What a year it has been so far !! My business born from my years in fashion and my conviction that what you wear REALLY matters – has started to fly and it makes me so happy, I can’t tell you. It gives me so much joy to be realising my passion for fashion. And by doing so, helping woman feel empowered by their wardrobe and better about themselves!

I started the month on Radio 5 live chatting with Nicky Campbell and callers from the public on the subject of ‘Does it matter what you wear ?’ Of course it does – what you wear creates an impression of who you are – you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

In the second week I was invited to speak at a Women in Finance conference ‘Dress for the job you want.’ I had a fabulous day meeting lots of lovely lady Accountants who were very smartly dressed. Confirming my conviction that if you want to get up the ladder in the workplace – dress as if you are already at the top !!!

Amongst all this I have had a record number of clients who wanted me to go through their wardrobes and create new outfits for them from clothes they already have.

This is really the most rewarding part of my job – many of my clients lack confidence in how they look – to see them look at themselves in a new light when I teach them how to make the most of themselves is why I do it !

Each client has different requirements – I look at body shape, colouring, lifestyle and create outfits that fit the bill and discard the unwanted, ill fitting, dated items. Those clothes we stick with because it makes us feel like we can hide away. But Spring is in the air and it’s time to step out and shine!

My client’s are then left with a wardrobe full of clothes that they feels confident wearing and that suit the individuals and their lifestyles.

There is nothing to be ashamed of if you need help with clothes, if you are one of those ladies who feel you never look right and are always in the wrong clothes – why not get in touch – as one of my clients said to me this week “Your wardrobe consultation was the best £175 I have ever spent”  – that was my best moment ever in Personal Styling !

Thank you to all my lovely clients.

And thank you to my amazing supportive family. Here we are on a cold brisk February walk.

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Oooops I’ve messed up !!

I can’t believe I havnt posted since February – how did that happen?

It’s one of the busiest times of the year in the fashion world and I’ve been sooooo busy helping clients sort out their wardrobes ,go shopping for new clothes that I have neglected to keep up to you up to date with my news views and fashion tips !!!

My excuse – I hate typing ,computers,and everything that goes with it !!

Give me wall to wall wardrobes and I am happy give me a blank screen and I am sad !!!!

So to get me back on track here are a some pics of my favourite Spring / Summer looks believe me it’s time to get out there 

and have a look – there’s lots to see .

I don’t know where to start !

You only have to look in Zara to identify the trends 70s ,monochrome ,utility ( army surplus style ! ), boho,romantic and many many more – here is a snapshot of things to look at 

Culottes –  big trend this season they are smart ,great for the office and achange from black trousers !

 These look great with the cropped shell top but would look just as good with T shirt and bomber jacket.

Wide trousers – again a change from a skinny silhouette to a looser less tailored look .

These look great day or night  –  a good tip is to wear them with a cropped or fitted top – volume top and bottom is too overpowering !!

Please please go and look at Whistles collection this season it is amaIng !

Mansurgavriel is a great new bag collection dozens of styles in so many colours have a look at them at 

www.matchesfashion.com or wwwnet a porter.com

Finally I’ve saved the best until last ….. New label Self Portrait  – if you are looking for an occasion dress at an affordable price this is the label to look at !!

You can find these in Selfridges or Asos they are fabulous unique and great quality – seek them out !

That’s enough for me now I’m off to help my clients I’ve done with technology for now !!!

I’ll be back – my next post is about Mother of the bride outfits – my heart is sinking already !!! N 

Until then

Lots of love and don’t forget to get in touch if you have a query about anything fashion related !

Xx

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Hi Girls !

Hooray it’s February  and although we have had some snow and ice on a positive note the nights are definitely getting lighter and the days longer – maybe it’s time to look ahead to spring and get our heads round to the fashion trends coming up .

Of course we do not need to be dedicated followers of fashion and possibly fashion victims – it’s good to see what’s on the catwalk and how we can interpret these looks to suit us . 

Here’s a quick tour round the trends – do let me  know what you think !

1970s RETRO

Some of us have done it before just pick out the best bits !!

FRINGES

Suede and fringing are evocative of the 70s but given a more modern twist with pretty colours and the softest feel ( it used to be sooo stiff you could hardly move in it !!)

DENIM

My current obsession ! I can’t stop thinking about denim it’s sooo cool at the moment – you can go anywhere in it ans double denim even TRIPLE denim is acceptable thanks to Alexa Chung !

Shapes are changing skinny will be with us forever but the choice is widening to bootcut, flares,girlfriend,boyfriend .My most recent purchase is Topshop Mom jeans – high waisted fitted on hips looser on the legs ( comfortable!) and slim at the ankle.

They look good with flat ,chunky loafers for now and will look good with wedge sandals in the summer ( I hope !!)

I’m also dying to see the MIH Marrakesh jeans -also high waisted (it’s everywhere this season -goodbye double muffin top !)

They are bootcut just enough not to scare you -It’s a shock after skinny ! They are totally flattering on everyone and look good day and night !!!

 Before I finish I must just point out my favourite dress of the season from Celine it’s a really fab maxi that would take you to anything races ,wedding ,party,Henley etc. UnfortunatelyI can’t find a price for it !maybe that’s a good thing -dream on I need it in my wardrobe !!

There’s so much to write my head is spinning  I need to learn to type more quickly !

DONT FORGET – it’s always a good time to get your wardrobe in order before we head into the new season it’s fun and so worthwhile it’s like colonic irrigation for your closet !!!!!

www.sylviawoodger.co.uk

Until next time lots of love xxx

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I love January it’s a great time to spend time  reflecting on the past year and deciding to make some positive changes for 2015. We can re evaluate our lives and keep doing the things we like and change the things we don’t liken! It’s wiping the slate clean from last year and a new blank canvas for this year.

Lots of challenges and opportunities lie ahead in my fashion world it means looking forward to spring / summer  2015 and deciding which colours shapes and styles are going to define the season .Fashion weeks lie ahead in all capital cities with so much to see and admire.

The new collections will hit the shops over the next couple of months which is something I always feel excited by !!

In our ow wardrobes it should be a time of making positive changes ! Time for a sort out – a days wardrobe consultation with me is £150 – money well spent as it will set you up for the coming season.

You may wonder why this blog is entitled January Snuggles !

When the weather is wet and windy the nights and days are dark what we need are lovely clothes that make us feel cosy,warm and comfortable almost like you are hibernating in your clothes !!

NOT I hasten to add an excuse to slob out in leggings and onsies that is never going to make you feel energised and motivated with your new challenges for 2015.

Have a dig in your wardrobe for soft textured knitwear that makes you feel embraced .

As you can see I’ve chosen anything but black -a bit of colour is so uplifting in these dark days . 

Top these cosy jumpers with a textured coat -fur ,velvet or wool.

 I think just by looking at these you feel excited about getting dressed!

This is not the time of year for tight fitted clothes  – not unless it’s gym gear but that’s another subject !!

As far as what to wear on the bottom just put on your most comfortable jeans and boots and chill out !!

It’s time to save money ,flick  through the magazines and prepare for the zing of spring/summer 2015. 

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It’s the middle of November- should we not keep Christmas in December ??

Yes Yes Yes but NOT when it comes to clothes – we Re all sooooo busy in December we have no time to think about clothes .

Remember all those nights when panic sets in as you pull dress after top after trouser out of the wardrobe but nothing seems to look right!

Now is the time to create your Christmas capsule wardrobe -here are some ideas.

You can manage with as little as 5 pieces that mix and match eg: LBD shown here so simple but would take you to any event 

Dress up to kill or down for classy casual from the legendary Diane  Von Furstenburg.

Next up a sassy skirt – dress up with slinky top and heels or dress down with knit and ankle boots !

Skirt and 2 tops from Net a Porter.

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My Boden Shopping Party in aid of Cancer Research UK

After a chance meeting with Sarah Bell (Boden shopping party co-ordinator for the North West ) I found myself agreeing to host a Boden Shopping Party at my house. As a Personal Stylist who works for myself, I was wanting to hold an event to invite friends and clients to and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to get everyone together to have a dress up and a pamper.

What I didn’t expect and was delighted at was the arrival of 500 Boden samples delivered to my house one wet Wednesday morning. The support and organisation I received from Boden was excellent.

And what a great idea – Boden entrusted me with all their beautiful garments for 24 hours and all I had to do was invite lots of people, allow them to try them these beautiful clothes and take their orders. 10% of which went direct to Cancer Research.

I couldn’t believe my luck, my house had turned into a shop, I was doing what I love to do: to share my passion, my experience as a personal stylist, working for over 30 years in the industry and styling hundreds of fabulous ladies. I was overjoyed and my husband was horrified !!!

And an even better idea was to make my shopping event benefit everybody and raise money for charity a win-win for everyone. So for every garment sold, Boden donated 10% to my charity and for brand new customers it was 15%.

In addition Boden sent generous raffle prizes and a spotty Boden apron for the first 30 customers !

A great fund raising package for which I thank them wholeheartedly.

Now to the clothes… the best bit!

Many of my personal styling clients came to the party for an update and some advice in choosing summer outfits. We had fun putting these outfits together with the variety of colours, textures, shapes and sizes all here under one roof – it gave me a unique opportunity to style outfits for all occasions.

I found to my delight that Boden clothing is excellent quality and well priced with a hefty 22% discount and free p&p – it was a great deal. Boden is only sold online or from the catalogue so the beauty of the party is that you can try them on for size and Boden send a variety of sizes. However, my only feedback is that there were hardly any size 12 trousers for people to try.

Boden specialise in colour which is great as there is often a shortage of brights on the high street even in the summer.

I loved this as I am going to be undertaking some colour advanced training this autumn and this highlighted how important it is when it comes to dressing my clients.

It was a great day which I think everyone involved enjoyed I haven’t even got to the refreshments: home-made cakes, nibbles, raffle etc.

We haven’t had a final figure of money raised but we think it is about £500 – I will update when it is confirmed.

Many thanks to all those who came, helped, shopped, baked and cleared up. It was a huge success and all because of your help xx

If you would like to book a personal stylist 1-1 or a wardrobe make-over, pop me an email sylvia@sylviawoodger.co.uk or give me a call 07912 408578. I would love to hear from you.

Further links:

www.boden.co.uk

Book your Boden shopping party