Fashion Stylist, Lisa Maynard-Atem of STYLISA Ltd, continues to gives us the low down on what to do when hitting the shops…
When shopping for shoes, always ensure you take your own pop socks. Although shops do provide them, I think it is best to take your own along with you…and some foot spray (the shop assistant might be a cute guy that you’ve had your eye and I am sure you don’t want to put him off with any unsavoury odours)!!!
When trying on garments, try a number of sizes in the same garment. Sizes vary from store to store, so a size 8 in one shop may fit perfectly, but may be too small in another. If you have to go up a size, do not take this as an indication that you have put on weight. You are not going to fit the same size in every shop. Ensure that when you are trying garments on, there are mirrors that enable to see the outfit from all angles. If needs be, asked for another mirror.
Always check the garment before you take it into the changing rooms. If it is damaged in any way, ensure you tell the shop assistant before trying it on. If you try the garment and decide you want to buy it damaged (as it may be easily repairable), be sure to ask for a discount. However, this will mean that the garment is non-returnable. I would recommend asking for another one that is in perfect condition rather buying something already damaged.
I cannot stress enough...BUY CLOTHES THAT FIT YOUR SHAPE CORRECTLY. If you are between sizes, buy the next size up. Buying clothes with the intention of dieting into them is a big mistake. 47% of the population are a size 16 or over. By for the shape you are, not the shape you want to be.
Buy clothes for the lifestyle you lead. If you are a working mum, who doesn’t get to go out much, then you don’t want to be filling your wardrobe with glamorous evening dresses. However, I am not giving you the green light to go and buy tracksuits. They are for athletes and not for walking down the street in!
Try not to be a fashion victim. Just because polka dots are the latest thing, doesn’t mean that they are going to suit everyone. The trick is to take from the latest collections and trends, what is best suited to you and your wardrobe. There is no point in spending money on something just because you saw it on a catwalk or in a magazine. And remember that it is not always necessary to buy a new wardrobe at the beginning of the season. Accessories are a great way to update any wardrobe and are less expensive, so your bank manager will be pleased!
There high street is becoming more and more competitive in terms of price. However, try to buy the best quality that your budget will allow as this will save you money in the long run, especially if you want to build a capsule wardrobe. Not only will your clothes last longer, but they will fit better. If you have to scrimp, then do so with darker colours as the workmanship will be less noticeable.
Tune in next week for the final part of STYLISA's shopping tips!
Lisa Maynard-Atem
STYLISA
Fashion Styling Consultancy
Website: www.stylisa.com
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Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
CIDA INTERNATIONAL
Lisa Maynard-Atem of STYLISA has been invited to join the board of CIDA International (Creative Industries Development Agency). Please take a look at their website www.cida.org
You can also follow their blog: http://thoughts4cida.blogspot.com/?psinvite=ALRopfWA0V1ZIzM8q3wJpvnDj-V7TK8Az6NpxDjIlV_r7TxIjh9-YbnwtYj8etjSIwtTk44v3MDynwYLqY_q4vlPAqKxtW-Wrw
You can also follow their blog: http://thoughts4cida.blogspot.com/?psinvite=ALRopfWA0V1ZIzM8q3wJpvnDj-V7TK8Az6NpxDjIlV_r7TxIjh9-YbnwtYj8etjSIwtTk44v3MDynwYLqY_q4vlPAqKxtW-Wrw
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Crow Tattoos
Crow tattoos are the perfect choice of artwork for somebody who wants a dark themed design. Crows are often associated with the dark and sometimes Gothic community and seen by some as an object that represents death and sorrow.
Checkout this great photo gallery of some nice quality crow tattoos.
Checkout this great photo gallery of some nice quality crow tattoos.
STYLISA Shopping Tips – Part One
Fashion Stylist, Lisa Maynard-Atem of STYLISA, gives us the low down on what to do when hitting the shops….
Ask yourself the question – do I really need it? If not, then don’t buy it. Yes I know what it’s like when you see something and you convince yourself that you’ve just got to have it but how many times have bought something on impulse, worn it once and then never worn it again or never worn it all for that matter??? Unless you’re a stylist and can use your clothes for your work, then it really isn’t worth it. It’s more than likely that you will have something in your wardrobe that will suffice.
Decide on what you want to spend and stick to it. One minute you are going into town to buy a new top and the next, you’re coming away having seriously assaulted your credit card. I know that it’s hard girlies but resist the temptation. Think about it this way…it takes seconds to stick it on the credit card but it could take you years to pay it off!
Shopping can be very stressful, so if possible, try and go shopping early in the morning (or early in the week). The shops are less crowded and you will get an opportunity to see what new stock has just being delivered rather than leaving it later in the day and missing out on that must-have item that you’ve had your eye on. Take your time when shopping. If you feel yourself getting stressed, go for a coffee and chill out for half an hour. Don’t rush because you may end up going home with something you didn’t want.
Try to familiarise yourself with what the stores offers. Some stores, like Harvey Nichols, offer excellent customer services. Other stores, like H&M, have great return policies. Return policies are very important, so if you are unsure of what the stores policies are, then make sure you ask before you buy.
Always dress comfortably when hitting the shops. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that is easy to slip in and out of (for when you are trying stuff on).
The right underwear is fundamental to any outfit. Depending on what you are buying, always make sure you either have the right underwear on or take it with you in your handbag. I know this may sound a little extreme but believe, IT HELPS. If you don’t know your size, head to M&S and get yourself measured immediately. You would be amazed at the amount of women still wearing the wrong size bra!
No matter what you are buying, think about the versatility of the item. It is better to buy complete outfits (budget permitting) – a suit jacket with matching trousers and skirt for example. I always ask my clients (if they are not buying complete outfits), to think of three things in their existing wardrobe that their potential new purchase would go with. If they can’t think of three things, then don’t purchase.
If you are looking for an item to match something else that you already have, then take the item with you to ensure what you buy matches perfectly. If you’re embarrassed to do that, then take a picture of the item (ah yes, the joy that is the camera phone) with a note of the items colour and any detailing.
Look out for part two next week...
Ask yourself the question – do I really need it? If not, then don’t buy it. Yes I know what it’s like when you see something and you convince yourself that you’ve just got to have it but how many times have bought something on impulse, worn it once and then never worn it again or never worn it all for that matter??? Unless you’re a stylist and can use your clothes for your work, then it really isn’t worth it. It’s more than likely that you will have something in your wardrobe that will suffice.
Decide on what you want to spend and stick to it. One minute you are going into town to buy a new top and the next, you’re coming away having seriously assaulted your credit card. I know that it’s hard girlies but resist the temptation. Think about it this way…it takes seconds to stick it on the credit card but it could take you years to pay it off!
Shopping can be very stressful, so if possible, try and go shopping early in the morning (or early in the week). The shops are less crowded and you will get an opportunity to see what new stock has just being delivered rather than leaving it later in the day and missing out on that must-have item that you’ve had your eye on. Take your time when shopping. If you feel yourself getting stressed, go for a coffee and chill out for half an hour. Don’t rush because you may end up going home with something you didn’t want.
Try to familiarise yourself with what the stores offers. Some stores, like Harvey Nichols, offer excellent customer services. Other stores, like H&M, have great return policies. Return policies are very important, so if you are unsure of what the stores policies are, then make sure you ask before you buy.
Always dress comfortably when hitting the shops. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that is easy to slip in and out of (for when you are trying stuff on).
The right underwear is fundamental to any outfit. Depending on what you are buying, always make sure you either have the right underwear on or take it with you in your handbag. I know this may sound a little extreme but believe, IT HELPS. If you don’t know your size, head to M&S and get yourself measured immediately. You would be amazed at the amount of women still wearing the wrong size bra!
No matter what you are buying, think about the versatility of the item. It is better to buy complete outfits (budget permitting) – a suit jacket with matching trousers and skirt for example. I always ask my clients (if they are not buying complete outfits), to think of three things in their existing wardrobe that their potential new purchase would go with. If they can’t think of three things, then don’t purchase.
If you are looking for an item to match something else that you already have, then take the item with you to ensure what you buy matches perfectly. If you’re embarrassed to do that, then take a picture of the item (ah yes, the joy that is the camera phone) with a note of the items colour and any detailing.
Look out for part two next week...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Scar Tattoos
Scar tattoos or scarification is formed by cutting or branding the skin.
Some people choose to get scar tattoos instead of traditional ink tattoos because they are a product of one's own body.
Some tribes in Africa believe that producing a scar on a newborn baby will help prevent vision related illnesses in the child.
Checkout these scar tattoo photos below.
Some people choose to get scar tattoos instead of traditional ink tattoos because they are a product of one's own body.
Some tribes in Africa believe that producing a scar on a newborn baby will help prevent vision related illnesses in the child.
Checkout these scar tattoo photos below.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Ghostbusters Tattoos
Getting a memorable logo or icon of a classic movie or television show is becoming a very popular choice of tattoo.
And what better choice of logo than the legendary famous anti ghost image of the Ghostbusters.
Feast your eyes on these super cool Ghostbusters tattoos below.
And what better choice of logo than the legendary famous anti ghost image of the Ghostbusters.
Feast your eyes on these super cool Ghostbusters tattoos below.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fashion’s Bad Fatitude
Although fashion has become more accessible thanks to the high street being able to recreate catwalk looks within a short time frame, the same cannot be said when it comes to sizing. Remember the ridiculous furore a few weeks ago when fashion designer, Mark Fast sent size 12-14 models down the catwalk? The reaction was outrageous. Firstly, the models looked fantastic and secondly, do these people not have more important things to be agonising over? Clearly not!
However, both designers and the high street still have a long way to go when it comes to offering more choice for the plus-size woman. I recently went shopping with a client who was a size 24. Previously, this client had told me that they had great difficulty finding clothes in their size and when they did find something, it often resembled a tent rather than something that was flattering and made them feel good about themselves. I immediately thought that I would be able to find suitable clothing without a problem. To my surprise, this was not to be the case.
The majority of stores we visited did not go above a size 18 and in some cases did not offer anything over a 14. Even the shops that did offer larger sizes, were not consistent as they went to size 18 in some brands, size 20 in others, and size 22 in a few, with the occasional size 24 thrown in. And I found that in a lot cases, the clothing that was available in bigger sizes looked like it had been designed as an after-thought which I found disturbing. All women want to look attractive, whether they are a size 8 or 18. Many plus-size women find the whole shopping experience daunting and at times painful because they are made to feel like fashion is not for them. Instead of coming away from a shopping trip feeling exhilarated, they feel deflated and upset, which is unacceptable.
Fortunately, there now appears to be a backlash against the unforgiveable size zero, and a move towards celebrating ‘real’ women. Personally, I have always found this sizing issue disturbing, especially when one considers the kind of message it sends out to young girls and impressionable women, who may have serious self-image issues.
The plus size fashion market has a long way to go, despite some recent improvement. Many British women are still turning to the US and ordering their clothes via the internet as there seems to be much more choice.
Thankfully, there are stores out there that appear to be addressing the problem. One of the best stores around is Evans. Their sizes range from 16-32 and they even sell wide-fitting shoes which shows that they are really thinking about their customers. Elvi is another brand that offers sizes up to 26. Also Tesco’s Florence and Fred range go up to size 26 and are very reasonably priced. There are luxury brands such as Marina Rinaldi, but you have the budget for brands such as this one. Another brand is that offers some great plus-size fashion choices is Simply Be.
On a personal note, I am very fortunate as sizing has never been an issue fro me. I can always go into shops and find something to fit me. Seeing how difficult it is for some women to find clothing that makes them look good and feel attractive has made me appreciate how lucky I am but it has also showed me that the fashion industry has a long way to go before fashion becomes fair for all and looses it bad fatitiude.
By Lisa Maynard-Atem
www.stylisa.com
However, both designers and the high street still have a long way to go when it comes to offering more choice for the plus-size woman. I recently went shopping with a client who was a size 24. Previously, this client had told me that they had great difficulty finding clothes in their size and when they did find something, it often resembled a tent rather than something that was flattering and made them feel good about themselves. I immediately thought that I would be able to find suitable clothing without a problem. To my surprise, this was not to be the case.
The majority of stores we visited did not go above a size 18 and in some cases did not offer anything over a 14. Even the shops that did offer larger sizes, were not consistent as they went to size 18 in some brands, size 20 in others, and size 22 in a few, with the occasional size 24 thrown in. And I found that in a lot cases, the clothing that was available in bigger sizes looked like it had been designed as an after-thought which I found disturbing. All women want to look attractive, whether they are a size 8 or 18. Many plus-size women find the whole shopping experience daunting and at times painful because they are made to feel like fashion is not for them. Instead of coming away from a shopping trip feeling exhilarated, they feel deflated and upset, which is unacceptable.
Fortunately, there now appears to be a backlash against the unforgiveable size zero, and a move towards celebrating ‘real’ women. Personally, I have always found this sizing issue disturbing, especially when one considers the kind of message it sends out to young girls and impressionable women, who may have serious self-image issues.
The plus size fashion market has a long way to go, despite some recent improvement. Many British women are still turning to the US and ordering their clothes via the internet as there seems to be much more choice.
Thankfully, there are stores out there that appear to be addressing the problem. One of the best stores around is Evans. Their sizes range from 16-32 and they even sell wide-fitting shoes which shows that they are really thinking about their customers. Elvi is another brand that offers sizes up to 26. Also Tesco’s Florence and Fred range go up to size 26 and are very reasonably priced. There are luxury brands such as Marina Rinaldi, but you have the budget for brands such as this one. Another brand is that offers some great plus-size fashion choices is Simply Be.
On a personal note, I am very fortunate as sizing has never been an issue fro me. I can always go into shops and find something to fit me. Seeing how difficult it is for some women to find clothing that makes them look good and feel attractive has made me appreciate how lucky I am but it has also showed me that the fashion industry has a long way to go before fashion becomes fair for all and looses it bad fatitiude.
By Lisa Maynard-Atem
www.stylisa.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Eagle Tattoos
Eagle tattoos are a fantastic choice for representing your patriotism in the united states, and they are often accompanied by a USA flag of sorts.
Checkout this cool photo gallery of some great eagle tattoos. You may just find the one that matches you best.
Checkout this cool photo gallery of some great eagle tattoos. You may just find the one that matches you best.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Funny Belly Button Tattoos
I imagine that almost everyone on the internet has seen these classic funny/nasty belly button "butt" tattoos.
But if for some reason you haven't seen them already, or perhaps you just can't get enough of them, enjoy these ugly cat, monkey and Bart Simpson belly button tattoo photos.
But if for some reason you haven't seen them already, or perhaps you just can't get enough of them, enjoy these ugly cat, monkey and Bart Simpson belly button tattoo photos.
Vampire Tattoos
Checkout this blood sucking good photo gallery of some really great and scary vampire tattoos for you to feast on.
Perhaps you will find a vampire tattoo design you like, print it, and then show it to your tattoo artist.
Enjoy these vampire tattoos below.
Perhaps you will find a vampire tattoo design you like, print it, and then show it to your tattoo artist.
Enjoy these vampire tattoos below.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Lily Flower Tattoos
Lily Flower Tattoos designs are a lovely and elegant choice of artwork for both men and women alike.
Lily tattoos range in style color and size, largely due to the fact that there are 110 different species of flower in the lily family. Peace lily and tiger lily flowers are among the most common.
Enjoy this pleasant photo gallery of some nice lily tattoos.
Lily tattoos range in style color and size, largely due to the fact that there are 110 different species of flower in the lily family. Peace lily and tiger lily flowers are among the most common.
Enjoy this pleasant photo gallery of some nice lily tattoos.
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