Style lessons I learned in 2017

 

Carolina Herrera CH SHE652-01GT

It is never too late to learn to be a lady… 2017 was a breakthrough year for me when I actually realised that you cannot be into perfume and walk around like a mess. That would be a clash. Or, as another student very aptly put, “If you’re a perfume critic you have to see a fashion show in Milan at least once in your life”. I am by far not even near to accomplishing all the points that follow below, but after countless Youtube videos at least I have an idea… right?

Hashtag: not sponsored 🙂

Lipstick saves the day

A rep lip dresses up anything. You can wear a bin bag, cinch it in at the waist, and voilá! Well, almost. It does not necessarily have to be red: any detectable hue will instatnly give you a more composed look. There are days when I forget to do my eyebrows, or eyelashes, or both, and adding some lipstick really makes me look more put together. There are no rules here as long as you can pull it off and the lips match the outfit.

Back to basics

Good basics are the thing: one needs a good quality white shirt. A great-fitting pair of black trousers, preferably cigarette style. Jeans that make your bum look nice. A blazer  will instantly make you look more put together and professional. PS! All this absolutely has to come in neutral colours: greys, blacks, whites, beiges and navies. Khaki works. Burgundy also counts as a base colour for me, as does dusty pink – you can stretch it to millennium pink even! I am looking at my wardrobe with a whole new perspective. Some shades of beige and camel that I never thought I would see there are starting to appear, and actually making me smile!

Accessorise

If there is anything to splurge on, it is the accessories. Good quality and if possible, by a recognisable brand inspired print/pattern. Take note, I said inspired – flashing logos is not really my thing… Or at least something that looks expensive and well-made.  A nice leather belt (no studs, please). A versatile watch. Diamond stud earrings. If you are a wearer of glasses or sunglasses, get something nice with metal pieces between the frames and the temples: I am getting a pair of Tous frames with a little bar detail in gold, rose gold and silver that will match absolutely any kind of jewellery. And another by Carolina Herrera, in nudie-pink tortoise shell (picture above).  That’s what I’m talkin’. The devil is in the detail!

The shoe factor

A) they have to be clean and well-kept and B) they have to match the outfit. You can dress anything up or down with the right pair of shoes or boots.

A pair of  black leather pumps (think classic Louboutin style)  is a must, even if you are not a dressy kind of a gal. I currently do not have anything like this in my wardrobe and I cannot tell how I miss them – they fit absolutely every occasion! To be on the safe side, I would have another pair of those in nude. Also, I am eyeing some Nike Airs for more casual days (or for the gym) and I think those white Valentino trainers just look super chic…

The bag factor

I think having as many handbags/purses as you want is fine as long as  at least three are really good ones –  one in black, the other in brown, and the third in any colour you like – I love red, or nice emerald green. Metal colours also work. Those will be my pick-me-ups. Also, they should be in good condition, but a good quality leather will stay so for a long time, so… Time to bite the bullet, maybe?

It all starts with a flawless skin

Your face is the first thing the world sees. I think it worth going the extra mile and investing in cleansing and moisturising products that actually work. No point to scrimp and save here. Clinique make great basic facial care products that actually work and do not break the bank either, I have tried quite a few and really like their new Moisture Surge series… French farmacy products are excellent and the choice is literally endless: Vichy, Laroche-Posay, Avéne…  Mixing and matching cheap and expensive has so far been the way to go, and I see why not even when you happen to be made of money. Like getting a cheap Garnier miscellar water and later pampering your skin with some Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate… I mentioned that one because I love love looove the smell – it reminds me of summers at grandma’s with her herbs cabinet and cream pots…

Wow with the brow

As a wearer of eyeglasses this one is not a must for me but an unkempt, frizzy eyebrow that spreads all over the  is not a nice sight. Similarly, an overly plucked brow looks ridiculous in my honest opinion.  I literally cannot go out without tinting my brows, they really do “complete” my face. I even find myself doing my brows on the tube whenever I have had to rush out of the door… Finding the right shade as a ginger is another thing!

Hands down

As someone who works with a lot of people I have to have my hand  on display a lot. I am a nervous kind of a person and tend to pick my cuticles when stressed, aargh! And it drives me nuts. There was a time when I was literally afraid to show my hands. What worked for me was painting my nails in a nice classic red colour to achieve a “red traffic light” effect, and my nails started looking a lot better. Actually, pearl shades and nudes work even better and are easier to maintain. If I could keep my teeth away from my fingers, just cleaning and filing my nails and keeping them all equal length should also do the trick… I somehow think that the French manicure, however praised, looks a bit fake and will personally not opt for it, but it sure looks darn nice!

 

So, that was my two cents. Of course, we all know that… If you were lucky your mothers and grandmothers taught you all that. I was not –  so wish me luck!

Disclaimer
Image 1: Withsunglasses UK.

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