Last month, Bristol and Bath based magazine, Folio, asked me to define Bath’s style.  Quite a challenge you might say!

So what is Bath’s style?  Is it unique, or is it the same as every other city?  Immediately I conjure up images of stylish ‘ladies who lunch’, with Orla Kiely handbags, Seven For All Mankind jeans and designer sunglasses, but I know there’s more to it than that.  I explored Bath’s history, talked to local retailers and put together my own outfit, to give you an insight into Bath style.

The city is packed with stunning historical architecture and tempting boutiques, all intertwined and set amongst beautiful, quintessential English villages.  The cities boutiques provide locals with unique pieces and vintage items to create an effortlessly stylish and classic Bath look. 

Bath has always been a ‘must-see’ on the tourist trail.  Leah, of Pink Lemons boutique told me that “most of our customers are tourists especially in the summer season”; combining retail therapy with sightseeing.

In Georgian times, Bath was the fashionable place to visit.  Rosemary Harden, Bath Fashion Museum’s curator, spoke to me about Bath’s history; she commented that “unlike London, Bath has never been a centre for the production of fashion.” She went on to say, it was however, the “centre for the procurement of fashion.  Fashionable items and textiles were bought by visitors holidaying in Bath; their clothes would be tailored while they were there, and then worn in the evenings to show off.  Bath was very much the place to see and be seen”

So is Bath style all ‘ladies who lunch’ and designer jeans?  Walking around the city you’ll spot yummy mummies, twenty something fashionistas, and classically stylish Batholians.  No different to other cities? However, unlike other cities which also boast universities, Bath’s style isn’t studenty; it is more sophisticated, individual, and boutiquey.  Leah has another Pink Lemons boutique in Bristol and comments that “Bath plays a much more relaxed approach to fashion” unlike Bristolians who “tend to have a bit more of an edge in fashion and are more open to new things”. 

My own ‘Bath style’ outfit would have to consist of individual pieces from the exciting boutiques.  First I’d go to Prey, where I spot a Marilyn Moore ‘Moira’ dress in a fab floral print. Bang on trend for autumn/winter 09, perfect for dressing up and down, and so Bath.  Next I want a bag, so onto Sassy and Boo in Margaret’s Buildings; a treasure trove of vintage items, and contemporary designers.  The vintage snakeskin handbags take my fancy, as do a pair of large vintage sunglasses.  Pink Lemons is my next stop, with their collection of funky shoes, bags and jewellery.  I take home some coloured opaques to change the look of my new dress, and can’t resist a piece of statement jewellery that I know will transcend the seasons.  All I need now is shoes.  A pair of boots catches my eye in Lux, on Bartlett St.  I also pick up some foldable pumps by Redfoot; they fit nicely in my new bag and are perfect for tackling Baths steep, cobbled streets, after a night out.

Bath a more relaxed take on fashion. Its style is individual and classic, contemporary and quirky, very much reflecting Baths own mix of old and modern architecture. 

To read the full article; ‘A style history of Bath’, pick up a copy of the October issue of Folio magazine

 Wednesday was the first Swish ‘n’ Swap swishing event at the Ashton Gate Stadium and I was invited to speak about image and dressing for your body shape before the swishing began. The event was held in aid of the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal Charity for the Bristol Children’s Hospital and the organisers, Grace and Vicky, raised £400!

I went down to Broadmead this morning to witness the opening of Primark’s largest store yet.

The queue snaked round the store and was buzzing, Primark staff were handing out balloons and Starbucks were giving away free mini coffees. Although the fuss wasn’t as huge as I’d expected, the girl’s queuing up didn’t disappoint as they let out excited screams on their way into the store.

It really does, thanks to the recent opening of fab new jewellery shop; Clifton Rocks.

This is no ordinary jewellery shop, think, vintage mixed with contemporary. 

The shop looks beautiful, welcoming and stylish.  Take a seat on the inviting leather sofa while you take it all in.

The owner Clare, who has been designing and making jewellery for ten years, has her studio in the back of the shop so you can watch her while she produces her own range which sits alongside the other designers, which she handpicks herself.  If that’s not enough for you, then Clare can make alterations, repairs and one-off commissions at the request of her clients.

Clare told me that the collection will be updated regularly so it’s worth popping in every now and then to see what’s new; I know I will be! 

 Juicy summer colours!

Block, clashing, eighties, acid; all colours!

Shopping for clothes is like choosing which sweets to have in your pick and mix!  Which colour to go for?  They’re all fab.

 A bright purple belt on a khaki dress is a nod towards the summer brights trend, as is a yellow Cardi on a navy dress, or a bold & beautiful necklace on a more subdued outfit.

Fashionistas are recommending we mix clashing colours together for an ‘on trend’ look, but If you’re not sure which colours make a good clashing combination, and which a bad, then try putting just one bold colour with a nude background, Reiss do this fantastically!

Follow this link to view their ‘look book’.

http://www.reiss.co.uk/lookbook/?category=women

Accessorising a bright outfit is often a struggle so consider using a nude coloured pair of shoes or handbag to finish the outfit.

I love the power of nude shoes.  They go with any colour or any outfit and they make your legs look longer.  What more could you ask for!

Try these ones from French Connection:

http://www.frenchconnection.com/product/shoes/AFBA1/Dagmar+Shoe.htm

Or for those of you that like a heel, try these from Carvella:

I spent Sunday at the Bristol Womens Show

How great!  An opportunity to talk to real women face to face

I speed styled the day away; giving a group of women the chance to take home a goodie bag containing their own prescription sheet tailored to their shape, along with some of my top tips.

The show was such a success with the Bristol ladies coming through the doors in their droves.  Such a great girly day out.

I'm already looking forward to next years event!

Jumpsuits, head scarves, harem trousers & bleached denim.............

Looks like fashion is paying homage to Bananarama, Madonna and MC Hammer!

Have you noticed all the bleached denim that’s popping up in the magazines, the oversized earrings, one shoulder dresses, oversized t-shirts and head scarves?

Don’t fret, if you’re not in the mood to go all out Eighties then here are some tips to update your long lost summer wardrobe.

·    A statement pair of earrings is a great way to add contemporary style to last year’s outfits.  Either go all ‘bo ho’ with a large pair of hoops, or put strong jewel colours with a plain dress.

·    If bows are big this season, then opt for one on a handbag or broach rather than in your hair.

·    Be careful with the harem trousers that are in abundance this season.  They’re a fashion disaster waiting to happen!  There are lots different styles out there so make sure you a variety before you take the plunge.

·    Likewise with the jumpsuits.  There’s one for every shape out there, invest in the time to find the right one for you and you’ll have a staple summer piece for all occasions.

Enjoy creating your own style

Use the trends to update your wardrobe; by adding new key pieces each season, you’ll find you build a wardrobe that turns getting dressed from an everyday necessity into an enjoyable experience!

I just love rummaging around in antiques shops and vintage fairs, so I was over the moon when I spotted a large vintage fair in Bristol last weekend. 

I spent almost 3 hours there having a good look at everything.  I also made a few purchases. 

Shopping vintage is always a great way to pick up something individual, something that no one else has.  A fab vintage pair of boots for example, will make a great addition to your wardrobe.  Fashions come round again and again ensuring you’ll pick up something that’s on-trend yet unique and yummy, if you know what to look for.

Before you hit the stalls it’s a good idea to make a list of some of the things you might be looking for; it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by the wonderful hotchpotch of sparkle, pattern and chatter!

For example; I went along hoping to find a little snakeskin hand bag for next season, some jewellery that would also work in the summer, but that looked a bit individual and, of course, I was keeping my eye out for items that might work for some of my clients!

To see if there’s going to be any in your area follow this link to Blind Lemon Vintage’s website: www.blindlemonvintage.co.uk    they also link to other vintage fairs.

If you can’t bare all that hunting on foot,   why not take a look from the comfort of your home.

Some of the stallholders who were there have websites so here are a couple to make life a little easier for you:

·         www.samayalingvintage.com - For great quality vintage designer items

·        www.sheenaholland.com   -  For unique headresses handmade from vintage jewellery

Some other Websites worth visiting:

·         www.myvintage.co.uk – A good selection of vintage pieces and a great place to buy new, retro t-shirts

·         www.stardustonline.co.uk – Great choice of accessories

·         www.candysays.co.uk - Vintage clothing and accessories

·         www.marthascloset.co.uk – Browse through the decades to find what you’re looking for, they  also sell vintage fabrics and trims

So, there’s no excuse; get rummaging!

Saturday was a day of research (well, that’s what I like to call it).

I braved the snow and ice (I did, I literally ice skated down the road in my little car) and went to London.  I spent the day with some of the other lovely Alicia Kite Image Consultants. We had such a girly day, drinking Lattes and talking about all the latest trends. 

We spent most of the day in the fashion Mecca that is Harrods.  It looks like summer is going to be a great season for fashion, and I can’t wait.  There’s something for everyone whether it’s floaty florals that take your fancy or you’re more of an eighties girl.

So, if you’ve started to think about what to wear when the sun eventually comes out then here are some handy tips before you part with your pennies:

·         Number one rule:  Make sure you’re choosing items that work for your body shape.  There’s no point in forking out lots of money for something because it’s deemed to be ‘the must have item’ for this season if it doesn’t work for your shape.  Trust me you won’t feel good in it so you probably won’t wear it.

·         Try and focus on your positive attributes.  Women spend most of the time trying to hide the parts of their body they don’t like that they forget to show off their best parts.  If you’ve got a great waist then show it off! 

·         Get out all your summer clothes from last season to remind yourself what you’ve got.

·        Does it go with at least two other things in your wardrobe?  This sounds like a bore but believe me, if you want your wardrobe to work really hard for you then you need to be purchasing items that slot seamlessly into your wardrobe.

·         Is it the same as something you’ve already got?  This is a mistake that a lot of us make.  We get into a habit when we shop; do you find yourself shopping for the same things, in the same shops time after time?  Step out of your comfort zone a little and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Or...

If this is all too much for you then why not contact me for what I like to call a Shopping Education Trip!

These are on my ‘must have’ list for spring summer 09!

A classic little pump,  with a very modern look. 

Get some toe cleavage on show!

It’s that time again to start thinking about the new season.  With the sales still in full swing, it’s easy to get sidetracked and spend money on items that may only be worn for another couple of months.    If the items aren’t classics; pieces that are season less, then think about how often you’ll actually wear that piece.  Is it something that will take you through to Spring Summer?

Quite a few trends will continue into the next season, so you could find yourself a bargain which will be in fashion next season too. 

Here are hints on what to look out for:

·         African, tribal trend – Look out for any animal print accessories or clothing in the sales; zebra, leopard, anythign goes!  These will go brilliantly with your outfits next season.

·         Following on from this trend, yet very much a trend of its own, is snakeskin – There was snakeskin on footwear and bags last season, so if you find any of these in the sale, snap them up! 

·         Statement necklaces – In all the shops this season and set to be huge again come spring summer.

·         80’s Revival - The 80’s is one of those trends that seems to linger in the background most seasons.  This time round, however, it’s found its way to the fore front.  Think oversized earrings, bold colours and prints.

·         Denim - We all love denim and this season is no exception, every shade and every style goes, from jackets to dungarees and even shoes!  Purchasing denim in the sales is always a good buy, but this time round it’s especially good

Purchasing items in the sale needn’t be a waste of money.  If done cleverly you can purchase a bargain which will take you through to the end of the summer!  Saving money on these key items now, means more money left over to buy the accessories you might want to update your look later on in the season. 

I was invited to talk on BBC Radio Bristol on Thursday morning.

They were discussing the current sales in the shops and whether they have had any effect on our shopping habits:

Most of the shoppers they interviewed thought that the sales hadn’t really made a difference to the way they shop, I know that when I’ve been out shopping it’s always pretty busy, however although there seems to be a lot of people, they’re not carrying many shopping bags. 

When I’m shopping with a client, and I know that the shops we’re going in have mark downs, I’ll always check to see if what I’m looking for is reduced.  It’s important not to get side tracked by the reductions though; a bargain is only a bargain if you’re planning to buy it anyway! 

I’ve been pretty busy as people are more aware of what their buying and how much things cost, my clients know that enlisting my help guarantees their money will be spent on worthwhile items.  It’s my job to make sure that they’re spending their hard earned money on items that will work to the maximum.

As for findng some good bargins, there’s so much to choose from!  The best bargains to buy, if they’re reduced are classic items, ones which won’t date too much.  In the current climate we want to be purchasing items which we know will take us from season to season, year after year.   I know it sounds very boring but don’t buy something just because it’s reduced, if it’s something you wouldn’t normally buy the chances are it’ll just sit in your wardrobe with the label still on.  So make sure you’re buying something you’re going to wear otherwise you’ve not saved any money at all!  

Friday night saw me embracing the cold weather, (thanks to my new favourite pink hat) and heading over to the Westonbirt  arboretum for their enchanted Christmas event.

The trees looked spectacular lit up every colour of the Rainbow.  The weather was really foggy but that only added to the magical atmosphere of the night.

It was great to see so many people looking stylishly warm!

I had this question through the other day, so I thought I’d post it on my Blog.  If anyone else has any fashion related questions or dilemmas then let me know!

Q: I've been invited to an afternoon, winter wedding.  What's the best combination to take me from day to night? 

Winter weddings are always difficult; It's cold, dark and almost certain to pour down!  Lucky for us, this year, fur shrugs and coats are in abundance (fake of course!) as is velvet.  So it shouldn't be too hard to stay warm yet stylish.

My suggestion would be to wear a really well fitting shift dress with a fab pair of boots and a warm coat or fur shrug.  Add a statement necklace to finish off the look.

As it's getting colder and colder outside, I thought it only fitting to write about 'keeping warm and stylish, credit crunch stylie'. 

Think of tights as your new best friend!  They're a fab way of updating your wardrobe.   The higher the denier, the warmer you'll be, and the more flattering they are.  Wolford tights are great but for something a little more credit crunch friendly, try Accessorize or even Matalan!

If online shopping's more your kinda thing then try this site: http://www.mytights.com

Wear a pair of raspberry coloured tights to brighten the dark and dreary winter days.

If Red's too much for you, then try purple - there's loads of it about this season.

I'm loving the Tartan look this season so I've opted for a fab pair of tartan tights to make my little Black dress a little more quirky.