It’s New Year’s Resolution time again! But what happens when we ask ourselves to do the impossible?

Would a baker give up bread? Would a secretary give up typing? Would a cyclist swear off lycra?? Surely not.

I’m a Personal Stylist. So what on earth was I thinking when I gave up SHOPPING?

'The Project - Killer Fashion' story

Why would I do this? I’m so glad you asked.

I Met An Eco-Designer

I met an eco-designer who opened my eyes to the dirty underbelly of the fashion world. For me it was a shocking and shifting moment.

About 93% of the garments sold in Australia are made by women who don’t get paid a living wage. Worse still, they’re worked so hard they’ll probably die making them. We wear those clothes once, maybe twice. Stick a pic up on insta and then throw them away. 84% of the new textiles we buy each year go into landfill.

This industry that has the capacity to build confidence, celebrate diversity and challenge the status quo is killing the very people who create it.

The cost is far too high for a $5 t-shirt.

The Cost Of a $5 t-shirt

So I had to stop shopping. I couldn’t continue supporting the mistreatment of women all over the world. I needed time to figure out my space in this community. My language. My intent.

Now I would be what some may call a ‘shopaholic’ buying something new at least once a week. Shopping was my superpower!

My commitment was to stop shopping for an entire year. The first few months were freakin’ horrible! My poor little brain was terribly confused about going to the shops and coming home empty handed.

I started listening to the voices in my head and noticed they had some key phrases on loop.

The word SALE seemed to have an immediate impact on my brain. The voice in my head never read that word quietly. It always screamed ‘SAAAAAAAAALE!!!!’ Then my feet would start walking towards the sale table before I’d even given them permission to change direction. The screaming of the sale word was feverishly followed by the words ‘HURRY! BEFORE THEY’RE ALL GONE!!’

It seemed that the item on sale was inconsequential. In fact, this scenario would play out whether I could see the article for sale or not. And that is why all the sale signs are at the front of the shop. They are the bait. We are the prey.

But my challenges didn’t only exist at the shopping centres. There was a minefield to get through at home too.

Every time there was an event, meeting, television appearance or stage show my brain told me the craziest things. About 2 seconds after the initial excitement wore off, the very next thought was – ‘What am I going to wear?’ followed swiftly by, ‘I don’t have anything to wear!’

It’s the panic that you can feel wash from the tip of your toes to the top of your head.

In that moment I was absolutely convinced that there was nothing in my wardrobe suitable. The voice in my head told me very clearly that I must have something new. Alternatively, the event would be a disaster.

' Nothing To Wear '

After experiencing this feeling time and time again I decided to count the items in my wardrobe. 81 dresses. 18 skirts. 63 tops. That means even if I just wore a different skirt with a different top every day I’d have 1,134 Different Outfits! That’s enough for a different outfit every day for more than 3 Years!

There was definitely quantity in my wardrobe, but very little quality. You see, when your addiction is shopping you care more about getting stuff than getting good stuff. One of the hardest things to do all year was continuously wear the array of poor quality, ill-fitting garments I had in my wardrobe. When you’re constantly buying new things the joy comes from wearing something new and shiny. It doesn’t matter if it’s uncomfortable because you’ll replace it with something else next week.

It’s this throw away mentality that sees the fashion industry where it is.

All year long I’ve still conducted shopping sessions with my clients. I’ve spent the year sharing with them everything I’ve learnt about shopping addiction, and how and where to shop with a clear conscience.

I teach my clients to ‘buy less and wear more’. We talk about quality over quantity, creating a signature style and building capsule wardrobes that are stylish and functional.

I’ve even refused to shop with some clients whose wardrobes are overflowing. Instead we’ve sorted out the clothes they have and identified tons of new outfits they just hadn’t put together yet. We’ve turned the wardrobe they have into their own mini boutique.

I soon realised so many of us are oblivious to where our clothes are made and the impact on people and the planet. So I needed to go one step further. I truly believe that if we knew that our purchases were hurting people we would choose differently. So I petitioned the Australian Federal Government for compulsory ethical labeling on every fashion article sold in this country. A visual indicator of the level of harm the making of the item had on people, animals and the planet. A way to give the consumer the right to choose.

The petition was accepted. My Federal MP will present it into Parliament early in 2018. It will go into Hansard and be on national record that people in this country care about who makes their clothes.

There’s only two more days left in my year of no shopping. But there’s still such a long way to go for the fashion industry.

In many ways the last few weeks have been the hardest. But I know this. Now I rule my shopping addiction, it doesn’t rule me. I can’t shop the way I used to and I never will again.

My new wardrobe will be purposeful. It will have fewer clothes. Better clothes. Ethically made clothes. I will think more about my personal brand than my need for stuff. I will think more about the person who made my clothes. Their life making fashion should be as glamorous and delightful as my life wearing it.

We've all had those mornings when it just takes too long to get ready. It's frustrating and time wasting and sometimes can even set the tone for the rest of the day.

It may be because of your overcrowded wardrobe, clothes that don't fit well or you may just be struggling to put something together you love.

Getting dressed shouldn't pose such a problem and with some thoughtful tweaks to your wardrobe you can do away with hectic mornings like these all together.

Not having a clear understanding of your signature style is certainly going to mean your wardrobe will be cluttered with things you don't wear and don't love. My golden rule on clothes is that you should love everything you see. Clearing out those 'hurt your feelings' clothes will go a long way towards being much more organised.

Then you can implement these easy and effective systems to ensure your mornings are stylish and delightful. And maybe even squeeze in one more coffee (and a healthy breakfast) before heading out the door.

Step 1

Matching coat hangers. One of my favourite things in the whole wide world! Don't skimp on your hangers. The clothes you love with thank you for them and every time you head into your wardrobe it will be like looking in a boutique. It also makes you look like a cool grown up who's got their sh*t together.

Step 2

Colour code your garments from light to dark from left to right. This will make finding, choosing and styling your outfits so much easier. For a really stylish wardrobe you can even sort them from short sleeves to long sleeves.

Step 3

Have mixed rack lengths for skirts and shirts and full length for long dresses and coats.

Step 4

Keep your clothings labels facing the same way. This is another trick to keeping your wardrobe looking like a beautiful boutique. It's also super suprising how much easier it is to find what you're looking for.

Step 5

When stacking folded clothes keep them colour coded with the fold to the front. This makes it easier to keep things neat and tidy, even when taking something from the middle of the pile.

Be intentional about dressing in the morning. Think about your day ahead, who will you be spending your time with, what they need from you, and what you want your signature to be today.

I would dress my clients much differently if they were, let's say, presenting a keynote address vs. coaching a team. They would also present themselves differently if they were appearing in court vs. going to a networking event.

Think about your presence and how you want to represent yourself for your day ahead. If you have a clear vision in mind, that should tell you exactly what to wear.

Use your wardrobe to 'qualify on sight'. People will draw many conclusions from your signature presence and when you're in control of your wardrobe, you're in control of their impression of you.

Getting dressed in the morning in a well structured, systemised wardrobe should feel easy, fun and empowering.

Much Love!

Kirsty x

Spring Racing season is one of those times we just love to hit the shops. A new frock, fascinator, shoes and perhaps even gloves and a bag becon strongly!

Is there a way to have a gorgeous and stylish spring racing season and still be conscious of our fashion choices? Well I'm so glad you asked, and Yes! There sure is.

YOUR OUTFIT

The more we look for good honest labels, the more there are to find.

Here's a breakdown of some of my favourite labels fit for any event or race day:

Designed by Chaynika Sethi and made in Australia this label is for women (and men) with flare. CVS is bold, statement pieces that will ensure you stand out at any event.

Mixed with a statement shoe and unique fascinator, don't apply any rules when styling with CVS - you're supposed to stand out as independantly stylish and feminine.

What I love most about this label is that after race day you can tone down the look with a black heel and laptop bag for the perfect corporate outfit.

Available online and instore at Designspace, Manchester Lane, Melbourne.

Very Very is luxurious and feminine and made right here in Melbourne. Yet it doesn't carry that expensive designer price tag. It's totally affordable and on point fashion.

So many Very Very dresses to pick from, here are just two of my faves for race day. Pictures from Very Very.

From feminine lace, to floaty chiffon and fit and flare dresses, there is really something for everyone at Very Very.

From the classic styling of the Patsy Mas dress in navy blue with the stunning bell sleeve (think Princess Kate in this one) to the off the shoulder, floral, body hugging Hari Swk, I always think 'one of each please' when I'm looking at this label!

Available online and instore at 85 Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds and Shop 3, The Block Arcade282 Collins Street, Melbourne.

What About Renting! More and more I can see the value of renting a beautiful piece for a special event. At a fraction of the cost of purchasing, not only is it worry free, you can wear outfits you otherwise couldn't afford absolutely guilt free!

I love the drama of this red jumpsuit from Glam Corner and it's only a ridiculous $49 to rent!! Oh My Goodness!

And the black Talulah midi dress reminds me of our favourite Jen Hawkins, so I love it by default. All hires come with accidental damage insurance and a prepaid returns bag. Winning!

Photos from Glam Corner

I'm such a fan of how Birdsnest provides beautiful fashion for sizes 8 - 22 and how they help women understand their body shape and style personality. When I sort wardrobes 80% of the clothes I take away are simply the wrong shape. With help from Birdsnest it's so easy to 'buy less and wear more'.

I was chatting with Birdsnest recently about their journey and how they navigate through the sourcing and manufacturing pipeline and discovered that 'Belle Birds' is an Australian made label. Here are four gorgeous looks from Belle Bird that you can style up for a stunning race day.

Photos from Birdsnest

YOUR HAT

While we're already on the rental trail, it is soooooo much cheaper to rent a beautiful head piece than buy one. And, to be perfectly honest, it's just far more practical.

Here's a look at what you can get:

This is brilliant! Join The Volt and not only can you hire at a fraction of the price to buy, but you can also hire out your own designer wardrobe for cash!

I've just chosen a few to show you, but there were plenty more to choose from and I'm guessing they were about one third to a quarter the price of buying new.

Ranging from $69 to $105 each to hire. Pictures from The Volte.

From the girl who's wardrobe takes up the walk-in-robe, the spare bedroom wardrobe AND the entire spare bedroom - I get it - Shiny New Things are addictive! But just like too much sugar, too many drinks and too many donuts, they're not good for us.

I've just whipped upstairs to check out what I'll wear to my racing events this year. Most of you will already know that I'm not shopping for a year - so no new outfit for me. I'm really heavily pondering whether or not that means I can hire something. But I get the feeling that I would be disappointed in myself if I did that after coming so far (it's almost been 10 months now).

So, as you can imagine, most of my wardrobe is now on the floor and I have a little, bitty stress headache. But that's nothing compared to what a garment worker must feel at the end of her 15 hour day with no breaks, no water and no toilet.

I found a couple of things to wear. Gorgeous things I'd forgotten about. I'm styling them in different ways and they feel like new looks anyway.

I will have fun getting dressed on race day, and I will enjoy wearing those pieces I love. Mostly I'll remember the day I had, the people I met and how much my husband loves and adores me, and how he makes every event an adventure.

What will you remember?

Much love

Kirsty xox

Title Picture - CVS Fashions featured front page Community News, styled by me ;-)

We all know that first impressions are important, but do we all know why?

What is it that our brain is doing when we first meet someone and do we have any real control over it? Is it really possible that our appearance carries so much weight?

Research from NYU by Dr. Michael Solomon Ph.D. found that we make 11 critical decisions about people in the first 7 seconds that we meet. These decisions affect how we engage with and even whether or not we would work that person.

Furthermore, once we've made those assessments we will then continue to collect information that supports our original perception - not information to refute it. Even if our first impression is incorrect, we will still revert back to it for a long time to come.

Those 11 critical decisions are:

Education levelEconomic levelPerceived credibility, believability, competence and honestyTrustworthiness Level of sophisticationSex role identificationLevel of successPolitical backgroundReligious backgroundEthnic backgroundSocial/professional/sexual desirability

(Source: Michael Solomon, PhD, Psychologist, Chairman, Marketing Department Graduate School of Business, NYU.)

Creating the right impression for any situation takes some understanding and forethought.

Consider the following:

Does your wardrobe reflect your professional needs and business brand?Is your posture and body language engaging and welcoming?Do you appear confident and knowledgeable on sight?Does your digital footprint support your professional and personal brand?

Here are 5 quick tips to ensure your first impression is your professional advantage:

Think about what your client or customer needs to see from you before you get ready. i.e. don't wear a suit if you're a gym instructor, don't wear open toes shoes to a board meeting. Ensure you're appearance is 'fit for purpose'.Always make eye contact.Shake hands palm-to-palm with equal pressure as the person you're shaking hands with.Speak clearly. Ask questions and listen actively.Keep your digital imprint up to date and use a professional headshot.

There's something even better than improved work relationships and business opportunities that come from creating your indelible first impression. You are the first person that sees you everyday. How we feel about our own appearance heavily impacts our confidence.

When we take time to create our 'best self' in aligment with our professional goals and values we lift our own confidence. When we stand taller and speak clearly, make eye contact and genuinely engage with people we are magnetic. And it feels amazing to look incredible and behave with poise and presence.

Some people refer to it as 'fake it till you make it', but I think it's just enjoying your best self now. And that's what success should be all about.

For more tips on making a power first impression, hit me up at info@kirstymilligan.com.au for a copy of my e-Book Influence On Sight - 25 tips to making a powerful first impression.

Kirsty Milligan

Key Note Speaker / Corporate Image Consultant / Facilitator

0421 661 393 / info@kirstymilligan.com.au

When you walk in a room it is obvious who the leader is. Their presence is palpable. They command the room, inspire and influence us. They make us feel safe.

Executives of business are known by their intrinsic leadership brand. From Richard Branson to Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs their branding has it’s own personality that is congruent with their overall leadership strategy. It is purposeful.

So if being purposeful is part of having a powerful leadership imprint, how do the ‘Forbes 5 Most Powerful People’ stack up? Or as inspirational leaders, are they letting us down?

Let’s rate them based on appearance, body language and digital footprint.

Purely based on the fact that we’ve been subjected to Putin’s bare chest for far too many holiday photo ops, he’s going straight to the bottom of the class for appearance.

Our unconscious bias tells us that being overweight is lazy and self-indulgent, so Trump and Jinping have some work to do on fitness.

Merkel’s standard appearance in boxy suits and the pageboy haircut is unfortunately so uninspiring. Leaving only the Pope in his uniformed regalia appearing to have the upper hand here.

It’s difficult to address appearance without referring to Trump’s hair and tie length, both of which have been analyzed extensively. We would all love both of them to be shortened, along with the sitting term of an American President.

When Merkel rolled her eyes during a conversation with Putin recently she showed public disdain for his number 1 ranking on the Forbes list.

Putin’s own body language comes off as more indignant than inclusive, whilst Trump’s handshake leaves the impression that he is about bringing down any and all who come in contact with him. Both Putin and Trump’s sitting posture shows arrogance, combativeness and sexual posturing.

Jinping has, as expected, well controlled body language, yet quite often crosses his hands in front of his body, a sign of protecting himself. He doesn’t portray the arrogance or combativeness (or sexual posturing for that matter) of Putin or Trump, but his tendency to slouch in his chair reflects disinterest or tiredness.

Once again the Pope seems to come out on top. Hailed as the ‘anti-Trump’ by The New Yorker, his body language is quite understandably open and welcoming. He leans into conversations and carries himself with confidence.

Putin’s twitter account looks like the answer to the dinner table question ‘so, what did you get up to today?’ It’s dry and literal and clearly the work of a social media aid. In stark contrast we all know that, frighteningly at times, Trump commands his own twitter voice. Tweets have been described as inappropriate, insensitive, sexist, idiotic, racially charged, offensive, hypocritical and just blatantly incorrect. None of which are high on the list of preferred leadership qualities.

In stark contrast, Merkel (like Jinping) doesn’t have a twitter account. Instead of adding to the digital volume, Merkel is endeavouring to control it. A fighter for global regulations for the digital world, Merkel is working towards ‘sensible standards’ in security in particular. Sounds like a leadership conversation as opposed to just adding to the noise.

According to Twiplomacy, the Pope (with more than 22 million followers on twitter) is the most influential world leader on the social media network. It’s not surprising that the Pope’s digital footprint is spiritual, uplifting and positive. Regardless of belief systems, I tried to find a negative tweet, one that demeaned or belittled anyone or any place. I couldn’t find any words of condemnation or hate. From a leadership perspective it was on perfectly on brand. There was no mistaking the message, the values or the vision.

When I started this comparison I truly did not expect to see The Pope come out on top of the leadership image challenge. I quickly assumed that any one of the Politicians would rise to the top, even if by default or manufacture.

If not for Merkel’s uninspiring appearance, she may well have been a closer contender for best leadership image, but coming in second will hopefully stop her from rolling her eyes again.

Jinping, Putin and Trump all exude, amongst other things, the presence of arrogance and self-interest. In small doses these traits can be mistaken for gravitas, however over time are seen for what they are and lead to disengagement.

It takes more than just a smart suit to have leadership presence. It’s a total package from appearance to body language, attitude and communication style. The external stuff can be taken care of by a savvy corporate image expert like me. But if the values and behaviours of any leader are not genuinely for the betterment of people and the planet, then no amount of polishing will make that person shiny.

Spring is in the air. It’s time to ditch those 'Hurt Your Feelings' clothes and get the work wardrobe of your dreams in 5 easy steps.

And while you’re doing that, you can dust off your career as well.

STEP 1 – BE RUTHLESS

We only wear about 30% of the clothes in our wardrobes. The rest are waiting for our bone structure to change, our skin tones to mutate or our taste in clothing to do a 180. We throw away everything else in life that doesn’t suit us – food, jobs and partners… Yet we manage to hold onto clothes that don’t work for years and years.

So get tough and get ruthless. You’re about to create the perfect wardrobe so unless you look INCREDIBLE in it – today, it goes.

Create your pile of clothes called – ‘It Stays, It’s Fabulous’.

These are the clothes that you put on ALL the time. They never fail you. They look and feel amazing even on a bad day. These clothes will become the litmus test you measure all other clothes by. Take a good look at their structure, colour and style, there’s a good reason why you love them. Work out what that is so that you can repeat that on future shopping trips.

STEP 2 – REUSE

This will be the - ‘Fix Me And I’ll Be Fabulous Again’ pile.

These dear clothes may just need a nip or tuck to get back to their glory days. If the hem needs to come up, the skirt needs taking in, the sleeves need adjusting or that dress just doesn’t quite sit right then take them off to the tailor. In about one weeks time you’ll have what seems like brand new clothes in your wardrobe.

Now here’s the thing. I paid $70 to have a zipper replaced on a jacket that cost me about $20. Why? Because here in Australia we pay people a living wage to do things. Before I understood about ethical fashion I bought that jacket from an unethical fashion shop (which, btw, is most of them). So expect to pay a little more to breathe new life into a garment and be proud of yourself for paying a little more to do so. You’re looking after your wardrobe, people and the planet.

STEP 3 – REPURPOSE

This is the – ‘I’m Just Not That Into You’ pile.

There is nothing wrong with these clothes at all. They’re very stylish and professional work clothes. They’re just wrong for you. They are in wonderful condition; they may even have a few more years in them, just not with you.

If you take a good look at the structure, colour or style of these clothes they will be slightly, or very much different from your ‘It Stays, It’s Fabulous’ pile. Take note of that and NEVER purchase clothes like this again.

Put them in a garbage bag and take them to an outlet like ‘Ready To Work’. They will use your clothes to help others get back into the workforce.

STEP 4 – RECYCLE

Call this one the – ‘Goodbye, I’m Glad To See You Go’ pile.

The last pile is for all of those clothes that need to go but aren’t fit for someone else’s work wardrobe. They can still be worn, just not on the job. These ones can go to your local goodwill. These might be your old jeans, t-shirts or jumpers that someone else will benefit from.

If you’re not wearing them, somebody else will. Let them go to their new home. Don’t hoard them unnecessarily when someone else needs them more than you do.

STEP 5 – RENEW

Now it’s time to do the fun stuff. Now you get to shop. But don’t leave your shopping up to chance. The last thing you need is to come home with more clothes you’ll never wear or duplicates of what you already have.

Make a list of the things that are missing from completing your perfect wardrobe and just going shopping for those few items.

Take note of those clothes that you love and wear all the time. Be aware of the cut of pants that work best for you, the length of shirt, the sleeve, collar, dress style and colour. Keep within those styles and shapes that suit you best. You’ll still find plenty to choose from.

Remember, a white, collared shirt will never go out of fashion. You will always need black pants and navy is a wardrobe staple.

You can even take your time and look for ethical shopping options.

AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT!

Here are 5 ways to Spring Clean your career.

1. RESUME

It’s important to keep your resume up to date with your latest and greatest career achievements. It doesn’t have to mean that you’re looking for a new job, but it does give you the chance to review how your career is travelling and celebrate the milestones you’ve achieved.

Check your referees too. Are they still relevant? Is there someone who needs to be added? Is there a connection or phone call you need to make?

2. EMAILS

This is one crazy area of your professional life that can totally get out of hand. Being CC’d into emails that you don’t need, spam mail, email novels and somewhere in there things you actually need to do.

Check out apps to clean your inbox like Mailstrom, Unroll.me and Revive Your Inbox. The initial time investment could save you in the long run.

3. YOUR OFFICE

Clear away the clutter, finish the filing and find your desk. Blue and green are great colours to use in your office. They will support calmness, growth and renewed energy.

Be inspired by the things around you. Frame a favourite quote or add pictures of your loved ones. Adding a plant that’s easy to maintain can not only give off oxygen but they eat a lot of toxins too. If your office doesn’t have a view add a picture with visual depth to relieve eyestrain.

4. YOUR JUNK DRAW

This is one of those times you may even want to just up-turn the whole thing and start all over again.

Try getting some draw dividers from somewhere like IKEA or Officeworks to help keep your draw neat and tidy. Freshen up your stationery and keep endeavouring to go paperless.

5. YOUR PURPOSE

So while you’re clearing through some of the rubbish you’ve collected, make sure you haven’t collected a rubbish career. Now every job, even mine, has its ups and downs. We would simply go insane if there was nothing to challenge us.

Take a moment to check if you’re still on a path that is purposeful and meaningful. After all, this is the journey. It’s not a dress rehearsal. This is the show. Make sure you’re playing the part you wanted to audition for.

Years ago when I was travelling the globe on my credit card and local wine I loved buying bargain priced clothes. My girlfriend in London told me about Primark and I had a marvellous time collecting low priced, resonable quality fashion pieces. My Favourite part was when someone back home would say 'ooooh I loooove your jacket!' and I could reply, 'Ohhhh Yes, thank you, I got it in Prague.'

This cutie little white jacket saved me in London. I picked it up at Primark for £14 and it was the only garment I had that could combat the London chill.

It became my Paris Jacket and I wore it everywhere. Taaaa Daaaaa!

Fast forward 8 years (ouch that hurt to count) and we move from sunny, hot Perth to crispy cool Melbs. My winter wardrobe from growing up in Queensland and then moving to Perth was a little thin. Thin in garment density, not quantity of garments of course.

I pulled out old favourite Paris Jacket only to find that the zipper was broken and the lining was torn!

Tears ensued.

So here's my problem. This is the only warm jacket I have. I'm not shopping for one whole year. I could freeze. Literally. Freeze. Freeze is not my colour.

With no other choice at hand, off I went to the whole in the wall, fixed it, dry clean it, sew it lady in my local shopping centre.

I handed her my jacket. She looked at the jacket, looked at me and said without blinking, $70.

IT ONLY COST £14 TO BEGIN WITH!!!!

After all I've experienced this year and after all I know about labour in the fashion industry my brain still said to me 'it would be cheaper to get a new one!'. I had just walked past a $10 shop two doors down!

A whole world of 'NO' in this shop.

I almost walked out of the alterations lady's shop. Then I remember why I was here in the first place. It was time to add another layer of reconditioning to my brain. Yes. It costs $70 to buy a new zipper, get it delivered to the lady, for her to take the broken zipper out, fix all the lining and put the new zipper in. The question isn't why does this cost $70. The question is how did it ever cost £14 in the first place!!

So my Paris Jacket lives on. Now when I wear it I feel good as well as warm. If feel like I've respected the person who made it a little bit more.

Is there something in your wardrobe that could use some tender loving care? Give it some love. Pay the price. You'll be glad you did.

Make no mistake; if you are managing people, everyone is watching you.

If you hold a managerial position you are setting the tone and culture for future leaders of the company.

With the understanding that a leader's priority is to develop more leaders, the example you set is crucial. Employees will take notice of how you appear, behave and communicate and will derive their own leadership habits from their experience of you.

Setting the direction for a highly professional and cohesive corporate image is an action that simply speaks louder than words. Our appearance has the power to make people trust in our capabilities or question our credibility.

Confirmation bias, by definition, is the tendency to interpret new evidence as endorsement of our own existing beliefs. If our appearance and behaviours consistently project an image that is professional and capable we will be received as such. Our teams and colleagues will have an easy time accepting and following our leadership vision and values.

If our behaviours, communication and appearance are inconsistent it will be difficult for our teams to feel stable. As a result, the moods and performance of your team will be as unpredictable as the leadership. Change will be difficult to implement and improvements may even seem disingenuous.

On the off chance that your appearance, behaviours and communication style is poor it's likely that your team will have serious problems with engagement, achieving outcomes and culture. It's been said many times that employees leave managers - they don't leave their jobs.

Today more than ever we need inspirational leadership. People are seeking someone to follow who will make them feel like they are part of something important. Take the time to optimise your appearance. Ensure your professional wardrobe is fit for purpose. Be disciplined about your behaviours and communications. Give your team a leader they can trust and who motivates them on sight. Because, believe me, they are watching. All of the time.

Ethical fashion isn't just hemp pants and bamboo knickers. You don't have to use crystal deodorant or be a vegetarian to look for ethical clothing choices. Not that there's anything wrong with those things. I'm just making mention that it's not all grass skirts and coconut bras.

It's so, so easy to wander into H&M, Target, Zara or Forever New and grab a little thing or two. Fashion stores now days are turning over stock every 10 seconds. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but really, every 10 seconds.

So it can seem impossible to get away from the influence they hold over us.

The answer is a fashion palete cleanser. A fashion sorbet or sorts. Yum.

Here are 5 quick and easy ways to start feeding your fashion frenzy in a more socially conscious way without hurting your feelings at all:

1. DOWNLOAD THE GOOD ON YOU APP

Good On You is an app made right here in Australia. It lists and ranks over 1,200 international labels and gives you the update on how that score in their treatment of people, animals and the planet. It's so handy and easy to use. I have it on my phone and check out every store I step into.

2. FOLLOW GOOD ON YOU ON FB

Let the book of faces do something amazing for you! Let it tell you all about which stores are great and which ones need to do better. I would never have guessed that ADIDAS is becoming one of the good ones! Find out how your favourite stores rate.

3. GET ANTI-SOCIAL

If you follow any fashion labels, boutiques or stores who aren't operating in an ethical or sustainable way, just don't follow them. You don't have to do anything else for now. Just quietly look away while they're killing people, animals and the planet.

4. FILL YOUR FEED WITH NEW FASHION

There are so many boutique labels in everything from underwear to activewear and corporatewear that are ethical and sustainable. They enjoy being transparent and ensuring people are paid a living wage to make our clothes. You'll find them on Good On You, in the app and in their posts. Follow those labels, engage with them, check out their stuff, let them know you appreciate their extra efforts.

5. TELL YOUR FRIENDS

We are the change makers, the doers, the fixers. As consumers and customers we get to say what we will accept. We get to ask for a better industry. An industry that is against child slavery and unethical standards. We get to fix the industry we broke. Don't be afraid to talk to your friends about how they feel about the state of the fashion industry. What do you want to see change? What would you do to make that change?

It's easier than you think to be conscious on a global scale. Start small. Be kind. We'll get there together.

Many of us would like to ignore what we've heard about first impressions and be comfortable in the knowledge that people don't judge and our work in the future will speak for itself.

The problem with that thinking is it doesn't recognise the basic functionality of our brains.

So let's look at how the brain works and why first impressions, and indeed ongoing impressions can make or break our business, our pleasure and our ability to be successful in both.

Our brains are receiving so many 'bits' of information each second that we would just explode if we had to respond to them all. And there simply isn't time to. So how do we avoid becoming completely overwhelmed by the onslaught of colours, shapes, textures, sounds, smells and internal thoughts?

Well the answer is quite DIPI.

Our brain categorises things into what's critical and what's not. We prioritise by what's Dangerous, Interesting, Pleasurable and Important - DIPI. That's why in a room full of noise you'll still hear someone call your name, it's recognised as 'Important'.

What's interesting is anything that doesn't fit into DIPI won't draw our attention. So in any given situation there'll be parts that we don't really think about and therefore won't react to.

Now let's just quickly say that none of us are considering looking Dangerous to draw attention. Needless to say, that sends a negative message, not a positive one. Our instinct is to move away from danger, not to make a relationship with it, business or otherwise.

When you're networking or in group meetings have you noticed that the people receiving the most attention are the ones perceived as Interesting, Pleasurable and Important? Leaders who are interesting i.e. know things we don't; pleasurable i.e. we feel inspired being around them and Important i.e. who stand out from the crowd as influencers, draw our attention whilst the others we don't really think about and therefore don't react to.

As a professional in business, and even in your personal life if you're not considering how your visual image is capturing attention from our busy, busy brains then you may just end up being the one we don't really think about and therefore don't react to.

Remember, the goal is to stand out for the right reasons, not just stand out in a room. Bright colours, flashy clothes and styles that don't fit with your brand personality or business image won't bring people to you. They're more likely to be seen as a Danger because they don't fit in with our regular concepts.

Dress with a sense of influence, authority and approachability that is conducive to your service offerings and business branding. Then you can stop chasing new clients, hold your space and they will come to you.

This is Lilly. She's my little girl. She has heard my heart beat from the inside.

My soul's desire is to raise her in a way that she knows she can do, be and have whatever she sets her mind to. Her will, passion and desire can and will make all of her dreams come true. Whatever they are. She will choose her path based on her true purpose. I will do everything in my power to lift her, support her and champion her. Even when it's uncomfortable, even when I disagree with her, even when I don't understand her. She will know that I am on her side. That I have her back. That her safe place in the world is me. That I am her biggest cheerleader.

There is another mother in Bangladesh. She has a little girl too. Her little girl is asleep on the cold, dirty floor of a garment factory where her mother works about 15 hours a day sewing T-shirts. The quotas keep getting higher, but her pay doesn't. It's about *21 cents per hour. Regardless of how much the garment costs that she is making. This mother will work 7 days this week, next week and the week after that. It's taxing and tiring on her mind and her body. She's not permitted to take a break to get a drink of water. Which is probably for the best because she's not allowed a toilet break either. But at least she makes enough to feed, clothe and house her little girl. Oh no, that's right, no she doesn't.

I grew up in the country. The city, for me, was big and wild and scary. When I was young I dreamt about riding the sunset out of my small town life and waking up in a city of dreams! I definitely took the long way around, but eventually I made it to the city. And it has been as marvellous as I imagined! For as hard as I've worked, the cities I've lived in have returned the favour. As big as my dreams got, my city has always welcomed the challenge and paid the rewards.

Most Bangladeshi garment workers come from the country too. She travelled to the city knowing this was where she would get a job sewing. She didn't know she would suffer from malnutrition. She didn't know she would get sick. She didn't know her body would give out by the time she was 40. She didn't know the move would ruin her.

As mother's we share so much. We both have dreams and hopes, for ourselves and especially for our daughters. We both want them to have more than we did. We both want them to learn from our mistakes. We both want them to have the world.

My Lilly will take on the world. She loves to sing, she sings all day long. She dances wildly and laughs with the joy and innocence of childhood. She is curious, and she is safe.

There's a little girl asleep on the cold, dirty floor of a garment factory in Bangladesh. Her mother is sick and hasn't eaten, she hasn't even stopped for a sip of dirty water. At the end of the day when she's made her $3.15 she has to work out who in the family will get to eat. It's simply not enough for everyone. Her daughter is still asleep, if she just keeps sleeping maybe she can go without dinner again tonight. That might help.

They sold the T-shirts she made in shops around the world for $5 each. Which is great. Because we love $5 T-shirts! It's means we can have another latte before we head home.

*Source - www.globallabourrights.org

The classic look of stripes is always showing up on the runway, in stores and in our wardrobes. We've all been told that horizontal stripes can make us look fatter, so here's a no fuss guide to wearing the stripes we love.

As a rule of thumb, horizontal lines show width and vertical lines show length. So the basic fact is, yes, wide, horizontal lines on our bodies can make them look larger.

Top Image - Missesdressy.com

Here's the rules, line by line:

1.Avoid putting wide horizontal stripes across larger parts of the body.

This wide white line across the booty creates extra width. The lack of structure and wide lines in the second picture add width and shorten the silhouette.

Picture source Pinterest

Image - Daily Mail

2.The wider the stripe the shorter the area will appear.

It's true, wide stripes will make your body look shorter. If you choose a garment with wide stripes that has structure like the dress below, you can get away with wide stripes. The black stripe at the waist of this Kate Spade dress actually makes the waist look smaller.

Image - Kate SpadeDress

3. The structure of a garment can minimise stripe widening.

Here the structure in the waist band and pleats give the skirt a slimming look, assisted by the vertical stripe at the waist and thinner stripe.

The second outfit shows that a fitted stripe can still look incredible. This pencil skirt hugs the curves and flatters the body. The midi length helps as does the fitted waist and loser shirt.

Image - BModish.com

Image - Scoop.ng

4.Wear a dark blazer or denim jacket over stripes.

The vertical lines of a great, fitted blazer will create a colour block effect for the stripes ensuring that they add feature but not volume.

Image - Digthisdesign.net

5. Stripes are always stylish.

Just because Taylor said so.

Image - Becomingyou.co.za

6.Pattern blocking with horizontal and vertical stripes is stylish and slimming.

This is a lot of stripes to pull off, but if you're keen, the bold pattern will create a perfect hourglass figure with the pattern blocking.

Image - dailysabah.com

7.Choose v-necked horizontal stripes for t's.

Crew neck stripes are only for narrow shoulders and small busts like the ever-beautiful Audrey Hepburn.

Any way you look at it, it's not time to throw out your classic and stylish stripes. Some clever styling and remembering the rules above will see you looking your best, and slimmest, in your stripes forever. The stunning look below mixes the blazer and V-Neck rules with eye-catching results. Stand out in any room with your own version of timeless stripes.

Most of us have the same wardrobe issues:

Overflowing wardrobes, with nothing to wearWearing 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the timeCan't find what we're looking for in shopsRetail assistants saying we look good when we don't...

If we knew the right shapes and colours to buy and where to find them, we'd just go get them.

We waste more money on clothes than on almost anything else that we've purchased. And we can look forward to wasting more time and money in the future if we don't make the decision to get some professional help.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

As a young girl I remember being assisted in clothing boutiques by women who knew style. They knew exactly what looked good from the right shapes to the right colours and could even tell your size just by looking at you. Well, haven't times changed? We've gone from 'try this on, it would look stunning on you', to 'bring out your coat hangers when you're done'. We all know what it feels like to be staring at an unsightly outfit in the change room mirror only to have an eager shop assistant tell us we look a-maze-ing in that!

Since the decline of retail assistants from style experts to revenue makers, Personal Stylists have been helping women, all around the world, find clothes that they look amazing in. Gone are the days of an owner run fashion boutique on every corner, fast fashion has arrived. We can't rely on retail assistants to know anymore than how much a garment costs and what the returns policy is, so step in Personal Stylists. I even have regional and remote clients who I style over the phone and through skype.

ISN'T THAT EXPENSIVE?

Well hold onto your hats! These figures may surprise you, and may even hurt your feelings. Based on Census results and the information I collect on my style profile questionnaires we are spending between $2,500 and $4,000 a year on clothing, shoes and accessories. 85% of women have clothes in their wardrobes that don't fit (I personally think it's closer to 100%), and of the clothes we do have, we only wear between 20% and 30% of what's currently in our wardrobes. Some clothes still have the tags on, some we're waiting to fit us again, some we never actually looked good in, but we bought them anyway and don't want to through them away because they have never been worn!

A good Stylist bills out at around $125 an hour, and here's what you'll pay for. Your style profile should be the first thing you receive. If it doesn't take some time to produce then your Stylist isn't putting any time in to doing it. They're just looking at you and making assumptions. I believe that any Stylist who's really interested in getting to know you well enough to know exactly how to make you look and feel better will ask you lots of questions and take time to create your profile. Mine take about half a day to produce, behind the scenes, and about an hour to go through face-to-face with my clients. But I only charge for the face-to-face time.

The wardrobe sort is next and can take from two to four hours. I go through every piece of clothing with my clients, trying on things as we need. We always have bags and bags of clothes to go to good will and other Not-For-Profits, some clothes we save for future clothes swap events, and I always find outfit combinations that they've never thought of before. So even though there may be less clothes in the closet - they already have more to wear! I don't like my clients feeling rushed through wardrobe sorts so I charge a flat 2 hour fee. If you're booking a wardrobe sort make sure you know if you'll be charged more if it goes extra time or if you'll be left with a half sorted wardrobe.

The final step is the Stylist Shopping Session. This is where your Stylist really changes your world. I pre-shop for my clients for at least two hours before we meet up. If you don't already have clothes waiting for you in the change room, then you're paying for your stylist to spend time in the racks that should have been spent on you. Once again, I hate rushing my clients through a shopping session so I charge a flat two hour rate and then just enjoy shopping with them. I don't charge for the pre-shop or add on charges for extra time - but be sure and check with your Stylist, they may charge for extra time by the half hour.

All in all with my full services you're getting about $1,625 worth of time for $999. The amazing thing is that after we shop together you will have a wardrobe of clothes that you will wear and love every single piece. Remember back to our figures - if you're spending let's say $4,000 a year on clothes and only wearing 30% of your wardrobe, you've just wasted $2,800. My services are only half of that. And that's why a Stylist isn't too expensive. In fact a Stylist will save you money! You'll actually end up with more to wear whilst spending less money.

I Only Need A Stylist For Red Carpet Events

You deserve to look and feel beautiful every single day. Beautiful and comfortable casual wear are some of my favourite looks to shop for. I love seeing people in amazing street styles, it makes my day. Dressing well for work and events is mandatory and I love helping my clients do that with ease and purpose. But seeing someone also look fresh and effortlessly stunning out at the shops just warms my heart.

I hope this has busted some of those myths for you! Just as you get a specialist to advise you about your finances or to take care of your car or computer, a Stylist is an image specialist who will take care of your wardrobe and your shopping. If you didn't know what car to buy or computer to upgrade to you'd ask an expert wouldn't you? It's the same with your clothes. Although the experts aren't in the clothes stores anymore. They're Stylists and you should get one.

Finally! A practical guide to sorting your wardrobe into something that resembles a stylish space. It's true that we only wear about 20% of our clothing about 80% percent of the time. I call those 80% the 'hurt your feelings clothes' because every time we try them on they look and feel awful. We have all the excuses in the world to keep our wardrobes in their current state, but that's only because most of us don't realise the euphoria that comes with opening a well sorted wardrobe that only has clothes that make us look and feel insanely fabulous! Take just a second to imagine just that...

Now that you're in the right mind-frame, here are the top 5 tips for sorting your unruly wardrobe.

PLAN TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE

I've heard people, even stylists, saying that sorting a wardrobe is like pulling teeth but I totally disagree. I LOVE sorting out wardrobes, the results are always amazing! I love watching my clients build their knowledge around what their authentic style is, and I love seeing them get really passionate about getting rid of the clothes in their wardrobes that just hurt their feelings.

We don't have to dread our wardrobe sortting, in fact, we can plan to enjoy it instead. Here's what we need to do to prepare for the fun night ahead:

Have a roll of garbage bags ready, and Grab a bottle of your favourite beverage and a box of your favourite chocolates. (even if you're being healthy, this is the night for a little splurge).

PHONE A FRIEND

You own all of the reasons why those 'hurt your feelings clothes' are in your wardrobe. They're practised and rehearsed excuses that are ensuring your wardrobe doesn't work for you. You need someone who will keep you on track. You need someone who will be honest when you ask them 'does my butt look big in this'.

Make sure they're the kind of friend who would tell you when you have lettuce in your teeth, and you would love them for it. If you try and do this job alone you'll get part way there, but you'll never truly complete the task, your excuses will make you keep things in your wardrobe for another year that you just don't wear. You may need to rethink your beverage cart now.

THE THREE STACK RULE

It's now the big night. Your bestie or your stylist has arrived and you're ready to get started. By now you should be itching to get rid of some of that old stuff clogging up your stylish life.

After you've cleared the room, set up the bar and opened the chocolates it's time to get started. One item at a time we're going to go through everything. The process usually takes between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the size of your wardrobe, but you're about to have your very own 'Sex In The City' wardrobe sort moment, you can even make up your own 'Toss' or 'Take' signs!

Now start to sort your clothes into these 3 stacks:

1. The Clothes You Love and Wear All The Time

Leave these ones hanging in your wardrobe on their new white wooden hangers or folded up neatly in the drawers.

2. The Clothes That You Couldn't Even Give Away

These are the ones that are:

warn outrippedstainedstretched, or otherwise ruined

These ones go straight to the garbage.

3. The Hurt Your Feelings Clothes

These clothes are perfectly good, they're just not perfectly good for you. So don't get confused that just because you paid for them that you have to keep them. Somebody else needs them far more than you do. These are the ones that:

you flick past in your wardrobe all the timeyou try on, you don't like them, and then hang them back updon't fit (yep, if it doesn't fit now, it goes, by the time it does, you'll buy something new anyway)haven't been worn in over 1 yearwere given to you by someone else, but you don't like wearing ityou don't like the colour on you, oryou don't like the style

Fill up your garbage bags with the 'Hurt Your Feelings Clothes' and put them in the garage. They're going to Goodwill in the morning. There's no point in keeping a wardrobe full of clothes that you're not wearing when somebody else could benefit from them. You are engaging in the cycle of abundance, giving with no expectation of return. You should feel very, very good about this part.

REWARD YOURSELF

Rewarding and celebrating your wins is vital to creating new and better habits. We're going to create a new habit for our brain that tells us it's ok to recycle clothes that we don't like. We don't have to keep them anymore. To do that we have to create a new response every time we decide to put a piece of clothing in the 3rd stack. We would ordinarily feel anxious so now we want to spark another response, a warm and fuzzy feeling that instead makes us feel good.

Every time you choose the 3rd stack, raise your champagne class, cheers and take a sip. Have a piece of chocolate or your favourite treat. Yes, for the smarty pants' out there, it's the reward method, and it works. And it's fun. We should all have more fun.

REFRESH YOUR LOOK

Once your wardrobe sort is complete it's time to reassess your wardrobe. If you have some key items missing from a great capsule wardrobe, then make a list. It could be a great blazer, the perfect jeans , a pair of nude heels or an amazing LBD. Once your garment list is complete make a list of the shops that you're most likely to buy them from. Take your list with you when you hit the shops and stick to it. Once you've added your final few pieces to your wardrobe with gorgeous matching coat hangers you can enjoy your stylish new space. You will find that you wear more of your clothes more often, and from a 'cost per wear' perspective you'll be saving money too.

A good wardrobe sort should only have to happen once. If you've done one recently and still have a wardrobe full of 'hurt your feelings clothes' then you need some professional help. Engaging a stylist isn't as expensive as you might think and in nearly every case you'll end up saving money.

For more tips and styling tricks emailKirsty or call directly on 0421 661 393.

Your clothes influence the way people think about you at all times. Whether at work, on a date, or out with friends, your clothes speak to people before you do.

It's not to be taken lightly. Your employer’s perception of what your wardrobe says about you does affect your career.

1. How Your Look Counts

A study released by Office Team, a staffing agency that polled Senior Corporate Executives found that '93% of managers say that how you dress at work influences your chance of a promotion'.

2. Suited for Purpose

It's interesting to note that not everyone needs to 'dial it up' with his or her corporate wardrobe. In fact, overdressing is just as detrimental to your career prospects as underdressing. Overdressing can give the impression that you are a lone entity that you don’t fit within the cultural environment and that you're not a team player.

As a former people manager, these are not attributes I've ever been looking for when interviewing candidates for management positions.

Of course, underdressing comes with it's own hidden demons. Employees who arrive underdressed for interviews can rarely make up for their disheveled appearance with witty commentary.

And it's a jungle out there. The well dressed guy who interviewed next may not have had such dynamic verbal skills, but he is likely to progress further than the underdressed guy whose first impression read as lazy, unprofessional, disrespectful and shallow.

3. For or AgainstQuite simply put, our professional style is either working for us, or against us, there is no in-between. As humans, we have been programmed to judge on sight. It’s how we stayed alive in the caves. We recognised friends or foes by their garments or dressings and we still do it today.

The problem is, when we don't understand what our visual image is actually saying, we're not controlling our own companies branding or messaging. That can mean that all our hard work on websites, communications and culture goes down the drain every time anyone in our business has a face-to-face meeting.

4. The Psychology of Colour

The colour of our clothing has an effect on ourselves and our potential customers. Professionalism, reliability, leadership, trustworthiness, intelligence and enthusiasm can all be represented by wearing the right colour. Wear the wrong colour and you could be telling people to go away.

5. Be Busy, Don’t Look Busy

Your professional clothes shouldn’t be louder than you are. Save your flashy things for weekends and social events.

Your wardrobe shouldn’t distract you or your colleagues. They should be dazzled by your achievements, not your sparkly shoes.

A purposeful first impression should underline everything you

For a business image review or consultation, or to attend a business image workshop, contactKirsty today.

People who dream of being in the fashion industry dream in colour. Photoshoots in glamorous locations, camera shutters clicking wildly, sensual fabrics floating down a runway, dancing on the breeze or wrapped around alluring models. Fast, fun and furious. Not for the faint hearted, but a world a beauty, strength, innovation and creativity.

Rana Plaza Collapse in Bangladesh, 2013. Over 1, 100 workers were killed, mostly women and children.

But none of us go into this industry thinking 'fashion kills'?

I can still remember the first time I googled 'ethical fashion'. Reading pages and pages of articles with solid facts and figures clearly stating that the industry I loved was rotten to the core.

I felt robbed. Devastated. Destroyed.

I remember looking at my one year old twins playing obliviously on the floor with tears streaming down my face. I just couldn't get my head around the fact that we would allow a mother to send her child off to work as a slave instead of going to school. How soul destroying must that be for her? It's our job to protect our children. They don't even know they're being sent to their death. And for what? For us to be able to buy $5 t-shirts? What century are we living in?

Children aren't paid to pick cotton. They're taken out of school to do it or they're expelled. It's covered in poisonous pesticides. It makes them sick and sometimes even kills them.

The information I read that day rocked me to my core. I just can't 'unknow' this stuff. And the more I research, the stronger my resolve becomes.

This industry of fast fashion, throw away clothes, slavery, abuse and underprivilege needs to change. It's unethical to people, it's acceptable to animals and it's unsustainable to the planet.

My name is Kirsty Milligan and I am a shopaholic. It's been one of my addictions of choice for decades.

I have committed to stop shopping for any clothes or fashion accessories for one entire year.

Starting from the 1st of January, 2017.

I won't lie to you. I am worried about failure. I am worried about sharing this with you because then you'll know if I fail. And I'm worried most of all that it won't mean a damn thing when I'm done. Like a whisper in the wind.

My promise is to tell you all about how I'm going, what I've learnt, what was hard and what was easy. Just in case you're inspired to have a go too.

Here's one thing I can tell you for sure. When I stand quietly in the middle of a shopping centre and look as far as I can over my left shoulder, then as far as I can over my right and I know that every single thing that I can see has been made by a women or child who either wasn't paid enough to live, wasn't paid at all or died trying, it makes me feel sick.

So, please, come on this journey with me. I'm not asking you to stop shopping too. Just stay with me, help me be strong and reach my goals, and I promise to share with you everything I've done and everything I learn about the industry I love.

Thank You Friends!

Much love

Kirsty

With summer almost upon us, and the beach beckoning in the breeze, it’s time to honour our inner gypsy.

‘Boho’ is no longer a style for our hippie girlfriends who love walking barefoot and wearing crystals. It’s a fashion statement that says you’re feminine and spirited.

With a versatility that can take you from days on the beach to the perfect travel wardrobe, and can even be styled up for spring racing carnival, this look should be on every girl’s shopping list.

Picture above from my recent Community News Fashion Feature. Models Zoe Mitchell and Maddy Anderson, HMUA Zoe Mitchell Hair and Makeup Artist

I sat down with Natasha Hinett, founder and designer of Perth label ‘House of Skye’ to find out all of her boho style secrets…

With summer almost upon us, and the beach beckoning in the breeze, it’s time to honour our inner gypsy.

‘Boho’ is no longer a style for our hippie girlfriends who love walking barefoot and wearing crystals. It’s a fashion statement that says you’re feminine and spirited.

With a versatility that can take you from days on the beach to the perfect travel wardrobe, and can even be styled up for spring racing carnival, this look should be on every girl’s shopping list.

I sat down with Natasha Hinett, founder and designer of Perth label ‘House of Skye’ to find out all of her boho style secrets…

K: What is the ‘must have’ piece for this summer?

T: The Aloha Wrap dress or the Aloha Wrap skirt. The classic wrap has been a staple piece in every women's wardrobe as it is an easy to wear style for all shapes and sizes.

It can be dressed up for that special occasion or worn casually when just hanging out with your girlfriends for lunch.

I wear mine with my ‘Gypsy at Heart’ t-shirt. It’s a staple in my wardrobe every summer!

K: What’s your best tip for styling a beautiful, summery, boho look?

T: The best tip is to always feel comfortable in what you are wearing. Have fun with your boho look. Layers are so much fun and you can achieve a layered look with accessories like jewelry and hats. Prints and colours are also an expression of who you are and how you feel. I think you can tell a different story every day by the way you style yourself, but most importantly don't take fashion too seriously and have fun.

K: Are accessories important to complete the look?

T: I love accessories and I believe that they can transform a look by just adding a bold statement necklace, ring or earrings.

I say you can never have enough layers. What I absolutely love about our Inner Gypsy Accessories Collection is that we have so many amazing styles. There is something for everyone, and it compliments every girl’s unique bohemian look.

Wrap skirts and wrap dresses really are some of the most versatile pieces that are wearable by just about every woman’s body.

For a more subtle look, mix these pieces with simple basics and separates that either give your outfit an edge or flare.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with pattern clashes. Keeping your patterns the same size is the key to stylish mixing.

Most of all follow Tash’s advice and have fun!

Shop these looks and more online at www.houseofskye.com.auor in-store at Method Clothing. Full stockists list on website.

Dating is tricky. You can’t be too eager or too aloof. And are you trying to make them like you, or figuring out if you like them? And Oh My Word! What Will You Wear? (Insert dainty squeal or masculine sigh…).

Here are some tips and tricks to keep you looking and feeling fabulous for first date night. It may not lead to wedding bells, but at least you’ll know you put your best foot forward with no regrets.

1. Coming Straight From Work:

Sometimes heading out on a first date straight after work is unavoidable, so at least be prepared.

Men – take a fresh shirt, deodorant, a change of socks and a splash of cologne. Don’t overpower her with too much cologne – it’s a mood killer. Unless you’re going somewhere super fancy, take off your tie and undo the top two buttons – no more than two, you’re not Fabio. If you work in utility clothes it’s best to go home, shower and change. You’ll look and feel better for it.

Ladies – take a fresh little dress to change into, something that won’t crinkle. Make sure it’s comfortable and flattering. Don’t wear white, Murphy’s Law will ensure that red wine and spag bol are splashed all over it. Freshen up with moist toilettes, and touch up foundation. Wipe off and reapply lipstick fully. Crusty old, layered on lipstick is Not Attractive. Be careful reapplying mascara, cakey mascara looks trashy. Think neutral with a touch of glamour.

2. Don’t be Depressing:

Black is for the office and funerals. Give it the night off on first date night. Save your little black dress for future occasions, and hang that black suit back in the wardrobe. Colour is flirty and fun, and you’ll feel fresher and more vibrant.

Ladies – a soft cream, silk camisole with a coral skirt and a pretty pump shoe with delicate gold jewelry will show your soft, romantic and feminine side whilst making you feel calm and comfortable.

Men – Swap your black work pants for grey or navy blue. Pair with a light blue, white or purple collared shirt. Make sure your belt and shoes are polished and clean. Yeah, I really said that… If you’re going somewhere more casual, then dark blue denim jeans look fantastic with a collared shirt, black belt and shoes.

3. Don’t Be A Show-Off:

Let’s face it. Nobody likes a show off! For the ladies it’s the girl showing too much skin, and for the menfolk it’s the man who forgot to do his shirt buttons up. Either way, no please.

Men – that buttons undone, thick gold chains, hairy chest look from the eighties didn’t impress the ladies back then, and believe me, still doesn’t today. Even if you mum says you look lovely – you don’t.

Ladies – show off your upper body, or show off your legs. But don’t do both. Why go for cheap and tacky when you can go for smart and sassy? Remember you can still look and feel sexy in a pretty top and a below the knee pencil skirt. Then you’ll be elegant and alluring at the same time. Sexy As!

4. Be Yourself:

If you wouldn’t normally wear a suit and they make you feel uncomfortable – don’t wear one on a first date. And ladies, if you don’t normally wear heels, then a first date isn’t the time to try. Fellas, check out Zara Man for handsome smart casual gear, and ladies, try Review and Cue for pretty dresses and separates.

Your clothes are the first thing you put on everyday that tell the world who you are. Look sharp and handsome, or smart and sassy for your first date, but make sure you still look like you. After all – you’re the one that somebody wanted to go out with in the first place. Then sit back, relax, enjoy your evening and let Cupid take care of the rest.

Days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. It's time to face the cold again.

For some of us, like me, this is our favourite time of year. There's nothing I love more than dusting off my winter boots and pulling out my knitted scarves, jumpers and gloves. And who doesn't love snuggling their man all rugged up in his favourite cable knit sweater? Yum.

But before we get so rugged up we look like the Michelin Man after a feast of doughnuts and marshmallow hot chocolates, let's talk about the right way to layer this autumn/winter season.

Start With The Basics

Always start with the basics. A great pari of jeans is a winter essential. I take my clients to G-Star Raw for jeans. One of my clients was so burdened by jeans shopping she had just given up. When we went to G-Star she took home every pair she tried on. She looked and felt amazing!

Pick up your basic winter t's and singlets from Zara. White and black are essential, but don't be afraid to add colour wherever you can. Winter is grey enough, you don't have to be too.

Casual Days

For casual days throw on a vest or cardigan next. In winter you can really play with colours and textures here. Faux fur is fun and so are large knits, suede is amazing and fringing is a must.

When it's getting cooler or you're after a dressier look add your winter jackets. Here's where you can be clever and choose beautifully patterned or block coloured jackets to lift your look.

Be On The Lookout for Colour

Be on the look out for dark greens, rich plums, mustards and tapestry prints. My hint when buying jackets is to watch the length and the shoulders. To avoid looking bulky choose a jacket with structure built in. It will keep your laters looking feminine and shaped.

Add your scarf now. And remember, if you take your outerwear off you can leave your scarf on for a super chic winter look. Choose a complimentary colour for your scarf. If you have a patterned jacket go with a block colour scarf and vice versa.

Wear a Winter Hat

If you're a real fashionista you will definitely be adding a winter hat. Whether it be a felt fedora or knit beanie, it will add warmth and individuality to your look.

If you're after a completely stylish vibe, I love the amazing capes we're seeing again this winter. Check out Jonté Designs for the best this season has to offer.

A trench coat and scarf are an easy and classic layering style for executive wardrobes. And opaque stockings warm up any outfit.

Your Boho Winter

A fashion favourite of mine is layering over soft silk or chiffon floral boho style dresses. For a fresh feel wear your favourite boho dress with knee high boots and knee high socks and ankle boots. Layer with your suede vest, coloured jacket and scarf. If you're feeling extra brave keep your legs nude.It's the sexy way to stay winter warm and who says skin is only for summer?

For more stylish tips call me now for a private consultation on 0421 661 393. To follow all the crazy BTS fashion styling adventures go to my insta @styled_by_kirsty

xox

Kirsty

As seen in March Edition of Swan Magazine.

Autumn Winter Collections for 2016 are smoking up the sewing machines of designers all over Perth. As we speak garments are being hemmed and finished, models are being dressed and photographers are setting up to shoot our favourite Perth labels.

Consider this your invite to the VIP section of two of Perth’s top designer collections. I sat down with Jonté Pike from Jonté Designs and Intan Zuhuri of Siss on BARE to find out what we’ll be craving in warm winter fashions this coming season.

The label Jonté Designs was launched in 2012 after showcasing at Perth Fashion Week. The show was so successful that this is where the label obtained its first stockists. The label includes amazing eveningwear, unique and super stylish ready-to-wear and stunning accessories. The thing I love most of all about Jonté Designs is the wearability. I’ve dressed many of my personal clients in Jonté Designs for everything from book covers to special events, high teas and picnics. My clients always look incredible and fall in love with this label.

I asked Jonté what she was expecting to see this season and Ms. Pike said, ’We’ll be seeing plenty of layering and many designers are playing with lengths and contrasting textures. There will be a lot of play with tonal colour palettes too.’

Jonté’s Galvanised collection for AW16 revolves around elements of minerals and rock faces. Ms. Pike said she played with contrasting an industrial feel with natural elements from rock formations and crystals. Colours to be on the lookout for this season are cool greys, metallic finishes, black and hand dyed marbled fabrics. Jonté Designs are renowned for 3D hand beading and embellishments that add edgy playfulness to the collection. If you’re looking for empowerment in your wardrobe this winter season, then this is the label for you.

One Perth Designer who has gone for an earlier collection release is Intan Zuhuri from Siss on BARE. This label was established in Perth in 2011. I nearly lost my marbles when I first saw the designs. They are just so stunning.

Intan has created collections that are stylish, elegant and luxurious. The label is the perfect partnership of contemporary design and structural simplicity. It’s the colours and patterns that Intan so creatively and sensitively chooses that are so striking about this label. I’m simply in love with it.

The Siss on BARE AW 16 collection is as provocative and elegant as Intan’s previous collections and is ready to wear. I asked Intan what her inspiration for this collection was and she replied, ‘our upcoming collection was inspired by two different styles, military and equestrian. We were excited to see what we could create by combining these two elements’.

Ms. Zuhuri said that in designing the collection she was inspired by the mix of tailored gold trims from the military aspect and the very pious, clean cut, feminine elegance of the equestrian style.

The collection launched on the 25th of February to rave reviews from both fashion insiders and fashion lovers alike. The show was bold and exciting. The Perth City Marching Band set the military tone and the show that ensued was simply spectacular. A far cry from the muted mundaneness we often see on runways at this time of year. It was such a welcome and refreshing change.

Intan’s designs are very proudly limited editions. This ensures that Siss on BARE clients have a sense of elegance and sophistication that can’t be emulated by everyone. It is an elite brand for an elite woman.

Both of these Perth Designers go in my feminine but fierce category. As well as amazing designers, they are also inspiring businesswomen. Discover and purchase their amazing designs here:

Jonté Designs:www.jontedesigns.com @jontedesigns Suite 1/231 Balcatta Road, Balcatta.

Siss on BARE:www.sobdesigns.com @sobdesign www.cliquearcade.com.au Merge Boutique in Northbridge.

Secrets in the Garden was such an amazing event this year. Over 3,000 women took a day for themselves. And that really is a full stop moment. It's truly rare that we stop and give ourselves a totally self oriented (not self-ish), but full self moment.

Secrets in the Garden is a day designed to fill our tanks up. Drink from the well of motivation, education and inspiration that will see us through another year of great milestones and achievements in our person and professional lives. I was so honoured and thrilled to be a part of it.

My Stylish Table.

For my beautiful followers who couldn't make it, this is what we shared.

It all started with our amazing prize winner Amanda. Amanda won a full SaSSy style makeover. Style profile, wardrobe sort and shopping session.

Our gorgeous marquee 'The Wardrobe' was filled with stunning fashion from end to end.

Runway Style for Hire. Don't spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit you'll only wear once. Hire a designer gown for the evening instead.

Stunning marquee set up by Known Associates Event Management.

As well as presenting our makeover winner Amanda in her new style, I had an amazing time talking with my Secrets Sisters about their style issues and what we could do to fix unruley wardrobes full of clothes we never wear.

We shared secrets about choosing the right styles, how our wardrobes got so out of hand and how easy it is to get professional help from my service offerings. My calendar is filling up fast with beautiful new clients ready to look and feel better than they ever have before.

One of my favourites - Galibelle Shoes - was amazing on the runway. I love how these shoes are one base and you can buy new straps every week! They are affordable, stylish AND comfortable - it's like all of my dreams have come true.

I love this label and this designer! Candice Maberly was at Secrets, and everybody loved her! There were audible ooo's and ahhhh's when her label Concrete Ambition hit the Runway.

If you missed Secrets catch up with this label online or Candice will work with you to create a custom look. So Stylish.

Stacey Peake from My Designer Wardrobe kept the ladies happy with current fashions at amazing prices. I love this business woman and fashionista. She is as beautiful as she is inspiring. She's a power house of energy backing up with 12 hour day with a pop up shop the next day. What an amazing woman. Like her facebook page for regular updates, you'll find things you love and prices you'll Really love.

Couldn't go without shouting out this amazing pocket rocket. My most favourite young business woman and extraordinary makeup artist Abbey Mayor fromAbbey Mayor Makeup Artistry. I just love this little lady. She has such extraordinary talent. She's my go to girl for both editorial shoots and clients. Abbey joined my at SITG to do Amanda's makeup for her makeover and some of the Speakers as well. If you need your makeup done for a special event, wedding or photoshoot don't hesitate to contact Abbey. I can't recommend her enough. xox

All in all an amazing and inspiring day. I would live this day a hundred times over and still never tire of it. I had to go straight home and hug my baby girl. Sharing secrets in this way filled me up again. I'm feeling on top of world today. I can see more for myself and my family than I did yesterday, and I'm hearing my inner voice with strength and conviction. I went for myself and have come back fuller for everyone around me.

When you walk into a room, a meeting, a presentation or a networking event you immediately begin to survey the attendees. You're looking for the person in charge, the people who are the influencers, you're looking for the leaders. You identify them on site, and whether you're doing it consciously or subconsciously, you're using the same criteria. Who is the one that 'looks' like the leader of this group, table, room, meeting? We all expect people of power, success and influence to 'look' a certain way.

So why is it that you can always tell who the boss is without being told?

It's an air that they have. The way they carry themselves. They always look like they're going somewhere, and they're always dressed better than you are.

Somewhere along the line, leaders learnt that their visual image counts. They learnt that to hold a certain position within a company meant looking a certain way. They understood that there was a distinct disconnect when you don't look the part.

And whilst the boss can certainly afford more expensive outfits than you can, money isn't the only key to dressing with style and professionalism. You don't need to break the bank to look smart. Good quality corporate wear doesn't follow massive style trends. A classic, well fitted outfit will stand the test of time.

To look the part on a budget, shop the sales and discount outlets. The perfect fit will make an outfit look even more expensive than it is, and an expensive suit that doesn't fit right will look cheap no matter how much you paid for it.

Take some time, and get some expert help to find the right styles and colours for you. Be purposeful in your appearance and others will see you as the one to watch in the future. Dress down and that's where your career will go.

I can hear from the back stalls someone saying 'but my actions should speak louder than my clothes!'. And maybe that's true. But we've all seen it plenty of times. The guy who is clever but disheveled who becomes the leaders side kick. He's useful, but never elevated. It all comes down to who you want to be. Will you lead, or will you follow?

In my business I work with business leaders from small to large entities. And I like working with them because they understand and value what I do for them. One of my favourite business clients is a Perth business leadership coach who, since utilising my services has shifted her business from one-on-one small business coaching to corporate coaching. A goal most leadership coaches aim for. She has said to me that she would never have made it through the corporate front doors without my expert styling. And it's true. With a ten year background in Operational and Strategic Corporate Management, I know this client didn't dress well enough to get a seat at the table. When I dialed up the appearance, it dialed up the career. That's just how it works.

My clients are movers and shakers. They may be starting small, but they're never thinking small. If your business goals are to swim with the big fishes, then you better start to look like one.

If you think you're on your way to the top, let's talk. A 30 minute one-on-one with me is complimentary when you mention this blog. Click here to email me for a call back or call me now on 0421 661 393.

Keep an eye on Calvin Klein for great corporate wear. I love Van Heusen for men, and the ever popular Cue for the women.

He’s beautiful. You love him. He cares for you and for your children. He works hard. And sometimes, even still, he makes you laugh out loud. But why does he have to wear that damn Metallica t-shirt every time you go to your parents for dinner? Do you have to burn those jeans to get them off him? And how have those wretched shoes not walked out of the house by themselves?!

You can restyle your man without him even knowing. It’s all about little changes that he will completely love. It’s not his fault he doesn’t know how to shop. No one really taught him. And to be honest, he doesn’t really want to know. He’s so ok if you do it for him.

Here’s a brief guide to help you style your guy in a way that doesn’t change who he is but enhances all his best qualities.

Style Personality

Like women, all men have a style personality. It’s intrinsic to who he is. Have a think about your man and what his current style personality is. Our Aussie men are usually Casual, Classic or Rugged. Don’t try and take him out of his style personality. Stay within it, but just ‘dial it up’ a bit.

Body Shape

His body shape will tell you the shape of clothes that will suit him best. We know that for women we’re all after that perfect hourglass. For men the desired shape is a trapezoid, which is narrower at the waist than at the shoulders. So if your man is a triangle, rectangle or oval shape, then buy clothes to correct his shape to trapezoid. For example, if he is a triangle then buy shirts with attention at the shoulders (stripes, colour blocking, etc.) and jackets with structured shoulders. This will balance out his upper body.

Shirts

The correctly fitted shirt will make all the difference for your man, and here’s how to do it:

Classic Fit:

Suits those who prefer a comfortable fit. It has a generous cut in the body and sleeves allowing a comfortable feel with a boxier shape.

Slim Fit:

Suits trapezoids and inverted triangles. Don’t hurt the feelings of an oval or a triangle by accidently bringing one of these home.

Modern Contemporary Fit:

Sits in between Classic and Slim fit and is slightly tapered at the waist.

Always look at the back of your men’s shirt. Pleating in the yoke will tell you it’s roomy through the body and seams down the back will tell you it’s more fitted and slim.

Pants

If you’re not sure about pants fit, stick with a straight leg. Menswear doesn’t have the variety of waist heights that women’s wear does, so you’re pretty safe sticking with a straight leg. Don’t go too trendy with skinny jeans or low crutches if he’s not that way inclined. Smarten up his denim wardrobe with black jeans or jeans with cool details, whilst remaining masculine and true to his style personality.

Jackets

Most men will benefit from a beautifully shaped jacket, but if your man has an oval body shape then a straight cut will suit him best.

Colour

Men are just as susceptible as women to looking washed out in the wrong colours, probably even more so because they can’t cover up with concealer and foundation. Without going into too much detail, if your man burns in the sun and has pale skin tones then he’s probably a ‘cool’. If he tans in the sun and his skin tones are olive he’s a ‘warm’. Keep your cool man in blue undertone colours like blue, purple, grey and cool greens. And keep your warm man in earthy undertones of burgundy, beige, brown, tan, khaki and warm reds.

To finish the look get him some stylish, casual shoes. A couple of pairs so that he can start to mix and match for himself – you’ll be surprised how much he enjoys it in the end. Pop in a couple of really cool t-shirts as layering pieces and some cargo shorts for comfy days and he’ll be loving his new look as much as you are!

My ‘go to’ stockists when I’m styling my male clients are GStarfor jeans and t’s, Zara Men for, well, everything, andMyer for corporate wear and amazingly cool things by Ben Sherman and even Maddox.

Once you’ve filled his wardrobe with these new and flattering pieces he’ll forget he even owned that Metallica t-shirt. Just remember to check it for autographs before you throw it out… Perhaps it might be worth something one day after all!

Pack Light, Pack Right

It’s that time of year again. Finally!! Sand between your toes, sun on your face, balmy nights, the sound of a calypso band, the smell of coconut lotion and the taste of fruity cocktails… Summer Vacay here we come!

But Wait. No… Step away from the suitcase. You don’t need to take your whole wardrobe. And yes, you can take more than one bikini. Let’s ‘unpack’ the mystery of summer holiday packing so that you can be stylish for every occasion, and still have plenty of room for holiday shopping.

Pre-Vacay

Pop on a tanning moisturiser a couple of times before your holidays. You’ll feel a million times better hitting the beach with a golden glow rather than a fluorescent one. Paint your toenails a pretty colour, as you’ll be seeing them a lot, get a wax (everywhere), and tint your brows and lashes so that you can leave the mascara at home.

The Basics

Throw in these basics and you’ll cover a myriad of holiday scenarios. White singlet, black V-neck t-shirt, denim shorts, denim jeans, multi-way bra, nude underwear, and waterfall cardigan.

These staples will see you through from casual days to changes of weather and anything in between with the rest of your holiday packing.

Beach Wear

Three bikinis. One two-piece straight strapped bikini for lying by the pool and catching some rays (sunscreened of course), one super stylish one-piece or bikini for happy hour pool bar drinks, and one (preferably one-piece) sporty piece for snorkeling or diving.

Throw in two kaftans, one short and one full length. They take up no room and can be worn over your togs during the day, with a belt and gorgeous sun hat out shopping, or with your wedges and jewelry out at night.

Simple Shoes

There’s no need to over pack on the shoes. Two pairs of thongs (one glitzy and one plain) will see you through most of your holiday. Then just add a pair of tan, leather wedges and your runners and you’re good to go. If you have cool runners like Converse that look great but you can still power walk, jog, horse ride or coral walk in, then that’s perfect.

Dresses

Two dresses. You already have your kaftans as extra dresses, so you’ll only need two more. Pack one gorgeous little summer dress that you would love to wear to dinner or dancing with your tan wedges or glitzy thongs. Make it something summery and sexy.

The other dress is your travel dress. A black, butterfly back, scoop neck maxi is perfect. Comfortable yet stylish and can be worn with either your cool runners or wedges, which is great as that’s one less pair of shoes to pack.

Sexy Top

Throw in a sexy top that goes with your denim for a quick and easy evening outfit. Think sequins, backless or even crop.

House Clothes

This is something I commonly forget, and end up borrowing my other half’s pyjama pants all week. Take something comfy to lounge around the unit, room, hotel or house in.

Work Out Gear

One set of active wear will do. You may or may not use it. Snorkeling, biking or hiking might be enough exercise for you, but if you feel the need then you have it there. Rinse it out in the shower after use, like your togs so that you can wear it again if the need arises, and you already have your sneakers anyway.

Bags & Accessories

A tan tote or shoulder bag will fit perfectly into your holiday style. Take a matching belt too. These are the perfect partners to your tan wedges and go with your maxi, your kaftans and even your jeans. Pack some extra necklaces, bracelets and earrings to dress up your day and evening outfits. These take up less room than more clothes and give every outfit a unique look, doubling or tripling your wardrobe in an instant.

With this pack you’ll probably find there’s still a bit of room in your luggage. Don’t get over excited and fill it to the brim. Leave the extra space for holiday shopping – you know you will!

Have a wonderful and stylish summer!

Love, Kirsty xox