Does anyone still follow any Trinny and Susannah 'rules'?

[stevienickstophat]

Was a disciple back in the day, which has led to some embarrassing photos, I can tell you.

But there are still some rules I follow, semi-subconsciously.

I don't wear bright colour on top and black trousers, for example. And I clean my teeth twice before a night out.

I'm sure there are others. Anyone else indoctrinated? (see what I did there?)

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fc/5a/56/fc5a5624efdccd94ec7a003a9948badc.jpg this would be a big no with them

I have never watched them but yes to big boobs and no high necklines rule. I never wear polo necks as I look like a 50s starlet in them. Ribbed, sleeveless polo neck I know would be the most unflattering garment I could ever wear. I saw a crop version the other day. I would take put eyes with that thing!

What are you meant to wear colour with?

Black with black is a bit boring all the time.

Colour with colour - again a bit boring.

Contrast is good surely?

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/ca/42/baca42dcd35abe28764bb72bdac76c80.jpg love this too. I wear polo necks because I like them and they do suit me somehow!

But that's really nice Noddy.

I'm a size 16 pear / hourglass and wrap dresses do suit me, I get a lot of compliments in them. Also one of my most flattering evening dresses is bias cut and very flattering.

I've stuck with:

No cap sleeves
No chunky bangles
Clothes that flatter the waist
Fitted on top with loose fitting below or bice versa, eg skinny jeans with long drapey top or wide leg trousers with fitted top.
Virtually never wear black now
No high or scoop necklines
3/4 length sleeves are good on me
Turning your hands forward to look slimmer in photos

Cross posted. Both nice but I was talking about the first one.

i used to watch T&S

i missed the black/colour thing though... whats that?

Ugh I thought they were monstrous!

Oh god remember when they did that watch through your fingers awful programme where they 'fixed' a couple by making them dress and look differently?? Christ it was vicious stuff. That was the final nail in the coffin for me. Used to love watching their short programme tho. But that secret camera. Good God. And the squeezing women into shapewear!

I'm v similar shape to Trinny. And they were not shy about airing their own imperfections, which was refreshing at the time.

Do I follow any rules? I'm not aware that I do; fashion has changed quite a bit since then. I probably break their rules now. The rules I follow are probably the obvious ones, no bias skirts on my hips (horrifically obvious in any mirror), etc.

I think the black/colour thing was more that it was boring and it made the black item automatically look a bit rubbish?

The one about short people wearing trousers that were too long for them, so the trouser leg draped over the heel and gave the illusion of length, that can go in the 'not' pile too...

Thinking about it, yes I do still follow lots of the rules:

No black & colour (it looks a bit cheap and boring - sorry previous posters, couldn't think of a more polite way of phrasing )
V neck for my big boobs.
no ankle straps

And I binned my (at the time) favourite jumper from Gap as it was a chunky cowl neck thing but sleeveless. Apparently not good for my shape (they were right).

I've got a couple of wrap dresses but never wear them with knee high boots as I think it's ageing.

Also they used to say wide legged trousers were better for bigger women. I disagreed then and I disagree now.

Yes OP I loved that Lisa Tarbuck programme

WhoKnowsWhereThe what's the turning your hands forward to look slimmer in photos?

I did used to have all their books and probably still follow the rules a bit. I also think in general, black looks better with a darker bright colour rather than a light bright colour, but that's just IMO...

They did a book about body shapes, I think there were 12, Column, Vase, Apple and loads more I can't remember. I did find that helpful too.

And I still rate them way over Gok any day - I am sure he secretly hates women and has a (not so) hidden agenda to make them all look shit!

I'm trying to think of a better way of explaining the black/colour thing...

I think it was about black trousers or a black skirt being a default option and that often it takes away from an outfit rather than adding. I got what they mean and it does often pop into my head!

I think Gok basically hates women too

So, how do you pose in photos then?

I love those shoes in the 2nd photo

Ugh I hated them, one episode sticks in my mind where their 'victim' was the very dignified news reader Sophie Raworth. it was so cringing. Every time I see her on the news I feel sorry for her all over again.

The posing for photos tips were:
Hand on waist making your arm a triangle shape.
Put your back to the camera then use your top half to turn towards it. It streches the neck and waist.
Try and get pictured sipping from a straw or glass it draws the face in.

I love the look in those two links, but to be fair the woman in the green top and black trousers would look fantastic in anything, and the red and black combo definitely looks put together - with the little black turnups.

I think T & S were warning against the lazy option of any black trousers or skirt with any coloured top, because 'black goes with everything.'

It doesn't, really.

Oh God, the couples programme. Oh God, how far out of their area of expertise were they??

I have big boobs hate v necks! And wrap dresses Like 3/4 sleeves but not because of them! I think black with colour is very striking those pics I linked are very much how I dress though and I know not everyone's cup of tea but I would never wear a patterned dress for example Can I ask what is cheap about colour with black?

I try to avoid bright coloured tops with black trousers. I think they were right about it looking cheap and nasty.

I won't wear cap sleeves because I have big arms.

I avoid higher necklines because of my big boobs.

They were good tips, I think.

Gok Wan, on the other hand, really irritated me. He used to put hourglass shaped women in those dresses with slightly too high waistlines (around mid rib level, not quite empire line, but nearly) that were in fashion at the time, and stick a belt around the too high waistline. It looked terrible, and was a stupid thing to do because surely an hourglass lady would be better off with a waistline/belt around her actual waist to accentuate the relative slimness?

Obviously some of their ideas have now become dated, eg the tunic dress look, but basically they did have some good rules for normal women (not those women in the linked photos!).

Three-quarter-length trousers - everyone was wearing them a few years back and frankly they do make shorter people look even shorter and squarer. And polo necks are rarely flattering unless you are fairy flat-chested - and as for high necks and sleeveless...

I am a devotee of the v-neck. It is so lengthening . Also can't bear to part with a wrap dress that is super-slimming.

Didn't follow them at the time!
How to look like a bland dress-by-numbers M&S clone. Ugh.

Plus gets on soap box both they and gok should stop pretending that faking hourglass (as opposed to faking lean and tall ) is not actually celebrating all body types. It's just finding a new thing most people can't quite do naturally so they have to hide and adjust.
I'm a natural hourglass. I wear 60s roll necks ... I kick ass in them! V necks ... ugh. Last worn with my 1st polyester work experience suit from bay trading ... unless it's a sweater over a shirt for a unisex look.