http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com en-gb mycapsulewardrobe.com 2010-3-8T00:00:00Z mycapsulewardrobe.com http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#60079 How to decode trends to support your style Have you trawled round the shops lately and found nothing to wear Spring is such a fun time the clocks go forward giving us extra daylight the garden sprouts its colourful bulbs and generally we feel ready to come out of hibernation or at least our legs start to Whats the point of keeping up with the latest trends if you dont know how to interpret them to suit you With the plethora of magazines showing celebs all touting for pole position in the best dressed stakes its hard not to think you should be keeping up with them or at the very least be fashionable. I believe in style not fashion as my company name and strap line suggests its all about confidence. So I would argue how confident is somebody about their style if they are a fashion victim I call them misguided followers not leaders and clueless about how to dress to express their authentic true self just look at when they are papped in their scruffs. Yes they ma... 2010-3-8T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#52260 Dazzle with colour this party season Please please please try and go for something other than black for your festive parties Yes I know its safe classic fashionable and slimming I could argue that one and win but there is so much choice in the High Street why not shock yourself into seeing how fab you can look in an alternative colour. For more info on this and other useful image related topics click here to check out the November newsletter now available to download Dress available from MampS 2009-11-9T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#52005 Discover what My Style is ... by Fiona Welcome to the feature where we peer into the wardrobes of stylish people in Hertfordshire. Fiona personal stylist with Style2you shares her own style secrets. She also shows her clients how to be glamorous by using the cuts and colours that suit them best. Click here to view digital version of Novembers edition of Hertfordshires luxury lifestyle magazine Style. Article on page 9 2009-11-5T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#51005 Low fat dressingno salad in sight Tweets from TGM The Green Mannequin the one from my logo My job is all about creating illusions with clothes which includes teaching people how to drop a dress size by showing your shape not hiding it Whilst its important to accept the things you cant change quickly about your body you can use clothes and accessories and your way of dressing to achieve an illusion of the perfect balance. Its easy to dress to look a size smaller a size larger a few inches taller or a few inches shorter.your choice We all have elements of our bodies we wish to enhance but Im more commonly asked to show my clients how to reduce those areas they are self conscious of and want to reduce. What to avoid For those of you with bigger thighs pear shaped steer well clear of tunic tops. WhyWell look in the mirror and see where the horizontal line hem falls. The eye is drawn or distracted by horizontal lines when scanning the body so if the garment ends too f... 2009-10-20T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#49844 10 more outfits BBC radio interview listen today I was lucky enough to be invited onto BBC 3 Counties radio afternoon show with Lorna Milton yesterday. We discussed how my 15to50 capsule wardrobe concept works and identified key garments that go towards it which means you can look and feel good shopping inside your wardrobes To listen in on iplayer click here slide timer forward to 30 minutes to hear me To download the accompanying Fact Sheet click here To view mycapsulewardrobe Gallery click here For more information on my style packages click here Good luck shopping for your winter clothes the air has a decisive nip in it now so is your winter coat up to scratch How about adding a versatile trench coat or mac in a fab shade to liven up your existing outfits If youd like my expert shopping help please give me a call 01442 822093 Kind regardsFiona x 2009-10-2T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#48141 Dont waste nearly a year deciding what to wear According to a new study by Matalan the UK clothing retailer after polling almost 2500 women found that they spent nearly one full year of their lives deciding what to wear. Choosing outfits for work nights out dinner parties holidays and other activities means the average female will spend 287 days rifling through their wardrobes. Most women spend around 20 minutes deciding what to wear before going out in the evening. While on holiday 10 minutes a morning will be taken up trying to put together an acceptable outfit with another 10 minutes spent picking evening clothes. On top of that dinner parties Christmas parties and black tie events at around 36 minutes a time six times a year adds up to three and a half days of time illspent. The study also found that on average women will try on 2 outfits each morning before coming to a final decision. And one in two women spend 15 minutes the night before working out what to wear to work the ... 2009-9-4T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#47324 Looking good made easy After 2 years of solving clients clothing and style dilemmas with my image services I knew there was a complementary niche out there awaiting my previous buying and retail experience so after months of planning and choosing its finally here... Mycapsulewardrobe clothing collection by Style2you Its aimed at making looking good EASY. The collection is a range of everydaywear mix and match separates that will enable you to build up key outfits that can be added to to provide an even more functional wardrobe. What every woman wants nest pas This collection is exclusive to my home shop and therefore not available to buy on the High Street. The average price point is 16345 with camisoles from 16319 up to 163179 for the statement piece of the season which is a wonderfully soft leather jacket in a soft kingfisher tone. This is ideal to wear with jeans during the day and as an evening piece for smarter occasions. There is something for every colour direction and s... 2009-8-22T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#45516 Make a splash this summer Now that the weather is hotting up its time to focus on your holiday capsule wardrobe. The most crucial item to get right has to be swimwear. During my style consultations the question most women ask me is What type of costume or 2piece is best for my bodyshape I will have already explained the value of chosing the most flattering outerwear items to suit them but take time to illustrate my top tips to ensure they look and feel their very best when it comes to revealing more flesh than usual With so much choice on the High Street where do you start One piece costumes 2piece bikinis tankinis strapless bandeau supportive stylesto help you wade in Ive outlined the shapes and styles to look for with advice on finding your own minor miracle worker Read full article... Swimsuit MampS 16329.50 2009-7-24T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#44465 How to pack a capsule wardrobe Does the thought of being whisked away for a surprise break with only holdall of clothes fill you will dread Do you travel abroad but always pay for excess baggage Want to know what space saving holiday essentials you should include to reduce your panic Awardwinning image coach Fiona McClurgWelland from Style2you and Mycapsulewardrobe shares her packing and looking good secrets...Whether you are going on a weekend city break or a weeks holiday the same rule applies the more you know the less you need Read full article... 2009-7-5T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#39436 WATCH THIS SPACE Fiona x 2009-4-8T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#39434 How to reinvent yourself and your career in the downturn Are you or people close to you considering a career change experiencing unemployment or seeking a return to work Style2you is collaborating with two other experts providing individuals with our Inspire package which is holistic and comprises an Introductory 1Day Workshop plus Individual Followon 121 Coaching Sessions. Its a perfect opportunity to explore the options available to you that mean YOU stand out from the crowd and are the best you can possibly be The individual sessions will cover 183 Career amp Business Coaching Image Coaching amp Personal Branding 183 CV Preparation amp Presentation Support Other elements such as interview techniques presentation skills body language and practical job hunting or business start up resources will be incorporated. Our next Introductory Workshop is being held on Saturday 25th April in Hemel Hempstead. Great value for money 16379 For more informatio... 2009-4-1T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#39413 Giving something back Isnt it satisfying to do something worthwhile for those in need When I first started my image consultancy business one of the areas I wanted to consider was to work with a charity to help raise funds for them and also help out at their place of work whether that be a shop or a hospice and even to support the staff who do sterling work enriching others lives when they need it most. As my mission is to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of others this is not restricted to paying clients Before Christmas last year I was asked to help out at a local school Fashion Show. The idea being that the students would pick out items from the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity shops and model these recycled outfits to the crowd and raise money to keep the Hospice running. What a night We had great fun watching them strut their stuff so professionally as well. I enjoyed this experience so much that I decided to join their Corporat... 2009-3-25T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#39369 Is Your Style Working For You Wedding Planners This is a question I pose quite a lot to people that I meet especially those who need the visual professional edge when running their own businesses. To my delight I was asked by a colleague to give a presentation on why image matters to members of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners at their annual seminar in February. Do you all readily acknowledge that we subliminally make judgements about others within a very short space of time when we first meet them Good I was hoping you would say yes. This element of human behaviour is innate and we cannot eradicate it but we can CONTROL the judgements of others to be as favourable as possible. How Well a few things for you to consider are Ensure your clothing and appearance reflects your personality ability status salary and success level to your Peers colleagues clients or employers existing amp future ones Do you know how to do this The old phrase dress for t... 2009-3-22T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#38213 The causeeffect of colourful gratitude... Its been a while since my last blog but something popped into my inbox this morning that really touched my heart and thought it was worth sharing. Recently I was clearing out my wardrobe as a good image consultant should do and found some bright items that I wore when working for a wellknown high end retail brand. Now bright colours are not my most harmonious with my colouring and characteristics but are my favourite hence holding on to them for a few years I decided not to take them to the local charity shop but to recycle them by passing them to a colleague who happens to suit the deeper brighter shades and who is the same size as me. There must have been about 6 jackets and 1 suit in the selection. I gave them to her just as she was due to give a group presentation to her peers. She immediately went for the brighter jacket and matched her lipstick accordingly. Needless to say the presentation went really well and her words really stru... 2009-3-15T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#35914 Vanity values Those of you who feel having pride in your appearance is a matter of vanity over practicalilty are probably not confident in realising your image potential. Its not a case of having to have pots of money to be well groomed and turned out but it does require a certain amount of guidance and effort. Thats why some people enlist the services of image consultants as they want to recognise whats harmonious and whats not. This process involves getting inside peoples psyche and expressing and enhancing their uniqueness. Im not one for cloning individuals into a trademark look like some celebrity stylists I could mention rather I work with male and female clients to bring out the best in them whether thats to make more impact professionally socially or even romantically. Depending on who your early influences were and your developing personality those elements will give me an indication of where your comfort zone is in terms of dominant colour and style preferences. For exa... 2009-2-2T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#35212 Bootylicious babes As an ambassador for real women and a networking tart I wanted to share a recent event success with you here within this online community... As I capture most of my clients via facetoface interaction I find professional and social networking very successful. Thats not to say that I dont attract other clients by other mediums but due to the personal nature of my professional services image consultancy in all its guises people have to feel that I can connect with them. This is the emotional element that another blog was referring to recently. Anyway one of the ways in which I can get my making the most of yourself message across really effectively is for people to see my expert colour and style knowledge in action. So no surprise to learn that I love hosting fashion shows usually in collaboration with a colleagues products or ranges. This also gives me the opportunity to work with budding models who find safety in numbers. They wouldnt necessarily strut their st... 2009-1-19T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#33925 How do you see yourself This is a question I ask potential clients quite a lot. Not just in terms of your professional life but you as a whole. By comparing how you see yourself to how others see you can be the catalyst to taking positive steps to getting noticed for what you want to get noticed for as opposed to being renowned for Im just a hockey mum from Alaska Good old Sarah Palin. What she really wanted her appearance to say was Hey look at me Im a credible candidate to help run America. Even spending vast amounts of money on a corporate image didnt do the trick but you know the rest Let me explain...clothes colours shapes and patterns are all tools to bring out whatever you want to bring out. Its your choice. If you want to emphasise how approachable you are wear medium toned colours in soft fabrics my trademark now. If you want to get noticed for your efficiency then avoid wearing dangly jewellery. If you want to portray a more authoritative look wear high contrast colou... 2008-12-17T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#33342 Style Tips to disguise those festive indulgences As we approach these final weeks of the year the temptation for indulgence reaches an allyear high. Gifts of chocolate begin to appear in the post. Biscuits in festive shapes show up next to the coffee machine at the office or in your cupboards if you work from home You could be adding 750 calories a day with your nibbling and at party time be tempted to put on that oversized sweatshirt that has blinking lights all over the front of it. Stop No I dont mean stop eating I mean stop thinking about hiding behind your clothes and start thinking about how you can look festively chic no matter what. You can still look trim until January 1st when you actually resolve to cut out all the sweets. Heres how. Draw attention to your assets. Fakes out the fruitcake Do something special with your most beautiful features. Great hair Make an appointment for a blow dry if youre between haircuts. A professional cut and finish of your hai... 2008-12-5T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#33002 Experiment smile amp shine As the party and festive season are almost upon us do you have a hidden desire to be bolder with your appearance A recent focus group finding showed that when women aged 1850 were shown images of celebrities with alterego looks most were drawn to burlesque artist Dita Von Teese. This wasnt because women wanted to live her lifestyle more that they were captured by her defined sense of style which projected an image of selfassurance and empowerment. They found that overall women were instinctively drawn to dramatic looks such as smoky eyes and red lips and liked the idea of bringing out a darker sexier more outrageous side. At style2you we show you how the ritual of applying makeup can be a magical confidenceenhancing process. By freeing yourself of the constraints that make you more conservative than you like especially during the day time by night you can play out a different role for fun. Experimenting with the way you look for an evening may surprise ... 2008-11-28T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#32528 Style over fashion any day The most important piece of advice I give my clients is to celebrate your strengths and play down your weaknesses this is done by being critical about what fashion has to offer each season and whether it will work for you. Unless you are very young I feel strongly that stylish should be your aim. You need to know what the trends are when you are buying clothes of course this helps but you dont need to look like a fashion spread. There are all kinds of debates about style and whether it can be bought or learned. Lets thinkthere are plenty of rich people with no style whatsoever so it cant be bought. And there are plenty of women with a limited budget who always seem to look good so it definitely isnt expensive. Most telling is when someone has understood what suits them and wears clothing to suit their individual body shape this is something you can learn once you are familiar with your body and able to select the styles you need to create the righ... 2008-11-18T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#32358 Party frocks offers amp advice from style2you Hi there it has been a while since my last blog tis the season that I am at my busiest solving all of your partywear dilemmas. This got me thinking as I cannot possibly help everyone at the same time I have put together a list of recommendations with videos so you are aware whats available in the shops this very weekend. Im pleased to say that most of the High Street have slashed their prices on seasonal partywear with more to come today Im sure so this is the time to bag that dress or party outfit. If you venture out this weekend but come away without purchasing then why not give me a call and we can discuss how I can help you find the dress that impresses I have been doing this for over 15 years so trust me Im a pro Thanks for making me look and FEEL a million dollars and the whole outfit came in under 163100 wow happy client In the meantime if youd like to keep up to date with colour style and fashion related news then click ... 2008-11-14T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#32361 Continuous Personal Development Do you all devote as much time as youd like adding to or enhancing your existing skills baseIm sure you all have items on your to do list that keep you focussed on your goals Do you always get round to it Perhaps not... This is my story Well as well as running a successful so far award winning image consultancy I am also studying part time for my BScHons degree in Psychology with the Open University. I have a few years left to go but I will achieve it by my 40th birthday. When I was younger my parents took me to live in Spain so I missed out on the opportunity to go to Uni perhaps thats why I rebelled so much during my 20s when I came back to the UK Anyway CPD has always been high on my agenda. I believe it is an essential ingredient for success however as success is the journey not the destination it is something that will always focus in my life. Whether it is related to my current business or not I have a thirst for knowledge and the buzz it give... 2008-11-8T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#32360 Does your cloth cut the mustard For many women in business this can be a crucial element of success. Whether you are a top line professional lawyer running an IT business or selling products via a network marketing format we all need to consider our physical impact on others. When you review your marketing plan you should also include an audit of your image. Why Well we all accept that people buy from people whether you interact facetoface with clients or not. How you dress affects how you feel so even if you work in telemarketing you still need to sound confident and that you are smiling before you are dialling The action of reflecting on your physical impact affords you the scope to adopt tools to enhance it. To find out more read on... As an award winning image consultant and having spent most of my career in sales and training roles I have seen lots of examples of memorable good and bad image projection. Personal image is the importance you give your appearance voice body langu... 2008-10-30T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#32357 WINNER of Most Successful New Image Business 2008 Well...I did it Weeks of waiting to find out if style2you was going to win pitched against 3 other businesses finally culminated in victory at the Annual Conference of The Federation of Image Consultants. I am so proud of my achievements as this year has not been without its ups and downs. In May I underwent spinal surgery which was nerve racking but essential as I was still working weeks before in absolute agony But Im delighted to report that all is well I just have to make sure I pace myself not that easy when you have so many fabulously eager clients waiting. This is what they announced at the Award Ceremony This person really inspired us with her enthusiasm and flair for PR. How many consultants do you know who advertise their companyy on an ethically correct shopping bag Despite literally being on her back she still managed to put her business first and is well on the road to well deserved success. She is passionate about wh... 2008-10-12T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#29921 Shortlisted for National Award Fiona McClurgWelland of style2you and mycapsulewardrobe.com has been shortlisted by The Federation of Image Consultants TFIC for their inaugural Spirit of Inspiration Awards under the Most Successful New Business category. Businesses have to have been operating for between 13 years and must show evidence of a strong business plan future strategies and demonstrate financial growth. The Federation are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year and are using the awards to showcase achievement of image related entrepreneurs. Working for yourself if very rewarding but it takes a lot of hard work especially when you are your own brand image I feel honoured to have made it to the final selection. It will help me gain more credibility nationally and welldeserved recognition. With over fifteen years experience in the retail industry and running style2you for almost 18 months Fiona uses her passion for fashion and colour with her coaching skills to teach ... 2008-9-19T00:00:00Z http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page5.htm#27064 Official Personal Shopper Last Saturday 12th July Friars Square Shopping teamed up with well known local image consultancy style2you. With a range of services on offer to suit all the aim is to keep shopping local and show how easy with expert advice it is to express that all important personal style. Working alongside the centre means that clients can shop with confidence getting expert guidance on how to look and feel amazing and benefit from the excellent range of shopping available. Our mission is to provide a stressfree fun shopping experience where shoppers gain top tips and practical solutions along the way. Im delighted that the launch was well received and generated plenty of interest. Im looking forward to a successful partnership and helping improve store loyalty in our town Fiona McClurgWelland Director. 2008-7-16T00:00:00Z