In Love this Spring – Body Shape Heaven!

I sartorially fell in love this week with online fair trade clothing company Bochica. Beautiful pieces, good for the conscience and purse-strings all in one. There’s something for everyone…

http://www.bochica.co.uk/index.php

In terms of dresses, all the body shapes are catered for. Here’s why:

Boyish:

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=310

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=38

The structured panels act to compliment the more angular lines of this body shape.

Boyish shouldn’t mean childish – the second dress is a mature look with peaked shoulders for dressing up or down with different jackets.

Hourglass:

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=218

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=213

These dresses draw attention to the waist which flatters the hourglass body shape. The drapey fabric perfectly compliments as it gently drapes over curves.

Pearshape:

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=144

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=316

http://www.bochica.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22_24&products_id=311

What’s important for this body shape is drawing attention to the shoulders through diverging lines to shoulders, lighter colours, capped sleeves and detail eg . All these dresses serve that purpose plus have the added advantage of minimising attention to hips though no detail at hips and darker colours.

Enjoy!

Layer up for Spring

Ok, ok, let’s not get too excited about the recent sunny spell – There has still been frost in the morning 3 days running after all here in Brighton. However, it does all point to one thing….Spring! It’s nearly here and comes with it the perennial problem of dressing oneself for different temperatures throughout the day. But take heart, there is help on hand with this season’s guide to layering…

Take a look at these links for ideas on successful layering:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=49907587273

Fabulous article on layering: http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/lifestyle/rebecca-willis/applied-fashion-layering

Of course what’s most important is knowing your body shape and proportions so that you know which parts to emphasise through layering and which to balance.  If you are pear-shaped, for example then it’s important to add attention and bulk to the shoulder line through lighter shoulders & sleeves underneath a darker tunic, or a scarf that sits comfortably on the shoulders. If your legs are proportionally longer than your upper body, create a layered look with a long-line cardigan/jumper underneath a shorter jacket or gilet with a scarf to add another colour & layer that will break up the lower half of the body. Also, have your boots match your hair colour and be contrasting to your skinny jeans to break up the leg length and unify your overall look.

To find out your proportions and body shape, have a style consultation whith a style consultant who is trained to professionally assess these aspects and offer qualified advice. So many clients have been delighted to find out that their proportions are balanced when they’ve thought for years otherwise, and if not, are delighted to know how to balance their out of proportion legs/upper body with the right lengths of clothing.

Brighton Fashion event coming up this weekend: http://ragtradepopup.co.uk/

Fairtrade fortnight - Beautiful AND ethical

It's fair trade fortnight - a chance to celebrate and shout about why buying fair trade goods is good for everyone involved, and I'm not just talking bananas. Where style is involved,  we all want what is fair, so instead of being proud of a bargain from primark when someone says they like your top - why not buy fairtrade and be proud that the person who's fashioned it is getting a decent wage? Yes it's more expensive but it's better quality, so it'll last you twice as long. Things have moved on from hemp and linen sacks - you can now buy the most fabulously fashionable attire from the likes of People Tree and from Brighton's very own 'fAIR' on Queens Road and 'Kolkata' in fiveways (see links below):

http://www.kolkatafairtrade.co.uk/
http://thefairshop.co.uk/#1
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/
http://www.asos.com/Women/A-To-Z-Of-Brands/People-Tree/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=3719&r=2

So next time you recieve a compliment, be proud to say "Thanks! it's Fair trade." Check out what's happening this fortnight:

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/fairtrade_fortnight/fairtrade_fortnight_2011/default.aspx