Defining your body shape

To define your body shape you can seek professional help from a personal stylist if you can afford one. Alternatively you can book an appointment with a personal shopper at one of your larger or well established department stores. This service is free and is usually available to customers who want help shopping for special occasion outfits or are updating their wardrobe or simply want to shop the new trends. Your personal shopper should be able to assess your body shape and select outfits that are flattering to your size and figure.

But there is always the DIY method. For the do it yourself method, invest in books by known style gurus like Gok Wan and Trinni and Susannah. Even if you are seeking professional help in defining your body shape there is no harm in being proactive and doing your own research. Use the buzz words with your stylist so they know that you are not a complete novice when it comes to fashion. Once your stylist or personal shopper realises that you do seem to know something about fashion and body shape then the challenge is theirs to show you how to make outfits and looks work for you in ways you had not imagined or read about.

Check out the following books:

The Body Shape Bible: Forget Your Size, Discover Your Shape, Transform Yourself

"How to Look Good Naked": Shop for Your Shape and Look Amazing!
Work Your Wardrobe: Gok's Gorgeous Guide to Style That Lasts

Work Your Wardrobe: Gok's Gorgeous Guide to Style That Lasts

Style Clinic: How to Look Fabulous All the Time, at Any Age, for Any Occasion

Wear Floral Dresses this Autumn

Good fashion never goes out of style and florals is one of your classic fashion which like your stripes and polka dots is always in. Though mostly assorted with spring collections, floral patterns can become part of what Gok Wan of "Gok Wan Fashion Fix" calls your ‘capsule wardrobe’. Your capsule wardrobe is simply your basic wardrobe pieces which you can build on. Each piece of your capsule wardrobe should be interchangeable with at least three outfits.

Floaty Hotchpotch Floral Dress

When adding florals to your wardrobe you can choose patterns that already match up with colours in your wardrobe to make them easily interchangeable to create several outfits and looks. At the same time your dress sense may be more eclectic and you may prefer contrasting looks and textures.

Ruched Waist Shift Dress

Classic styles and cuts of floral dresses, skirts, blouses etc makes for a better addition to a capsule wardrobe as you would not have to worry about the style going out of fashion. Vintage style dresses like this ruched waist shift dress is perfect for this trend.

Silk Cotton Scoop Neck Floral Blouse

Floral fashion is usually made from soft, flowing fabrics like silk and polyester making it easy to fell dressed up when wearing this trend. Florals are fun, flirty and very feminine and a good fashion trend to wear if you want to get away from the harsh black and greys usually associated with winter.

If you feel that florals are not for you. Then floral accessories are always an option.

Heliconia Copper Earrings

Opalina ring

Orchid Pendant


Orchid Brooch