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All Woman: Work your waist

August 24th, 2010 by Sophie Ashcroft

Working your waisteIt’s time to celebrate your curves with this season’s fifties-inspired glamour.  The A/W 2010 catwalks were awash with full skirts and nipped in waists.  Much to the delight of us ladies who weren’t blessed with perfect pins, the minis that have stolen the limelight for so long have been replaced with mid-length skirts – either just below the knee or calf length. Around knee-length skirts tend to be the most flattering for all figures while mid-calf is better left to the taller and slimmer.

Emulate the ladylike looks on the Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Prada runways by teaming a long-line silk blouse from LK Bennett or a Wolford pussybow shirt with a curve-enhancing skirt from Vivienne Westwood. Add some oomph to more simple skirts and dresses by adding a petticoat underneath. Order them online at Vivien of Holloway  for authentic fifties styling. Luella do some fabulous tulip-skirted dresses but if you prefer a slightly less edgy number then head to Fendi for a more classic structured piece. Then cinch in the waist with this season’s must-have tan skinny belt

Sophie Ashcroft Style and Image Consultant

Sophie Ashcroft Style and Image Consultant

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Sale Shopping Savvy

July 30th, 2010 by Sophie Ashcroft

Sale Shopping Savy

Sales Savvy

The first question I ask myself as I pick up a sales item? ‘Would I have bought this before I knew the price?’ There’s always that inner turmoil: ‘Buy it, it’s such a bargain! But do I actually need it? Haven’t I already got a black top just like this? Yes, but this is YSL and it’s 50% off! I HAVE to have it!’

Second question: does it complement my existing wardrobe? It’s best to have a shopping list of things you actually need (rather than want)! Think of shopping for clothes like shopping for food. When you prepare a meal you list all the ingredients because missing out one thing could ruin the results. In the same way, you should know what’s in your wardrobe and what the missing ingredients are. It could be a basic white t-shirt, a skinny tan belt (these are going to be major in Autumn/Winter 2010) or some killer heels. Write down what you need and keep the list in your handbag! 

Tailor-made

We may still be enjoying the summer weather but now is the perfect time to be planning your Autumn/Winter wardrobe and this year’s trends are some of the most wearable we’ve seen for years. Designers returned to classic pieces with tailored jackets, oversized camel coats and trousers flared elegantly from the knee. 

Sales can be a great time to invest in tailored items like these – it’s rare we get the opportunity to be on trend, classically chic and bag a bargain at the same time so I’d grab it with both hands!

Tailoring is an area that is always worth investing in. Badly cut or poor quality suits can really cheapen your look but buy these classic items wisely and you can get many seasons’ wear out of them. How you wear them can still ensure a contemporary feel. Emulate Chloe’s A/W 2010 runways by picking up a tonal satin blouse from Coast or LK Bennett.

If any more excuse was needed then Michael Kors (well known for his amazing tailoring) has just opened at Bicester Village.

 Fashion forward

Accomplished shoppers probably snapped up all their essentials at the beginning of the season when there was the widest choice. If so, sales are a good time for fashion indulgences. Remember fashions come and go – take inspiration from the latest fads to develop your style but don’t blindly follow them. Adapt the trends to suit your style and show you’re fashion savvy not a fashion victim!

 Size matters?

A good seamstress is a godsend. If you do see a fabulous item for the perfect price but it’s slightly too long or too big on the waist, remember adjustments can be worthwhile. It’s much better to get something gorgeous that can be fitted exactly than something that’s almost there but never quite right.

Sophie Ashcroft Style and Image Consultant

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London to Bicester Village in Style

July 26th, 2010 by Jenny Pashkova

Jenny Pashkova graduated from London College of Fashion with a journalism degree in 2005 and is a freelance features writer. Jenny has written for Dazed, Vogue, The Independent and Intersection magazine.  
Jenny recently visited Bicester Village for the first time on the Shopping Express, our new coach service from Central London.

Shopping Express

First of all, one thing off my chest. I am a Bicester Village convert. Any preconceptions, any pre-formed opinions and impressions should be left at the bus terminal.

Once on the Shopping Express from the Edgware Road stop, the coach was a smooth and stress-free journey straight to the Village. Plus, for the time-keeping fashionista, the bus departed on the dot to schedule!

When I arrived at Bicester Village, I thought I had entered another universe, where everything was cute, neat and came in small packages. All my favourite brands were there, presented in petite boutiques. My eyes rolled like marbles at all the stores that I literally didn’t know where to begin. I had four solid hours to shop, which seemed like almost too much, but little did I know that I would actually have a mad panic to make it back on the bus on time, shopping bags in tact.

I loved the mix of high-street to high-fashion. I also came across brands that I was pleasantly surprised to find, such as Joseph and Pascal, my favourite jeweller, which has since been bought by Annoushka.

I was so spoilt for choice. I wanted something from Nicole Farhi. I also wanted something from Reiss. In the end I settled on a pair of beautiful classic patent black flats from Furla and hopsack-linen flares from Hobbs. It’s not all about bygone season’s throwbacks here. Bicester Village is for classic apparel veterans and the bold and brave alike.

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Summertime doppelgangers

June 25th, 2010 by Sophie Ashcroft

Most wedding guests’ worst nightmare (in fashion terms at least) is to find themselves opposite their clothing twin!

One way to minimise the risk of wearing the same outfit is to choose separates, ideally from different collections. Based on the all important ‘price per wear’ calculations, separates can be much more cost effective than a dress. After the event, you could team a tailored jacket with jeans or wear the skirt to work with a blouse or fitted top. If you do decide to coordinate items from different shops, make sure you take the garment with you for matching purposes (however much you study the item it’s impossible to remember the exact colour and a photo doesn’t work!)

Mind you, I find one of the main benefits of shopping at Bicester Village is that you can get your hands on stock that’s not available on the high street (not to mention at a discounted price). Perhaps with so many events in the upcoming months it would be wise to invest in one amazing new summer piece – spend a bit more on that extra special dress and then wear it to Henley. That doesn’t mean it has to be the same ‘outfit’ though. Clever use of accessories can ensure a different look for each occasion. Choose a simple and chic number and accessorise away!

Valentino has some amazing costume jewellery to add a touch of glamour to the river-side races while Marni is the go-to brand for bold statement pieces.  A trip to Jimmy Choo, LK Bennett or Karen Millen will add some finesse in the foot department and then choose a pashmina or a fitted jacket as another diversifier! Job done.

Sophie Ashcroft Style and Image Consultant

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How to back a winner this social season

June 10th, 2010 by Sophie Ashcroft

 

Sophie Ashcroft has spent more than a decade as a journalist and writer. Based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, she runs an image and style consultancy business, with services offered across London and the local area. She is a full member of the Alicia Kite Academy, a leading image consultancy network. We asked her to give us a few thoughts for the forthcoming season.

Huge Hat? Check. Oversized Jackie O sunnies? Check. Vertiginous heels? Check. With Royal Ascot starting today and Henley Regatta in the diary over the coming months there’s a lot of outfit planning to be done. Here are a few top tips for a stylish social season!

Millinery madness

A day at the races is all about the hat, with creations ranging from the bizarre to the beautiful. Avoid the temptation to make everything ‘matchy matchy’. As long as your hat tones in with a colour in your dress or accessories then it will work. More importantly, the style of your hat and outfit should tally. Hats in softer fabrics with feathers or drapery look fabulous with lightweight summery dresses while the sleek, sharp lines of more structured headwear complement a tailored suit or dress.

Still haven’t found the perfect hat? Visit Ronnie Ryan for an amazing hat or facinator.

Hair-raising

If you do opt for a hat, consider your hairstyle. If you’ve chosen a wide-brimmed hat with lots of coverage maybe create a low ponytail or bun to sit under it. Longer hair looks great down, especially if it’s relatively thick or wavy. Don’t forget to consider the likelihood of ‘hat hair’ if you want to remove your headpiece later in the day! And if previous years’ wind conditions are anything to go by, a few hatpins wouldn’t go amiss!

Ear, ear

Take a leaf out of John Galliano’s book and ensure your hat, earrings, collar and make-up all work in harmony.  Be clear on your focus. If your hat’s the statement, remember to keep earrings simple; studs are usually the best option. Over-accessorising can cheapen an outfit.  Your make-up might also need a slight change. Hat wearers tend to look better with darker eyes – to counterbalance the shadow effects of the hat – and more neutral lips.

Footfalls

Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting grassy! If you want the best of both worlds then wear your killer heels and pop some flats in your bag. A good excuse to invest in an oversized clutch from Jimmy Choo or Anya Hindmarch perhaps? Keep watching for more summer styling tips. In the meantime happy shopping!

 

Sophie Ashcroft Style and Image  Consultant

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