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Current features: How to Wear a Pencil Skirt, Capsule Wardrove for a British Seaside Holiday, Look Stylish in the Rain, Summer Wardrobe for Work
How to Wear a Pencil Skirt
 Pencil skirts are a key fashion trend this autumn, part of the enthusiasm for retro style.Pencil skirts are feminine and can be surprisingly figure-flattering.
In my opinion, pencil skirts look best when worn with high-heeled shoes; the longer the skirt length, the higher the heel. A long straight skirt paired with flat shoes can make even a slender woman look slightly rotund. Of course, if you are tall (say 5’10”) then you probably could carry off this combination.
Many pencil skirts are designed to fall at mid-calf, i.e. the widest part of the leg, so you should be aiming to elongate the part of your leg that is on show. Shoes with ankle straps could give the impression that you have short, fat legs.
 So, to achieve a flattering look, high heels – or at least kitten heels – are a key part of the winning formula. If you find heels difficult, try shoes with platform soles, such as those shown on the left. (The shoes shown are by Pied a Terre, available online from House of Fraser.) Platforms soled shoes give the illusion of high heels, but are actually more comfortable (in my experience).Nude-coloured shoes are another way of giving the illusion of long legs, and they are currently very fashionable. You might be lucky enough to find some in the end-of-summer sales.
I am tempted, as there are some lovely examples available. I am particularly smitten with the wool mix skirt in the Boden collection (shown above). It does require dry cleaning, but at least wool is a soft material so the skirt should not easily crease.
This skirt would be great as part of an office-smart outfit. If you are aiming for the 1940s look, add a fitted blouse with feminine details, such as a Peter Pan collar, and wear it tucked in. Consider adding a belt.
Those of you wanting a more modern twist could try wearing a top with some volume to balance the narrow shape of the skirt. This would be more forgiving than the very slim-line 1940s look.
The denim skirt pictured to the right is a more casual version of the pencil skirt. This one is by Kew, available online from John Lewis for £60. As long as the weather is warm enough, I would wear it with high heeled open toe sandals. When cold weather sets in, boots would help to turn this skirt into the core part of a winter outfit.
 Take time to plan what to wear under your pencil skirt. This sophisticated look requires smooth lines to look good. Control top tights may help to iron out any little bulges. These are available online from both MyTights and TightsPlease. Both sites have frequent special offers, so it is worth doing a price comparison before making a purchase.
Capsule Wardrobe for a Seaside Holiday
 Imagine a holiday by the sea, somewhere in the British Isles. Maybe you’ll go to trendy Cornwall, or opt for the traditional beaches of Lancashire. You might be adventurous and sail off to the Western Isles.Look at the smiling woman in the Boden photo to the left. She’s obviously enjoying good weather and has well-behaved children.
A holiday with family and friends could be fun. If you go with children (or even grandchildren) make sure you take a selection of buckets and spades for building sand castles.
What will you wear? If you are travelling by car you may imagine that there will be plenty of scope to take heaps of luggage; when you are travelling with family or friends (or by train) you will need to pack compactly.
This is an occasion that calls for a capsule wardrobe. You want to have suitable clothes for changes in the weather, and to be appropriately dressed for your destination.
You probably won’t want to spend much money on a holiday wardrobe, so none of the items shown costs more than £50. Some cost less, and remember that the summer sales are on now so you could easily find price reductions.
 I suggest that a capsule wardrobe for a British seaside holiday should contain two pairs of cotton trousers (full length or cropped, depending on your taste), a casual skirt (as in the Boden photo above) and at least five tops. If you don’t want to do any washing, or are staying longer than a week, consider taking more tops. Personally, I would simply launder two or three tops after the first few days of my holiday.The top shown above (1) is from Seasalt. The pin tuck bib detail lifts is above a plain tee-short, and you should get plenty of wear from this garment after  your holiday.
I would take one pair of plain cropped trousers which could be mixed with a range of tee shirts. The pair I’ve chosen (2) are from White Stuff, are 100% cotton and machine washable.
For a bit of fun, pack a pair of this season’s brightly coloured jeans, like these (3) by Oasis available online from Debenhams. (See our Spring Style page for tips on how to wear red or pink jeans.)
As the British weather can change quickly I would also take a cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt and a raincoat. The sweatshirt shown (4) is from Joules. It has a striped  lining on the underside of the collar, and the placket opening buttons to keep out sea breezes.
Joules usually stock colourful wellies, which could be just the thing for a child-paced stroll along a damp beach.
Thinking of sea breezes, I would also pack a scarf (5) such as this one from John Lewis.
For footwear I would pack a sandals and a pair of shoes. Before departure, I would check the weather forecast and if the weather might be chilly, I would take a few pairs of socks as I hate having cold feet. (Both MyTights and TightsPlease stock socks!)
That reminds me that I would need something to wear at night. When sharing a holiday cottage (and possibly a bathroom) with friends I like to wear something that covers my modesty. Pyjamas would be my nightwear  of choice for such an occasion. I would wear this pair (6) from Hush back at home as well.
As this is a seaside holiday, a swimsuit is essential. Even if you do not plan to swim in the sea, you will look the part as you help make that sandcastle on the beach. The one shown here comes from M&Co, and has been reduced to just under £20. This style may sell out soon, but their website offers a choice. If you only wear a swimsuit once a year I consider it a waste of money to buy an expensive one.
If you really don’t feel confident in a swimsuit, or feel that it would be a waste of money as you would never wear it again, consider wearing a coloured sports bra (take a look at LessBounce) with your jeans or skirt. You could cover your arms with a casual blouse, and leave the blouse unbuttoned or part buttoned and still look appropriately dressed for the beach.
Remember, you are going on a holiday, not a fashion parade. You don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe. Work out what you have, and then plan a few strategic purchases to fill any gaps.
Stylish raingear from the Cambridge Raincoat Company
 A coat is often an under-rated item in the wardrobe. We all know that first impressions count, and we all know that we often arrive at work, or a social event wearing a coat. So a coat should be considered of key importance.Attempting to look smart on arrival can be something of a challenge for cyclists. You need clothes that will keep you dry, but you probably don’t want to look like a competitor in le Tour de France.
I have recently come across a company that is devoted to making stylish raincoats for women who cycle (but they would also suit women who walk). It’s called the Cambridge Raincoat Company.
Their coats are long enough to keep you properly dry, but cut in a fashionable shape. They come in a variety of pretty colours which are bright enough for road safety without being fluorescent.
According to their website, the fabric is waterproof and windproof, but also breathable so you won’t get hot and sweaty, but will keep you warm when necessary.
The coats have been designed to meet the needs of women who cycle, but they would also be useful for those of us who walk. The pretty lining lifts them above the average waterproof coat, and they are very well cut.
Many fashionable raincoats are actually a bit short to keep you properly dry on a wet and windy day. These coats are long enough to cover your knees: bitter experience has taught me that it’s quite unpleasant to have rain soaked trousers on a chilly day!
I would happily wear one of these raincoats if I wanted to look smart on a rainy day.
A Summer Working Wardrobe
When you need to look smart for work every day, you can save time and stress by ensuring that your wardrobe contains a basic set of clothes. These clothes should work together in terms of colour, so that you can put together a number of outfits. From a practical point of view, if your capsule wardrobe is colour co-ordinated you won’t have mornings when you can’t find a top and skirt that look good together.
 Our suggested capsule working wardrobe consists of these items of clothing. Skirts/ and or trousers, at least 3 in whatever combination you prefer.
Blouses or plain (smart) tee shirts, minimum of 5, but 8 if possible to save panic over laundry deadlines. For a summer working wardrobe, we suggest that you stick to machine washable clothes as far as possible; otherwise you may find yourself making frequent trips to the dry cleaner.
Jacket/cardigan, at least 2 in a plain style to provide maximum versatility.
Shoes, 2 pairs in styles suited to your working environment.
Handbag in a neutral colour that is large enough to hold daily essentials.
Raincoat and umbrella (or hat) because it’s not fun to get wet.
We’ve selected a few pieces that would be suitable for a smart/casual work.jpg) environment. The printed skirt is from Boden and costs £49. The print is a combination of white and delphinium blue. The blue could be worn with white, grey, pink or red tops for variety.
The white jersey top (right) with screen printed bow is from  Joules, costs £25 and is 100% cotton machine wash
Give yourself a lift with a bright pink cardigan from White Stuff (above right) – a pop of colour at a bargain price. Reduced to £17 from £45.
A white ¾ sleeve shirt (left) from Debenhams for £16. Great sleeve length for those who wish to cover their upper arms. This is also machine washable and is available in sizes up to 22.
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How to Wear a Pencil Skirt
Pencil skirts are a key fashion trend this autumn, part of the enthusiasm for retro style.
Pencil skirts are feminine and can be surprisingly figure-flattering.
In my opinion, pencil skirts look best when worn with high-heeled shoes; the longer the skirt length, the higher the heel. A long straight skirt paired with flat shoes can make even a slender woman look slightly rotund. Of course, if you are tall (say 5’10”) then you probably could carry off this combination.
Many pencil skirts are designed to fall at mid-calf, i.e. the widest part of the leg, so you should be aiming to elongate the part of your leg that is on show. Shoes with ankle straps could give the impression that you have short, fat legs.
So, to achieve a flattering look, high heels – or at least kitten heels – are a key part of the winning formula. If you find heels difficult, try shoes with platform soles, such as those shown on the left. (The shoes shown are by Pied a Terre, available online from House of Fraser.) Platforms soled shoes give the illusion of high heels, but are actually more comfortable (in my experience).
Nude-coloured shoes are another way of giving the illusion of long legs, and they are currently very fashionable. You might be lucky enough to find some in the end-of-summer sales.
I am tempted, as there are some lovely examples available. I am particularly smitten with the wool mix skirt in the Boden collection (shown above). It does require dry cleaning, but at least wool is a soft material so the skirt should not easily crease.
This skirt would be great as part of an office-smart outfit. If you are aiming for the 1940s look, add a fitted blouse with feminine details, such as a Peter Pan collar, and wear it tucked in. Consider adding a belt.
Those of you wanting a more modern twist could try wearing a top with some volume to balance the narrow shape of the skirt. This would be more forgiving than the very slim-line 1940s look.
The denim skirt pictured to the right is a more casual version of the pencil skirt. This one is by Kew, available online from John Lewis for £60. As long as the weather is warm enough, I would wear it with high heeled open toe sandals. When cold weather sets in, boots would help to turn this skirt into the core part of a winter outfit.
Capsule Wardrobe for a British Seaside Holiday | 
