O.K so I’ve come to blogging fashionably late! The point is I thought I could use the space to expand on what we do at www.howtolookgood.com. I’d also like to share with you what I see and hear about fashion from an insider’s perspective from time to time.

Sure there’s lots to tell, Jane (my business partner) and I have worked in the fashion industry for many years. Actually I’ve just counted up our combined years in experience and we’re practically Professors.

We run the above site and do lots of work with high street companies, designers and journalists as well as working on three fashion TV programmes (yes not one or two, but three)! These air every week in the UK. Phew!

There are plenty of things that occur in my day that I’d like to tell you about (without incurring a writ obviously). And perhaps therein lies the skill.

The thing that comes to mind right now is waste. Fortunately it’s not a contentious topic, but then again….

We fashion types are of course environmentally aware and have been pushing black for years. Ecological advantages include multiple wearings and a 30-degree wash as standard, thanks Helena.

But I know there is more to do. Buying into trend after trend, season after season, has begun to have far less appeal for me these days.

Yes getting older means that you don’t want or need so many frantic sartorial changes in your life. This may have already kicked in for you as it has for me.

I’ve been buying more classic design for a while now.

But I have learned there is life after last season too, courtesy of Junky Styling, so I can boost my ethical fashion credibility effortlessly, whilst reinstating old clothes in my affections.

To test drive the experience, I recently gave a Paul Smith men’s suit jacket a whole new lease of life by having it re-cut into a fitted top that frankly looks better on me than it ever did on the hanger gathering dust in my husband’s side of the wardrobe.

And let me add another of my favourite watchwords to the mix: individuality.

Nobody else in ‘McFashionland,’ has got one. My new top is not only recycled, it is unique and a couture garment having been lovingly fitted to my body by Kerry and her team.

My point is, instead of feeling under pressure to buy new trends, new clothes and new looks; you can re-invent what you already have and gets your own look going.

Have you ever had a couture experience? Well they will fit it to you.

I love these people so if you are in east London where they have a shop you can visit. They make the most amazing dresses out of old jackets and shirts – their site is currently being overhauled so may not be firing on all cylinders just now, but here’s the address just the same. www.junkystyling.co.uk

That’s it for now, Caryn.

Related posts:

1. Fashion babble. Nonsense fashion words and phrases. Part two.
2. Get the knowledge and avoid those soul destroying shopping trips for ever…
3. A jeans story.
4. The Disappearing Dress