Notes on Styling | 42 | This way or that?

Style Design is taking one item and building a look so that it feels like you - (also, SO MANY Yummy new Spring clothes coming)!

Hello there,

We are at that part of the year where there are so many nice things coming into the shops, I get myself all in a panic about all the things I want to share and what to focus on.

Click through to see all items linked on my Styling Boards.

I also know the spirit of this little place is to give clothes and items more meaning by showing how one piece can be interpreted in many ways once you have a clear picture of how your style looks and feels to you.

What colour direction do you want to take it?

What silhouettes and styles will flow around the piece so that it works for you?

Most importantly what visual your Style Elements and Style Words have created for you so you know how you want the outfit to feel.

These are all YOUR little things that makeup what a great outfit will be for you. Getting dressed with confidence (and buying) is then a gradual build-up of that connection with YOUR things.

So, in the spirit of calming my Wood element down this week (do a million things at once part of me, share everything now part of me and the cannot focus on one thing part of me) and in the spirit of slowly coming out of Winter, I thought I’d have some fun styling this gorgeous little MINT VELVET TEXTURED JACKET, which has been on my mind since it popped up in my inbox.

It isn’t for everyone but then isn’t that the literal point? This little jacket will be super for anyone smaller on top and bigger on bottom. It will draw the eye up and add depth and texture to the top half. It could also be tried for anyone who has a bust and tummy or is conscious of them by leaving it open and creating a lovely long column down the middle, with a lighter and slightly longer top beneath. This is a super trick to fooling the eye and creating ‘breaking lines’ that break up the tummy and bust and give you that feeling of comfort you need on your top half.

If you're broad on the shoulders, this jacket is tricky. If you would like to try, go for styling (see ideas below) that has lots of width/ layering/ print on the bottom half to balance out what you have added to the top. And leaving the jacket open will be best.

Then, the question is how does your style see this item going and what words do you want to feel wearing it?

• Do you want to follow a feminine feel with the words girlie, elegant and soft?

• Maybe you want to mix the girlie with the grungy? with the Style Words Soft, Textured but Boyish.

• Or perhaps you want to go all out with double floral that feels creative, unique and free flowing?

Let’s have a play.

Click on the looks to bring you to the Styling Boards where you can click through to all the items featured. I have also added on to each look the Style Elements that feel good for each, which is a nice way to help to build a connection to which styling feels good to you. x

When you look at the styling above, what you will notice is just how much you are drawn to one idea or look over another. This is your style intuition and instincts right there.

Style Design is the process of breaking down your Style into it’s parts so that buying becomes more intuitive and dressing feels creative for you again. One item at a time, a feeling is created, a look built. Each time you add the next thing you will feel as if it is taking you away from your Design or moving you closer towards it. Your elements + words tell you when enough is enough, stop adding or add more! + and - until you feel all the things you want to feel are smiling back at you within the look.

P.S. Mint Velvet are doing good things lately. They are a brand that knows their customer. Their clothes have the words ‘soft’ ‘feminine’ ‘light’ ‘elegant’ as their through lines. I have had clients with Mint Velvet as one of their go-to brands, with any/ all of those style words in their mix.

But what I’ve loved lately is they seem to be attracting other Style Words too. I’ve been gravitating towards Mint Velvet for effortless pieces, oversized pieces and nice quality takes on more expensive designer items (the Toteme Embroidered Scarf Jacket). I confess to buying both the long line and shorter take they on this coat, both sadly out of stock now.

Would love to know if you liked this post and if you like learning about the 5 Style Design Elements in this way. Comments are always open and you can always email me at hi@juliecobbe.ie

See you soon,

Julie x