Thanks so much for all your great questions – so many I would never have even thought of. And thanks for all your kind comments that came with them too… Excited to share the first of this new Q&A series and I’m hoping you’ll find some of the answers helpful. Don’t forget to comment, email (lucy@fashionmenow.co.uk) or use the hashtag #AskLucy to send your questions in for the next installment. If your question hasn’t been answered in this post, don’t worry, I’ve got them saved for next time…
“For a graduate wanting to get into the fashion journalism/writing industry that is already super competitive, what would you recommend they do to stand out other than doing continuous internships? I feel like even internships these days aren’t even enough! Do you think having a ‘side hustle’ like your own blog or video channel or something over social media could help put yourself out there?” – Charlotte G.
I think this question is so pertinent and one I get a lot of. I actually started this blog while interning after university for the exact reason that I had something more to talk about in interviews and wasn’t just twiddling my thumbs if I was ever without a job or work experience for a couple of weeks. It gave me a creative outlet and allowed me to practise research, writing, image sourcing and using social media platforms (although back then there was no instagram, snapchat or pinterest – gulp). I think having your own creative projects going on is a great asset when looking for a job as it shows you’re self-motivated and have a real passion for what your applying for. Understanding the mediums of Youtube, Snapchat, Periscope etc can be a real plus for some employers looking to branch out into different platforms and a great opportunity for a new, younger member of the team to take initiative. That being said, if you want a job in magazines, getting traditional experience is crucial… On the fashion side of things, calling in for shoots, liasing with the fashion cupboard, learning to get quotes from experts in the industry and building up PR contacts are skills you only get from working under an editor for anything from a month to a year.
“I’d love to know your style icons of women over 40. I love your blog and sense of style, which I think is timeless for women of any age (I’ve bought a good few items from brands I’ve seen on your blog).” – Julie OC
Thanks so much Julie. I’m a big believer is style being timeless and not putting an age limit on how you should dress, it’s just about how you wear it. One of my all-time icons Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, is in her late 40s and has the kind of style I aspire towards on a daily basis. She’s low-key, always looks comfortable and yet inherently chic in that intangible French way. Some of my favourite designers are in their 40s too; Phoebe Philo, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney to name a few, all of whom put simplicity and a relaxed attitude above all else. Another favourite beauty is Caroline de Maigret… That hair, those teeth and that androgynous, laissez-faire style. Forget over 40s style, these women transcend age and can inspire any age bracket which I love.
“What is the brand & model of your compact/mirrorless camera? Looking for a good compact and I’d really appreciate your feedback :)” – The Fashion Medley
I use the Olympus Pen E-PL7… It had interchangeable lenses so you can adapt it as you progress or want more from it, and a really handy fold out screen to shoot things from above (or selfies if that’s your bag). Plus you can really easily transfer pictures straight from the camera to your phone so I use it to take all my instagrams pretty much too. I used this (and the Olympus OM-D) for the entirety of our India & Maldives trip and really never felt like we needed another camera – saved us from lugging around my massive Canon 5D which I have to admit, wasn’t missed at all. It’s reasonably priced, easy to get to grips with and great for travel. For something even more compact (pocket-sized almost), I used to have the Sony RX 100i which was great but I don’t think the quality is as good as the Olympus and you don’t have as much manual freedom if you want it.
“For weddings and events, any strategy for dressing? Go-to brands or resources? I tend to be more casual – like you! – and find it hard to get inspired for fancier dress occasions. With “wedding season” looming, I’d love for you to talk a little about it.” – Julia S
Ah the dreaded wedding season… Trying to keep a sense of yourself while adhering to what’s seemingly a million rules and regulations. I really like silk culottes, a jumpsuit or long, high-waisted flared trousers for something a bit fresh and different. It feels more relaxed than a dress but looks amazing with the right accessories – plus you’re far less likely to bump into another guest wearing the same thing and it’s kind of nice having a sexy, androgynous thing going on. I’ve found that the best dressed girls at weddings tend to manipulate pieces from their existing wardrobes rather than wearing dedicated wedding ensembles which can sometimes feel stiff and a little outdated. Wearing white to a wedding remains very tricky and possibly a no-go area; black on the other hand is entirely doable I think, especially when it comes to colder days. Keeping it to a top or bottom works well, and teaming it with a print, stripe or lighter plain colour for a monochrome look is ideal for those of us that never naturally steer towards colour. A super summery dress that shows a little bit of skin (emphasis on little!) in no way feels somber or funeral-like in black and looks amazing if you’re showing off a tan in high summer.
The hat dilemma is always a tricky one. I wore a formal hat to wedding once and honestly, felt so alien and not like myself that I’ve never done it again. I really don’t believe hats and fascinators are compuls0rary these days, and I’d far rather invest in shoes or a jacket than a hat I’ll wear a handful of times. I veer towards Great, statement earrings or a red lip for a statement that says ‘I’ve made an effort’ without the headgear… One of my favourite blogs to inspire wedding outfits is Le Catch while places like Revolve, Shopbop, Reformation and The Outnet are all great places to shop for dresses, shoes, jackets, skirts etc.
I’ve out some current favourite pieces below that are on my hit list for wedding season…
“I have a question for you! Just about to move into a new flat in London and was wondering if you had any top tips for storage/making the most of space?! The pics of your flat always look so nice and uncluttered and I seem to remember you saying you don’t have a gigantic place!” – Layla
So this question made me chuckle because my flat is indeed tiny, but by no means neat and organised. In fact, it’s pretty much bursting at the seams right now we have so outgrown it! However, because of this, I’ve learnt a few things along the way at keeping things tucked away and getting as much storage space out of a flat. Everywhere we initially put an ’empty’ piece of furniture (i.e something with zero storage) like a console table or side table, we’ve ended up replacing with a dresser or a small chest of drawers so we can cram things away out of sight. I also love big straw baskets and boxes for things like bathroom products, magazines, loo roll and shoes. We also have a trunk rather than a coffee table so we have an extra spot to cram in magazines… If your landlord will let you, look at racks and shelves you can put on the wall plus bedside wall lights free up more space where a bedside lamp would normally go. Def get a bed with inbuilt storage or space underneath for baskets or boxes – this is where I keep all my gym stuff and comfy ‘house clothes’.
“I’m going on holiday to Morocco for 5 days what on earth can I pack with offending anyone? I’m headed to Marrakesh, literally any advice would be so appreciated! Love your blog!” – Olivia
I totally hear you Olivia – I had this conundrum before I went to India too. But I am a big believer in dressing appropriately when travelling and would far rather cover up a little than feel awkward or get a lot of stares. For me, loose, lightweight tailored trousers are an absolute must (check out The Outnet or places like Isabel Marant Etoile on Vestiaire Collective). I like ones that stop an inch or so above the ankle so they don’t drag on the floor. Personally, I think great khaki trousers come into their own when travelling and don’t look in any way soccer mom when worn with flat leather slides and embroidered cotton shirt. They’re the perfect thing to fly in too. I also like having a plain cotton/linen scarf that can cover bare shoulders or a low cut top – it saves you having to buy new things and has the added bonus of looking very ‘Arabian Nights’ too. Plus, you can wrap it round you at the pool or beach too… I got this one one from Merci in Paris and take it everywhere now. Have a great trip!
“What tips and recommendations would you give us for those mornings when you wake up not feeling very glowing because of long working hours or tiredness? I don’t know if you have ever experienced that because you always look gorgeous and super fresh-faced :) In my case I always go for red lipstick, but I would love to know if you have other tricks to enhance beauty self-esteem.” – Val
Ahh I know those mornings far too well Val. I’ve had those annoying ‘you look tired’ comments my entire adult life as I have a real tendency to look sallow no matter what I eat or put on my skin. I also get very dark eyes and red eyelids when I’m a bit tired which makes you look even more knackered. For those kind of days, I use a good cleanser with a hot muslin cloth (Liz Earle or Eve Lom) followed by a rich moisturiser that I really massage in to get the blood flowing. I love This Works Energy Bank Sun Flush to add a bit of warmth and colour to tired, pale skin and follow up with Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. When I look really knackered, I actually think less is more when it comes to makeup ironically, so I tend to just pat on highlighter and concealer in the corner of my eye and on the lids and use Armani or Rodial bronzer all over. A good peachy blush on the apples of my cheeks and brow bones instantly makes me look brighter and more awake too. If you have more time on yours hands, nothing beats a soak in the bath to perk grey skin up. If I look and feel like an extra from The Walking Dead, a clay mask (obsessed with Chantecaille and Kora Organics) in the bath with a good uplifting oil in the water, is guaranteed to make me feel human again.
“I’ve been following your blog for a while because I absolutely love your style. I was wondering if you could explain your process of defining your personal style and perhaps list a few closet staples you think are absolute essentials?” – Marginandcolumn.com
I always find defining my personal style really tricky as it’s something that feels quite instinctive now after making lots of questionable choices and following trends I shouldn’t have done when I was younger! I think my style is really driven by a sense of comfort and ease, both physically and in attitude. I hate looking and feeling overdressed and don’t like looking too conspicuous so I guess I subconsciously subscribe to that age-old formula of one or two key pieces and keeping everything else super simple.
I definitely rely on classics a lot… A good black leather biker jacket, pointed black ankle boots, and a Breton sweater are just a few of the things I’d be lost without. Jeans and leather trousers are super important to be too. Black skinnies, a good pair of vintage-style blue jeans, some ripped grey jeans, and cropped leather (or pleather) trousers are just some of my weekly go-tos. In the summer, vintage cut-off Levis are a must too. For me, it all comes down to the details and fit… A loose, slubby white t-shirt say, is an entirely different thing to a fitted, cap-sleeve tee (I’m in the slubby camp). Things I invest in are boots, shoes, bags, jackets and coats but everything else can easily be high street… A couple of great bags can really help define your style – some of my favourites have been secondhand from Vestiaire Collective too. Then it’s all about adding the extras; culottes and slides is a favourite silhouette of mine and on holiday I love nothing more than an white lace-up shirt with denim shorts and brown leather sandals.
When it comes to defining your own personal style, going onto something like pinterest and keeping a virtual record of looks you like can really help you hone in on what you do and don’t want to wear. Sometimes flicking through that while you’re in a changing room and can’t decide if something is you or not, can really help clarify it for you. For example, if you really seem to admire laidback, grungy style, you probably shouldn’t go for that lilac lace dress for an event as you’ll likely just end up not feeling your best.
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“Where are your favourite holiday destinations in Europe? Looking for inspiration for somewhere to go in April?” – Lulaandrosie
Last year we went to Seville and absolutely loved it. Amazing architecture, horse and carriages, orange trees lining the streets, authentic flamenco and spanish guitar and of course, ridiculous amounts of tapas. We stayed in the city and then went out to Hacienda San Rafael for two days by the pool… We went beginning of June and it was super hot so April would be great. April is also the perfect time to go to Amalfi Coast as its quieter but you should still get a heady dose of Vitamin D. I haven’t actually been but Lisbon would be my top choice right now… I’m desperate to go to Lisbon and Comporta before heading down into the Algarve for those sand-dune lined beaches. If I’m stuck for ideas, I often go to I-Escape and look at their ‘Where To Go’ by month page which is always inspiring. Hope you find somewhere lovely to go and have a great trip.