Navigating Spring weather can sometimes be tricky as it changes so often (sometimes within the course of a single day!)

It isn’t cold enough for a heavy layers but you still need an outer layer to keep the chill out of those freezing air conditioners. 
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This season there are a lot of lightweight outerwear options. We’ve already taken you through what to look for in a trench coat (you can read that post here), so in this post we thought we’d give you the lowdown on a couple of other key outerwear trends; Blazers and Bombers.

If there’s one wardrobe item that is synonymous with Spring, it has to be the trench coat.

The trench coat dates back pre-World War 1, when it was designed as an alternative to the heavy greatcoat that Army officers wore. It was adapted to be worn in the trenches, hence where the trench coat got its name.

Since then it has evolved and developed as times and fashions have changed and it is still a mainstay of many a wardrobe across the world. But do you have one on your coat rail?

Not only is a trench coat an iconic fashion item, it is also incredibly versatile and the perfect solution for those Spring days when a Winter coat is too heavy, but you still need an extra layer to keep you warm. 

As always, there are a plethora of trench coats available this season in different variations on the classic style. Here’s what to look for when choosing yours…

Fabric

The fabric you choose for your trench coat is key to how well it will fit. If you have a straight body shape (Rectangle, Inverted Triangle) then a heavier, more structured fabric will work best - those with curves need to opt for a softer, more fluid fabric that will skim their shape.

Beware of the Belt

Trench coats will usually come with a belt to cinch you in at the waist. This is great if you have natural waist definition (Hourglass and Triangle body shapes in particular will look great with in a belted trench coat to show off the waist). However, if you have a straight rib-cage and little waist definition, or tend to carry weight around your waist (Oval body shapes) you should avoid belts ideally. As this isn’t possible with most styles of trench coat, try belting yours at the back instead.

Details

Some trench coat styles will feature lots of buttons and large collars/lapels. If you have a full bust avoid details like these as they will overwhelm your top half, instead, look for styles that have fewer details to create an uncluttered look.

Colour

Traditionally trench coats have been in a neutral Taupe/Stone shade - this is a great colour to add accents to but there are now lots of choices available. The two key colour stories for Spring/Summer 2018 are bright and bold OR pale and pastel. Choose a colour that falls into your dominant colour category rather than a neutral to give your look a real lift.

For 1-on-1 advice on colours and styles that work for you, get in touch with your local Colour Me Beautiful consultant here.

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Do you love Colour and/or Style? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis and/or Styling based on body shapes,  contact us! Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

First of all let’s talk about COLOUR - this season your denim needs to be DARKER so here’s how to wear it depending on your dominant colour category.

LIGHT & SOFT -  dark denim will be too heavy for your colour characteristics so weak it away from your face and break it up with another colour from your palette.

DEEP - you look great in dark, rich colours so you can wear dark denim on it’s own or in contrast with another colour.

WARM - medium-depth colours work best on you so pop something one or two shades lighter with your dark denim to even things out.

COOL - inject some contrast into your dark denim to harmonise with your colour characteristics.

CLEAR - dark denim will look great on you worn with a vivid accent colour from your palette. Of course, we are not talking jeans only this season, but dresses, shirts and jackets too.

If you aren't sure what your dominant is, come in for a Colour Analysis!

Now let’s talk FIT - choosing the right texture of denim will have a huge impact on how well it fits you. As well as skinnies there are some more relaxed styles of jeans around this season and getting the right fabric is essential to them looking and feeling good.

If you have a CURVY body shape (hourglass, triangle, oval) you need to opt for a softer denim, or one that has some stretch in it to accommodate your gorgeous curves.

Those with a STRAIGHT body shape (lean column, rectangle, inverted triangle) should opt for a denim that has more weight and structure to it as this will follow your body line beautifully. Detailing around the hips/bottom area to create shape and balance proportions will also work well.

Whatever shade or style of denim you opt for this season it is essential that you feel comfortable and confident. For personalised advice on which styles will work best for your body shape, lifestyle and style personality get in touch with us at Colour Me Beautiful to discuss booking in for a Style Consultation or full Image Makeover.

You’ll be strutting into Spring in style!

Do you love Colour and/or Style? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis and/or Styling based on body shapes,  contact us! Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

Here at Colour Me Beautiful we love Blues but we also love the Reds, Pinks, Greens and Yellows too! So there are no blue days for us, only colourful ones. Colour makes you feel good!

Colour is the perfect way to lift your mood and wearing beautiful shades when the skies are grey is guaranteed to make you feel brighter. Not only that but wearing the right colours next to your face will also illuminate your complexion too; perhaps now is the time to get booked in for that Colour Consultation to discover which shades will make your skin glow and eyes sparkle?

In the meantime, here are a few colours to consider depending on your mood…

REDS and PINKS

The colours of romance, power and passion - reds and pinks are the perfect colours to opt for if you feel like you need to inject some energy into your look. DEEPS and CLEARS will look fabulous in some of the more vibrant shades that are around currently.

If you’re LIGHT or SOFT opt for a subtler red like Geranium. WARMS will have their choice of Bittersweet and Orange Reds and COOLS will look fabulous in Cassis and Fuchsia.

GREENS and BLUES

Shades of green and blue are often associated with nature and known to create feelings of calm and tranquility. Most shades of blue will look fabulous on you COOLS (you could perhaps even combine them with the pinks mentioned above).

LIGHTS will want to look for more delicate shades like Powder Blue and DEEPS could opt for Dark Navy to complement their colour characteristics. WARMS look fabulous in Olive green and you CLEARS can go bright and bold with Sapphire blue worn in contrast with a neutral shade to give you a pop.

YELLOWS

Some may reserve yellow for the warmer months of the year but we’re all for injecting our own sunshine into a Winter’s day! Yellow is becoming more widely available with stores offering a choice of shades.

You will need to have a WARM undertone to wear yellow next to your face (which you will learn during your Colour Consultation). If yellow is a shade that is in your palette then Mustard is a great shade to opt for at this time of year if you’re WARM, DEEP, SOFT or CLEAR and looks great with Navy or Charcoal.

If you’d like to find out more about Colour Analysis get in touch with your local Colour Me Beautiful consultant HERE.

Do you love colour? If you would like to learn more about how to do Colour Analysis contact us!
Click here to find out how to become an Image Consultant!

Photo by Alejandro Garrido Navarro on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again - SALES, SALES, SALES!

Some of us love them, others loathe them. If you’re lured by the possibility of a bargain-buy this January be sure to check our top tips for navigating the sales to ensure you really are saving money.

Assess What You Already Own

Ever got home from a shopping trip with a new purchase only to discover you’ve already got several other items that are similar? It’s happened to most of us at some point or another. To make sure it doesn’t happen to you, assess and organise your wardrobe before you hit the shops. Store items together so you can see just how many pairs of blue jeans/purple jumpers/red shoes you own. This simple exercise will remind you of the items you already have and highlight where you may need to add something new.

Don’t Impulse Buy

Plan your shopping trip and make a list. Buying things on impulse will lead to items not being worn or discovering you already own something similar (see above!) 

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you make that purchase decision:

Is it in my colour palette? If it is then it’s likely to work well with other items in your wardrobe.

Does the style suit me? Don’t settle for something that doesn’t fit properly just because it’s reduced. You need to look and FEEL great in your clothes. If they are ill-fitting or uncomfortable they will soon be relegated to the back of the wardrobe.

Do I feel FABULOUS in it? Your clothes should make you feel like a million dollars, don’t buy anything that falls below the mark.

Is It Really Value For Money?

Check the quality of the item and ensure if has no defects. Sometimes stores will reduce items because they have faults with them. This may not always be a deal breaker, but it doesn’t hurt to check first.

Would You Pay Full Price For It?

You may have had your eye on something a little out of your price range that has now been reduced by 50% - hurrah! This is what true sales shopping is all about and you should certainly grab that bargain! However, if this isn’t the case ask yourself whether the quality, cut and style would be worth the full price. If not, why not? Perhaps you’re not getting a great deal after all.

Buy Less, Choose Well

You don’t need lots of clothes to look good, rather you need a capsule collection of clothing that can be worn in a variety of different ways in colours and styles that work for you. Don’t be tempted to fill your wardrobe with lots of ‘bargains’. Most of the time it is better to invest a little more in each item and have fewer pieces of good quality clothing to choose from.

Have a Wardrobe Clearout with our expert Wardrobe Weeders and you will know exactly what you need to buy. We also do Shopping Consultations which are wonderful to do during sales. You will not only buy what you need, you will be buying it at a great price! Click here for your appointment, Find a Consultant

Afterwards you will know exactly what suits you and make wise decisions when shopping in the sales.Would you like to learn how to tell people their best colours, fashion, style and image?

Click here to find out about how to become an Image Consultant!Love fashion and working with people? See our certified Colour Me Beautiful colour, style and men's styling training courses HERE. 

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It’s that time of year when we start to reach for outerwear to keep us cosy. 

How many Winter coats do you own and are they doing the job when it comes to keeping you both chic and warm for all occasions? 

After all, your coat is an essential item so you need to make sure yours does the job. 

There are actually a few different types of coat that should be in your repertoire for the season ahead.

Every day/every weather

This will be the most practical coat you own, we all need something that really is going to weather any storm.

So-called ‘duvet coats’ are great for Winter walks, commutes to and from the office or the school run as they offer warmth and protection from the elements. Whilst there is little that can be done to style a padded coat to show off your figure (save perhaps a belt), you can make sure the colour, fabric or pattern is fabulous.

Cocoon coats are wonderfully versatile and fabulously warm at this time of year and come in an array of colours. They’re more of a statement ‘look’ rather than something that will flatter your figure, so ensure you stick to the guidelines for dressing for your body shape with the rest of your look to fit and flatter in all the right places underneath your coat.

Smart/casual everyday

While wrapping up in something practical is great, there will also be occasions when you want something a little chicer. Perhaps you’re indulging in some Saturday shopping followed by lunch with friends; you need a coat that is warm but not too bulky, practical but still stylish. 

You can go one of two ways; either a versatile neutral accessorised with a colourful scarf, or one of your favourite statement shades from your palette. Either way, make sure the colour that is next to your face it really working wonders for you.

Remember to also consider the length of your everyday coat, if you drive: have a shortish coat; if you walk: have a long coat to protect your knees from the cold but also from being battered by the rain!

Cardigan and trench coats are also another popular style this season and tend to come in lighter weight fabrics, offering more shape and definition. The belt is a great way to show off a defined waist and you can layer a roll neck underneath or a scarf over the top to keep you warm.

Beware of fabrics when it comes to belted coats as they can sometimes be a little heavy and stiff. Heavier fabrics are fine if you have  a straighter body shape (although make sure you belt them at the back to keep your look uncluttered). If you’re curvy, choose a fluid fabric that will skim your curves and cinch in at the waist.

Evening 

When you’re headed out for a night on the town you don’t want to be hiding your fabulous outfit under a dowdy coat. This is the time to call on your inner drama-queen or princess (if you haven't already!) and go for something with a little WOW factor!

Velvet, faux fur trims, jewelled embellishments and embroidery are all big news this season so you may want to embrace one or more of these trends. This is the coat to have fun with and it should make you feel like a million dollars so that when you make your entrance at that party, all eyes are on you!

Want to know what's YOUR best colours? Contact our consultants HERE for a Colour Analysis.

Then learn HOW and WHERE to wear your best colour to look your best, contact us for Style Consultation.

THE colour for Autumn/Winter 2017 is predicted to be red. The catwalks were awash with it at the A/W ’17 shows and it is starting to hit the stores! Read our expert advice on how to wear it.
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As with most trends, the extent to which you embrace it is completely up to you. Here’s our advice on how to incorporate the colour of the moment into your wardrobe, whatever your style personality and colour characteristics may be.

Show-Stoppers

Calling all you Dramatics and Creatives! There is no better colour to get you noticed than a vibrant shade of red. But, if you’re wearing red next to your face you need to ensure that it’s a shade that falls within your colour category. Red trousers are surprisingly versatile and look great worn top to toe or mixed with neutral animal prints for an eclectic look. Try a red blazer or long jacket worn over a trendy slogan t-shirt and denim jeans for an edgy, off-duty look.

Feisty Footwear

Enter the red boot for Autumn. There are lots of red footwear choices this season from embellished boots to the trusty trainer; choose your preferred style and you can guarantee it’ll come in red this season.

Naturals will love adding to that collection of flats with a punchy red pair or ballet pumps or loafers. If bright red isn’t your ‘thing’ go for a softer shade like Geranium or choose suede to tone down the colour a little.

Bag It Up

A red bag is great to elevate almost any outfit and those of you who fall into the City Chic style category may well want to invest in a statement piece this season to give your elegant, understated style a little pop. If red isn’t a colour that suits you best when worn close to your face then a bag or clutch is a great choice to give a subtle nod to the trend.

It’s All In The Undertone
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As with most colours, there is a shade to suit most people, you just need to find the right one. Possibly one of the most important things to consider is your undertone when selecting which shade of red to go for. Those with a Warm undertone will look best in reds with more yellow in them such as a Tomato Red whereas those with a Cool undertone need to opt for a Blue Red.

Finishing Touches

Nothing says old-school Hollywood glamour like a red lip or manicure. Choose a shade that flatters your undertone, especially when it comes to your lipstick and you’ll be glowing! Romantics will love adding a new shade to their beauty regime and those of you who fall into the Classic style category may also be tempted to add this subtle change to your usual style.


​Want to know what's YOUR best red is? Contact our consultants HERE for a Colour Analysis.

Then learn HOW and WHERE to wear your best red to look your best, contact us for Style Consultation.

When the heat is on the last thing you want is to be feeling hot and bothered. Here are our tips to keep you cool and chic in the Summer sun this season….

Lighten Up
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Darker colours absorb heat so opt for the lighter shades in your palette wherever possible. If you fall into the Deep colour category this can be particularly tricky but you can try adding a little contrast in the form of a pattern or accessory to ensure the lighter shades you’re wearing don’t wash you out.

Seek Shade

​A stylish hat is a surefire way to up the glam factor whilst also shielding you from harmful UV rays.

Be sure to choose a style that flatters your face shape with a brim that covers your neck and ears, as well as your face.

​A breathable material like straw will ensure your head doesn’t get too hot!

​Specs Appeal

​Squinting is never a good look so invest in a good quality pair of sunglasses that flatter your face shape.

​Remember; opposites are attractive when it comes to face shapes so if you have a rounder face more angular styles will work best, whereas those of you with long or square face shapes are better suited to frames with softer edges.

​Material Matters

​Linen and cotton are natural, breathable fabrics and therefore great options for keeping cool in warm temperatures. For those of you who love denim, chambray is a great alternative as it looks similar but is much lighter in weight.
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Loosen Up

​Whilst it may not always be the most flattering option to wear loose fitting clothes, during the Summer sometimes it is a necessity. If more fluid clothing shapes aren’t typically suited to your body shape then think of ways to customise them a little to show off your figure – a loosely tied belt around a tunic will nip in your waist for example. 

​​If you don’t wear tight clothes, now is the time to embrace those gorgeous flowing fabrics (and maybe show a little leg too!)

​Want to know what's the best way to dress chic in the heat for YOU? Contact our consultants HERE for a Style Consultation! 

Love fashion and working with people? See our certified Colour Me Beautiful colour, style and men's styling training courses HERE.