Does Your Wardrobe Need Detoxing?

Hi Gal's, sorry it has been a while since my last post, I have been in the thick of having my home redecorated  and working on the rebranding of my website, where the time disappeared to who knows! Anyway thank-you for your patience and enough of my melodrama! I have a couple of neat ideas (hee hee) to help you, detox your wardrobe/closet. 

Two great places to begin this cleansing process are firstly  with what I like to call clothing maths, go to your wardrobe/closet and being totally honnest with yourself, extract any item which you have not worn for around three months or longer, to be entered into a clothes swap!  

                                           

So for those of you who don't know, what a clothing swap is? Well it's simply an informal event, where women bring item's of clothing they no longer wear, to pool them and in return pick up hopefully something that they love, that works for them .

My top tips if you decide to host a clothes swap are-

1. Make sure gal's rsvp

2. Depending on numbers of gal's get your hands on as many full length mirrors as possible, borrowed of course, you could even suggest a few gal's bring one along on the night before.

3. Hanging space is important, if you live in a warm climate with a large garden, why not use that space instead? String pretty bunting or garden twine along the length of the garden and hook or peg items of clothing to it.Your summer house, or gazebo can double as changing room space.

4.It might be useful to provide a basket of cheap tape measure's not everone knows there vital statistics and the last thing you want, is to trade one ill fitting garment for another!

5. Lighting is important so you can tell if a colour works or is making you look washed out.

6.Lot's of carrier bags are a good idea to collect your booty in and to take home!

7. Try to restrict yourself to taking items of clothing that you know will work with at least four items are in your wardrobe/closet. Obviously with dresses it is more about the right shoe's to pull the look off.

8. Be honnest about your shape, if you have a few lumps and bumps try to avoid fabrics that cling like polyester and steer yourself towards light knit, denium, cotton and silk.

9. If you find yourself trading black for more black stop! Be brave and opt for a colour or pattern.

10. It's worth taking guest's sizes,when putting together your guest list.Waiting till you have enough gal's interested in the right sizes, will pay off, as  if you don't have enough guests of the same size you will have some dissatisfied gal's who leave with nothing.

                                                                       

                                                                               

Ok gal's now your on board with the whole swaping thing.I would love to know if you think you might hold one, in your part of the world? Or if you have already done so! 

I also need your opinions regarding an idea I have had-

I 'm thinking of going green and extending the range of services I offer, by offering myself for hire at clothes Swapping parties. What do you think? Would you like a professional stylist there on hand and what would you be happy to pay, to have access to this service for say 3 - 4 hours? I really apreciate your honest feed back, thanks gal's you really are the best!

                                                                 

                     

Ok my 2nd option to help you begin your wardrobe/closets detox and energise your look, is to include some fairtrade items. Here a few of my favourite picks from People Tree, fresh in. I don't often feature out of stock items, but this Malilbu Geometic Print, was such a gorgeous example of People Trees tribal look this season, I could not resist, enjoy the rest of the round up.

                                                                              

                                                                                      

                                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                                       

                  

                                                                    

                                         

 Have a Stylish day!

  

                                                                           

 Sharon x

Join Me For A WARDROBE WORKOUT, dig out those leg warmers!!! X

Spring cleaning your wardrobe's gals? Then todays Wardrobe Workout might come in handy, I have rounded up a few of my favourite wardrobe decluttering ideas. Who could resist the opulence of this purple painted wardrobe? The pearlised finish is what really makes it pop and the velvet footstool, lavender chair and mirrored draws create a droolworthy boudoir! 

  

Next up, what a fabulously chic way to store your prize shoe collection, on a length of  painted moulding, just choose your favourite moulding, paint with your favourite colour and make a feature of those shoes, hooking them over the edge of your rail!

What do you buy the girl who has everything a traveling wardrobe of course in faux cocodile skin, how indulgent and divine!

My favourite eco friendly storage solution for shoe's? Biodegradable cardboard shoe boxes, simply attach a photo of your shoes to find the required pair, genuis!

Or for effortless pretty shoe storage how about these shoe boxes from Berry Red with clear windows to view your shoes?

There is still time to enter, my sweet bicycle pendant giveaway,details top right of my sidebar! Good luck!

                                    

                                                                    Sharon x

                                   

Style Dispensary - Featuring Carols Style Dilemma

 Hi there, welcome back to another exciting Style Dispensary.This weeks Style Dilemma comes from the lovely Carol, a uk My Passport to Style follower. Carol had been struggling with how to adapt her Wardrobe due to recently gaining a stone in weight following illness, she emailed asking me for Style Advice around her Winter Wardrobe in particular she wanted Style guidance on how to find a winter coat that would take her from day to evening.Her brief was berry and olive colours,she wanted a hood if possible, she is keen on 1940s styles with a nipped in waist and UK companies Fat Face and White Stuff that showcase classic Styles, featuring retro prints.She also mentioned that she felt her chest was quite heavy, so obviously wanted to minimise this. Quite a tall order!

  It can be quite a challange to find a coat with a hood that can allows you to make the transisition from day to evening effortlesly and still look stylish wearing a dress or skirt!The 1940s Styles Carol loves, don't generally feature hoods.So here are some of the Styles I chose for Carol that fulfil her desire for berry colours. A hooded option that is sooo chic, coat styles that slim the bust and tummy and a few other picks to give her a head start on her winter wardrobe this season. I think perhaps though it would be great for her to invest in a Stylish  hat, to extend her range of options when choosing a coat, as I know she hates brollys and British winters are generally wet and windy !

 I adore this  berry raincoat from Redoute, simple Styling great colour and a subtle but pretty pattern take the stress out of dressing up or down.Carol could team with these miltary chocolate boots from Ruche, jeans and a olive scarf for a casual look or switch the belt for an Obi belt such as these sophisticated quilted ones featured here for full on glamour for the evening and a dress or even introduce some black leather, which would look amazing with the berry!

This boiled wool coatigan in taupe again Redoute, might not be in the berry or olive colours that Carol loves, but its classic styling (chocolate piping, shawl collar) fabric and colour make it not only flattering, BUT SO EASY to transition  from casual to evening. Wear with an Obi belt for evening and a  skinny wrap around belt for day time like the leather version featured here, quality matters, buy the best you can afford, or go vintage!  

Option three for Carol was this apple green wool coat from her favourite company The White Stuff, chosen again for its classic flattering line, single buttons are by far the best option for bigger busts, as they don't draw attention to where its not welcome! I couldn't resist picking out a few smart casual pieces that would work well with this range of looks.The key here is simple cuts and layering longer light weight pieces over one another, which will elongate the figure and slim, whilst keeping the cold out! Sxxx

P.S follow me? email or post me your Style Dilemma/Questions to sharonstyle@fsmail.net and if your lucky it could get chosen and feature here! xx

The Reign Of Detailing Has Begun 2009- All Hail The Zipper!

Wardrobe Workout

This season is a Stylist dream,detailing is everywhere and where there is a detail there is the potential for looking super Stylish and playing to the strengths of our bodyshape. However to avoid looking like a christmas tree, my one and only tip, is don't pile it on! Go skinny on the detailing.Sx

Todays post is all about those little details, that elevate clothing from off the peg status, to clothing that allows you to express yourself, flatters you and allows you to create your own expression of Style. To be Stylish , we need great inspiration. So to celebrate those that inspire me, Im tagging the following blogs that inspire me with the achingly Stylish, Stylish blogger award, complete with a chic vintage lady and her Stylish purse.I would like to invite these lovely ladies, to share 5 Stylish facts about themselves! Thank-you to all my lovely followers and readers also.Sx

Lulu Letty

Blue Bird Notes

Torie Jane

Laurens Loves

The Style Strutter

The Bottom Of The Ironing Basket

Roll Up Your Sleeve

Afetir

Lemon Drop Vintage

True Colours Are Beautiful

As most of you fashionistas out there are probably aware, the natural world has been a huge source of inspiration for fashion designers all over the globe, from reworking prints such as leopard and zebra to using poweful images of animals such as gorillas and prehistoric animals on T-shirts and dresses. So I decided to get jiggy with the whole animal kingdom inspiration thing and today my muse is the the little ladybird.Tiny it may be, but from a colour perspective it packs a punch, translate that into the world of fashion and you're onto a winning formula, at least for those of you out there, who like to get noticed! Beware this colour combo is not for the faint of heart! My advice keep hair and makeup simple. So here are some of my favourite ladybird looks for this A/W, some as usual are a little playful! In case any of you are wondering, the red and black sculpture of a eighteenth century lady is a cake! Sx

Patterned Princesses Unite!

   

Hi everyone great to see you again! Summer may be leaving us, but this Autumn/Winter, patterns more than make up for gloomier days! A candy store full of colour, extravagant patterns and a playful approache to wearing this seasons hottest patterned pieces like these Missoni inspired high tops, are what makes Winter 2009 the best season of all to be experimenting with your Style. 

I have picked out my hot favourites for you, some of these patterns are old friends we have seen before that have been reworked to create a more contempory feel, like this sweet skinny lepard print dress from Warehouse or their grey lepard pencil skirt. Red and fuschia are both strong colours this A/W and I love the way red pattern has been used in this pillar box red two piece above, vintage with a modern and strident feel to it.

Gallianos three pieces are decadent, mysterious and romantic at the same time, a paricularly masterful and sophisticated look to achieve, his textured and patterned Russian inspired couture sent sparks flying of the runway! 

Warehouse are real genuises in my opinion when it comes to high street accessories that make you feel really special, but without the sting of a high price tag. I adore their red jaquard tights, which would rescue the plainest dress or skirt and their paisley tights if you wanting to create a romantic look. This gorgeous Aztec sequined belt in black and red will I predict fly off their shelves, its not hard to see why its so Art Deco and oozes opulance!Then there is their take on this years popular tartan jacket in maroon and grey  with a bib style collar and nipped in waist, soft but Stylish.I looove tartan, its huge this A/W as punk gets a revival and the flattering ever popular 50s lady like chic makes a return but tartan is not an easy pattern to work with or wear, if you get the colour combinations wrong or the balance in putting an outfit together, it can easily look brash and trashy. 

Finally we started with a pop of colour so we are ending with a pop of colour and pattern in this fleur de lys yellow and black dress and matching shoes, so sharp you could cut your finger and this gorgeous off the shoulder candy stripe evening dress! I love the elegance and the boldness of the designer in using  yellow and contrasting it with black.Bumblee chic!Sx 

In need of some expert Style Advice? If you follow My Passport to Style and subscribe to my posts, then you are welcome to post me in your latest Style dilemmas and the first one to be selected at random will feature here, you will be left a message to say you have been selected! Good luck and start posting in those burning Style dilemmas/questions!