This year’s summer holiday I spent in my home country. Few days here and there visiting family and friends before we would finally head of to our proper vacation at the lakes. Ten days of a complete serenity. Camping.
One of the nicest highlights of my stay in Poland was the stay at my mum’s – in – law. Yep, no joke here. She is in her early 70s. Her retirement years have been marked by a very challenging care she takes of her mum (my Granny) who has been suffering from Dementia for the last 8 years.
Despite the everyday difficulties, tiredness and endless health issues they both face my mum – in – law does her best to stay as positive as possible and of course to keep taking care of her own appearance.
Quite recently my mum – in – law put on a few pounds. Those few pounds stopped her wearing almost all the clothes she owns. A week before I arrived she decided to do her first wardrobe audit.
In practice she got rid of at least 60% of her clothes. The clothes that have been collected and kept for over 40 years have finally been segregated and disposed accordingly.
Violetta admitted that it has been quite a freeing experience that to her surprise made her feeling very happy and relieved.
However, the happiness has been spoiled with a reality that she has been left with very few items that fit her new silhouette.
Violetta asked me for some advice regarding her clothing choices as although she feels happy with a space that has been made in the wardrobe at the same time she feels lost and does not know how to wear the separates or accessorise.
A shopping spree is not going to happen soon so she needs to make a most of the items she has been left with.
So as the result of a quite nice but at the same time demanding weekend we spent trying to sort out the haircut, colour and style choices and taking photos in the heatwave we ended up with below solutions.
The ‘before’ pictures show Violetta during her stay at relatives earlier this year.
The ‘after’ photos show the clothes Violetta already owns. I have picked up a few of her favs ones I focused on making the most of what she already has by showing her the importance of correct colour, length and fit so she looks proportionate, slimmer and taller than she is.
The haircut has been chosen so it would enhance the eyes and cheekbones. It is very easy and simple to maintain just with a tiny drop of hair putty she can style it very easy giving her stylish and effortless look. Being 71 years old Violetta is very lucky having just a few silver strays.
The solutions I used for Violetta could be treated as a general inspiration for those of you who have similar physique.
Fuchsia blazer combined with rosy pink blouse are the perfect match to ivory wide leg trousers. To add more elegance to this simple look a few strings of pearl bracelets have been added and a mother of pearl ring.
Stylish Tip: the more strings of bracelets you would wear the more subtle and delicate your hands and wrists would appear.
The size of a handbag you choose to compliment your outfit is very important. Accessories should work with your outfit but also they should complement your frame and your body lines.
Here the size of the white gold clutch bag beautifully complements the height and the silhouette of Violetta.
Wearing one color or different shades of one color from head to toe is a understated and yet perfect solution if you have petite frame. One colour choice is a great slimming down tool. You do not have to hide behind black clothes in order to appear slimmer. This is a myth which seems so difficult to be get rid of our minds.
If you stick to most flattering lengths of the garments and pick fabrics that nicely work with your silhouette even if you wear light, bright colours you would appear slimmer and taller (if needed).
Here Violetta is wearing different shades of her favourite pink. In order to maintain the continuity of shades Violetta opted for deep red leather medium heels. The combination of colour and style of trousers elongates her legs.
The grey combo has been cheered by an addition of a pink and deep red colour accents. Going for more defined frames in a contrasting colour works perfectly with the natural hair colour and enhances her great complexion.
Silver bracelets complement the overall look without any unnecessary distractions.
Another colour option for a grey blazer is to wear it with pastels. Here Violetta is wearing a pastel green blouse accessorized with an eye-catching short necklace.
And this is THE DRESS Violetta has not been sure about when buying it originally for her cousin’s 60th birthday party earlier this year. She wore it with the open toe shoes and a white gold clutch bag.
The colours and the style of the dress flatter her physique greatly creating an effortless elegance.
I have suggested an addition of a pearl necklace and a mother of pearl ring to take the outfit to a next level :-). The necklace enhances Violetta’s attractive face shape and creates great focal point.
STYLE TIP: pearls work great with mature skin helping to enhance its best features. Pearls give the subtle light to the skin tone so it looks more fresh and glowing.
Make-up and hairstyle by Agnieszka Dyszlewska.
