Green is having a moment!

And not the calming sage or soothing pastel mint varieties that we've grown accustomed to over the last few seasons (although there are still plenty of these shades to be had) - this moment belongs to an unmistakabilty bolder, brigher, get-you-noitced shade of green - and I for one, love it!

Cassette bag by Bottega Veneta

Just Jordan in Get That Trend

And it's not to be worn subtly either - wear it in a pretty top with your denims & introduce it into your accessories too, all in the same outfit. Or 'go big or go home', by wearing it as a solid colour in a dress - inspo here from Victoria Beckham, as well as a more purse friendly version from Zara.

Dress from Victoria by Victoria Beckham

Dress from Zara

There are plenty of designer dupes to be had on the highstreet, from bags through to blazers. Blazer below by Bottega Veneta, and blazer from Zara - who always create fantastic designer inspired pieces - and always do a great blazer.

Blazer from Bottega Veneta

Blazer from Zara

It looks probably most on trend with other equally bright & bold colours like cobalt blue, bubblegum print and scarlet red - but works just as well with other shades of green. For me, it looks most chic & effortless paired with blue denim, either as shirt with your straight leg jeans, or a blazer paired with denim shorts.

Danielle Cunningham on Instagram

Cristina Surdu

Colour is the new Black!

If green just isn't your thing, try sparking some joy in your Spring/Summer wardrobe with Pink. Pink has been seen this season as a solid colour in volumonous dresses, as a swirling print in hankerchief tops and wide leg pants, and paired with white in gingham co-ords & blazers.

But the most effortless way to wear pink right now? As an oversized shirt, half-tucked into your jeans, wide-leg pants or 90's inspired mini skirts - or worn open in a longline version over shorts & a tank top. Easy, effortless, chic & joyful - what's not to love?

The Valentino shirt that sparked the trend

Long shirt from H&M

Shirt from River Island

Shirt from Zara

Shirt from Stradivarius

Focus on: Pleats - how to wear pleated midi skirts based on your body shape

Pleated midi skirts have been around for quite a while at this stage, and while I love them in theory, I, and many of my clients, find they can be a challenge to get right.

There are different types of pleats - box pleats, open box pleats, knife pleats, and plisse pleats. The size of the pleats, as well as the type & weight of the fabric, will make a huge difference to how a skirt looks on your shape.

So too does the waistband, and the length.

Those that have straigher body shapes, with flat hips, generally tend to do better with pleats. But this is not always the case - a figure of 8 body shape for example is straight on the lower hip, but there is often a prominent hip shelf underneath the waist - which can prove challening.

The weight & amount of fabric is also relevant - for example a rectangle body shape will probably do well with a pleated skirt in a mid-weight fabric that stays relatively close to the body. But if here is too much fabric, it will likely cause this shape to look even more rectangular & blocky.

Knife pleats (which are slimmer) tend to be easier to wear on most curved body shapes - the more curved your hips & bum, and the bigger the pleats (e.g., open box pleats), the more distorted the pleats become over the curve of the body, as the pleats won't sit flat & will 'fan out' adding more volume & bulk - and pounds.

Also the waistband needs serious consideration, elasticated waistbands that go in at the natural waist, cause the material underneath the waistand to bulk out, adding volume & the illusion of weight to the tummy area. This is even more of a challenge of the fabric is light & likely to billow out from the body - resulting overall in you looking much bigger than what you are.

Skirt from Gallery at Dunnes Stores

A more forgiving shape may be thin knife pleats, in a quality fabric that has more weight - so that the skirt hangs straighter on the body, encouraged to do so by the weight of the farbic.

Skirt from Gallery at Dunnes Stores

Another option that can look quiet well, are those skirts where there is a smooth panel of fabric across the tummy, and the pleats begin underneath the 'rise' area. This will sit much better across the tummy, especially if it as a side fastening.

Another similiar option are midi skirts where the pleats are sewn closed across the tummy, and begin to seperate further down the length of the skirt.

Skirt from Gallery at Dunnes Stores

As with all skirts, the length is an important consideration. The point at which the skirt hemline ends creates a horizontal line, drawing the eye to rest there, and also 'cutting off' the leg at this point. So be sure that it's a part of your leg that you're happy to draw attention to.

Be careful when shopping online to check the height of the model, so you can gauge where it ends on her body versus where you estimate it will end on yours.

Like everything in styling, there is no 'one size fits all' set of guidelines, as each person will have a different combintation of scale, horizontal body shape, vertical body shape, proportion and areas of concern.

If you want to understand how all these various elements present for you, and the implications of these on the clothing choices you make, I will give you all the guidance & answers you need. Book your discovery call here under the 'Contact' section.

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