What is it about the THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS that makes it so iconic?  It seems that according to market research every woman needs one and most women have one.   I for one don’t!  Black doesn’t suit me, not that this has stopped many other women.   A small part of me would love a little black cocktail dress and I have thought long and hard about why that is.   Even if you decide that you must have a black dress, there are so many variations on that theme.     Traditionally black is “slimming”.   This is questionable.   Trinny and Suzannah did an experiment of sorts with boxes on the television recently and generally black was considered a “heavier” colour.   All darker colours can be “slimming”, not necessarily black and using different colours together can have a greater effect.   There is something glamorous and sexy about a black dress.   Perhaps it seems mysterious or superior.   Certainly women who suit black do look incredibly chic dressed in a black dress.     Black is considered smart.   Yes, this is true but there are many other less harsh colours that are also very smart.   Charcoal grey or Pewter are examples.   Black is available.   This to me is the single most important factor.   During the winter months, particularly running up to Christmas, the shops are full of black dresses.   No wonder we are all tempted into them.   But look around and you will find some other beautiful, jewel like colours to wear to all those Christmas parties.   Purple, Jade, Scarlet.   They are all out there and just think how you will stand out from the crowd.   If however, I cannot persuade you to change your mind, please consider the following tips to look your very best in black.     If you have pale hair, skin and eyes, black will swamp you but by keeping it away from your face and choose a chiffon or lace fabric teamed with jewellery in a lighter colour, you can look fabulous.   You may need to apply a little more make-up than usual, again using an eye pencil in a flattering colour.   If you have dark hair and eyes then the world is your oyster as far as black goes.   Go on, you are in the minority who look great in black from head to foot.   If you have red or auburn hair, black will be very harsh on your skin.   Try to wear a lower cut dress and team it with a warm coloured scarf or jewellery.  Terracotta or salmon pink could look great.   Again, think about the fabric.   Soft or textured fabrics will absorb the light and be more flattering.   If you have grey or ash blonde hair, you can wear black more comfortably than many other women, but it is better to keep it away from your face.   If the neckline is too high it can make your chin shadowy.   Team your black dress with a lavender bolero or corsage and jewellery.   So it would seem that to a certain degree, we can all get away with wearing that Little Black Dress.   Just remember to use the style, fabric and colourful accessories to “customise” your black dress and make it perfect for you.

Safari is back with avengence this spring and summer, so why not update last year’s look with a few carefully choosen editions.   It is important to choose the right shades and shapes to get the best look.   Shop around until you find the right styles for you.   The earthy, natural colours are perfect for “Softs”, which can blend different shades of the same colour to get the perfect look. Look out for sand, taupe, beige, cream, stone, coffee brown and chocolate.   If you want to go wild, how about adding a bit of muted animal print?   Safari isn’t exclusively for “Softs”; other groups can manipulate the safari look by adding different colours.  “Lights” can wear the lighter safari colours, such as sand or cream and team them with pastels.   Pink or pale apricot and sand or taupe can be stunning on a blonde.   These colours will not over power your light colouring. “Warms” will look very up to date matching orange or warm red with khaki or taupe.   The yellow undertones of the orange will give warmth to the neutral colours and enhance your natural colouring.  “Cools” need to keep to neutral colours, mixed with colours that have a blue undertone.   Pink and taupe, as I mentioned earlier look great but for “cools” the colours need to be stronger.   “Deeps” will look fabulous in dark chocolate brown put together with pewter and a dark sand or a deep rich red.   As long as the colours are dark and not pastel, they will look stunning. “Clears” look their best in contrasting colours, so make sure the neutrals you choose are on opposite ends of the spectrum.   For example dark chocolate brown, with pale sand or black/brown with cream.   Zebra print could be an amazing look.   Now you have the colours sorted, what about the designs?  Which styles will suit your body shape?  The safari theme is perfect for “Lean Columns” with all the pocket detail around the hips and bust.   “Hourglasses” can show their lovely waists off, by belting in jackets, but beware of too many pockets if you have a “full hourglass” figure, they can add inches to your silhouette.    “Triangles” can maximise their narrow shoulders with plenty of detail on the top half, but remember to avoid pockets around the hips on the trousers or skirt.   “Rectangles” will look great in safari inspired trousers and skirts with pockets but need to avoid belted jackets.    “Inverted Triangles” can have detail on their narrow hips but need to minimise bulk around their shoulders. Check your wardrobe to see what you already have, then using the advice above, buy one or two new items to mix and match with items currently in your wardrobe.    This will mean you can update your wardrobe without a huge outlay but know you are still up to date and looking good.

Safari is back with avengence this spring and summer, so why not update last year’s look with a few carefully choosen editions.   It is important to choose the right shades and shapes to get the best look.   Shop around until you find the right styles for you.   The earthy, natural colours are perfect for “Softs”, which can blend different shades of the same colour to get the perfect look. Look out for sand, taupe, beige, cream, stone, coffee brown and chocolate.   If you want to go wild, how about adding a bit of muted animal print?   Safari isn’t exclusively for “Softs”; other groups can manipulate the safari look by adding different colours.  “Lights” can wear the lighter safari colours, such as sand or cream and team them with pastels.   Pink or pale apricot and sand or taupe can be stunning on a blonde.   These colours will not over power your light colouring. “Warms” will look very up to date matching orange or warm red with khaki or taupe.   The yellow undertones of the orange will give warmth to the neutral colours and enhance your natural colouring.  “Cools” need to keep to neutral colours, mixed with colours that have a blue undertone.   Pink and taupe, as I mentioned earlier look great but for “cools” the colours need to be stronger.   “Deeps” will look fabulous in dark chocolate brown put together with pewter and a dark sand or a deep rich red.   As long as the colours are dark and not pastel, they will look stunning. “Clears” look their best in contrasting colours, so make sure the neutrals you choose are on opposite ends of the spectrum.   For example dark chocolate brown, with pale sand or black/brown with cream.   Zebra print could be an amazing look.   Now you have the colours sorted, what about the designs?  Which styles will suit your body shape?  The safari theme is perfect for “Lean Columns” with all the pocket detail around the hips and bust.   “Hourglasses” can show their lovely waists off, by belting in jackets, but beware of too many pockets if you have a “full hourglass” figure, they can add inches to your silhouette.    “Triangles” can maximise their narrow shoulders with plenty of detail on the top half, but remember to avoid pockets around the hips on the trousers or skirt.   “Rectangles” will look great in safari inspired trousers and skirts with pockets but need to avoid belted jackets.    “Inverted Triangles” can have detail on their narrow hips but need to minimise bulk around their shoulders. Check your wardrobe to see what you already have, then using the advice above, buy one or two new items to mix and match with items currently in your wardrobe.    This will mean you can update your wardrobe without a huge outlay but know you are still up to date and looking good.

While only Januuary and winter sales are still in the stores, a couple of catalogs starts dropping on my doormat. The developers are working on new lines this summer for a couple of months and it looks like the trend for bright, conflicting color combinations. Depending on your natural color you can get away with light colors, varying degrees of success. This does not mean that in this way is only available for the "right" colors is no small trick that makes the wearing collide bright colors for all. For men with "deep" or "delete" & E, this trend turned out for you. "Cave", which is fantastic in black and bright splashes of deep red, pink, orange or green, depending on color to add to search. As long as you choose between a cool or warm undertone that matches your skin tone and all the bright color is striking. "Delete" can mean a contrasting bright vibrant colors, pink with orange, for example. If your tone is cool to wear pink fuchsia orange in the face and legs and the opposite of a warm undertone. "Light" and "soft" women can be overcome by wearing bright colors head to toe. For "light" women, I would suggest sticking bright clothes and reinforce it with bright accessories, shoes and bag, for example. Even "soft" women are confined to their palette. A "soft" to make it look best in muted tones, but also shoes and handbags in turquoise or pink Blush is a part of the "Bright" trend. It's probably better to keep the light elements away from your face, so that the only bear colorful shoes are not enough for you, try jeans or a skirt in color, is beginning with a team that is softer and one or two lighter shades of the same color . "heats" for strong yellow, orange and lime green bear, can "Cools bear" fuchsia pink, light magenta and periwinkle. Fashion trends come and go every year, but that does not mean you have to keep exactly what you see in newspapers and shop windows. Only with a touch of color in the collection you already have in the closet, you can keep updated without spending a fortune or change your appearance completely.