Shopping for the elusive capsule wardrobe

I aim to liberate my clients from the tyranny of critical wardrobes who sneer at them when their doors are flung open, "You'll find nothing in here that you'll look good in." 
When we carry out your wardrobe edit we will end up with a wardrobe of clothes that can all be worn in the current season.  It's far better to have 10 tops all of which will be worn, than 30 tops, two thirds of which are not the right shape for you, are not appropriate for the season, are too worn/out of date or just don't fit any more. When we've weeded out the garments that shouldn't be there we're able to see where the gaps are and, therefore, what we need to find on your personal shopping trip.  Many of my clients hate shopping.  To be honest they're intelligent men and women who have many interests and shopping is not considered a leisure pursuit.  However, shopping for specific items can be really good fun. 
For instance you'll notice in the two pictures of Lynne on the right that she's wearing the same trousers and top, it's just the knitwear, accessories and lipstick that are different. Once we've identified the foundations of your capsule wardrobe we can then start to create new outfits with only subtle changes. 


Like an Agatha Christie character desperately trying to solve a mystery you'll see me with my notebook in hand looking to solve a client's shopping dilemna. I will always shop for as many hours before I meet with my client as I do with them.  For instance, if we are to shop for 2 hours I will have researched the shops for at least 2 hours before, often far more.  I aim to shop for a maximum of 3 hours with a client.  Once we get past this threshold many of us will buy out of tiredness and make mistakes.  It's far better to stop early and be keen to return once we've tried on our new buys with garments already in our wardrobes.  We might also notice gaps in our wardrobe that we didn't see first time round, "Actually I need a pair of shoes that will go with those trousers and this skirt."  As we fill in those sartorial holes clients also notice that the wardrobe becomes a welcoming friend, "Now what shall we put together today?" and life feels that little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable. 
ALL PHOTOS REPRODUCED WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF WWW.JOHNNEED.CO.UK  

It's Good 2 Have Goals

It's Good 2... have goals.  Without them we often achieve nothing.  At the beginning of this year Lynne aimed to start a charity, organise fund raising events, gain sponsorship, lose weight and get fit.  







In the first third of the year she has already achieved over half of her initial goals, the important ones. Fitness and weight loss are still on the agenda but looking at these photos you'd be forgiven for thinking that Lynne has already managed to do everything.  This is a great example of finding the shapes of clothes that work with your body shape - rather than punishing yourself for not being the shape or weight that you think that you should be and withholding treats, such as new clothes, until the weight is lost.  


Over the next few weeks we'll see the results of Lynne's personal shopping trip.  However, we're not leaving the best til last, this outfit is my favourite!  Honest consideration is vital before you go out to spend money on clothes that you'll love to wear.  If you need impartial, expert advice contact me now.  By wearing a skirt Lynne has brought attention to a major attribute that she had been hiding - a wonderful pair of legs.  Once we bring attention to our best bits it's just a case of diminishing those areas that we're not so keen on. Most of the colours in the outfit on the left are deeper but we've also introduced brighter accent colours in Lynne's scarf and bag that convey her energy and fun. This also brings attention to another of Lynne's great attributes, a beautiful complexion.  As a style coach my aim is not to give you an image but to consider "who is the real you?" and allow the authentic you to be conveyed in your clothes and accessories.  The great advantage of this approach is that clients will feel happier and more confident about their appearance, as you can see in the picture of Lynne, who is positively glowing!  Our clothes are constantly communicating with those around us - what are your's saying today? 


PHOTO REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION www.johnneed.co.uk 

A taste of more to come...

I'm busy writing a client's personal style profile so don't have time to write about all the recent developments to Lynne's appearance, but thought that you might like to see this little taster of what's to come....