10 Steps to Look Good in your Suit*

02nd September 2019

When it comes to buying a suit it’s important to find one that not only fits the occasion you will be going to, but also looks good on you. There are a number of things to consider, to make sure you look great in your suit rather than a crumpled mess.

You need to consider the fit, the style and never buy a suit off the rack without trying it on first. You also need to make sure you have all the right accessories which go with the suit and also go together. You don’t want the wrong coloured shoes or a bad tie to spoil your overall look.

Here are 10 steps to help you look good in your suit:

Think about patterns

Don’t go for a plain solid suit if you want to stand out from the crowd. Think about patterns such as a light pin stripe where the stripes are in a pale blue rather than white, to create a more subtle and interesting look. You can match your shirt to the colour in the stripes, and pick out the colours with your tie and pocket square, making this suit very versatile. So don’t be afraid to go for patterns.

Think single vs double-breasted

Choose the right suit style for your build. A double-breasted suit can make you look bulky and large so if you have a slim frame this might work well to add some bulk. On the other hand a very slim fitted single-breasted suit won’t work on someone with a strong, muscular frame or larger build so consider your body shape when choosing which style will make you look good.

Look at the suit quality

A cheap suit will never make you look good no matter how carefully you choose your accessories so always check the way your suit has been made. Is it all hand-stitched or have any of the elements been glued as these are likely to come apart. Check for loose buttons, loose threads and ill-fitting seams. You want your suit to be high quality before you even put it on.

Choose the right fabric

Just as a badly stitched suit will look cheap, so will a poorly chosen fabric. You want to make sure your suit is made of a high quality fabric which drapes well and doesn’t crease, such as a nice quality wool, which helps to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Think about your shirt choice

To look good in your suit make sure you have a really good dress shirt choice. Nowadays you are not limited to plain colours there are plenty of patterns and styles to choose from including stripes, checks and floral options to wear.

Choose your tie

You can pick out your tie colour from your shirt pattern to create a clean and put together look which can be incredibly smart for business or for a formal event such as a wedding reception. The most important tip is to make sure your tie and shirt don’t clash.

Think about trouser length

Check that your trousers are sitting just over your shoes, covering your socks. This is the ideal length for suit trousers to look good. You don’t want your socks showing and you don’t want to be tripping over them if they are too long.

Keep your suit clean

Invest in a suit brush and make sure you brush down your suit after every use, and hang it up properly to help it to last and stay fresh. You should only get it cleaned a few times per year as the harsh chemicals will damage the fabric if carried out too often.

Check your jacket length

You want the bottom of your jacket to line up with the tips of your fingers when your arms are loose by your sides. If the jacket is longer than this you might need a shorter option, whereas if your arms are hanging way past the bottom of the jacket you need a longer version.

Make sure your sleeves are long enough

When it comes to your jacket sleeves they should end at the wrist joint so a small element of your shirt can be seen underneath the jacket. If you can see too much shirt cuff then you need to have longer sleeves, whereas if the jacket is covering your hands the sleeves need to be taken up.

These top 10 tips will ensure you are looking your best when it comes to wearing your new suit whether it’s for a wedding reception, a business event or just out for casual drinks with friends you will be looking sharp and well-dressed for every occasion.

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Autumn Inspiration with PLT [ad]

29th August 2019

It’s the middle of the hottest August bank holiday on record as I sit down to write this post, and the thought of Autumn couldn’t feel further away. Sadly though, this blast of sunshine is probably the last hurrah of Summer and it’s time for the retailers to start showing off their Autumn/Winter collections- and current sweaty status aside, I’m loving it.

PrettyLittleThing recently let me pick out some items from their collection to kick start my new season wardrobe. I’ve worked with the brand before and was super flattered to be asked back for another collaboration and I’m super happy with the pieces I picked out.

This denim utility jumpsuit* was a last minute decision when I picked out my selection. On the website it is show dressed up with some heels and great accessories, but I saw potential in it to make it more casual. I still didn’t expect to love it just as much as I do…It’s so ridiculously comfy and whilst I’m enjoying finding the perfect parter for my Puma X Hello Kitty trainers I’m safe in the knowledge I can dress this up for a drinks date too.

I automatically associate floral dresses with the Spring and Summer months but this navy floral long sleeve pleated midi dress* with it’s darker colour scheme and midi length just screamed Autumn to me. This dress is going to be my go-to for slightly smarter social occasions over the next few months- it’s a little low cut on me so I need to find a cream camisole or something to pop underneath, but I adore this and it’s swishy pleated skirt.

This is probably my favourite outfit of the three and the most typical of what I wear on a day-to-day basis out of work. It was an absolute nightmare to photograph though so you don’t get to see the full glory sadly…but you kind of get the idea!
I’ve wanted a floaty midi skirt for ages and this black leopard print* one ticked all of the right boxes. Teamed with the ultimate oversized sweater* in black and these rather gorgeous black croc zip back ankle boots* and this is my ideal Saturday pottering about town outfit.

What do you think of my picks? And what styles are you looking to sport in the coming months?

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Stepping in to Autumn with Rydale*

26th August 2019

If there is one thing that has been consistent over my years of blogging then it’s my love of ankle boots. I wear them pretty much all year round and they are often the top of my wish list despite owning numerous pairs.

I was recently very kindly gifted a new pair from Rydale (this pair to be precise), a British brand founded on the love of the great outdoors.

These boots are everything my collection has been missing; Chelsea boot style, suede, the perfect autumnal colours and hands down the comfiest pair of shoes I have owned in a long time. I’ve been sporting them recently with little floaty dresses, but as we rapidly approach the cooler months of th year I can’t wait to team them with skinny denim and chunky knits.

At £60 I think these are an absolute steal- they are so high quality you just know they’re going to last. This particular style comes in two other colour ways too, and there are plenty more beautiful boots (and a whole lot more) on the Rydale website.

This is one pair of boots that certainly were made for walking, and I can’t wait to put them through their paces.

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I think I’ve forgotten how to blog.

23rd August 2019

You may recognise this dress from a previous wish list post…and lucky me, my Mum treated me to it (FYI, it’s on sale for just £20 now!)

I knew instantly that I wanted to photograph it for the blog, getting back in to outfit photos on a regular basis is something that has been on my agenda for a long time, but quite honestly, I think I have forgotten how to do it!

Whereas once posing for photos came pretty naturally, now I do it so infrequently that I just do not know what to do with myself and I find myself feeling incredibly self conscious even thought it’s just Bob and I (with the occasional interruption from Pablo).

Practice makes perfect though right? I really do need to make more of an effort to keep this up. There’s so many things I want to do with the blog, but it seems like I’ve lacked the get up and go to do them. I used to take such pride in keeping this place up to date and looking good, but then I fell in to the “I’m not good enough” slump and it just never happened.

I’m slowly starting to shift that attitude though, not just in terms of blogging, but in life in general. I’ve let insecurity get in my way for as long as I can remember, but finally, at the age of 32 I realise enough is enough.

That being said, if any one has any ideas for the blog, for how to pose for photos, or for how to stop giving a shit about what other people may or may not be thinking then I would be most grateful because I don’t have a whole lot of faith in my own ideas.

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Should I Get a Credit Card? | How Credit Cards Can Help*

22nd August 2019

Credit cards; everyone seems to have a different opinion on whether or not you should get one. Stories of extreme debt and money-loss can often come to mind when thinking of a credit card, which can scare people off. The truth is though, that credit cards can actually be extremely helpful when used well.

When used efficiently credit cards can be a powerful tool that can help you in the financial world. It can help you to build your credit score, spread the cost of purchases, and also budget well. I’ve teamed up with cashasap.co.uk, experts in short term loans to teach you how to use a credit card well. Read this guide to help you decide if a credit card is right for you.

How to Use a Credit Card Well

Build Credit History

Having a credit card can help you build your credit history. A good credit history is important to have as it is what helps you to secure loans in the future, including securing a mortgage. Although not needing to borrow any money is great, it does mean that you won’t have any credit history for lenders to decide if you are a reliable borrower. For this reason it is important that you build up a credit history in advance of needing it, so when you need some form of a loan lenders will be able to approve you.

If you want to use a credit card to improve your rating, you should use it little and often. This means only purchase lower price items often that you will be able to pay off at the end of the month. This is better for your credit rating than using it for big purchases you will not be able to pay off for a few months. Credit reference agencies also recommend keeping below a certain percentage of your credit limit to ensure you have the best impact upon your credit rating.

You should aim to pay back your credit in full each month to avoid interest. To make things easier, you can even set up a direct debit payment that will automatically pay off the full amount every month. It takes time to build up credit history, so the sooner you start the better.

Buy Securely

Using a credit card can help you to protect any important purchases you make. If you buy something online, for example, and it either doesn’t arrive or arrives damaged, then your credit company is also responsible for getting the money back, depending on the price of the purchase. This means that if something goes wrong in your purchase, you can let your credit provider know and they are responsible for getting the money back.

Anything between the price of £20-30,000 bought on your credit card is covered by the law. This means you can charge higher ticket items to your credit card and then paying it back once the item or service is delivered.

There are many in which having a credit card can be extremely beneficial. It is important to remember if you do get one to use it wisely and ensure you don’t end up in any financial strain! It can improve your credit history if used well, but can also harm it if not. Evidently you just have to look at the facts and decide if you think a credit card is right for you.