| Style. Even the word carries a certain 'je ne sais pas'. | | | | Zeta Jones, think Judi Dench. Come on let's face it |
| What do we mean by it and does it matter anyway? | | | | some of us were born doing the classic twinset and |
| Having advised many women and men over the | | | | pearls/pleated skirt, gold studs and a plain leather |
| years in my role as an Image Consultant on their | | | | handbag. Do we have to continue with what we did |
| own personal style, I thought I would make an | | | | when we were young - definitely not, not if we don't |
| attempt to answer the question. | | | | want to, there's a whole world of styles and looks |
| We very often know when we see style, but we're | | | | out there to try. Do we get influenced by our |
| not sure how it's achieved or what it is that we've | | | | mothers - they are usually the first relation |
| seen. It may be the cut of an outfit or the way it's | | | | mentioned to me at 80% of colour consultations. |
| accessorised or it may be a grand gesture or even a | | | | Even by the chaps - "my mother always used to |
| small one, it may be a walk or it may seem to be | | | | dress me in ......." |
| that person's whole being and how we know when | | | | So what does style mean - according to one |
| choosing a present which item they would like. For | | | | dictionary definition "the distinctive manner of a |
| instance the girly girl will always choose the pink | | | | person" with stylish as "fashionable and elegant." One |
| pretty necklace rather than the black bold choker. | | | | definition is wearing colours that suit your colouring in |
| The mature classic lady will always go for pearls or | | | | a style to suit your bodyshape and show your |
| gold, something good quality and understated - ( | | | | personality. It's a good format to work too when |
| watch out for older society ladies for examples ladies | | | | you want to know where to start putting together |
| in waiting to the Queen on the television, they do it | | | | your own personal look. Find out the best colours for |
| beautifully - it's what they were taught to do from | | | | you so that your wardrobe will co-ordinate almost |
| being young and they still do it instinctively - nothing | | | | effortlessly. |
| showy, just class and very British). | | | | Think about the shape and size of your body when |
| Which leads us on to two more questions of style, | | | | choosing clothes - it's no good buying a straight shift |
| can we British do it? And do we have to do the | | | | dress if you have curves in all the right places - how's |
| same thing we did from being young (often that | | | | that going to show them off. And then what about |
| which we've been trained to do by our mothers and | | | | your personality - what are you trying to say with |
| would like to break away from)? And who are these | | | | what you wear? And here's another secret - No |
| people who influence our style anyway? Not just our | | | | person with style ever achieved it without someone |
| mothers but a whole raft of people from celebrities | | | | putting in some work, it's not a case of spending lots |
| trendsetters to friends and colleagues and then there | | | | of money or buying the whole outfit all of the same |
| are the other things we take into account when we | | | | brand. Want the shortcut - get a Style Consultation |
| dress - the weather, what we are going to be doing | | | | or Personal Shopping trip organised. A good |
| etc. So can we British do it? Whatever it is. | | | | consultant can advise you on every aspect of dress |
| The answer is undoubtedly yes, think Burberry and | | | | including your make-up - but that's another story. |
| Aquascutum, think Victoria Beckham, think Catherine | | | | |