This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while now and I hope it will become a regular feature on Hip Shapes and Bristol Fashion.  I came up with the idea when I was pulling together the post about this maxi skirt.   I mentioned then, that I will only buy something new, if I know it will go with at least three other items I’ve got back at home.  Well ‘Three Ways’ to Wear’ is an extension of this.   Some weeks I’ll illustrate three ways to wear a key item and others will focus on a particular trend.  I love the challenge of pulling together looks and outfits using the same item of clothing and proving to you that you don’t need to have an extensive collection of clothes to create countless outfits…just some imagination and a pair of fresh eyes.

As a personal stylist I’ve been through so many wardrobes and while they’re all so different from each other (one of the many things I love about my job is the variety), there are a couple of things that I see again and again.  The first is there are always at least three or four items hanging in the wardrobe un-worn with the labels still on and the other, is that some items are only ever worn a few times and in the same way.  

I want this regular feature to inspire people to experiment more with their wardrobe, to be more creative and not to be afraid to try something new.   As well as this, I’m hoping it will force me to put the time aside to regularly look at my own wardrobe, something that I’ve enjoyed doing with the challenges I’ve done, but that normally comes last after all my clients wardrobes. (On that note, I still want to do more challenges, so if you have one for me, then get in touch!).  So, what do you think? 

Well, if you like the idea then here’s my first post...
Three ways to wear a blouse.

1. Blouse from Monsoon, jeans from Donna Ida, shoes from NW3 and vintag broach 2.Blouse and jeans as before, shoes from Ash, vintage belt, cardigan from Hennes. 3. Jumper from Zara, skirt from Joy, shoes from Dune.

I’m a huge fan of blouses; I find them such a versatile item and perfect for layering.  This one is from Monsoon Fusion, a make that’s recently caught my eye.  I love the colour and the cute heart print (which surprises me as I’m not normally drawn to clothes or jewellery with hearts).  The first outfit is fairly simple, I’ve paired the blouse with a pair of skinny jeans and heels.  I love the shape of the top so I’ve kept the rest of the outfit fairly simple.  I really like the collar and the little bow round the neck so thought I’d try to make a feature of it by adding the broach. 

My second outfit is much more of an everyday look.  It’s a bit blurry, but I’m wearing my leather trainers by Ash with jeans and have tucked the top in, finishing it off with a studded belt and cardi.

And finally, I’m wearing the blouse under this crochet jumper with a skirt and flats.  The collar works quite well around the neckline of the jumper and I like the way you can see a little bit of green through the holes.  I think my favourite look is the middle one, what about you?

I hoped that I’d end this challenge feeling inspired and looking forward to wearing my leopard print items again, but I’ve come down with a horrid cold - my throat feels like it’s been sand papered and I feel sick -so I’m just moping around in my pj’s.  

I did manage to pull together an outfit for my last day, but I think you can probably tell that I wasn’t really up for it.

Shirt from Asda, jeans from Donna Ida, shoes from Ash, scarf from Miss Selfridge, bag from Angel Jackson

Anyway, the question I need to ask myself is: have I missed my leopard print items? YES!  But that’s only really because most of my footwear is of the animal variety, so I’ve been left with a very limited selection of shoes to wear all week. 

It’s not until you take everything out of your wardrobe and really look at what you’ve got, that you can see what you’re repeatedly buying.  I’ve been through so many different wardrobes and know that most people get in to the habit of buying particular items over and over again (the most popular being jeans, black trousers or cardigans) but I didn’t think I was doing the same.  Well, it turns out I am.

So, while I’ve missed my print ever so much, I’ve been able to determined the gaps in my wardrobe that if I fill (bank account willing) I will be able to create an ever more versatile wardrobe… all in all, it was a very worthwhile exercise.

Is there an item you can't help buying...again and again, and again?

Things have been a bit rushed this weekend, so I’ve only just got round to posting my outfit from yesterday.  I’m wearing the maxi skirt from this post and have teamed it with a simple white jumper, tan belt and mix of bangles.  I wanted to wear something quite relaxed and comfortable and this just fitted that perfectly.

Following on from my last couple of posts, I wanted to try out a different shot.  Instead of just standing there I wanted to try an ‘action shot’ :)

No really I am.  Look….

And these are just the items I've got with me, there's more in storage.  It’s got to the point now, where if I’m not wearing any leopard print, friends ask me if I’m okay!

If you read my blog a couple of weeks ago then you may have noticed my 7 day challenge, set by my husband.  Well if not, and you’d like to take a peek, then you can see it here.  After I’d finished I had some great comments and tweets from people saying how much they enjoyed it, it made my week! (thanks!!)  I was so amazed that people actually followed me on my challenge and wanted to talk about it.   I really enjoyed the challenge and the excuse to pay my own wardrobe some attention for a change so when it was all over, I asked you to suggest another challenge for me to take on, and you did!

So what’s my next challenge (as if you’ve not already figured it out)?  To go without leopard print, for a whole week.

I bet you’re reading this and thinking that’s got to be an easy challenge.  Well, you know what, it really isn’t.  Most of my footwear is of the leopard variety, and my warmest coat is too…I’m hoping the weather stays mild.  I’ve got myself into a bit of a style rut when it comes to print; I wear a lot of plain clothing and black – I just love black and there’s nothing wrong with that, but when I try to introduce some print, I somehow end up veering towards the animal kind.  So I’m hoping that this might force me to try other prints and develop my style a little further.

I was in my office all day for the first day of my new challenge.  It was an unusually productive day, I actually managed to catch up with my emails, tweak my blog, pull together two wardrobe reports for two new clients I had last week and prep for another new client I have tomorrow.

The only time I left the house today was to walk Hendrix, I waited until the sun popped out for a few minutes, took some photos and then went for a walk.  Luckily the sun was out long enough for me to take a half decent shot, although it didn’t last, Hendrix and I got rained on within five minutes of starting our walk.

I wore black jeans from Donna Ida, sneakers from Ash (a bargain from outnet.com last summer), black jumper from Warehouse and a huge vintage scarf.  My bag is by Angel Jackson.

What do you think to my new challenge?  Am I cheating a wee bit by having Hendrix in shot...a little bit of animal print :)

I don’t normally go anywhere near the sales.  I spend so much time in the shops with clients that when the sales finally come round I’ve seen enough of the stock and know that the best has probably been and gone.    However, last weekend we had to pop to Cribbs Causeway so I ventured into a few shops to see the new collections that are starting to come through, and guess what?  I was totally side tracked by the sale rails.  I spotted this skirt in the Warehouse sale, I’d bought it in red back in the summer and it was such a useful skirt, so when I saw it was an amazing £7, it had to be mine.

Maxi skirt from Warehouse

This is my first outfit and I think it’s my favourite. I’ve teamed it with an ancient cardigan of mine that’s seen better days (I just can’t make myself get rid of it), I breathed new life into it by wearing it back to front. I love the neckline on it worn this way, it broadens my narrow shoulders. I like to wear maxi skirts in a boho/grungy/rock kinda way, so to finished the look I combined the skirt with these studded boots and vintage belt.

Cardigan from Topshop (7 years ago!!) Boots from Asos Earrings from a Holiday in Portugal Vintage belt Leather cuff from Hennes mens dept

Here’s another look.  I love this leather jacket, any opportunity to wear it and I will.  This silk top is a buy from Topshop a couple of years back, and the boots are from Ash (I spotted them on outnet.com and couldn’t resist them).  I’m also wearing one of my favourite necklaces.  If I don’t know what to wear then I’ll always go to this, it goes with everything and even better than that, it was made by one of my best friends Jane.  If you want to see more of her jewellery then you can see it here and find out more here

Leather jacket from Topshop Silk top from Topshop Bangles from India Shoes by Ash from Outnet Necklace by Jane Kenney

Sometimes I like to be a little more girly so I thought I’d try and pull together a different look to the last two.   I’m wearing this dress under the skirt so that it looks like a top.  I think it works quite well, although it’s definitely not an everyday outfit and I’m far more comfortable in something a little more casual or edgy. 

Dress from Warehouse Earrings from French Connection Pumps from KG

Finally, I thought I’d see if this shirt went with it.   It’s become a fall back item recently when I want to be cosy comfy, so I thought it would be perfect for a really dressed down look.  It’s not my favourite look of the four, but I think it works.

Shirt from Asda Shoes as before

What do you think?  Do you give yourself the same rule to not buy something unless it goes with three things you already own, or is it just me?!