How to wear the midi skirt

Midi skirts began to make a brief appearance last year but this spring/summer they will arrive in force. The look appeals to many women as they are comfortable and offer more coverage but it is a difficult look to pull off. The trick is to avoid looking frumpy and here's how to do it.

If you're boyish:You are in for a difficult task.
You need to track down a midi that is particularly voluminous to add those much sought after curves but you also need structure -(the floaty romantic skirt is not one for you).
Also aim for a skirt without a structured waistband or a belt, it will only draw attention to the fact you don't have a waist.
With volume on your bottom half now you need to break up the torso with contrasting colours and preferably wear a collar to add the same volume on your top half and create the illusion of that hourglass figure.



skirt: topshop                     shirt: river island                   bag: Asos
This look also adopts one of the biggest trends of the season - beautiful, contrasting pastels.

If you're pear shaped: This look is your dream come true and the rules are simple.
Keep the skirt loose and floaty and simple and wear it with a striking top to keep your attention on the top half. Slash necklines and halter necks are the perfect partner to your midi as they balance your shoulders and hips. Eyecatching necklaces achieve a similar effect.
The most important thing: do not hide your tiny waist! A skinny belt is your new best friend.


skirt: asos                                   top: river island                    belt: river island

If you're feeling brave: I'm planning on buying this look to go out in and wear over the summer. It's good for an hourglass or a boyish shape especially if you don't mind flashing a bit of flesh. Toned abs and arms are must though (I'm still not totally convinced this bralet will work on me for this very reason).


skirt: topshop                   bralet:topshop                 flatforms: river island

If you're fuller figured or Apple shaped: skirts are not your friend, especially high waisted ones and they effectively put a ring around the widest part of your body. Something we stylists actively seek to avoid when dressing you. That doesn't mean you can't wear this trend however - just opt for a dress instead.

dress: river island                   blazer: Butterfly by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams


If you're petite: You can wear whatever of the styles suites your bodyshape, just make sure to wear heels. Heels in a bold colour lengthen your legs, and make sure they're court shoe style - sandals or boots (basically horizontal lines) will cut you off and make your legs look shorter.

Spring Look

I pulled this look for a customer in work on Saturday.
I am so bored of winter now I already want to start dressing for spring. This look is perfect for unpredictable spring weather. The coat is wool and will keep you warm, the black background on the dress means it can be worn year round and will look great with tights, the boots look effortless and stylish and will keep your feet warm and dry.
I am slightly in love with this bag (the name of the bag is 'Danielle' so I do feel it's meant to be). The neutral colour ensures it will work with every outfit and the colour pop keeps it fresh and youthful. This is a real rain or shine look for those unpredictable days.

TREND ALERT: Winter Florals
WARDROBE STAPLES: Tan boots and colour block coat
BODYSHAPES: Hourglass (belt the dress), Boyish, Apple,

tan boots, Miss KG, £80
colour block bag, Oasis, £36
spike necklace, Oasis, £12
pink boyfriend coat, Miss Selfridge, £79
floral dress, Warehouse, £46 

Know what you're working with...

Ever do that thing when you’re shopping for a new outfit? You load up your arms with about 3 weeks’ worth of clothing and then try and persuade the sales assistant to let you in the fitting room with all of it. You try them all. Now you’re all hot and bothered surrounded by a clothes explosion feeling fat and disgusting because nothing looks right on you.

We all have.

Every woman has.

I used to be that girl in Topshop who would spend an hour in the fitting room to come out sulking with nothing. But, last time I went shopping, I went in one shop, took in 3 items and I bought them all. It’s all about being economical.

Us women are far too busy to spend days tracking down a pair of jeans that actually fit. So how do we get to the point where you can buy something online or instore and be 90% certain that it’s going to look amazing before you even try it on? To do this you need to know your bodyshape, your own sense of style and your budget. Then it will be easy peasy. I promise.

Check out my 'Your Bodyshape' page to find out what you are.

So I discovered a new idol on Monday morning...

Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore
Somerset House
Monday 20th January
£6.25 entry

If you live in London you've probably seen the adverts for this exhibition lining the escalators and platforms at various tube stations. Isabella's face, all strong and pouty surrounded by red fur, and a frankly obscene amount of make-up. I didn't know too much about her, I knew that she was responsible for launching some of Britain's most successful designers. I also knew that her suicide in 2007 was said to be one of the reasons the great Alexander McQueen took his own life 3 years later. I didn't know much more.

And so I decided to pay Somerset House a visit, like many other cultural establishments across the country they do a discount day. The exhibition is £12 (£10 concessions) but on Monday's they open their doors to the public for just £6.25. I highly recommend looking around for deals like this, especially if you're a student, there are a lot of savings to be made and it really is a great way to see your city and learn something new.

I'm not one for art. I wish I was. An interest in art is a quality I admire in others and one I wish I could hold myself but galleries just do not interest me. Maybe it's the stylist in me. It's simple to make a blank space or white wall look beautiful. It doesn't have lumps or a lack of confidence or cellulite to get past first. A blank piece of canvas doesn't have to be painted in a way that disguises its fat bits, it wont get wrinkled on the tube or spill red wine down itself. My artistic love is fashion, and it is art. If there is a doubt in anyone's mind whether or not fashion is art then this exhibit will wholeheartedly prove that it is.

One thing I learned was that Isabella Blow was a truly incredible woman. My favorite anecdote was that when she was Anna Wintour's assistant in New York she was known to clean her desk with expensive, imported Perrier water. Isabella was like a sort of aristocratic, 90s punk, Gaga. She had her finger on the pulse of fashion and she had fun with it. It's something we can all do.

Rachel Zoe once said "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak". One look at Isabella's wardrobe and you can see who she was and it's something to think about. Does how you dress say what you want about you? If not - it may be time to go shopping.

The Clue's in the Name

How do you say the first hello on a blog?
I don't know.
When I write essays in university they say it's always best to start by signposting what you intend to achieve in your work so let's do that.

The reason that this blog is called Style Voyage is because I'm on a journey too. I am really just at the beginning of my fashion career so this is kind of my electronic fashion journal, full of all my thoughts, opinions and adventures. I look forward to updating you on my progress and dragging you all on the journey with me.

But, as lovely readers like yourself are so hard to come by I need to keep your attention while I have it. So first a little about me:
1. I am a Personal Stylist Consultant in an Oxford Street department store and I absolutely love what I do
2. I am still just a baby as many are hastened to point out - I am only 20 but I have been styling in various capacities since I was 17 so I know what I'm doing.
3. I am originally from Lancashire and have only been in London for 18 months so this blog will contain my many fashion-filled adventures due to the fact that I am still thoroughly exploiting the fashionable events going on in this glorious city.
4. There is a difference between fashion and style, in the words of model and actress Lauren Hutton "fashion is what you are offered 4 times a year by designers and style is what you choose". Striking a happy medium between the two is how you build an amazing wardrobe.
5. I won't be telling you that you need to be six feet tall and a size six to look amazing - you don't. But I also won't be telling you that anyone can wear anything - if only.

And finally...
I already need to thank you if you're reading this because that means you've stumbled upon my blog - hopefully intentionally - and that does mean a lot in these far and distant corners of the blogging world.

We're going to have a lot of fun I hope.

Just remember:
"Clothes aren't going to change the world, but the women who wear them might" - Anne Klein