Colour

Its amazing how our mood can be reflected in the way we dress and conversely how the way we dress can make us feel. I like colour, but it wasn't always like this as a young thing in the 80's I did alot of black as I felt it made me look slimmer and it was an easy option. As I have grown up I need colour to put a glow on my cheeks.

Someone who is not afraid of standing out is Grace Jones I went to see her this week. she is the ultimate show off and really made me wish I could wear hats. she wore a different one for each song--wow. she looked fab and is nearly 60!

A few years ago I had a job that I fell into and all started well. I had to work closely with someone from the Arts Council and she was always very complementary to me and the way I dressed. As a year went by I began to hate the job and when I made the big decision to leave and go freelance this colleague commented that she knew something was up as my clothes had got duller and duller. Some people find colour tricky as they don't necessarily want to stand out but I am amazed how different shades of even muted colours can transform someone. Some people can look stunning in icy blues and silver-put these colours next to me and I look ill. I have to have bright autumnal colours such as orange (lucky me this season) and lime green- as long as it's not together and complimented with a base colour like dark brown. I would highly recommend having a colour analysis session even if it is confirm your gut instincts.

I have had this done twice, once just after having 2 of my children and the other time for a leadership course for work. Even though they were both different companies they came up with pretty similar recommendations for me. What stood out was some of the resistance in the groups. Some people find the whole issue of clothes and fashion difficult and cannot believe they haven't got it right.

I say we can't all be good at everything and if there is someone out there who can help (OK at a cost) why not. My latest quest is to have a really good makeup lesson for the grown up me.

so if anyone has recommendations I would be grateful. Julia x

Dress Codes

I suppose its because it new year and the media likes to jump on the zeitgeist of resolutions but when reading the Sunday papers this morning I was struck by the way we like to be told (advised) what to wear- well for a season at a time. What I find amusing is the papers I read are for adults and probably targeted at those of us at an age who aren't out til 5am on a Saturday night- but the models wearing the aforementioned 'must have' spring fashions look like they are all about 17 and obviously don't realise that we've done pirate trousers about 25 years ago.

This brings me to the point of today's message -dress codes. I have recently started a new job, I won't say who the company is but I have a fair amount of responsibility advising people who have even more public responsibility. When I was given my very extensive and informative induction pack I was amused by a sheet that states the 'dress code' and includes, suits, skirts and dresses no shorter than knees and plain shirts/ t shirts. I think dress codes are ridiculous as the scruffiest people are often the ones who are wearing the 'dress code' outfit. These rules also lead to people buying cheap suits that don't fit very well (I always have the problem of having to have arm lengths taken up) I am also being a bit hypercritical here as the best suit I ever bought and still wear is one from H&M. My point is dress codes do not necessarily make someone look smart, corporate and boring maybe. This is also a big problem for men who will wear a suit and tie and crisp shirt (maybe) but will team it all up with a pair of shoes that look like they haven't ever seen polish.!!

I also don't agree that by wearing something plain and grey this will stop people getting distracted, a bit of colour makes everyone's day a little more cheery especially in a recession.

I say keep the individuality as long as the clothes are clean and don't offend anyone. Today's media advice for the Spring look is 'to go' with 'brights'. Do you think I'll get away with a pink and orange suit as long as it covers my knees? Julia x

jumpsuits

O dear the poor old fashion world is in a spin because of the credit crunch. some of the designers were relying on dripping gold and 80's shoulder pads and opulence for the spring season, but Marc Jacobs has come up trumps with 20's and 30's fashion--lucky all you with boyish figures! also don't be fooled that women in this era didn't resort to corsets. They did!!

What is worrying is the references to harem pants and boiler suits--I only ventured down this path when I was pregnant in the 80's. It was such a liberating experience also having a baby in the early 90's and wearing my bump with pride instead of underneath a voluminous clown suit!!

O well back to today's topic-- the credit crunch and fashion. Has anyone thought of making stuff again as we did in the early 80's? As I discussed before I have just completed a great fashion course at the V and A and think a practical course is now a good idea. It would be great to make things that actually suit and fit and use good quality material. We also wont have to go into Primark (cheap, good copies but ethical stance?? and depressing mess) or M&S (reasonable price, crap material and very dodgy colours).
let me know what you think? Julia