SOS….
Introducing the Style Saviours, aka the Liberty Style Service
Through a secret set of wooden doors, tucked away behind the gorgeous Lingerie department on the Liberty first floor are a team of style experts ready to rescue you from all manner of fashion emergencies.
Sukeena, Lee, Jenny, Gilly and Joe plus a secret stash of tea, cupcakes and fizzy drinks are on hand to provide a forum for your fashion fetishes, a safe haven for style advice and expert tips for your wardrobe needs.
With a celebrity client base that would set the red carpet on fire, the Style Service team usually suggest you save up your pennies [we recommend a hundred thousand, or rather £1000] and the service is all yours. However, online, it’s completely free! All you need to do is leave a comment with your fashion dilemma here and one of the team will respond with tips and suggestions.
Your virtual style service is now online, so don’t waste any time – start getting advice right now!
I been having really hectic work days where I am super busy all day. I work out of the house & spend a lot of time at the computer. I need to be comfortable…however I frequently have to pop out of the house to run errands. I need a stylish yet comfortable outfit/wardrobe. What are the pieces I should buy that I can switch in between items of clothing??
Tks.
I’ve been living in variations of jeans and converse for the past 10 years. I just turned 30 and would like to start dressing like a grown up. The high st is either disposible fashion made for women with the figures of 14 years old or mumsy-dowdy shapeless items devoid of sex appeal. As a top heavy size 14 I can’t get away with either. I’d like to dress in the womanly sensual ‘adult’ way and am ready to start investing in some pieces that i love – but don’t know where to start. Help?!?
In reply to Briana.
Hi Briana, I’m Jenny from the Style Service, here are my top tips: I suggest that you look at these simple ideas to build your wardrobe and invest in some key basics…
Layering – this is an easy start to building great outfits. Select some simple Tee’s from brands such as
Splendid, American Vintage and Isabel Marant, use vests under sheer long sleeved shirts, layer with a cashmere or marino knit in neutral colours. For a more tailored option try a close fitting Tee Shirt underneath a slick Helmut Lang or Alexander McQueen waistcoat. As an outerwear alternative, belted knits are always useful. This could double as your jacket when rushing out of the house. Other essential items for this look are leggings and fitted trousers.Investments – a good jacket is a must. Look for a tailored blazer in Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone or Calvin Klein. An option that is double breasted or slightly longer in style will look on trend and also be practical for just throwing on.
These are easy and effective solutions to your problem, what do you think? Feel free to ask me more questions! Jenny x
In reply to eartha.
Hey, I’m Gilly, new to the Style Service, but I think I’ve got some achievable advice. It might be a good idea to invest in a few dresses to pad out your wardrobe. Perfect for fall and they can be worn with tights and flats or boots depending on where you are going. A suggestion would be to belt in at the waist and have a v neck, or to go for a tight high neck. Suggestions in store are Antonio Berardi fuschia square neck dress, or Martin Grant.
Another alternative is to go for a layering look, what about leggings with tunic top over the top. Suggestions would be Ann Demeulemeester shirts and casual knits that work great with leggings and boots!!
hi.
What is the best colour shirt to wear with a black suit? Apart from white!
Thanks
Jason
Men’s Sandals! I’m going to Marrakech and am looking for a pair. a) Should I wait and get a pair there? b) if i get a pair here, what pair should I look at? (And I don’t care what people say, Birkenstocks are NOT ‘design classics’, they’re as bad as Crocs and Uggs).
Thanks
Chad
Is it still ok to wear white trainers with a suit jacket?
In Reply to Jason.
Hi, I’m Joe – the Menswear Stylist. I think a mid blue high-quality shirt(such as Spencer Hart) styled with a slim black tie would act as an effective contrast with a black suit – whilst also provoking memories of the legendary Steve Mcqueen in the Thomas Crown Affair! Otherwise, a light grey striped shirt with tonal white collar from Alexander McQueen looks extremely sharp and smart.
Hope that sorts out the issue! Joe.
In Response to Chad.
Hi all, Joe again! Chad, I think you should always be prepared before you get to the airport – and not wait to buy your essential pieces until you’re at your holiday destination.
Spring/Summer saw Dries Van Noten carry stylish, versatile but yet very practical camel tan sandals, great for any occasion day or night, Officine Creative carried a very ethnic rock n’ roll sandal perfect for the guy who wants to be ultra stylish whilst holidaying!! So, definitely go for the stylish option – the tendency, which I think you identified, is the more practical = the more boring.
In Response to Benjamin.
And I’m back. Benjamin, of course it’s still okay, think of Lanvin and Dior as starting points though. It’s all about how you wear them too,if you’re struggling then google some images of the dapper Kanye West. Bye for now, Joe.
Response to Joe.
Cha-ching! Love your work!
I am hitting the shops for an autumnal update soon and would love to know what key pieces to look out for that will take me through the end of summer to early winter. Particularly which jacket shapes are shaping up to be big and what kinds of trousers are going to be covering the best dressed legs!
Thanks in advance,
D x
In Reply to Dora.
Hi Dora, how’re you? Jenny from Style Service here!
The trends of the season in outerwear are Camel, tweed and leather. Invest in a good staple coat be it a belted trench, a soft grown up biker or a structured blazer. Remember that hard shoulders are still very evident on the catwalk and in the stores. A nod to this will make your look current.
Keep colours neutral (grey, black, navy and beige) when building your Autumn/winter wardrobe but add in flashes of the trend hews like indigo, teal and grape for layering garments.
Trouser shapes are very tailored. Peg leg pants and treggings are still an important alternative to denim. Use leggings under this seasons heavy knitwear to balance your silhouette.
Thanks, hope this helps. Jenny x
Dynasty for the noughties and sophisticated biker chick sounds like heaven but is there a forgiving alternative to leggings and pegs? A little chunky in the calf department…
Just bought a gorgeous teal eyeliner to go with a sweet teal scarf so am delighted to hear the season’s accent colours include this one.
Thank you for your help,
D x
Hi Dora, it is always advisable to be subtle with the trends, and remember make up is always a fun way to reflect them.
Why don’t you look at some well tailored wide leg trousers with wool content which will give them a casual and practical feel?…
Perfect, thank you. Very much looking forward to a weekend of shopping
D xx
Dear Style Service
I have been on the first floor at Liberty and am hankering after two dresses. One is the Marc by Marc Jacobs blue utilitarian one with buckles, then there’s a fabulous Vivienne Westwood Red label frock, quite fifties, fitted, red and black. I only have budget for one and want to build my autumn wardrobe around it, so which one should I go for?! I’m a mum, aged 37 and I have to go to the odd fashion do but am NOT A heels kind of girl. PS I’m a size 10 – 12, or rather, size 11… : )
Hi Mrs Rubbish, I would advise you to choose the Westwood dress. My reasoning being that Vivienne Westwood is a signature brand and is renowned for its cutting. This style dress is totally classic, the fifties look has been a constant trend during Autumn/Winter seasons of late. The timeless, fitted waist will give the dress longevity – whilst red and black is a great choice colour combo. You could also team the red Viv dress with boots in the winter to avoid wearing heels. Take care, Jenny x
Thank you Jenny! I am going to come in and do a spot of trying on : )
Dear Style Service
This is such a novel idea!
I’m looking for a stone coloured trench/mac that sits knee length or just above (NOT in a mini style nor full length), and preferably it will be double breasted with a full-ish skirt to balance out my chest and slim hips. I can only budget £200 for it and I’d rather not go over if I can help it! I’ve looked everywhere but to no avail – please help.
Thanks!
Hi Jenny
I really like your advice to Briana. What shoes would you wear with these outfits? Thanks! Anna
In reply to Anna:
Hi, glad you liked the advice! The footwear trends this season are varied. We will be seeing thigh high leather and suede boots everywhere, most collections showed thigh skimming footwear in their runway shows, from Prada’s waders to Stella McCartney’s abstract studded creations. I would suggest that the ‘layered look’ works best with over the knee, low heeled boots for daywear or slouchy suede boots rouched down for a more casual feel. You can also team this look with another hot trend, lace up flat brogues. This would give your look a preppy finish.
In reply to Nicola:
We have some fantastic trench coats in the store this season. The variety includes options from See By Chloe (beige), Twenty8Twelve (khaki) and APC (beige). The price range of these is £245 to £465. Unfortunately the only stone colour trench we have is in our Burberry collection where we have studded, leather and swing style options, the price range of these is up to £1400. I would suggest that you come into the store to try on the different shapes and see which style is most suited to your shape, my advice would be to select an option similar to the See By Chloe trench we have in store. It is a simple shape which would work with your figure and grey jersey lined which makes it very comfortable. Hope this helps!
Hi Jenny
I’ve seen the Burberry trench coats you refer to and the Twenty8Twelve Alford Mac, they’re lovely designs. I also did like the See by Chloe trench coats – the nude trench with the rolled up sleeves is beautiful – I’ve resisted it so far. Oh well I think the budget is blown…
Thank you
Hi Jenny,
I simply love all the advice and dresses in store, I find the beauty hall such a daunting place though for my darker indian skin when looking for make-up. I tried the new Le Metier Beute counter but having asked advice from the indian female manager she was so rude to me I was totaly put off. I was given exceptional service from the Laura Mercier girls but always find choosing a style of makeup the hardest to change. Where in store specialises in make up for my skin and where can I find advice (not rudeness) in store? xx
Happy new year! I hope to see this year many more intresting posts on your blog!
Cant wait to get down to the store and check this out! I just need to think of a dilemma now