This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Annabel with Melissa of Kettlewell Colours & stylist Jo
At The CountryWives, we often receive emails asking what clothes would work on different body shapes i.e. those that are not a classic UK size. Perhaps they are shorter than average with wide hips or they have a large bust or broad shoulders, but whatever their shape we decided that it is clearly an issue for a lot of women.
As we grow older our bodies change shape and sometimes we do not know how best to dress these body shapes; to highlight the good points and to keep the bad parts concealed! If you are a classic shape then you do not need as much help as most clothes ranges are designed within the standardised sizing parameters. However if, like me, you have lost your waist sometime between baby 3 and baby 4 then a chat with a stylist like Jo from House of Colour will really help. It will also save you money as you won’t buy clothes that may look nice in the picture but are not going to work on your body shape.
I chose Kettlewell Colours to help me with this dilemma as we have worked with them many times before and we are always so happy with the results. Kettlewell Colours often work with House of Colour stylists because the latter are the experts at determining the right ‘season of colours’ for each client. The House of Colour stylist will also analyse the client’s body shape. Finally with all of this information they will then show the client, using the Kettlewell Colours fashion collection, how this all comes together. Kettlewell Colours have a comprehensive range of styles which come in over 150 colours. When you click on a style they are broken down into the colours that will work for you. It is such a good tool as I am so often tempted by colours simply because I like them, but, put them next to my skin and they may not work. The Kettlewell way means I am not tempted!
The above picture is just a tiny selection of the colours for my own season, Summer. There are over 157 in my colour palette. If I click on any one of them it will show me the items available in that colour. This is styling made so simple and is such a help in making the right choice.
Many of the clothes at Kettlewell colours are quite fitted, in slinky fabrics, and this can put potential clients off as they think this will highlight the bad parts of their body shape. In this series of videos you will see that this theory is completely overturned. Jo convinced two women, who do not buy from Kettlewell Colours, which of the styles will work well for them. The third woman, an hourglass shape, does buy from Kettlewell but Jo sized her down so each piece was more fitted than she was used to and the result was very flattering. As we made the videos I was impressed at how each of our ‘models’ was transformed and how their confidence was given such an uplift. There is nothing like knowing you look good in an outfit.
This first video shows Louise, who juggles being a busy Mum with her professional singing career. She is a Column shape and her seasonal colours are Winter. She was honest about her body shape, telling Jo all the bits she likes to keep covered however you will see that the Kettlewell Colour clothes enhanced her shape and, combined with the perfect colours for her skin tone, she looked absolutely fabulous.
Subscribe to our newsletter by clicking on the link HERE, so that you don’t miss our next two videos on different body shapes; next week’s (4th May) model is Annie who is semi-retired, 5′ 2″ and a pear shape. The final model is Theresa, a grandmother who works part-time as a quality controller, and is an Hourglass (video to be published 11th May).
To view the Kettlewell Colours full range click HERE.
To find a House of Colour stylist near you click HERE.