The Brits voted worst dressed tourists with the French and the Italians topping the list of best dressed.

There’s no real surprise there but why is the summer wardrobe such a challenge for us Brits? We can do better.  How we dress has such a huge impact on the way we feel about ourselves and the way people respond to us.  Dressing well can take you further than dressing scruffily.  Try it next time you go to a restaurant in Europe.  In my experience, the better dressed you are the better the quality of table you will be offered.

The summer holidays may be an excuse to wear shorts every day, but there are shorts and shorts.  Shorts for the football pitch, shorts for the pool, shorts for sightseeing and shorts that shouldn’t be seen outside your own home. The key is to make sure you have clothes to suit each and every occasion.

My top tip for this is planning.  Buying clothes is rather like buying food.  You can buy food randomly, picking out items that take your fancy but then when you get home you find that you’ve actually got nothing to eat.  You’ve got nothing that makes a complete meal.  So you go hungry or end up dissatisfied with the meagre meal you end up with.

The way round this is to plan.  Just as you would plan your food for a dinner party or a barbecue,  you need to plan your clothes for the long summer ahead.  Make a list of the events you’ll be going to, starting with the most casual to the most formal so that you will have a sliding scale of formality. Next take a long look at your wardrobe and find out if you’ve got clothes that you can wear for each occasion. Being prepared will help you relax and enjoy your well-deserved time off.

If you would like help with any of that, give me a call.  I’ll help you beat those summertime blues so that your can kick back and enjoy the sunshine.  Call me on 07976 923078 or email me at lucinda@lucindaslater.com.

A journalist at The Times had a question for me yesterday. What do you wear when your name is Tony Blair and you are about to be grilled by the Chilcot inquiry?

When we dress in a way that supports what we are saying, our message is reinforced and we are more likely to be believed. When we dress in a way that is not compatible with our message, the reverse is true.  So how did he need to dress?

Firstly, what was his message? What did he want to convey?  Honesty, authority, to look like he cared. He also wanted to convey  genuine heartfelt belief and the sense that if we had been in his shoes, we would most likely have done the same.

The next question is what does the audience expect? That he looks like a former prime minister, that he looks in control, not only of the facts, but also of himself.

He was well advised to wear the uniform of power; high-contrasting and authoritative white shirt, dark suit and red tie.  The clean white shirt suggesting nothing to hide, and a red tie giving authority. Properly fitting clothes and excellent grooming reinforced these messages. This is also about conveying respect to your audience. Going tieless was not an option.

His voice sounded husky, strained, perhaps an indication of the personal tension he was under. As for his body language, no arms crossed in defiance, but hand gestures used to reinforce a point and good eye contact with the panel. Initially tense, hands shaking as a sign of nerves and pressure, his audience might be reassured by such human signs.  He heeded other advice: don’t raise your voice; don’t lose your cool; answer the questions to the panel’s satisfaction.  It’s not a time to evade the question, be heartfelt.

Verdict:  Whether you agree or disagree with his decision making process, Tony Blair achieved his aim. He looked his best to be believed.

Timothy Everest at his atelier

Congratulations to Timothy Everest on his MBE for services to tailoring.  He prides himself on his “eccentric style and modern attitude” and is recognised as a leading exponent of the New Bespoke Movement.

Timothy Everest has dressed many celebrities including James McAvoy, Jay Kay and Jeremy Irons.  We can rely on him for being very well turned out for his appointment with her Majesty.  Could this be the inspiration for a new collection?  Will clients be asking for the MBE or honours suit perhaps?

Wishing you a very happy new year and a stylish start to the new decade.

Lucinda