Nicky Hambleton Jones
Nicky Hambleton Jones is a self-taught style expert and her hit TV show has got us all desperate to look 10 years younger. Her no nonsense, straight to the point style advice has earned her the respect of the nation.
Nicky has been busy styling the UK as part of the Disaronno Style Squad but she took some time out to give Female First some expert style advice. Check out her tips on first date fashion, flattering your assets and plastic surgery.
On a First Date..........”Starting off I think it's really important that you don't wear anything that is too tight. There's nothing worse than having to keep pulling your skirt down all night or not being able to eat anything because you can't breathe. If you feel really uncomfortable in you outfit it just makes you look awkward and it doesn't give you an air of confidence.”
“You need to make sure your outfit fits properly. If you've got straps falling off all the time or if you wear something that's too loose around the waist you're gonna be worried that your pants are sticking out and that's going to make you feel awkward.”
“If you can avoid it try not to wear a new pair of shoes unless you know you're just getting in a taxi and going straight to a restaurant because if they are uncomfortable, or they keep slipping off all the time and making you slip up again it just makes you look awkward and silly. If it's a blind date it's a good idea not to wear you're killer heels. Try and go for something a bit lower because you obviously don't know how tall this person will be and you don't want to tower over him.”
“I think it's important to be yourself. On a first date you don't want to wear anything that is going to be a major departure from what you would normally wear. Go for something you feel good in, something you feel comfortable in. It's better for the person to see you as you really are rather than wearing something totally different. If you're a tom boy don't glam up more than you would normally do so they think 'oh she's really glam' then the next date it's toned back down again. Within reason keep it to your normal style.”
Meeting the parents........”I think it depends on situation you meet the parents in. Say you are going out for dinner to a restaurant I think again less is more. So you don't want to have too much flesh on show. Tone down the cleavage, don't wear anything too strappy or wear a jacket over your top just to kind of tone it down a bit.”
“Also don't go for too much pattern, too much colour or too much texture. Just go for something quite stylish, maybe just one bold colour, nothing with too much design on it because that could make you look quite loud and lairy and be quite off putting for the parents.”
Dress to suit your shape.............”I think it's really important to dress to suit your shape. If you dress to suit your shape you're going to look your best and you#re going to feel more confident about yourself. It also projects and air of confidence if your really know what works for you. If you wear something that doesn't suit your shape and doesn't really flatter you then you're not going to project an air of confidence so it is really important.”
“Get some advice off friends. Not everyone knows how to dress the best for their shape and if you're not sure it's best to get an input off their friend, a relative or a stylist or whatever. If you wear something that flatters you the most that will emphasise your assets.
If you've got a tiny waist but bigger thighs perhaps wear something that shows off your waist and disguises your thighs. You might want to wear a pair of dark jeans or black trousers that's going to be more flattering on your hips. And then maybe a lovely bright red belt over your shirt or something that's going to draw attention to your good features. You don't want something that's gonna make people focus on what's wrong with you but you want them to focus on what's right with you”.
“I also think you want to draw attention to your face and away from your body as much as possible. I think that's where your personality is going to come out, that's where your confidence is going to come out. You want people to really engage with your eyes and your smile and your overall personality. So make sure with what you wear you focus on the top of your body. If you're going to wear colour wear it on your top half of your body. Use accessories. Wear a lovely necklace or some nice earrings- anything that's going to draw attention upwards.”
Current fashion trends...............”Well talking spring/summer I think the smock style floaty tops can be quite difficult to wear and often they can make you look pregnant so I think if you're going to wear that then make sure you layer it, put it underneath a fitted jacket. Wear a belt with it to give it shape or wear with some skinny jeans just so you get a sense of proportion.”
“The maxi dress is great if you're in a long term relationship but it can be quite intimidating for say a first date because it's all a bit earth mother.”
“Also I think the neon brights are a bit too lairy so if you want to go with them maybe stick to a handbag or a pair of shoes but try to avoid the neon look head to toe. “
Plastic surgery............”I would definitely consider it if I got to that stage. I'm hoping that I won't need it but if I did all of a sudden get all jowly, get terrible eye bags and my face dropped like some of the people on the show then yes I would definitely consider it if I could afford it.”
Being a stylist........”I just worked in the city and then decided fashion was my passion so I set up my own stylist business. I think if you are someone looking to become a stylist you need to have the eye first of all. It doesn't matter if you have any qualifications. You need to be able to look at someone and know what works for them. You need to be able to look at an item of clothing and know what you would do with it and how you would accessorise it and things like that. “
“The best way to test that out is to take your friends shopping or dress your family and friends and see if it works and build up your confidence that way.”
“Then you need to find a stylist who you can assist and I think that's the best way to learn. You need to be really hands on with someone to get the contacts and learn what shops work for what body shapes. You learn so much from someone else. To be honest as soon as your confidence builds you can start seeing your own clients. I learnt pretty much trial and error on the job really. If you really believe that you've got the talent for it then you can just go out and do it. If you've not got the confidence to just go out there and do it like I did then assisting someone else is definitely a good start.”
New Series of 10 years younger......”We start filming series 5 in a couple of weeks and we are still looking for people so if there is anyone out there who is keen to look younger then please apply for the show.”
Nicky Hambleton Jones is currently part of the Disaronno Style Squad at mysinglefriend.com which is offers make up and style advice live until the end of August. Disaronno Amaretto is available from supermarkets/off licenses nationwide.
Caz Moss- Female First
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Nicky Hambleton Jones is a self-taught style expert and her hit TV show has got us all desperate to look 10 years younger. Her no nonsense, straight to the point style advice has earned her the respect of the nation.
Nicky has been busy styling the UK as part of the Disaronno Style Squad but she took some time out to give Female First some expert style advice. Check out her tips on first date fashion, flattering your assets and plastic surgery.
On a First Date..........”Starting off I think it's really important that you don't wear anything that is too tight. There's nothing worse than having to keep pulling your skirt down all night or not being able to eat anything because you can't breathe. If you feel really uncomfortable in you outfit it just makes you look awkward and it doesn't give you an air of confidence.”
“You need to make sure your outfit fits properly. If you've got straps falling off all the time or if you wear something that's too loose around the waist you're gonna be worried that your pants are sticking out and that's going to make you feel awkward.”
“If you can avoid it try not to wear a new pair of shoes unless you know you're just getting in a taxi and going straight to a restaurant because if they are uncomfortable, or they keep slipping off all the time and making you slip up again it just makes you look awkward and silly. If it's a blind date it's a good idea not to wear you're killer heels. Try and go for something a bit lower because you obviously don't know how tall this person will be and you don't want to tower over him.”