belted jackets

Winter is that time when you crave warming and comforting food to help fight off the chill and I do  look forward to the soups, stews and casseroles even though I have to make them myself.  When it comes to my winter wardrobe essentials warmth and comfort is just as important as I know I need my basics like roll neck tees, jumpers, cardigans, sweaters etc.  But must they all be in black, grey, brown and navy blue?  I think not.  So I have my eye on these two belted jackets.  Great accent colours with really architectural collars that are both stylish and trendy and the belt in the jacket really helps to accentuate your waist even if it is not as slim as it used to be.   So waist or no waist belted jackets can give the illusion of one.

I like my food to be invitingly colourful not to mention tasty and nutritious which usually means having a variety and wide range of foods.  Sometimes it is the little accents you add like sweet peppers, sweet corn, sprinkling of herbs and spices that can make all the difference.  So is your wardrobe well balanced? According to the old adage - variety is the spice of life - so do you have accents of colours in your winter wardrobe to brighten your winter?  Think about adding accent colours to your look with fashion accessories such as red woollen scarves and polkadot rings. 

Your summer work wardrobe

It is quite a wardrobe challenge keeping it professional and summery for the working woman.  Depending on the nature of your job, finding that balance between professional look and summer coolness can be tricky especially in a high powered corporate job where image is key.  Then there are those who are always required to be camera ready.

The last few days have been bursting with magical sunshine and heat - perfect beach weather.  But alas not all of us are fortunate enough to be lounging on the beach somewhere.  Keep cool in dresses and skirts in light cottons or linen and ladies ...... great time to shave or wax your legs if you tend to be more on the hairy side as summer does reveal all those ills we have been hiding under coats and tights for months.

Look camera ready in this wrap dress from La Redoute.  If you just cannot be without a suit for work then lighter colours like beige, cream and white suits will certainly make you instantly trendy as you will be blending in with the nude trend.  A top tip is to always keep a versatile jacket in your office to upgrade your look from casual to formal in an instant.

Accessorize your work wardrobe with tasteful unusual jewellery in great summer colours like polkadot rings and copper bracelets.

Don't miss out on the La Redoute sale to add a few key pieces to your capsule wardrobe this summer.

Improve your mood with colour

The colours that we wear can influence how we feel and how we are perceived by others. I like wearing bold colours in winter as it cheers me up and distracts me from the perpetual cold grey sky. During winter I continuously dress my daughter in combination hues of bright blues and yellows, pink and red and she never fails to brighten a room and have perfect strangers compliment her on her outfit. Just last week she went to a birthday party and I matched her up in a multicoloured polkadot dress with lime green tights and a dark aqua turtleneck which were two accent colours from the dress. She was warm but cheerful on a dreary winter afternoon and many mums complimented me on her outfit.

I recently bought her a multicoloured striped coat which has the same effect on people. Last Saturday her dance teacher could not stop talking about the coat and that same day as I walked in the room with her to drop my son off for his drama class, the drama teacher was simply drawn to her.

I love colour, I celebrate colour …. And it is a perfect way to differentiate yourself from the crowd. For instance red is the colour of love, it celebrates passion and intensity. But red is not a colour only to be worn on Valentine’s Day or at Christmas time. Red clothing gets you noticed as it is an energetic colour. Publicists will usually advise their clients to wear some accent of red when taking a photo as it helps you to stand out.

Next time you are stepping out to dinner wear a red evening dress and see the reactions you get.

Let the next coat you invest in be a red coat and remember to get a pair of Red Shoes. But please do not wear them all at the same time.

Tommy Hilfiger short trench coat

Tommy Hilfiger red corduroy blazer

Eco Shoes from Terra Plana

If a total red evening dress or coat is too intimidating for you then go for accents of red like a scarf, a belt, a funky handbag, red necklace or polka dot ring. Wear your red shoes with a pair of jeans and tie it in with another red fashion accessory like a red hibiscus necklace.

Fashion Accessories from Munique Fashions.

Fashion accessories are a clever way of introducing colour into your wardrobe as you build up the confidence to splash out in colour.

Polkadot Fashion

photo from http://fabsugar.com/

Nothing makes a fashion statement quite like polkadots. The best thing is ... it never seems to go out of style. It is one of those classical pieces like your argyle sweater or tartan wear which can be worn time and time again. Polka dots are funky and trendy all at the same time and can be very versatile in the variation of colours used to form the polka dots. As you can see below, polkadot fashion is no longer only your dalmatian colours of black and white.



photo from http://fabsugar.com/

If you find polkadot clothing a bit too daring for your fashion sense then go for polkadot accessories like these funky rings from Munique fashions. They say fancy, fun and very feminine and come in several bright and bold colours.



photos from Munique Fashion http://www.thesymphony-life.com

Next time you are out and about,look for a polka dot coat to add to your wardrobe. The best polkadot coats I came across so far,would you believe were in the kiddies section. But I certainly would feel very trendy stepping out in these polkadot designs. Wouldn’t you agree? Let me know if you come across any polka dot coats or polkadot clothing you wish to share with our readers.

photo from http://www.styletots.com


photo from http://www.gymboree.com