P 10NETWORK SHENETWORK It's in the bag! A cheap handbag can age a woman's look like nothing else. If you can't afford to purchase your very own Louis Vuitton this season then why not take a tip from Jennifer Hudson's character " Louise" in the recent Sex and The City Movieand rent your favourite arm candy from online handbag hire store www. bagmybag. com. It's the ideal online store for women who want The Bag without the price tag. DO NOT under any circumstances buy a knock off designer fake! They can be spotted from a mile away and really cheapen your image. Get maximum price per wear To ensure you shop efficiently, identify your budget and a list of what you actually need before hitting the shops, like Nicola does with her clients. DO NOT go shopping without a list as you can easily lose focus and convince yourself that you " need" that new clutch. Identify the looks you want to achieve by copying from magazines and catwalks, then breakdown the outfits to see which parts of that outfit you already have in your wardrobe. Make a list of the items you then require that can be added to your existing wardrobe to recreate the looks you like. Once you have your wish- list ensure you can wear every item on there with at least 3 other garments in your wardrobe to achieve new looks. Doing this will ensure maximum price per wear for every item you get and you won't believe how gratifying that can feel! Wardrobe maintenance Look after your clothes! Washing labels are there for a reason so try to stick to their advice. Dry clean as little as possible as it can strip fabrics of their natural sheen. Iron and hang garments up properly and treat each item as if it were your most valued possession. Everything should be ready to wear that's hanging in your wardrobe. Treat your wardrobe like your very own private boutique. All your clothes will remain looking new for so much longer, look more expensive and you'll be less inclined to hit the shops for a fashion fix! Women who look after their clothes always look more stylish and groomed so for those of us who aren't lucky enough to buy a dress, wear it once and then discard it, these tips should help to keep you in shoes when you're a little strapped for cash. Image Consultant's aren't just for the rich and famous. Nicola, who trained as an Image Consultant with one of the UK's leading ladies in the industry, Alicia Kite, says that people often assume that her services are for wealthy women, however, Nicola says that her clients are everyday women on average wages who want to perfect their image and look as stylish as possible on a budget, whilst saving money, time and stress in the long- term. Nicola says " The value of my services very often lies in the money I save my clients. My clients can't believe how much more efficient their wardrobes are and how the CPW ( cost per wear) of each item has increased. The world is so wasteful these days especially in the fashion industry so I try to educate my clients that being stylish doesn't necessarily mean having to spend a fortune on new clothes each month. As Co Co Chanel famously said, " Fashion is made to become unfashionable" so in my opinion, spend more on great staples that will last and utilise cheaper stores for this seasons fashion updates. It's about quality not quantity when it comes to style. Anyone can look chic and stylish if they invest in the right garments and then care for them correctly." he credit crunch is a reason to start shopping more economically but it is something that people should consider on a regular basis. Shopping sprees are great fun and give you an instant buzz, however, the principles of style- crunching mean that the highs last much longer and you will find that you will feel satisfied with your wardrobe all year round. Stick to these tips and not only will your wardrobe be looking healthier, but your bank balance will be too. For further information on what styles suit you, how to make your wardrobe work hard for you and the best collections that will enhance your figure contact Nicola Cupples, Image Consultant www. nicolacupples. com, e: style@ nicolacupples. com m: 07787 821124 T

SHENETWORK SHEP 11