wardrobe

Goodbye summer, Hello autumn

1st September 2024 by Fiona Mobbs

In climate terms, 1^st 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 life about?

30th May 2022 by Fiona Mobbs

Possessions

Having recently lost my last parent, the experience of clearing a lifetime of accumulated things (clothes, odds and ends like Christmas cracker contents, as well as pills, glasses and photographs etc) it makes one think about what is important in life.

Whatever you believe happens after death, the truth is that we leave this “stuff” behind for others to use or dispose of. Whilst a lot of it had a practical use and was needed, there was a lot that was excess to requirements – perhaps gifts over the years that, because of the thoughts about the giver, meant they could not be disposed of. Just like my parents, I now keep every little treasure my mum gave me, as a memento of her thought of me when she bought something like a pen or shopping bag!

Leaving Your Mark

When thinking about what was important to mark someone’s life and achievements, you can’t bag up the epitome of someone like their fun in “stuff”, unless it is captured in enduring words or pictures (photographs or letters/books). That is why I wanted to self-publish my little poetry books – it will be a record of my thoughts well after I depart! And I guess why so many others I know are now doing the same and becoming authors.

Acknowledging the big things

For me, the crucial things are the milestones and big achievements (or disappointments) in your life, in your work and personal life, like gaining certificates, awards, medals, having children, raising money for charity or doing deeds that will benefit others, maybe breaking the law, and so on. Of course if your life is happy and fulfilled that is wonderful but how will others know that it was, or what your struggles and challenges were? In today’s world of social media, we are recording this ourselves as it happens, like a public journal. This is in addition to what others write about us, like in newspapers, village news sheets and so on.

What’s important to you?

In questioning what “stuff” is important, I wondered what those Ukranian refugees grabbed as they left their homes. That situation would determine what was important to you, when you have to take only what you can carry in one little case, including clothes. What would you grab?

Which NECKLINES suit you?

25th November 2020 by Fiona Mobbs

What makes a neckline work for you?

I used to think your best neckline was to do with your face shape. Yes, that does have a bearing on it, but there are some other factors that also impact a great neckline. For example, the width between your shoulders, proportion of shoulders to hips, your bust, your neck and whether you have curvy or angled features. It could even be connected to the material, pattern and your underwear as well. (We all know the difference a great fitting bra makes.)

So, if you’ve been given a rule that “you can’t wear that neckline”, I suspect it may be a bit too limiting and you could rethink your choice of necklines when trying new (to you) clothes on.

I would normally say if you have a large chest that you would be better having a neckline that shows some skin. However, I had to rethink this when I saw a particular picture of Oti Mabusse, who looked fabulous in a high-neck dress that paid homage to her curves. It might have been that the dress had shapewear inside it (I have bought a dress with it attached before now, and this makes the silhouette better for sure). If so, that’s an example of the material and design of the item that can work for you and the neckline therefore wasn’t so crucial.

My advice, if you like a particular top or dress, is to try it on and see. Also, don’t forget, you can change a neckline by covering it with a jacket or cardigan, or a scarf, or you can have it altered permanently by a dressmaker, so if everything else about the item works for you, don’t dismiss it just because of the neckline.

Ultimately, there are 6 basic neckline shapes:

Round;
Square;
Sweetheart;
V;
Slit, slash (also called boat); and
High (such as mandarin, turtle or polo).

Don’t forget necklines can be front and/or back.

Strapless tops can be shaped (like a sweetheart) or straight.

Necklines are basically soft curves or straight lines, but all necklines can be changed by edging, additional material, lace and all manor of “bells and whistles”.

1. ROUND

Tight round necks (“crew”) are best on long, slim necks and not ideal for bigger chests or narrow shoulders (normally).

A lower round neck suits most people. They vary in the distance away from the neck towards the shoulder, as well as how low they fall. Here are some examples.

2. SQUARE

These are like round necks only squarer! Some can be a bit of a mix of both, being a “soft square”.

A more square, straight-lined neckline is better if you have angular features like a chisled chin or pointed nose.

A strapless straight line across the bust, is like the bottom of a square. Not great for very bony people, nor very large frames, in my opinion, especially if you would be better off with a bra with straps to help keep your bust in check.

3. SWEETHEART

This is like a diamond, except softer edges. It can be described as “sweetheart” if strapless and shaped over the bust (not a straight line).

4. V

Another great neckline for everyone, especially if you are wider at the shoulder, or not as tall as you’d like to be (as it gives an illusion of elongating the torso) or have a larger chest.

The sexy look is the deep V (also called décolleté), as it is difficult to wear it with a traditional bra, although some fashionistas do. (There are, of course, other options instead of a traditional bra.)

5. SLIT/SLASH/BOAT

This type of neckline is a straight opening, sitting close to the neck, high in the front and back. The slash varies how wide it is towards each shoulder edge. Again, not good for busty folk and not ideal for those with a short neck. Great if your hips are wider than your shoulders though (ie pear shaped body), as it can even out the appearance of shoulders to hips. In the example below I have included an off-the-shoulder neckline, because that is a straight line around the shoulders. When worn like this, it draws attention to the shoulders and neck, great if you want to focus attention away from your thighs.

If I liked a slash neck, I would use a scarf to make it work better for me.

6. HIGH

Polo – high and tight to the neck – best for long necks. The material on the neck is normally doubled over.

Turtle – not as high or tight as a polo neck, but usually still folded.

High – not doubled over like a polo or turtle neck, but just covers the base of the neck a bit, so usually less tall than a turtle.

OTHER VARIATIONS

Cowl – where the material falls in folds, the softness of the folds will depend on the material. This may well fall in a V shape and there is an example above in the “V” neckline pictures.

Keyhole – has an opening which can be circular, oval, tear-shaped or V shaped. This is great as a compromise for a completely open neckline and a high neckline – you get the best of both worlds, so good for lots of people. The size of the opening varies. There are a couple of examples shown under the “V” necklines.

Off the shoulder – sometimes called Bardot. Very feminine, which brings attention to the shoulders and neck. Not to be worn if you don’t want to bring attention there! Great if you have slender shoulders.

One shoulder neckline also called asymmetric – one side has more of the opening, so it doesn’t look even.

Halter – good if you have narrow shoulders as they draw the eye into the centre.

Queen Elizabeth– high at the back.

Racerback – where straps cross-over at the back.

Different details

There are many different accents that can be added to the basic shapes, like collars, ruffles, gathers, yolks in the same or a different material or lace. Different colours can also create a different appearance.

If you have any queries about necklines, or want personal advice, please do get in touch. Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences of different necklines.