Archive for February, 2008

Here, our stylist, Sarah Gilfillan, continues the low down on how to achieve that smart-but-effortlessly-casual look for after work, events and dates!Jumpers and Cardigans:
Fine knit sweaters: don’t wear these if you have a bit of a paunch or man boobs as they cling to every curve!V-necks will elongate your face if it’s a little on the round side and your neck if it’s a little on the short side!Crew necks suit slim guys. Wear them with a T-shirt underneath. Make sure your T-shirt is fairly fitted or you will get a “skirt” effect where it comes out the bottom of your jumper.Shirts:
Shirts should have a soft collar and be slightly shaped but not skin tight. Choose a style that looks good without a tie. Don’t wear a work shirt with a stiff, formal collar.Jackets:
There’s no need to wear a blazer with this look! “Harrington” style jackets can look great, and bombers suit the younger and leaner guy.But, for the safest, yet coolest look, I would stick to a pea-coat: it’s perfect to wear with jeans, or smart trousers, and can even go over a suit too. Or, a cotton trench-style jacket can work well. Epaulettes are great if you have narrow shoulders as they will broaden them.Shoes: 
Shoes with a moulded sole bridge the gap between a shoe and a trainer. Match the colour to your trousers to elongate your legs. To make your legs look even longer, make sure your belt is the same colour as your trousers and not your top.“Smart” trainers also work well – check out Gucci, Prada and Paul Smith – and they look great with jeans or smarter trousers.One other thing guys, please…don’t wear shoes with combat trousers!T-shirts and tops:
Wear your t-shirts plain and fairly fitted, for the smartest look. Don’t go skin tight though, especially if you have man boobs, and make sure it’s long enough to cover a bit of a tummy if you have one, without being voluminous and sacklike!Polo shirts look younger with a crew neck t-shirt underneath. They can be good for those who have lost sight of their six pack, as it brings the eye upwards and away from the problem area!Accessories:
Accessories will make all the difference to this look.Belts: choose a belt that’s sleeker than a chunky jeans belt, but not as formal as a suit belt,  perhaps a leather one with stitching detail.Bags: opt for a bag that is less sporty than a rucksack and but not as formal as a briefcase.

Here, our stylist, Sarah Gilfillan, has the low down on how to achieve that smart-but-effortlessly-casual look for after work, gigs, events and dates!Nearly all the men we’ve taken shopping struggle with this area – they can do smart work clothes and they can do casual weekend wear, but in-between seems to baffle them!It’s not so hard really, but you do still need to look as if you’ve made an effort - it’s not a case of not bothering and looking scruffy.It’s also not about mixing something very smart with something very casual. The aim is to make your outfit look balanced – so don’t wear a big, baggy casual T-shirt with a pair of smart suit trousers. Instead, opt for a more fitted, sleek T-shirt and a pair of flat-front trousers in a cotton fabric. The style of the trousers is still smart, but the fabric makes them more casual – you could also try moleskin or needlecord trousers.If you need to look smarter, you could add a suit-style jacket to the outfit.Add a floral print shirt (best to keep it a small to medium print) and it becomes a fun, going out outfit.What not to wear: the “Alan Partridge” sports/casual look, evoking images of a middle-aged man in slacks and a “sports jacket” playing golf. Also avoid the very “preppy look”, complete with pleat-front chinos, button-down shirt and double- breasted blazer with gold buttons!Shops that are good for the Smart/Casual look:     Joseph     Nicole Farhi     Nigel Hall     Reiss     French Connection     Paul Smith     Filippa K     DKNY

Finding your perfect wedding dress can be one of the most joyful occasions of your life, so follow our Wedding Dress tips to ensure you look AMAZING on your wedding day! Every week this month we will show you a different element of making the right choice for your special day!Location: Before you even think about the dress, consider your wedding’s location. Are you getting married in a church or on a beach? In a registry office or in a marquee in a garden?Also, what time of year will you be getting married? Summer or winter? All of these things will help to determine what kind of dress you should choose.

If you’re going to have a beach wedding, then a chiffon, strapless number will suit, but if it’s a December day in a country church, then a heavier fabric will help to ward off the chills.

Finding your perfect wedding dress can be one of the most joyful occasions of your life, so follow our Wedding Dress tips to ensure you look AMAZING on your wedding day! Every week this month we will show you a different element of making the right choice for your special day!Shape: Yes, you might be hankering after that Cinderella-style meringue affair with the pink bows, but will it really flatter your figure? Wedding magazines are great for gathering ideas, however nothing beats actually trying the dresses on.Book yourself several appointments with some smaller wedding dress boutiques as well as some of the larger chains, and try on as many shapes and styles as you can. You may be surprised to find that the styles you thought would be terrible on you are actually perfect for your bodyshape! Follow our styling tips to find the most flattering shape for you …     Curvy: Empire lines are great for you as they will lift your bust and skim over your tummy and hips. Look for styles with slightly A-line shaped skirts and heavier fabrics that will give structure to your shape. Full skirts will also hide bigger bottoms and a fitted bodice will pull in your tum.     Petite: Halter necks are good for you as they will play up your bust area. Try to avoid a very full skirt as this will make your legs look short. Instead, go for a slimmer, straighter skirt and a fitted bodice as this will lengthen your body and make you look taller.     Hate Your Arms: Team your dress with a matching bolero or shrug, or look for dresses that have slim-fitting chiffon sleeves to skim over your arms.     Tall and Thin: Strapless, fitted bodies teamed with fuller skirts will make the most of your slim torso, add curves to your waist and hips, and balance out your bodyshape. If you feel that your collarbone protrudes too much, then consider a style that falls just off of the shoulders. Skirts that have a bustle will add shape and curves to your behind.     Big Bust: A long fitted bodice will draw attention away from your bust. Keep the top half of your dress very plain with minimal detail and wear a sparkly choker necklace to draw the eye to your neck.And finally, whatever shape you eventually choose, look for a classic style that won’t date in wedding photos. Our Personal Shopping Experience could help you to look more fabulous than you ever thought possible on your wedding day. Call us on 0845 045 0858 or email us at info@theglassslipper.co.uk to discuss your unique requirements.