Quick Summer Style cheats to update your wardrobe

Keeping up with the spinning wheel of fashion doesn’t have to be a full time job.  Key trends for this summer can be combined with your existing wardrobe through quick additions and easy tweaks. Here’s how to refresh your wardrobe with a few must-have items, hand-picked by the Be Styled UK team…

Sheer Genius

See-through styles are big for summer.  Baring a little flesh under sheer fabric is the perfect way to break up the monotony of a solid item while adding some excitement through interesting panels.  Try it with any item – a classic mini could be worn with a sheer maxi dress overlay, a chiffon blouse with a bright cami worn underneath or a neat vest could benefit from a transparent panel.

Bold stripes

One of the major print trends for summer is the stripe. Stripes of all sizes and colours have been seen on the catwalks but bold, broad striping in black and white has been the stand-out style for this graphic look.  Accentuate curves with wide stripes across the hips or slim down problem areas with vertical stripes along slim-cut skinny jeans.  Accessories are the easiest way to incorporate this look, so pick up a stripy satchel to stay ahead of the game.

Modern Florals

This summer, floral prints get a fresh makeover with abstract styles and strong silhouettes turning feminine flowers into edgy works of art.  The Darling floral biker jacket from Asos has all the romance of a traditional floral print, but is updated with dark shadows, a pale lace motif background and the tough luxe factor of a structured biker jacket with zip details. This look is both heavy-duty and feminine, a modern look to replace the delicate, ditsy styles of past seasons.

Block heels

The block heel not only offers a comfortable alternative to sky-high heels, but is one of the biggest shoe trends for this summer.  The mid height, chunky heels and directional styling is often seen with strappy details and open toes.  Pair these short, yet stylish numbers with skinny jeans cropped just above the ankle or a structured mini to create a sharp look.

Sixties

The Sixties has swung back into the fashion sphere but this time with a futuristic feel, simple silhouettes, sharp mini’s and mod monochrome.  The most contemporary way to incorporate the new Sixties style is to keep it short with a basic mini dress and a rectangular shape.  Chunky jewellery and platforms will go a long way to translating a Sixties feel with minimum fuss. This two-tone shift dress by Mango gets it just right with a low drop waist, nude top and black bottom.

Be Styled UK would like to offer My Nametags readers a 20% discount on all image consultancy bookings. For more information on Be Styled UK services please visit: www.be-styled-uk.com

If you’re interested in learning new tricks with your make-up and updating your look, why not book yourself on to an Armani Make-Up Masterclass at Westfield London for just £29, a £46 discount for My Nametags newsletter readers. For more information, visit:
http://armani-make-up-masterclass.eventbrite.co.uk/

Key fashion colour trends for Autumn Winter 2012

When the sun is shining we all start wearing bright colours and when winter sets in we tend to revert back to black and grey. So, we asked our friends at Style Doctors, an award winning team of image consultants, to tell us all about the key colour trends this Autumn Winter.

If you’re going back to work and don’t know what to wear or just had a baby and are feeling out of touch with fashion, a style makeover could be the answer. We’re really pleased to offer My Nametags newsletter readers 20% off any of Style Doctors’ styling packages—from a colour consultation or a wardrobe makeover to personal shopping trips. Prices start at £60.

Here are three colours that are guaranteed to make you smile even when the sun isn’t shining!

Electric Blue - One of the only colours that looks good on all skintones. This colour instantly brightens up the eyes, your mood and that of people around you. Blue is also the favourite colour of 50% of men and women. This colour is often associated with friendship and harmony.

Dress – Yumi £40

Amethyst Purple - Jewel tones make us feel warm, luxurious and seductive, perfect for dull days. This is another colour that works on many skintones. And some people believe that amethyst has soothing and healing properties.

Blouse – Twenty8Twelve £195

Emerald Green - A rich, warm colour that in instantly lifts the mood. Some people are afraid of green however it’s often a colour we admire on other people. Emerald has been the colour of beauty and love for centuries. In ancient Rome, green was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love.

Matilda and Quinn £249

Black - Wear lots of black? It’s important to wear some colour close to the face as light bounces off that colour and onto the face. You don’t have to go top to toe in colour. Just adding a bold necklace in a bright colour or a scarf or layering vest can lift an outfit.

Scarf – Plumo £169

Quote TAGSTYLE to get 20% off.

Visit www.styledoctors.com for more information, call 020 8882 4286 or email info@styledoctors.com

Hot new fashion lifestyle watches hit the UK…exclusive 10% off

The watch market has changed dramatically over the last few years with many brands seen more as a fashion accessory. “The new big thing is ‘lifestyle’ watches – fantastic quality, great value for money and something you can wear anywhere whether it’s to work, a party or the beach,” says Christophe Desplace, founder of The Watch Room.

If you want to find more about current trends then have a peek at the biggest digital watch publication in the world
http://app.thewatchmagazine.com

Spring/Summer 2012 is all about having fun with colour – go bright with white or gorgeous fluorescents. Simply go to www.thewatchroom.com  and enter the promotional code ‘9002’ at the checkout to get your 10% discount.

Kyboe Bling Bling Series White £235

Offshore Z-Drive White/Rose Gold £349

White is hot for summer. Try France’s best kept secret with sophisticated Offshore lifestyle watches, or for some bling you can’t beat hot new Dutch brand Kyboe!

Kyboe Fluo Series Yellow £220

Offshore Force4 black/orange £499

Bring some colour to your accessories with Kyboe’s Fluo watches or great value sunglasses in 16 colours. With Father’s Day coming up (17 June) why not treat the man in your life to a gorgeous Offshore Force4 watch?

Get the look this autumn

Do you remember the days when you had time to scour magazines for the latest look and you had oodles of time to get ready to go out? With busy family and work commitments it’s easy to get stuck in a style rut. So we asked image consultants, Style Doctors, to give us their top tips for creating a wardrobe that works for you, as well as the low down on the trends for autumn 2011. There’s even an exclusive 10% off any of their packages…

Style Doctors top tips

1. Only buy multi-use items. You should never buy and item unless you can think of at least FOUR different ways of wearing it. This means you’ll end up mixing and matching everything you have getting the optimum wear out of garments.

2. Remember to finish off every outfit with the right accessories. Think of these as the glue that brings the outfit together. Often, old clothes can be given a new lease of life with some new accessories.

3. Need one pair of shoes that work with everything? Metallic ballet pumps are the answer! Great for the school run or lunch with the girls.

Style Doctors Autumn 2011 Trends

1940's - M&S

1940′s

The atmosphere is elegant, feminine and confident. This time the designers reinvented the style of 40′s. Coats up to the ankles, the most simple silk blouses, dresses and straight pencil skirts covering the knees. This is a look that will add instant glamour to any wardrobe.

Spots

From polkas to full-on spots, fashion has gone dotty for Autumn/Winter 2011. You could even say that spots were the new stripes!

Androgyny

Mens tuxedo styles, smart tailoring and clean lines. Time to borrow from the boys! Why not mix a structured tuxedo jacket with jeans for an easy smart/casual look.

Fetish

Fetish - House of Fraser

This look is not for the faint-hearted – with latex, PVC and leather playing a starring role in the trend. Embrace the subtler side of this trend with suggestive sheer inserts, leather panels and black lace.  Don’t go overboard unless you’re going for the Lady Gaga look.

Accessories

If you’re looking to make a statement with your accessories, one that you can carry over from 2011 into 2012, then be sure to turn to the accessory that has more than caught our eye. It’s the solid jewellery trend and it includes everything from cuffs to collars. Think big!

Fur

Fur - Debenhams

It’s a fabric that divides people through its controversy, yet this fabric (be it real or faux) keeps coming back. Mix this with softer fabrics for day or night.

Spicy tones

Golden shades of citrine, ochre and turmeric are bounding forward this season. They may not be the easiest of hues but they’re no canary yellow so fear not. They have depth, subtlety and suit blondes as well as brunettes surprisingly well. The key is to add intensity with berry accents of rich garnet and claret red topped off with amber jewels and gold hardware for added heat.

Spicy tones - New Look

Do you you look at your wardrobe and feel disheartened and end up wearing the same thing everyday? The Style Doctors can solve this problem by making sure you are using 100% of your wardrobe instead of 10%. Perhaps you hate shopping and would like someone to show you the best styles and shapes for you? Style Doctors cover the whole of the UK and have packages ranging from Home Wardrobe Visits to Full Day Shopping sessions.

Quote Style101 to get 10% off. Visit www.styledoctors.com for more information, call 020 8882 4286 or email info@styledoctors.com

What to wear on the beach – 5 trends

Don’t forget to update your beach wear like you would your wardrobe. Co-founder of online beachwear boutique, Coco Bay, Belinda Robinson, shares her top five beachwear trends for summer 2011.

Avoid the annual mad dash for swimwear and enjoy a 10% discount too off Coco Bay’s 2011 beachwear collection. There’s even a new bikini collection for girls aged 8 to 16. Simply enter your unique code code CB11NT (valid until 20th August) at www.cocobay.co.uk or call 0844 8552175

Florals

As florals bloom on the High Street, we have also seen this feminine look take off on the beach from pretty daisies to strong tropical statement prints.

Tip: The floral look can be toned down by mixing with a contrasting print. This Ginja Tropicana Bikini softens the vibrant print by combining with a black polka dot trim and straps.

 

 

 

Monochrome

Monochrome continues to be a winner for the beach and we have seen some stunning takes on this theme this season. It exudes simple sophistication and is easy to wear on any skin tone.

Tip: Mixing a printed top with plain base pants can take optical pounds off the bottom (for most of us always a good thing!)

 

 

 

 

Block colour

Always a favourite for the beach and this year’s sees some gorgeous on-trend brights.  Poppy, Pink, Opal and Spa Blue bikinis and tankinis are the top picks for 2011.

Tip: Beachwear is no different to any other clothing, if you are going for block colours, choose a colour that you know suits your colouring. Spa Blue is our biggest seller this season – it complements skin tones beautifully and gives an instant tan!

 

 

 

 

Cinder
Cinder Grey is the new black for the beach for 2011. Cinder bikinis can be kinder to the skin than black and you don’t need a deep Mediterranean tan to carry it off.

Tip: Mix with White or bright beach accessories to freshen the look.

 

 

 

 

 

Frills

Frills are everywhere this summer from big statement ruffles to subtle frill detailing which can add interest to plain bikinis and give beachwear a very feminine twist.

Tip: Frill detail on a bikini top or a one piece can enhance and lift the bust.