GUEST POST FROM KATE NIGHTINGALE

Did you know women buy half their body weight in clothes every year? We're lucky enough to have a guest blog here from Kate Nightingale, Style Psychologist, with great tips on how to spend wisely when adding more weight to your wardrobe this summer! We've also added some extra cheap fashion tips at the end - for those on a strict budget.

Kate recommends:

Kate Nightingale, Style Psychologist

5 SUMMER STYLES FOR UNDER £200

You leave home in the morning and the sun is shining. You look up and feel the warmth of the sunshine on your face and almost instinctively start to smile. Yes, summer’s here!

You smile when seeing the sun but do you smile when dressing up in the morning? Do you think you need more money to achieve the right look? You really don’t need to spend a fortune. I've created 5 summer looks here all under £200, so you don’t have to feel guilty after spending your hard-earned money.

   WHITE TAILORED

This trend is all about crisp and sharp lines. The clothes are simple and elegant in white with ecru and cream. A cool look for hot city days, though I wouldn’t advice this trend for lawyers, accountants and finance specialist. White, in these professions, still seems to be reserved for informal occasions.

Make this trend work with a white suit that you look good in, accessorised with a simple white top and sandals.

Kate has chosen Mango white Nastacia suit – jacket £89.90 and trousers £49.90, white cotton vest by H&M £5.99 and simple beige sandals by H&M £24.99. 

The total for this look is £170.78.

     FLORALS

A fun trend for summer! There are plenty of flowers around at this time of year, why not get some florals into your wardrobe too? A truly perennial trend  that will come back every spring/summer season.

Here I've created an outfit that is simple, elegant and understated. You can wear floral trends on the beach easily, but this shows you how to make it work for the evening. 

Kate has put together Monsoon fusion kew embroidered dress £85, Zara patent sandal with jewel and bow £59.99 with a Monsoon brooch gold clutch £35 and chandelier earrings £12. 

The total for the outfit is £191.99.

        

COLOUR BLOCKING

A statement a trend for the woman who wants to be seen. The colours are bright and the combinations striking. An elegant and comfortable look for people working in fashion or media, though perhaps only the bravest city workers.

Kate has put together Zara double cloth pink skirt £25.99, red loose top £29.99, satin colour block sandal £39.99, patent red shoulder bag £39.99. 

The total for the look is £135.96.

NAUTICAL

A trend that adapts easily to any body shape and occasion. It’s ideal for weekends but equally suitable for a summer day in the city.The basic colours are white, navy and red. The dominant patterns are stripes.

This is a weekend look that's casual but still elegant.

Kate has put together Mango white jeans £24.90, Esprit navy striped jumper £14.99, Kurt Geiger red patent pumps £75 and Ted Baker Ikon red handbag £24.50. 

All together £139.39.

 SEVENTIES

A decade of hippies and disco freaks. It’s full of floral and ethnic patterns, maxi dresses, platform shoes and big accessories. The colours are quite natural, browns, oranges, reds, yellows and greens.  Make this look work by sticking with basic garments and investing in accessories. Or get the full look by investing in a pattered garment and adding lot of cheaper accessories.

Kate has combined H&M floral print maxi dress in dirty orange £29.99, Miss KG brown platform sandals £45 and some H&M accessories, ethnic bracelets £6.99, feather necklace £5.99 and faux crystal ring £3.99. 

Definitely the cheapest trend at only £91.96. 

Thank you to Kate,  whose passion is helping women to express themselves through their own personal style.

See her website www.katenightingale.com

SHECONOMICS TIP:

Don't be tempted to buy more clothes if you're already in debt or have a bulging wardrobe and a cash crisis. Here are some Sheconomical tips for the cash-strapped fashionista....

• Trousers getting worn out or too hort can be cut-down into summer shorts - wear  with opaque tights on less-than sunny days
• Whites, such as blouses and t-shirts, can be given a new lease of life by using a whitener in the wash (try Dylon Ultra Whitener)
• A cheap length of bright ethnic fabric works well as a sarong, shawl or wrap-round top
• Jaded or boring garments can be revived by dyeing them bright funky colours