Elegant and chic - A style interview with Ruth Essex

Today I'd love to introduce you to Ruth Essex. She is a professional epitome consultant and color jitney and has joined me in guiding yous through the 21 steps in our fashion course.

This is a run a risk to get to know her a little better and get lots of fabulous way tips in the process too!

Can you lot tell us a little bit more most yourself?

I have been fascinated by fashion since I played dress up and clomped effectually in my mum'south heels every bit a little girl.

Luckily at that place have been so many stylish women, and men, in my family, which gave me the advantage of learning most fashion early, even if it was hidden at the fourth dimension.

Still, my kickoff formal introduction to this profession was effectually 15 years ago, when my friend Susan bought me a colour assay session as a Christmas nowadays.

Susan and I went to the session together, and though we agreed the lady who analysed us did so correctly, her delivery was somewhat lacking in charm. This lady had clearly lost interest in her job and when in that location is no passion left, I recollect this is a good fourth dimension to cease.

What the session did do though, was brand me realise that this is something I would enjoy doing myself, and how much better I would want my customers to experience! I started reading more and more virtually style, and colour and body types, and searching out further books and TV programmes on this subject.

I remember it is great to find something you are passionately interested in. It drives you to find out more, gain greater depth of knowledge and understanding, and want to excel in your field. This too led to creaking volume shelves equally I now have a collection of over 120 dissimilar mode books, all of which I take read cover to cover.

When I was pregnant at age 39, nosotros moved 80 miles from Sussex to Essex, and I left my part as a Director of Professional Evolution to enjoy being a full-time mum. By age 40 I was pregnant once again and with a toddler, and a new baby on the manner, I decided this would exist a great time to retrain every bit a stylist.

With my background in lecturing and academia, I was able to combine the skills I had in teaching and learning to help my clients understand why, and how, colour and mode could work for them. My item focus is helping others to sympathise and develop their personal fashion, rather than just giving them the answer.

I used my skills in enquiry and writing bookish papers to start writing a way column for a glossy magazine and then expanded this to showtime writing articles for a 2d magazine. And I institute I was both proficient at, and enjoyed creative writing. From there I started a style blog, (and also a sailing blog, my other passion….) and now I am putting this styling expertise into my new book. I accept written several capacity into so far and the working championship is "Lessons in Style."

The philosophy is to show women how to build actual outfits, which fit their individual style. Showing them step by footstep, what works, and why something doesn't. Information technology isn't aimed at creative and artistic dressers, who seem to exist built-in with their own fabulous flamboyant style, but more the woman who doesn't have a model figure and a Dior budget, who has experienced a few milestones in her life.

My audience is the adult female that seems to have just lost her way a bit, at some betoken. Someone who may exist a few pounds over their fighting weight, mayhap someone who has been putting the needs of others get-go, when life gets decorated with work, family and friends, or but getting stuff done.

They don't take an Instagram husband and their personal fashion may have become blurred or a bit none descript. Information technology is non for Red Carpet events, it is for the woman who wants some guidance and aid in finding her fashion back to feeling cracking each day. Information technology is for women like me. Changing the world, i accessory at a time.

A video introduction video to Ruth

As a point of reference which age group do y'all vest to or mayhap you are willing to share your age?

I am 46 and very happy at this stage of my life. I live life to the fullest, whenever I tin, and similar to stretch myself and endeavour new things because I think we are all capable of more than nosotros might believe we are.

Certain events in my life accept made me appreciate how precious life is and this is certainly no apparel rehearsal.

I don't salvage annihilation for best. Today is my all-time. Crystal glasses for vino with dinner on a Tuesday night? Why not? I would rather break one than never use them.

Having a breakfast tray every morning so my husband Mark, and our daughters, Scarlet and Eliza, and I can spend quality time together first matter each solar day? Absolutely!

Using a fabulous handbag every day just considering it makes me happy? Certainly.

Lovely things should exist used and enjoyed as frequently every bit possible. Doing something that makes you happy is important. It is our own emotion and ultimately we all hold our ain responsibility for information technology. 'Never save your cashmere' was something my mum used to say. She figured that it was pointless having lovely things and not wearing or using them and information technology is a philosophy I quite concord with.

Why did yous join the 40+Manner team and what will be your office?

I was delighted to accept been asked by Sylvia to bring together her team at 40+ style. Information technology is a neat website with loads of interesting and informative articles, videos and training programs to help adult female develop their style.

I felt with my own expertise in colour and style, coupled with my skills in giving clear instructions and guidance, I could add together something extra to the 21 steps manner course.

In the course you will find some bonus trainings on color that I created for you.  These trainings volition get your understanding of colour to a whole new level which will result in better outfits.

How would you depict your own personal style?

For some time now, my style words take been "Elegance with provenance, chic with a touch of 'je ne sais quoi." I effort to but buy dress and accessories that I actually love then I only wear things that I honey. I tin can't deny that being a fully trained image consultant helps.

It gives y'all the underpinning knowledge to empathize why something works and why something might look a fleck off, which is the head role. The eye part of discovering your personal style is about learning to follow your instinct and wearing what you lot truly love. I accept chosen my style words to help me make choices, but these are flexible and I call up glamorous is a discussion that pops into the formula every now and once again.

Provenance is there considering I adore discovering treasures in austerity shops, auctions, car kicking sales and antiquarian fairs and this means my collection of accessories is unique. I more often than not adopt unproblematic, elegant clothes and my style has a bias towards the classics. Partially, because I like my clothes to last, preferring quality over quality, and too because I am a tactile shopper.

Texture is of import to me and I like to feel the fabrics; fresh pressed linens, and cozy cashmeres, a crocodile print handbag, or a glossy patent shoe.

I aim for an elegant look most of the time, but my style is an abstruse mix of Euro Chic, British Eclectism, and a dash of Italian Glamour. I accept my signature pearls which are elegant and I beloved my drove of coloured leather gloves, which are chic. There might be sailor stripes one 24-hour interval; cashmere and fauna print another; metres of floating tulle, or a trench coat and beret.

I do tend to accept quite a tousled hairstyle as well so the "je ne sais quoi" is an overall await that is casually undone, with a messy composure. I think you could ascertain having adult a signature style, when you lot can chop your head off a picture show of your outfit, and yet others would still know information technology was you lot.

What would yous consider the virtually important components of your mode?

Texture and color are actually important to me. Nobbly tweeds, smooth satins: I honey the softness of cashmere in winter and the crispness of linen in summer, and these have been expert investments.

Stripes are my pattern of choice and never seem to date. Part of my love for sailing is expressed though wearing stripes in my outfits. I am also happy to experiment with different color combinations too.

For example I accept worn an outfit created from all different shades of light-green; or an orange jacket and dress accessorised with burgundy; or even claret cerise and plum tweeds, are all combinations I accept enjoyed wearing. Not mutual combinations I admit, merely I think they work well for me.

Where do you live and how does that influence your way?

I live in Essex in the UK, which is a county but north of London. We have four season weather and I love the opportunities it gives me for changing my outfits as the seasons change. A large percentage of my wardrobe I would grade as three flavour considering the summer in the UK tends to exist rather brief.

However, I am a great sailor and so I am lucky enough to spend some fourth dimension in Europe cruising the coastlines and islands, which ways I do get to build up summer capsules as well. On board I usually base of operations my wardrobe around navy as my darkest neutral and white equally my lightest neutral, with the odd splashes of crimson or yellow.

I love these archetype colours, that never go out of style. Off board I love gilt and white. My nickname at our concluding home marina was "The Glamorous Sailor."

Just because I winch ropes at body of water, servicing a diesel engine, or climbing the mast, does non mean I won't be wearing my usual pearls, a waterproof mascara and my favourite red lipstick. I even proceed emergency pearls on board.

Do you feel y'all have a signature style?

At that place are my signature pearls that I wear nearly every mean solar day, coloured shoes and handbag, and in cooler weather, coloured leather gloves and a hat. Nearly of my clothes are adequately plain; information technology is the accessories that are normally the signature part of my outfits.

I retrieve I will ever prefer to be more than smart than casual and each day on the schoolhouse run I am probably more than dressed upward than the majority of mums. This feels ok to me.

I don't take to prepare my standards of dress by anyone else'due south. And so what if I cull to wear nine strands of pearls on the school run? People no longer ask where I am going and accept that it is just me, living my life.

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

It is quite common for me to starting time my outfit at an accessory that takes my fancy that day. I love accessories and the joy of them is, they never have fatty days! It does not matter what size you are, accessories always fit and these add the finesse and polish to my outfits.

Sometimes I can exist mood driven; attracted to yellowish when I am feeling bright and cheerful; and darker neutrals when I am feeling more reclusive. Beast print always feel rather glamorous and chic, and a striped t-shirt is a fall dorsum particular that I tin e'er build an outfit around.

Do you take things like color profiling or body blazon into account when you dress?

I do, up to a limit. I take an autumnal palette so tend to wait the best in the rich, opulent colours of that season; golds, coppers, chocolate browns, rich greens and burgundies. Still I also beloved the warm bright colours of the Spring palette and then I change my makeup or use other styling tricks to make the less flattering colours work for me.

I accept a curvy hourglass shape so I tend to wear clothes that are tailored or belted to evidence off my waist. If I don't emphasise my waist I expect a lot heavier than I am and there are non many occasions that I want to practice that! So I know the guidance, and why certain colours and styles are most flattering on me, withal I am a rule breaker and exercise and then with the knowledge of the outcome certain styles and colours are likely to have on my effigy and complexion.

I don't look so great in black, for example, so if I do choose to wear information technology, I will vesture a lower neckline to avoid the deep shadows it throws up nether my mentum, and I add extra blusher and a lipstick in orange, which is 1 of my best shades.

What is your current torso type and height and what are your best tips for dressing for these?

I take a curvy hourglass figure and I am 5ft 4in. tall. I have a short waist, a full bosom and hips, and a proportionally smaller waist. I am not and so fond of my thighs so tend to article of clothing skirts and dresses at knee length or below, but I accept slim ankles, a waist and know how to brand the most of the curvy shape I have.

My primary advice for those with a effigy like to mine is to look for tailoring on dresses and jacket as it gives your body shape, cartoon the center to your waist, and employ belts where possible. It knocks pounds off you.

I find with a larger bust, a well fitted bra is essential. I sometimes accept to go up a size in dresses and jackets to accommodate this, specially if the fit-model the designer uses has a straighter figure than my own.

I then chugalug, or take in the waist. Heels extend your legs, and even with flat shoes a depression vamp is a useful trick of the eye to brand legs appear longer, especially when you have curt legs and a long rise similar I exercise.

I rarely use a shoulder purse as I don't want whatever extra bulk at my bustline, and I find them irritating when they fall off my shoulder. I prefer a structured, mitt held, tote style handbag, which I usually wear in the cheat of my arm. This has the advantage of drawing the heart to my waist expanse where I am slimmest. And of course I also break all of these rules when it suits me!

Practice you accept whatsoever favourite brands?

If coin were no object then yous would encounter me hot footing information technology to Dolce and Gabbana, or Marni for clothes; and I would be spoilt for choice at the Hermes and Dior accessories stores. They brand some of the most divine handbags and leather gloves I have ever seen. Such astonishing craftsmanship.

11 years ago, when I was on Honeymoon with Mark, he booked a special surprise for me, which was a trip to the International Schoolhouse of Handbags in Florence. It is where all the Haute Couture houses send staff to larn their arts and crafts. The pieces they produce are works of fine art.

I have quite a love matter with Italian Fashion by and large and I admire the way that D&G embrace the curves of a woman'south effigy. With emphasis on the waist, many of their designs work for my body shape and flatter the hourglass figure. Unfortunately their size range stops somewhere short of the inches I would need for my curves, nonetheless I tin can take inspiration from their cat walk shows and find like styles from other sources. My leopard print blouse and my black lace shift wearing apparel were both inspired by their designs.

Simply alas, I do live in the existent world, without a D&Thousand upkeep. However, I am pretty deft at spotting a treasure. It was a talent I developed from my childhood. My mum was an antiquarian dealer and I honed my skills through accompanying her to auctions, antiques fair, house clearances and charity shops.

I still honey doing this now and have been known to pick up a Mulberry handbag from a machine boot sale for £2.l and a solid gilded antique lookout for £5.00. Apparel agencies, Ebay and niggling boutiques are places I love to explore. It creates an eclectic mix of styles that is peculiar to me and this is ane of the chief factors that determines my personal manner. You would struggle to do a straight copy just from the High Street.

I practice all the same store on the Loftier Street, though it is unremarkably for the odd piece rather than a large proportion of my wardrobe. High Street brands that I beloved are Phase Viii for dresses, (they are very flattering for curves); Boden for skirts, (I love their mod classic patterns); Rigby and Peller for lingerie, (they stock my favourite make of bra from Empriente); M&S for linen; Max Mara for an investment slice cashmere coat; and I used to honey Kaliko for their tailored jackets, but they are no longer trading and then I find these on Ebay now.

Has your mode changed at all afterward turning twoscore?

It did modify for me specifically at this time considering I was pregnant for the starting time time at 39 with Cherry-red so I was significant again at 40 with Eliza, and that calls for a very different wardrobe, particularly as I was the size of a house!
I did gain quite a lot of weight with my pregnancies, and though I lost some of it, I never lost all of it and I thought I can either grump about it, surrender wine and cake, or I tin can learn to dress better for the figure I have. I chose the latter. I do not believe in waiting for a slimmer figure to get-go making the nigh of myself. I prefer to make the nigh of what I have today.

Practise yous believe in dressing 'age appropriately' and what does information technology mean to you?

Women should clothing any they want as long equally they are not breaking whatever laws regarding decency and information technology is appropriate for their job or the occasion. There are women in their sixties who take better legs now than I did at sixteen, and so they still await improve in a curt skirt and opaque tights outfit, than I e'er did.

I think dressing up should make y'all happy. It is something that children have in droves when they are laughing and giggling in the dressing up box or adding a tertiary layer of sequins to their outfit. It is certainly the case for my mini fashionista daughters. Unfortunately it is something most people grow out by machismo and they are more likely to try to fit in than differentiate themselves, which I call up is a shame.

Only, age tin bring freedom, confidence and a greater sense of freedom again, and one of the joys of being over 40 is that you lot have hopefully care much less what other people think and just habiliment what pleases you.

Would you say that at this phase of your life you are now more than, or less interested in fashion, style and the style you look?

I have ever been interested in way even so I think equally I got older, I became better at identifying my own particular style, and sticking to what I beloved.

Why is the way you expect important to you?

Looking good makes me experience practiced. I certainly won't get any younger, and I may not go whatever thinner, so I adopt to make the all-time of myself every bit I am today, and every day. I ever clothing perfume even if I am only doing DIY; and I habiliment my pearls to sail in, for the supermarket shop, to give birth in and to do the school run.

I dear them, so why would I non want to clothing them as often as possible? They seem to get with nigh everything. Clothes can give y'all confidence, express your manner, and exist a artistic outlet. My wardrobe is one of my happy places.

What is your dazzler routine and what are your favourite beauty products?

I would never go to bed without cleaning my teeth, however I am rubbish at going to bed with my make upwards on. I dislike washing my face at night, because it wakes me up merely when I want to go to slumber, I sometimes do a cursory swish over my confront with a baby wipe. I tend to wash my confront in the shower with whatever shower gel is in the bath at the time and I utilize a facial scrub two-3 times a calendar week.

I have been using the Clinque Sparkle Skin body exfoliator on my face up for 15 years or more and found information technology to be a lovely product. I know information technology says it is for the body but it has been just fine on my confront. I have stuck to Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Moisturiser for years as I like the smell, the texture and it sinks in easily without feeling greasy.

If I have drier pare when the winter starts then I use Clinique Moisture Surge for a boost. What I have been religious most doing is wearing an SPF sunscreen of at least cistron fifteen every day since I was eighteen, and I call up this, and lucky genetics from my mum, has been helpful in keeping my skin in adept condition. Fifty-fifty in her tardily 60's my mum has super soft skin and hardly any wrinkles.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I am not a big follower of trends, though I think they are worth watching because adding a few new trends into your wardrobe can actually update your look, and can add a more youthful element to outfits which may accept become a lilliputian staid.

If I see something I beloved and then I will go and try information technology, still I sometimes avoid wearing a colour when it is on trend, as I prefer to expect different from others. I was a late adopter of ingather flares every bit I didn't call back they would suit my hourglass shape, but I am and so glad I did because they accept get one of my wardrobe staples and I love them. Instead of post-obit trends, I tend to accept a wish listing of things I either want to try or pieces I would like to add to my wardrobe.

Recently I bought a gold sequin jacket I feel fabled in; I would similar to supercede a bright light-green tailored Zara jacket that no longer fits me, and a plum leather handbag is something I am keeping my center out for, to add to my autumnal plum accessories bundle. And life to too important non to habiliment fabulous shoes!

Do you have whatever manner and manner tips for women over forty?

Do the 21 steps style class.

Style can be learned and it's astonishing how much you volition find about yourself. You lot can sign upward for the course here.

Outset with a signature color that looks groovy on you and work from there.

Accept fun playing with color!

Highlight your strengths

Personally, I don't have great legs, and I no longer moving ridge at anyone blank armed, but I do have a waist, an hour glass figure and some fabulous accessories and so I try to brand the best of what I do accept. I may not be the thinnest.

I may non exist the prettiest. But I can cull to be stylish and confident and that does makes me happy and I would encourage you lot to practise this besides. You lot take zero to lose.

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P.S. If y'all want to see a lot more of Ruth and take advantage of her trainings, be certain to join the 21 steps to a More Stylish Y'all form today.

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