Most of us know when clothing and accessories match each other, and when they don’t. It’s less clear to us when clothing and accessories don’t match, but they do “work”. Mismatching stylishly is at the heart of retro European style. Designers and stylists do it frequently (albeit a bit over the top at times). Done correctly, mismatching will increase your style quotient. Done distastefully, it can be disastrous.

Here are a few tangible ways to mismatch with style:

• Don’t match your shoes with your bag – throw in a bright green bag with your silver shoes, jeans and layered tops.
• Don’t match your shoes with your outfit – instead of wearing a perfectly matching pair of black sling backs with your white slacks, black top and gold bag, throw in a pair of bright yellow or purple heels instead. Don’t worry about repeating that colour anywhere else – it works.
• Mix patterns – different printed items of clothing work well together if the fabrics and colours are similar. Next time you think of putting a plain white top with your multi colored skirt, try making a subtle floral blouse in the same colours work instead.
• Mismatch your last layer – whether it’s a jacket, cardigan or extra t-shirt, try adding an extra colour into the mix of your outfit with the last layer that you put on (e.g. light brown bottoms worn with a darker brown and cream knit top would welcome a red jacket, bronze shoes and green bag).
• Colours that clash can work – wear red shoes with your pink dress, pop a purple top over an emerald green one, mix burgundy with orange and chartreuse – beautiful!

Think out of the box about how to mix and match the clothes in your wardrobe, but make sure that you don’t mismatch too many items at once. There will always have to be something pulling your look together – sometimes it can be the colour of your hair, or a single accessory.

Having a go at “mismatching” items that work prevents me from getting bored with the clothing in my wardrobe!

This is a subject where I have no formal training or experience, but I do have strong feelings about it nonetheless. The correct amount of make up can certainly enhance our features and therefore improve the way we look. The incorrect amount will make us look like an opera star. I cannot stress enough that “less is more”. Very few people can get away with wearing absolutely nothing on their faces, but chances are high that they are actually wearing more than you think – it just looks as though they aren’t. This is the trick!  With a little bit of attention to the right detail, you can look polished in an effortless and natural way.

• Skin – spend money on treatment rather than colour. Your skin is the most important part of your face. There is nothing more appealing than skin that is well taken care of (and remember to wear sunscreen every day).
• Make up – if you feel that you need to wear foundation, spend time finding the correct one for your skin type and tone. Most importantly, you’ll need to look like you aren’t wearing any.  
• Eyebrows – take special care grooming the second most important part of your face. A person’s face is framed by their brows. Eyes can be opened up and the face completely realigned by giving eyebrows the attention that they deserve. Have them shaped professionally if you can’t manage yourself. If they are light, dye them. If they are thin, pencil in the cracks. Make sure that the colour that you use matches your eyebrow colour perfectly. And apply the pencil in shadow form – harshly applied eyebrow pencil is unsightly.
• Eyelashes – if you were blessed with thick dark lashes then good for you. If not, use dark brown mascara instead of black unless you are very dark. It will always give you a softer and more natural look. Apply just enough to keep you clog free.
• Lips – gloss will look just as nice as colour. Keep your daytime colours extremely natural and go darker at night if you need to. The interest on your lips will always make you look more polished.
• Cheeks – if you don’t have naturally rosy cheeks, apply a bit of the correct colour blush to your cheekbones. This is especially true in winter when we tend to look a bit more pale. It will give the impression that you look healthy and well despite the fact that you feel you are on the verge of collapse.

Eye shadow, eye liner and lip liner are best left for Oscar night. At the very least, take care of your pretty skin, groom and colour those brows and pop a bit of colour on your lips. In my opinion, you in your “almost natural” form is most stylish!

Despite the fact that roomy totes, slouchy hobos and chic clutches are the bag trend at the moment, a carefully chosen retro or fashion forward “messenger bag” or “postman” is always going to be stylish and ultra hip. A messenger bag has a strap that is long enough to go over your head so that the “bag – part” lies somewhere on your side between your waist and hip. Ladies and gents – consider this alternative form of bag fashion because:

• It leaves your hands free! This is especially good for Mums and Dads who need both hands all the time
• It allows you to stride with your arms when you walk
• It’s safe – little chance of being pick-pocketed with a messenger!
• It’s practical for people who commute to work or school by foot or public transport. You’ll see more messengers during the day than any other type of bag in cities like Hong Kong, New York, London and Amsterdam
• It’s perfect for traveling precisely because of the above reasons
• It’s a lot trendier than a run of the mill black canvas laptop bag, or back pack
• It looks best over heavy semi casual winter coats
• The diagonal line of the strap cutting across your body is slimming and flattering somehow
• It seems to make a statement with any outfit

Word of warning though – it’s easy to overfill a messenger bag because it can hold the kitchen sink. Refrain from doing so! I am speaking from experience when I say that your back will hurt and your side will bruise if gets too heavy and the strap is too narrow. Whether it’s a red retro plastic 1980’s Duran Duran messenger, a dainty metallic version or a good old weathered leather postman – there is a messenger bag out there for you and you will never look back!