Fashion: Star quality - how to channel the new you

As the sales rage and new looks emerge, it's time to give yourself a makeover. From Elizabeth Taylor to Adele, Stephanie Smith suggests style icons to inspire and new personas to consider.

So, you’ve got an important event coming up, and you want to shine?

Elizabeth Taylor, stepping out of a Hiller 12E4, which was used in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.placeholder image
Elizabeth Taylor, stepping out of a Hiller 12E4, which was used in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

It might be a family wedding or a charity ball, a special anniversary party or a glittering dinner dance.

Whatever it is, you want to look different, BE different, make heads turn or do double-takes as guests who don’t know you look respectfully impressed, while those who do know you realise that, yes, it is indeed you who looks so polished, so elegant, so together, so striking. And whatever it is you’ve been having, they want it.

BRIGHT YOUNG (or not so young) THING:  
When you really want to be noticed, you need to find a striking shape in a bold, bright, block colour. This seasons fuchsia pink is perfect, but also consider orange, red and electric blue. Keep the look classy by wearing same colour heels and avoid looking too Eighties with hair and make-up not overdone. Style icons: Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Rita Ora, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Bright pink Faye asymmetric hem dress, £120, at Debenhams.placeholder image
BRIGHT YOUNG (or not so young) THING: When you really want to be noticed, you need to find a striking shape in a bold, bright, block colour. This seasons fuchsia pink is perfect, but also consider orange, red and electric blue. Keep the look classy by wearing same colour heels and avoid looking too Eighties with hair and make-up not overdone. Style icons: Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Rita Ora, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Bright pink Faye asymmetric hem dress, £120, at Debenhams.

It’s time to put away that failsafe little black dress, much as you adore it – it’s become too much of a party comforter and anyway everyone you know has already seen it.

The sales are still raging, which means it is an excellent time to experiment with a little personal makeover, without completely clearing out your bank account.

But which way to go, because there are a few options to consider? You don’t want to look outlandish as you attempt to ring the changes, but then again, you don’t want to slip back into the same old groove without even realising it.

So, here are a few special occasion ideas, trends, themes and celebrity style icons to think about when you hit the shops in search of that special “new you” outfit.

There’s no need to copy your favourite style icons, but do let them inspire you to become a style icon yourself, turning heads for all the right reasons.

@yorkshirefashQ

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