Festive styling (without buying new)

Posted on by Toni Carver

The festive season is in full swing and the pressure to find something “special” to wear can creep in quickly. But you don’t need a brand-new outfit to feel festive, confident or put-together.

A few clever tweaks using what you already own can make an ‘old’ outfit feel fresh, stylish and perfectly suited to you and the occasion. Before diving into these festive ideas, you might find last month’s blog useful: ‘Wearing vs styling – can you spot the difference?’. It’s packed with simple tips to help you get more from the clothes already in your wardrobe.

Here are some simple, practical ways to add a festive touch.

Start with colour!

The quickest way to elevate an outfit is to choose colours that make you look brighter and fresher. It’s such an effortless way to feel more confident in what you’re wearing.

Pick a shade that feels naturally “festive” – greens, reds and metallics are the obvious choices, but if they feel too gimmicky, opt for one of your favourite colours instead. That instant feel-good factor shows.

To feel a little more stylish and up to date, dig out the burgundy and berry tones in your wardrobe, or the chocolate browns. Both colours have been featured recently here and over on YouTube if you need more ideas:

Burgundy – a seasonal favourite and how to wear it

Think brown is dull – here’s how to wear it.

I’m sure you’ll have something that fits the colour trend already.

A touch of red lipstick – or any shade that suits your skin tone – will instantly finish your look. You can pick it up from the studio too. (Browse online here).

If you’d like to learn your colouring type and how to wear your colours with confidence, a colour analysis session could be the perfect starting point. Workshops will resume in 2026 and consultations are available to book now.

Find out more here.

Use texture to add interest

Festive doesn’t have to mean sequins and shimmer. If sequins aren’t your thing, other textures can look far more polished and elegant.

Mixing textures makes your outfit visually interesting because the combination of fabrics looks and feels more intentional. Try shine with matte, rough with smooth, or structured with soft for a modern twist.

Dig through your wardrobe and pair pieces together in new ways so you can bring your outfit bang up to date without spending a penny!

Think:

Velvet Jacket from Joe Browns

Joe Browns Moleskin Jacket

-> Velvet (jackets, bags, scarves, headbands)
-> Lace or sheer fabrics layered under a knit
-> Satin skirts
-> Faux fur
-> Leather or coated textures
-> Tweed and boucle

Velvet, in particular, softens richer colours like green, plum and teal and adds instant sophistication. If you bought a velvet jacket or accessory in the past, it’s worth getting it back out. If not, the teal Joe Browns blazer featured in my October Shop the Look book is still available (sizes 6–18) – take a look at this affiliate link.

Elevate your basics

Your wardrobe basics make a brilliant foundation and often just need a little tweak.

Pro Tip:
-> A simple blouse with a statement necklace, or layered necklaces
-> A knit in your best colour with a dressier skirt
-> Dark jeans with a “nice top” and heeled or knee-high boots
-> A jumpsuit or co-ord with a metallic bag or bold earrings
-> A coloured scarf that complements your palette
-> A belt to define your waist (metallic, suede or contrasting)

It’s all about making what you’ve got work harder. Accessories are your best friend at this time of year and they’re easy to pick up in charity shops if you do want to add something small.

Play with shape and proportions

Sometimes an outfit can feel “off” simply because the shape, balance or structure isn’t quite right. Knowing how to flatter your silhouette is something I cover fully in a style and shape consultation, but here are a few simple tweaks to try:
-> Tuck or half-tuck a top to define your waist
-> Switch to a different sleeve length
-> Swap a bulky knit if it’s overwhelming you
-> Use accessories to tie the outfit together
-> Add a jacket for cleaner lines and a smarter finish

Small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.

You’re not alone!

If you’d love some guidance choosing colours, dressing for your shape, or making better use of what you already own, my colour and style sessions are a great way to start the New Year feeling confident, organised and ready to get more out of your wardrobe.

Stop feeling stuck and uninspired!

Book your consultation here

Dazzle This Festive Season: Your Guide to party wear

Posted on by Toni Carver

Wanting to dazzle this festive season? With so many sequins and sparkles about, if they’re not your thing, it could be a bit bewildering. However, I’m here to give you some tips on choosing the right colour, fabric and accessories.

Whatever the occasion, these five tips will help you sparkle with confidence. Even if you’re not a sequin lover! Plus a new video on YouTube too.

Choose a flattering colour

Of course I’m going to start here! When colours are harmonious, there is order and balance. Wearing colours that have the same or smilier characteristics to your own colouring will help you achieve this. The closer you wear it to your face, the most impactful it will be. Which is why opting for colours which lift and brighten your look, rather than casting shadows onto your face is much more flattering.

Know your metal

One aspect of learning your colouring type will be whether you have a warm or cool undertone. This isn’t something which you can determine by looking at the colour of your veins!

Understanding whether you’re warm or cool will of course help you choose the right shade of red, what jewellery colour you’re best suited to as well as your best makeup colours. But, it’s not always a dominant characteristic and for many, it will be a secondary characteristic.

Gold is perfect if you have a warmer skin tone. If you’re cooler toned then go silver!

If you’re not sure or you want to try something different, opt for pewter or rose gold. And do remember that metallics aren’t always shiny – they can be matte or brushed. These options can be much more suited to someone who is is a light or soft dominant colouring type.

Your style, your way

If shimmer and shine is all a bit much for you, don’t buy it! There are more ways to shine this festive season that sequins head to toe! You could opt for something with embellishments, beads or stitching. Details on a neckline, sleeves, or across the front could be an easier way to glam up which is more suited to your style.

Consider the use of jewellery and accessories as a method of elevating your overall look, without it being too shiny or sparkly!

Fabric choice

Fabric and textures can be a great way to luxe up your look. Cashmere, velvet, lace and silk can make something feel a little bit more luxurious or glamourous.

The shinier the fabric, such as silk and satin, the fabric will make the colour appear brighter because it reflects the light more. This can make the colour appear brighter which could be a great tip for clear dominant colouring types.

Matte fabrics such as knitwear, will soften the appearance as they absorb the light more. This is a great tips for soft colouring types for example.

Of course, fabric can also be a friend or foe which is why I always talk about it in my style and shape consultations. Opt for styles and shapes which flatters your body line. Broadly speaking, if you’re straighter in the body, opt for boxier cuts and if you’ve got curves then choose more fluid fabric which mimics your curves.

Make better choices

Sequins and sparkles aren’t great for the environment as those small discs are often made of plastic which is not biodegradable. Make more sustainable choices by shopping on Vinted, eBay and charity shops for a piece that you can give another life to. If you’re already a magpie for shine, check what you’ve already got in your wardrobe and see if you can give a new life to something too with your own customisation!

Choose well. Know what your colour type is, your style personality, how to choose the right fabrics, so that you actually get the right cut, so that it fits and flatters you. If you need help, book your appointment today: https://calendly.com/tlcstyleandcolour

Watch the latest video on Youtube:

How to shine in sequins and sparkles!

 

 

Christmas Jumper Alternatives (and the history of the Christmas jumper)

Posted on by Toni Carver

Let’s face it, Christmas jumpers can be a bit naff! There’s a huge range of options available but most people already have at least one in their wardrobe.

I’ve got some tips and alternatives to share with you in this blog because you don’t have to feel your style has to be compromised.

Christmas Jumper Day

The official ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ was introduced in 2012 to help raise funds for children facing serious issues like war, hunger and poverty. It’s an annual event, by Save the Children charity. Here’s more information and how to get involved: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day

Christmas Jumper history

There’s many articles in circulation about where Christmas jumpers originated from. Norway, Scandinavia and Iceland are all named. Often knitted by hand in heavy, locally sourced wool and designed to keep people warm during the cold winters. Similar nordic style patterns still feature today which are much more traditional and less garish than some we see.

Pounds per wear vs cost

Are you like me and roll out the same ones every year?

Let’s say you buy a new festive-themed jumper from the high street giant: H&M. Currently they have Christmas jumpers online from £15.99 (as at December 2023).

Using my £’s per wear calculation, if you only wear it once, it’s £15.99 per wear.

Wear it another day and it becomes £8 per wear.

Roll it out next year and wear it twice more and you’re down to £4 per wear. Repeat again the following year and it’s £2 per wear.

These principles are the same for any clothes and not just for Christmas festive wear!

Christmas jumper alternatives

The cheap, comedy festive jumper might not be your style, so how about something more stylish which you can wear throughout the year?

I’ve researched and picked out some alternative festive styles which you can view (with links) here. (This guide has been updated on 10 December 2024)

Do check eBay, Vinted and charity shops too.

A Christmas Jumper is not just for Christmas!

Finally, there is a serious side to the production of Christmas jumpers.

Millions are produced every year on top of the millions already in circulation. Arguably, it’s a prime example of fast fashion. Cheaply made by people who aren’t paid a fair living wage where the environmental impacts are questionable.

Get more use out of yours by wearing it every day – a jumper’s not just for Christmas after all!

Garments made from acrylic, will not be sustainable or biodegradable. Acrylic is a plastic which is made by fossil-fuels. When washing, they release microplastics into marine environments, polluting our oceans.

Those made with recycled plastic bottles might not be a better option. Once turned into clothing, the plastic cannot be recycled again so it removes them from the circular recycling loop. Plastic bottles can be collected and recycled multiple times, clothing made from plastic cannot, so it’s destined for landfill.

This year, why not keep wearing what you already have or consider a swap with family and friends. You could even customise your own by adding decorations to it. Or, why not knit your own like Mark Darcey’s mum in Bridget Jones!

Remember: buy less, choose well  and make it last. Don’t compromise, even if it is just a Christmas jumper! If it doesn’t tick all of the boxes that suits you (colour, style, fit, fabric) that you can wear again and again, then does it deserve a place in your wardrobe?