Guest Post: Spice Up Your Wardrobe Easily

Happy Fashion Week. On Monday, the cover reveal for Carina Axelsson's new book 

Model Undercover: New York was displayed. And a contest went up on the blog. You can check those out here. I'm  happy to have Carina give us some tips on fashion.

As a writer I find it all too easy to forget about the state of my wardrobe – even if I do write mysteries set in the fashion world!

Thoughts of sequins and cashmere, hemlines or heel heights, become seemingly irrelevant when I’m holed up at my writing desk, typing away, deadlines looming, research beckoning.

Speaking of which, for me research involves the occasional dip into the fashion waters. For instance, I’m writing this while in London, on a London Fashion Week research trip.

So, while packing for this trip, did I have a panic attack when I accepted a last minute (it seems fashion is always last minute!) invitation to visit London’s premier modeling agency, Storm? Did I break out in hives at the thought of seeing the fashion show of the lovely and oh-so-quintessentially-English fashion designer, Alice Temperley? And what about the prospect of meeting up with the fashionistas at Mulberry to check out their latest handbag designs? Did the thought make me break out in a cold sweat? 

Yes, yes, and yes!

•          Accessorize! If you’re really desperate, perhaps the easiest way to update a look is with a new handbag or scarf. Find one within your budget (the high street make fabulous bags nowadays that don’t cost an arm and a leg), and then keep the rest of your outfit muted and chic so that your new accessory stands out!
•          Jeans! Like a lot of people I live in my jeans – and nothing screams dated more than a pair of old jeans. Treat yourself to a new pair of jeans as often as you can; it’ll instantly update your outfit in a way a blouse or jacket simply can’t. 
•          Nail polish! I know, I know, hard to believe…but trust me, like I said, it’s often the little things that count. And when your nail varnish is so trendy, so bang on NOW, the rest of your outfit will suddenly look quaintly vintage – if people even notice it! Just make sure your hands look lovely!

        So that’s it – my quick and easy tips for spicing up your wardrobe. Milan starts at the end of this week, with Paris to follow. So get going, add some fresh style to your closet – then head on over to the shows!

Thank you Jennifer for this chance to distill a few of my fashion thoughts!

Carina x