Blog Posts by Francesca Hornak

  • How to declutter your wardrobe effectively

    By Francesca Hornak | The Fashion Fix – Wed, May 9, 2012 12:45 BST

    Most of us only wear about two thirds of our clothes — if that. The rest just take up space in the wardrobe, looking at you accusingly from their hangers. And now that the seasons are switching, it's a good time to get organised.

    Start by setting aside a whole Saturday for a clear out. Take out all your clothes, and lay them all on the bed. This makes it much easier to how much you have (too much, probably) and where the gaps are for future shopping.

    Before going any further, Hoover and clean your wardrobe and drawers. This isn't just neat-freakery — dust attracts moths.

    [Related article: Five face and body flatterers]

    Divide clothes into five piles: 'keep', 'store', 'chuck', 'not sure', 'alter' and 'eBay'. Be ruthless. If you haven't worn it in over a year and it isn't occasion-wear, it probably isn't working.

    Do not be tempted to keep clothes for 'thinspiration.' If you lose weight, you'll want to buy fresh clothes, not something you fitted in 2003.

    Now add the 'alter' pile, and the

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  • Our picks for the best maternity outfits

    By Francesca Hornak | The Fashion Fix – Thu, May 3, 2012 11:20 BST

    There's quite enough to deal with when you're pregnant, without clothes being an issue, too. Fortunately, maternity-wear has really improved in recent years, and it needn't be expensive - Gap, Topshop and M&S all do good ranges.

    [Related feature: The best maternity fitness clothing]

    Marie Palmer, a consultant from maternity-wear store Keungzai has this style advice for mums to be: 'Resist the temptation to buy clothes in larger sizes,' she says. 'If you are a size 8 normally, then this is the size you should choose for maternity clothing. Likewise, if you're feeling self-conscious about looking larger, don't completely cover up — it will make you look bigger. Draw attention to your new curves, and choose clothing that shows off your best areas, such as a V neck, or a low back dress. Scoop necks are particularly effective at elongating your whole silhouette.'

    Here are some more tips for bump dressing:

    Pregnant partywear


    How come pregnant celebrities look so smug? Because they know

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  • How to pick the perfect sunglasses

    By Francesca Hornak | The Fashion Fix – Fri, Apr 13, 2012 11:32 BST

    The right sunglasses never go out of style. But who hasn't been swayed by designer frames, or a duty free bargain, and ended up with shades that don't suit? The key to successful sunglasses shopping is to allow ample time, and to get a second opinion - it's hard to judge your reflection with shades on. Better still, get your shopping partner to take photos of you.

    The right style for you will depend on your face shape, but think about  frame colour, too. Black can be harsh against some skintones, so if you're prone to looking washed out try tortoiseshell instead.

    Finally, it's worth investing in your sunglasses, so skip the cheap and cheerful pairs in high street shops.  At best, these will give you 'nose dents', at worst they won't offer adequate UV protection. Here's how to pick the right pair for you.

    Round face

    If you have a baby face, with full cheeks and rounded chin, you're aiming to add definition and make your face look longer, rather than softer, or wider. Go for angular

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