50% of girls aged 3-6 years old think that they are too fat.

As a personal stylist nothing makes me angrier than the inappropriate and dangerous messages that elements of the media persist in bombarding us with.

We live in an image-obsessed society, which, especially for young and impressionable girls, can cause terrible self-doubt and anxiety, sometimes leading to devastating consequences.

In a recent article in the Sunday Times Eleanor Mills highlights a recent survey that showed that 50% of girls aged 3-6 years old think that they are too fat. 3 years old!!!!

 I find this outrageously shocking and deeply sad. Are we really so obsessed with ‘reflection perfection’ that the confidence of our children is being destroyed before they have even learnt to tie their own shoelaces?

 It appears so.

 

But everywhere you look – TV shows, magazines, movies, adverts – there are images of ‘perfect’ people. We are being overloaded with images of ultra slim and ultra attractive men and women who look as they do, thanks, in no small way, to the magic of airbrushing.

Scientists have found that being inundated with images of thin women can alter the way the females’ brain works. It is also proven that woman are biologically programmed to measure themselves against other females, then act on what they observe to be ‘the best’ so as to bag themselves the best mate.

 

But making comparisons between these false images and the reality of our own faces and bodies is madness – dangerous madness.

 We are re-wiring the brains of our young in an utterly destructive way. You think I’m overreacting? Well, consider this: In Britain alone there are 1.4 million women with eating disorders, 140,000 of who have anorexia nervosa. Scary, isn’t it?

The message we should be reinforcing to our young people is that our bodies and minds need to be healthy to be beautiful. A balanced diet and a balanced and realistic view of what we see in the mirror is the smart way to go – love what you’ve got and work with it.

That’s where I come in. I can show you how to make the best of your body shape, whatever size or age you are. By advising you on colours, styles and tricks so that you feel fabulous, look amazing and swim in compliments. Yours daughters will then follow suit and be healthy, happy, confident people.

As one of my recent workshop clients said: “It doesn’t cost the earth and I look and feel like a million dollars.

Small change, big effect. Magic!”

 

Today is my 50^th Birthday and along time ago this was my twin sister and me, aged about 4, and we were smiling about the lovely dresses with appliqué vegetables on, rather than thinking about how ‘fat’ we were.

I now have 2 daughters myself and am passionate about their eating healthily, accepting their body shapes and dressing to make the most of themselves so that they look and feel confident and happy; so………

You’ll be hearing a lot more from me in 2011 on the subjects of airbrushing and the persistent misrepresentation of what constitutes physical perfection.

In the meantime I would love to hear your thoughts, so please email me or comment below.

Vintage at Goodwood – Wonderful, Wicked, Wellies, Women (gorgeous), Wildness, Wayne (Hemingway), overWhelming…………What more could you want?

Well, I can say with great certainty, because I was there, that VaG was an un believable spectacular affair – you needed to be there for a least 3 days to look, see, feel, dance, sing, smell, fling yourself into everything that was available to be experienced.

I was there to chat live to Vicky and Millie from Spirit FM about the

All Woman Show September 12^th 2010 and body confidence, airbrushing,

and empowering women listen here  – so even though it was radio I was still

happily contemplating on my outfit when someone mentioned the M word – mud!!

 

 

I don’t DO mud; I don’t do RAIN (I don’t do queues either whilst we are ‘don’t doing’)

and I certainly don’t do WELLIES (I know I know they are all part and parcel of a festival

 but this was a festival ABOUT style as well as fashion, music, design and vintage

so I went into a hyperprolactic fit………..then calmed down; took 2 outfits and a bag

 with wellies borrowed from my lovely friend Kay.

 

I finally decided to wear a 50’s inspired outfit with my Converse All Stars – perfect choice – stylish, went with outfit, comfy (I was there for 12 hours) and washable in case of mud attack. My friend Barbara bought emergency wellies that morning (actually her so lovely husband Jim bought them) and teamed with colourful vintage flowered dress – delightful!

It wasn’t only me that the M word played havoc with. I met several ladies

who also had had a dilemma.

 

Karen Sergeant , a cosmetic consultant had to made an emergency dash to a horse riding shop on route to VaG and got these fantastic red wellies that go so well ‘colour wise’ with her outfit. Karen said about the wellies “They just had to be red”.Like any hardened fashionista she also had her preferred choice of footwear in her bag just in case the mud didn’t happen.   Here ……Karen models both looks!

 

Donna Morgan, the sales Manager at Goodwood had brilliant purple wellies, that set off her wonderful black and white colour co-ordinated outfit; Maybe she had had inside information as a Goodwood employee?? Thank you girls you both looked very glamorous and I apologise profusely for my bad photography (cutting off top of heads is a speciality!! – see Alvin!)

 

I accosted another festival goer, Fiona Hesford a knitwear designer from Tarring, www.sewgirl.co.uk who was queuing to get into a fashion show. Fiona was wearing psychedelic wellies with a bow detail! Purchased from Top Shop last year.

 

I bumped into Judy – the Post Office mistress at West Chiltington who was wearing this fabulous red rose dress (that I had helped her choose for a party). She had just added a net petticoat and a crop red cardy and va va voom – the vintage look! Judy blatantly decided against wellies in any form and luckily that day the mud wasn’t really an issue.

 

 

 

Did you think I had forgotten the men?

No no no that would be very remiss of me!

 

I had the delightfully unexpected pleasure of meeting Alvin Stardust – REAL LIVE- not a look-a-like or stand in.  Alvin was wearing a really lovely soft blue/charcoal/white checked shirt which he informed me he got in the sale for £4 instead of £120 – go Alvin what a bargain! His beautiful boots however weren’t in the sale. I saw him perform old classics – dressed in ALL black leather + ‘those’ gloves and his rock version of Duffys Mercy which his 9 year old daughter Millie had suggested – such fun.

I also met Gary Axon, Motor Sport Press & PR Manager for Goodwood, who was bravely

(danger of ‘mud showing’ factor high) sporting a crisp cream linen suit and a bright pink striped

 shirt  - very dapper & perfect for VaG.

  

The gentleman who wore the Burberry trousers and I believe a ladies Burberry square silk scarf …...I fear was dabbling a tad the other side of being dapper!	Whilst Justin here looked very Vintage, prepared for any weather situation, with his fabulous hat (I tried to get it off him) and long Macintosh.
	Gina was there for the swing dancing in the amazing 40’s style nightclub –The Torch Club, dancing to the sound of the John Miller Orchestra (yes that’s Glen Miller’s son) – unbelievably fabulous; you had to queue to get in!

And so I just can’t wait till next year and by then I should have got the whole festival/welly thing sorted!

Gay Richardson Founder

Style Me Confident

Buy less - Wear more - Always look fabulous

www.stylemeconfident.co.uk

Tel:    01903 538774

Mob: 07801 869179

 

Airbrushing – the best way to slim??

 

 I was delighted when I read an article last Sunday25/07/10 in the Sunday Times regarding Lynne Featherstone the new equalities minister who was talking about body image and how it dramatically affects our lives.

http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/News/Articlex/7da604819e4a4253882f4ff0975ea84f/Health-warning-on-airbrushed-images-Equalities-Minister.html

She says all women, and now an increasing number of men, have felt the pressure of having to conform to unrealistic and unachievable body stereotypes which can plague them all their lives; and that young girls are under intense pressure the whole time.

She states that young girls especially are being made to feel awful about how they look because the models and celebrities that stare at them from magazines and billboards are all impossibly beautiful and thin. The constant bombardment of retouched images poses “a significant risk to the physical and mental health of young people” and can even lead to bulimia and anorexia.

She is proposing that all airbrushed photos should carry a kite mark or a warning that they are not authentic. Brilliant! A joy to anyone above a size 12.

I totally believe that when we feel content in ourselves by dressing for the body we have; we gain huge amounts of confidence which then has a knock on affect on whatever we do in our lives – socially and in business.

This is the reason I started Style Me Confident to help and inspire as many people as possible feel great about themselves whatever age, size, shape and budget they have.

I have styled over 200 women aged between 18 and 80 years old since I started my business just over 4 years ago. And I still absolutely love it.

Being body confident at 80….

My very latest ‘client’, my Ant* Bet who has just turned 80, wanted some white crop trousers.

One of my favourite stores is M&S as they have such a wide variety of styles and I regularly shop there with all of my clients. She has difficulty trying on in stores so I got her a pair to try at home.

I found M&S Limited Collection white crop trousers, with no zips or buttons (ideal for arthritic hands) and with ‘stretch’ so the fit was good too. They were actually called jeggins (I have a running argument with my 19 year old daughter as to EXACTLY what jeggins** are) and they looked fantastic on my Aunt – great fit; flattering; easy to get on and off, looked cool & appropriate for a lady of that age.

My message is that whatever age, size or shape you are YOU can look fabulous, feel body confident and be excited about it too……no airbrushing required – thank you!

“Whoopee I’ve got my jeggins on and I feel goooooood!”

In the Autumn Lynne Featherstone will convene the first series of roundtable discussions with members of the fashion industry, including magazine editors, models and advertisers to discuss how to boost body confidence among the young; I think we have the 80 year olds sorted already! Watch this space!

* spelt this way as my younger sister wrote Aunt without the U, so she has since been known as ANT Bet

** jeggins can be 2 things – either leggings with a ‘jean like’ pattern or a cross between a jean and a legging. Any other opinions??

Recently I read that high street clothing costs are going to rise for the first time since 1991. This is partly due to rising transport costs, the weakness of the pound and the increase in VAT to 20% in January.

So ladies we need to be a bit savvier with our style choices and make the most of what we have got to create different looks.

I have shown you 4 ways to wear a simple black dress and there are endless possibilities when you have the right colours and styles for you in your wardrobe. 

It’s just a case of being inventive or asking for help from an expert (could that be me??) for alternatives ways to get helpful advice to suit all budgets go to www.stylemeconfident.co.uk or call me for a FREE 10 minute consultation.

 

I am wearing a linen/cotton black dress from Benetton that is a very flattering style for my body shape and proportions.  Here’s why….. It is shaped and fitted for my ‘straighter’ top half and then skims my curvier bottom half. The neckline is a square scoop so keeps the black colour ‘away’ from my face.  Black or any very dark colours near my face are very un complimentary – they make me look old and tired. The V shape of the bodice part ‘covers’ my tummy area very well. The hem is asymmetrical so gives the illusion that I look taller than I am  Up to date factor – alternative maxi dress for the under 5’ 3” ladies

Summer lunch/ networking meeting look……. We added a light-weight, short sleeved, slightly crinkled blouse (New Look). This creates some shape on my top half, whilst balancing up the bottom half and gives a streamline smart look. It also covers the arms so is more formal. The small white dots on the blouse soften the black. We then added a red patent, shaped stretch belt (M&S) to add some colour and definition to the silhouette. We pulled the look together with a medium sized red clutch bag (River Island) and a red ring. If you are adding a colour to a neutral – aim to add in 2 or 3 ways. Finally the shoes (Mode in Pelle) although sling back (for coolness) are closed toe to be more business like.  Up to date factor- longer dress/skirt + belt Whole look says smart, yet casual; approachable; knows what appropriate.

 

An alternative more formal business look… We added a lightweight cream (great colour for me) short linen/cotton jacket (La Redoute), and made the sleeves slightly shorter to ‘draw the eye’ upwards. The jacket is shaped, fitted & the breast pockets give the illusion of more breast! The lightness of the fabric enables it to be elegantly belted with a cow print suede belt (Principles) The tote bag, in matching cow print (Jasper Conran for Debenhams) can carry papers and documents so is functional, yet stylish. Shoes as before.  Up to date factor - animal print Whole look says elegantly business like; yet approachable; up to date but in keeping with age.

 

Summer Wedding guest – expecting sunshine look…… We added luxurious dusky pink wrap (M&S) in faux fur, chiffon & satin to initially cover shoulders but also add glamour. Toning pink satin clutch bag (Principles) with rosette feature – helps to de-black outfit. Toning pink satin & be-jewelled sandals (shop now closed down); ideal for hot weather but still cover enough of foot to look respectable. Finally we added a very light weight gauze black hat (M&S) to complete the wedding outfit.  Up to date factor – mixing of fabric textures; clutch bag. Whole looks says dusky pink, cool comfortable and elegant wedding guest

 

Daytime shopping or out with the girls look…. We layered black dress with white, thin, ¾ sleeved scoop necked T-shirt (Limited Collection M&S). The T-shirt helps to be-black around the face, covers arms if a bit chilly but also looks up to date and gives the dress a more casual look. The wonderful red, turquoise, cream and bronze necklace (Miglio) is worn to add colour and texture to the outfit. It draws the eye upwards giving the illusion of height. The cream and bronze ring (H&M) pulls together the colours. Shoes are nude chunky wedges (Nine West) that give height and are easy to walk in. The weight of the shoes balances the weight of the necklace. Also can add crop denim jacket (Primark) to complete look. Up to date factor- nude wedges, crop denim jacket.  Whole look says casual, up to date, fun and confident

 

 

 

 

The beautiful spectacular Sedgewick Hall

We modelled Alice’s collection of clothes, jewellery & accessories (www.essenceoffashion.co.uk) on the terrace whilst the ladies ate lunch with a glass of wine.

The models We all do modelling for Alice for her charity doo’s for the fun of it and of course to ‘give something back’ to the community. I mean your lives would just not be the same without seeing us parading, laughing, not quite falling over and generally enjoying showing off the outfits that we put together for each event.All models available for London, NY, Paris Fashion weeks!

We all wore these stretchy knits and so I decided to ‘mix‘ the colours to glam mine up. I added the scarf in cerise and the green bag to keep the continuity of cerise and green. The colours worked amazingly well. The dark cerise worked brilliantly with the lime green and when the top was untied from behind it hung in front rather elegantly being kept together at the front by the rose.Want advice on how to mix and match your wardrobe? Contact me Gay Richardson www.stylemeconfident.co.uk

The pond – it reminds me of Alice in Wonderland! We looked out at this from our ‘catwalk’(the flagstone terrace!) Alice’s efforts and the generosity of Claire the owner of Sedgewick Hall, we all raised £408 for CHASE.

Last Saturday the first official day of summer, Style Me Confident held the second of its monthly Body Confidence workshops at the lovely, peaceful cool Chatsworth Hotel in the centre of Worthing.  

Seven ladies gathered together to learn about what colours suited them and how to mix different colours together; what their real proportions are i.e. long/short legs, short /long body, sloped or straight shoulders and whether hips were narrower or wider than shoulders. With this information we the discussed what styles would suit their particular proportions. 

Ladies chatting at break time

Claire & Chloe changing!

Gay showing colours to Margaret

At lunchtime, after a buffet lunch, the ladies were sent on their shopping task.

We asked them to go to a shop that they normally didn’t visit i.e. Dorothy Perkins (old fashioned), H&M (too young) & Top Man (for men!!). 

They were to buy an item or accessory that suited them with the information that they had learned in the morning session about colours and styles. The girls did good!

 Chloe came back with a fabulous ‘summer’ coloured scarf from Top Man. Shirley got a bright green crop cardy perfect colour and style for her from Dorothy Perkins (a shop she hadn’t been in for years) and Charlotte got a khaki patterned tunic top from H&M (see photos below)  

The belt breaks up the tunic and adds more detail to Charlottes top half

We tried the items on and discussed how well they suited each person and then showed how to mix and match them with another item and use accessories to up date their look.

In the afternoon we discussed fabrics and scale and how that can affect choice of items, fit and whether it’s right for you.

Finally we tried on our ‘I’ve never worn this‘ item and showed how sometimes with accessories, some alterations or adding other clothes you can make the item work for you.  See Shirley to the left in bright cool deep coloured top she never wore (colours are perfect for her) – we added a red flower and long silver necklace & she looked fabulous. Check out that smile!

 

However, sometimes a purchase can not be worth ‘saving’ as it’s doing nothing for you; so several of these items that suited someone else in the group better were swapped. Claire (to the right) in Charlottes silver skirt which suited her body shape and body line perfectly and when teamed with coloured vest, crop cardy & long silver necklace we created a smart/casual outfit from Charlottes ‘cast-off’.

Mid afternoon 7 smiling, happy, more confident ladies left the Chatsworth to either do more shopping or just enjoy that sunshine and ponder on the days activities.

Style Me Confidents’ Make–Up Date Workshop with Amanda- J

Also in May - Style Me Confident and Amanda J held the second successful Make-up Update workshop at The Style Studio (available to hire for up to 6 people for £25 per hour including refreshments)

We learnt how to apply the ‘quick 10 minute dash out the door’ face – which I have been using very successfully (allows extra 10 mins in bed!).

Attentive, happy attendees!

Amanda-J applying blusher to Izzy

Amanda J applying eyeliner for the quick 10 minute make up

 Also Amanda showed us how to use make up to enhance or de-tract from areas of our faces we want to show off or hide.

It’s quite amazing what some simple but natural make-up application can do.

I still can’t quite face the eyelash curlers but it does make a HUGE difference if your eyelashes are straight. So be braver than me!

For more details of both workshops either go to http://www.stylemeconfident.co.uk/6.html          

 or call/email me  01903 538774 gay@stylemeconfident.co.uk

 and I will send you a flyer for your pin board at work and/or at home.  

Yes it was the first Make-up update Workshop held in the new The Style Studio for Style Me Confident last Monday night. And what a night it was! 

We started with assessing every ones colour qualities as even this effects what colour make-up you wear e.g. if you are warm toned then you suit golden glows and yellow based make-up and if cool toned then you suit pinky/bluey based make-up. 

Chis has a cool skin tone and used dark grey eyeliner to ‘open up’ her eyes 

 

We then showed how a 10 minute dash out the door make up could be applied.

Here are some of the top tips + best buys

 

To make a foundation into a tinted moisturiser add a little moisturiser to the back of your hand and add a little foundation.   

• MAC Blot Powder, the most common shade is Medium dark for almost all skin tones.  This acts like blotting paper and will set foundation and take away shine. 
   
• A great powder for under the eye is by Laura Mercier and is called Secret Brightening Powder.  It is so finely milled it goes on fantastically and as the skin under your eye is so thin does not look too heavy.
   
• Avoid 'stick' concealors as these can drag on your skin.  Liquid concealers are best and go for a shade lighter than your colour.  YSL Touché Eclait is great but beware that in flash photography you may well end up with white panda eyes due to the high content of Titanium Dioxide in it.  MAC Select and Laura Mercier Secret concealors are brilliant. 
   
• A great eye base for all colour eye shadows is by MAC (no surprises there!) and is their eye paint called 'Untitled'   This goes on as a cream and dries to a powder finish,  It will act as a primer for your eye make-up preventing it from creasing and disappearing. 
  

Karen was given a smokey eye look 

• For eyeliners use a soft kohl pencil to get a softer look.  Bobbi Brown do great water resistant and smudge proof gel liners. Clarins do great waterproof eye pencils too which come with a smudger sponge on one end. Bourgeois Paris does a fab very soft eye pencil that lasts and last.

    

• High Beam by Benefit is a great product whose packaging looks like a nail polish!  It gives a lovely shine to cheekbones/brow bones and can even be mixed with your foundation. 
   
• Eyelash curlers are a must have and a great mascara is by Max Factor and is their False Eyelash effect one, this come in waterproof too.

  
• Cream blushers are great for a natural and easy look. Barbara Daly at Tesco do good ones as do MAC. 
   
• Juicy Tubes by Lancôme are lovely and also smell divine!  Clinique do great lipsticks that are moisturising and give a gloss effect without the stickiness look at their 'Butter shine range for some gorgeous colours.  
  
   Lyn’s lips were made luscious.
• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. A definite 'must have'.  Mix with lipstick to 'loosen' it up and thin it down, use alone for chapped lips or for just sheen to the lips.  It is great for chapped skin anywhere, windburn, sunburn, dry skin anything really.  I also use it in the summer on my cheekbones/brow bone to create a natural glow.

 The ladies then were shown how to make the transfer from day to night look.

 

This is what 2 of our attendees said

 “I must say I really enjoyed the evening, good company and learnt lots.” Lyn

 “Learned a lot and it was fun”. Liz

 Next dates May 13^th – 1 place left and June 10^th – 6 places available

 Please contact Gay Richardson 01903 538774 gay@stylemeconfident.co.uk.

 

 

At Last Saturday’s highly successful Microbiz event (over 750 visitors), Style Me Confident spoke to an assorted group of 30 – 40 small, aspiring and established business owners about what you wear CAN effect how your business succeeds.

You only have 4 seconds to make a first impression so it’s got to be your BEST one – ever.

We started with all wearing a hat – there were berets, wedding hats, bunny ears, caps, 1940’s with net, beach knotted handkerchief et al which elicited many laughs and groans.

The message was that whatever you are wearing it makes you feel a certain way and that was only a hat. So wearing clothes that you feel and look good in is crucial for your confidence.

Gay then talked about Business style facts

• 95% people dress incorrectly for their jobs
• No. 1. interview mistake is dressing inappropriately
• You can use your image to increase perceived value
• What you wear tells a tale quickly & succinctly.

Generally we don’t think business wear is important – it is! We don’t realise that there are rules and we need to apply them. We prefer comfort over business clothes and we show too much skin. We don’t understand our audiences’ needs or follow what the leaders in our industry are wearing.

It may seem trivial to the uninitiated but lets think of politicians e.g. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. They were both up to date, the clothes reflected their personalities but, crucially, the clothes were appropriate for their audiences and the occasion. You warmed to them; you believed them because they looked authentic. Hillary Clinton, cancelled her interview with Vogue for fear of coming across too feminine (in those trouser suits – I don’t think so!). She obviously wasn’t comfortable in her own skin and that ‘lack of confidence’ probably lost her votes.

Anything is easier when you know how and all it take is some time, effort and then using that knowledge wisely to progress in your business

.

In today’s climate we need to do whatever we can to get ahead of our competition. One of the simplest and quickest ways is to adapt what we are wearing and how we wear it; thus making ourselves feel good, look good and be more confident.

Style me confident have been running Body confidence and business workshops since 2009 and they have been extremely successful AND fun.

“Thank you so much for yesterday – absolutely brilliant. Both Steve and I made changes today! Keep doing what you’re doing – it makes a real difference in peoples’ lives.”  www.thelifeskillscompany.com

"I've been shopping already!! Went yesterday and spent a little bit of money AND I've chucked out 90 % of my black clothes. I had such a brilliant time on Saturday- thank you soooo much. I've recommended you to everyone! Wore my new clothes today and felt fab.” Izzy,

Why not call me today for a FREE 10 minute consultation to see where I can help you with your business.

To Book on a workshop click HERE

It’s the 1^st March, the sun is shining, and the shops are brimming with the latest wonderful S/S  fashions – floaty dresses, Breton Tee’s and everything in denim but its still a tad too ‘goose pimply inducing’ to go full on S/S wear.

Don’t worry help is at hand Kylie (Minogue) and Gay (Richardson) have been ‘collaborating’ and have created 2 looks that are perfectly possible to wear now.

 

This is what Kylie did …… teamed a chiffon, patterned (patterns are great for hiding any lumps or bumps) floaty dress with a black structured belt and a long sleeved, long lined elegant (it’s all in the jersey fabric) black cardi. Wearing black in two places ‘pulls’ the look together. Keeping black away from the face is perfect for Kylies light colouring. She isn’t wearing any tights but could either solve that ‘cold’ problem by wearing barely there tights with her nude court shoes or alternatively just hail a taxi. And so Kylie looks elegant, up to date, fabulous and warm – all at 40+. Just Brilliant.

 

                                                   

This is what Gay did…….teamed a ‘shades of nude’ body con dress  (from H&M – so loving there S/S collection www.hm.com ) minus straps with a ¾ sleeve thin white Tee, black opaque tights and black platform court shoes (when colour of tights and shoes match its elongates the legs). Add a diner jacket  then big earrings and a cream corsage (ideal for de-blacking near the face – Gay and Kylie share the same colour qualities – light, bright, warm.

And so Gay looks elegant, up to date, fabulous and warm – all at nearly 50+.  Just Brilliant.

Who says that fashion is only for teenagers!

If you would like to know what to wear, how to wear it, for whatever season or reason please look at my website www.stylemeconfident.co.uk .

My mission in life is to inspire all bodies and soles whatever age, whatever size, whatever shape and whatever budget.

This morning in the 'delightful' downpour I arrived at the U3A ladies group in Rustington. My 'first 4 seconds' impression gave more of a drowned rat picture than elegant business-like but friendly look I planned on giving! But after drying out the morning was a great hit.

 U3A stands for the University of the Third Age, which is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment.  It consists of local U3As all over the UK, which are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers. 

Chris Wright, looking fantastic, who herself had been styled 10 years ago and wanted to share the brilliant benefits of styling with her group, had invited me to give the members some hint and tips on how to look and feel fabulous regardless of age, shape, size or budget; by wearing the best colours and styles that 'went with them'. Also to inspire confidence - as when we get compliments about how we look our self esteem grows, then our confidence and we dare to try new things and experiment.

We all have a habit of buying the same colours, same styles and shopping at the same shops just because we are unsure of really what suits us. When you do know it makes dressing fun, less expensive (how many unworn clothes do you have in your wardrobe?) and you can look taller, slimmer and even more gorgeous! What's not to like?

Many of the ladies wouldn't dream of wearing a belt but I showed them a few tricks which they could do and still feel comfortable. We had a great discussion on sizes and styles of clothes and how FIT is more important and we discovered that one of the members was a seamstress and another a bra fitter.

We discussed underwear and how bra sizes change within each shop, just like the size of clothes. It doesn't matter about that 'little number on the label" we just need to make sure your clothes fit you.

 As Mae West once said " Your clothes should be tight enough to show you are a woman but loose enough to shoe you are a lady".

All we need to do is move out of our comfort zone and try something new; and you can at any age.I have one client who is 67 and she looks and feels like a million dollars everytime she walks out the door; and she gets compliments all the time. 

Contact me and I will help you learn how to choose the clothes that are great for your body!

I still have a few places left on my Body Confidence Workshop this Saturday Feb 27th - see website for more details.