After all the fun of London Fashion Week (see my recent blogs), I thought I’d post an intelligent dressing note. I know you love these, because my techie man tells me these are the most read!

And I have to say that working with ‘clothes’ after a week of working with ‘fashion’ is very grounding. The two are very different and I know you know that too.

I’m not saying that there isn’t the correct amount of trend in this look. The blouse and bow, the monochrome graphic print, the high waisted trouser and the patent waist cincher belt are all fashion influenced. But there is great practicality too making it an intelligent look.

So let’s talk Styling tools (something my e-books are full of) and today I’m showing you how you use print on the top of your body if you are top-heavy. This is something I discuss in all of my top-heavy e-books and applies whether you are petite tall, fuller or standard and I want to illustrate it here.

Because my lovelies you can enjoy the current trend of big voluminous blouse and print without feeling as though you are creating and imbalance. This was a device I was keen to profile for the current collection I design for Simply Be

So the clue is obviously in the tank top….but let’s discuss. Here I have streamlined the print effect by covering it with block colour (black or any dark colour would be the most effective but you can even see the principle working with this bright red top)! The print bow sticks out as a vertical line – again very streamlining. So what you get is all the benefits of the print without the attention seeking detail at the very point you don’t need it.

Chrissie wears print blouse from Simply Be, by Caryn Franklin. Sizes UK 14 – 32. Price etc.

Related posts:

1. Looking good
2. Behind the scenes
3. Body shape workshop number 3.
4. September’s Capsule Wardrobe
5. Elégance by name, Elégance by nature