I wanted to do a post on jeans as it’s something most my clients ask me!
Not all jeans are created equally, and I want to help you find the perfect pair that fits you perfectly. Here are some tips and tricks for finding the perfect pair FOR YOU!
I wear jeans at least 3 times per week. Sometimes more. I’ve tried on hundreds of pairs!
I constantly see women wearing the wrong size or style of jeans for their body. So let’s talk about it!
And remember, the perfect pair of jeans for me might not be the perfect pair for you, because we have different bodies. So it’s important to be patient and find the pair that’s right for you.

WHICH RISE OF JEANS DO I CHOOSE?
* This is totally personal preference, and definitely depends on your body type.
* If you carry weight around your stomach, avoid low rise jeans because it creates a line on your body right below this wider area of your body.
* If you have a flat booty, steer away from super high rise since it makes your bum look flatter.
* Try different styles and heights to see what works best for your body.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WAIST OF YOUR JEANS
* The most common issue I see is gaping in the back. Your jeans waistband should touch your body all the way around, or else they’re too big, and you need to size down in the waist. If sizing down makes the rest of the jeans too small, choose a different brand or get it altered!
* If your jeans squeeze your waist and cause your stomach to squeeze out over the top, your jeans are too small. Size up.
WHAT LENGTH SHOULD MY JEANS BE?
* Skinny and straight fit jeans: The most flattering spot for the hem is right above your ankle bone. You don’t want any excess fabric bunching around your ankles. If they’re too long, choose a brand that offers petite lengths. (Stores like Miss Guided offer length and size options)
* Boot cut and flared jeans: These are most flattering with a heeled shoe (wedge, heeled boot, stilettos, etc). The hem of the jeans should hit about 1″ above the ground when you’re wearing your shoes.
* Wide leg jeans: If you’re wearing long wide leg jeans, apply the same rules as the flared jeans. If you’re wearing cropped wide leg jeans, apply the same rules as skinny and straight jeans.
THE CROTCH AREA (YEP, I GOT TO TALK ABOUT IT)
* Your jeans crotch area should not point or bunch when you sit. If they do, the jeans are too big, or are not the right style for you.
* If your jeans give you a wedgie in the front, or accentuate your front parts in any way, they are either too thin of a material (like jeggings), or too tight.
POCKET PLACEMENT:
* The placement of your pockets determines how your bum will look.
* Low pockets make your bum look saggy. High pockets make your bum look longer and often rounder. Pockets with a wider space between them makes your bum look wider. Small pockets make your bum look bigger.
* In my opinion, back pockets make or break a pair of jeans for me.
* Everyone has a different shape, so try on a few brands until you find a pair with back pockets that flatter you.
WHICH JEAN FABRIC IS BEST?
* There are so many jeans, and so many different materials. Some true denim, some lightweight jeggings. I won’t say that one is better than the other, but some fabrics sag after an hour of wearing. Some fabric is too lightweight so it shows underwear lines and stuff. Some fabric is too stiff and restricts your movement.
* I personally like a medium weight stretch denim. But that’s just my personal preference!
* Just know that there are lots of options out there, and if you feel like all your jeans are sagging after a few hours of wear, or all of them are too thick, it’s time to try a new brand of jeans.
My last tip is darker jeans are good for ladies who want to give the illusion that their bottom half is smaller and lighter pairs will highlight the area.

​Hope this has helped!

Wearing the right colours can lift your complexion, brighten your eye colour and hair, take years off your age, and most importantly, brighten your mood, making you feel more confident.
I am also really interested in the Psychology of Colour, as it can really impact our mood and how we feel. Often clients will believe that there are certain colours which they ‘can’t’ wear even though they might love them. With most colours, it is just a case of finding the right shade to work with your complexion. As Karen Haller says in her Little Book of Colour ‘there is a yellow for everyone. It is just a matter of finding the right one for you.’
I’m also a great believer in breaking the rules where necessary! As an Autumn colour type myself, I really shouldn’t wear black as it is draining on my warm complexion. But black is one of my favourite colours and perfect for wardrobe staples. I love a black and white outfit and instead of banning black from my wardrobe, I mix in warm colours and neutrals that also help to lift my complexion. Working in rusts, orange, mustard yellows, red and khaki or a splash of pattern. Or I add in a bright warm coral or red lip to lift my face.
Want to learn your best colours? Let’s book an online consultation and let’s start your fashion journey to a more confident you.

I am a big believer you should always ‘DRESS FOR WHAT YOU WANT’
I’ve been asked by a few clients about workwear and how to build a capsule wardrobe or outfit build from your existing wardrobe for work. As jobs can be so wide ranging it can be difficult to pin point looks unless you know the specific person and their dress code for their office and company. But there are some key pieces everyone can work with.

�With the idea of a capsule wardrobe in mind, and my focus on sustainable fashion, I always like to try and make wardrobe’s as hard working as possible. By that I mean that it should be possible to buy items which will work both for the office and for the weekend, if you know how to style them for different occasions.
�A lot of offices are more relaxed in their dress codes now, with a more smart casual vibe than they have been historically. This plays perfectly into mixing and matching your current wardrobe items. There are 6 key items which I think you need to invest in for a working wardrobe and the rest you should be able to pull together from your existing wardrobe.�My 6 key items for the office are:

1. The Blazer
2. The Cigarette or Smart Trouser
3. The Pencil or Pleated Skirt (depending on personal preference and body shape)
4. The White shirt
5. The Blouse
6. The Black Trouser (coated skinny jeans, black leather, black tuxedo trousers etc depending on personal preference)

A Blazer should be a really hard working piece in your wardrobe. It can be used for layering and to smarten up less formal pieces such as floaty dresses and black denim or leather trousers. Ideally it’s great to invest in a 2 piece matching blazer and trousers which can then be worn as separates as well. Checks tend to be a great timeless option for this, as they won’t date and tend to be neutral, working both with muted tones and colours. You can also mix checks with other prints as it’s such a subtle print.

I highly rate H&M for their blazers as they are really well cut, good quality fabric, yet very affordable.

A pencil or pleated skirt can bring a more feminine edge to your working wardrobe, and these items can be dressed down for the weekend as well, making them very versatile. A white shirt or blouse worn with a pleated skirt and blazer is a great corporate look, where as for the weekend you can dress it down with a casual sweatshirt and trainers.

�Don’t be afraid of colour and print in your workwear outfits. A lot of people shy away from colour as they don’t want to stand out and draw too much attention to their outfits. You should be able to have a bit of fun with your work outfits and show your personality. Colour and print don’t have to be scary, you can play it safe or something more out there like a leopard print blouse, which will make your outfits more interesting.

If you really feel bold colour is not appropriate in your workplace, a good way to add some interest or colour is through your accessories. I love Zara for their accessories as they have some really bold options. This will help to lift any outfit.

The great thing about the current trends for SS20 is that blouses are definitely having a big moment, which means there is a huge choice on the high street. Some gorgeous romantic blouses, pussybow detailing and bold animal prints, polka dots and pretty pastel hues can all work well in your workwear wardrobe. Again, there are some beautiful blouses to be found second hand, with delicate detailing such as lace and it’s lovely to own something that no one else will be wearing in the office!
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Once you learn your best colours and styles on one of my online or offline consultations this will make getting dressed everyday so much easier.

WARDROBE SORT OUT🌈🌈🌈
As you know I’m all about helping my clients build a wardrobe of outfits that will stand the test of time, and it’s especially pertinent in times when sustainability is at the top of many people’s agenda.
However, there is a risk that you will tire of the same clothes and wearing the same outfits over and over again. That’s when rash purchases happen, and I’m sure this will lead to familiar feelings of regret further down the road.
So, here’s my guide to help you stay on track and love your wardrobe.
1.Tidy Up
Not rocket science but a tidy, edited wardrobe makes it easy to see what you have. You can organise it in any way you like but I life to put my wardrobe into sections- jackets / tops/ shirts. dresses etc. and within each section I hang similar colours together. By having a sort out there are bound to be items in there that you’ve forgotten about…so get them out, work out what you can wear them with and enjoy them! Move on anything that you’re unlikely to wear again as one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
2. Shake IT Up
Once you have worked out your style and built up a wardrobe of key items, your main goal is to freshen it up each season. That’s not to say I’m encouraging unnecessary purchases; as things wear out or no longer fit, you will need to replace them. This is the time to inject some freshness. It’s very tempting to jump on to the trend band wagon, but I guarantee that these items will end up in the charity bag next year. So, make considered purchases that will keep you relevant.
Let’s suppose that you feel happiest in well-fitted jeans, a classic t-shirt and blazer; your collection of jackets will no doubt cover all of your neutral colours….So next time you’re in the market for a blazer, you might want to branch out a get a jacket in a more vibrant colour for you.
3. Know Your Colours
Colour is key. When you understand what suits you, it makes shopping so much easier, and over time you will build up a collection of clothes that work with each other and look fabulous on you. I would like to think that you can fall into your wardrobe each day and come out looking amazing!
4. Reverse Shop Your Wardrobe
This is a really useful exercise for those stubborn items that you struggle to get rid of, but don’t wear. Take them out of your wardrobe and hang them on a rail or in a separate area. These are your go-to items each day. If you manage to wear something (and you feel good in it), it has earned its place back in your wardrobe. Whatever remains unworn after a month, it’s time to go.
It’s easy to enjoy your wardrobe when you have clothes in there that you love! If you would like my help to learn to love your wardrobe get in touch! Let me know if you have any questions.
Francesca x