How to update your clothes, rather than throw them away

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It is super easy to buy new clothes all the time because the prices are so low, but throw away fashion won’t do the environment any good, even if it does increase your Facebook likes. We have been looking at how you can update and transform the contents of your wardrobe, without adding to your carbon footprint.

Find a tailor
We understand that you want to look your best, so why not get changes made to the clothes you love so they look really fantastic? Adding darts to shirts and jackets, taking up hems and swapping buttons are all small things that can have a big impact. If you are a dab hand with a needle and thread, or have a sewing machine, you can make these changes yourself and you never know, it could turn into a money-making side hustle for you too.

Fitted, not baggy
OK, we know there are some days when you want to kick back in your joggers and sweatshirts, but most of us look better when our clothes fit us well. If you love palazzo pants, then add a fitted top and heels to give you a smart look, and pair those flared jeans with a long-sleeved t-shirt, leopard print cardigan and white trainers, for a casual look, with an on-trend edge?

New polish, not new shoes
It is amazing how a tin of polish can make a massive difference to your shoes, boots and even handbags. Use a clean brush to apply the polish, then buff up the leather with a rag (cut up and an old t-shirt, if we are thinking of sustainability) and watch your beloved possessions come back to life, and sparkle in a whole new light.

Think about underwear
Maybe you don’t need a lot of new clothes, you just need some decent underwear that works with, rather than against, your body. Shape-wear will instantly make your clothes feel better and create a flattering silhouette, and with a wide range of options out there, you are bound to find something that’s right for you. In the same vein, why not have a professional bra fitting and see the difference the right bra will make to your t-shirts, dresses and jumpers.

Layer it up
Layering isn’t just a way to keep you warm, it is also a really easy way to breathe life into your existing wardrobe. Putting a thick knit over a midi dress, wearing a lace vest under a slouchy sweater, and bringing dungarees to life with a Breton t-shirt are all ways to change an outfit in an instant. Think about creating new looks with contrasting colours and clashing prints and rather than one big coat, layering a biker jacket with a hoodie is an easy look that will take you from one season to another.

Mix and match
Mixing and matching your clothes will make them work harder for you, so don’t keep anything for best. That beautiful dress you wore to a wedding, can be made casual with a fitted jacket and flat pumps, jeans can instantly be made stylish with heels and a silk shirt, and remember that jewellery can brighten up anything, so don’t leave it in the box gathering dust.

If there are items you don’t need anymore, take them to the charity shop which can also be your first port of call if you have a gap in your wardrobe, but don’t want to buy brand new.

Team Pure Beauty

Where a white shirt and shine

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aviator glasses, Back to Front, belt, block heeled sandals, boardroom, Bold Prints, bright colours, buttons, cashmere sweater, catwalk, clashes, clutch, comfort, Dark jeans, designer price, distressed jeans, dress, dress it up, Duchess of Sussex, flamingos, full skirt, High Street, killer heels, leopard print, look, love, Meghan Markle, messy bun, modern twist, monochrome outfit, neutral outfit, new look, occasion, or down, outfit, painted toes, palm trees, pencil skirt, pleated midi, pretty flats, Prince Harry, print, red heels, relaxed, shops, slim fitting capri pants, Statement accessories, style, style statement, Suits, tailored jacket, tassel earrings, tucked in, Victoria Beckham, vintage necklace, wardrobe staple, weekend vibe, white Givenchy shirt dress, white shirt, white shirts, white trainers

Ever since Meghan Markle stepped out with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games, the simple white shirt has been hot on the High Street as well as the catwalk.

We love nothing better than this wardrobe staple and once you have found a style that works for you, there are endless ways to dress it up, or down and get a look for pretty much any occasion.

Keep it Simple
Dark jeans, pretty flats and a loosely tucked in white shirt is a classic, but easy outfit that ticks all the style and comfort boxes.

Add a Skirt
Pairing your shirt with a high-waisted pencil skirt together with block heeled sandals and painted toes, you have a look that is straight off the set of Suits.

Back to Front
If you like to spice things up when it comes to fashion, wear your shirt backwards, leaving the first couple of buttons undone and you have a whole new look going on.

All White
You will notice the shops are full of white skits and we suggest going for a pleated midi with your shirt tucked in and adding a pair of killer heels and clutch for a style statement that means business.

Go for Bold Prints
A simple white shirt is the perfect blank canvas for a vibrant, bold print. You can be as daring as you like, opting for palm trees, leopard print or even flamingos because nothing clashes with a white shirt.

Black and White
Bright colours not your thing? Don’t worry. Adding slim fitting capri pants or a full skirt, a la Victoria Beckham, you will create a monochrome outfit that will never date.

Up Your Game
If you have an afternoon meeting, slipping a tailored jacket over your shirt will instantly up the ante and make you boardroom ready, in moments.

Accessorise
Statement accessories, such as tassel earrings, red heels or a vintage necklace are all you need to add a whole new dimension to a white shirt and otherwise neutral outfit.

Layer it Up
A pretty cami underneath your shirt or a cashmere sweater over the top, can totally transform your look and if you want an on trend look, wear it under a dress and add a wide belt.

Keep it Casual
For a more relaxed, weekend vibe, distressed jeans and white trainers with the shirt untucked, is a winning combo. Leave your hair in a messy bun, add aviator glasses and a cap and you are good to go.

If you want to go a little leftfield with this, we also loved the Duchess of Sussex’s white Givenchy shirt dress she wore at Royal Ascot this year. Understated yet elegant with a twist thanks to the floral embroidery and a skinny belt. This is a really easy look to recreate and can take you from the office to the bar by simply swapping flats for heels and adding a slick of red lipstick. New Look currently have a cute white shirt dress in stock that tootally looks the part, but without the designer price, and is worth trying on for size.

Team Pure-Beauty

Chocolate Week Comes to Town

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baking powder, bars, boiling point, boiling water, buttons, cake, caster sugar, chocolate, cinnamon stick, cold, cream, dark, egg, free range eggs, fridge, greate, jam, jar, marshmallows, milk, mug, mugs, organic, pan, recipe, salt, seeds, self-raising flour, semi-skimmed milk, smaller pieces, strawberry jam, sugar, tins, vanilla pod, white

Love chocolate then you will love the fact that this week is Chocolate Week, culminating in The Chocolate Show at Olympia National Hall, London.

Milk, white, dark, organic, buttons, bars, the list goes on so we have looked at the best ways to indulge in this worldwide food phenomena.

Let’s face is, everyone loves chocolate cake, don’t they?

It is easy to make and for one cake you will need:

50g cocoa powder
3 large free range eggs
6 tablespoons of boiling water
4 tablespoons of semi-skimmed milk
175g self-raising flour
1 rounded teaspoon of baking powder
100g of softened butter
300g /caster sugar

For the icing you will need:
150g of broken up, good quality dark
150ml double cream
3 tablespoons of strawberry jam
Icing sugar for dusting

The method for baking this chocolate delight is very simple:

Preheat your oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4, then grease two 20cm sandwich tins.

Put the cocoa powder and boiling water in a large bowl and mix into a smooth paste. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until they are all combined well.

Divide the mixture into the two tins then place in the oven. Bake for around 30 minutes, until well risen and slightly coming away from the sides of the tin.

As the cake cooks, start on your icing. Pop the chocolate pieces and cream in a bowl, put the bowl over a pan of simmering water until melted, then leave to cool.

When cool, move the cakes from the tins and spread the bottom of each one with jam . Spread half the icing on the jam, sandwich together and put the rest of the icing on the top. Dust with icing sugar and serve in slices with a mug of hot

When we talk about hot chocolate we don’t mean a packet mix but a delicious, creamy drink that leaves you full and satisfied.

This recipe is perfect for cold winter days and you will need:

1 litre of semi-skimmed milk
150g good quality, plain chocolate, broken into small pieces
Extra chocolate for grating
1 vanilla pod split and seeds scraped out
1 cinnamon stick
A little caster sugar
Mini marshmallows

Making this luxurious drink is super-easy:
Gently heat the vanilla pod and seeds, cinnamon stick and milk in a saucepan until boiling.
With the pan taken away from the heat, add the chocolate pieces and then stir until it melts.
Whisk the liquid until frothy, pour into your favourite mugs. Grate a little chocolate on the top and together with several marshmallows and you are good to go.

Chocolate spread is a kitchen cupboard staple for many but why buy it when you can make your own? For one decent sized jar, you will need:

140g of dark, good quality chocolate, chopped into smaller pieces
160g of double cream
45g of caster sugar
2g of salt

To make the spread put the cream, sugar and salt into a pain and bring to boiling point. Pour the hot mixture over the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Use a hand blender to smooth the mix and once cooled, pour into a sterlised jar and put in the fridge.

Happy Chocolate Week.

Team Pure-Beauty