Therapy Ladies Fashion: July 2015

Thursday 30 July 2015

I'm Running Away To Join The Circus!

Hello Ladies,

The end of July/August is one of those times of the year when I am involved in intense juggling.

The summer season (should be) still at its height - linen is still selling and frocks for Goodwood and weddings are sought after. But the fashion industry is no respecter of seasons (nor is our British weather) and I'm already inundated with deliveries of new Autumn stock. As if that weren't enough to confuse me, I am busy placing orders for Spring 2016. Help! At this point in the year I can forget who I am!

So what am I doing about it? I'm hedging my bets, that's what! Some of the stock in our latest window above is new for Autumn, we still have a great selection of cool linen dresses for those of you bound for sunnier climes, and we even have a Pre-Sale sale rail in the basement crammed with bargains for those of you who can't wait for our Sale proper. Something for everyone I hope.

The photograph below is a wee taster of Part Two's new Autumn range. Do you like the deep red? It's very sumptuous and looks great with grey or navy. Oh and we have received our new Autumn colours from La Badia already! I only have three new options for you - there was a wee problem with availability on some of the leathers I chose. But I hope you'll like them as much as I do. My favourite is a yummy Zebra print cowhide with black leather heel and toe - I've tried on my size already but am resisting temptation in case any of my customers with size 37 feet are tempted too!

And while I'm still optimistic that we have more sunny weather to enjoy before "Summer" is over, I am looking forward to delivery in August of our Toni Pons boots. (Am I allowed to admit that?) I've chosen some fantastic new styles - all of them as well-priced, comfortable and good looking as my previous favourites.

The photo above is a close up of the new Desigual knit that I've put in the window. The colours and floral print are so striking that I just had to post it again!

As for what yummy things I've selected for new Spring 16 - I think you'll be pleased with my findings. Although it's confusing to juggle three seasons at one time, it does mean that the best and worst of the current season's sellers are fresh in my mind when I go out to buy, as well as your feedback on sizes and styles that you'd like to see. So hopefully I do a better job for Therapy and for all of you!

So my juggling continues and although I am tempted at times to run away and join the circus, I think on reflection that I'll hang around and enjoy the fruits of my labour. I hope that you all will too.

Laura x

Saturday 4 July 2015

Sunshine & Flowers At Therapy!

Therapy is wearing her summer colours - courtesy of the wonderful Spriggs Florist - even more wonderful when I tell you that the price of this beauty includes watering every day!

It's lovely to see everything in full bloom, although I would love to have a consistent spell of sunshine. It's not just because Therapy has lots of wonderful summer dresses in stock, but because the sunshine is such a balm to our spirits! We blossom in the sunshine - just like the flowers.

Oops! When I started writing this we weren't having a wee heatwave! Aren't we funny? Longing for sunshine and then sweating and expiring when we get it! Well, all the more reason to pop in and see our range of summer dresses. I've attached a couple of photos. The white dress is linen from Luca Vanucci. I have one in navy and it feels lovely. They do fantastic long linen skirts and cute little jackets too - and the prices are excellent.

The dress above is from Desigual. They are such fun! The Spanish certainly know a thing or two about combining colours. We have lots of different shapes and prints - all in easy-wear jersey. Add a pair of Toni Pons wedges for a dressed up look or throw it on with a pair of flip flops for a casual day out.

But if dresses aren't your thing then worry not: We have crop jeans from Amazing Woman, unfussy skirts from Natural Wave and some innovative stretch linen trousers from NYDJ - and we all know what a brilliant fit their jeans are.

Other news:
We are open on Sundays from 11am - 4pm. We have our lovely new Saturday girl Danni working on Sundays for the summer. We'll take a view on whether it's worth continuing in the autumn. So if you can take benefit of our extra day's trading then please do!

We have a wee sale rail in the basement again. There are some bargains from last summer's sale as well as current season's stock at good reductions. We won't have our sale proper until August so do come and check out our pre-sale goodies.

I'm about to start buying for next spring and looking forward to finding lots more gorgeous things for you to wear. But I'm feeling very languid in this heat and happy in the meantime just to waft around enjoying this beautiful county. I hope you are too.

Laura x

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SIZE!!

Let's talk about size. We're all conscious of it and spend our shopping lives trying to work them out.

I have a simple tip:

BUY CLOTHES THAT FIT YOU!

I have personally experienced and seen in our shop, clothes sized in every variation possible. Ignore the size in the garment and buy the one that fits you best.

Not only will this be more flattering but the clothes will last longer and look better.

No one need ever know what "size" you're wearing. You are wearing the size that fits you. And no matter what the number, it is the same size as all your other clothes.

You are beautiful whatever your shape and size. We're not 18 any more and that is ok. I have finally learnt to appreciate my body and see it as the tapestry of my life. I'm proud to have got this far and grateful to my body for getting me here.

Give yourselves the same credit.

Laura x

How To Buy Jeans

Now if you're anything like me you're always searching for the perfect pair of jeans.

So I thought I'd write down what I've learnt about buying the perfect pair of jeans:

The first thing to remember is that it takes time. jeans may be our throw on casual wardrobe staple, but like good makeup, it takes work to look this natural.

So give yourself at least an hour and if you like, bring a friend along for moral support.

In case she's busy, let me assure you that at Therapy we'll give you an honest answer. None of our staff work on commission and we want you to look good, not be made foolish.

So, what are you looking for?

Let me tell you:

"I want to hide my muffin top!"

"I want to wear them with heels to make my legs look longer."

"I have a slim waist but big bottom and hips - how do I flatter my figure?"

"I spend all my time in jeans. Do you have jeans for different occasions?"

Sound familiar? Yes, we're all looking for the same thing.

And I think at Therapy we've found it:

We stock NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) from America and FDJ (French dressing Jeans) from Canada.

Both brands design jeans to fit every woman and accentuate our best bits. These jeans fit to the waist but don't have any stiffener to create muffin tops - a smooth line guaranteed.

The denim and other fabrics all have 4 way stretch, meaning that the fabric not only stretches vertically but horizontally too. It feels like you're wearing your comfiest old jeans, but they look fantastic.

Both brands come in straight and bootleg. Bootleg are great if you want to balance out bigger hips or bottoms. Straight leg look good on every shape (as does bootleg) and is a slimmer, sleeker silhouette - perfect if you're after a more elegant look.

Fabrics are varied with the seasons and denim washes become more interesting as the years pass. Jeans really are a wardrobe classic.

So, how do you buy?

With our brands, they are cut to flatter and reduce. There are panels of stitching inside the tummy area which pull the tummy flat. The higher waist and soft waistband create a smooth and comfortable contour at the waist.

How they should fit:

If your normal dress size is a UK 12 then start by trying on a size 10 and a size 8. The jeans are designed to cause you to drop a dress size or two.

Hold your tummy in and fasten the waistband. If they feel snug but not strangulating then this is a good fit. Because of the stretch in the fabric, your jeans will loosen by about a quarter of an inch all over as you wear them. Once washed they will return to their original size.

Try on both smaller sizes. If the smaller size feels little different to the larger, then go for the smaller size - they will give.

Look out for wrinkling around the legs and bum. If there is wrinkling then there is too much fabric and you need a smaller size.

Remember - these are not the Blue Jeans of old that we had to soak in a bath to shrink-to-fit. No, these are high tech creations using the latest fabric and fit to make you look at least a dress size smaller.

Okay so we sell from a 2 (UK average size 6 woman) to whatever you like. We can order in most any size, shape and colour for you.

And, yes, I suspect there's an element of what the Americans call "vanity sizing". We all love to feel slimmer, don't we. But these jeans really work. They really do what they say on the packet!

So why don't you give us your time and we'll guarantee to find you the perfect pair of jeans...well, not exactly guarantee, but definitely try our best.

Laura x

What to think about when dressing for a special occasion

Have you got a special event to go to? Perhaps it's your daughter's wedding or an important dinner?

Don't panic!

Think about what you are comfortable in, what shapes you suit, what colours make you feel good.

The most common problem with special outfits is choosing something we don't feel happy in because we're not in a familiar situation.

Surely that's when we need to feel most comfortable?

Think about soft dressing - a stretch lace dress from Nancy Mac with a beautiful long lace cardigan on top. Or what about a pretty chiffon skirt and cashmere knit? Very feminine and you can wear it again after?

Don't forget that we're here to help you to feel good - just ask!

Laura x

Therapy Ladies Fashion

Thursday 30 July 2015

I'm Running Away To Join The Circus!

Saturday 4 July 2015

Sunshine & Flowers At Therapy!

Avoca

Remember what I said about our jewellery?!

Therapy