Petite & apple - Caryn Franklin's How to Look Good

Briefing
Uniforms
How many uniforms do you have?
We all wear uniforms to some extent. In my own wardrobe I have a
dozen that have served me well. When I know what I am doing with
my day I then pick from one of the following uniforms; this
narrows down my potential for time wasting.
‘Fashion Expert’ at work clothes
These are mostly black clothes because the days can be long; there
may be meetings and appointments or styling behind the scenes for
TV or magazines. I often have my hair scraped back so that it is held in
place all day long and looks chic. For meetings, especially, I may need to
look a little stern. I’m usually pitching ideas and I need to look efficient
and authoritative.
TV and Stage clothes
Well you’d think they’d be the same but they are not. Television
requires brightly coloured, larger than life clothes. I used to try and get
away with black after all it was the way I dressed but, when I looked at
the piece I’d filmed later, I looked too stern and sombre. I often buy
clothes for TV that I wouldn’t wear in an ordinary day because they
look too attention seeking. Clothes also need to look new on TV so,
even if I do like something, I don’t often wear it for real life. I’m very
frugal and I buy from designer friends at wholesale. I also prioritise
designer sales. Shoes are important here. If I’m on stage my shoes will
be level with many people’s eye line. I always wear stage shoes, which
have ‘showy heels,’ that look and feel great for a few hours max!
Mum clothes/Writing in the office clothes
This is my jeans and trainers or boots look with a few loose tops over
polo necks in the winter. I like tops that cover tummies so that when
I’m sitting down at my desk I don’t have to hold my tummy in. I wear
jeans with a bit of Lycra in them because sitting at my desk all day can
be uncomfortable in restrictive fabrics. I always write up until the last
moment then I rush off to collect my youngest from school. I like
striding out in my trainers (currently red and pink Gola’s), it’s the
perfect antidote to being cooped up at my desk.
Caryn Franklin’s How to Look Good 39