushy for sales. (To be honest, the clothes sell themselves anyway.) And, it’s amazing how quickly the time passes, even if you think you may not find much, or be able to try much. You will!

What about you?

So, if you want to have a lovely day out, with focussed and fun shopping, please get in touch with me if you would like my help as well as Kettlewell's. One thing my clients say about my shopping support is that they often never knew how much they could enjoy it. I'll help narrow down the best finds for you so you are confident to dress your best and get compliments, win the pitch, secure that promotion, or rock those special occasion photos.

Savvy, fun shopping starts now if you click here
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Shopping Made Easy: My experience in July 2022, by MB

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I was recommended to Fiona by someone I trusted, and she wasn’t wrong. My expectations were high but Fiona didn’t disappoint. I experienced Fiona’s ‘At Home Shopping’ service and this is how it went. From the beginning Fiona listened to my input and that was important.

First contact

We had a Zoom call first, to establish if we were going to work together, what was required, how we would approach it and costs, so that I knew what to expect.

Preparation

Following that, Fiona came round (my request was to meet in person for a wardrobe review, rather than through Zoom) and spent a couple of hours discussing my wardrobe contents. I learned a bit about my “clothing personality” and why what I had suited me (such as styles of clothes, materials and patterns) and how things could be used differently (for example, using my shirts over other items as a less formal jacket). It was useful to get Fiona’s opinion on the colours in the wardrobe too, since I had been colour-analysed a few years ago but wasn’t quite sure if some of the clothes I already had were in the Summer palette or not. We had agreed some of my favourite pieces were on their final wears and needing replacements. Looking at what was going to stay and where the gaps were, we drew up the shopping list. I wanted to inject some more colour into my wardrobe so we discussed particular colours I would like (and not like) and how the purpose was to get some key workwear pieces, which was the reason for requesting Fiona’s help.

‘At Home Shopping’ (Part 1)

Two weeks later Fiona appeared again with so many bags it took two trips from the car! We had a lot to try on and discuss. It was a hot evening, but Fiona had prepared me for that, and even offered to bring a fan. I tried everything on, as Fiona had requested, and it was easy to eliminate a few things, decide to keep several things, and we had a couple of “maybe’s”. Working through the items some were liked but not exactly the right size, so Fiona offered to get the right size and have a look for some alternatives to some other pieces to meet the entire brief/shopping list and come back. (She explained that this was all part of the service and within the price already agreed.) She trusted me with the “maybe’s” so I didn’t feel under pressure to decide. Equally, though, I was trusting her to bring me what I wanted and needed, and it was going well.


By the way, some of the pieces were good prices for value (we had talked about budget), and I now had an expanded list of shops/brands to explore in future. Not only was Fiona considering colours, styles and fit, but also my values. We were on the same page when it came to eco, natural and ethical clothing. Although she did sneak in some materials that weren’t totally natural, she did convince me on the way in which they were produced. I was also keen to have clothing that felt soft as well as being comfortable and looking good, and Fiona explained how these “new” materials fitted those requirements.

‘At Home Shopping’ (Part 2)

A week later Fiona was back again with more clothes. Less to try on this time, but covering the brief fully now and all a great fit. Again, some more learning about different brands, colour combinations and future options for the coming autumn and winter season.

Summary

Fiona was keen to please, made me feel comfortable, and I was not under pressure to have anything. I ended up with some lovely new pieces that work together, that I never would have discovered on my own, and my wardrobe now sings to me. What joy. I can’t wait for the compliments I expect to get, and am much more of a confident shopper now, thanks to Fiona.

Fiona sends all the unwanted clothes back and I just pay her for those that I want (at the price she paid). She was also informing me of the prices as we went, in case that helped me to decide.

This was shopping made easy: a great investment, and to be recommended.

MB, July 2022

Fiona adds, if anyone else wants to have her help, please contact her on 07469 246722.

More Wardrobe Lessons

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Since I have been preparing about 600 pieces for my “Sale Of The Century”, I’ve reflected on a few things which are worth sharing.

Washing

  • Lots of these clothes washed up well and when taken off the line, didn’t need ironing.

(TIP: When choosing something, be aware of the material. I personally avoid linen as I do not like how most linens crease so easily and once washed take some ironing. Some other materials have more “give” in them too, which if you have more of a curvy body would be better.)

Although I advocate reading the care label, there is a lot of leeway. I had so many clothes that if one or two things got damaged/ruined it wouldn’t have been the end of the world – and they weren’t MY precious clothes. I did have a couple of interesting “mishaps”, and learned about using a Colour Catcher product – brilliant invention). Materials that wash well and don’t need much (if any) ironing are great pieces if you travel.

Range of colours

  • Out of 600 pieces, there were all colours, except only 2 purple items and one silver, no grey. What range of colours do you have? TIP: If you hang everything in colour sequence, you can see.
  • One of the things that is difficult to determine, is the range of a certain colour that suits you, for example purple. There are many shades of purple that would work in a “season”, but it can be difficult for clients to know which purples they could wear that are flattering. Some of the shades are difficult to determine for someone who has been trained like me, so I know how difficult it is for clients. This is why I have a free Facebook Group, where queries like this can be aired. If you would like to know more about that, please contact me.

Plain or patterned materials?

  • How much plain, how much patterned? The advantages and disadvantages of plain v patterned will be the subject of my next blog. So, I invite you to just take a look at what you have in your wardrobe. If you have mostly plain or mostly patterned items, have you got room for more of the other? Why do you have less or more of one over the other – have you ever thought about it?

Separates are more versatile than dresses

  • Separates are more versatile than dresses, eg if you get a mark, you may only need to wash one piece, not a whole dress (this will save detergent, space in the washing machine, water, and be less to hang up, dry and iron).
  • You can use each piece more by mixing and matching separates.
  • There may be less requirement for a belt too, with separates.

Belts

  • Keeping belts separately – it appears my mum wasn’t the only one to do that – my sister confessed to that too. Yes, I keep my leather belts hung up together, separate from my clothes because they weren’t part of those clothes, but if the belts are cloth and can only be used with that item because the material matches (ie they were sold together), why not keep it on the hanger for that garment (if not in the belt loops), whether you want to use it or not?

Safety pins

My mum was still teaching me things after she’d gone! Lots of her clothes had safety pins on them. She obviously thought it would be handy to keep them there. She used to use them to keep her napkin in place when it became more difficult to bend down and pick it up if it fell off her lap. Unfortunately I wasn’t looking for those before putting things in for wash – I was just looking to extract paper hankies from pockets! The pins survived the wash with no problem, thankfully. Anyway, I decided to keep a couple of safety pins in my handbag. Well, why not I thought – they’re lightweight, and you never know when you might need one. Having never had them in my bag for years, suddenly now I have them I can find uses. Who knew!

If you would like more of these such tips, why not book your 30 minute personal appointment with me and we can talk about anything to do with clothes, make-up and accessories that you like. Plus also, your £10 for this will go to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. And if you want to pick up any bargains from these 600 pieces on offer, the amazingly reasonable prices will also top up the Air Ambulance coffers. Recycling, supporting charity, grabbing a bargain and having my impartial professional input along the way: what’s not to love?

Contact me on 07469 246722 to book your appointment in May. I can’t wait to meet you!

Fiona

Has Covid-19 changed our shopping habits forever?

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No surprise

A recent YOUGOV study of 2,152 adults, undertaken between 22nd and 28th July 2020 confirmed what we all know.

Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives, including our shopping habits. Focussing on the age 45+ respondents, here are some results:

• Over 50% are much more likely to buy clothes on-line. Only 9% are much more likely to buy clothes in a physical store. 59% are much less likely to buy clothes in a physical store.

At the time this study was conducted, people were still feeling worried about how safe it was to visit a store, and might still have not been going out if at all possible. However, if it takes only a few weeks to make a new habit, perhaps this is the sign of the future, even when the Covid-19 threat is over.

Brands have been reacting to these difficult trading conditions and less footfall in their stores and, since the Covid-19 pandemic began, have drastically cut stores and staff.

What types of clothing are people buying?

• Nearly 60% are much less likely to buy smart clothes compared to last year.

What is important when buying clothes now?

• Nearly 50% consider price to be more important when buying clothes since the Covid-19 crisis began.
• 39% also consider quality to be more important now.

What else is important?

• A very high proportion of each category (56% of 45-54 year olds and 59% of 55+) think it more important to be able to socially distance when shopping for clothes, and convenience is also an important factor.

Interestingly, the brand’s reputation matters less (only 21% said “more important”).

There were also questions about how the brands are believed to treat the workers that produce the products.

A high proportion of the respondents work less than 8 hours per week, or had been furloughed or laid off by their employer. Obviously disposable income will impact people’s spending habits.

What about you?

It is no wonder there are great deals if you do want to buy any new clothes now, but you might find that your traditional or favourite brands are not available in the way you used to shop. I know from my shopping experience over the last few years that there are usually items available on-line that you couldn’t get in stores anyway, so there is hope!

However, if you do not like trawling the internet, or can’t find what you want, please get in touch with me to see if/how I can help. I love helping my clients attain the right things for them, and saving them time, money and hassle. If you’ve never tried an independent personal shopper, maybe now is the time to save some time, or get a different result. Contact me for a no-obligation chat.

 

Fiona Mobbs

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

email: fiona@yourcolourandstyle.com

Size does matter when it comes to Ladies Clothes Shopping

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Ladies, when it comes to clothes shopping, do you get annoyed that your size varies with different brands so you struggle to get the order right?

I’m afraid I can’t do much about that for you, except compare a few of the main brands in this blog, so you may be better at choosing which size to go for, and tell you some of my tips if you are, for example, more well-endowed up top.

According to an article in the Daily Mail published in March 2017, citing a study by lingerie brand Bluebella (based on Government statistics), they state that the 2017 female body shape has changed in the last 60 years.

In 1957, the average female in the UK was 5ft 2in tall, weighed 9 stone 10 lbs, had size 3 feet, a waist of 28 inches, 34B bust and was a dress size 12. The average UK female today is 5ft 5in tall, weighs 11 stone, is a shoe size 6, has a waist of 34 inches, 36DD breasts and is a dress size 16. The clothing industry has recognised these changes, and some brands are more generous in their sizes than others. Material costs money, and if a brand is more generous, they will either need to reflect that cost in the product, or reduce their profit, which is why the universal size varies: it’s a choice the brand makes.

The fact that the UK female today is taller and larger in every dimension, doesn’t surprise me, as our lifestyle, comforts and diet has generally increased and improved. I also think that food marketing has played a part, with BOGOF (buy one, get one free) or “2 for 1” offers everywhere (and not usually on healthy foods).

If a brand offers a petite range, it is to do with height not girth, and is usually good for 4ft 11 to 5ft 3in ladies, and they may scale down shoulder widths and sleeve lengths accordingly.

It isn’t so easy to measure yourself, but the best guidelines I found were on Apricot’s website (plus adding M&Co’s suggestion to measure yourself in your underwear):

“As a general rule, keep the tape measure firm but not tight around the point that you are measuring. If you are measuring yourself, we recommend taking a couple of measurements from each area in order to average out the changes in your posture whilst you are measuring.

Measuring Your Chest
Always measure around the fullest part of your chest, ensuring that you keep the tape measure as level as possible around your back and under your arms.

Measuring Your Waist
Measure around the narrowest part of your body, which is above your belly button but below your rib cage.

Measuring Your Hips
Measure around the fullest part of your hips, this is usually approximately 9″ below your waist.”

The M&Co website points out that the fit also depends on the material (stretchiness or not), cut and style as well, and I agree! And, they also recommend you take your measurements twice, averaging them out if necessary.

Whether you fit today’s “average” or not, here is my summary of a size 16 in various brands. Although I have included the full range of sizes listed on the websites I viewed, you will not find all their styles in all sizes. Look out for different length options too (short, regular and long).

Click here to see the summary: Clothing Sizes Compared

If you find the bust of tops, jackets or dresses too tight, my suggestion would be to look at these other brands: Bombshell, Bravissimo, Odyl, Saint Bustier and Taideux  or consider having your clothes made for you. Of course, materials will make a difference, for example if there’s stretch in them, which is quite common now (eg ‘3% elastane’). This might help, so do check out the materials of the items as well.

I hope this has been helpful for you. Do leave a comment if so! I haven’t included every brand, so if you have any queries that you would like help with, please get in touch.

Fiona Mobbs
Your Colour & Style Consultant
07469 246722
Fiona.yourcolourandstyle@gmail.com

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