Let’s now take some tips from a Helen Katharine Pettigrew, which is a Barcelona based Creative Director and Fashion Stylist.
Helen, would you please share with us some pro tips for feeling effortlessly sophisticated and stylish every day?
Of course. Most of us don’t have much time to spend getting ready every day. Hectic lifestyles and city living can also interfere with our clothes choices, but with a few simple guidelines you can feel effortlessly comfortable and chic, no matter what your plans are for the day, or how short on time you are.
For instance, how to pick dresses for every day?
Dresses are easily the most effortless pieces in any wardrobe. Not only do they require fewer decisions to be made as they can be simply combined with shoes to create a full outfit, but they are probably also the most versatile. Wear them with flat sandals in summer for walking the city, strappy heels for a terrace party, or ankle boots for the office and they will never look out of place, no matter the occasion or comfort level required. Slip dresses are having a revival right now, and while they will always look timeless, they will still be a highly sought-after style item well into 2021. Teamed with a t-shirt or demin jacket for daytime, or a sparkly drop earing for night, a slip or satin midi, is a piece that guarantees a lot of wear. Often thought of as overly feminine, most long dresses and maxi skirts can in fact be used to easily create long slimming lines, and are adaptable enough to be teamed with turtle neck jumpers, flat boots, or an oversized blazer or leather jacket for a warmer or more androgynous take.
Tell us, please, about the craft of layering.
Virtually any outfit can look chic with a long wool coat or trench thrown on top. As the colder months creep in, a wrap coat in any neutral colour, will look elegant with even the most casual jeans and white t-shirt combo. Combine this with several fine gold necklaces, a few stacked rings, and a trilby hat to complete the layering look.
What about accessories?
Accessories as wearable art. Silk scarves are one on the most versatile and beautiful accessories anyone can wear. Whether vintage or from the high street, a scarf brings a colourful accent that can be worn in so many ways. Creating the impression that you put thought into your outfit, a scarf in the hair, tied as a neck scarf, as a belt, a bandana, or wrapped around the straps of your handbag is a look that will never date.
What else would you recommend us?
Create a capsule. Invest in 10 /15 pieces that will always make you feel polished and well dressed. These items can be mixed and matched to create evening looks, while always making you feel comfortable. Choosing neutral colours in white, beige, dark blue, black and tan, will mean that all the items will always mix well together, and serve as the perfect base for layering colourful jewellery, a bright scarf, or a printed heel, should you want. Curated in tones to suit your skin tone, a capsule wardrobe should include the following pieces:
- A white shirt or white silk top
- A lightweight beige or cream belted trench
- A white, tan, brown or black leather handbag
- A long camel coat
- A well-fitting black dress
- A structured blazer
- A figure flattering maxi summer dress
- A classic watch with leather strap or in gold or silver.
- Gold stud, hoop, or pearl earrings.
- White leather sneakers.
- A leather jacket in black or tan.
- Flattering straight or slim cut jeans in a dark or bright blue.
- A silk print scarf.
- Black or tan leather ankle boots.
- Some oversized glamourous sunglasses.
What happens with pattern?
Just play with it! Once you have these basics, and are comfortable with mixing them, try swapping out any conventional capsule item with a more edgy piece, or add in a pattern. By doing so, you are still guaranteed to look stylish, but you can bring more colour or personality to your look. The easiest way to do this is to use the swap system! For example, instead of the white silk top opt for a soft pink tone. Likewise, rather than choosing your every occasion beige trench, try a denim or classic animal print version for the perfect spring summer wardrobe uplift. Lastly, rather than reaching for your go to black leather handbag, enhance an otherwise neutral outfit with a deep burgundy leather bag, or try a bright blue clutch or pink snakeskin for a statement look.
By following these simple tips in your daily wardrobe planning, you can very soon start to feel the most stylish version of yourself!
Follow Helen on Instagram: @helen_katharine_styling /// www.helenkatharine.com
Photographer: Kenneth Svendlund, https://kennethsvendlund.com/
Hair stylist: Vladimir Blagojevic // Instagram: @vjokeres
Model: Valentina // Instagram: @thechickensalad.tcs
