Cold weather equals more clothing and covering up the whitening legs!  Alas it is to cold for bare legs now as winter begins to close in.  Gone are the days of cotton knit leggings – they have passed well and truly, unless birth is imminent or you are practicing your sun salutations.  So ladies do not wear with tunics and leggings anymore! So what are out options now that this fickle world of fashion has moved us along? A close fitting pair of pants that do the same job as the legging are de rigueur.  And if your hemlines are a little longer then go with the lovely option of choosing from the pleuthra of tights available to you.  So what is what when selecting:

1.    Super sheer  – 15 denier or less is great at night, when the hemlines are a little longer or you are wearing all one colour.  For example – I have a fabulous pair of navy shoes purchased this season and they look best with sheer to moderate denier pantyhose.  This is because the shoes otherwise get lost in the darker pantyhose.  Be warned though if you are over the age of 30 with less than perfect legs – a short skirt (more than 15cm above the knee) with sheer, matt cheap pantyhose can look trashy!
2.    Opaques – are very flattering when worn with boots and skirt but beware of a very solid opaque when you are moderate to heavy in the leg as they can look to solid.  Full opaques look best with longer boots.
3.    Semi Opaques – 30 to 50 denier.  This is my favourite weight – they give you colour and density , they don’t ladder on first wear but you can still see the skin through them which makes them the most flattering.  If in doubt go for semi opaques.
4.    Coloured or patterned  – tights are fantastic if you have moderate to thin legs.  If you are heavy in the legs or have cankles then stick with a more neutral option.  People WILL look at your legs – nothing screams look at me more than bright red tights.  I also love patterned tights as they can add interest to an outfit.  Just be warned though they can look tarty if the skirt is to short and your legs are less than perfect.  A touch of fine fishnet is classy – a whole leg is a bit much!
5.    Sheen or matt? – Sheen is great in the lower deniers as it looks sleek and modern but can make the legs look robust as they tights get opaque.  So sheer with sheen and opaque and matt!

Pencil skirts are very in – so don’t be scared find the fit for you and seek some fabulous tights or pantyhose to finish the outfit off.  My favourite brands of pantyhose are; Voodoo, Levante and Kayser for sheer and semi opaques.  For regular opaques I find the supermarket fills the gap and Voodoo and Columbine have a great selection of funky colours.

Celebrate you legs with a great pair of hose!  Look out for my lament on black in the next blog.

I have called this blog Winter Scarves but I have to say I wear scarves for 3 seasons of the year. Silk or lightweight cotton scarves are fantastic when you need something to take off the chill in the shoulder months of spring and autumn. However with the cooler weather and winter almost upon us it is now time to call in the heavier woolen versions. Aside from their obvious aesthetic benefits scarves also keep you toasty warm and can stop that chill leeching inside your top as you stand on the sidelines or dashing from car-park to work. Choosing a scarf;

1. Look at your coats – if they are neutral go with a coloured coat to brighten up the outfit and give it a lift. Play with contrast – wearing a black jacket and black scarf lacks style.

2. Workout what your best colours are – and buy a couple of scarves in your best colours.

3. Weight – if you are petite person then a full on big scarf will swamp you conversely if you are a larger person then a thin strip scarf will get lost. Apply this rule to patterns as well. Larger patterns with larger people and vice versa.

4. Necklace and scarves together – I am a big fan of having a necklace hiding under your scarf as then you still have something on to finish your outfit off if you get to warm for your scarf. So yes mix it up!

5. How to wear – see the photos here on different ways to tie a scarf for winter. Whichever one your choose will be dependant on whether your scarf is to be worn as an accessory only to be taken off in the case of a hot flush or it is a functional accessory. If you are taking it off then wrap if around for warmth. If you want to keep it on – then try a more ornate knot.

Have fun- buy a funky scarf – it’s a great way to try a colour that suits you that you are scared of or even add some pattern or something new to your outfit!

This week I have been giving my winter coats an airing and loving it.  The weather has been chilly and I have needed their sturdy warmth!  A coat is an essential part of a winter wardrobe and also a significant investment.  So how do we choose a coat that is right for us and doesn’t cost the earth?

1.    Analyse your wardrobe – is it made up of neutrals or all black?  If yes then go with a coloured winter coat?  Pick one of your better colours and go with that for safety if you are still coming to terms with  colour.  I recently shopped with the lovely Karen Hamilton from www.360de.co.nz  and being a warm undertone we looked for a statement coat – she bought the fabulous yellow coat from Ruby in this season and looks great in it.  However if you are a little baulked by yellow (an many of you are, I know!) then go with red, navy, pink or blue…

2.    On or off?  – Do you want your coat to be part of your outfit or do you want to take it off at soon as you get inside?  If it s part of your outfit then buy a more lightweight version that will not roast you inside and if you want to take it off then go for a heavyweight.

3.    Style- I prefer a more shaped coat on most figures, as it gives you a great silhouette and is more flattering.  However if you are a taller or slim lady then go for a swing coat.  Length is important as well – a safe coat length is just about or below the knee.  Do not worry if your dress / skirt / trouser are longer than the coat.  This was only a concern when we were buying matching coats and dresses as Mother of Bride in the 60’s!!!!

4.    Fit – Always think about what you want to wear underneath your coat?  Will it be a silk shirt of a chunky sweater?  This will determine the coat you purchase.

5.    Cost – buy the best you can afford.  I suggest buying a new coat every year or two years then you can start with a neutral colour and add interesting colours and style as you build up your collection.  I have 7 coats now that I have collected that still look fantastic. I always move one along each season to keep the wardrobe fresh and styles current.  Also Christchurch is cold so variety is good.

My favourite coats of the season are from Max, Portmans, Glassons.  For a little more high end – then look to Andrea Moore, Cue and Zambesi.  I have also seen some fantastic coats in Country Road for a more mid range price.  And don’t forget – to finish your coat off you need a scarf  – see our next blog on how to choose and wear.

Keep warm and enjoy your coat! Today’s images are from Max & Ruby.

I have been fortunate to be in the shops for the past week and I am inspired and very pleased to report that colour is everywhere!  Wearing all black is not chic or flattering, as we all know. I have also been taking a good look at accessories and all the bits and pieces that ‘finish’ an outfit off.  You are not ‘dressed’ until you have your accessories on.

So how do you select what is right for you?

1.    Get your colours done so you know whether you suit silver or gold jewellery.  Then you will be purchasing what actually suits you.  It will be one or the other, very few people suit both!
2.    Look for your best features – neck, decolletage, bust, shoulders, small waist. Whatever it is you need to accentuate these features by having your accessories sit there.  For example if you have a great waist please wear a belt.  If you have a rounder tummy then a belt is out!  Similarly if you have a long neck then a choker will break the line and be flattering and if you have a heavy neck and double chin then keep the necklaces a little longer.
3.    What do you want your jewellery to do for you? A long line necklace will make you look taller as the eye is drawn down.  A shorter necklace draws the eye up and away perhaps from a large bust or full tummy.
4.    Work out what shape your face is. Go for the opposites – a long thin face has shorter jewellery and a short round face goes for the longer slim line jewellery.
5.    Look for one focal point, is it the earrings or is it the necklace?  If you have a statement necklace then the earrings need to be subtle and small and blend with the necklace.

I have just done some work with Silvermoon.  They have a great selection of jewellery as does Whitehot Jewellery who have just launched their new website.

Check out the blog next week about how to choose a winter coat?

Summer seems to have passed this year without me noticing. In the past my children have swum in the pool right into April but now I am getting out the jackets and we are only midway into March! This means that we are dragging the warmer clothes out of the wardrobe only to find by midday we are fighting off the heat. So what to do?

1. Wear layers, things you can peel off as the weather warms up.
2. Wear skin coloured knee highs with closed toe court shoes so the feet stay warm.
3. Invest in a lightweight jacket to throw on at the beginning of the day.
4. Silk scarves are a great way to finish a look and also fantastic when the wind is whipping in!
5. Don’t be afraid of pantyhose. A good quality pair that match your skin tone, worn with closed toe shoes are a fabulous way to keep your legs warm and still look summery when the evenings are chilly.

Enjoy the snippets of warm weather we have left and next week I will give you the low down on what are your must have buy for winter!

Today’s images are from Max and Andrea Moore.

Part of my job is to make sure that people look current, feel great and overall dress themselves in a socially acceptable way that fits with their personality and lifestyle. However even the best of us can get stuck in a time warp, out grow our clothes or grow older whilst our taste remains youthful etc.

So how do we know when to move on or toss away the old favourites that are doing us no justice? There are many things that can date a look but here are the top 5 from which to steer clear:

1. Over the age of 50 your hair colour should be lighter and not dyed dark, otherwise your skintone and hair are a mismatch. Find a good hairdresser and go lighter together!
2. Cotton knit leggings are for pregnancy and the gym. We seem to have adopted these as a wardrobe basic! Longer tops look great with a fitted pant even in summer so ditch this trend and move on.
3. Buy the best shoes you can afford. Dated, scruffy shoes and bad hair date an outfit.
4. A tan is a scar on the skin. Nothing is more aging than an orange fake tan. I am not a fan of any sort of tan. The women amongst us who look fabulous at 60 are the ones that avoid the sun, wear sunscreen religiously and never apply orange fake tan!
5. Wear colour. Black reflects up onto your face and the shadows sit into your line and wrinkles. Colour is flattering and youthful. Black is aging and somber.

Enjoy your clothes, enjoy your body. It is the only one you will ever have. Stop worrying about the extra 5kgs. Enjoy your food but don’t over indulge and get some regular exercise and it will serve you well.

Oh yes it is the time of year where we are baring our bodies and getting out in the sunshine. Especially when the weather is good! So how do we choose which is the right swimsuit for us? Here are my top 5 hints:

1. If you are long in the body then a tankini or bikini will be best.
2. If you have big thighs and bottom avoid a boy leg as it makes the thighs look bigger due to the horizontal line they create across the thigh.
3. If you are full in the bust buy a supportive swimsuit of top – Savoir Lingerie and Swimwear are experts in this!
4. Put the brightest colour or pattern in an area you want to look bigger –so if you are small in the chest then wear a bright coloured top that draws attention and makes your bust look bigger!
5. Get fitted and make sure you purchase the right size costume! Don’t be afraid to swim and enjoy your body – it’s the only one you will ever get!

A kaftan is a great garment that you can wear over your swimsuit… So if you are a little body conscious then invest. I have three and I live in them poolside and at the beach (if only there were more days like that!)

Todays photos are from Roxy and Savoir… Enjoy!

How do we choose a hat that protects us from the elements, is comfortable and looks good?

1. Determine your face shape by looking in the mirror and using a whiteboard marker to trace your face on the mirror. Stand back and look at the basic shape you see. Look at the chart in this blog to see which is the closest to your shape in the mirror.
2. The general rule is a long face needs a shorted wider hat and a more rounded face needs a taller more elongated face.
3. Current hat trends include Fedoras and wide brimmed 70’s inspired hats.
4. My favourite picks are Max, Country Road, Glassons, Snow and Surf and Savoir lingerie.

My all time go to hat is a fedora that I bought from Ballentynes menswear department a few years ago. It is sturdy, keeps the sun off and also looks a bit trendy on a good day!

Welcome to the hot sunny weather! It is so fantastic to be able to get up and put on a dress and not have to worry abut layers and keeping warm. It really is the time of year to celebrate the longer evenings and embrace those shorts and get the legs out in the open. So that brings me to looking after our skin and making sure that we not only look good but also take care of ourselves.

These are my key summer messages to look good and also make sure you are taking care of yourself:
1. If you want to go out into the sun make sure you apply at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. Keep your skin exfoliated and clean at the end of the day.
2. Keep your hair well conditioned and make sure that it is protected from hot sun with a hat.
3. Wear a tinted moisturizer and keep your face out of the sun. I have found this summer that I needed a really good sunscreen as well as a foundation with sunscreen in it. Better to be over protected that under protected.
4. Sunglasses are a fashion statement and also protect part of your face and your eyes from harmful rays.
5. Visit your favourite beauty therapy clinic for some summer pampering. My favorites are Total Body Concept in Salisbury Street and Louisa Victoria Beauty in Papanui Road.

Enjoy wearing less. Embrace your body for hat it is and make sure you take care of your skin and hair.

Summer skin care

Exciting stuff…. Today I am off to Auckland to represent the best textile innovators Canterbury has to offer.

It is about showcasing the best of Canterbury Fashion that goes from paddock to person fashion showcasing textile innovation .  Working with Icebreaker, Untouched World, Chalky Digits and Ag Research.

Connecting Canterbury week is part of the 6 week programme of showcasing NZ Business Innovation Showcasing under the title “We do things differently here.”   Canterbury has been offered a unique opportunity to take its business programme to Auckland to maximise the opportunities around the transferred QF games for business networking and showcasing our innovative businesses/sectors.

6 Shows over the next 3 days at 12.30 and 1.30pm.

COME CELEBRATE BEING A CANTABRIAN with us at the AUCKLAND CLOUD!!

Images below are from Ice Breaker and AgResearch’s textile development team.