Are you wearing outfits and Dated Clothes that represent you from another time in your life? A time where you were younger or happier than now? Are your clothes telling the world about your psychological state? The answer may be yes! The reality is, you are never going to get younger, and so far, as…
Do you not wear a certain colour before or after a certain date each year? Do you think that when you hit a certain age you should cut your hair short? Should you match your shoes and handbag? What are modern style rules, the dos and don’ts and what are the fashion faux pas? There…
Even though I’m an advocate of shopping your wardrobe before shopping the stores, we all need to shop at times, and some of us haven’t shopped for a long time, or resist shopping because we find it so difficult to do. So when you do go shopping, how can you make it the most effective…
How often do you see the details of an American criminal circulated everywhere in the Australian media? Not too often, but in the case of ‘hot felon’ Jeremy Meeks, his face is plastered over social media as well as traditional media. Why? Because of that incredible bone structure and brooding eyes. Researchers have found an…
Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes but struggle to figure out what to wear and how to wear it? Today I’m sharing with you 7 secrets that I’ve picked up from my 10 years as a personal stylist, working with lots of lovely clients in their wardrobes. 7 Secrets to a Stylish Wardrobe 1. Discover…
Many of us wear a casual uniform, it’s pretty boring most of the time but does the job. It’s comfortable and easy, which is why we fall back on it all the time. For many it’s either jeans and a knit top, others it’s leggings and a tunic top. Both are great as the basis…
The festive season has many evening events where some extra glitz and glam may be required. Rather than have a wardrobe full of evening wear, consider creating evening wear wardrobe capsules. This makes getting dress for events easy, whilst having plenty of options to change up the look of your outfit. Here you’ll see I’ve…
I’m frequently asked, “what are the essential items every woman should have in her wardrobe”. Sadly, I’m not about to give you a list as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all list, just like there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all garments. What I will tell you is what to consider when you think about putting together…
Many women find that the hotter the weather, the less stylish they appear. If you find that your personal professional style is worked around layers, then hot weather can be really difficult to negotiate and still look professional in the office. 8 Tips to Look Professional in Hot Climate 1. Look for structured garments in…
It’s sale time and if your wardrobe is looking tired, your clothes are getting pilled, old, saggy or just worn out, it’s a great time to go shopping, save a few pennies, and get an updated wardrobe. But, before you shop you need a plan, you need to know what it is that you should…
People often ask me about colours that suit them. They will also comment on how people always comment on particular coloured clothes they have in their wardrobe. I was reminded of this when recently I saw photos of a friend of mine on Facebook who was wearing the most divine cobalt blue dress…
The festive season is fun, with lots of parties, and time to let your hair down. But the biggest tip to remember is, that when it’s a work function (whether it’s yours or your partner’s) it’s still work, and so the rules of the office still apply if you don’t want to damage your career…
The Spring a Racing Carnival is all about ladylike glamour. It’s a time to channel old-school elegance. There are traditions and dress codes to be adhered to around what to wear to the races. Remember: It’s daytime, so wear a day dress, rather than an evening dress. Don’t go crazy with the fake tan. Pale can…
Capris and cropped pants are one of the hardest garments to get right in your wardrobe. Yet they are everywhere in stores at present and one of the current big fashion trends. So easily they become frumpy and make you look lumpy and stumpy. A short pants can make your legs look shorter, yet so…
Whether it’s summer or winter many of us like to feel comfortable in our clothes. But for so many, comfort ends up equating with ugly or frumpy and definitely not stylish! Yet client after clients tells me that they want to look stylish. So how do you ensure that you don’t fall into some of…
Most of us don’t have unlimited clothing budgets, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to look great in the clothes we wear. So how do you get more bang for your buck? How do you invest your clothing dollars more wisely? To look like a $million, you need to think of quality and you…
It’s Valentine’s day soon which made me think about all the dos and don’ts of what to wear on a date. Doesn’t matter if you’ve been married for 20 years, you should still put some effort into your appearance when you go out on a date – it shows you care and value the person…
Natural disasters seem to become more common, with two recent earthquakes in Christchurch New Zealand, parts of Australia are regularly destroyed by bush fires and one of my friends houses was recently flooded and 80% of her possessions destroyed. What has this got to do with clothes you ask? Well even if you don’t live…
Do you have a purchase that you immediately regret? Here are 10 Worst Shopping Mistakes 1. Not shopping with a list Do you shop in the supermarket without a list? Sometimes, but mostly not. There is no point in buying more of what you already have and forgetting that ingredient that really makes the dish…
Even if you’ve never had a one night stand (not making any judgements here), you are most likely to know of the concept. Most of us are looking for the keepers in life, rather than the one night stand and before you rush out to the sales in December and January, I want you to…
Welcome, thanks to the lovely Kaz Cooke and her fantastic book Women’s Stuff you may have come to find out more about image consulting and finding your style and the clothes that will make you look and feel fabulous. I’m really excited that you’ve found my website and want to let you know where you…
I have a question about colour. I’m 46 years old and I’ve noticed it when I’m wearing black or dark coloured clothing it is not suited to me any more. Could you please tell me why? And what colours we can we wear instead of black as we get older? Thank you so much. Colours…
Did you know that studies have shown that sporting teams who wear black uniforms are penalised more heavily than teams with other uniform colours? Did you know that sporting teams who wear red are considered more aggressive than those who wear blue? Did you know that shades of soft pastel pink help to reduce aggression…
Want some quick and easy ideas how to tie a large rectangular or pashmina style scarf?
Watch how wearing the right colour you can make your double chin disappear. Book your personal colour analysis today!
Once you’ve had your personal colour analaysis and have your personalised colour swatch how do you use it to ensure that the patterns you choose are in flattering colours? Often there you’ll find that a pattern might have a mix of colours, some that fit with your colour palette and some that don’t. How do…
You’ve had a colour analysis and have a colour swatch, but how do you use it most effectively? Here in this quick video I’ll explain how to choose colours that work together from your colour palette.
Fashion trends come and go, how do you decide what is worth spending up big (for you) on and what to buy cheap? Some of the current trends include cape coats and printed trousers. Should you buy or avoid? Splurge on Quality jackets and pants in great neutral colours that work with your existing wardrobe.…
How long is it since you got a new hairstyle? New glasses frames? Updated your wardrobe or your makeup? Why does it matter if you’re wearing frames that are 10 years old or that you’ve had the same hairstyle since 2001? Is It Time for a Makeover? In simple terms, if you appear dated and…
Thanks for signing up to receive our monthly Fabulous You ezine newsletter and very soon you’ll be able to download your special ebook, but first you’ll need to verify your email address to turn on your subscription. Go to your email inbox and you should have received an email from me – you’ll need to…
Time and time again when I ask clients about what they’d like to highlight and camouflage on their body stomachs come up as a place that they dislike and want to make disappear. Most of the time these are normal stomachs. I see a lot of stomachs in my job as an image consultant and…
My larger than average bust is the reason that I became an image consultant, and it’s what got me interested in the how and why some clothing styles worked for my friends but not for me. I was 16 when I realized that dressing my bust was more of a challenge for me than it was for…
The Peabody Hotel brand is a Duck Theme The AICI Create Magic conference was held at The Peabody Hotel in Orlando Florida. The Peabody’s brand is ducks and it really is consistent with its branding, from the signage to the soap, bathmats and butter pats (yes, they’re shaped like a duck). Each room has at…
Flats are an essential item in any woman’s shoe wardrobe. Heels look great, and I do know some who wear them all the time, but my feet can’t take them, and I think most podiatrists and chiropractors would say that they’re not the best for your feet or posture when worn over time. Given that…
Do you need the finishing touches? Do you struggle with knowing what is a appropriate to wear to any occasion? Do you want to improve the way you’re perceived by others? Imogen Lamport, AICI CIP of Bespoke Image is featured in the cover story of The Sunday Age newspaper’s M Magazine about the growing trend of…
My question is : how do you STOP buying junk [food] clothes? The analogy I am thinking of is akin to a dieter. You know the trap women fall into : they know they should diet, get fit, lose weight, whatever. But it all seems to hard – they are too unfit, too fat, too…
There are some fashion trends that will stand the test of time and are worth splurging on, spend more on quality as you will get years of wear from them. Other trends are in and out in a season or two, these are the ones that you may want to enjoy, but don’t waste your…
Are you scared of accessorising? Do you find it hard to know after you’ve put on your clothes which shoes to choose? Should you belt? If so what sort of belt? Should you match handbag and shoes? Should you wear both earrings and a necklace? Accessories are the icing on your cake, they add detail…
Do you want to know what your style recipe is? Would your life be easier if you knew exactly what ingredients you needed in your wardrobe to make you look and feel your best from the inside out? Who are you today? What distinguishes you from everyone else? Who do you want to be right…
Are you interested in becoming an image consultant? If you enjoy helping people look and feel great, are not colour blind, and enjoy clothes then this could be the career for you. It has great flexibility and there are many options of where you can take your skills. Check out my dedicated Image and Personal…
Every successful company has it’s own ‘brand’ and that brand says something to the consumer about its values, goals, and mission. Big companies spend vast quantities of money on their brand, and ensuring that brand and its image isn’t tarnished – it’s vital to the company’s health that the brand and image are working for,…
Do you change what you wear each decade or so? If not why not? If you’re still wearing the same clothes that you bought 10 or 20 years ago, you’re aging yourself considerably. Yes, your clothes may be classic in style, but the classic styles of 1990 are not the same as the classic of…
Many garments can be renovated – and most people never think about doing it – they just assume that if it doesn’t fit, or look great on, that’s the end of its lifespan in their wardrobe – but why not try a spot of renovating. Create a Cashmere Scarf A cashmere jumper can easily be…
The Right Hair Colour Apparently 70% of us colour our hair (well women at least) and that’s a pretty high proportion. I see a lot of people with unflattering hair colours and feel sad that they obviously want to enhance their appearance, which is why they’re putting in the colour, but have been misguided on…
Accessories Make an Outfit What are accessories? Shoes Hats Scarves Jewellery Bags Wallets Ties Glasses Watches Cufflinks More than anything else, accessories make an outfit. Think about a pair of jeans – pair them with sneakers and you have a very casual look, add a pair of high heeled boots and a whole new look…
I’ve a Wardrobe Full of Clothes and Nothing to Wear How often do I hear this refrain? Many people say it to themselves almost every day, go out and buy more clothes, yet the problem still continues. In the words of the late great Professor Julius Sumner Miller Why is it so?. And more importantly,…
The first ever image research study from Central Michigan University, commissioned by the Association of Image Consultants International, shows image consulting services give people more than just a “superficial boost.” The image services also raise peoples’ self-esteem. The purpose of the in-depth international study was to measure the effectiveness of the work of image consultants…
This guide is useful for both vision correction glasses and sunglasses. 1. Eyebrows and the top of the frame need to be parallel or the same shape – don’t create a new brow shape with the frame of your glasses. 2. Arms – the arms of the glasses need to be horizontal – not sloping…
Many companies have a dress code – either written or unwritten, and many have a policy that if you’re dressed below the standard of that dress-code you’ll be sent home to change into something more appropriate – but how often does that happen? I’ve never seen it happened, but what does happen, is that the…
Ok you think I’ve gone mad – you can watch TV and look better? How is this so? Here are my top ten tips: 1. De-pil jumpers – while you’re sitting in front of the TV, get out all your jumpers and de-pil them. If you don’t have one of those little combs or shavers,…
The term Business Casual is a misnomer – it should have been labelled Relaxed Business and how you wear it is very much dependent on the kind of industry in which you work. Executive Casual Generally businesses such as Finance, Law, Banking, Accounting, Insurance – or anything where other people’s money is involved in a…
The Real Cost of Clothing Investment Dressing I spend a lot of time talking to people about clothes, and explaining that your clothes are an investment in yourself and your image. Why should you invest in your image? According to a landmark study by Albert Mehrabian, 93% of our communication is non-verbal – and 55%…
1. The Muffin – the too tight hipster pant, where the stomach and love handles spill over the top and out, topped off by a too short top that leaves the stomach exposed. Make sure you buy your trousers big enough and your tops long enough to cover your middle with style. Oh, and keep…
Is it really a bargain? It’s not a bargain if it doesn’t fit, it’s the wrong colour, it doesn’t suit your personality – you’ll either never wear it, or wear it only the once (and you’ll be self-conscious and unhappy about your clothing choice the whole time you’ve got it on). If you say to…
Why First Impressions Really Count We’re programmed by evolution to judge people on their appearance. It’s a survival mechanism. You will be judged by your appearance, whether you like it or not. After all, you judge people by their appearance, don’t you? When you get on a train, tram or bus and it’s pretty full,…
Ten Quotes to Make You Think Here is a collection of quotes from a variety of sources, something to ponder upon in a quite moment. A naked man has little or no influence on society. – Mark Twain Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. -Henry Ford…
The handshake is still used daily in business and even socially – and if yours is not up to scratch you’re doing yourself a disservice – and sometimes putting people off you completely. A bad handshake can undo all the good you’ve done in a meeting, interview or with your first impression. A nice firm…
What’s Your Compliment Rating? Whether in our personal lives or our working ones, all human beings respond to positive feedback. It’s great for nurturing love and romance in your world, and productivity and team unity at work. But, like many things in this world, it takes two to tango! Compliments are only life-enriching when they…
Some people love having their photo taken – many of us don’t because we always feel we look awful – so I’ve gathered some tips together to help make your next photo opportunity a little less stressful and a more positive experience. 1. To look slimmer wear darker colours on your largest body parts. 2.…
Colour reflects or absorbs light – and how each colour appears on you is dependent on your personal colour direction. There are ways to use colour to enhance your appearance, and ways to fool people into thinking that you’re taller and slimmer than you really are. The most effective slimming trick is to wear your…
One potential danger zone and image wrecker is looking dated. Old fashioned clothes = old fashioned ideas – so if you work (or would like to work) in an industry that prides itself in being up with the times, or even ahead of the pack, then you must be careful that your image is not…
Shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories for some is a joy, and others a nightmare. Many people tell me they love doing it, but find it completely frustrating – nothing ever fits, they can’t find anything they like, or they’re just not sure something is right for them, and are not prepared to part with…
It’s winter time, and as I walk around outside I’m noticing that coats can make a huge difference to how you look. As they’re often quite expensive, the sales are a good time to try and pick up a new coat that will last you a few years, and not break the bank, but will…
Tie Tips There are a number of different knots used to tie men’s ties – which to choose depends on a couple of factors, these are the spread (or width) of your collar points, and how long or short your neck is. The traditional knots are the Windsor knot, the Half-Windsor knot and the Four-in-Hand.…
Do you ever think that worrying about your clothes is shallow? That really you should be spending your time working out how to end world poverty? Well here are my Top 10 reasons why you should enjoy your clothing. If you look good, you feel good and behave in the world with greater confidence. If…
Why for many of us is our self-esteem so wrapped up in our weight? I blame it on the media – we’re constantly bombarded with images of the super skinny – and told how beautiful their bodies are – that we start thinking that something is wrong with us and our body is too fat…
Wear sunscreen – every day of the year – no matter where you live –even if you don’t think you’re going to go outside. 80% of wrinkles come from environmental damage. Just look of pictures of Brigitte Bardot today and compare her to her 20 year old self … not a good advertisement for baking…
Accessories Make an Outfit What are accessories? Shoes Hats Scarves Jewellery Bags Wallets Ties Glasses Watches Cufflinks More than anything else, accessories make an outfit. Think about a pair of jeans – pair them with sneakers and you have a very casual look, add a pair of high heeled boots and a whole new look…
Silk – A natual fibre that is soft and beautiful to touch. Silk garments must be treated with care, many can be hand washed, but always read the care label. Cotton – An extremely versatile fabric. Pure cotton needs ironing, but some of the great cotton/elastane blends that are around give you a great, easy…
Once a woman is over the age of 25 – there are a few style rules that she should follow, to ensure she doesn’t look ridiculous. Style Revivals – If you’ve worn it before, and it’s a fad, don’t wear it again (eg. the skinny jean). Knee High Socks – the schoolgirl look is for…
It’s a misnomer that only the thin look stylish, there are many ways the more voluptuous person can improve their image, it’s just a matter of sticking to some basic rules. What you have to remember, is that the thinner and younger you are, the more you can get away with, the older and larger…
Yes Your Bum Does Look Big in Those Black Pants The Black Myth Exposed! Fashion magazine after fashion magazine you will hear that essential in every woman’s wardrobe is a pair of black trousers and a Little Black Dress because both these garments are the most flattering and slimming you can find. They are of…
What’s My Body Shape? No this is not an article about fruit (though an apple a day won’t do you health any harm). This is an article about body shapes and how to identify your body shape. Our body shape is related to our skeleton – when we think about the construction of our skeleton…
gamNo, this is not a movie plot, but a good way of working out what you should wear. With every good movie there is always a hero (this is the non-sexist, all inclusive version of hero, that includes heroines), there is always a Villain, and to make the story cohesive and understandable, some Supporting Acts.…
