Guest Post: Tips from Westfield London, stylist Anna Moore
A
recent magazine interview with supermodel and style icon Kate Moss
revealed her views on the way British women dress in the summer months.
Referring to her opinion that we have a tendency to show too much flesh
in the summer and should cover up, she said: “It’s not our natural
thing, no. So it’s “put it away!” Considering that Towie’s Gemma Collins
was this week spotted in Marbella wearing an unflattering swimsuit
which was far too small for her curvy frame, maybe it’s time to take
note of Kate’s advice and stop committing major summer style faux pas.
With this in mind Westfield Stylist Anna Moore has put together a list
of the top 10 summer fashion crimes (often committed by celebrities), to
keep us in check and make sure our wardrobes are ready for whenever the
British summer does decide to show its face.
Don’t show too much flesh
It’s
very tempting to want to strip down to your bare minimals and get as
much sun as possible, but be careful not over do it. In this case less
is definitely not more and rather than going for the micro shorts or
crop top, go for light breathable fabrics that are flattering for your
shape. If you do want to show a bit more flesh then a a cute playsuit
will keep you chic and classy.
Don’t do UGGS in the sun
There’s
nothing worse than wearing UGG boots in the blazing hot sun. It’s fair
to say that the British weather is unpredictable but you’re more likely
to need a pair of wellies than sheepskin boots. Celebrities like Pamela
Anderson, Jordan and Chantelle Houghton have all been seen making this
faux pas – don’t follow in their footsteps.
Don’t forget to have a pedicure
For
most of the winter your feet are hidden away in your winter boots and
have had no love, so it’s not surprising that when you put on your
sandals for the first time, your feet may not be looking their best.
Care should be taken year round to ensure your feet are in tip top
condition by the summer, so getting a pedicure before you flash your
toes is an absolute must. If visiting a salon is not within your budget
then make time to do it yourself, in the comfort of your own home.
Invest in some bright, bold summery nail varnish and a pedicure grooming
kit to make sure your feet are as glam as the rest of you.
Don’t do the VPL
The
VPL (visible pantie line) is a frequent fashion crime, especially
during the summer. This is usually because people wear extremely tight
clothes or the wrong underwear. Westfield London
stylist Anna Moore says ‘Black underwear under a white summer dress is
the most common VPL faux pax people make. You assume that if you wear
dark underwear no one will see it, but this actually gives the opposite
effect.’ Go for skin coloured or nude underwear to blend in with your
summer wardrobe and avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, as your
knicker line will be the first thing people see.
Don’t forget supportive underwear
Wearing
supportive underwear should never be a sacrifice to what you wear.
Summer clothes are more likely to have thin spaghetti straps, halter
necks or be completely strapless deterring you from wearing a bra.
Unless you really don’t need one, invest in a supportive strapless bra
that you can wear with summer dresses and tank tops comfortably.
Don’t do the ‘unflattering swimwear’
Believe
it or not, wearing any swimsuit or bikini that’s too small can actually
make you look bigger than you are. Celebrities like Gemma Collins from
Towie, Big Brother’s Josie Gibson and glamour model Katie Price have all
been known to squeeze into unflattering swimwear which is never a good
look. Your body shape may change year to year due to weight loss or
gain, or pregnancy, so be sure to invest in swimwear that fits you and
accentuates your assets rather than highlight your flaws. If you are not
body confident enough to be seen in swimwear then invest in a beach
dress, sarong, jumpsuit of kaftan to hide areas you’d rather not show.
Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit
It’s
always a wonderful feeling to get your summer clothes out of storage
but make sure that whatever goes back in your wardrobe still fits. You
may sometimes be tempted to hold onto clothes you don’t wear anymore or
worse still, try and squeeze into them. The denim shorts that once
fitted like a glove, that you had for years may now be snug, so it’s
always a good idea to invest in a few key pieces you wear often. When it
comes to women’s fashion, there
are always new summer trends that come in which may be perfect for your
style and shape, so it’s useful to update your wardrobe every summer to
keep in the loop of seasonal style.
Don’t forget to wax!
We've
all done it - missed that overdue session due to busy schedules and not
needing to as much in the winter. Hair removal up keep is an absolute
must, especially in the summer as there's nothing worse than unwanted
hair poking through your summer outfit. Bikini waxes and leg waxes are
just as important as each other and don't forget under the arms! Some
people may not be able to handle the pain of waxing or may even be
allergic, but there are other hair removal options such as shaving,
threading or laser treatment.
Don’t overdo the fake tan
The
tendency to go a bit mad with the spray tan bottle as soon as we hear
the word ‘summer’ is very tantalizing but can get you into trouble if
you’re not careful. Instead of trying to go for the darkest colour
possible, consider your natural skin tone, eye colour and make up to
determine what the most natural tone would be for you. If you are going
to do it yourself avoid going for the all over streaky look by wearing a
tanning mitt, which will give you a more even colour.
Don’t overdo the beach make-up
Wearing
make up on the beach isn’t probably best for your skin but if still you
feel you need it, go for a light base, waterproof mascara and lots of
sun block. If you would rather not be seen without make up, there are
other ways to conceal your face. Westfield’s Anna Moore says ‘large
floppy hats and bright shades are a great way to look stylish on the
beach, but also to protect your eyes and skin with sunglasses and factor
50.
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