Sue Smith's fitness column (From Stroud News and Journal)

Sue Smith's fitness column

9:12am Tuesday 15th September 2009

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WELL, I’ll be blowed. Despite getting into a terrible muddle and having a seriously sociable weekend I still managed to lose 5Ibs at Slimming World over the last two weeks.

This eating plan is nothing short of a miracle. And I am eating so healthily I have stacks of energy and really want to exercise.

Am even waking up before the cat in the mornings now who is not too impressed at being disturbed while it is still dark.

But best of all, I haven’t had to give up my G &Ts. What could be better?

Had a fabulous morning with Berith of 2B-Inspired Ltd on Thursday.

Berith is an image consultant based in Stroud with a wealth of fashion expertise.

Originating from Stockholm she has degrees in pattern cutting and textile technology as well as a B.A Honours in fashion design.

Having worked for the Wallis fashion group and The Emanuel’s, best known for designing Princess Diana’s wedding dress, I took the view I was in safe hands when she offered to help me sort out my wardrobe.

My problem was my clothes were divided into those that now fit again but most are fairly dated and then there are my fat clothes, which frankly I never want to see again.

Berith is an advocate of the capsule wardrobe and has convinced me that all I need are 35 items to create 365 outfits.

It can’t be achieved overnight, unless I win the Lottery this week, but what she showed me made perfect sense.

We discussed colour and Berith confirmed my worst fears that I need to jettison all the black from my wardrobe – that’s pretty much everything then.

It would appear that I have a naturally athletic body with strong shoulders and slim hips – music to my ears - at last all those hours in the gym have finally paid off.

And I have a naturally chic style. I knew I should have married a rich man. My ex says I did but I spent it all.

Firstly though, Berith says I need to start with some scaffolding.

Felt slightly like the Statue of Liberty until she explained she was talking about underwear.

"The most expensive clothes in the world won’t look great if you don’t get the foundations sorted," she said.

So I am off to Dessous Chic in Cirencester to use my 10 percent discount voucher which Berith gives to all clients who book a wardrobe consultation.

The next thing on my shopping list is a pair of Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (NYDJs) which apparently will pull and tuck in all the right places.

"I can’t believe Claudia Schiffer couldn’t wear her daughter’s jeans," said my helpful skinny 19-year-old.

Yes, thanks for that. Some of us however need all the help we can get.

Berith’s sensible approach to smart shopping will undoubtedly help save money in the long run and by investing in quality rather than quantity in the colours and styles that suit your individual personality you will end up with a wardrobe that works.

I am definitely going to give it a go.

"It takes about two seasons, probably a couple of years to create the perfect capsule wardrobe," she says.

That requires patience and a resistance when tempted by those impulse buys in the sales.

But even in the few days that have passed since our meeting I am already walking straight past clothes that are not my colours.

After that I am mentally dismissing styles and shapes that I know are wrong for me.

Shopping has just become a breeze.

*Berith holds individual and group sessions at her studio off Bowbridge Lane, Stroud.

She will be holding a workshop at Stonehouse Court Hotel on Thursday, October 15 from 10am-3.30pm incorporating a preview of all the new seasons colours and styles, personal style guides and advice on how to shop smart and spend less.

The cost of the day is #140 to include lunch.

For more information phone 01453 753546 or 07835 124226, email: style@B-image.co.uk or go to www.b-image.co.uk

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