We (Muddy Stilettos) caught up with Hampshire-based Personal & Fashion Stylist, Victoria Hamilton, about her top trends for 2019 and her funniest fashion fails.
Victoria Hamilton is certainly someone who knows a thing or two about clothes. The Basingstoke-based personal stylist and image consultant has always loved fashion but, is a firm believer that fashion is also an important tool for well-being and confidence. Something she preaches daily to her clients and social media.
As the self-styled SHero stylist, she chatted to Muddy about her absolute faves, top tips for 2019 and her fashion faux pas.
What’s been your worst fashion mistake?
The 80’s perm in the ’90s! Don’t get me wrong, I love a tousled curl these days, but I remember having one perm in particular that was so curly even my fringe was ringletted. As a young teen, this was absolutely the worst thing in the world!
Flats or heels?
Oooh, this is a tricky one! Before my teeny tinies, I loved heels and could rock the highest thinnest heels, all day, every day. Now even thinking about wearing them makes my toes shriek in pain. These days you’ll find me wearing the sparkliest of trainers as I dash here there and everywhere. My trainer obsession has got a little out of control. I have a self-imposed ban at the moment from buying any new ones!
Who is your ultimate style icon?
My Grannie. She is the ultimate style queen. Always made up, always wearing her jewels, always glamorous and even gets her nails done each month at the salon.
Do you have any unusual style inspirations?
Helena Bonham Carter. Her style is very un-me, but I truly am inspired by her. I admire the way she wears everything that wholly encapsulates who she is and projects that to the world proudly.
Best fashion era and why?
Probably a mix of the 20s, 30s and ’40s where style really became something special. I love the glitz that the’20s brought, mixed with the classic cuts and shaping of the ’30s and ’40s. It was a period of timeless style.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my comfy loungewear but the classic look is generally always my go to. It’s just a case of adapting it to fit my individual style, so, for example, I love a sparkly trainer with a classic cut blazer.
Last fashion item you bought?
A fabulous burgundy floor length dress with a side thigh split for the Hampshire Women in Business Awards. I can’t wait to wear it again. It will be in my wardrobe forever.
On your Xmas list?
A Chanel Handbag – well money towards it. It’s the BIG 4-0 for me next year and I have dreamt about this bag for as long as I can remember, so in my 40th year, this bag WILL be mine!
Best piece of fashion advice you’ve been given?
If you love it, wear it! It’s something I tell all my clients too. I can empower you and give you all the style advice in the world, but ultimately if you love it that bit of confidence is all you need to wear it and be fabulous in it.
What’s your biggest ever splurge?
A pair of Jimmy Choos which are sitting unworn in my wardrobe. Oooops! I bought them 8 years ago. Double oops! This is exactly the thing I tell my clients NOT to do. Triple oops!
What’s been your biggest fashion bargain?
Does it count my mum gifting me her Lulu Guinness bag that I had been eyeing up? No? Okay then, it would have to be a jumpsuit that needed a little stitching. Thankfully, I was shopping with my mum and she is an expert sewer so said she could fix it for me. The store kindly offered what we thought was a discount of £25, but that was actually what I ended up paying – the full price was £120!
Any favourite independent boutiques in Hampshire?
I love No1 George Street in Kingsclere, Solo Mia in Oakley is fabulous and a new fave is the newly opened Liz & Fitz in Winchester. So many gorgeous items!
What do you think the next big trend is going to be for 2019?
I think prints will be huge. We’ve seen the start of this with the amount of animal print that’s everywhere at the moment. I think the love affair with different prints is just starting….along with colour, there will be lots of colour (I hope!)
Be Forever You, Always,
Victoria