by Tanya Burr
SHOES
Shoes are probably most girls’ number one accessory. When it comes to building a shoe collection, don’t feel like you need to have everything straight away. I finally feel like I have covered all bases with my shoe collection, so any more are just a bonus! It depends on your style what you think your key items are, but for me I wanted some nude pointed high heels, some nude peep-toe high heels, some black high heels, some black peep-toe high heels, an intricate and ornate high heel, some tan wedges, some black wedges, ankle boots with a heel, flat ankle boots, loafers, gladiator sandals and ballet flats. You can buy very good shoes on the high street from shops like Kurt Geiger, who do beautiful classics, and River Island, where they do some quite innovative designs and so look slightly more designer.
Just like accessories, shoes can really change a look. While high heels add glamour and poise to an outfit, wedges are a great alternative because they are comfortable and practical and look great with summer dresses. They are perfect if you are going to an event where stilettos aren’t quite right but you still want to wear a heel.
Last year, I lived in a pair of black leather gladiator sandals all summer. I always think black leather looks quite cool and I love really strappy sandals. I like to buy gladiator sandals with a slight wedge because it is slightly more flattering and stops me from looking flat-footed. With loafers, they are like blazers and can really smarten up an outfit. I love wearing a cool skater dress with a pair of loafers because it gives the look a slightly masculine edge.
JEWELLERY
When it comes to jewellery, statement pieces get me really excited because I think they can take your outfit to the next level. They are such an easy way to dress up a simple outfit, like a plain dress or T-shirt and jeans. For example, a casual graphic tee becomes dressier when you pair it with a glam sparkly statement necklace, while a neon necklace with a grey tee can bring an awesome twist of colour to your look. I do like delicate jewellery and wear a plain diamond necklace, which Jim bought me, as an everyday piece, and I also like sparkly studs because I find that they reflect the light on your face. However, for me, when it comes to big events and dressing up, statement items are key. I don’t think you need to spend a lot on statement jewellery; as well as shopping on the high street, street markets and charity shops can produce real finds. One of my favourite statement rings is from Portobello market.
HATS
I need to give hats a special mention because I am a big fan of mine. I wear fedoras all year round and as well as a black one, I wear a mauve-coloured one in the summer. I don’t think hats are for everybody, but this can be the one accessory that sets you apart, whether you’re at a formal event or just running to the shops to buy milk. I don’t tend to wear scarves all year round because I think they add too much volume to my chest, but when it’s really cold, I love to wrap up with a tartan scarf over my winter coat and a woolly hat for a really cute look.
BAGS
Finally… bags! I’ve always been into handbags and love changing up my bag. I can’t pretend my bags are tidy and organised – they are super-messy – but I have perfected the art of not taking my whole bedroom with me. Some girls like to have one everyday bag that they use until it breaks but I like having a range of colours for different occasions or to complement various outfits. At the moment, I have a thing about electric-blue bags and I think they can look fabulous paired with jeans and a white T-shirt. My favourite bags are ones you can carry in different ways. One tip I’ve learned is that if you have a gorgeous leather handbag, store it in a dust bag with tissue paper inside so it keeps its shape. The same applies to shoes: I like to keep them in their original boxes and stick Polaroids on the outside, so I can locate my favourite pairs.
WHAT’S IN MY BAG?
My keys on my red heart-shaped Smythson key ring: my parents bought me this key ring for Christmas one year. I think Smythson is a gorgeous brand.
A book: I am often on a train or plane, so I always make sure I have my latest book with me.
Mints: I hate the look of chewing gum, so always carry mints to freshen my breath. Recently I was at Zoe’s house chewing gum while editing my vlog – it looked gross!
My Prada wallet: I bought this bright-red leather, girly wallet in Prada when I visited NewYork with Jim the first time. It’s really structured and has a pretty bow with gold trimmings on the front. Inside I keep my money, cards and some old Polaroid pictures of Jim and me messing around.
Sunglasses: my favourite sunnies are my mirrored Ray-Bans for everyday or my big Prada sunglasses for a more glam look. I’m quite good about looking after mine but if you find you leave them all over the place, then the high street do fantastic on-style sunglasses.
A small make-up bag: there is no point carrying a big make-up bag around and I just carry the items that I might need to do touch-ups. I carry a lipstick, lip balm, lip gloss, a powder, a powder brush and a concealer.
My iPhone
My Oyster/travel card
Earphones
Ear cuff: if I want to make an outfit look interesting, I can just add my ear cuff from Urban Outfitters, which makes it look like I have loads of piercings up the side of my ear.
Some hairclips: if my hair is getting in my face, I take two bits from either side, twirl them around and clip them onto either side or I use them to make a ponytail look more interesting.
Hand sanitiser
HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR WARDROBE
Twice a year I like to clear my wardrobe to see what I have and clean out all the dusty corners at the back. It’s really useful for unearthing clothes that you haven’t worn in ages but want to wear more. A good time to do this is between seasons, like from winter to spring or summer to autumn, when you might be putting clothes away or be thinking about buying some new items for the next season.
Start by getting into something easy to wear and if you have long hair, tie it back so it doesn’t get in the way.
Tidy up the area around your wardrobe, so you’ve got surfaces to put your clothes out. I also find this gets me in the mood for cleaning and clears my head a bit.
Take everything out of your wardrobe – yes everything! – and as you do, put each item into one of four piles: keep, store, donate to the charity shop, and bin. The bin pile should contain clothes that are unwearable and have holes or are stained; the things you wouldn’t even give to a charity shop. The donate pile should contain wearable clothes but ones that you know you no longer want, to go to friends for a root through or the charity shop. The keep pile will go back in the wardrobe, so these are the things you one hundred per cent want to keep, and the store pile is for clothes that are seasonally inappropriate but which you want to keep for next year. For example, in spring you’ll probably want to put away thick winter coats and jumpers.
There are lots of ways to store clothes between seasons but I find the most useful way is to use vacuum-packed clear bags. They are ideal for storing bulky items and great because you can see what you have stored when it comes to unpacking. I tend to store these at the top of my wardrobe, under my bed – or anywhere I can find space!
When I go through my pile of clothes to keep, I double-check I definitely want to keep them by trying the items on or asking Jim. I find taking photos is quite useful to see what I look like. If you’ve not worn something for a year, it’s normally a sign that it needs to go into your donate pile. Maybe it doesn’t fit or is a trend that has gone out of fashion. Put the things you are unsure about in a maybe pile, put it away in a clear bag and set a reminder on your phone for a couple of months’ time. If you haven’t thought about the clothes, then they do need to be added to the donate bag.
Now give your wardrobe a thorough clean with a cloth and cleaning spray. If your wardrobe is anything like mine, there will be a lot of dust. Don’t forget to do the drawers and surrounding areas!
Now return your clothes to your wardrobe, one item at a time. Everyone has a different way of organising their wardrobes and it m
ight be time to replan yours. Some people like to colour code their wardrobe but my personal way is to put different items together, so smart dresses, day dresses, jumpers, shirts etc. in separate groups.
Always try to hang as much as possible because it makes it much easier to see what you have. Then you can see if there are any gaps in your wardrobe and things that you might need to pick up, stuff that you have lusted after or think might work well with your current clothes.
Hopefully now you will have a streamlined, de-cluttered and clean-smelling wardrobe (and maybe a shopping list!).
MY TOP 10
FASHION TIPS
1. DON’T ALWAYS FEEL PRESSURURISED TO FOLLOW THE TRENDS
Fashion trends are constantly changing and while something might be really in fashion, it might not always suit you. Recently, there was a trend for 1950s’-style dresses and I loved it because they really suit my hourglass shape and nipped-in waist, while covering my bum and thighs. Equally (sorry if I’m contradicting myself!), if you adore a trend and think it’s really cool and just want to wear it, go for it.
2. HAVE A NICE SILHOUETTE
Dressing to flatter your figure is a key rule to looking stylish, so always aim for your clothes to have a pretty silhouette, with clean lines.
3. IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING JUST WEAR IT
Style is so personal, so if you have an item in a crazy colour or a piece of mad costume jewellery that you love, then just wear it. Fashion is all about having fun.
4. INVEST IN PIECES YOU’LL WEAR A LOT
Build your wardrobe around great timeless staples that you know will pay for themselves over and over again. If you wear jeans a lot, then splash out on the perfect, most flattering pair or if you’re choosing a bag you plan to use every day, look for something leather as it will last longer.
5. BOOK A PERSONAL SHOPPER
Personal shoppers are amazing and are sometimes offered free in department stores and big flagship shops. Jim’s mum used to be a personal shopper and I know she helped so many women – including me – with their style. Personal shoppers encourage you to try on things you normally wouldn’t pick and can show you what suits your figure best. If you’re going for the experience and there is no minimum spend, don’t feel pressured to buy something. If you feel awkward, tell them that you want to go away and think about it.
6. TAKE PHOTOS
One of my top tips is that when you go shopping take a friend with you and get them to take pictures of you in every outfit you try on. If I’m on my own it’s much harder because taking pictures in the mirror doesn’t really work. Don’t pose for the photo, just look natural and make sure you look the same in each one. After a big shopping session, I go for lunch with my friend and flick through all the photos and it becomes so clear what looks good and what doesn’t because you can compare your looks.
7. PLAN WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO WEAR
If you have a big party or event on, plan what you are going to wear in advance or you’ll end up with a serious case of ‘floordrobe’, with everything flung on the floor and feel really flustered and stressed. When I’m invited to a big event I start thinking almost immediately about what I could wear, so I have lots of time to plan.
8. GET CLOTHES TAILORED OR CUSTOMISED
If something doesn’t fit properly and you’re not a whizz with a needle and thread yourself, don’t be afraid to use a tailor. I have a slim waist and wider hips, which means often things are baggy around my middle, so I tailor a lot of my clothes. Recently I bought a Topshop skirt that I loved but it didn’t fit very well, so I took it to a local tailor. When she had finished with it, not only did it fit perfectly, it looked like a designer item! Customising your clothes can also be a way to have fun and express your creativity. It can range from simple ideas, like changing the buttons on a cardigan, to something more ambitious, such as changing a pair of jeans into denim shorts.
9. RESTYLE ITEMS
Skip an expensive shopping spree by restyling your clothes. Mix and match different items together or wear them with different shoes and accessories to achieve a completely different look.
10. THINK ABOUT THE SMALL DETAILS
I always find accessories to incorporate into my look when getting dressed because it’s the small details that can complete an outfit. Whether it’s an amazing ring, a cool pair of shoes or a skinny belt, having accessories can make all the difference.
A final tip… Accept your shape and embrace it. Everyone has something great about their figure and so whatever yours is, show it off!
List your favourite fashion items …
MY TOP 10
FAVOURITE ITEMS
1. NEEDLE & THREAD EMBELLISHED BLOSSOM DRESS
This is a burgundy mini-dress, with a sheer cover embellished with jewels and a skinny belt, which nips me in at the waist. I bought it online from ASOS because it caught my eye and I thought it looked pretty. When it arrived, I completely fell in love with it.
2. SMART BURBERRY COAT
This is a classic black cashmere–wool mix coat, a real investment item. It’s single-breasted and comes down to just above the knee. It fits perfectly, feels gorgeous and smartens up any outfit.
3. AMERICAN APPAREL RIDING PANTS
These are classic high-waisted trousers, which do up with buttons and a zip so they never fall down. I find them so much more flattering than jeans or leggings and they last ages. They are an everyday staple for me, rather than jeans, which I like on other people but not on me. I also really like the American Apparel Disco Pants and they are also really slimming but they are in shiny latex, so can make your legs look quite big in photos.
4. REISS BLACK BLAZER
My Reiss black blazer is really easy to wear and looks great with almost anything. I find some blazers really drown me because I am quite petite but this one is cropped, with three-quarter-length sleeves, which is perfect for my body shape. Even with biker boots or leggings and high heels, it looks great.
5. REISS FEDORA HAT
I think a hat gives my outfit a bit of an edge. I particularly like wearing my fedora with pretty dresses; I think it is a really cute look.
6. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SHOES
I have two pairs of super-high peep-toe Louboutins, one in black and one in nude. My first pair, the black ones, were a present from Jim a couple of Christmases ago. I would always look them up online but I didn’t tell Jim I wanted them, so I don’t know how he knew. I had opened all my presents at my parents’ house and then we went to his mum’s and he pointed out that there was another one for me. I saw that it had his writing on it and I was really confused. As soon as I opened it, saw the box and lifted the tissue paper – and saw they were Louboutins, I cried!
7. BIKER-STYLE ANKLE BOOTS
I’m too passionate about fashion to always go with a comfy shoe at special events, but for everyday wear, these boots are so comfy. They also give a tough edge to any outfit.
8. MULBERRY CARA BAG
This is my everyday bag and it’s great that I can wear it as a rucksack, on my shoulder or use it as a tote. It’s the Taupe Silky Classic Calf and I’m a big fan of the colour and the lion rivets, which make it unique and special.
9. AQUASCUTUM TRENCH COAT
Last year I went on the hunt for the perfect trench coat. I wanted a very specific length that didn’t come below my knee but ended at the mid-thigh. Jim and I spent the whole day walking up and down Oxford Street and Regent Street. We ended up splitting up and he went into Aquascutum and I went into Banana Republic, then he called and told me he had found ‘The One’. It’s the best spring coat.
10. VERY.CO.UK HIGH-WAISTED LEATHER SKIRT
In September last year I was lucky enough to be asked to curate my own clothing collection for Very.co.uk and I got this skirt. It is cool as it’s mid-length, so a bit different to anything else in my wardrobe, and because it’s leather it’s quite a statement piece. I wore it to a London Fashion Week event and again at Amity Fest.
&n
bsp; List the celebrities whose style you admire and why …
‘There are dreamers and there are realists in this world, you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not the opposite is true. See, the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun. And the realists? Well, without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground.’
I love this cute quote from Modern Family because I think it really sums up my relationship with Jim. We joke that we are just like the characters Cam and Mitch and this quote makes me well up every time I hear it. I am such a dreamer and think I can do whatever I want and anything can happen, whereas Jim is such a realist. He might have ideas for things but he immediately pushes them out of his head. I love the fact that we bring out the best in each other. Jim is just one of the best people that I know; he is so gentlemanly, honest and kind. We never freak out about the same things; we balance each other out perfectly. When we first got together, I was seventeen and Jim was eighteen and people told us that we were too young and it would never last, but from the early days I knew it would because he’s just the best.
Before I met Jim, I hadn’t had a proper relationship but since the age of eleven, I’d always had boyfriends. I remember going out with my first boyfriend in high school. We used to hang out together and hold hands at lunchtime but it was totally not serious. My first kiss happened one lunchtime, when everyone was telling us we should kiss and we did. I had no idea how to kiss someone; I hadn’t practised on my hand or anything like that, like some girls do. I didn’t have a clue! All I remember was that I kept my eyes open and it went on forever. One of my friends came up to me afterwards and she said, ‘Tan, you know when you kiss a boy you need to make sure you shut your eyes?’ She had clearly seen it happen. It’s so awkward and cringey remembering that! Those romances at school were quite funny because one day you would be going out with a boy and the next day you wouldn’t be and he would be going out with your friend instead. I never really went on proper dates before I met Jim; it was more casual, where we would go around to each other’s houses or just hang out in groups of friends.
