It's party season!  Which means sequins, velvet, festive jumpers and generally all things sparkly!  So I have been taking a look at what is in the shops for not only fabulous party outfits and Christmas Day dresses but also shapewear - what is actually comfortable to wear underneath - so two blogs today. 

For the first time ever, this year I decided to embrace the sequin.   I realised I didn't have any in my wardrobe at all and a friend said she had way too many sequins in her wardrobe and couldn't possibly justify buying any more - then promptly bought a skirt - and I thought oh no I don't have any!  So with FOMO hitting me I decided I needed some sequins.

Did you see my blog post about party dresses - well I am now sharing a few shapewear ideas!  I have chosen light support, nothing too restrictive or difficult to get on and off.  I also favour prettier with some lace or satin.  Whilst I do admit that I occasionally need a bit of help in a few areas, I hate feeling too trussed up and hate the fight to visit the bathroom! 

First up is this all-in-one by Maidenform, it is called the Endlessly Smooth Plunge Bodybriefer and is £49 from Figleaves here.

Do you dream of having the perfect body shape?  Do you think if only I could stick to a diet or do more exercise I'd have a perfect figure?  We all do it, we look at celebrities, TV stars, movie stars and models and wonder what if?!  But the reality is that they have a small army of stylists, personal trainers, make up artists and hair stylists to help them.  Not to mention the best lighting at a photo shoot and clever photoshopping! And what is perfect anyway?  Isn't it just about embracing our own confidence and working with what we have been given to make the best of ourselves?

My recent post How a colour stylist can help with your confidence was all about my colour analysis consultation with Jo Haley, The Positive Image Coach and following on from this Jo invited me back to have a style consultation which is about understanding your own unique body shape and learning how to dress it to fit and flatter and give you confidence.

I am all for no limits based on age - so there is absolutely no reason why us 50 plus women can't wear pleather or leather trousers.  But which pair?!  Pleather is all over the High Street again this season and we are also seeing lots of new shapes - not just leggings - so paperbag waist, high waisted and wide leg styles.

The quality of the 'pleather' is fantastic so we don't need to spend huge amounts on real leather - unless we want to.  I have tried a few leather pairs in the past and always sent them back, I prefer pleather for the stretch and comfort, and I just find them more flattering and of course a better price - and they can be washed in the machine.

And if you are not quite brave enough to go with pleather then definitely look at the coated jeans or waxed jeans.  These are so popular again this year.  I think they are a winter must have.  I don't bother with black jeans now - I wear my pleather leggings or my coated jeans on repeat, with my indigo denim skinnies thrown in!  See my post here for my current favourite pair.