Dress for interview success with MizEllie

It's that time of year when graduates across the country will be attending interview after interview to try and get a job while even for those of us already in work the prospect of dressing for an interview can still fill us with fear. They say that people's first impressions are formed within seconds of meeting so getting your outfit right is incredibly important. Well at MizEllie we like to help so here are few tips we've gained when it comes to dressing right for an interview.

Dress to impress

You want to feel great in your interview outfit and incredibly confident so wear something you are comfortable in – so if you don't normally wear skyscraper heels then maybe you will be better off in some smart flats as it is all about being comfortable?

It's also vital to do your research and get an idea of the company's dress code as you can then dress to match that and you will look like you fit into the team – for example an investment bank will have a very different dress code to a creative media type company so do your research.

If in doubt go smart

You can probably never look too smart for an interview so if in doubt of the company's dress code err on the side of caution and opt for a smarter outfit then a more casual option. No interviewer is going to mark you down for wearing a suit but they might if you turn up in jeans and a t-shirt so always go smart and you won't be far off.

Don't forget this isn't like going clubbing so put away the cleavage and leave the short skirts at home you want to be seen as a professional and how you dress will portray that.

Add a touch of personality

Just because it is a job interview doesn't mean you have to dress as clone of everybody else and if you want to be remembered it is a good idea to inject a bit of personality into your look. While it is important not to go over the top (you still need to follow the rules above) something like a fab piece of costume jewellery or a chic silk scarf will add just the right touch of style to your look and might mean you stand out more as a result.

Don't forget the little touches

While it can be tempting to roll out of bed an pick up the first outfit you see a good interview outfit requires planning and preparation. If you do nothing else make sure you have washed and ironed your clothes and polished your shoes so you look neat and tidy and presentable. A crumpled blouse won't really give the right impression will it? Instead, an interviewer might think it is a sign that you are lazy and don't pay attention to the little details. So make sure your outfit is ready to go and fully prepped before the big day.

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At MizEllie we have a great range of costume jewellery and scarves for women that can help you face any interview looking your best.

What are your tips for a good interview outfit? What's your favourite interview look? Why not let us know in the comments section below

Cheers your MizEllie team

Perfect first date dressing with MizEllie

If you have a date you know how nerve wracking it can be to find the perfect outfit that will show off your best assets and impress your date but still be comfortable. It is especially the case if it is a first date  when not only are you  worried about coming across well you also want to dress to impress so here at MizEllie we want to take away some of the stress and worry with a few tips on  what to wear on your first date.

Be comfortable

The last thing you want to do on a date is be uncomfortable in your outfit. If you are worrying that your trousers or skirt or if you can’t walk in your shoes. So instead make sure you are wearing something that feels really comfortable so that you forget about your clothes and pay attention to your date. That’s why it is often a good idea to do a trial run of your outfit first so you know what you are wearing and you also make sure you have everything you need as you don’t want to plan the perfect outfit and realise you need something as simple as a pair of tights so have to go back to the drawing board.

Wear what suits you

You also need to think about your body shape as there is no point wearing the latest fashion if it doesn’t suit you. Instead, wear clothes that flatter your shape. In the words of the song you want to ‘accentuate the positive, illuminate the negative’ so wear something that shows of your best features and cover the parts you feel less confident about. If there is one thing that will ensure you look gorgeous on your date it is confidence – if you feel good you will look good so make sure you are wearing an outfit that you really feel confident in whatever you wear and you will look and feel amazing.

Make your outfit work for you

One issue us girls face when we go on a date is the fact that sometimes you have no idea how long it will last and even where you are going so you need an outfit that is going to really  work hard. A good tip is to take a bag where you can pack a pair of flats or heels and something like a cashmere scarf will be a really versatile addition to your look as you can wear it if the evening starts to get cold and it is perfect for dressing up or dressing down your look. While carrying some great costumejewellery in your bag will mean you can dress up your outfit in an instant if you do go somewhere that needs a dressier look.

Be yourself

The most important thing to bear in mind is just to be yourself. At the end of the day you want your date to get to know you and not a made up version of you. Therefore, you should make sure your outfit shows off your personality. That said you don’t want anything too out there so make sure you make the most of your accessories with perhaps a great statement pendant necklace, silk scarfor why not a fab pair of chandelier earrings for women which can all inject some personality into your look.

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Of course at MizEllie we have a fab range of costume andfashion jewellery and women’s scarves which means you will feel fabulous on your date.

What do you like to wear on your first date? What tips do you have for perfect date dressing? Why not let us know in the comment’s section below.

Tartan times with MizEllie

I know the last days of summer are still here but autumn is on its way so now is the time to get ahead start on the fashion stakes. When it comes to patterns autumn/winter is all about tartan and plaids.  Loads of designers had tartan pieces in their collections and the celebs have also been getting in on the trend with Miley Cyrus having been spotted in a tartan shirt, while Mamma Mia’s Amanda Seyfried is the latest covergirl for Glamour Paris and is wearing Tartan – with a perfect rock chick style.

When it came to the catwalk there was loads of tartan goodness to choose from with Celine, Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Emilia Wickstead, Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger all had tartan in various guises. From subtle ladylike looks to head to toe tartan.

The look is the perfect way of channelling two key trends that were massive on the catwalks – rock chick and ladylike chic – which while different all you need are a few key accessories and you can mix up the look with ease. Therefore, all you need is a few tartan pieces and great accessories and you could have your autumn wardrobe sorted.

How to get the rock chick look?

As Amanda Seyfried and Miley Cyrus showed the tartan look is perfect for that rock chick style. Amanda Seyfried’s cover look in particular showed how a few key pieces of costume and fashion jewellery can completely transform a tartan shirt into a high fashion outfit.  She was wearing great gold cuff bracelets, a fab chain necklace, a barbed wire choker and a great pendent. So all it takes is a great tartan piece and then layer it with fab costume jewellery pieces and you have a great rock chick almost punky look. 

It’s a great way of really mixing up your look and for some reason tartan really sums up that rock chick, slightly fierce look and has the perfect edgy feel to it.

Go lady like

At the other end of the scale there is ladylike chic almost countryside style. In fact the Tommy Hilfiger catwalk had English country chic style suits in plaids and tartans as did Lanvin, while the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection had gorgeous tartan winter coats. The key to this look is one simple tartan piece like a coat, jacket or pencil skirt and then keep your accessories pared back and chic so maybe opt for a simple pearl necklace or why not try fab gold or silver toned costume jewellery to keep the look simple and chic.

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At MizEllie we have a range of fab costume and fashion jewellery which will look fab with any outfit especially if you decided to go for a tartan look.

Do you like the tartan look? Will you be wearing it this autumn? Why not let us know in the comments section.

Cheers your MizEllie Team

Be a lady this autumn

So if you are fashion forward you will know that now is the time to start thinking about what to wear this autumn/winter and one massive trend is ladylike chic. Maybe it’s the influence of the Duchess of Cambridge who always looks immaculate and elegant or even with Downton Abbey due to start, and films like Hitchcock showcasing 1950s glamour but the key to dressing this autumn is to go for ladylike charm that would be worthy of Lady Mary Crawley herself.

And on the fashion week runways the silhouette was all about the hourglass with pinched in waists and womanly curves. From off the shoulder dresses of the Prada, Nina Ricci, Jonathan Saunders and Gucci to the fabulous 40s style coats and peplum  tea dresses of the Bottega Veneta catwalk there is a wealth of feminine pieces to choose from.

There was also more than a nod to the Hitchcock-esque heroine with the gorgeous two-piece tweed suits and 50s style prom dresses seen at Lanvin the perfect take on the look. While Nina Ricci’s sexy wiggle dresses, long gloves and beehives had us drooling. While for a more modern take on the trend Christian Dior had fab full skirted dresses with sexy, plunging V-necks so you really can have the best of both worlds!

How to get the look

Well this trend is all about the hourglass figure but if you’re not that curvy you can still fake it and if you are curvy well this is the look for you so you can really go to town. So think full 50s style skirts (now is the time to invest in that net underskirt!), sexy pencil skirts and skinny jumpers. While if you want to make the most of your waist a peplum jacket or top will really cinch in the waist and create a perfect hourglass shape.

When it comes to accessories (because let’s face it we are all about the accessories here at MizEllie) a thin belt will really help achieve that cinched in waist look. Another great accessory has to be leather gloves – seen at Bottega Veneta and worn long at Nina Ricci they really add a sexy twist to an outfit and are also incredibly practical. Of course another perfect way of achieving that ladylike look is with a silk scarf. We loved the Miu Miu catwalks where the models wore polka dot women’s scarves round their necks which added a bit of colour to the collection and added a fun twist on the ladylike trend – we loved it. And of course if you are channelling the look of a Hitchcock heroine then why not wear a silk scarf round your head for a sophisticated 50s look?

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At MizEllie we know you  like to get the latest designer  looks but without  the hefty price tag so  we have a range of  gorgeous ladylike silk scarves that you use to get that runway style  but without the designer cost.

Will you be wearing ladylike chic next season? What was your favourite look from the catwalks?

Cheers your MizEllie team

Autumn/winter jewellery trends part II

Has anyone noticed that the shops are starting to get new collections in and some fab new looks which means only one thing – it’s time for a new fashion season and for all jewellery lovers this year is going to be amazing. We’ve already been through some of the fashion and costume jewellerytrends but there are just too many to talk about in one piece (we just couldn’t narrow down our favourites) so here are some more top jewellery trends.

Grunge

One massive trend on the autumn/winter catwalks had to be the grunge look. In fact more than one designer took a trip back to the 90s. One runway in particular – the Saint Laurent one in fact – really showed how great the look can be. When it came to jewellery they took pearl bracelets and layered it up with chains as well as charm bracelets. The secret is to layer up your bracelets and necklaces for that true grunge look.

Statement necklaces

This year your necklaces are set to really stand out as one key look was statement necklaces. From the fab oversized turquoise necklaces seen at Oscar de la Renta where the models were seen wearing big and bold necklaces with gem stone detailing – we loved it.  Or for a dramatic almost Goth twist there was Gucci where the models had amazing statement necklaces in sparkling crystal in dark shades perfect for the party season. Or why not try a bold, chunky necklace seen at Michael Kors where the models had giant link chokers which will look stunning with any outfit.

Oversized bracelets

And it’s just women’s necklaces that are going oversized bracelets are too at Giambattista Valli had some of his models wearing oversized metallic cuffs the giant bracelets offset his evening gowns so well but as a warning it’s not a look for the faint hearted.

While Bottega Veneta saw large bronze-toned chain bracelets with biscuit porcelain medallions so why not stack a number of chain bracelets on your wrists for a chic edgy look.

Quirky

If there is one theme that seems to run through every catwalk show it has to be quirky looks every runway seemed to have quirky and fun fashion jewellery pieces. From the pieces mentioned above to  catwalks like Lanvin where models had insect broaches, layers and layers of chain necklaces and even oversized word necklaces all in on look. So if you there is one thing to take from next season’s catwalks it’s have fun with your costume jewellery looks and nothing is too much.

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If you want to try out some of the looks from the autumn/winter catwalk but don’t want to pay the designer price tag then why not visit MizEllie where we have a range of great costume and fashion jewellery which you can use to get that designer look.

What are your favourite looks from the runways? Why not let us know in the comments section below?

Cheers your MizEllie team

Autumn/winter jewellery trends

Here at MizEllie we never want to put a dampner on things but soon autumn will be upon us but instead of despairing at the thought of summer retreating now is the perfect time to plan your new autumn wardrobe (you can probably here our squeals of delight at the thought already). Now we've already seen some of the key trend for women's scarves so what about jewellery? Well we do try and be helpful at MizEllie so here is our rundown of some of the jewellery trends we are most excited about.

Chains

Who doesn't love Chanel hey? Well the fashion house has once again given us loads of inspiration when it comes to jewellery for autumn/winter. In summer it was all about oversized pearls well they've gone (don't worry we'll still be wearing ours) and its place has come chains – you know like the ones on the famous handbags. The models on the Chanel runway wore chain necklaces, belts as well as bracelets  - and for the perfect way of wearing the trend is to take inspiration direct from the catwalk and stack oversized chainlink bracelets for women on your wrist for the perfect statement look.

Byzantium

The most opulent jewellery trend of the season has to be that seen on the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk – Byzantium decadence (there were even crowns on show!). Taking inspiration from Santa Maria Nuova cathedral, in Monreale the models were seen wearing beautiful gold bejewelled pieces that just screamed luxury. What's more we know Katy Perry is a fan of the look as she even wore a gold crown to the recent Met Ball so you will be in good company.

However, if crowns seem a bit much for a night out here in the UK it doesn't mean you have can't take elements of it. On the runway heavy golds with gems and mosaics were used while opulent Byzantium crosses were turned into earrings and pendants.

Bold statement earrings

Of course the opulence didn't just stop at the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk no there was plenty of gorgeous statement jewellery ideas to be had on the a/w 13-14 catwalks not least fabulous chandelier earrings. Perfect for the party season bold earrings for women were the order of the day at more than one show. From the fab bejewelled pendant earrings at Ralph Lauren to the opulent and 80 style shoulder skimmers seen at Balmain there is most definitely a trend for bold and beautiful statement earrings.

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Well that was a roundup of just some of the key jewellery trends for next season (stay posted for more as there are so many great ideas at the moment) but as always we have our finger on the fashion pulse at MizEllie and have a range of costume jewellery that you can use to ensure you are bang on trend.

What's your favourite jewellery trend this autumn/winter? Why not let us know in the comment's section below.

Cheers your MizEllie team

Autumn/winter 2013-14 fashion trends

OK we know it is still summer but the autumn/winter fashion ranges are already starting to hit the shops and what's more the famous glossy magazine September issues will soon be on the shelves. The September issues showcase all the key trends for autumn/winter. Therefore, now is the time to start thinking about your autumn/winter outfits so what are the key trends that we will all be wearing in the next few months?

Rebellious

One massive trend on the autumn/winter catwalk has to be the rebel look. From the catwalk shows of Versace where was a distinct punk vibe to the Yves Saint Laurent shows where the models looked quite grunge rebel girls ruled supreme. So think studs (which would be the perfect adornment for costume and fashion jewellery), zips, chains and vinyl. Just make sure you keep an edgy twist and the perfect way to do that is with accessories so costume jewellery with a punk edge or why not try using women's scarves in your outfit for an edgy twist.

Get masculine

There was a real androgynous feel to the catwalks this year with boy meets girls tailoring.  So think slouchy trousers, pinstripes, oversized coats and double breasted jackets. If you want to add a feminine touch to your otherwise masculine look then add in a fab silk scarf and you can't go far wrong.

Be a lady

At the other end of the spectrum was a real trend for ladylike chic. Think nostalgic looking tailoring and prim blouses and dresses which add up to a stylish almost slightly old fashioned look. While for the perfect take on the trend why not try adding a stylish cashmere scarf?

Colour me beautiful

As always there are certain key colours which seem to sum up the season and this year it is all about navy, burgundy and pops of purple. Therefore, by choosing pieces in these key colours you know you will be bang on trend. What's more they are perfect for winter because they are warm but still will add a splash of colour on a dark winter's day. For an extra bit of luxury why not invest in a gorgeous silk scarf in these key colours.

Go dotty

If there is one pattern you need to try this autumn/winter it has to be polka dots. Seen on the Miu Miu catwalk at MizEllie we loved the look especially the really cute neck scarves the models were wearing and polka dots is a look we can really get behind.

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At MizEllie we have some great women's scarves and costumejewellery that will help you channel the key autumn/winter fashion trends – so what are you waiting for? Why not start planning your autumn/winter wardrobe now?

What key trends do you love for autumn/winter this year? Why not let us know in the comments section below?

Cheers your MizEllie team.

Vanity Fair’s best dressed list is in

Every year the fashion world waits on tenter hooks to see what the results of the annual Vanity Fair Internationalbest-dressed list and this year was no exception. The list compiled by the magazine features 40 of the best dressed celebs and media personalities on the planet. With actresses and actors, royalty, people in the fashion industry, politicians and their spouses, sportspeople and socialites being on the list really shows of your style credentials.

And according to Vanity Fair this year's best dressed is Scandel and Django unchained actress, Kerry Washington. The 36 old has proven her fashion mettle in recent years by putting together some truly fantastic red carpet outfits. However, she is joined the list by some pretty spectacular competition with our very own Duchess of Cambridge leading the royal contingent at number three, Victoria Beckham also makes an appearance on the list at number six and British comedian David Walliams and his model wife Lara Stone come in at 25.

So what can we learn from these 40 style icons? What can they teach us about putting together an outfit? Well we don't like you to have to work too hard here at MizEllie – what can we say it's a tough job! So we have gone through the list to come up with our top tips.

The ensemble is the key

If there is one thing everyone on the list has in common is that their whole outfit is well put together – they haven't just chucked on one amazing piece and forgotten about the rest of it. No instead they have ensured that everything they are wearing works well together –from their costume and fashion jewellery, to their handbags to their shoes they all complement each other (well the men don't really go for handbags etc but you know what we mean).

Kerry Washington and the Duchess of Cambridge prove that perfectly put together outfits can make them look incredibly glamorous and stylish from their jewellery to their women’s scarves. The Duchess of Cambridge in particular really knows how to work her jewellery so that she always looks elegant whether it is a gorgeous pair of drop earrings or a stylish pendant necklace she really knows how to work her ensemble.

It's alright to stand out

One thing that really shows from the list is the fact that everyone has their own unique style. Nothing sums that up more than Beyonce who is number 11 on the list. At MizEllie we love her for her sense of style and her love of fashion jewellery she always adds a funky piece to her outfit such as big earrings or a fab cuff. She really proves that it’s ok to stand out and still look amazingly stylish.

Age doesn't matter

Some of the most stylish women on the list were older women proving that you really can look amazing whatever your age.  One of the stand out people for us had to be model Carmen Dell ’Orefice the 82 year old came in at number four. Her effortless style really does prove that you can look amazing at every stage in life. We particularly like her use her jewellery from fab pearl chokers to red beads and stud earrings she really knows how to make her accessories work for her outfit.

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At MizEllie we have a range of great costume and fashionjewellery which you can use to make sure your outfits which are worthy of the best dressed on the list.

Who was your favourite person on the list?  Why not let us know in the comments section below.

Cheers your MizEllie team