Following on from my previous post about dressing for home and video conferencing during the lockdown, I realised a potential need for some tailored waist sweatpants. Comfy enough to sit on your sofa with your laptop all day, but smart enough to fool your co- workers you're dressed for business when you have to jump up during a conference call with them.
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, Trousers
Now we're in the unfortunate situation of Coronavirus having really taken hold, the vast majority of people are working from home. That means we'll all be doing far more video conference calls via Skype and Zoom etc for the time being.
So, do you rock up in your home clothes for the call or don a suit and tie? Neither, but just how do you strike that balance between looking too casual (it could look as if you're doing no work) and too formal (who are you kidding that you're working from home in a suit)?
Here's some things to take into consideration when you're next on camera during a call.
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, How To
Last week I did a webinar for some members of the Hayley Quinn Dating Academy. After discussing smart/casual shoes with a couple of the guys who took part, I decided the most versatile and stylish shoes would be a pair of chukka boots. They both had completely different styles and wouldn't go for the same pair but either way they can go with jeans, chinos and some of the more formal ones look good with tailored trousers too.
If you don't have many smart casual shoes in your wardrobe (a frequent gap I find when I do wardrobe edits) then perhaps you'll find something you like in the suggestions below:
Categories: Shoes, Smart/Casual dressing
What it's really like to do a personal shopping trip with me from start to finish.
Even though I cover this is my services page and my frequently asked question page, there are still queries that people have about how the personal shopping day works, so I thought it might be helpful to walk you through it from start to finish.
Categories: Personal Shopping
Most of you will already have a pair of chinos in your wardrobe and if you've got the right ones, you'll be able to dress them up or down and they'll go well with the blazers you have.
But if you haven't got any chinos yet, they need updating or you fancy a different colour, then the following brands and styles are ones that I find myself frequently recommending to people and hopefully you may find something you like here too.
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, Trousers
You may not get it in time for this weekend, when storms are forecast but I'm sure a trench will come in handy to see you through the end of the winter and into Spring.
If you don't have one in your wardrobe or are due for an update, here's some that I've seen whilst out and about scouting for personal shopping clients.
1. I'll be dressed in clothes that are on trend and not "me"
The whole point of personal styling is so we take into account what suits you personally. Yes it's good to look up to date, but that doesn't mean you have to dress in the latest "must have" item that GQ has dictated this month. I want you to look like the best version of you, and feel confident in whatever you're wearing. If that's classic and understated, that's absolutely fine.
Categories: Personal Styling, Wardrobe Edit, Personal Shopping
I think the knitted blazer is an excellent invention, though it seems people are divided on this garment.......see this article which set off a bit of a raging debate when I posted it on LinkedIn!
It bridges the gap perfectly between a blazer and a cardigan, and is very useful if you work in a casual environment and want to smarten up your look a little. As fellow stylist Lisa Gillbe put it "My husband works in TV so wants to look relaxed but still look senior."
Categories: Knitwear, Smart/Casual dressing
Happy New Year!
A new year, and indeed a new decade is the ideal time to make some changes to your wardrobe. Combine that with the fact that most items are on sale and you have the perfect excuse to add a few new items to freshen up your wardrobe for the coming year.
The changes don't need to be huge, just take a small side step from what you normal wear to shake things up a bit. Here are some easy ideas for you to start with - hurry though, these things are selling out fast in the sales!
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, Winter, Sale
Do you sometimes get stuck on the small gifts you need to buy for the men in your life, the stocking fillers, the Secret Santas, the difficult male relatives?
Then fear not, for I have elfed myself to help you along your merry way and put together a list of 20 stylish items for under £20!
You're welcome :-)
Categories: Christmas, Gift Ideas
What are you planning to wear to Christmas events this year? If you only have formal business wear and casual weekend wear, you may find you're struggling to hit that smart/casual sweet spot which is in between the two.
So perhaps I can inspire you with these 3 outfits for those Christmas occasions where you need to look dressy but not too much so, smart but not businessy, or casual but looking like you've made an effort.
Let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like some help, please get in touch as I have a few slots left before Christmas!
Categories: Christmas, Event dressing, Party dressing
Clients have been asking me recently about dinner suits and where to buy them. Invariably they're not keen to spend too much money on the outfit as it doesn't get worn too much. Here are the high street ones I recommended to them and to go with it, I've written a guide to wearing black tie. You know what they say - "you have to know the rules before you break them" (and plenty do) but at least you'll be informed on what to look for and then you can make your choice.
Categories: Christmas, Black Tie, Event dressing