Clare Maxfield

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Apr 20 2021

Grace and Age

Growing old is simply the passing of time. It is a collection of summers which you can count and remember but it is not the defining factor of our lives.

To stay young is as much a state of mind as it is a state of dress. After working with clients for over a decade now on how they can improve their appearance, to look young, slimmer and more alive I want to share with you some of my top tips to keeping everyone guessing exactly when you were born.

Now when you are younger you always want that appearance of looking older. Girls do it with how they style their hair and apply their make-up. Young men may start growing beards to give the illusion of being older than they are. Let’s go to the other end of the spectrum where all we are concerned about is appearing younger to those around us and for men it can be as simple as shaving off that beard they grew 30 years earlier, and for women, it may be as simple as wearing less make-up.

Lets really look at the simplest steps you can take with the biggest results.

  1. Your face was your fortune it is now your barometer. It is time to have a good look at yourself and I mean a good look. If your eyes are not as good as they were get yourself a great magnified mirror. Search and remove any stray hairs that are growing in places they never grew before. Like your nose, your ears, your chin and are becoming veritable verandahs over your eyes.
  2. What is happening with your hair? For some people the idea of growing old gracefully means allowing the colour to naturally drain from your hair. Grey hair can be very alluring, as long as you have an incredible youthful haircut. Grey hair that is sticking up and out from your head is a sign that you have given up. Try to think of it a natural bling and work it into a fashionable style. If the idea of allowing the grey to take over is abhorrent to you get it professionally coloured. Stay away from the natural dark shades you had as a young person. Your skin is no longer as vibrant so allow yourself to drop down a few shades. It is easier to wear and to be honest the regrowth is no where near as troublesome to maintain when your hair is not so dark. You might even want to consider shades of blonde if you were originally a brunette.
  3. Update your make-up. The number of women who continue to apply their make-up in the same manner and the same colours that they did in their 20’s is frightening. I mean I can understand why. It look amazing on you then. So why shouldn’t it keep working? The fact of the matter is your skin and eyes are no longer the same. As you age it is time to tone down your make-up. In many instances less is more especially when it comes to going out in the daylight. You may think that you want to hide your age spots. It is no different to a teenager hiding their pimples. Once your makeup become s a mask we lose who you are. Allow your skin to breathe. As you get older you want to balance out your skin tone more so than creating a shield. Rather than going to a make-up counter, look to a beautician or make-up artist who can help you learn how to apply a light natural make-up that will allow you to shine through.
  4. Your wardrobe may still fit you from when you were younger but I can assure you it does not keep you looking younger. More like looking dated. Any clothing you still have that you had from your 20‘s needs to be gifted to a 20 year old. They can wear anything old or new. Your wardrobe must look current and contemporary. That way you too will look current and contemporary. Some of the things that age quickly are buttons, hemlines and fit. Buttons are easy to remove and update. Check where the hem on your skirts and trousers are. If they are too long or too short have them altered immediately and the same goes for your fit. If it is too tight or too loose nip it in or out so that it will skim your body and make you look fresh and fit.
  5. Finally, don’t scoff, it is true that people who have fun, enjoy life, laugh at jokes and dance at parties stay young.

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.”

― George Bernard Shaw

Clare Maxfield AICI CIP is an inspiring and entertaining image consultant and speaker who has dedicated her life to the all importance of image and achieving personal goals.

Her primary goal is to make looking great simple and attainable for everyone. Clare believes that looking your best and presenting yourself professionally is not just for those at the top but also for everyone who wants to succeed.

“If you think you just look good. She will show you how to look great.”

www.ClareMaxfield.com.au

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Women

Jul 24 2018

#100 days 100 outfits – days 61-80

day 61-80 of 100 day challenge to wear something different every day

Day 61-80 of my #100days100outfits challenge.

During these 20 days, I had some real highs and some real lows and it really forces you out of your comfort zone to expose your life this openly. I know I had a choice as to what I posted and I was very excited about the day I was dancing for my Gold Star medal in Latin ballroom dancing. That day I danced ChaCha, Rumba and one of my favourites Pasodoble.

For those people following me on instagram, they would have seen snippets of my skirt coming together. that was a great day. Sadly day 73 was spent farewelling a school friend. She was an amazing woman and we will never forget Jo (Spencer) Sharp. She was always on social media, commenting and keeping in touch with everyone. She was only pint sized, but very strong willed and always good for a laugh.

Day 75, I did what I never do and that was to stay in bed all day. I had the sorest throat and aching body and could see no value in getting up.

So what lessons did this past 20 days teach me? I truly thought I was going to run out of options yet I still surprised myself.

I’ve realised, in hindsight, that when I am not feeling well I turn to my jeans. Clearly, they are my fall back items. When my brain was foggy I could fashion jeans with a fresh top.

It was very exciting to rediscover my above the knee boots.

Finally, as I am planning my wardrobe to enjoy the final 20 days, I am now thinking about what I really want to wear. It now feels really important again as we remember what we first see and what we last see. I am even holding garments back for the last weeks.

I have to say. It has been a great exercise and i am really lovng what I am discovering about myself, my wardrobe adn what I really really, yes, really do like. It seems that the comments I am receiving, your taste is very similar to mine.

So to everyone who has been supporting me and commenting, thank-you. It has truly made this fun.

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, cluster clothing, no repeats, Wardrobe, Wardrobe Capsule, wardrobe challenge

Jul 19 2018

#100 days 100 outfits – days 40-60

100 days 100 outfits showing days 40-60

Days 40-60

Where has the time gone.

Today is truthfully day 80 so I am little behind my schedule in updating but that happens. here is what I have learned so far from this exercise.

  • It is possible
  • Highly recommend you shop for some new clothes before you make such a grand statement. I’m just a tad over last years clothes.
  • Highly recommend you do not put on any weight from the previous year. Sadly all of my leather skirts are a tad too tight this year.
  • Weekend photos are always better than weekdays as I’m able to get dressed in better light…and take my time.
  • The pieces that are still in my wardrobe, unworn, I clearly do not like as they haven’t even made the cut when I am desperate for something else.
  • Summer tops work really well with long sleeved t’s under them.
  • I can’t wait to get some new jeans.

It has been illuminating and I love how for the first time, so many of you are talking to me about what I do and giving me encouragement.

Thanks for all of your support and you really should try it. (maybe without the flat lays and photos every day) you will be amazed at what outfits are hiding in your closet.

As the last word, the other downside to this is that I cant just get dressed. There is nothing more annoying than realising that you have almost dressed and you haven’t photographed the outfit. First world problem of the social media kind

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Accomplishment, Clothing, communication, Fashion, Style, Wardrobe Capsule

Jul 15 2018

Days 20-40 of 100 days of 100 outfits

20 images of different outfits from a 100 day challenge days 20-40

When I started this challenge my thoughts were that I would not have enough clothes to wear.

Luckily as an Image Consultant most of my wardrobe mixes and matches. the greatest challenge has been preparing my clothes each morning, laying out my flat lay, photographing it and hoping that what I have put together will work.

I don’t have the time to put it on, check it, take it off and photograph it. One day though I changed three times as the first two outfits, which were vintage pieces of my Mum’s that I’ve had hanging in my wardrobe for years…just looked horrible. All of that space and time wasted holding onto something that I never wore and now know I never will wser. That very same week they went onto eBay and someone else loves them now.

It is interesting planning an outfit before I put anything on and committing to it. Normally, in the past when I have been getting dressed I put different pieces on and off as my mood takes me, but that is not the case with this exercise. Even down to choosing my necklaces and earrings, although, I will admit, I sometimes add those later.

I have also discovered that the pieces that I don’t really enjoy wearing are those pieces that I picked up thinking I’d try something new. Yes, they fit me and they suit me, but that does not necessarily mean I like wearing them. It has been a big eye-opener for me and something I’m always more careful of with my clients. Pushing someone into something new can work or can massively fail, especially if it doesn’t make them feel fabulous…no matter how great you and the world thinks they look.

So, have a look over days 20-40. I am really really enjoying this process. There are a couple of outfits up there that I won’t wear again. I wonder if you can pick which they are?

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: Style, Wardrobe, Women · Tagged: 100days100outfits, Fashion, Personality, shopmywardrobe, Style

May 23 2018

Victoria Beckham, put your hands in your sleeves

victoria beckham sleeves at harry and Meghan royal wedding

Whilst everyone is talking about how wonderful the royal wedding was. how gorgeous everyone looks, how stunning the dress was, how wonderfully elegant Maghan’s mother was….and of course, how entertaining the preacher was. It has also been mentioned about Victoria Beckham refused to smile.

I would too if I was her. Did no one notice that her hands were not in her sleeves. That her sleeves dangled beside her body looking for a purpose. I would not have been too concerned were it not for the fact that those sleeves have cuffs! Cuffs! Cuffs go around wrists. Every time I look at that jacket I have to wonder. If she knew she was going to wear it with her hands out of sleeves, which I admit I have done with a few summer tops a few years ago when split sleeves were in, why include cuffs in the design. More the point, why put boring old buttons on the cuffs. Make them really simple or make them a statement.

So, I have to concede that Victoria’s lack of a smile was due to some form of a wardrobe malfunction. David sew her sleeves shut for a joke? Did they make the cuffs too tight? Or was it a fashion style, that just didn’t quite work.

I’d love to know your thoughts.

Written by Clare Maxfield · Categorized: dress code, Style, Women · Tagged: cape sleeves, royal wedding, Victoria beckham

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