Hard to please
So you want to feel chic yet comfy, eternally stylish yet on trend and – most of all – happy? Here’s how to do it.
I’ve said before that my husband – a musician who I dress for shows – is my worst styling client. He likes tailoring that fits perfectly, but he also dislikes spending time trying on clothes.
I do actually have a worse client: she doesn’t adhere to any particular style, she expects her clothes to last at least a decade, and she likes comfortable shoes. She’s an extroverted introvert, and she’s prone to panic before big events – so much so that sometimes, after all the preparation, she’ll just stay home. That person is me.
Before New Zealand Fashion Week this year, I decided to treat myself like the punisher of a client that I am, and go through a full styling process.
Two weeks out, I went through my wardrobe. I pulled out all the clothes which could possibly make for fashion show attire; a mix of unique pieces, colours that make me feel happy, comfortable classic clothes, and shoes that I can canter in. I hand-washed, or brushed and aired everything that needed a refresh, and then, having satisfied myself that I’d found some options at no cost, I splashed out on something new online.
This collection of old and new, which I hung up together at home, is what stylists call a “pull”. A pull then gets culled to final outfits. A fitting is the most telling and important stage of planning costumes or outfits. Seeing the fit on the body is make or break, and using your gut reactions can help you decide which are actually your favourite pieces. In ideal fitting conditions, you have at least one uninterrupted hour (it takes me longer), a full-length mirror, and bright (but not too bright) lighting. Putting on a favourite album or playlist can also work wonders.
Choosing the best pieces is as simple as sensing what gives you a lift, noticing what brings out your eyes, or just liking the way a garment feels and moves. As the best bits become apparent, try on combinations of garments that make them into finished outfits, and take photos of these. I usually crop out the head, as it can be distracting. Make decisions based on instinct or those on photos. If you’re working up to a significant event, I’d go even further, planning what you’d add or substitute in the event of a heat wave, hot flush, a cold or a storm.