What To Wear When Working From Home

 

Time has moved on from the mandate to work from home.  However, many people still do, and I’m often asked by clients how to avoid feeling scruffy when they don’t have to get dressed for the office.

 

New ways of working, whether it’s fully remote or hybrid (splitting your time between the office and home) have involved an adjustment.  The classic workwear wardrobe has changed. And while many are enjoying the less formal way of dressing at a desk, it has resulted in a few challenges.

 

I’m often quizzed: “How do I avoid wearing sweatshirts and leggings daily?”  Another common question is:  “How do I go from feeling comfy to looking smart when I need to go out?”

 

So here are some of the key items I would suggest wearing.

 

Key Items for a working from home wardrobe

 

  • A knitted co-ord jogger set – soft to the touch, it still offers a relaxed approach to working from home, but will be way smarter than opting for a grey marl sweatshirt and pair or joggers.
  • Relaxed tailored trousers – these can be straight, wide leg trousers or tapered, but look for styles that have some stretch and/or an elasticated waist, for more comfort. Easily the comfiest to work in with a T-shirt, blouse, or jumper.  Simply add a blazer when you want to head out.
  • Dark blue wash or black denim jeans – if you’re splitting time between the office and home and can wear jeans to work these are the colours to choose. Giving you a smarter appearance.
  • Classic blazer – in black, navy or beige is the quickest way to smarten any outfit. Perfect for a smart-casual dress code and chic with jeans.
  • Choose layers – versatile pieces you’ll wear again and again include T-Shirts, white blouses, striped or patterned shirts, and longline cardigans.
  • Wear colour – nothing lifts the spirits like adding a pop of colour to an outfit. Whatever your favourites are, or, if you’ve had your colours analysed and know which suits you best, wear them.
  • Key accessories – include plain white trainers (they go with everything) and statement jewellery. Have a great necklace or pair of earrings in your desk drawer.  Putting them on will quickly elevate your look and complete your outfit.

 

My pick from the high street below:

 


Hope you like the ideas.  Meanwhile, if your wardrobe isn’t working for you why not try a personal consultation with me.  I offer a free call and we can have a chat about the challenges you want to overcome.  To set this up you can drop me a line at info@notgivinin.com or complete a contact me form here.

For more ideas on how to dress visit my Instagram page here.

Speak soon.

 

Gail x

 

 

Nine Things on my Wish List

 

In need of some inspiration as we get through these winter weeks?  Here are nine things on my wish list.  These are pieces I’d love to add to my wardrobe as I plan for spring work and social get-togethers.

 

Let me kick off with a dream purchase and by that I mean it won’t happen any time soon.  A designer bag.  Visiting the Inside Bags exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum recently has  made me love handbags all the more. I saw some beauties there.  I have a few Mulberry bags that I adore and use daily, but now I’ve set up sights on adding a Louis Vuitton or Dior bag to my collection. Anyone fancy buying me one?

 

I have been booked for a few style talks this spring and want to add a few statement pieces to my wardrobe to make me feel confident at the podium.  I’m thinking of adding a colourful dress that will be easy to wear and simple to style.  A blouse that will brighten a black trouser ensemble (and jeans when I’m off duty) and a glamourous pair of heels.  I blame And Just Like That  and the return of Carrie Bradshaw for the last piece.

 

Meanwhile, I’m feeling chilly as I’ve got rid of a cardigan that has seen better days.  It was making me feel dowdy when I wore it and that won’t do!  I need a new backpack, as my last one, which I used constantly during lockdown walks, has finally given up the ghost.  I’d like some new floor-length straight or wide leg jeans as mine are all cropped and I’d like a new pair black rimmed glasses. Again, I’ve been influenced by AJLT.  Lastly, I fancy a beret.  Too much TV you think?

 

So, here we go.  Here are nine things on my wish list.

 

Gail xx

 

Louis Vuitton, second-hand so prices vary, circa. £600 – £800, Vestiaire Collective

Dior, Medium Bobby Bag, £2,800, Dior

Packable 2-Way Backpack (can be carried as a tote), £39, Arket

Floral Swedish Clash Dress, £89, Never Fully Dressed

Leather Slingback Court Shoes, £90, Dune

Satin Shirt, £29.99, Zara

Pure Cashmere V-Neck Button Cardigan, £119, Marks & Spencer Autograph

Blue High Waisted Straight Jeans, £42.00, River Island

Judd Large Acetate Glasses in Black, £125.00, Cubitts

Black Wool Beret, £23.00, Other Stories

 

Dressing up this Christmas

 

Let the fun time begin!  The build up to this year’s yuletide festivities is apace and as a ‘professional shopper’ I’m seeing pieces come in quickly and go out just as fast.  So, if you’re planning to party this Christmas don’t dilly dally on planning, finding and pocketing your outfit as quickly as you can.

I’ve been looking at classic pieces for Christmas parties and get-togethers.  I’ve focused on velvet, sequin and satin pieces which will not only work for this year, but for years to come.  And, of course, these pieces can work for parties and weddings too.  You break them down and mix and match with other items in your wardrobe all year for a high/low look. Think sequin top, jeans and heels for an evening with girlfriends, and sequin leggings with a chunky jumper for a concert or date night.

You’ll find a few short dresses in the selection below.  If you want to cover up legs with something other than fake tan, go for 20 denier tights and wear them with ankle boots for the edgier party look.

Velvet pieces feel cosy and look elegant, while satin has a lustre look that party girls can have fun in.

I’ve chosen mostly black pieces as it’s a classic choice, but there’s some colour in here too.

Choose jewellery to suit your skin tone and add a pop colour with the addition of a clutch or small shoulder bag.

And most importantly, have fun!

Satin

Velvet

 

Sequin

Selecting a Staycation Swimsuit To Suit Your Body Type

notgivinin | personal stylist

 

If you’re staying home this summer let me make selecting a staycation swimsuit to suit your body type a little easier with this guide.

 

Apparently, we’re going to be blessed with more gorgeous weather towards the end of August.  So, with more beach or, if you’re like me, garden sunbathing time ahead, now is the time to grab a new swimsuit if you don’t have one.

 

Even though we’re a fair chunk of the way through British summertime there are still some gorgeous swimsuits available.  Wherever you are catching the rays, it’s still very important to feel confident in what you’re wearing, so I strongly suggest choosing a costume that works well with your figure first, and follow what’s popular second.

 

To that end, here are my suggestions on which to choose depending on your body shape.  I’ve included some guidance on what to look for and some ideas that fit the bill.

 

Selecting a staycation swimsuit

 

Rectangle

The aim of the swimsuit here is to help give you the appearance of curves.

Look for: strategic cut outs, higher cut legs, pleats/frills/embellishment on the chest and hips.

 

 

Hourglass

The aim of the swimsuit here is to support your curves.  You don’t want to lose your waist.

Look for: built in boob support, retro styles, belted swimsuits, wider straps, one colour elegance.

 

Pear

The aim of the swimsuit is to help balance out the hips.  Draw the attention upwards.

Look for: more fuss on the top half, halter necks with thin straps. Frills and flounce on the chest.  Horizontal necklines.

 

Apple

The aim here is to elongate the torso, create more of a waist and show off legs.

Look for clever ruching, darker colour panels down the sides and tankinis.

 

Inverted Triangle

The aim here is to balance the broader shoulder shape with the hips.

Look for V or sweetheart necklines to add focus away from the shoulders.  Padded or underwire cups give support to bust and asymmetric styles break up the neckline.

 

 

Hope that’s useful!  It’s little tweaks that can make a big difference to help you look good and feel great.

 

There’s lots of information there to let you make wise choices, but if you’re feeling confused about your body shape, don’t worry everyone’s shape is different.  If you want to learn more do drop me a line and sign up for my Body Shape and Colour Consultation.

 

Whether you are going away or not this year.  Have a great time.  You deserve it!

 

To get more styling tips, do come and join my new Facebook group – Style with Gail.

 

Gail xx

 

Shopping For An Apple Body Shape

 

This week’s post is all about shopping for an apple body shape.  If you watched the Style Surgery with the GP on Friday (see here), you will have seen that the focus of this week’s Dressing for Your Body Shape was apple.

Defined by the following characteristics, the apple body shape has some great features that can be highlighted to make you feel and look great.

Common characteristics:

  • Bigger bust
  • Less definition around the waist
  • Narrow hips
  • Slender legs

 

 

 

Let’s Go Shopping for An Apple Body Shape

Okay, so when it comes to shopping we are always looking to not just make our lives a little easier, we want it to be more stylish!  It’s easy to do this when you know how and dressing an apple is easier than you might think.  Follow these simple tips to get you started.

  • Draw attention to areas you want to show off
    • this could be a great pair legs
    • or it could be highlighting a gorgeous bust
    • and let’s not forget a beautiful face
  • Skim the mid-section or focus on the narrowest part of the body, e.g. underneath the bust

With this in mind, let’s go shopping.  I’ve visited online retailers to pick out some key pieces that are currently available.

  1. The Shift Dress.

A shift dress is a go-to for the apple.  During the summer a sleeve-less design will show off arms and legs and winter styles include this year’s knitted option.  Wear with chunky ankle boots to be totally on trend, or if you want a little height add knee high boots.  I would choose a boot colour opposite to what you’re wearing, e.g. tan knee highs with a black knitted dress, to draw the eye down.

Here’s an idea from Top Shop.

 

 

2. Tunic-style top and wide leg Trouser combo.

When shopping for tops look for longer length versions.  Ideally, they should be below the hip.  I spotted this sequin version in H&M and it comes with wide leg trousers.  Both flow together well, skimming curves, but offering excitement to the overall look with a ton of sequins.  No-one puts baby in the corner!  Perfect for Christmas.  Not a bad price either.

 

Note. if you’re a tall apple this top might not work as it must come down below the hip.

 

 

3. Statement Accessories.

 

Ooh I love accessories.  They are such powerful tools in either playing up or playing down an outfit.  For an apple, who perhaps wants to draw attention away from the mid-section, a good pair of eye-catching shoes will do just that. I spotted these on Gillian Anderson, who is currently the star of the Dune London Autumn/Winter shoe campaign.  They are FAB.

 

 

Just a couple of tricks here for you to take-away.  Like to see more ideas?  Visit my October Shop Pinterest board, where you’ll find the rest of this morning’s shopping for an apple body shape.

 

Of course, if you want a more bespoke shop please do drop me a line at info@notgivinin.com and I’ll walk you through how I can help you wear better clothes that suit your figure and ultimately make you feel more confident.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Gail xx