Your Colour and Style

Call me:  07469 246722

Search

wardrobe edit

Goodbye summer, Hello autumn

by

In climate terms, 1st September heralds the autumn months (September, October and November). The amount of light in the UK reduces because of the way the earth is tilted towards the sun at this time of year for us in the UK, and so we go from summer to autumn. I wonder what this year’s autumn weather will be: mild and dry or wet and windy? Who knows with the way the world’s weather seems to be changing and less predictable.

Change

One thing’s for sure – this new month means change.

For me, this means changing my wardrobe, to suit the new cooler weather. I usually like to change over my wardrobe – rediscovering clothes I’d forgotten about – it’s almost like buying new without the expense! I can’t say they all fit me though! This is usually when I discover what’s happened with enjoying my social life too much, and I realise it’s time for wholesome home-made soup full of low calorie vegetables. Time for a re-set.

Now, this year has been not normal when it comes to my wardrobe! I would have usually brought out my summer wardrobe around one of the May Bank Holidays, but the weather seemed so cold I was wearing thick tights still into late June. And, here we are planning the cooler months already – it didn’t seem as if I had much time to wear my summer clothes and was reaching for warmer things more than usual this summer. So, instead of packing away my summer things and getting out autumn/winter, I’ve decided to do more of a half-and-half wardrobe. That way I think I’ll have every base covered.

It’s not just about colour

Normally in the summer months my wardrobe looks far more colourful (in lighter colours), and to help me decide what should go and what should stay will take more consideration if I’m going to split the weight of fabrics and colour choices. I will certainly be considering my layers more for this coming season, in case there is a warmer-than-expected day, and I can de-layer more quickly than if I’d worn an outfit without that in mind.

Comfort now seems key

A lot of people talk to me about “comfort” in their clothing choices nowadays. I think this has become a more important feature. So, the fabrics that have more stretch or give in them are great for our lifestyles today.

Sustainability is also key

Plus, a lot more people are thinking about sustainable fashion and are more aware of where clothes are coming from, what they’re made of, and how they are made. And, recirculating clothes for others’ enjoyment when they no longer serve ourselves is much more of a lifestyle choice. Of course I think that is an excellent idea, and will be considering joining the many who seem to think Vinted, eBay, or other opportunities to re-sell is a great way forward for all.

Embarrassment

When I say to ladies that I will review their wardrobe [for colour] as part of the colour analysis process, they often react with horror. After it has happened, 100% say it is the best part [as I’m bringing the theory to life for them]. I wonder if they’re worried that I will be judging how they have set up their wardrobe, or the clothes in it. If it is the clothes in it, my philosophy is that they wear those clothes, and everyone will be judging them then. Or is it that they have clothes in their wardrobe they don’t wear? I’d better allay that worry – I have clothes in my wardrobe I don’t wear … yet. My husband bought me a beautiful silk suit several years ago. I remember trying it on in the changing room but ever since I got it home I put on weight so have never worn it! That’s not the only piece. I also have a couple of dresses where I love them so much I’ve bought two sizes, so that if I do lose weight I will still be able to enjoy wearing them. There you have it, my confession.

Organisation

How to organise your wardrobe is equally personal, depending on how many items you have and the space you have. There are some practicalities that I can advise on, but mostly people utilise their available space wisely. Some clients love telling me how, after colour analysis, they have ordered their clothes in colour sequence. This is how I organise my wardrobe items too.

But the goal is …

But, the goal is not to have such an organised wardrobe that you only see this piece “going” with that piece. The goal is to use as many of your items as possible to get your wear out of them. So, it is about mixing and matching your wardrobe more, so that you need less. I find it fun and exciting when I try something with something it’s never been paired with before, and it seems to work. That is, though, when the colours, patterns and materials work together. That’s the secret of knowing what suits you (colour and style-wise) and choosing pieces that you know will go with multiple things you already own.

Acquiring new to you

I have said “acquiring new to you” rather than buying as people get their wardrobe pieces in many different ways nowadays. It seems very acceptable to shop pre-loved, “swish” [swap] or be gifted clothes.

So, “want” and “need” are different things! In the western world most of us are lucky enough to have more than we need, but this is changing with the economic situation, where people are “pulling their horns in” and the drive to be more sustainable in every way – including clothing – means the latest fashion trend is less desirable. Or is that just for me? Most of my clients acquire a few pieces each season that nods to the fashion – so they keep a current look, but haven’t totally overhauled their entire wardrobe.

New for this autumn

I often get told “I can’t find my colours” at x time of year. So, I decided to set up four Zoom calls of an hour each to help each season find their colours at this time of year. I will go through at least 8 common brands of clothing and pull out items in the correct colours for you. They will be able to be recorded for those who can’t attend, but for those who do attend we can discuss style (if time permits), current fashion, as well as colour. If you want to book your place, find them on Eventbrite here (for autumns); (for springs); (for winters); and (for summers).

So, what do you do?

I’d love to know whether you change your wardrobe over, and if so how are you planning to cope with the changing weather?

If you’d like some input from a self-confessed hoarder [I won’t demand that you get rid of a lot of your favourites, but I will help you think about wearing them differently] then please get in touch.

Fiona

Your [16 years’ experienced] Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

 

What is sustainable fashion?

by

For me, the word sustainable means a couple of things:

The first aspect of sustainable fashion is durability.  Buying clothing that stands the test of time (in terms of the material, stitching quality and style), can be worn many times and still look current or like new is a sustainable choice.  Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress (LBD) is perhaps the classic example.

But sustainable fashion also encompasses the production process. For example, that the material is sourced in a way that doesn’t harm future resources, that workers are paid fair wages to sustain them and their future production skills, and that the finished products aren’t sent too far, creating a negative environmental impact.

Things we can do to be more sustainable and prevent clothing waste:

Buying new or nearly new

  • Don’t buy just for buying sake (although that may sustain workers/skills), buy to wear more than once.  Different accessory choices can help a garment look fresh and be more versatile. (Remember “price per wear” and if you haven’t heard this, ask your consultant.) Have you heard of Roberta Lee’s #100wears concept? If not, read about it here.
  • Before you buy, research how and where products are made (this information is more readily available now).
  • If you decide you now don’t like an item for any reason (within the return period) return it for someone else to enjoy.
  • Buy with a little more forethought: what will it go with? If you know your colour and style, does it conform with that?
  • It is now fashionable to buy second-hand. This is keeping the life of the garment going, and you can pick up some bargains (and perhaps help a charity at the same time).

Hiring

  • If you know you only want to wear something once, consider hiring. There are now several options for this, including Hurr (designer dresses, bags and clothes), By Rotation, My Wardrobe HQ and Hirestreet. Celebrities do it (and not just because they believe in sustainable fashion!) so why shouldn’t the rest of us?

Swish/swapping

  • Swishing is a term for swapping one garment for another. This can be a cost effective way to revamp your wardrobe. Where I live, in Southampton, there is a monthly Clothes Swap (advertised where and when on Southampton Clothes Swaps Facebook Group). I think this is part of a bigger network of clothes swaps around the country, probably easy to find through social media.

Before you let go

  • When you have decided an item is no longer serving you as it is, could you have it altered in some way or have something added to it to keep it going a bit longer?
  • Consider photographing your favourite piece if it has just come to the end of its life, or take it to a good dressmaker to get another one made. You could do this if you just love something and want another in a different colour or material.
  • If you no longer want it, if there is life left in it, consider gifting to a friend or family member, or selling through a dress agency or online. Or donate to charity.
  • Finally, if nothing else comes to mind, could you have it made into another garment (eg patchwork trousers, cushion, pillow – depending on the material, or use it for practice sewing, or rags)?

(Some further tips on what to do with items when you no longer want them here).

If you are stuck not knowing what to do with your wardrobe items, please reach out. I absolutely love giving you ideas so that you can hang onto your clothes (and accessories) that you must have bought, or were gifted, for a reason. I’m sure the reason wasn’t to throw it away or give it away just because the occasion to wear it (or the problem you found with it) hasn’t been solved yet.

Contact Fiona on 07469 246722

Your Colour & Style Consultant