This week STYLE MATTERS is by Michelle Lopez, a Hair Stylist and owner of a Hair & Beauty Salon, Mint Salon, situated in Steels Lane, Oxshott, Surrey.
Michelle is 43 and whilst we have not met in real life (yet), Michelle is fabulous about giving advice about how to look after your hair, what shoes to buy, and she's also the lady behind the hashtag #sundaystylevibe on Instagram. She's one 'Boss Lady' that has a lot of love to give and we both hope you enjoy her interview.
Love, Lizzi x
Michelle is 43 and whilst we have not met in real life (yet), Michelle is fabulous about giving advice about how to look after your hair, what shoes to buy, and she's also the lady behind the hashtag #sundaystylevibe on Instagram. She's one 'Boss Lady' that has a lot of love to give and we both hope you enjoy her interview.
Love, Lizzi x
How do you describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as being very girly, individual and maybe slightly eclectic. I love to stand out and would always prefer to be overdressed for an occasion as opposed to underdressed.
Why does style matter to you?
Style really matters to me and in so many ways! It is a way of telling people who you are immediately. It is such an amazing form of expression and can lift your mood and improve your day, I never cease to be amazed by the way a certain pair of shoes or a piece of jewellery can make you feel.
It is an almost magical way of showcasing the person you are and the way you feel to the world. Style is such a personal thing and I am always fascinated by the way other people portray it.
Have you always been interested in style?
My Mum was always into fashion and my Nan is one of the most glamorous women I know. At 93 she still wears heels and is always immaculate, I’ve definitely been influenced by the women in my family.
When I was about 6 years old I went to a restaurant with my
parents and extended family for dinner. One of my Aunts had THE most incredible
green sparkly high heel shoes, I literally remember that I kept glancing under
the table at them and at the end of the night she let me try them on and clip
clop around the table. I didn’t want to take them off, they were so pretty and
I’d never seen anything like them. That’s definitely the moment my love affair
with all things fashion (especially shoes) began and the fact that my Aunts shoes
were her own personal style and she stood out from everyone in that restaurant!
What would be your signature style look?
Definitely very feminine, pattern, colour, a striking pair of shoes. I’d say current but with a twist.
What’s your view on fashion vs style?
Fashion is of course, hugely important but style is much more so because style is where you take what is ‘current’ or ‘on trend’ and you can make it absolutely and totally your own look. You can mix different fashions up to determine a style of your own. Fashion is an influence, style is a statement.
Style says I might like the same fashion as you but this is how I’m doing it, this is me. Style is wearing an item that might have cost £10 but people thinking it’s designer. Style has an energy all of its own.
What is your body shape?
I would say I’m a slight hourglass, where my waist isn’t
quite as pronounced. I am average height of 5ft 4” but my legs are slightly
longer in proportion to my body. I have worked this out for myself although I
have been told the same by Stylists in the past.
The best thing about my body shape is probably that most of
the time I’m quite lucky with sizing being true to size (except H&M) 😉 and usually if I’m wearing
cropped trousers or a maxi etc they will fall on the leg where they are
supposed to. Although I do quite like the different lengths on different people.
The worst things about my body shape is that I have to be
careful not to look too straight up and down. I love wearing belts and really
like the high waisted/paper bag style trousers, especially wide legged trousers
as the help to make my waist look smaller. I do struggle a little bit with
elasticated waists as although they are comfy, they aren’t the most flattering
on me. I’d also love to be a tiny bit taller which is why I love wearing heels
so much.
What 3 styling tips would give for an hourglass body shape?
- Voluminous skirts are fabulous for accentuating the waist and elongating the legs, I like to combine mine with a biker jacket to balance the outfit.
- Wrap dresses, one of my absolute faves! They can make your waist look tiny and are so flattering. If like me, you are more of a slight hourglass then wear a slightly sturdier fabric to really add that definition. Team the dress with heeled knee high boots for A/W-Fabulous!
- V neck tops are very flattering, as long as they don’t show off too much cleavage and soft flows fabrics seem to work best if worn with fitted bottoms such as a pencil skirt or skinny jeans.
What 3 tips would give for an hourglass body shape to avoid?
- Any thing too loose which adds width to your waist area as you will look too boxy. You can always use colour, add a belt to add definition.
- Personally for me, I really don’t suit peplums or fancy waist details but they can work really well on some hourglass figures. I, however, avoid them.
- Be careful with wide belts as they can make your top half look squat, I usually stick to narrower belts. Then you are accentuating your waist but not cutting your body off in the wrong place.
What are your three favourite stores to shop (bricks or clicks!)?
Primark - I actually love Primark for its staples; vest tops, camis,
jumpers, tights etc… Great value for money, fantastic range of colours and I
think the quality just gets better all the time.
Zara - My favourite shop. I literally love their clothes and their
shoes are amazing. Not only do they have some beautiful classic pieces but
there is always a good amount of edgy stuff to keep me happy. One of my
favourite things in my wardrobe at the moment is my Zara blue sock boots
covered in a lip print!
eBay - At any given time I will have several alerts on eBay for items that may have sold out or that I can’t afford full price at that
particular time, if I see something on Instagram or in real life that’s last season or seasons
past it goes the alert. I have picked up some amazing bargains and it also
allows me to sell items from my wardrobe so I can have a guilt free splurge now
and then. I recently got a pair of River Island tartan shoes I desperately
wanted, currently £42 in store and I got them for £7.50 on eBay, brand new as they
were too high for the owner.
Who is your biggest style influence?
I would say my biggest style influence would be my Grandmother who has always looked amazing and gets dressed up to go to the corner
shop!
Victoria Beckham. I LOVE her style, she always looks so well put together, loves a heel or two and knows how to dress a woman with her designs.
The women around me are also a massive inspiration as there
is such a different attitude to style now I think, anything goes really and
it’s so fabulous to be in a room full of women who all have their own
indeterminate style going on.
What’s the one thing you wouldn’t give away?
My Jimmy Choo shoes. For my 40th Birthday my friends had a collection and presented me with enough money to buy a pair of Jimmy Choo’s which I had always wanted. I was whisked up to Westfield for a champagne breakfast and then into Jimmy Choos where I was treated like a queen and walked out with the most beautiful pair of iridescent pink heels which are one of my most prized possessions!
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| @thestylish_mrsmint |
To find out more about Mint Salon and the services they offer, then click here for the website. You can also follow Michelle on Instagram at @thestylish_mrsmint
The post STYLE MATTERS - BY MICHELLE LOPEZ FROM MINT SALON OXSHOTT was on Loved by Lizzi first