I bat for Team Polished and believe that lipstick (and mascara, shiny skin, and defined brows for that matter), are part of what defines a polished appearance. I find that a little lipstick goes a long way to adding definition to my style by brightening up my pale complexion, and dressing up my look. I definitely look more alive and healthy with lip treatment. So I love to wear lipstick and do so daily. I also keep my lips moisturized with lip balm. I cannot handle my lips feeling dry at any time, so I’m often applying either lipstick or balm to my lips. But seldom gloss because I don’t like the sticky texture. 

I’ve been a daily lipstick wearer for 20 years, ever since I started working in the Rag Trade. That said, I do not experiment with lip colours and brands at all. I find one lipstick colour and texture that I love and wear it for years. In 2011 I found a nude lipstick by MAC and have been wearing it every day since. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right? 

The rest of my make-up routine is minimal and very subtle. My lip style has always been low contrast, light and soft. Usually a light coral of sorts or something in the peachy-brown family. Never anything too pink or purple because it looks harsh and unnatural against my skin tone. The only time I throw in a high contrast red lipstick is for formal occasions like weddings and holiday parties.

Lip style runs the gamut among my friends and clients. Some wear dark lipstick as a daily colour. Others prefer lighter shades. Some are occasional lipstick wearers. Some like to wear gloss instead, or opt for a stained lip balm. Some stick to natural lip balm. And some can’t stand lip treatment of any kind and prefer a completely naked lip. 

I feel naked without lip treatment, and must wear lipstick every day. I even need to feel a layer of lip balm on my lips before I fall asleep at night. That’s how much I need moisturized lips. What’s your lip style? Do you wear lipstick, gloss or balm daily because you feel that it improves your look? Or does it make little difference to you. Do you prefer a low or high contrasting colour on your lips? Or do you prefer your lips free of any kind of treatment? 

Here are four simple pieces, each with a little extra design detail. Wear them in Spring and straight on into Summer. Remember to look through all the colour options. 

• Banana Republic Shadow Stripe Pullover: A breezy covered option for warm temperatures. Cotton and texture rich, cozy soft, and casually chic. A super substitute for a tee, and fab on a fuller bust or broad shouldered lass. If crew necks have been driving you crazy, try this baby scoop neck for a change. It’s a tailored piece that isn’t clingy. 
• Marisa Cuffed Cropped Pants in Linen: I have happy, and shocked clients in these linen pants. The pleats are stitched down so they don’t pouf out around the tummy area like pleats normally do. And therein lies the beauty of the style. They have worked on both straight and curvy bodies, slim and fuller thighs. Roll up the cuffs to shorten the length and wear them in casual settings. Modern, on trend, lightweight and breezy. A great solution to staying covered in the heat if shorts aren’t your thing. Also available in taupe. Warning: you have to make peace with the linen crease. 
• Sam Edelman Sutton Sandal: A refined sandal with chunky straps. Pretty comfortable and versatile. Works best on a foot that can fill out the style. Not great on narrower “low volume” feet. 
• BCBGeneration Tabitha Clutch: A vegan friendly modern clutch.

Pop on these four items to create an easy and comfortable casual outfit. Wear the top untucked, semi tucked or tucked.

Although arm candy is all the rage, let’s not forget about the big necklace. I’m specifically talking about chunky styles that are worn close to the neck. This style of necklace can make your outfit, and comes in countless variations. Here are ways to match them up with flattering necklines on tops, knitwear and dresses. 

1. V-neck: Large necklaces with a triangular shape work particularly well with V-necklines. The necklace either fits into the space defined by the skin above the neckline, or overlaps the neckline. 
2. Scoop neck: Large necklaces with a round rather than triangular shape are well suited to scoop necks. But a triangular shape necklace will work just as well. 
3. Crew neck: Bib and collar necklaces work particularly well over crew necks. 
4. Open shirt collar: I’ve found that necklaces that fit into the triangular space defined by exposed skin work very well inside an open shirt collar. I like to layer a multi strand gum-ball pearl necklace inside my open shirt collar. Chunky choker styles are another option. 
5. Buttoned up shirt: Triangular shaped large necklaces get my top vote for this neckline. 
6. Turtleneck: This option can veer into frumpy territory so proceed with caution. It’s important that the large necklace is large, be it a long pendant style or one that is worn close to the neck. Personally, I do not fancy dainty jewelry worn over a turtleneck. 
7. Strapless: Pretty much any large necklace style will work over a strapless item due to the large amount of exposed skin. The neckline barely interferes with the style of the necklace.  
8. One-shoulder: This option is for Team Asymmetry. I like necklaces that are “front heavy” with this type of neckline. That way you expose a little more of your bare shoulder and neck, which makes for an interesting visual effect.  

Now that I wholeheartedly bat for Team Minimal, I hardly wear necklaces or any jewelry at all. But when I do, I stick to oversized white pearl necklaces or my late Mum’s vintage gold pendant necklace from the ’70s. I usually wear the pearls over a crew neck, turtleneck or inside a shirt collar. And the pendant necklace over a turtleneck or crew neck. How do you wear big necklaces?

You are on Team Gold Shoes if you prefer gold footwear, and vice versa. Any shade of gold or silver counts, be it bright sci-fi silver or muted gold, in any style of footwear. Note: if you prefer pewter footwear, you’re sitting this one out on the bench because pewter is often as gold as it is silver. If you prefer rose gold footwear, you bat for Team Gold Shoes.

I love sci-fi silver footwear as much as gold footwear. I have silver and gold trimmed footwear, and would welcome a pair of gold shoes into my wardrobe. I am less fond of pewter because it’s not as bright and light as a clear silver or gold. Although I love pewter footwear on others.

So I’m sitting this one out on the bench with patat frites. That’s the Dutch version of French fries, served in a cone with a dollop of mayonnaise. When it’s fresh and hot, it really hits the spot. 

Over to you. Are you Team Gold Shoes or Team Silver Shoes? No batting for both teams, but by all means join me on the bench. There is plenty of frites!