Will we see the usual last minute Christmas present shopping frenzy?!

Gentlemen (and ladies), we love you dearly but haven’t you picked up on all those tips we’ve been giving you all year round?

Full page adverts of gorgeous jewellery, gowns or handbags we’ve left out in full view?

Hints about colour schemes for our winter wardrobes? New ranges of winter outfits with warm shades are in stock – then again, why not brighten up your and others’ days with a splash of colour?

If not, never fear. Get Waisted will come to the rescue – although we’ve had record sales in-store this month, Toni’s been shopping again (as well as working her fingers to the bone in true Dickensian fashion to produce those one off items) so we still have a selection of superb gifts for your loved ones and will be open on Christmas Eve till 4 pm with some very special surprises too.

So even if you do leave things till the very last minute, call in to see us in Steyning and buy that special person in your life (male or female) some vintage accessories, jewellery, a handbag or scarf, knitwear or a voucher for something bespoke and truly unique for the New Year.

Think of the Christmas brownie points you’ll get!

Season's Greetings and a peaceful and healthy New Year from the Get Waisted team.

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Check out our brand new store and our wonderful Christmas window.

Pop in and say hello, have a glass of something bubbly with us and look through our rails of gorgeous garments just waiting to come home with you! You might spot some Christmas presents among the jewellery and accessories, or simply treat yourself – go on, you know you’re worth it!

Steyning boutique, 98a High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

After the maxi and the mini comes ... the midi skirt

We loved the maxi trend and wore our summer dresses to the ground. We loved the mini and showed off our exquisite pins! Now there’s something for everyone – the midi skirt.

Whether it’s pleated, tweed, wool, straight or flared, the midi looks great with smart shirts, cashmere jumpers and new season jackets like varsity bombers, and the plethora of superb coats on the market at the moment.

Wear with masculine brogues, knee length boots, trainer, ankle boots or loafers and still look on point. 

In fact, as long as you’re warm, comfortable and letting your outfit show off your personality as well as your shape to the max, then the midi is the skirt of the season.

Toni at Get Waisted can design and make a midi skirt (and any other length you’d like) just for you. After an initial consultation, Toni will recommend a fabric, colour and shape designed to flatter your shape and colouring. Then she’ll make it up and you’ll know you’re the only one in the world with your bespoke garment!

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Check out our brand new store and our wonderful Christmas window, and don’t forget if you’re in the area, it’s Steyning’s Christmas Evening on Wednesday 3rd December and we’ll be taking part.

Pop in and say hello, have a glass of something bubbly with us and look through our rails of gorgeous garments just waiting to come home with you! You might spot some Christmas presents among the jewellery and accessories, or simply treat yourself – go, you know you’re worth it!

Steyning boutique, 98a High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Suits you, girls!

One trend which never seems to go out of fashion is the masculine look for women’s clothing and fashion. Whether it’s blazers, shirts with dickie bows, shorts, blouses or edgy tailoring, it seems it’s definitely here to stay.

Storming the runways at London Fashion Week were suits in pastel shades, mixed tailoring with skyscraper heels, and oversize androgynous trousers with metallic brogues.

From Coco Chanel’s time through Jean-Paul Gaultier to Giorgio Armani and Stella McCartney, fashion designers and couturiers love this look. And we love it on the high street too, as it’s easy to wear and takes us comfortably from office to evening.

Key to this summer’s look have been designer trainers and flats of every type, with man-size watches and chunky chains, as well as metallics and brights stealing the show. Autumn/winter sees the welcome return of cosy woollens, boiled wool, hats, scarves and gloves to finish off this trend, but in muted heathers, berry shades and naturals. Clutches, small angular handbags and totes are aplenty too.

Faux fur, fluffy jumpers and coats, and the constant delight of leather are also on the agenda. But it’s the masculine look which we’re replicating at the moment at Get Waisted to the delight of our clients, cinched in with glorious belts to showcase a feminine shape. We’re not talking the harsh padded shoulders and shapeless trends of the 80s (think Annie Lennox) but a sophisticated take for the season.

Jason Wu outfit 

Photo source: www.vogue.co.uk 

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Tweed – a modern take on a real classic

Now that autumn is distinctly upon us, our fashion thoughts turn to clothing in different textures and colour palettes to make us feel warm and cosy. One of the most classic weaves is currently having a renaissance, and that is – tweed.

Snazzy tweed

Tweed is defined as a rough, unfinished woollen fabric in a soft, open, flexible texture. It is made in either plain or twill weave, with patterns including check and herringbone. Subdued, interesting colour effects are obtained by twisting together differently coloured woollen strands into a two- or three-ply yarn, says Wikipedia: Tweed.    

Traditional tweeds are made to withstand a harsh climate and are commonly worn for outdoor activities like shooting and hunting, being moisture-resistant and durable. Beloved of the Royal Family, there is no keener a tweed wearer than Prince Charles!  

Today’s fashion tweeds encompass gorgeous autumn hues of berry, green, brown and natural shades. The fabric is now being made into new trends of mini and midi skirts, edgy jackets and warm capes. Worn with polo necks (again in fashion – see Vogue Fashion Trends), crisp white masculine shirts, as well as mismatched patterns, tweed is hitting the right target in women’s clothing stakes again.

And whether it’s a cross-over from Downton Abbey, Sherlock or maybe even Doctor Who, men are sporting tweed blazers and suits again too. Get Waisted’s Toni Pickles has been turning tweed into bespoke clothing for clients who want something just a little bit different. Having trained in Savile Row, Toni is adept at creating a tailored look for men and women, and what better fabric to show off at this time of year than a sophisticated yet surprisingly easy to wear tweed?

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

 Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

 Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

 Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

 Tel: 01903 812992

 Mobile: 07947 497342

How to dress for the changing seasons

As late summer leads on to early autumn, and temperatures vary significantly throughout the days and evenings, it can be difficult to get your clothing right so you’re not sweltering in knits or shivering in shirts. Here in the UK, it all seemed to change overnight. With sudden torrential rain some weeks ago came cooler temperatures and it’s all too easy to turn your back on your summer clothing. But we’re promised a warm September, so the answer lies in clever layering and natural fabrics which let your skin breathe and keep you warm when you need it and cool when that’s right too. Linen is, of course, a summertime favourite despite the creased look of some varieties. Hemp, bamboo and organic cotton are fast coming up the league table as credible alternatives. Layering any of these with a lightweight cotton knit or jacket could be the answer to a ‘cool’ look in the office or at work. Casual linen shirts, skirts, trousers and dresses are always popular and are great for weekends and evening socialising, shopping or just late summer walks. Thankfully flat shoes, sandals and boots are de rigeur this year so we don’t have to suffer in six-inch heels unless we really want to! Pastels and brights are making way for a more muted colour palette, with reds and burgundies still in the mix. Leather, tweeds, Aztec and geometric designs are ‘hot’, along with anoraks, sheepskins and an 80s feel. There are some great images featured on the Vogue website:  Vogue fashion trends for autumn Toni Pickles at Get Waisted will report back on more trends from upcoming fashion shows, and don’t forget she can create any look you want. Following an initial consultation when shapes, fabrics, colours and styles are discussed, Toni will create the right look, bespoke for you, with an autumn/winter wardrobe to make you even more of a star than you already are. If you’ve looked in your closet and found items which can be recycled and restyled, Toni can do that too. Anything that won’t make the grade can be donated to charity, leaving even more room for wonderful Get Waisted creations! You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on: Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD  Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays Tel: 01903 812992 Mobile: 07947 497342

Does your little black book include your couturier’s number?

Your new BFF could very well be your dressmaker.

You know when you try on an item in the high street (or even in the best boutiques) and each garment in the same size fits differently? It’s certainly irritating – we say ignore the size and try on as many as you can till you find the right one.

In the same way as you might buy a dress or suit off the peg and decide to get it altered to fit properly, your dressmaker can become your best friend by doing the same with a vintage item.

A Channel 4 programme, "This Old Thing" with Dawn O'Porter, featured Alice from Brighton using a dressmaker. Alice is convinced, even though she can see the appeal of vintage fashion, that it wasn’t for her. With a few clever changes, Dawn tried to persuade Alice that vintage clothes could look sophisticated and unique for her. Here’s a link to the episode so you can find out what happened: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/this-old-thing-the-vintage-clothes-show/on-demand/56973-004

Buying a one-off can mean it won’t be perfect for you. An older piece of clothing will probably be in the style of the trend at the time, for example a nipped in waist, padded shoulders or heavy netting under the skirt, which may not suit your shape. 

Toni Pickles, designer, seamstress and tailor at Get Waisted, can perform amazing things and will advise you on the best way of making it perfect for you; something your best friend may not always feel they can tell you!Whether it’s adding panels, narrowing sleeves, skirt shortening, removing shoulder pads, you too can have the best of both worlds: a bespoke item made to measure which is still vintage.

Toni Pickles

So put Toni’s contact details in your little black book and always have your new BFF on hand.

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Recycling is the new black!

Most of us feel there is too much waste, whether it’s food, packaging, clothing or household goods. Putting aside that one can never have too many handbags or shoes, we can recycle many of the garments which are destined for the bin by just a little thought and expertise.

Toni Pickles at Get Waisted certainly has that expertise.

It may be that you’ve lost weight (hurrah), gained weight (the scales were wrong) or just want to revive a favourite item which needs updating (there are only so many times you can keep wearing those 1970s flares).

From August, on the last Thursday of each month Get Waisted will be hosting the first in a series of open evenings: this will focus on  Restyling  so you can either turn up and talk to Toni, look through the range of new and vintage clothing on offer, or book a free consultation appointment beforehand when Toni will look at your items and advise on the best way to make your clothes look on trend and make the best of your figure.

And even better, there’ll be a special 20% discount available on all purchases on the night, plus a raffle, drinks and tasty nibbles. 

Take a shirt like this ...

and turn it into a shirt like this!

What better way to spend a Thursday evening – looking at clothes, handbags, shoes, jewellery and accessories – getting useful tips from Toni on recycling outfits – mixing with like-minded friends, old and new – and a super discount?!

There’s free parking in the car parks nearby (see www.steyningsouthdowns.co.uk/downloads/steyningmap.pdf)  as well as on nearby roads, on a first come basis, and plenty of lovely hostelries and restaurants in Steyning to visit before or afterwards.

Recycling clothing will also make you feel you’re doing your bit towards alleviating all those waste products and minimising your carbon footprint. Those dresses, skirts and trousers lurking at the back of your wardrobe can come into their own again.

Here are some interesting government statistics about the amount of household waste in the UK, for example, did you know that the energy required to collect, process and sell a reused item of clothing is only 2% of the energy required to manufacture a new garment?*

So we’re totally behind recycling as well as the delights and excellent quality workmanship you can find in vintage clothing. Come along, chat with Toni and see how she can help you save money, time and all those lovely clothes you thought you might never wear again!

You can see more about us on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact us on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

*(Source: http://clothesaid.co.uk/news/media-centre/facts-and-figures-about-clothes-collections/)