Resolute Shopping

What is it about Xmas and January, one minute it’s feast the next it’s talk of famine!

We could use resolutions to give us positive feelings, instead of going on the guilt trip, driven by media frenzy.

If I want to look good – I have to feel good inside first. This happens from simple things like eight hours sleep, healthy nutritious meals, less alcohol and appreciating life. Positive thinking really helps, giving myself a compliment now and then and being grateful for being healthy. I try and learn from each year’s experiences and then the end of year review becomes the driver for positive thinking.

When clothes shopping –  my ‘learn from experience’ rules also apply.  Try to ensure you only buy clothes that flatter you and make you feel good in terms of colour and fit. Appreciate quality in terms of style, cloth and construction, as it could mean that fashion company has good ethics too. Try not to overspend as debt hangovers feel bad, but good choices should still make you feel good a year later. Just make sure your excellent find fits properly.

 

Happy 2016,  Maggi

 

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Wrapping up

We all need new ideas – so I’m inspired by attic chic and upcycling. You can see from my sketch that I am working on an evening dress, which was a bit too short. I am adding a slashed panel to lengthen the side. It gives the dress a more formal look for a special event, good for those who are shy about showing their legs.

The secret of evening wear is that it is like a present. You want the parcel to be wrapped in a seductive, exciting way, not too unwrapped and spilling its contents. You may be pleased to hear that a more covered up look is popular this season with polo necks, palazzo style baggy pants, longer skirts but lower back necks. Perfect for the latina (pear-shaped) figures, long is not frumpy, as you can add accessories and create drama.

Some women do not like the unwrapped nature of strappy tops… are you a bit coy about upper arms? Most women of a certain age are, so I have designed a lovely lace cami with attached mini sleeves. Come and see my design in the flesh in the Stitch Studio  above Gallery Artemis,     Cockermouth, Cumbria.

 

Little Black Dress

Black is the perfect colour for evening wear so I am sharing a few little black dress (LBD) tips.  This might help you wear that black dress again, but maybe with a few 80’s retro updates. Black benefits from added texture and colour, so if you want a quick 2015 fix here are 10 ways to change your look.

Take one LBD and . . .

• swop the tailored jacket for a leather biker jacket.
• add patent leather accessories or a faux-fur wrap for texture.
• wear it with a turtle (polo)neck or lace top underneath and a long necklace.
• wear a white or plain bright coloured shirt underneath and leave the collar and cuffs extended. Add black/white or colourful jewellery to give an 80’s graphic feel.
• try some animal prints, (orange browns or monochrome) belt, scarf or shoes.
• find a cute net underskirt or some black polka dot/striped or very open fishnet tights.
• brightly coloured shoes work well, try red, cobalt blue, metallic or two tone brogues.
• experiment with glitzy jewellery, such as wide cuffs or crystals…
• or colourful, bohemian jewellery works with longer dresses.
• shorten your dress and try wearing it with a sweatshirt or over-knee boots and leggings or with raw-edged skinny jeans and chunky Chelsea boots.

 

Caution: Just try one addition at a time, so that you don’t lose that chic effect!

The LBD is so timeless whether worn à la Audrey with classic pumps and pearls or by radical punks, goths and showbiz celebrities. We had a very stylish fashion event at Gallery Artemis this month, with a talk about the nature of the LBD and how it has shaped our view of many of the ‘femmes fatales’ who are famous style icons today.

 

                

 

Cumbrian Style Show

This is the second Style show expertly shot by Vivienne Tredigda

here are  her  web channel details.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5GaGYrnpYR3MWFt3SJMVoA

Here is the country chic style show – it was shot a year ago when the Country Clothing shop was still in Market Place and she is now selling online due to Floods in Cumbria. So go to <cococlothing.co.uk> to see her range.

Last years videos

If you haven’t seen last years You tube videos of the Cumbrian Style show

go visit now.

Berlin. Givenchy Pre-Fall’16

Source: Berlin. Givenchy Pre-Fall’16