Aura Newsletter #38 - We're Back Baby!

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We’re Back, Baby!

Oh! How I missed you!

I apologise for dropping off so abruptly.

The end of my pregnancy came around unexpectedly as our 38 week scan, catapulted us into an induction a mere 4 days later.

We welcomed our little girl, Zadie, on 7 May and it has been a wild ride since then. I’m still chucking at my naivety: I thought I would easily find time to write this newsletter each week while Zadie was napping.

Suffice it to say, I am navigating a totally new world filled with, occasionally, leaky boobs, spit up, nappies, broken sleep, breastfeeding and an adorable human who needs me 24/7.

I am leaning on my style more than ever to make me feel a little more like myself on some days, and to help me explore the woman I am becoming on others.

I have thanked myself countless times for creating a wardrobe filled with pieces I love and that do a lot of the heavy lifting for me.

One TOP TIP I will share regarding pregnancy/postpartum dressing: The clothes you buy during pregnancy will serve you well post partum, especially in the first 3 months, so don’t doubt that purchase. The money won’t be wasted x

Weekly Style Principle

Design Elements

Design elements are those little details that bring a clothing item to life.

Rouging; a contrast stitch; a high quality fabric; or a cinched waist.

These are just a few examples of design elements, which are important to note when selecting pieces to include in your wardrobe.

Design elements are what set quality pieces apart and, more often than not, you can rely on these features to do much of the styling work for you.

For example -

F

A more obvious example of a design element is a bold print.

When you chose a bolder print for a “staple” piece, like a knit jumper or a pair of jeans, a simple combination of a “jumper and jeans” or “jeans and a tee” becomes something a little more dramatic - with no extra effort.

The size of the print is important too. If you feel like an item is “wearing you”, it’s likely the print may be too large for your frame.

Design elements are not only helpful for taking the effort out of dressing.

Features, like a double breast on a blazer, wide leg, peplum frill, mid or high rise waist or a statement sleeve or collar, impact the fit of a garment and the way it will look on your body. You can save time (and money) by knowing which features work for you and which don’t.

A double breasted blazer is not the best option for petites, as they can overwhelm a smaller frame.

A wider leg trouser is universally flattering. A tapered leg, however, is best suited to those who carry weight in their midsection. As someone who carries their weight in their bum and thighs, I avoid tapered pants.

A statement collar will draw attention to your décolletage, so if you don’t want to accentuate this area, this feature may not be for you.

Taking note of a garment’s features can help you fill your wardrobe with pieces that make you fabulous without any fuss. Very little effort (you simply throw them on); very high reward (you look and feel amazing without having to think about it).

[If you need help identifying your personal style and building a wardrobe that allows you to get dressed with ease and confidence, reach out! I’d love to help]

FASHION FINDS

A small, female owned, slow fashion brand, we love Dominique Healy. Her pieces do much of the styling work for you, with delicate design details that add a feminine edge to any outfit.

A special friend has launched her own substack. We love reading her honest reflections on her shopping habits and seeing her outfit wraps.

Amy Smilovic is the founder of Tibi and author of The Creative Pragmatist, a book detailing her design and style philosophy.

This podcast is filled with wisdom about style from a true expert in the industry.

In this incredible series, we learn how fashion icon Christian Dior and his fellow designers Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, and Cristóbal Balenciaga “navigated the horrors of World War II and launched modern fashion”.

This series is shocking, gripping and may change your views on some of the designers…

— VIRTUAL STYLING —

Enliven is our Virtual Styling Package.

INCLUSIONS: 

  • Style Consultation (45 mins - 1 Hour) where we discuss your style goals and determine your style categories;

  • Virtual Wardrobe Cleanse (2 hours) where we put together new outfit combinations with pieces you love or don't know how to style, remove items from you wardrobe that are taking up valuable space, and re-organise your wardrobe; 

  • Virtual Shopping Guide;

  • Personalised Lookbook; 

  • 1 week 1:1 support via phone/email. 

— STYLE A BLAZER —

A blazer is a wardrobe staple.

Elevate jeans and a tee by finishing the look with your blazer of choice.

Add structure and contrast to a dress by draping a blazer over your shoulders.

Create an on trend look by pairing a blazer with a pair of side stripe, wide leg tracksuit bottoms or casual pj look pants.

Add structure to a dress by layering a blazer over the top.

Share your looks with us by replying to this email or tagging us on Instagram.

Feeling a little uninspired by your wardrobe? Get in touch.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 

Hit reply and let us know your thoughts on this newsletter.

Refer a friend so more people can get tips on how to be their best dressed selves.