Ten things to know about style

FASHION

II Proportions and body shape

The present stereotype of a "perfect" body shape is one that is pleasing to the eye and hence appears balanced and almost symmetrical.

For females, this is moderately tall with a body balanced vertically (the proportion of the bottom half of your body compared to your top half), an hourglass figure and an oval shaped face.

For males, the ideal is tall with a balanced vertical body and a trapezoid torso (broad shoulders and chest tapering to medium waist and hips) and an oval face.

Only approximately 2 per cent of the population have these body shapes, so for the rest of us, it's all about creating the illusion of a perfect body by choosing the right clothes to create the appearance of perfect proportions, or as close to them as possible.

For example, as a female, if you have long legs and a short, rectangle torso you can create the illusion of a longer, leaner, inverted triangle torso by choosing tops that emphasize your shoulders and that flow through the waist, with a hemline between the lower hip to the tip of your fingers ensuring that you avoid horizontal seams across your torso which cut you in half.

A personal style consultation will enable you to determine your vertical and horizontal body shape and how to use this information to look your best.

II Style personality

Your clothes should reflect your personality by being an extension of yourself so that you can feel completely comfortable and confident in them. For example, if you're an outgoing, creative person, you may be best suited to fashion-forward dramatic, statement clothes with an eclectic mix of styles and bold colours.

II Fit

Your clothes should fit your shape well and should be on the loose side rather than too tight. Bear in mind that different brands have different fits for each size so there is no "one size fits all brands" solution and you are likely to have a range of three different sizes in your wardrobe.

II Stay updated

Fashion is cyclical with main trends coming around again every three to four years and seasonal trends changing twice a year (winter/summer). You don't have to be a keen follower of fashion but make sure you are vaguely in trend by staying up to date.

Expensive high fashion statement clothes tend to have a short trend life, so if you don't have a limitless budget, spend wisely by investing in quality wardrobe staples that will survive the trends and that you can mix and match with a few high fashion pieces or accessories to add a personal touch.

II Stay groomed

The effects of a well-styled and accessorised outfit will be lost if your hair, nails and skin are neglected. Regular grooming will not only boost your confidence but your overall look and finesse.

INTERIORS

II Interiors personalities

We all have our individual style but when it comes to interiors, people often feel lost as there is so much choice in the market today and so many different styles to choose from. You may find that you lean towards a mix of several different styles but prefer to stick to strong elements of one, combined with mere touches of others. If starting a new design project at home, the best way to determine what mix you want to create, is to pick out elements from different sources, starting with magazines, to influences from your experiences and travels. The more elements you add to the mix from as many different sources as possible, the more personal your choice and style becomes.

II Symmetry

If you can't achieve symmetry, ensure you achieve balance or order out of chaos. Interior designers will always plan the furniture layout before moving any furniture. As a rule of thumb, when arranging furniture in a square room for example, draw a diagram of the outline of the room and draw in the right-angled lines (from midpoint of one wall to midpoint of the opposite wall) and the diagonal lines (from corner to corner). The focal points should be lined up along the right-angled lines in order to create a near perfectly symmetrical arrangement. The diagonal lines should be avoided.

DISPLAYING YOUR OBJECTS

II Scale is important

Create balance and harmony by establishing a working relationship between the objects you're displaying. A large painting, for example, would look top heavy and imbalanced above a small side table but above a double chest with two chairs either side and a vase of flowers on the chest it looks balanced and harmonious.

When arranging smaller objects, groups of three are always easy on the eye as this gives a central focal point. If you have a lot of keepsake items, try to arrange them as a collection of similar objects that look good together rather than randomly scattered. Always keep displays simple and unfussy to achieve clean lines.

II Light

The way you use light will change the entire feel of a living space. If you have a small space, using light-coloured lacquered furniture and mirrored surfaces will reflect light and give the feeling of more open space. Likewise, using a large mirror along a wall that reflects the rest of the room will not only brighten up the room by reflecting light but it will also make a room seem larger.

Use light to set the mood by using mood lighting and candles. Dimmer switches and corner lamps together with flickering candles not only give a feeling of tranquility and warmth but also create a soft and inviting atmosphere for dinner guests.

EXPERIMENT WITH COLOURS

II Colours can give your room personality and create visual effects. A few to consider are:

Dark colours — If you have a small living space but want to create a feeling of space, paint the back walls a darker colour which makes them visually recede and the room will appear bigger.

Red gives an emphatic yet classic and cosy feel. Deep reds with subtle mood lighting such as uplighting from corner lamps and dimmer switch downlighting will make the most of this rich colour.

Pale blues and lavender are very calming colours and are therefore perfect for bathrooms and bedrooms.

— Beatrice Boardman is a UAE-based fashion and interiors consultant