Pic credit: Angela Cleary
As we move into Autumn/Winter, it’s time to be inspired by new season style choices and elevate your overall look! We love colour at Mavala and caught up with fashion stylist Angela Cleary for guidance on how to rejuvenate your style for the season ahead through deliberate shade and fashion choices.
What are the shade and style trends for Autumn/Winter 2022?
This season is all about colours that kick contrasted by shades that soothe - as we come out of a tough two years, we want to feel alive and ready to embrace fashion and be social with confidence and security. It's the perfect balance of harmony and opposites that create timeless elegance with a modern edge. Burnt oranges, rich hennas and moody Bordeaux’s have a strong presence, as do fun pops of steely blues and petrol tones. Mix these against nature’s reassuring favourites such as lively greens, delicate beiges, creamy caramels and woodsy tans.
In terms of style, we will still be seeing a lot of peek-a-boo skin in various versions from definite laser cutouts to subtle sheer styling. Dapper suiting paired with vests and bustiers bring back a refined flavour with a pinch of masculine and feminine sass combined. Your classic trench coat is a must and the seasonal puffer jacket is still strong, not only for Saturday sport either as sporty chic dominates. Monochromatic dressing is always chic and we will see it in the forefront of our styling go-tos. For those that love a splash of sparkle, you’re in for treat as we see the return of everyday glam with sequins as a subtle addition.
How would you interpret these in a wearable way?
My advice is pick one classic style and pair it with an accent colour trend i.e. wear a great beige trench and then pair it with a fresh pop of blue/green nail lacquer for instant edge. Don’t worry about having a closet full of the latest trends. It’s best to infuse the trends in a subtle way.
What are your foolproof style guidelines?
De-clutter and cleanse your wardrobe regularly, at least every two years. Don’t store all the chapters of your life in your wardrobe. As you change so too should your style evolve. Don’t be a fashion victim especially post 40. Make sure your inspiration and your style icons are relatable and in your age bracket. It’s no good being 45 years old and wishing you could have the same wardrobe or style as a 30 year old. Embrace the chapter you’re in and have confidence there is only one you. Curate a capsule wardrobe. I have a top ten hit list I share with all my clients and work through to fill in the gaps.
What are your top 3 autumn/winter must haves?
A calf length beige trench coat
Well cut black long lined blazer
Silk midi-skirt
What are the top 3 mistakes you see with style for women during their 40’s?
Definitely the most common mistake I see is not moving with the decade you are in and wearing shapes, styles and colours that are no longer flattering. Not having those key wardrobe essentials is also a huge confidence killer as it makes dressing so difficult when you just can’t mix and match your wardrobe well. Hence women stand there saying ‘I have nothing to wear’ but it’s actually code for, ‘I haven’t bought anything that fits me well’, ‘I don’t have the style basics’ and ‘my wardrobe screams too many prints and colours’. I find balance and proportion is a common mistake too. Part of looking pulled together and effortlessly stylish is the balance of your outfit, i.e. where everything fits well and is proportionate to your body shape. For example, if you are fuller through the lower part of your body then opt for darker shades and solid block colours and in reverse if you’re broader or bigger busted steer clear of busy large prints, frills, ruffles or high necklines. Keeping style simple yet chic creates effortless style.
How can I modernise my makeup and jewellery for the season ahead?
I suggest watching quick tutorials online to learn some tips ands tricks for freshening up your makeup look. My go-tos for 40plus are @amandaramsaymakeup and @veronicaritomakeup.
Jewellery for the season ahead is quite fun and girly. We are seeing the return of pearls and charm bracelets and necklaces. Plus anything chain or linked, oversized flower rings and stacked bangles. Once again I suggest you freshen up your look by selecting one trend and introduce it in a subtle way. i.e. All black outfit with stack of chunky bangles finish it off with a beautiful rich rust lipstick to inject a pop of colour. You are still on trend but classic and timeless.
Your top tip for looking and feeling your best at any age?
It’s a bit cliché but plenty of rest, ample hydration for your body and skin plus lots of self care in the way of meditation, walks in nature, time out, reading or catching up with those that you are truly yourself around. Happiness and success are simply a frame of mind and essentially come from within. Measure everything from yourself and your own personal goals and never ever compare. Stick to your own lane and water your own garden… life then grows and flows. If you’re not in your flow then it’s usually because you’re going against yourself and not really happy within yourself, your job, and your personal relationships. Get rid of guilt, fear and worry – they serve absolutely no purpose to being present and living in the moment. Let go of the past, nobody knows about the future so all you can do is live day by day.
Tell us a little more about how you can help women who may be stuck in a style rut?
I offer various styling packages for women 40 plus both in person and online. I also help women peel back the layers of self-doubt, that stuck feeling and negative self-talk. A style rut is something we gradually dig our way into not something you fell into overnight. I like to think I help women reclaim their confidence and style ‘know-how’ on any budget.
To get in touch with Angela for a private consultation, please click below.
