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

Moving on out, moving on up

Never ones to let the grass grow under our feet, Get Waisted fashion boutique is moving to bigger premises on Tuesday 4^th March. But we’re not going far, just three doors up in fact, above Vintage and Home at 94 High Street, Steyning. It’s bigger, with a separate studio, ‘consulting room’ and retail areas.

Preparations for the move are going well, as you can see here:

We know where everything is - really!

 Although no-one likes the packing and unpacking associated with moving, it’s highlighted the variety of items of clothing, jewellery, handbags, accessories, shoes and boots we have for sale – something for everyone.

We’ll be focusing more on made-to-measure for women and men, as well as alterations, and we’ll still be selling our usual ranges from our new boutique in Steyning.

Toni can ensure you get more wear from your favourite clothes by letting them out (if possible) or taking them in, or in the case of trousers or skirt hems, taking them up. Toni can also let you know if she is able to restyle an item of clothing if it needs updating and you just can’t bear to part with it!

In our new Steyning fashion emporium, we’ll also be featuring vintage and vintage-style items, like this:

Fashionable vintage

And for those of you who find this time of year difficult to dress for (and who doesn’t, is it still winter or is it spring yet?!), come in and see us so we can recommend the best styles and designs for you.

Get Waisted at this fashion show!

Coming up soon – our fashion show for Fenwick House girls’ boarding at Brighton College. This will be the third year we’ve been involved and you can see last year’s Bond-themed show, complete with Aston Martin here: http://vimeo.com/65000079. Watch this space for more details soon.

Whatever the occasion, Toni Pickles at Get Waisted (www.getwaisted.co.uk) is able to make a bespoke item of clothing for you. Toni’s background is in tailoring and she will advise on tone, fabric, design and cut. Whether it’s a made-to-measure suit, a sparkling prom dress or an outfit or two for a cruise, you can rest assured it won’t be seen anywhere on the high street as it’s been made especially for you!

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 (from 4^th March)

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

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

It's not just about the ladies this Valentine's Day!

We’ve had so many men coming into our Steyning boutique to buy Valentine’s gifts for their ladies over the last week or two, but how about you stylish and fashion focused ladies getting your special man something that’ll warm the cockles of his heart?

There are some interesting general suggestions in this article from Harper’s Bazaar: http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/inside/valentines-day-gift-guide-for-him#slide-1 and a photo of Matthew McConaughey in Esquire sporting a chic charcoal grey suit.

One of the most versatile items in a gentleman’s wardrobe is the grey suit and for Autumn/Winter 2014, it’s making a big return to tailoring in a range of shades – in fact probably more than 50 shades of grey! The colour palette goes from graphite to silver and tone on tone is also so wearable, which you can use through fabrics, textures and cuts.

Tweed is also making a comeback as well as the sophisticated grey suit – check out great British brand Bladen (http://www.bladentailoring.co.uk/home.aspx), Skopes (http://www.skopes.com/retail/) and Purple Label by Benvenuto (http://benvenuto.de/en/anzuege/purple-label/).

A sumptuous grey suit can make a man look stunning for events like a wedding, a day at the races or a night on the red carpet. It can also ooze confidence and elegance if you need to look your best as a professional, but grey suits are nothing if not useful and so are ideal for office wear, with or without a tie (as long as the tone of grey and the shirt colour go well with your skin and eyes), Valentine’s dinners or dressed down with a designer black t-shirt, scarf and cashmere coat.

Our gift to you this Valentine’s – a photo of Brad Pitt in tone on tone grey

Photo: celebritysuits.com

Whatever your style, Toni Pickles at Get Waisted (www.getwaisted.co.uk) is able to make a bespoke tailored suit for every discerning gentleman about town. Toni’s background is in tailoring and she will advise on tone, fabric, design and cut. If you’d like a suit that is made-to-measure and won’t be seen anywhere on the high street, just get in touch with Toni.

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

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

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

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

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Get Waisted for 15% less!

At the risk of you throwing things at your laptop/phone/tablet or even PC, I am going to refer to the 'C' word. With less than 12 weeks to Christmas (sorry, won't do it again) now is the right time to think about 'that outfit'. Whether you are looking to wow them at the office party, put a distant relative in his or her place or just make hubby look twice; you could do no better than to get into a dress that is made to satisfy your every whim. It costs much less than you might think and, until November 1st, Get Waisted is offering 15% off all commissions.

So, what to use for inspiration? Well, I have been glued to the 'fashion season' and checking out the New York, Paris, London and Milan Fashion Weeks in particular I have been struck by the number of designers going for a neat, classic look featuring a belted or 'nipped in waist' for both trousers/jacket combos and dresses.

YSL & Dior at New York 2012

The looks presented this year by Saint Laurent and Dior are a good example of how you can take something classic and bring it right up to date for 2012. What's more they are pretty and wearable too.

It is no secret that here at Get Waisted we are big fans of the 1950's look and how it flatters.  These tailored designs make the most of your shape (whatever it is) and are guaranteed to turn heads too!

So email me now on toni@getwaisted.co.uk with your ideas and requirements - and don't forget to ask for your discount!

Toni.

It's in the Cannes

With the weather coming up trumps these past few days, here at Get Waisted HQ we're hoping it'll last through to our Yacht photo shoot next weekend. We've been working round the clock putting the finishing touches to the collection, which includes colourful kaftan's, super glam maxi dresses and a couple of 1950's inspired wedding gowns. Accessories will play a big part too with some wide brimmed hats, chic sunglasses and a bottle of champagne or two for good measure - think 1970's Joan Collins!

And speaking of yachting glamour, we've been watching the red carpet at The Cannes Film Festival over the past week with relish. With so many premieres, dinners and after party's we could easily find enough gorgeous get ups to fill our blog for the next month! But, we're exercising restraint and selecting just a few of our favourites from the past week.

Starting with the going for gold gang, these looks are all about the wow factor, with sequins featuring heavily. Here's Diane Kruger, in Vivienne Westwood, Jessica Chastain, in Gucci, Kim Kardashian, in Balmain and our favourite pocket rocket, Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana.

Sandwiched in the middle we've picked some pretty in pinks. Jessica Chastain, once again, this time in fairytale Armani, Kirsten Dunst, in simple but sophisticated Balenciaga, Milla Jovovich, in a beautifully embroidered one shoulder gown and Naomi Watts, in delicate Marchesa.

And finally we've the girls who went for white on the night. 

Cheryl Cole, in stunning Stephane Rolland, Erin Wasson, in Antoni Berardi, a second inclusion for Diane Kruger, in Nina Ricci, and last but not least, going against the grain, we've picked Cameron Diaz, in a Gucci trouser ensemble looking every inch the film star.

With another three days until the grand finale, there'll be more from us on Cannes next week along with details of the final touches to our photo shoot.

Strictly Ballgowns

This week saw the press preview of the forthcoming V&A Ballgowns exhibition. Opening to the public on Saturday, we are planning our visit in a frenzy of excitement and anticipation. Never before has such a extravagant, decadent and extensive collection of dresses been put together and all displayed in the newly renovated Fashion Gallery.

Many of the designs on show were made specifically for debutante balls, Royal engagements and red carpet events including beautiful and daring creations from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Erdem. 

It's the fantasy of most women to attend that fairytale event in a gown that makes you look your absolute best, whilst also showing your exquisite level of taste. This carries through to Prom's too and the imminent prom season is keeping us busy with a host of bespoke dresses in final stages before their debut outings and here's a couple of our previous creations, from the Get Waisted archive.

Speaking of debuts, the Cannes 2012 festival kicked off yesterday too. With so many premiere's and stars doing their best to outshine each other, we're always treated to plenty of dresses to drool over, with day one being no exception.

Eva Longoria went from day to night in a stunning theatrical Marchesa number, then a sophisticated Alberta Ferretti fish tail dress.

Eva Herzigova in translucent beaded Alexander McQueen, Diane Kruger did old school glamour in mint green and Tilda Swinton leans towards the more unusual in Haider Ackerman.

But the award for the most unusual of all yesterday's gowns has to go to Chinese actress and singer, Fan Bingbing, whose white strapless gown is covered in traditional Chinese patterns and imagery to stunning effect.

And before we sign off, just a reminder that out Yacht photo shoot is happening very soon so for your chance to get on board, just like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our Newsletter and tell all your friends!!

Save Savile Row !

A placard wielding gaggle of besuited ladies and gents descended on London's Savile Row this week to protest against the proposed arrival of high street brand Abercrombie & Fitch. Organised by satirical magazine, The Chap.

The best dressed protest ever witnessed on the streets of the city marched it's peaceful message from no.3 Savile Row, around the corner to A&F's Burlington Gardens flagship store. Waving home made banners and chanting 'Give Three Piece a Chance' (adapted from John Lennon's classic) the dapper chaps and chapesses were demonstrating against what they see as the potential demise of a street synonymous with traditional bespoke tailoring. 

The Row has a bespoke tailoring history dating back over two centuries. Yesterday's Guardian reported 'It was here that tailors made the uniform worn by Horatio Nelson when he was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar; it was here that Edward VII invented the dinner jacket. Savile Row is where the 20th century's most iconic fashion moments were dreamt up: production on Hollywood movies would be halted while actors from Rudolph Valentino to Frank Sinatra were flown over to the Row to have a waistcoat cut properly'. Clearly, the reputation of the row knows no equal.

Abercrombie & Fitch are an American chain store selling casual wear the world over. The Row is a unique street, selling a traditional bespoke service, recognised the world over. Currently it's THE place to go once you can afford life's little luxuries, but if Westminster Council grants the A&F application all that is set to drastically change.


By allowing a high street brand to trade on the Row, is it only a matter of time before it becomes just another shopping street, losing the exclusivity and reputation for excellence that it's many esteemed clients value so highly? Here at Get Waisted, as practitioners of the bespoke craft, we definitely think so and hope the council sees sense in preserving it for generations to come.