A Lover of Fashion

As a lover of fashion, I like to sometimes take risks and mix and match pieces that would not normally be matched together. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. But is it better to take a chance, and potentially look like a walking fashion experiment, or keep on the safe side of boredom?
I like to look at the workplace as a hub for fashion success and failure stories. I am sure we have all worked for a number of businesses, or have attended uni or other courses, where 'free-dress' is the dress code. And do you find it as interesting as I do to sit back and take in what people have 'thrown on' for the day?

My emotions are always uplifted when I see people that have gone to an effort. Whether is be a splash of colour, a hint of accessory, or a sweep of make up, their ensemble looks polished and they generally as individuals look happy. What throws my fashion radar into a spin however, is when I see the old "black pants, hanging out shirt, runners" look, which occasionally gets sported from some of the older generation ladies, or the "too-tight top, too-tight jeans, flat shoes" look that unfortunately some of the younger generation think is complimentary. When everything is too tight, the person underneath seems like a gargantuan, regardless of whether they are a size 10 or size 18.

So what is it that results in us not caring anymore? Is it laziness, a weird perception one self’s worth? Is it just bad fashion sense (aka Hawaiian shirt, cartoon tie, long socks.. and the list goes on)? Or is it that ongoing problem of just having NO TIME!

For me (and face it, we all fall into this category from time to time), it is generally a time issue. If I haven't thought about what I am going to wear ahead of time, then 6:30am on a Monday morning is not the time to start. So to try and get around this issue, I have two suggestions:

1). Have a number of "fail-safe" outfits - ones you know you rock in, and that are presentable and complete, regardless of the mess you might feel inside. These are the type of outfits you always feel good in.

2). Use shmotter to figure out all your own trendy outfits for the week ahead. This will help you do all the mental math around what shoes to match, what handbag to take, and what 'vibe' you want to create for each day of the week


Through thinking ahead, and knowing your wardrobe, you'll avoid falling into the "OMG, what is she wearing!" category more often than not, and also feel calm and collected in the morning, rather than stressed and frazzled. Plus, you will also avoid the other end of bad fashion, which is no fashion. You will feel so much better for having made some conscientious decisions behind how you present yourself, for a very small amount of effort.

So, is no fashion better than taking a fashion risk? My answer is no every time. Through taking a risk, you are showing you care about yourself. And that is attractive to everyone.

Ear Bling

Have any of you noticed an increasing volume to the earrings adorning many of our celebrities in recent times? It seems that the lower cut your dress, the bigger your earrings need to be. Looking into this fashion theory more closely however, the formula actually makes sense.

Strapless dresses are great opportunities for letting your ears do the talking, without taking away from the wow factor of the dress. Shoestring straps also provide for a more paired back opportunity, but be careful of choosing either big earrings or an impressive necklace – not both. Wearing a combination of standout earrings and neck wear will only lead to sensory overload for any onlookers, and detract from your outfit and face.

The best recipe for success when deciding on your jewellery is to follow this simple formula. Oversized earrings + bangle or bracelet or cocktail ring, or necklace plus standout clutch or cocktail ring. Great examples of this combination have been seen recently on celebrities including Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift.

The best thing about this simple oversized earring principle is that for a very small outlay, any outfit can be given a ‘fashion-facelift’. Check out styles that incorporate Swarovski crystals for some night time glamour, or peacock feathers or tribal influences for day time trend setting. Sparkle is the key for lifting simple dresses and block colours, but be careful not to adopt this approach if your outfit incorporates cotton or is to be worn during the day. Any sparkles during the day and you may end up looking like a Las Vegas dancer on her lunch break, rather than a fashion icon.

To ensure your oversized ear bling is appropriate, always take a look at your outfit as a whole – not just from your waist up. This way you will be able to gauge the full effect of your jewellery against your outfit, and will feel confident every time you walk out the door.

Office wear

Most of us spend more time in offices other than anywhere else; therefore we should be more careful when buying a new office clothes item. Let’s talk about the office suit in details.

1. Fabric

Fabric is a very crucial when choosing your office wear. For instance, straight woollen skirt will help you to be in productive mood, rather than same skirt from satin. Try to buy less synthetics clothes for your corporate wear, especially fabrics that can be easily wrinkled.

2. Shape

The most acceptable “shapes“ for the office wear are rectangular, reverse triangle and A - line.

3. Colours

The best colours are grey, dark-grey, brown, black, navy, and greyish-green. In the summer there could be light colours like cream, light grey or beige. Some designers believe that bright colours are also good for the office wear, however it’s better not to use them.

4. Accessories

It’s a very important to wear accessories with your business suit such as belt, jewellery, watch and bags. They’ll give a bit of life to your serious look.

Stylish travelling wardrobe - Hot climate

One thing to remember when packing for a trip, whether it be for work or pleasure, is to think of coordinating each piece with multiple others pieces, thus creating many outfits out of a small range of clothes.

I find the best thing to do first is work out your colour palette. Many people opt for black as their base colour of choice, but when visiting a hot climate black is no longer an appropriate option. Try to stick with a similar palette, to ensure all of your pieces can be matched to the rest of your wardrobe. Then, add some key accessories into the mix, and you are looking as stylish as ever while treading the pavements of anywhere in the world!

One option good for a more casual trip is the khaki look. Green, orange, brown and fawn are a good start. Another look, that can be dressed up easily for work, is the nautically inspired blue, white, red and a touch of black. If you have opted for either of these palettes, then refrain from packing items such as pink or purple tops, as you will ultimately find it difficult to match these tops to many pieces.

Second is fabrics. Think of cotton, linen and other cool fabrics that will breathe well. Leave at home lyra, polyester, and wool. Consider your accomodation also when choosing fabrics, as linen crushes easily and will need to be ironed upon arrival. Silk is a fantastic fabric to pack, as it does not crease and always looks good.

Finally, is activities. Think about what you are going to be doing on your trip, and what function your clothes will need to serve. Are you hiking through the rainforest, lying on a beach, gracing your presence in the boardroom, or hitting the shops? Depending upon what you anticipate you might be doing, remember to pack something to make you feel fabulous if you head out at night, comfortable for lounging around on weekends, and comfortable and cool for being outdoors. I always pack at least one pair of heels (because I love them), and a simple crush-free dress. Walking shoes that are both comfortable and stylish are a must, and runners needn't be your only option here - you don't want to stand out as a tourist. Two pairs of earrings and two necklaces also will enable you to create different looks, as too will a couple of pashminas or colourful scarves. And, of course, at least one bikini or bathing suit is a must!

Once you have considered all of the above, lie your selection out on your bed and make sure that you have enough layering tops and interchangable bottoms. Add or remove as required, but do not fall into the trap of adding.. and adding.. and adding, as remember - you need to carry it!

Good luck!