How To Wear Horizontal Stripes

You know when you put on a striped garment and you feel and look wider than what you really are? 

Horizontal stripes can be tricky and more noticeable - and unforgiving - than vertical lines. They make the eye travel from side to side, giving the illusion of width instead of height. 

The wider apart the stripes are, the wider you appear. Same goes for the thickness of the stripes. The finer the stripe, the more slimmer you appear. 

Similar theory for the colour contrast of stripes – the higher the contrast (for example, black and white), the more obvious and widening the garment can be. The lower the contrast, such as darker colours, the more flattering it is. Have a look at these images to see the visual effect. 

The rule to remember is to avoid wearing horizontal stripes on the widest part of the body or areas you’d rather hide. 

This includes horizontal lines of the garment such as a shirt, jacket or dress hemlines, sleeve hems, and accessories or decorations like buttons and piping – ensure these end on a narrow point. Unless of course, you want to widen your appearance or assets. 

Avoid pulling your tops down as far as they can possibly go in hope of hiding the tummy or mid region....not only is it ineffective, the lower horizontal line visually shortens your legs! 

Don’t get me wrong, stripes are fabulous and a classic print that never dates. All the more reason to nailing how to wear them!

Chat soon!

Nicky xx

Body Language And How It Influences First Impressions

Given 93 percent of first impressions is unrelated to what we say, body language is a powerful thing. 

If you make a bad impression, it can take 21 more encounters with that person to reverse it. No pressure! 

Am sharing an interesting and informative article on body language by Bustle.com - http://bit.ly/1UZ71xJ

Much of it refers to the work of respected Harvard social psychologist, Amy Cuddy. Use it to improve your communication via body language. 

And grab a cuppa to watch Cuddy's TED talk - on the wonders of the power pose (yes it works) and her own story which is really inspiring. 

Happy reading!

Nicky xx

How To Find The Right Place To Wear Necklines, Necklaces and Other Detail

Hello!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought something about your outfit is not right but you can't figure out why?

There's a chance it's related to the outfit being out of balance with your body proportions. If it's on the upper part of your body - or your portrait area - then it will certainly be noticeable.

I'm going to share a handy tip on determining the best area on your upper body for necklines, necklaces, and other details by finding your Balance Points.

First measure your face length, from hairline to chin (refer to dark blue lines on image below).

Drop down that same distance from your chin to chest. This is your first Balance Point. 

Next, measure from the widest part of your face to the chin (refer to aqua lines on image)

Drop down that same distance, starting from your shoulder (not chin). This is your second Balance Point.

By ensuring your necklines or accessories are rightly placed, use these Balance Points as a guide. For example, if the neckline of the top is at or above the second Balance Point, place a necklace, brooch or other detail on your first Balance Point. If the neckline is at your first Balance Point, place some detail at your second Balance Point.

If you rather focus on one Balance Point when dressing, refer to the first one. There is no need to use a tape measure - you can easily do it with your hands.

So why refer to your Balance Points? They are a guide for where not to wear necklines or detail on your body. If the neckline is above your second Balance Point, it will visually shorten your neck which can be unflattering whereas a longer neckline is more slimming. Having your neckline or detail between the two Balance Points will also be less appealing.

A useful tool in ensuring you look, and feel fabulous!

Nicky xx

 

The Dressmaker - Urinary Tract Infections From Corsets, Hash Cookies and More

   

Hello!

 

Who would have thought corsets cause such grief, which The Dressmaker author, Rosalie Ham, recalled during her time as an extra on set.

 

According to Rosalie, urinary tract infections and bleeding caused by the corsets were tolerated because those wearing them on set looked fabulous and loved it!

Rosalie is incredibly generous with her time, attending countless speaking engagements. I was fortunate to attend one held by the Association of Image Consultants International in Melbourne recently where she spoke candidly about what inspired the storyline and the characters. Being a fellow NSW Riverina country girl, it was a thrill to meet her. 

Here's some of what she shared: 

• The story is based on her mother who was a seamstress in a small rural town in the Riverina. Women and even shearers sought her expertise where she'd design outfits one day and mend old shearer singlets another.
• Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman were approached to play the main character, Tilly Dunnage, but Rosalie was thrilled Kate Winslet agreed to play the part.
• Although she wasn't familiar with Liam Hemsworth, after watching him in a film she was happy he was playing the handsome Teddy McSwiney...as were we! 
• They needed to attract A-list actors to secure finance to make the movie. When Kate Winslet fell pregnant, the movie had to be delayed. 
• Kate and Liam were friendly on-set to the delight of the extras. 
• Rosalie wasn't too happy when Tilly faced Teddy front-on, on her knees, when measuring him for the wedding suit but respected it was the producer's call and film...and the fact it set many hearts racing seeing the bare-chested Liam! 
• The cross-dressing policeman, Sergeant Horatio Farrat, was inspired by cross-dressing country football players at social footy functions...having attended a wedding ball where the players were brides, I can confirm it happens! 
• Teddy's drowning in a silo was partly inspired by her father warning them as children not to jump in to the sorghum when playing at the silos.
• The hash cookies that Tilly makes was influenced from the time Rosalie made them for her mother to ease the pain of her rheumatoid arthritis. 
• The Dungatar townsfolk were poisoned before Tilly burnt the town down in the original manuscript but was changed at the request of the publisher. A number of characters also had to be cut from the story. Rosalie respected their request as they were the experts. 
• Rosalie never thought the book would be published after rejections by other publishers nor has she read it since she wrote it. (She now has two other published novels - Summer At Mount Hope and There Should Be More Dancing. More info can be found at rosalieham.com).

I wished we had more time with her as it was a fascinating insight into the book and the film. Thankfully The Dressmaker is now out on DVD so we can watch it however many times we like.

 

The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition is still showing - it's been extended over Easter at Barwon Park Mansion near Winchelsea in Victoria before relocating to Rippon Lea House and Gardens at Elsternwick, Victoria, from the 22nd of April to the 3rd of July. More details can be found at dressmakerexhibition.com.au.

The haute couture costumes by award-winning designers, Marion Boyce and Margot Wilson, are stunning and well worth the effort to see them. However, realistically, due to distance and other factors, many of you won't be able to get there so I have posted some photos so you don't miss out!

Happy viewing and happy Easter!

Nicky xx

 

 

How To Revive Your Favourite Leather Shoes

Do you have a pair of favourite shoes that are starting to look a bit sad but you don't want to part with them just yet? 

It's the case with this pair which cost me a fortune several years ago but I have lived in them during summer because they're classic, comfy and nude, which for the vertically challenged, is great in giving an illusion of longer legs! 

These shoes still have plenty of wear in them and spruced up with some TLC and dubbin, they'll last a while yet! 

Grab some dubbin from a shoe repairman or saddlery and bring your shoes to back to life. 

Happy polishing! 

Nicky xx

Style Tip - sleeves

Hello,

Welcome to my series of quick style tips.

#1 SLEEVES  - A quick and easy way to keep sleeves at a desired length is using elastic bands (not too tight though!)

Did you know a shorter sleeve can make your legs look longer? When you raise your sleeves, the sleeve line draws the eye higher up your body giving a visual effect of longer legs.

It can also draw attention upwards away from broad hips, giving a slimming effect.

The opposite effect happens if your sleeves are too long - it can make you look shorter. Long sleeves should end just below your wrist and no longer than the base of your thumb.

Nicky xx

Stylish on any budget

Hello!

Firstly my apologies for the absence however for good reason - I was busy studying and qualifying to become an image consultant. Which means I can now provide more great styling advice for you!

My website and services will be available in coming weeks - am excited to be working with a fabulous web designer and can't wait to see the end result.

The last blog was on a styling shoot done in country NSW featuring a mix of gorgeous garments and accessories from brand labels and yes, op shops.  I wanted to show that a girl on any budget can be stylish, so long she sticks to a few tips. 

Here we go.

1. Know what styles look good on you and your body shape. While a stylist/image consultant can help, think what parts of your body you want to accentuate and what you'd like to disguise - does the outfit achieve that? Does it feel right? If not, try something else. Note: you need to try the garments on!

Scarf, earrings and cuff from op shop

2. If you're not sure of the colour of the garment, do a blink test or ask someone else to do it for you - close then open your eyes...is the first thing you see the colour or you? If it's the colour, it's wearing you. People should notice you, not the garment so try something else!

Dress, gold bangles from op shop; stone bracelet from vintage fair

3. Look for quality in fabric and cut. If the fabric's cheap, the stitching has come apart, the colour is faded, the cut is bad....it's not worth it no matter how much you think it's a bargain - it won't be flattering. If the garment's made from quality fabric but has some minor flaws that can be fixed or may not fit properly, take it to a tailor if you love it.

Brown necklaces from op shop

4. Be imaginative: can you customise an item that catches your eye? Can it be dyed, modified and modernised, can the shoes be painted another colour? Can a button down dress with a great print be changed into a jacket? Can the sleeves from a long jacket be removed to create a stylish sleeveless vest? Can a long jacket be worn as a dress? Can you change the buttons on a garment? Why not distress jeans yourself instead paying a fortune for a pair? (tip: use scissors and grater) Look at magazines and blogs for some inspo.

Dress and cuff from op shop

5. Be open-minded: a garment may look ordinary on the coat hanger but could look fabulous on.

6. Get to know fashion, brands, the latest styles so you know what to look for. But be mindful to ensure the style/trend suits you. Bring along pics or make a Pinterest board of styles you love that can help guide you in finding the pieces you're after.

Gown and heels from op shop (note: pic taken just as it started to rain)

7. Allow yourself plenty of time to search the racks to find hidden gems. Op shop volunteers are often too busy to keep clothing orderly all of the time. Check the children's and men's racks as someone may have misplaced the perfect garment in there.

8. Don't forget to look at the accessories - there are many hidden gems waiting to be found.

Straw bag from op shop

9. If you're looking for something, keep going back as you can never predict when that longed-for item will be disregarded and donated by someone. Also let the op shop volunteers know; they are often very willing to help.

10. Act now, think ahead - if you love the item, grab it or don't leave it there too long and risk the disappointment of it being snatched up by someone else. If you see a great winter coat and it's in the middle of summer, grab it anyway and the cold months will come in no time! Think how smug and stylish you'll be at little cost!

Dress and cuff from op shop

11. Go shopping mid-week when volunteers have had time to sort through new items donated over the weekend - it'll also be quieter so you can peruse more.

12. Support op shops and the volunteers - by donating, you're helping them to raise money to support many great causes in your local community.

I'd love to hear about your op shop treasures. Happy to answer any styling questions. 

Happy op shopping!

Nicky xx