Donna gives me daily inspiration particularly for office style, in fact she's given me confidence to wear more colours and patterns to the office, and here she is giving you her styling tips and advice, and one simple tip to remember... add heels to every outfit!
We hope you enjoy the interview,
love Lizzi x
How do you describe your personal style?
My personal style is glamourous but with a hint of chicness. I do like a heel, but only because I feel small and dumpy without the length they give my legs!
Why does style matter to you?
It matters to me as it’s an extension of our personalities; sometimes what I’m wearing will bring me more confidence, which I do lack sometimes, so I have to feel comfortable in what I’m wearing.
Have you always been interested in style?
Yes I’ve always been into my style; at school I was keen to wear the latest style of shoe or my school bag had to be the latest style, it was the only way to bring a bit of personality to the days of having to wear a uniform at a very strict school.
I experimented with different looks, nothing drastic as in I was never a goth, but loved accessories and did go through a stage of thinking I was Madonna in the late eighties with lace gloves and pearl necklaces worn wrapped around my wrists as bracelets! But I didn’t really find my style until my early forties.
What would be your signature style look?
Heels always a heel.
What’s your view on fashion vs. style?
Everybody loves fashion but it’s how you adapt it to your style that matters. I won’t wear something just because it’s in fashion I prefer to stick to my style and I think it’s style that has sustainability over fashion items.
What is your body shape?
I think I’m an apple shape as I seem to carry weight around my tummy/hips. I had breast reduction in May 2017 as I was very big chested too and this used to make me look even bigger than I was, especially as I’m short bodied.
I feel so much more confident in myself with smaller sized breasts and this shows in my confidence with clothes, that I never had before. I’m 5ft 6" which sounds tall but unless I’m wearing heels I feel short!
Have you worked this out for yourself or did you get professional advice/training?
I’ve never had personal styling advice, I’ve just learnt over the years what works for me and what I feel comfortable in.
What is the best thing about being apple shaped?
Although I carry weight around my tummy, this can be disguised easily with a half tuck of a blouse or jumper in a skirt and the fact that heels make my legs look longer can help elongate my body.
What’s not so easy about your apple shape?
I find jeans the hardest thing to wear for my shape, as they tend to make my tummy look bigger, so I will always buy a high waist, this is also why I avoid wearing trousers as they make me look bigger than I am.
What three styling tips do you have for apple shape?
- High waist jeans, they pull you in and are slimming
- Don’t be afraid to half tuck tops into your skirts or trousers, I find that it can be slimming
- A pattern really helps disguise a bigger tummy, don’t afraid of them.
What must you avoid (regardless of if it’s in fashion) for apple shape?
I think that a square shaped jacket can make apples look bigger if they are waist length, always buy a longer jacket.
What are your three favourite stores to shop (bricks or clicks!)?
I love Zara, River Island and H&M
What do you own that you will never ever give away?
My Jimmy Choo shoes and Mulberry Handbags. They will never date as they are classics and I intend on keeping them for a long time!
You can follow Donna on Instagram at @fashionqueen40s by clicking here.
The post STYLE MATTERS - BY DONNA FROM @FASHIONQUEEN40S was on Loved by Lizzi first.