Mastering your style

I think that people can overcomplicate how to throw together an outfit. "Do these pants go with this blouse? Does this bag match? Are these shoes too much?" Let's pause for a moment. You're not putting clothes together. You're putting an outfit together.

I get caught in that trap too - I see inspiration on the runways, blogs, streetstyle, and magazines, but I get flustered trying to put all my favourite styles together. The trick is to decide on a theme, instead of trying to smash different looks together. Then, the pieces fall together a lot easier.

The Bad Girl

You know the kind of look: a lot of dark colours and shades, especially black, which gives all of the outfits an edgy look. However, you will notice that there are also pops of colour into the looks, especially when it comes to hair and makeup. One of the easiest ways to mimic the bad girl style is to wear a black bandeau top with some skinny black jeans. The more distressed the jeans are, the better! Finish the look off with some strong red lipstick for a touch of glamor.

The Power Dresser

To nail the ‘power dresser’ look, you just need to dress like you mean business. So don’t be afraid to go big and bold. From bold flowery patterns, like the ones seen on Ruby Road clothing jackets, to slightly more urban-inspired khaki, there is nothing that a magazine’s stylist won’t use when creating a power dresser look. But one thing is for certain - the models rock whatever they wear no matter what style it is. One of the easiest of power dresser looks to try is Beyonce’s outfit from the Flawless music video. All you need are some cut-off denim shorts and a chequered shirt. Scrunch up your hair and crank up your attitude to top off this grungy look.

The Preppy Look

When you think of the preppy look, you will probably associate it with the-girl-next-door styles. If you want to try and achieve this look, it’s a good idea to go for sophisticated clothes, such as pencil skirts and smart cardigans. This trend also seems to favor clothes that have a slightly vintage feel to them. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a big handbag, so it’s a good idea to make sure your accessorizing is on point when you go for a preppy-inspired outfit. Oh, and don’t forget some cute nude gloss on your lips.

The Quirky Fashionista

Take note, there's a big difference between mismatched and quirky! If you are new to eclectic fashion, you might prefer to keep things simpler with some delicate touches.  Just choose big and bold colours and really wacky hairstyles. You’ll notice that lots of models wear leather pieces, so start saving so you can afford a quality leather skirt or a sleek leather jacket.

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Summer Style Rules: Your New Capsule Wardrobe Sorted

The countdown to summer is on. With temperatures rising, vacations on the horizon, and a host of new trends appearing in stores and magazines, there’s no better excuse to revamp your wardrobe. If you’re keen to inject some summer style, here are some tips to help you create a chic new capsule wardrobe, which will ensure you look the part, whatever the occasion.

Choosing materials

In the summer months, it’s all about keeping cool and feeling comfortable, as well as looking fabulous. It’s all very well sporting an incredible outfit, but you don’t want to be restricted by what you wear or be in the situation where you’re counting down the seconds until you can get home and change. When it’s warm and muggy outside, stick to light materials, such as cotton and linen. Avoid anything too heavy like wool or leather, and opt for styles that aren’t too clingy. Natural fibers are best for hot days, especially in the city.

Colours and tones

Summer is great for fashion lovers because the rules are much more relaxed than in the cooler months. Almost anything goes when it comes to colours and tones, and you can embrace everything from neon brights to subtle pastel shades. Vibrant colours like canary yellow, hot pink, and cobalt blue work brilliantly for tropical vacations while softer sorbet hues of mint, rose, lilac and lemon are perfect for formal occasions, such as weddings or a day at the races. Whatever the season, it’s always a good idea to consider your skin tone when choosing shades. Try different colours on, and see what complements your complexion. You want to aim for tones that make your skin glow and your eyes shine bright, rather than those that wash you out.

Hero pieces

Every season has its own selection of hero pieces. In the summer months, designers are all about enabling you to look chic without feeling uncomfortable. This year, there are some great alternatives around if you don’t want to go down the well-trodden route of wearing shorts and skirts in the summer. Jumpsuits and culottes are everywhere, and you’ll also find a range of dresses adorning the store windows. If you’re not a fan of the mini, opt for midi or maxi styles. Go for jersey or cotton for a laid-back daytime look. Summer isn’t summer without some vacation staples, so don’t worry if you’re not ready to part with your Daisy Dukes or your white skinny jeans just yet. You can update your look by trying out the latest trends on your top half and adding some seasonal accessories. This summer, baring your shoulders is all the rage, so team denim cut-offs with a Bardot or cold-shoulder top and some vintage style studded sandals. Round off the look with an ear cuff, some stacked rings, and an anklet.

Personalizing your look

Fashion means a lot to many of us. Most of us take inspiration from magazines articles, catwalk shows, and Instagram feeds, but that doesn’t mean there’s a limited range of items you can wear each season. There’s no rule about trying something different or mixing and matching pieces to create a unique look. The beauty of fashion is that we all have our own interpretation of style. If you’d rather stand out from the crowd than blend in, you may be keen to add a personal touch to your wardrobe. You can do this by using your unique style to put items and looks together, but you can also use your creatively to create custom jewelry or bespoke items of clothing. If you want to turn up a party knowing that nobody else will be wearing the same outfit, this is a good road to take. You can bring even the most basic, minimal look to life with a statement necklace, some eye-catching earrings or a breathtakingly beautiful watch. You can also update your clothing collection. If you’ve got an old denim jacket lying around, for example, why not refresh and revive it by adding some embroidery, sewing some personalized patches on or experimenting with coloured dyes?

As summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about putting outfits together, dressing for the weather, and experimenting and having fun with fashion. When the sun is beating down, comfort is everything, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be stylish at the same time. Opt for light materials and pieces like wide-legged trousers, culottes, skirts, and maxi dresses. Mix and match trends, celebrate your individual style and don’t be afraid to add some personal touches.

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