Wardrobe planning for next season ... shoes first

I've come under the influence of several blogs that do wardrobe planning. The best has to be Courtney Carver of Project 333. Note that this is my "aspirational" wardrobe plan - you choose 33 items from your wardrobe and use only them for three months. Every season you reassess and start again.  You can check out how to do this on Project 333's blog here. 

Some people may be able to get right down to 33 pieces but I'm guessing that's not me. Especially since I don't wear black! But here's a pic from her website that demonstrates the concept perfectly. I love this so much (except for the black of course).

So here's my starting line. My shoes for this spring/summer:

Ree's shoes 2015

So I love my Fluevogs (far left) the most. Shoes #2 are FLY London and are my market shoes - you need all those inches of rubber sole when you are on your feet all day. Note that shoes 4 and 5 are the same but different colours - they have been worn the most in past seasons. New #6 flats in leopard print replacing last year's leopard flats that wore out - need I say more??? #8 are Country Road flatform sandals and will go so well with all the ankle pants I'm making and wearing this year. And jandals on the end because I am a kiwi!

Now I need to think about the clothes ...
Ree

What are the best trousers?

Trousers are just so easy to live in but how do you wear trousers that are not jeans or the traditional shapes? 

Here are some ideas for how to wear your Minnie + Ree pants. All of these pictures and their links to source are on a Pinterest page I have set up:  http://www.pinterest.com/minniereesmith/how-to-wear-minnie-%2B-ree-trousers/

Autumn/Fall & Winter

- think layers, jumpers, socks, shoes, boots, coats ...

 Spring & Summer

- think cool tops, dresses, sandals ...

Dress them up too

- think heels!

Minnie + Ree now have three pant styles:

All of these pants have our standard flexible sizing so are either size Small or size Average.  Hip measurements are important here so the sizes are:

SMALL hip from 35 to 40 inches or 89 to 102 cm

AVERAGE hip from 41 to 46 inches or 104 - 117 cm

Here's the link to see more:  http://www.minnieree.com/Mosey-comfy-knit-pants.html

 

So, what are the best trousers for you??

Image Consultant - which shape is best for you

This is the third part of the image advice that we are getting from Sherna of Your Style Journey.  You can check out her advice on colour here. and on print here. This week it is all about body shape.

Dressing for your body shape

If you pick up a fashion magazine, flick through the pages, and look at all the models, especially those in the ads, you will see that most of them are young, beautiful, tall and very skinny.  That shape is not normal!  The average fashion model is about 178cm tall, weighs 52kg and is a size 8.  The average kiwi woman is 162.5cm tall, weighs 72.6 kg and is a size 14.  

The ideal body is also considered to be 8 heads tall, but the average person is only about 7.5 heads tall.  Most clothes are designed to fit an ideal body, but the majority of us do not have an ideal body.  Therefore when it comes to dressing successfully and looking good, one of the key solutions is to understand your body shape.   That way you can dress your body so it looks balanced, highlighting your assets, and minimising your flaws.

Body shapes

The X body shape is the most balanced of all body shapes.  Shoulders are in line with hips, a defined bust and waist, with neat hips and bottom.  When dressing:-

• Choose clothing that falls smoothly over your curves and has clean lines.
• Wear tops that reveal skin at collarbone or cleavage.
• Avoid boxy, straight and oversized clothing that hides your curves.

The V body shape has wide shoulders and narrow hips.  Your aim is to diminish your top half and refocus attention below the waist.  When dressing:-

• Darker coloured plain tops, with lighter, detailed bottoms.  Printed pants are a great option and a current trend.
• Keep shoulders free of detail (e.g. epaulettes and padding).
• Add volume at waist and hips to balance out shoulders (e.g. tulip skirts, boyfriend jeans)

The I body shape has a long lean figure with balanced hips and shoulders but very little waist definition.  Your aim is to give the illusion of curves.  When dressing:-

• Enhance your bust line with details (e.g. ruffles, gathers).
• Highlight your hips, bottom and thighs (e.g. detailing on pockets of jeans).
• Use texture and layering to add volume (e.g. faux fur caplet).

The H body shape has balanced hips and shoulders but a thick waist with little or no definition.  Your aim is to refocus attention away from your waist by adding interest above the bust or below the hips.  When dressing:-

• Avoid detail at the waist (e.g. belts), if you belt wear it at your hips.
• Add detail above the bust (e.g. jewellery) and below the hips (e.g. interest at hemline).
• Soften the body shape, opt for round necklines as opposed to square and flared pant legs over straight.

The O body shape carries weight in the mid-section.  Your aim is refocus your attention above the bust line or below the hips, whilst elongating the body.  When dressing:-

• Keep detail in clothing above the bust line or below the hip.
• Choose fabrics that drape over your curves and don’t cling.
• Don’t tuck in tops, choose long tops with vertical detailing.

The A body shape has narrow shoulders and wide hips.  Your aim is to create fullness and width above the waistline whilst minimising hips and thighs.  When dressing:-

• Shoulder detailing to balance shoulders with hips (e.g epaulettes, padding).
• Lighter/brighter colours on top, darker/ plainer colours on the bottom.
• Bootcut  trousers/jeans will help accentuate your curves in all the right ways.

The 8 body shape has balanced hips and shoulders, is full busted with a small waist, and curvy hips and bottom.   Your aim is to minimise your curves and elongate the body.  When dressing:-

• Choose fabrics that drape but don’t cling, wrap dresses are a good option.
• Accentuate your small waist (e.g peplums, belting,  semi-fitted clothing).
• Keep clothing line straight and clean, avoiding flared skirts and trousers.

Knowing your body shape allows you to select styles that will flatter you, enabling you to look great and feel great. 

What body shape are you? 

Want to know more about how to dress for your body shape, proportions, and scale, contact sherna@yourstylejourney.co.nz  to book your style consultation today!

Image Consultant - which prints are best for you?

This is the second part of the image advice that we are getting from Sherna of Your Style Journey.  you can check out her advice on colour in last week's blog post here. This week it is all about prints, and as you probably know Minnie + Ree love prints!!  

Here's some of our more colourful favourites that we have used over the past couple of years:

Minnie + Ree prints

I really enjoy helping people to choose a skirt or dress in a print, especially when they are not used to buying prints but then find The One that is perfect for them.  Print clothes often take on a new personality when you put them on.  Keep trying them on as there is always one that will look great.  And the right print can conceal a multitude of sins ... read on for Sherna's advice and remember it's all about having fun and feeling great in your clothes ...

Prints

Whatever your taste there is something out there for everyone. Prints include florals, stripes, geometric, exotic, animal, tribal, paisley (an old classic revamped), and garden/vegetable. Not only are there a variety to choose from they also come in a variety of colours from soft pastels to vivid brights.

People can find prints scary and are wary of them for several reasons, the main ones being that:

• they are seen as seasonal buys and therefore not as versatile as a plain garment
• they are not sure if prints suit them or not.

There is no need to be wary, a good print can stay around for a while, so if you find a good print it's worth investing in as you will get the wear out of it over more than one season. If you are not sure if prints suit you here are a few basic guidelines to buying and wearing prints.

• Get the right size for you. A large print on a small frame will look overwhelming even if you do have the confidence to wear it. In contrast a small print on a large frame will have no impact. A useful guideline is to check the print doesn't exceed the size of your outstretched hand.
• Be careful how you wear it. Prints can appear to add volume, for example on large busts or wide hips, so keep prints of 'problem' areas. Prints with lots of negative space will make you appear larger. An overall print can disguise style lines in a garment, the less contrast in a print the more slimming it will be.
• Choose the right design for you. Your clothing should suit your bodyshape and your personality. Angular prints on curvy body will look unflattering. Prints have personalities -bold, dainty, exotic, feminine, conservative, etc. Creative and dramatic personalities will love the more inventive prints, vivid paisleys, geometrics, exotic, animal, etc. To the classic, natural and elegant chic personalities these prints may be too fussy so they will probably opt for smaller, subtle and muted prints. Romantic personalities will love the variety of florals from the soft muted pastels to the south pacific inspired brights and bolds.
• Choose the right colour combination especially if you are wearing it next to your face. If the print is multicoloured ensure the dominant colour is in your colour palette.
• Most importantly you should enjoy wearing it.
• Prints can create a statement in themselves so there is no need to add to it. Complex designs or prints should be worn with simple garments, for example coloured jeans, or a plain skirt. However creative personalities will have no issue with mixing prints and wearing them with confidence.

For more information check out Sherna's website www.yourstylejourney.co.nz.  Or maybe book a consultation??

Image Consultant - what colours are best for you?

As you probably know Minnie + Ree is all about colour.  Example - here is a collection of our skirts:

Minnie + Ree wrap skirts

Choosing the best colour for you is always fun.  But not all of us know which colours are best. Lately I have been doing some work with Sherna Coote of Your Style Journey. Sherna is brilliant with colour and I now know that I need to let my inner green-wearing redhead out - that was a huge surprise!!  And everyone is telling me how great I look. So here's the first post from our guest blogger Sherna...

Colour

Colour is the essence of dressing successfully, it affects how you look, feel and how others respond to you.  Whether we like it or not we will be judged within seven seconds of meeting someone, with 93% of that judgement based on non-verbal communication and 55% of it on our clothing and grooming alone.

This is because colour attracts the eye first.  It is the first thing people see about you and probably what they will remember about you.  So understanding your best colours, will go a long way in creating that great first impression.

Instinctively we are drawn to colours that suit us, as our eye seeks balance and harmony, however we do not always follow our natural instincts.  Colour preferences of our family, friends and culture, and fashion trends often overwhelm our instinctive likes and dislikes.  I can attest to this, as an autumn I look great in brown, but it’s a colour I avoided for years as it was the colour of my school uniform!!  

So a colour analysis is almost like relearning what you know instinctively, thereby sharpening your ability to recognise colours that flatter you best (you also get a personal swatch to aid you in your shopping).  

 

Understanding whether your skintone is warm or cool is key in determining your best colours.  Warm skintones fall into spring or autumn, and cool skintones into summer or winter.  However within each season there are different colour palettes determined by the amount of contrast between your hair and your skintone.  For example even though Shirley Maclaine and Julia Roberts are both autumns, Julia Roberts has much darker hair colouring which allows her to wear richer, and more vivid, and earthy colours than Shirley Maclaine.         

The right colours next to your face will reflect up creating overall balance and harmony, enhancing your natural beauty and leaving  you open to all  those great compliments on how fantastic you look.  The wrong colours next to your face will highlight all those imperfections  (lines, wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, blemishes, uneven skintone etc) and can make your skin look sallow and unhealthy.  Worst of all it can very ageing, this is especially true of black if it is not in your colour palette.  So to give yourself a natural instant facelift, wear your most flattering colours next to your face.

Understanding your colours will allow you to dress with intention.  You choose which colours to wear to convey the statement you want to make about yourself and how you wish to be perceived by others, from your partner to your boss. 

To summarise colour can be magical.  Knowing your best colours opens up a whole world of opportunities:-

• Shopping will become easier (what woman doesn’t want that?!) and you will probably save some money.
• You can build a well co-ordinated and flexible wardrobe. No more standing in front or your wardrobe exclaiming “I have nothing to wear!”
• You will gain confidence knowing the colours you are wearing are your most flattering.

Colour makes the initial impact so find out what colours are perfect for you.

For more information check out Sherna's website www.yourstylejourney.co.nz.  Maybe it's time to book a consultation??

NEXT WEEK - which prints to choose ...