Are you a woman 40 plus and over and are you a natural style blazer, putting together stylish, creative looks effortlessly? Or are you stuck like most of us, me included (ok I fall in the 50 plus category) but willing to be an experimental and take a few fashion risks and just need guidance in how to start?
With that in mind I’ve scoured NY fashion week, and an Australian standout collection for full figured women by Australia's most loved plus sized fashion company Swish, designed by Anita Carmody and Roma Fox and identified the hottest 2017 trends guaranteed to shape the coming months, bolster our wardrobes and get our sartorial-style-mojos back on track.
I was astounded by what I found! NYFW 2017 was a revelation with ground-breaking plus size models walking alongside their homogeneous XS sample size counterparts. Fashion designers the world over have fashion shows that are bursting with well-designed pieces that don’t differentiate by size or age! Ageless, plus-sized fashionistas get excited, 2017 fashion is all about inclusivity and diversity. In 2017 we are witnessing an incredible opportunity for us all to have a ball with fashion – in all beautiful shapes and sizes.
As you start out to vamp up your look, your style, your fun with fashion and your wardrobe, if you’re not confident, the one piece of advice I would give is little steps. Start small and add one little step to your look. Work in pieces that make you feel great and with little steps you’ll build confidence in your own choices.
Think elegant emeralds, rusty robust reds, moody mauves and sapphire-sea-swept blues. The colour palette is bold, endless and gorgeously romantic.
Style Tip: Look effortless and flawless by teaming these beautiful jewel tones with cool toned neutrals. Team a great pair of classic taupe trousers with a bold jewel tone to take you from day to night.
I love fashion's nod to the exotic 70s. Awash with a rich palette of autumnal rusty oranges, gold and olive greens backed in lush velvets and brocades.
Style Tip: Head to toe prints can be daunting but the way to make this seventies revival a hit is to pair with one of the classic staple key wardrobe pieces you have hanging in your wardrobe.
If you don’t, now is the perfect season to update or add a classic go to pair of black, navy or taupe trousers. Living in Melbourne sometimes I like to wear crisp white pants perfect amidst a sea of all black Melbourne fashionistas.
Myth: Head to toe black is the most flattering and slimming look.
Truth: Solid bold hues are equally slimming.
Wintery floral is unexpected. The darker interpretations of floral for winter, alongside this season's gold flecked glittering metallic, are equal parts feminine and edgy, with a drool worthy colour palette to boot.
Don’t be afraid of all over pattern. Pops of floral add an element of surprise and the bounty of bright, bodacious colours are a great complement to autumn neutrals.
I love the trust relationship I share with my customers when they are trying on clothes. In between a bunch of try-on garments we find the cuts that work for your body. If I carry my weight in my low stomach, and I'm thinner up top, I know shorter tops and a line hems dropped below my knees work best for me.
Style Tip: take a bunch of clothes into the change room, a good way to try on a style or colour you may not have considered before
My Nana taught me how to darn socks and I have always sewn. If I can alter a piece I love in a store, I will buy it.
Pull out the trusty sewing machine and tailor your hemlines with special nips and tucks to suit – or pay one of the many skilled seamstresses in your neighbourhood. Some designer pieces leave up to two inches in the seam, which a seamstress can let out.
Accessories are your proverbial piece de resistance, your signature look and depending on your mood, whatever you choose.
Style Tip: Some style-changing extras to keep an eye on for winter. I loved the lush velvet skinny scarves, reminiscent of Talitha Getty in the 70s. I have my eye on one at Swish!
Whatever you do, don't believe the old "shoulds" about what curvy women should wear. The more rules you break and the more fun you have with it, the better you're going to look.