Fashion and Style

It has been noted that at least 65% of us buy an item just because it is fashionable.

Style (or dress sense) means being aware of 'fashion' but having the knowledge & understanding about you and your clothes to select clothes that ensure you are the essential component and not what you are wearing. Your outfit (which includes your accessories) should be a natural extension of you and not the dominant (or most noticeable) feature.
Try the following out in the street! Who has true 'dress sense' and when do you notice the clothing (or accessories) before you notice the person?

Every one of us can have style or dress sense; it is independent of age, culture and budget ... The common factor is that it needs knowledge, thinking about and planning for. Unlike being fashionable having 'dress sense' implies being CONSISTENTLY well dressed.

Try listing people you know who have 'dress sense' famous and friends - try and note just what it is that makes them have dress sense.

Did you include these features of having dress sense:
Understand own body & how colour, shape and style work for it
Clothes & accessories fit the person and are fit ( suitable) for the occasion
Make up & hair work for the person & the occasion
Versatile but not necessarily huge wardrobe
Looks after clothes -eg padded hangers
Well groomed
Person is happy and relaxed
Some clothes have lasted for years
Buys wisely
Plans outfits in advance
Spends time & thought on the accessories

Encouraging and persuading you to follow fashion will contribute to the profits of shops. It is difficult to avoid feeling you are always FOLLOWING. It is far better to have dress sense and your own style.
As Yves Saint Laurent noted ’Fashion Fades, style is eternal’

Wearing the Coat

Me wearing the coat - looks as if I am sinking into the lawn - it's because I was...it is so wet.

The scarf is my first and very much loved woven scarf. The colours just go so well with the coat and I know I'll never see an identical one.

Personalising your clothes is THE thing - it's a large part of Gok's current series. If you are interested in learning how to modify or make your own clothes then contact me as I offer fully bespoke one to one tuition as well as workshops.

The Coat Stage 10 Completion

The buttons are added (with small ones behind), so the coat ‘hangs’ correctly, the hem & lining are tacked in place. It is then tried on again and hem length checked with other dresses and skirts. The sleeve length is checked, including when the arm is bent and the sleeve hem is completed.

The skirt hem is edged with the overlocker then eased flat using the shrinking technique again.

The hem is tacked in place and hand stitched in with a blind hem stitch.

Just a final press needed now

I love it! Good colour, love the style, fits well as it is made to fit MY body and has personal touches.

Very pleased with the couture techniques included.

Tomorrow – You'll see me wearing the coat!