Take your basics...

...Dress them up!

As I've mentioned in a previous blog, I have many roles. As a result of my many roles, I have little time. Despite little time, I like to love my look and live my brand. Sometimes I even need to be different (or at least look like different) people in one day!
Question: Does that sound familiar?

Believe me, it's not all about an extensive wardrobe either (though that would be nice!).  As an image consultant one of the things I love doing is helping people make what they already own work better/ harder/smarter.

Take this staple base of a plain black top and trousers.

In a super speedy ten minute headshot photoshoot* with the fabulous and talented Kate Darkins of http://www.katedarkinsphotography.co.uk/ I managed to get these different looks, all relevant and true to me with just: 3 scarves (each used differently), 1 jacket, 1 necklace and 1 hat!

What does each 'look' say to you,and where might they be appropriate?

I wanted to create a different impression with each of the 'looks', but at the same time be true to me and professional, relevant, happy (comfortable) and accessoried!

Knowing how to accessorise your basics is a great way to:

• Maintain and maximise a capsule wardrobe
• Go from daytime to evening events
• Have productive and considered shopping trips
• Save money on buying 'whole new outfits'
• Pack a light case for travelling
• Get the maximum out of a photoshoot! (*Yes, I'm serious, we made the changes and took the shots in just 10 minutes - so imagine what we could do with longer.)

So, how would you accessorise your best basic outfit?

If you'd like to know how to make the most of your wardrobe, how to accessorise, your best colours or have any style related challenges, I'd love to help!

'Til next time!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
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The clue's in your eyes!

A tip on... How to find a shade that works for you.

The GG's is probably my fave awards event as it gives a hint of what's to come at every other awards event and the fashion season that follows. This season for example, look to white and metallic fabrics along with the usual black and red numbers for dressing-up.

Every year I promise myself I won't drool over the dresses (it's all about the talent surely!), and every year I find myself doing just that. However, I have tried to challenge myself to blog about more than my hits and misses from the event and instead look at what we can learn from the red carpet. (http://damsonbelle.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Awards%20season%20style)

This year, one point was literally steering me in the face...

That the shade of a colour that matches, and makes your eyes sparkle, is going to be an amazing colour on you.

There wasn't much green, violet or brown on the red carpet but here are a couple of 'blue', examples:



Julia Goldani Telles suits clear deep blues that match her eyes, wow

Amy Adams looks beautiful in this soft light blue that matches her eyes

Try it, and see if it works for you. Then share it with me!

Thanks for reading!

Denise x

PS - If you want to know all of my hits and misses from this year, and/ how to be a hit yourself contact me via my contact details below:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
• Check out my Pintrest: Denise Sanderson-Estcourt
• Like me at: Damson Belle on Facebook
• Join: This blog!



Say No to 'New Year, New You'

You are not a pair of shoes!

I'm not quite sure how to explain this but my uncertainty about this concept seemed to resonate (verbally) at a networking meeting recently, so I thought I'd share my thoughts anyway.  

I asked my fellow attendees how they felt about the 'New year, new you' idea, and most seemed to feel a little uneasy about it.

It's not so much my thinking from an an isolated stylist perspective (where new year, new clothes kinda works!) - my unease at the idea is in relation to my more holistic approach to image and confidence, which encompasses and embraces my 'hats' as a trainer/HR professional/mentor/body confidence coach.

So, here's a few of my thoughts as to why this, seemingly, annual launch might not be the best thing for us:

• If 'all new' is your key aim, you may lose the best bits of the old you in the process of creating the 'new you' 

• Chances are, there's actually little or nothing wrong about the current you and having a view that you need to be a 'new you' may be too negative a start-point

• If things are wrong, it's too general to say it's 'you' - it's probably about your circumstances, resources etc too

• The old (young/er) you may actually hold the key - maybe the young(er) you is where you were happiest and/best, eg were you a creative child who suppressed it and turned into formal adult? Maybe new year, old you is where it's at!

• Maybe the 'new' will you lack authenticity - will others recognise you? More importantly, will you recognise yourself?

• You cannot (even if you wanted to) simply put out the old and get a brand new, unconnected, forget all about the past 'you'... You are not a pair of shoes! 

Maybe not perfect, but be real about what you need to and can change!

Of course, it's not bad to want to improve - just be careful of trying to create a whole new, not necessarily true, you. And let's face it, that's not a very well defined personal target. So...

Even if things need to change, why link it to the New year and if you must, think about it as 'New year, better best you' or 'New year, improved you' which just seems a more positive perspective to me (even though it's not such a snazzy strapline!)

I hope that make sense... What are your thoughts on this? Let me know by leaving a comment!

Happy New Year!

Denise x

PS - If you'd like some help setting personal goals or working through becoming your best you, let me know. 

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
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Coming back!

It's been a while...

I can't believe it's been so long since I last blogged. It's not as if I've had nothing to say!

There's been so much going on, but I've never lost my colourful core or stopped being a stylist as I get/do a commentary every day in my office with some fellow followers of fashion. It is even became a talking point when I presented back to colleagues on our staff survey!

Along with my regular jobs and styling clients, one of the focus points of recent months has been 'body confidence'. We're reaching our climax when it comes to the 'Body Confidence calendar with the new year looming. (Find out more about this at: www.2015calendar.co.uk, on Twitter: @_BodyConfidence or on Facebook: Body Confidence Calendar 2015). 

It's been a time of 'living out my brand' - whether I've been doing role one (being mum!), my day job, trustee role, being an ambassador for the Calendar Girls or an image consultant. I know I've done it without compromising my co-ordinated dramatic signature style, love of shoes and colour; and with a smile.

Co-ordinated dress and earrings, colourful nails and a smile!

And I'll be bringing all that and more to my blog soon, so watch this space.

It's good to be back!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
• Check out my Pintrest: Denise Sanderson-Estcourt
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Petite Pals: Look cool, stay warm.

Staying warm, staying stylish, staying seen!

It can be tougher dressing a petite frame in cooler seasons as fabrics get heavier and clothing gets bigger - that thick winter jumper that the models are wearing looks great on girls with a 'grande' scale but that sort of thing can just swamp us petites.

I personally find it challenging not to disappear under my heavy winter coat and behind my umbrella so I've put together this guide of what works for me.

My tips for petite dressing as the temperature drops (in no particular order)...

1. Wedge boots - we still need some height but stiletto heels in snow... Just no!

2. Cashmere & Merino - in your wardrobe there should be (thin yet warm) cashmere or similar, be it a jumper, cardi, dress or twin set if you're a classic style personality.

3. Coloured tights matched with a bright ankle boot allows us to stay in shorts and mini's and create the look of longer legs like nude shoes do for us in the summer.

4. Thermal undies - yes, I'm serious. A thin thermal is a way to keep warm without the bulk.

5. A cropped wooly jumper, ideally with 3/4 length sleeves - you may need to balance a heavy top with chunkier boots. However, it's best to avoid more big chunky, eg jewellery, on your top half.

6. A waistcoat (not with your wooly jumper I'd suggest) - it's another layer, shaping and stylish. For work layer with a thermal vest, shirt, waistcoat and jacket... Snug!

7. Don't forget to wear colour*, and as tempting as it is don't wear too many deep colours if they're not in your palette (and especially not as a roll neck jumper!) - not specific to petites but worth a mention all the same. Remember, top to toe colour will lengthen you.

8. Use/tie your winter scarves in a way that fits with your petite proportions, and as your scarf is near your face make sure you're wearing a flattering colour. 
(Not sure what yours are: #getyourcoloursdone!)

9. Also think about your proportions when it comes to hats - whilst a heavy wide-brimmed hat may make a striking fashion statement, it may also overshadow the petite person wearing it!

10. Personally, I love dresses and skirts but when it cools down you'' often see me in... Trousers - patterned and plain, they are a cool season essential in my book, but the frustration can be getting the length right (especially if they need to be squeezed into your boots). M&S, Topshop, Next are my high street recommendations. Need them made? Go to The clothes lady or Suit yourself suits.

Obviously we're more than our height, so your bodyshape may affect which of these items work best for you, however as a general guide and in summary: 

• Thinner materials layered up are best. 
• Don't go for anything too bulky or big. 
• Follow the usual dressing petite dressing rules, but...

...Don't abandon your inner-style rules - because worse than losing your body under a big jumper, is losing your style personality under a bundle of 'rules'!

Do you agree?

Which tips were most useful?

Are there any you'd add?

Happy Shopping!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
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Why Autumn is awesome...

...By a Summer Lover!

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a summer lover with a need for heat*, so the move into autumn always unsettles me a little. Don't get me wrong, I like autumn. It's the fact it means we're getting closer to winter that's more the problem for me!

I like autumn because *I can wear layers without questions, I can wear more accessories (hats, scarves etc), and because I can indulge in comfort food, hot chocolate and chai lattes.

Colour-wise I move into deep greens, rich reds and plums and chocolate - all of which I love.

But more importantly, the change from summer to autumn means I start to slow down after the speed (and stress!) of the summer holidays.

Autumn is my time to chill out, as I watch nature gloriously do the same.

It's a great time to reflect (how was summer for you, what memories did you make?) renew, and refresh. Just watch how the leaves transition from green to golden brown for inspiration.

And finally... There's still time to squeeze in achieving your last New Year’s resolutions before the end of the year! 

Reflect, renew, refresh my lovelies,

Denise x

For more:

My "Mirabelle" in Autumn, by Chris Estcourt

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www. bodyconfidencecards. com / www.damsonbelle.co.uk
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On the Front Row...

... Mind your language

I was fortunate enough to be invited to sit on the Models of Diversity 'Front Row' with an awesome panel for a debate on body confidence. 

The debate was brilliantly hosted by Barbra of MoD who presented a number of statistics to trigger discussions - one of the points that most cases of bullying is based on 'image' and this was validated several times firstly by panel member Abi (Phillips) and then by a number of others.

Thankfully there was a serious amount of expertise and experience on the panel* for the floor to tap into so this wasn't just something that was talked about without support and suggestions.

For more of these pictures of the event by George Chiesa, go to: https://www.facebook.com/george.chiesa/media_set?set=a.10152619129456796.1073741856.790101795&type=3

After the bullying discussions concluded, some amazing points and discussions revolved around the role of the media, social media, schools, parents, designers, retailers and the modelling industry in the apparent rise in body confidence issues. We agreed that the issue of body confidence is a complex one, with environments and triggers being different for anyone who experiences a lack of body confidence at one end of the scale to the more serious issues of body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

Those in the room itself reflected this - it was packed with a diverse and passionate audience, each with a story to tell and some who shared their inspirational stories about overcoming bullying and other challenges on their journey to body confidence. One notable contribution was from vibrant Khandie Kisses who got the crowd laughing and crying with her story.

From the front row, some of the key points from each of the panel members were these (in seating order):

• Abi - 1. you can beat the bullies, be strong; 2. it's not all about looks, it's about talent

• Sam - of Men Get Eating Disorders Too said: 1. it's exactly as it says (and who am I to add more!), 2. there's increasing pressure on boys but not necessarily around 'fashion'

• Lauren - 1. the impact and complexity of body image and the mental health/illness perspective; 2. there's progress/action being taken - even at government level

• Nicola - 1. keep it real with humour, and praise others; 2. everyone was "beautiful" *wink*

• Lorena - 1. body confidence starts at home; 2. we have responsibility to redirect troubled individuals when issues are serious if an issue and out of our remit 

• Beth - 1. let's not focus on beauty (especially with girls) and/size, let's focus on healthy; 2. find your happy and skills

As for me, my observation was how much language and words matter. Bullies and the media can use language that belittles and hurts, but as (if not more) importantly we ourselves, and role models like parents and schools have a responsibility to 'mind our language',

The words we use to describe ourselves and label others is powerful and heard by the younger generation, so... We can either use our words to belittle others value or to build them up.

Thank you Robin Williams for saying it better than I, and for the laughs - RIP

Given their power, we can and should also use our 'voices' to lobby the fashion industry, media and any other influencers so that they mind their language too. After all, (for example) there shouldn't be "plus-sized models, there should just be models"- Beth.

Let's use our words to change things (and others) for the better!

I met some super people that night and the experience was a really special one. Personally, I am just proud and humbled that I was invited to be part of something that was so positive and inspiring.

Lift each other up people.....

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807 for a body confidence coaching session or image services
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
• Check out my Pintrest: Denise Sanderson-Estcourt
• Like me at: Damson Belle on Facebook
• Join: This blog!

*Follow/Contact the panel by clicking on the links at the bottom this page: http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/thefrontrow/ and for MoD, click here: http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/