So, you're going on a fabulous holiday and now it’s time to work out just what you are going to pack. You throw open the wardrobe and so many options stare back at you. You slide the hangers to the right and left, waiting for inspiration but it doesn’t come. About now, all of ten minutes into the task you decide a cup of coffee is needed but of course this is just a procrastinating manoeuvre. The truth is you really don’t know where to start, so not starting seems the obvious solution.
We do most things in life more effectively and efficiently when we have a plan. Packing for a holiday is no different.
The first step in planning your holiday wardrobe is to decide on your colour scheme.
I. Choose one neutral shade to be your core colour e.g. black, grey, navy, camel.
II. Choose two colours that look great with your core neutral and, very importantly
look great with each other.
By doing this:
a) You reduce the number of shoes and accessories that you need.
b) You maximise your outfits with a minimum of garments.
Take a look at this wardrobe capsule and see how many combinations can be put together.
Most people find planning a holiday is exciting and fun. Packing for same holiday on the other hand is usually anything but fun. Many a meltdown has occurred when we struggle to decide what to pack, what goes with what, how much or how little to take. However, there are some clever strategies we can use to minimise the time, effort and stress packing for that wonderful get-away.
The first one is always have a toiletry bag packed and ready to go!
This is one of the greatest time savers. It means you don’t need to go raiding the shower caddy and the bathroom vanity before you take your leave nor will you have to come home and return countless items to their proper place. Just put your toiletry bag away ready for next time. Look for travel size products and invest in a set of travel bottles and jars into which you decant product. It may take a little time to set up your bag but believe us it is absolutely worth the time and effort!!.
Here are some suggestions for packing your quick get-away bag:
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And here are some other items you might like to consider packing as well:
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Printed fabric is a very common fashion element. It’s also true to say that some women are more attracted to prints than others but it would be a rare woman who didn’t own at least one or two printed pieces. Choosing a print that balances and harmonises with our own physical characteristics and personality traits is not always easy. The wrong print can spoil our appearance or make us feel dissatisfied with what we’re wearing. Generally, if we have more angles and straight lines to our body and face shape we will be attracted to and flattered by prints that reflect this. e.g. stripes, houndstooth, angular geometrics. On the other hand if we have more curvy lines to our body and face shape, we will more likely be drawn to circular or wavy patterns. e.g florals, polka dots, paisleys
Do I look big in this?
Many people are scared of prints, as they’ve been told that prints will make them look larger. This is not always the case, it really depends on the type of print.
Complex vs Obvious Repeats.
One is enlarging and one can be used to appear slimmer, but which one is which?
Sparse prints and obvious repeated patterns, have the elements spread further apart, these are the ‘fattening’ prints as your eye is drawn individually to each element of the print.
Dense or complex prints have the elements closely packed together, so there is no obvious start or stop. This means they eye scans over the print but doesn’t stop and look at any one element. These are the slimming prints and are fabulous for hiding details and areas of your body where want the eye to skim over rather than focus upon
How many of us would intentionally bring home a packet of self raising flour when we already have 2 kg in the pantry and not a skerrick of cornflour? Or bring home a delectable cheese when we have no crackers to eat with it? Or buy some beluga caviar because it was on special but no one in the house likes the stuff? If this all sounds very silly, can we suggest that many of us do this when we shop for clothes. We buy multiples of the same garment when what we really need is something else entirely. We fall in love with something fantastic, bring it home and have absolutely nothing in our wardrobe to wear with it. We see some designer number reduced to a silly price, we don’t like the colour but hey it’s a bargain.
We waste money and we really shouldn’t it. It has to stop. One of AbFab’s business objectives is to help women stop wasting money.
So, one of the best strategies of course is to see us for a Colour and Style analysis, however in the meantime and even if you have already, here are some strategies to employ before you spend another hard earned cent at your local mall.
Set aside a rainy afternoon, grab a couple of garbage bags and a note pad.
Pull things out, scarves, shoes, jewellery included and start mixing and matching items that you have not considered wearing together. You will probably be amazed at how many ‘new’ outfits you can create without spending a cent. Put things away together or take a photo with your phone. Do whatever works for you to remind you of your new combinations.
This means checking that you have at least one or two of the core garments you need. The quantity and quality will vary from person to person of course but generally we all need.
Put aside those garments and/or accessories that go with nothing else in your wardrobe. Now, decide whether they are worth the investment of more money to acquire what is needed. If the answer is yes, write the items down that you need to buy. If the answer is no, put the orphans in a garbage bag labelled “Give Away”.
Examine your garments and jewellery for signs of wear. If your one good jacket, for example is looking like it has seen better days then it may be time to replace it. Put it in the “Give Away” bag and write it in the notebook.
Check for garments that look like they’ refugees from a past decade. Absolute classic styling doesn’t date but garments that were once very much on trend will usually look dated today. However, before you immediately assume purchasing a replacement is the only course of action, stop to consider if some inexpensive modifications could be made. E.g extra large cuffs made smaller, full sleeves narrowed, hemlines raised or lowered. Alterations in many instances will be a much more cost effective option. Put these items in the other garbage bag labelled “Repairs”. But, if that’s not feasible then put them in the “Give Away” bag and add these items to the notebook.
Now, put the notebook in your everyday tote or handbag. Why? Because when you find yourself in a shopping centre you will have your shopping list with you. It will remind you what you need to buy and what you don’t need to waste your money on!! Take the “Give Away” bag to your local charity shop and take the “Repair” bag to an alteration booth.
It’s a great feeling to detox your wardrobe. Yes it takes a little time, but if you consider the cost savings involved, it’s well worth it. And if you really find it hard to let go of things or look at garments with an objective eye, then AbFab can come and help you clear out the clutter and make room for some fabulous new fashion. Don’t hesitate to call us if you think that’s an absolutely fabulous idea!!
With 20 years of fashion styling experience Michell Gillett and Sharron-Del Wakely share their secrets on how to always look fabulous regardless of how tall, short, robust or skinny you are.
Do you know what an image consultant is? If not, then it's time you learn what they are and how they'll be able to help you in all areas of your life. Whether you're aiming to create an impact in front of people, want to present yourself better, looking to create your own personal style or would just like to feel good about yourself, then the services that image consultants provide are just what you need.
The benefits of image consultants go just beyond personal improvement as well. Corporations and large scale businesses have been known to use them in order to establish their very own distinct looks and identities. They are well trained in terms of identifying problems and provide you with various available solutions.
Image consultants will be able to teach you how to understand your body more. Color, height, proportionality - Everything that you will need to learn in order to achieve the look that you're aiming for will be taught by the consultant. How will this be able to help you? Well, in essence, understanding your physical features deeper will help you pick out particular styles and combinations that will set you apart from everyone else.
Weddings, special occasions, public speeches; these are just a few of the occasions that you will need to present yourself properly. And it is exactly the reason why you need image consultants by your side. You'd have to remember that during these occasions a simple mistake in the way that you look - clashing of styles, mismatch of colors in dress, and unbalanced makeup can create the wrong impression that everyone will remember for a long time.
A good image consultant will be completely honest in the way that you are presenting yourself, which is exactly what you need. It's hard to get an honest opinion from other people because they are not familiar with what looks good. Most people will simply tell you that you look okay just to be nice even when your outfit doesn't match.
You might think that image consultants are just for women wanting to look good, and you'd be wrong. Now, more men are starting to get the services of image consultants in order to create their very own positive impressions in the workplace or in social settings.
The right image consultant will be able to help you boost your image as well as self confidence. Another advantage when getting the services would be the lasting value of knowing your very own fitting style as well as color combination's. While you might end up using the services again in the future in order to create more of a distinct look or for a special occasion, it's will not be as extensive. This is because you've already learned the basics and all you'd need is a little fine tuning with the help of the consultant.
You can contact us on Tel 02 9542-3042 or 0409 914 583
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For a man enlisting the services of an image consultant means that he is ready to take the journey of self discovery. The way he looks and thinks about himself and the way he dresses will be forever altered by this journey he undertakes. With the assistance of an expertly trained professional his future shopping experiences will become easier and dressing for any occasion will be more successful. At first many men are astonished by what they don’t know and how much they have to be taught since good grooming goes way further than selecting the correct tie and buying a suit.
These are the things that a fashion image consultation can help men with:
In the business world your corporate image conveys a messages about your values, capabilities and intelligence. Most people who work in a corporate environment would acknowledge this, but understanding how to create a visual image that does justice to one’s abilities is not always so easy.
There is an accepted code that governs the way people dress in business but slavish adherence to this frequently results in a corporate image of minimalist mundanity. One only has to walk down a street in the CBD at lunchtime to be confronted by a sea of black and charcoal and dull, conformist styling. There appears a definite sameness and lack of individuality amongst those striding purposefully along the footpaths. In an attempt to be taken seriously in the workplace many people create for themselves a visual image that is bland and uninteresting.
Rather than dutifully following the code of corporate dress, one would do well to first consider the motives and reasons behind those principles. They are usually sensible, the problem is in their interpretation and ‘one size fits all’ mentality. Just as no two people are identical, no two businesses are either. Before uncritically adopting what is perceived to be appropriate corporate attire one should consider two fundamental questions:
The answer to question one will be very different for someone working in an advertising agency to someone working in a law firm. Similarly, the answer to question two will be different for a partner in that same law firm and the receptionist in the foyer. Taking the time to consider these two questions and then purposefully constructing a corporate image based on those answers is definitely worthwhile.
