Which style secret...

[applespearsandraspberries]

...do you wish you had sussed years ago and not just recently?!

Don’t save clothes ‘for best’

Buy it, hang it in your wardrobe tags still on. And if you haven’t worn it within 2 weeks, return it

Find your style not your fashion choice.

Good hair nails and shoes makes you look polished

Chunky knit and big boobs does not a marriage make.

The right shade of Pink for your colouring wore next to the skin makes you look healthier
Most blondes don’t suit black and look better in charcoal grey or navy
People with olive skin look ill in pastels

I would have loved to have felt the confidence I now feel in my 40s to wear whatever I want with that confidence in my 20s/30s - I really think it shines through in how I wear my clothes and how I feel and enjoy fashion/style so much more now.

Navy is often 10x more flattering than black.
Scarves and jewellery and heels can make even the plainest outfit look dressy.
Hair straighteners are almost as good a ms a blow dry (and a lot less faffy!)

As not a ms!

Having your colours done saves money and enables you to put outfits together really easily because the colours tend to match or at least complement each other. Also, of course, wearing the right colours can not only make you look better but can also give you a natural gravitas which people will subconsciously notice; you look somehow more experienced and as if you ‘know yourself’ well.

Flat shoes can look more elegant than heels. Good shoes can make an outfit; cheap shoes can ruin it.

As you get older, less make up is more. Lipstick, eyeliner and string eyeshadow can be v ageing.

Hair cuts and regular professional highlights should be prioritised over all beauty products.

Take care when mixing warm metals with cool.

Give your wardrobe a clear out every six months and throw away anything that hasn’t been worn for two years, unless it’s occasionwear.

I look the best now that I’ll probably ever look. I try and remember that when I find myself being critical of anything.

I think the whole theory behind colour analysis is back to front and warm toned should wear cool colours and vice versa

Just had a visceral reaction to that one!!! I am clear and cool, and as soon as I found that out I realised why I looked so wrong and washed out in anything sludgy and warm !

Another vote for colours & style. I'm delighted to have found the shade of red lipstick that suits me & stopped buying things I like that will never wear as they are not appropriate for me

Buy it, hang it in your wardrobe tags still on. And if you haven’t worn it within 2 weeks, return it

What a great idea!

"Wear the size that fits you properly rather than the size you’ll like to be"

THIS.

That black does not suit many people. It washes you out and makes most of us look ill.

Black does not go with many colours. Eg black trousers and any blouse for work. Black shoes with any outfit.

That wearing another colour trouser, shoes or tops actually looks more sophisticated and stylish.

It's taken me years to stop relying on go too black and I now feel I wear much more stylish or flattering clothes.

Nude coloured shoes are really versatile.

Brighter colours are more flattering on me.

Small boobs is not a terrible thing. You can actually wear more styles.

A make up session with a reputable company such as Selfridges or Bobbi Brown is a good investment. The right makeup properly applied makes your look fresh, bushy eyed and younger.

Wearing clothes that fit. I wasted so much money on trousers that were gaping at the waist so not comfortable (even with a belt), skirts too short for bare legs in the summer (I have a lot of visible veins), sleeveless tops that gape at the sides & show the side of your bra, wrap dresses that show too much boob so end up covered with a cardigan, shoes too narrow for my wide feet so only worn once.....

Also getting my colours done and spending more time and money on my hair.

oh, and cutting my nails very short and moisturising/pushing back the cuticles every day No more chipped varnish, broken nails etc, so liberating!

That heels are completely optional and there is no need to wear them ever if you don't want to.

I agree that black should be used sparingly, navy and grey are the basis of my wardrobe now.

That skirts are just not for me, and dresses rarely, trousers and jeans are what I feel happiest in for just about all occasions.

It's ok to have men as your style icons. Also people who do not look like you. It's inspiration, not cloning.

That dressing should be fun.

Buy cashmere and wear it, read this in a style book years ago and have never regretted adhering to it. I love the feel of it and cost per wear over many years, ( had several jumpers for ten years plus), is excellent value.

I think getting colours done is a good move and suggest that pp who has gone against what their consultant said and feels great had a bad consultant. Having said that, I don't think you should stick absolutely rigidly to what they say. For example, I'm a winter, but in summertime with a slight tan (or clarins drops)! I can carry slightly warmer tones. I also don't abide by their lipstick recommendations. I do have a couple of the HOC winter shade lipsticks but have to be careful with them as I have quite thin lips.i get most compliments when wearing what could probably be described as a more summery toned lipstick. However generally I stick to cooler tones waist up. Particularly hair.

Their style consultation is far more useful I would say. So rather than getting colours done, I recommend the style consultation. I had this done in central London (didn't fancy Mrs Bumpkin's input from down the road at my local HOC - I know they all get the same training but......). If you get a good rapport going with your HOC consultant during the styling session you can try saying "I'm a spring/summer whatever aren't I!" And they won't be able to resist telling you No you're Autumn/winter whatever, without going through all the scarf draping stuff.

Lovely tips on this thread. I would add:

When it comes to make-up, less can look nicer. These days I just use foundation and eyebrow pencil. A much softer look which suits me more.

Avoid patterns. THey detract from the fit/style/cut/colour of the garment. For every person that thinks that's a nice pattern, five will think it's not very nice.

Wear clothes that are fitted (not tight).

I'm small though, so these 'tips' for shorter women.

I can easily tell what season I am! Deep Autumn (specifically!).

I was certain of this and then I read that Autumns and deep autumns look terrible in white. Have always avoided white. And drab beige.

Some of the one-size-fits-all style advice will tell you to buy a few expensive white shirts (no!!!) and a good mac. lol. I'd look like I'd rolled around in the laundry basket at boules club.

Not so much of a style thing but I really wish I started exercising sooner. I hated all sports when younger and only picked up fitness in my late 20's. Even though I'm about the same size now than 20 years ago, it's amazing how much nicer things look when you have some muscle tone.