Gemma's Fashion Blog

Hello and welcome to Gemma’s Fashion Blog!! If you have not already met me then let me introduce myself… I am Gemma and I am a personal shopper as well as a proud member of the wonderful Boudoir Team. I am going to be writing a monthly column with lots of style ideas and fashion tips to help you all look absolutely fabulous!!

November 2009

Hello Boudettes, if you are in a flap about what to wear this winter (all that choice, all those trends... what is a girl to do?) then fear not!! Gems, The Boudoir’s resident fashionista is back once again to guide you through and advise you on the key trends that you cannot afford to miss this season.

In a nod to London Fashion Week’s 25th birthday everyone is rocking the Eighties, the decade when shoulders were massive and bling was the thing. If you are not crazy for crystal or dripping in diamante you just won’t cut it. This does not mean everyone should be blinded when you enter the bar or the club girls!! Stick to one key item such as a fab bling cuff - think big, think huge and think massive. The bigger the better as it will make your wrists appear dainty. Or the embellished tee seen everywhere on the High Street – wear this with everything from a smart pencil skirt to your ripped skinny jeans or they the shredded leggings to get that real Eighties vibe. Although shoulder pads are big this season they are best to stay clear of unless you’re blessed with a very small frame.

It’s time to get those legs out girls!! If they are a bit on the pale side then opaque tights will be your saviour. Short minis or tight knee length skirts with serious splits are so now!! Team with a chiffon shirt and tough ankle boots for a fierce look. If you are lucky enough to have fab legs then the thigh high boot was without doubt the sexiest footwear shown on the catwalks. But remember to keep it classy and to cover up on top with a thin cotton or cashmere sweater and a simple leather waisted belt.

Glunge = glamour + grundge - this played a big part of this season’s looks. Lots of greys, blacks and purples, ripped jeans, biker jackets, studded boots and sandals. This look is fierce!! Keep the jeans or the leggings skin tight and pair with a plain or sequined loose tee. If your legs are your best feature this look will work for you.

If there is one Winter trend you can’t ignore it would be leather... in the style of shift dresses, minis and leggings (buy them tight as like shoes they stretch and mould your body shape – a baggy butt is not attractive!!. Even if you just nod to this trend by updating your leather biker jacket that you can throw over your jeans and evening dresses – a great investment piece.

Remember girls Autumn/Winter 09 is no place for the timid, choose your look and take inspiration from London and the UK’s top designers and cool celebrities. It’s all about making a statement.

Of course if the whole idea of putting together an outfit still baffles and terrifies you, you can book your consultation and personal shopping trip with me. To book please email info@theboudoironline.com or call 020 8211 1666. Trips are £210.

Remember...

Good dressing is not just about copying the latest trends from the catwalks – anyone can do that. Some things may never suit you no matter how big or small you are. It’s all about finding your own style, which should reflect you or who you aspire to be. Adapt, do not copy the latest styles girls and I promise you that you will always be comfortably bang on trend!!

Happy Shopping

Gems x

Gemma's Testimonials

Click here to read my review of a Shopping Trip - Susan Sometimes.

Great day yesterday. Had a ball. You did your usual absolutely fantastic job of making me feel great and then Gemma was wonderful. She's a lovely girl and my god, can she shop!! Now I know why you girls get so exhausted after a day's shopping. I can't believe Gilly actually breezed in and out of trendy fashion shops with hardly a care in the world. I had a great time and Gemma had me feeling really at ease. Thanks so much and please pass on my thanks to Gemma. Now Gilly's got all the gear, I can't wait for Trannyshack. I'll be as nervous as hell but I'm sure it will be a blast. See you in a few weeks time for Gilly's next little adventure. Perhaps not so little, because they seem to be getting bigger and bigger at present - Gilly.

Thank you very much for such a special day on Wednesday, as always Jodie's makeover gave me loads of confidence, and Gemma you certainly know how to shop. I have never had such a great day out as Zoe, and Jodie you know how many great days Zoe has had. There were so many wonderful dresses to choose from. Gemma, I could have shopped for days with you. You found so many great clothes. I cannot wait for Ascot - Zoe.

Just wanted to say thanks again to Gemma for today. I wish I'd done this years ago, it gets better and better! I need to think about what to do next so I'll be in touch soon about either going on a night out or buying the rest of the stuff - Sian.

March 2009

Hello gorgeous girls, your little fashion guru is back to fill you in on what’s hot and what’s not for Spring/Summer 09. As usual the S/S catwalks were bursting with new ideas and trends. Polka dots were spotted on the runways of Balenciaga and D & G in the shape of shift minis and sexy strapless glamour. Think Ava Gardener in her prime. Wear pretty dotted tea dresses like Eva Mendes recently papped at “The Spirit” premiere in Paris.

The all-in-one is a must for S/S 09. If you haven’t already tried it in recent seasons then it might be time to give it a go. They look great worn long or short, but try to choose a fluid fabric as that will keep it from clinging to you. Just a helpful hint though, as there will be no popping to the loo in one of these, as the whole thing has to come off. They were designed for fashion not function, but that never seems to put us girls off.

Another trend which I have to mention is the revival of denim - denim shirts, dresses and skirts. In recent seasons it would have been very uncool to wear a denim skirt (unless you are fashion goddess Kate Moss and wearing it so short it resembles a belt, well then of course it becomes cool). Obviously jeans as always appeared on catwalks and were shown in every style from skinny to flares and the most flattering shape of all… the skinny flare…. which make even my legs look long!!

So that’s just a few of the designer's predictions for Spring/Summer, but really we have to wait because in our world, the celebrities rule. What they wear goes, and this is what the High Street will churn out in mass.

If you are just dying to bring your drab Autumn/Winter wardrobe up to date, then here are a couple of suggestions.

New Shoes!! We don’t have to wait for good weather to buy new shoes, and the ones to look for this season are platforms. From Christian Louboutin to River Island… everyone is doing them. Remember Cheryl Cole towering over the rest of the mere mortals on X Factor. When she wasn’t blubbing over someone being voted out or looking positively faint from sheer hunger, she was working the heels on camera. One glimpse of her shoes and all would be forgiven. Cheryl is a short girl who rocks platforms to the max to elevate her in height and in the glamour stakes too. So love her or hate her… Mrs. Cole is a shoe icon!!

Last but not least, I would suggest a fabulous mac a la Miss Victoria Beckham - ideal for fending off those April showers!!

You should buy one which has a belt, that is nice and fitted and preferably not black. The new colour for Spring/Summer is coral but some may find this a bit garish. I prefer the classic mac in beige – the type you would find in Aquascutum. The classic Aquascutum style mac gets copied and produced endlessly for the High Street and is available at a fraction of the £325 you would pay for an original. If you have trouble getting one with long enough sleeves Long Tall Sally have an excellent Lelant Trench with a more generous sleeve length. This classic fashion staple always looks on trend and chic!!

Wear yours with platforms and all those around you will be pea green with envy!!

November 2008

Bonjour to all of my gorgeous darling Boudoir fashionistas. This is the second of my Fashion Blogs that I am writing exclusively for The Boudoir website and I promise you that it is just as scrumptious as my first one!! This month is all about finding the perfect Christmas party dress and those all important accessories that can make or break an outfit. It may seem a bit too early to be worrying about Christmas but with less than eight weeks to go, it will soon whizz round and where will you be without your Christmas party frock? At home, in boring men’s clothes watching Strictly Come Dancing… wishing you had listened to Gems… that’s where!! Leave it too late and you will end up fighting your way through the crowds to find a load of rubbish left on the rails!!

When planning your outfit, think about the style you want to achieve. Which look are you lusting after this season? Always go shopping with a rough idea of what you are looking for or you will end up wandering around like a fairy in a trance!! Start by choosing your dress, then select your shoes and finally accessories to achieve a coordinated look.

Daunted? Don’t fret, your shopping angel is back to guide you through the masses and the rails to make party chic look so easy…

Where To Shop

Nothing makes a more stylish statement than sexy suiting for a winter party. But don’t be tempted to try side splitting tailoring (side splits) unless you can be 100% sure you can pull it off. Nothing is worse than bulges of flab destroying the sleek lines of a pencil skirt. The correct underwear, as unattractive as it may look, can create wonders for an outfit. Try the very popular (a favourite with the celebs) Spanx range or the Trinny and Susannah - both are available at MyTights.com, or the Magic Knicker Range from The Magic Knicker Shop. Next month I will be delving deeper into the whole Magic Knicker phenomenon.

Karen Millen have a super sexy Pencil Skirt can create clever curves though it only goes up to a size 16. Always go for a style slightly higher on the waist and ending just below the knees as this is the most flattering length, add a waist-clinching belt and you will get a sexy and sophisticated silhouette.

If you are bigger than a size 16 you should opt for a fuller skirt such as the prom styles that are currently in the stores. Try the Debut Collection at Debenhams which goes up to a size 20, they have some fabulous Prom-Style Skirts… ideal for the fuller figure.

The gothic trend found on this seasons catwalks of Givenchy, Marchesa and Prada is both demure and sexy. Shown in block colours, predictably mostly black with hints of purple, with lace and crochet making this look both romantic and edgy. You will find lots of dresses filtered down to the High Street with high necks and long sleeves in lace or dramatic ruffles - perfect for those of you that cannot wax. Wallis have interpreted this seasons style well with this Black Lace Tunic Dress.

Lastly my favourite, girlie glamour! Voluminous pleated skirts, silk, puff sleeves and lots of frills and bows. Elegant without being too sissy as that is so not on trend and not a look that The Boudoir promotes. Finish it off with multi-strands of pearls to get a vintage feel. But be careful not to get too carried away with this look as you could be mistaken for the fairy on top of your Christmas tree. Prom dresses are still fabulous this season, they are so feminine with the big netted skirts, just stay clear if you have very broad shoulders as strapless dresses will emphasis their size. Next month I will be looking at ways to wear strappy dresses and cover the shoulders with various garments without losing the style of the dress. Monsoon have a great selection, ranging right up to a size 20 in some pieces with this Godiva Dress being a great example.

Whatever dress you decide on be sure to accessorise with some fabulous heels and jewellery, after all this seasons fashion is all about glamour!! Coming next month… body shaping, jewellery, accessorising, shoulder covers and shoes all to compliment your party dresses!!

October 2008

Winter is definitely on its way which means life becomes easier for most TGs, as overheating is always a common complaint. and summer fashion is much harder to pull off. Let’s face it, unless you are Elle McPherson with perfect, hair-free tanned legs up to your armpits then it is always going to be a challenge. But winter couldn’t be easier as the classic Polo Neck Sweater is bang on trend, and is perfect for covering up any chest and arm hair. They also look great when teamed with mini skirts and you can go as short as you like (within reason girls) as high necks stop the shorter length skirt looking slutty… sorry but I try to promote class not brass!!

Of course some of you may be enthusiastic, or even relieved to be able to get out your tights again after them having been banished to the cupboard for the summer (yeah right) – black opaques have again been the most popular on the catwalks this season which is amazing news for you girls as they really are the most concealing, forgiving and flattering member of the hosiery family. If you are a little more daring then try some Wet Look Leggings like the Sass & Bide ones that a lot of the celebs are wearing at the moment. The Wet Look Leggings look amazing with another high neck long sleeve item, the Pussy Bow Blouse. If you buy only one thing this season is just has to be a Pussy Bow Blouse!!

Where To Shop

Polo Neck Sweater – anywhere, depending on the quality. If you go too cheap, watch out for shiny knitwear which is a big give away of its poor quality. Also make sure that the sweater has some shape to it and will cling at the waist and not hang in a shapeless mess. Try Uniqlo, as they are very reasonable on knitwear, their Fine Ribbed Polo Long Sleeved T-Shirt will keep you cool as it isn’t knitted and comes in at an incredible £2.99. It comes in 10 different colours (yes... including black!!)

Mini Skirt – tartan is massive this season. There is a great skirt in Marks & Spencer's Limited Collection at the very reasonable cost of £35.00. Available in sizes 6-16.

Always top this look off with Shoots (shoe boots) another major player this season. These can be found everywhere on the High Street at the moment. Everywhere from New Look to Zara to Kurt Geiger is selling them, and they’re selling fast so don’t hold back!!

Wet Look Leggings – Try the Hi-Shine Leggings from Religion clothing for £29.50.

Pussy Bow Blouse – For you lucky smaller girls try Ted Baker’s Pussy Bow Shirt at £40.00 but only up to a size 14, also Autograph at Marks & Spencer have an Essentials Silk Blend Pussy Bow Top with Cashmere at a mere £39.50 in sizes 16-22. Another one to check out is Oasis' Long Sleeve Pussy Bow Polo at £25.00, it comes in sizes 8-16.

Gemma's Final Thoughts

This month Sex and The City was released on DVD and for anyone who is interested in fashion this film is a must!! Although some of the fashion is a bit avant-garde… I mean who would wear 6 random colours together with over-the-knee socks and shorts? Or a corsage bigger then J-Lo’s derrière? Only Sarah Jessica Parker can pull these kinds of fashion stunts off and remain one of the world’s most influential fashionistas. I mention her controversially, as it has been proven that on the whole women worship the ground that SJP walks on but men tend to hate her… where do you sit on this one? Does your female side scream “All hail SJP” or does your masculine side prevail with a dull “SJP who?”

But regardless of the odd fashion faux pas, you have to love the way the costume designer Patricia Field has fun with fashion and appreciate the creativity behind the outfits.