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
A couple of years ago I did a survey amongst a small selection of women on what they like to see men dressed in for dating and I used this info last weekend, when I did a webinar for dating coach Hayley Quinn and the group of guys that she's been working with.
In this blog post are the "8 Do's in Dressing for Dating" that we covered in the webinar
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, Dating
A smart/casual jacket is a gap I notice in many men's wardrobes when I visit them for a wardrobe edit. They often have smart winter coats - the sort that you'd wear over a suit, and a puffa or waterproof type jacket but the in between section is missing. The sort of thing you might wear out for lunch, or when you're visiting friends, or to a bar or pub in the evening.
So I thought I'd show you some of the ones that've been on my radar recently whilst out prepping and on personal shopping trips with clients:
Categories: Smart/Casual dressing, Winter, Jackets, Autumn, Coats
How many belts do you own? It's common for me to find just one or two when I go over to a client's to do a wardrobe edit. And it's usually black, brown or tan.
There's nothing wrong with them, but the reason men book me to help with their wardrobes, is to introduce some interest and shake things up a bit! So I find myself regularly suggesting that they add some alternative belts into the mix. If we don't buy them on our shopping trip, I often send links afterwards, when I'm putting together their outfit list, of belts that give the finishing touches to the outfit and pull it all together.
Most men will have shoes in black or brown, so I thought it would be helpful to put together some suggestions on what belts to wear with them that aren't plain black or brown leather.
Categories: Colour, Shoes, Accessories
One of the things I often suggest to clients when we go on a personal shopping trip is a raincoat. They haven't necessarily requested we look for one, but more often than not, they're open to the idea and realise that it would be really useful to have in their wardrobes, perhaps as a smarter alternative to a more casual cagoule style.
Here are some of the ones I've bought with clients or seen whilst out and about in the shops. I've also included some umbrellas because it's that attention to detail, which of course includes accessories, that can make all the difference to how good you look.