Style tips from Gemma Sheppard and how to care for your clothes.

Who knew that your washing powder really matters – certainly not me and it seems that I have been doing my washing wrong all this time!  I occasionally get little holes in my tops near the hem and I thought it was due to the zip on my jeans catching.  However I have now learnt that this is probably actually caused by my detergent.  How do I know this?

Yesterday I popped along to the Miele experience center in Abingdon for a ‘Love your clothes’ event. They even invited me to bring my washing and gave me the advice I need on how to wash my lovely cream coat!  Once there we chatted about the science behind detergent and especially how we have all been sold into the idea that fragrance matters.  I will put my hands up and say that my powder / liquid or capsules are usually whatever is on offer in the supermarket that week.  Not anymore though!  I do separate my clothes into darks and lights but I use the same product for both which is the first thing I do wrong! They do work differently on different fabrics and colours.

We then looked at some of the different machines and especially the design, Miele have a honeycombed drum and also an extra water jet that really gets your clothes clean.  We talked about overfilling the machines – another thing I am guilty of.  Also we looked at whether we are getting our clothes clean if we use quick washes and low temperatures.  It seems that we may not be.  We shared how our own machines sometimes smell fausty and the reason again is often down to the detergent.  This then makes us buy more product to cover the smell.  It seems that going back to basics is better for our clothes and machines (not even considering the benefits to our often sensitive skin).

After the science bit it was time for a coffee and chat with Gemma Sheppard who is the head X Factor stylist, I wanted all the gossip on this as I have really enjoyed the shows this year and Chloe and I were lucky enough to be at the X Factor Final .  Gemma is so passionate about  style (obviously) and really got me thinking.  She has a way of making you feel really good about yourself and she is not interested in weight and size but shape instead.  I said that my clothes issue is that now I am not wearing workwear I have lost my way a little.  Gemma gets this as she is a busy mum of three herself and realises that time and money is not always easily available.

 Gemma’s top style tips.

1. Silk scarves.  Gemma showed us how a silk scarf can transform your look really quickly and cheaply.  She suggests silk is best as it is not bulky.  Scarves are brilliant for giving structure to an outfit and lifting the colours in what you are wearing.  Her tip was also to stock up in the sales.  Lee if your reading and still haven’t finished shopping for my presents I have just found some silk scarves reduced at House of Fraser!

2. Lipstick or lipgloss.  i don’t wear lipstick unless I am going out out as I never know what colour to go for.  We discussed colours and how to pick out your natural colour.

3. Lines. It is all about the lines, show off the bits that look good.  If you are not happy with your tummy go for skinny jeans and long floaty tops.  Again Gemma is real here and suggested Primark is a great place for these long shirts.  Team them with skinny jeans or leggings as they will make you look longer.  Add some volume to your hair and there you will have created those lines.

The event was great and I really want to thank the team at Meile and Gemma for the opportunity to really think about my clothes, both how I care for them and how I wear them.  It was really informative and gave me food for thought.

Disclosure:  The words are all my own I was given a lovely goodybag for attending the event but not asked to write anything specifically. All content is my own.

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