The Christmas party season is fast approaching and whether it’s the office party or an annual gathering of friends you are probably beginning to wonder what to wear.  

Follow these simple tips with dresses by Alberta Ferretti and you’ll be sure to turn heads for the right reasons.

Of course if you want more ideas, visit an image consultant!

Black is not the only colour

When Coco Chanel invented the little black dress she created a fabulous evening wardrobe staple.  But whilst the ‘LBD’ will always be a party favourite, do take care as black doesn’t suit everyone’s colouring.  If it’s not in your palette but you’ve got your heart set on wearing your LBD you will need to make sure you wear it with the right accessories.  Fortunately, there is a range of colours out there to choose from, so take advantage of them to get you through the party season…

Black looks great on ‘deep’ colourings like Eva Longoria etc. but it can still look striking on other colourings too, just make sure you don’t wear it too close to your face.  If you are light brown, blonde or a red-head then add a lighter colour necklace, such as masses of pearls or silver or gold (whatever suits your colouring) to reflect the lighter colours onto your face.  The style and fabric of the dress, and teaming it up with a variety of accessories, will send different messages, so depending on your mood you can glam it up with sequins and killer heels or keep it low-key with simple jewellery and a lower heel.

Emerald Green, This year’s Pantone Colour of the Year looks gorgeous in eveningwear. There are varying shades of green to suit different colourings but the most striking is emerald. Emerald green is best suited to ‘clear’ colourings – those of you with bright eyes and dark hair – and redheads.  Choose a dress in satin as it will enhance the colour and really give you the ‘wow’ effect. Other popular greens include pine green which suits darker colourings and some darker redheads too. This shade looks equally fabulous in a satin shade or a mix of satin and chiffon. Those of you with fair or light brown hair should look for a softer teal shade.

Purple is a great alternative to black because it has the same slimming effect and there is a shade to suit every complexion (think like-for-like, deeper tones for the darker colourings and lighter shades for fair).  Purple shows that you are creative and in control.  It projects confidence and individuality, so if you’re not afraid of colour and want to express yourself, wear a purple dress and you will be seen as the creative and outgoing one at the party!  If you want to show-off your creative side even more then wear bold accessories in a different shade such as green (if your colouring can take it) or metallics.  Silk is seductive and velvet dramatic, chiffon will keep it feminine.

Red, In terms of eveningwear we tend to think of red as the epitome of ‘sexy’, but it can look elegant and dramatic too.  Red is not for wallflowers, you won’t be able to shy away in red!  Some sparkle in the detail will add extra glamour, floor skimming satin will make it ultra dramatic and close fitting velvet will give you the ultimate vamp effect.  It is also a great energising colour, so if you weren’t in a party mood before, you will be once you’ve got your dress on! Again, there are shades of red for every colouring; darker colourings can go scarlet, geranium red is good on blondes, redheads can wear tomato red with a hint of yellow in it.

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We always seem to be at the mercy of the weather. The seasons are getting harder to define and anything can happen; sometimes we get winter in summer and spring in autumn.  It is no wonder that we find it difficult to create the perfect capsule wardrobe.

There are plenty of sumptuous knits, trousers and coats to look forward to for winter, but whilst the season is still undecided, we can enjoy something of a transitional garment: the shirt dress. It has been around for a long time and even  when it’s not among the key trends, you can usually find one somewhere.  This season, it is back in the limelight  and with something for every taste.

You will find the traditional looks in denim and cotton but also a range of colours and prints, including floral and camouflage, or something as simple as a contrasting collar. Current styles include the neat cut with a belted waist as well as oversize and unbelted nightshirt looks.  Midi is the most stylish length.

If you are looking for something more chic, there are some wonderful silk and chiffon versions which are perfect to take you from daytime to evening.  The smarter styles are easy to dress up with a simple change of shoe/boot, cardigan/jacket and jewellery.

The super-versatile shirt dress will be on trend for spring/summer 2014 too, so we recommend investing in a couple that you can layer up until the cold really bites then bring them out again next spring.

This is a style that works wonders for almost every body shape. If you aren't sure which style is best for you, contact us to help you find an Image Consultant in Asia.

Leather hasn’t always been price-friendly or easy to pull off, but since its comeback in recent years, we are enjoying it as an integral wardrobe piece. So, for the autumn/winter 2014 leather trend, look beyond the biker jacket and consider leather skirts, trousers and dresses too.

Forget about ‘faux’ leather or ‘pleather’ and go for the real thing; it will look, feel and fit better and last a lifetime. The softer the leather the better; butter-soft leather feels sumptuous on and works much better against our natural curves. If you’re concerned about the price, don’t be, you can find the real thing in all price brackets.

If you haven’t invested in anything leather other than a jacket before, then we recommend you try on a few pieces and consider what you feel is mostly ‘you’ and what flatters your shape best.  Here are a few tips on what to look for in your leather pieces:

Skirts 
The A-line skirt and the pencil skirt are good staples and you can dress them up or down.  You will need to work out which style works best with your body shape. If you invest in a really good one, it will last you forever. For the pencil skirt, go for the softest leather you can find so it will feel less restrictive. As with all skirts and dresses, make sure they are lined and you get the right length – an inch or two below the knee is the safest buy.  A full skirt can look fabulous, but you really need to be medium to tall in height to carry it off. The weight and volume of a leather circle skirt will add volume to your shape so take care.

Dresses
The skirt shape applies to dress shapes too. For dresses, the shift is the most practical. There are straight shifts for straight figures or cuts that nip in at the waist for curvier figures.  You can layer underneath with lightweight jerseys so they will see you from late summer right through winter.  If you don’t feel confident enough to wear too much leather, you might find the wool and leather combinations easier to pull off.  Again, if you invest in a good piece, it will last forever.

Trousers
Leather trousers are not for the faint-hearted – you need to have the figure and the personality for these – be realistic! As with skirts and dresses, you want to make sure they are lined.   If you are in any doubt, just picture the scene from Friends with Ross sweltering in his leather trousers. He finally rushes to peel them off in the bathroom only to find it impossible to get them back on!


Biker jacket
Without a doubt, this season everyone wants a leather biker jacket.   They are great for late summer and autumn and even nights out in winter when you don’t want to wear a big coat.  They can look funky or smart and are a great way to give an edge to your outfit.  You can go true biker with lots of zips and detail, or keep it plain and classic.  You need to think about detail, cut, neckline and length. If you are bigger in the bust then avoid lapels and too many zips and pockets.  The straight, box shapes are best suited to straighter figures. Curvier figures need a soft leather that nips in a bit at the waist.  Some styles will sit on the hips, others will fit lower on the hips, so work out which is the most flattering length for you – you don’t want it to sit on the widest part of your middle.  Whether it’s to the side or in the middle, decide if you are better with a statement zip or a hidden one. Ideally, curvy ladies should choose a hidden zip.

Final tips
Whilst you will find most leather this season is black, don’t be afraid to try other shades.  There is navy, which suits all colourings, and tan which will flatter both Light and Soft colourings.  Burgundy works for Cools and Deeps. Warm colourings can make the most of the brown shades.  Clears can wear Navy and Black and add contrast if necessary. If black isn’t the most flattering shade for you, just make sure you team it with a strong colour in your palette to create a real WOW outfit like Blake Lively. 

Not sure what colours and styles to wear? Check out our website for more info and we'll show you how!

Aside from organizing your Spring wardrobe, its helps to put together your Spring accessories to create the perfect look.  

Express your individuality, be your own artist and have fun with colour this season with these tips:

Play up feminine pieces: From ruffles to florals to lace, this season is all about looking soft and feminine. An embroidered neck border or statement necklace says "I'm a girl" like nothing else. Tie a pastel coloured scarf around your neck  or try a headband for that 60’s look. Bows are everywhere and a bow neck, bow belt or shoe with a bow will go perfectly with your feminine dresses. 

Accent Brights with Neutrals or Neutrals with Brights: With all the lovely bright coloured styles this season, you will want to tone down your handbags and shoes a notch. In the same way, if you are carrying a bright bag, you'll want to go for a more neutral outfit. This is especially important if you want the focus to be on your outfit...on the other hand, if you are a dramatic, go for it. Bright away!

White with Colour: With all the whites this Spring, nothing looks better then having a bright, solid coloured stand out bag or shoe to go with the monochromatic look. You could opt for a head to toe black and white look for sure, but stand out of the crowd with a red, yellow or cobalt blue patent leather shoes, belt or bag! Of course, you could go the other way and wear the ultimate Spring White Bag. Just make sure you spray your white bag with a protector before using it, and make sure you clean it regularly. Nothing looks worse than dirty white. 

If you are wondering what accessories to add, contact us and we'll set you up with one of our consultants!

Consultant of the month-Stacy Wooten

Our Colour Me Beautiful consultants extend beyond the city of Hong Kong as they settle elsewhere in various other parts of Asia.

Take our consultant Stacy Kurzendorfer for example.

Stacy currently resides in the city if Shenyang in China, and serves as the Vice-President of the expat group International Club of Shenyang.

She recently provided members of this group with a free 'colour demonstration' at the Hilton Doubletree over a luncheon.

She taught her audience what their 'dominant' colourings were on several willing volunteers, (i.e. the strongest hues in the colour of their hair, eyes and skin tone), showing them the colours and styles of clothing which flatter them most.


In addition to using colour drapes, Stacy also brought some of her own clothing to use as examples and a guide to illustrating clothes which are a 'yes' and those which were 'no's'.

Interested in Stacy's work as an Image Consultant? You too can have a chance to build your own side business as a personal stylist, or even pursue a full time career as one! Colour Me Beautiful offers top of the notch programs designed to qualify you as a professional international image consultant. You will be able to work anywhere in the world!

Simply take a look at the various programs we offer here and sign up today!

Frills, ruffles, call them what you will, are back. 

On the catwalk, designer frills looked reminiscent of the trademark hems on a flamenco skirt or a ladylike trim from the 1940’s. The frill for spring 2013 is definitely a more feminine and stylish look that says “I’m on trend AND I’m elegant.”

Can you pull it off?  Here are three things to consider for chic, not cheap, frills:

1     Does it suit your style? This is the perfect trend for feminine Romantics. City Chics can enjoy a single simple, elegant ruffle. Naturals might be able to find a soft, simple T-shirt with a slight ruffle design. Classics can opt for a smart top with a subtle frill design. Dramatics will enjoy a statement frill item of clothing. Creatives can mix and match a variety of frill enhanced items of clothing.  

2     How do I wear it? Softer fabrics will fall softly against curves and stiffer fabrics won’t, so think about what works for your figure

3    How many ruffles and what size? Small figures should choose small to medium frills whilst larger frames can carry larger frills. No frills on your largest areas of your body!

Need some help shopping and putting together outfits this Spring? Simply email us at info@colourmebeautiful.hk and we'll set you up with a Style Consultation in no time. Check out our list of services here!

It's Springtime! 

And the best part about it? The fashion of course! 

There are so many amazing colours, prints and fabrics inspired from the 1960's with a sophisticated, updated twist to choose from. 

This season,  it's all about taking inspiration from an era of sleek cuts and bright bursts of pop colour. 

Think Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy, and Jackie O as your style inspirations. 

Tailored and minimalistic, or graphic and printed are key looks to go for. Take a look at how you can work these trends into your existing wardrobe! 

Shift dresses: Take this classic cut which is flattering on all body shapes and add a 60's feel to it by choosing designs with some bold black and white prints, stripes, or geometric grid formations. Florals are also big this season, so either wear it in your dress or as a cardigan on top.

Black and White: The newest IT combo. Wear it from head to toe in a black and white colour block combo-a sharp, mod look that's perfect for the workplace, or introduce some black and white stripes or geometric prints into a blazer or a skirt. 

Graphic prints and colour: Inject some colourful graphic 60's prints into your blouses and/or pants. Too daring for you? Try it in a handbag or a silk scarf. Bright colour is also everywhere this season so make sure you have at least one colourful item in your daily outfit.

Cropped jackets and pants: Wear your denim, leather or even blazers a little shorter and lighter this Spring. The tailored cropped pant is the way to go this season too-make it work friendly by pairing it with a nice pair of pointy pumps. 

Pointy flats and Kitten Heels: Your feet will thank you this season as its all about comfort. The pointed toe will elongate your silhouette and go perfectly with your  cropped pants. 

Statement sunglasses: Go Jackie O and don a pair of large, round 60's inspired sunglasses 

Need help working these trends into your wardrobe? Colour Me Beautiful is here to help! Let us show you how to do the new make-up look of the season with one of our Make-up Consultations. 

We can help you update your wardrobe into a more current, up to date one with our Fashion Trends Update consultation. Or, you can enjoy a Style Consultation with us and get to know all the right cuts, shapes and styles for your body type.

Simply contact us at +852 2522-2592 or contact us  here!

If you love the idea of doing all this yourself, why not train to become an Image Consultant. Work for yourself, when you want and how you want. We show you how to get your business up and running. Interested? 

Read more about to Become an Image Consultant in just 6 days