Style Tips - Style By Syl

5 Tips to Refresh Your Closet

I don’t know about you but I get bored very easily with my clothes and outfits. In the past this meant going to the shops almost every weekend to buy something new for that week only to forget about it soon after the excitement of a new purchase ebbed away. Back then I didn’t know better but after years of experience as a style coach I have some tricks up my sleeve which I would like to share with you to avoid making the same mistakes I did and more importantly to get you excited over and over again with the contents of your wardrobe without actually hitting the shops every time. My 5 tips will not only help you maximise your wardrobe and save you lots of money but will also help reduce unnecessary damage to the environment. Sounds good?!

Style Tips

When you wish upon a star

I’ve rounded up five of my top picks to add to your Christmas wishlist. Make sure to tag me on Instagram (@syl_stylebysyl) if you’re lucky enough to receive any of these items this holiday season!

Shopping ideas Wishlist

Shop the sales like a pro

The last few weeks I have been having a good browse around some of the local shops in my city and have also filmed a few short videos in a few different shops to get you inspired but also to support these shops post Covid-19 lockdown. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most shops were rather busy but of course sad to see that some shops had to close down.

Naturally shop owners are doing everything in their power to get people back in their shops so it’s not so surprising that many of them have started sales or ‘koppelverkoop’ (well-known term for pre-sales in Belgium which means that the discount applies when you buy 2 pieces or more). I personally find the latter even more dangerous than the usual sales since you’re pressured into buying that second piece even if you’re not particularly in love with it.

While I’m all for supporting the local economy, now more than ever, these kind of offers and sales in general can be tricky if you do not practice some discipline especially if you haven’t been out shopping for a while and are just excited to be out in the ‘real world’ wearing ‘real clothes’ again!

In order to help you with sales shopping but also shopping in general here are a few tips to avoid making mistake buys and shop like a stylist:

Have a look at your wardrobe and make a list of things you need or wish to add to it;
Do some research – go around the different shops before you actually commit, look up their website beforehand if they have one;
If you like the idea of being on trend have a look at the colours and styles that will be in fashion the next season – highly likely you can find very similar pieces in the sale section;
Avoid buying too many seasonal things unless absolutely necessary and think of pieces which can take you through the coming seasons instead;
Make sure you are clear on which styles and colours suit you;
Only buy something if you really love with it and if you can picture it with at least 3 exisiting items in your wardrobe;
Try out shops you’ve never been in before;
Use the sales to find those luxury, quality pieces you wouldn’t normally afford;
Dress comfortably so you can try everything before buying;
Last but not least, ensure that you are wearing good underwear.

Drop a comment below if you found any of this useful or have any questions. Would you like to see more of these tips? Make sure you subscribe to my mailing list and come and join me over on my social media. I would love to get to know you.

xxx

Syl

What to wear when you’re in between sizes!

Are you in the process of losing or gaining weight? Do you often find yourself in between sizes in high street stores? You probably still want to look good and celebrate your new weight right?! Naturally, you do not want to spend money on something you will not fit in in a month’s time.

A few years ago, I decided that it was about time I lost some of the extra weight I have gained ever since I was a teen. I thought my kids deserve to have a healthy mum so I enrolled myself into a local gym, started eating more regularly and healthier and within a year I had lost almost 22 pounds.

I felt good and proud of myself. The only downside was that most of the clothes I had did not fit any longer. I had to start from scratch and even as a style coach that was no mean feat! Dresses, which I thought would finally look amazing on me, were suddenly too baggy and all my tops and jackets were hanging off my shoulders. My body type was the same but two dress sizes smaller so I had to start dressing differently.

During that year I also needed to invest in some pieces which would help me transition to the new weight easily but didn’t cost an arm and a leg and that I still could use when I reached my target weight and let’s face it, in case I gained some of it back afterwards. Welcome Covid-19 two years later and here we are again with 10 pounds extra back on.

Here a few things you will need to get you through this journey:

A new bra

They do not come cheap but they fall under essential items for a reason. A well-fitted bra will make you feel good, your clothes will look better and it will give you the support you need. You will have to invest a few more once you are settled in your new weight but this is unavoidable.

Belts

Accessories are generally a good way to create a new look and will always fit whatever size you are but belts can perform actual magic! They can turn a baggy t-shirt into a nice dress or transform your too big blazers into something that is actually on trend while accentuating your new waistline.

Basic white t-shirt

If you have downloaded the 21 items every woman should have in her wardrobe available on this site you will know that a white t-shirt is on top of the list of items one should have. It can be dressed up or down and belted when it gets too loose. A white t-shirt is as essential a good bra and is usually one of the most affordable clothing items you can find.

Stretch jeans

Stretch fabrics will adapt to your changing body shape so invest in a dark pair of stretch jeans to tide you through this period.

Wrap dresses or skirts

Wrap dresses and wrap skirts are timeless and great at showing your new waistline but most importantly, wrap dresses and skirts can be tightened or loosened as needed.

Elasticated waistbands

If like me, you need plenty of choices in your wardrobe it might be a good idea to invest in elasticated waistband skirts or trousers. Luckily, both these items are available in almost every store not only because they are on trend but for the obvious fact that they suit all body types. The elasticated waistband can take you through different dress sizes and will still look good. Skirts will last you even longer as you will not have to deal with the extra bags around your bottom.

Finally, make sure you find yourself a good tailor especially if you find yourself to be always in between sizes. While not all of us can afford bespoke items, a good tailor can elevate that baggy dress into a designer look alike and might be able to help you hold on to some of those items you find hard to let go of.

The Unexpected Joys of Dressing for Home

When working from home its important to wear the right clothes to feel productive especially since most likely you won’t be walking around in a power suit or the high heels which always got you places.

This means that other accessories like headbands, jewellery, socks and make-up combined with comfortable but smart clothing have to make up for the lack of shoes, bag and powersuit so you have to make them count.

While I’ve had to work from home a few times before the Covid-19 pandemic hit it was never on such a regular basis. Now that I’ve had loads of practice I know there are quite a few positives, along with the less appealing bits, namely the lack of social life and live interaction.

And while I’m sure you figured out by now that you should better not stay in pyjamas all day and dress both top and bottom to avoid any video conferencing mishaps, there are some perks to dressing from home.

So here are 5 unexpected positives of dressing for home:

No weather to consider so no hassle of wearing the right rain gear or the right shoes for the commute.

No commute equals to more time to experiment with your outfits, beauty regime and make-up and on those days when you decide to opt for more time in bed you actually wake up with better looking skin.

No dress code to consider which gives a certain freedom to your outfits. You’ll be the only judge! If your work environment dictates a uniform or formal work wear, now is your chance to get creative with smart casual combos.

You can try out outfits you never dared to before because hey you’re at home which leads me to

If you feel uncomfortable in what you’re wearing there’s nothing stopping you from changing outfits – well except the laundry pile!

xxx
Syl

Style Tips

Jumpsuits: Why you should at least own one

Jumpsuits: Why You Should at Least Own One

Jumpsuits have made a huge comeback from the 70s and the 80s. Once meant to protect workers, now they’re a fashion statement and we can’t get enough of them. Jumpsuits are a nice addition to any busy woman’s wardrobe and can be one of the most flattering pieces of clothing you can own.

They are also a personal favourite of mine, I went from having never worn one to being slightly obsessed with them. I find that they offer the comfort of a pair of trousers but when wearing the right model or worn with the right accessories can give the feminine feel of a dress with the added bonus that it accentuates your waist if you have one and gives you a waist if you don’t. They can easily veer towards mechanic and so a little bit masculine but I love the fact that it implies that women can have it all. The challenge for me being on the short side is finding the right length and making sure that there isn’t too much fabric pooling around my waist.

Of course it comes with the challenge of going to the rest room but I think it’s worth it. Just make sure you can close it on your own to avoid any mishaps.

Go for a bold colour or print if you want to stand out or ease your way into the crowd with dark solid colours or classic prints like stripes and polka dots. I can assure you, there’s a jumpsuit for everyone. I mean if Winston Churchill could pull it off so can you.

A wide leg jumpsuit suits any body type. It’s especially flattering for those who are top heavy as it flatters your bust and the kimono sleeve on this particular jumpsuit covers any flab you might not be so proud of without feeling restrictive. The print is slightly large so petite women should opt for a smaller print or go for shoes in pink to create length. Wear it with strappy heels, a clutch bag and statement earrings for an evening out or blazer and pumps for an office look. Dress it down with sneakers or pointed mules for the school run and add an open chunky cardigan for colder days.

Find this at U.S brand Anthropologie.

2. For the classy understated women amongst you this navy lace look jumpsuit might be more your thing. The key hole front detail gives it a playful look while still keep it demure. The bare shoulders balance out wider hips and elongate the neck. What’s more it comes up to European size 46 and you cannot go wrong with navy. Accessorise it with nude pumps and matching bag if you want to keep it classic or add a pop of colour to it with flashy coloured pumps. Put your hair up for a more festive look and add a bright lip and everyone will be asking you for your number!

You can find this at Dutch brand Steps.

3. If you’re feeling a bit more daring but carry a bit of extra weight around the hips then a halter neck jumpsuit might be more what you’re looking for. The bare shoulders balance out the width of your hips which immediately gives a slimming effect. This backless number is not for the faint hearted but the slightly flared top can hide any extra weight around the belly and the colour will add a pop colour to your wardrobe. Find this Damsel in a Dress jumpsuit at John Lewis.

4. You can never go wrong with a denim boiler suit. This 100% cotton zipped up shirt version suits all body and colour types. Zip it down if you want to show off your cleavage, pop a coloured top underneath for a bit of fun or just a plain white t-shirt if you want to keep it cool, roll up the sleeves for a dressed down look, swop the belt with a patterned long scarf or a wide belt for added waist definition…the list is endless. The fact that it comes with pockets is of course a lovely bonus. You can find this gorgeous jumpsuit at Belgian owned Wear-Store

5. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday outfit but still not convinced on the jumpsuit then look no further. From beach to after dinner cocktails this cheesecloth top and trousers combo offers comfort and style. The adjustable tie wrap on the pants is perfect for those days when you had one too many ice-creams and if this sunflower yellow is not your colour both separates come in black and white. Wear them separate or together with sneakers for day time, add a pair of wedge or strappy sandals and dangly earrings for a summer’s night.

Find this at UK brand ME+EM.

6. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly jumpsuit look no further. This cut might not would look fabulous on the straight figure types who dare to show their cleavage. The colour is fresh and young and the button detail gives a sophisticated look to something which is quite understated. What’s more it’s 100% cotton so all in all a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. Find this and more at Harvest Club in Leuven, Belgium or online.

7. Plus size fashion has come a long way and now we can truly say there’s a jumpsuit for everyone! This one here has a gorgeous blood red colour, and the cut and fabric is so soft, it flatters yours curves without being too clingy, because who likes clingy right?! The days of hiding in black are over ladies. Add nude pumps for a classy look or go for fuchsia pink pointed pumps if you really want to have fun! Like with mostly everything these days you can also dress it down with sneakers or flat sandals if you’re in need of a bit of comfort.

Find this at U.S. brand Lane Bryant.

There you go ladies. Hope you enjoyed reading this. Let me know if you wish to see more of these articles and I’ll be happy to oblige.

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