Recently I took part in an organised cycling event called The Exmoor Beast. I managed to  complete the gruelling “short” course (70 miles of extremely hilly cycling over Exmoor) and during the 6 hours I was in the saddle, I had plenty of opportunity to observe what other cyclists were wearing and now feel well qualified to comment on appropriate wear for such an event.   There were over 1000 competitors for this challenging event and so I had plenty of opportunity to see a vast variety of clothing worn by my fellow cyclists.   Being an Image Consultant I was interested in colour as well as the technical value of the kit on display. Some of the elite athletes taking part wore specialist cycling clothing in an array of bright coloured jerseys. These outfits are designed specifically for cycling and make the rider more aerodynamic as well as warm and comfortable.   There is such a wide choice of colours that everybody would be in a position to find their perfect colour.   This type of clothing is available from specialist cycle shops and from the internet.  The lesser mortals amongst us, such as me, were dressed in a variety of comfortable and heat efficient clothing and some were just wearing shorts and an anorak.   The single most apparent colour amongst the competitors was florescent yellow.   Although it is not a particularly flattering colour for most people, it does make the wearer highly visible.   When competing in endurance competitions such as the Exmoor Beast, wearing sufficiently warm and comfortable clothing is essential.   Probably the single most important item is a pair of padded shorts!  The weather on Exmoor can change dramatically, but on Sunday we were lucky.   It was a dull day, but dry and not too cold, except when exposed to the strong winds.   I wore three thin layers, the inner one being a sports specific t-shirt that keeps you dry how ever much you sweat and the outer layer being breathable and waterproof.   The outer layer was the perfect turquoise blue, that suits my auburn hair and made me very visible, another essential on a dull November day as mentioned above.   I have to admit to my socks and inner two shirts being a perfect red for my colouring, even though they were not visible on the day, I just can’t help it!  As I am an amateur cyclist, I was just pleased to have completed the course before it got dark and enjoy the comradely atmosphere of so many people enjoying a day out.   I can hardly express my admiration for the elite cyclists, who completed the 100 mile course in less than 5 hours and just hope that I can improve on my time next year.   My comfort is that I may not be the fastest cyclist but I was wearing colours that suited me! Whilst safety and comfort are ofcourse essential, there is no reason why you cannot look good wearing flattering colours that suit your natural colouring.

Valentine’s Day Eve is full of anticipation and excitement for lovers old and new.   Whether you are in a long term relationship, a new one or are just hopeful, the day brings a promise of romance, often forgotten is the day and age.    Some loving men (or women or that matter, in this day of equality) choose this, the most romantic day of the year to propose marriage.    What could be more exciting than receiving a red rose, and an engagement ring from the man you love?!  Assuming you have said “yes” to your hopeful Romeo, this is only the start of a long journey to the altar (or Caribbean beach if prefer a secular setting).   Finding a suitable date, venue, photographer, caterer. . . . . . and so on, will be time consuming and challenging.    Even when you have done all of this there is still the question of “THE WEDDING DRESS”!   This will be your special day, when you are the centre of attention.   All eyes will be on you and getting the perfect outfit will be high on your list of priorities.    In fact it won’t just be the dress, you need to think about; there is hair, make-up, shoes and jewellery to consider as well.   An image consultant can help you with all aspects of this.   A bridal consultation will help you decide the best shade of white (yes there is more than one) or alternative colour if prefer not to be traditional, which shape and style will most flatter your body shape including hem length, sleeves, neckline and embellishments.    You will also be able to discuss hair styles, head dresses and veils that will best suit your face shape and hair length and style.    Make-up on the day is crucial.   Many brides want to look their best but still look natural.   It is a long day and precautions need to be taken against being a “blushing bride”, especially if a glass or two of champagne is on the cards!  There is so much choice and so many wedding boutiques to visit, a little help from a professional will clear your mind and save you time and emotion!   

Glastonbury Festival has been and gone for this year but there are other music festivals being held around the country.   If you have been lucky enough to attend Glastonbury you will have noticed that just about anything goes with regard to style and fashion.    Deciding what to wear is not always easy but following the tips below will go along way to ensuring your comfort whatever the weather.  I)  Pack Light: It is usually quite a walk from either your car or then nearest public transport stop and you will have to carry your tent.  II) Fabric:  The washing facilities will be minimal so take clothes that have “staying power” and do not show the dirt, you may be wearing them all weekend.   You also don’t want to take clothes that need specialist cleaning when you get home; mud could feature heavily and certainly the Somerset “red” mud is hard to shift.   Reading Festival may not be quite so muddy but you may regret wearing pale colours.  III) Wellies: There are lots of different brightly coloured wellies for sale, so pick a pair that are in a colour that suits you, they may be covered in mud by the end of the weekend but at least you know they suit you!  IV) Layers: Light layers mean you can get exactly the right coverage to be comfortable and believe me, you need as much comfort as you can muster.  V) Raincoat:  Whatever the weather forecast might be, take wet weather gear.   The weather can be very changeable.    A waterproof in your best colour will flatter you even if it rains. Why not be a bit experimental?  There will be a vast number of people dressed in an array of different fashions.   Now is your chance to try a new style.