Julie Rollinson  is the director of, an image consulting company specialising in personal style management in what to wear. As a Visual Arts Head Teacher for 25 years, Julie enjoyed a diverse and challenging  career that allowed her to nurture artistic talent in numerous young people. After studying interior design, Julie worked as a colour specialist in her own business to give interiors a visually exciting quality and a unique artistic touch. Asserting a creative bent and innate sense of colour and style, As an image consultant  and personal stylist Julie is obsessive about helping people feel great about themselves. 

Julie offers exciting wardrobe options and a range of image services to help women and men find the right clothes for their body shape, their lifestyle and their budget. Make fashion mistakes a thing of the past and get more value for your shopping dollar. After a Drab2Fab consultation you will always know what to wear, what to buy and what suits you when it’s time to get dressed. It is an essential investment that every person can benefit from.

Julie strongly believes that people underestimate how much an initial impression is based on your overall appearance and the clothes you wear.

“Investing a little time and effort into your image grows confidence and you are more likely to create a positive impression and maximise your opportunities for success.” Julie Rollinson  

Did you know that most people wear less than one third of their clothes?

Can you imagine the amount of money and time wasted? How often do you open your wardrobe and proclaim: I have nothing to wear!

Make fashion mistakes a thing of the past and get more value for your shopping dollar. No matter what your shape or your budget, Drab2Fab can help advise you on the clothes to wear from head to toe so that you look and feel fabulous.

Expert personal stylist and image consultant Julie Rollinson can change your wardrobe and your look with one consultation. “If someone invests a little time and effort into their image and they know what to wear in order to flatter their unique body shape and physical characteristics, their confidence grows and they are more likely to create a positive impression and maximise opportunities for success.”

To the untrained eye, it turns into a matter of guesswork figuring out what’s most suitable for you, but for Julie, accentuating your best assets and helping you look fabulous is just like second nature to her.

Invest in yourself and say goodbye to impulse and frivolous shopping and hello to wiser shopping decision by knowing what to wear. Drab2Fab services include colour and style consultations, wardrobe overhaul, personal shopping, dress for success, total image for men, fabulous makeovers, event planning and bridal styling along with workshops and seminars.

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But where do we start?

Power Suit

A quality classic, two-piece suit in a neutral colour can literally take you anywhere you want to go.  With the emphasis on simplicity and elegance, you can wear it to job interviews, business meetings, conferences, to conduct a presentation or speak in front of a group. It adds credibility whenever you need it and shows you are consistent, organised and professional. 

If you opt for a suit on most days you can’t really go wrong, but make sure it fits your body well and is not outdated. For variety in what to wear try adding a great shirt, fine knit vest, rich silk scarf, a trendy blazer, or 3/4 length sleeve jacket in a contrasting colour to modernise your older suit skirts and pants. They’ll still add credibility while also giving you a chic, of-the-moment vibe. And, of course, your outfit would never be complete without some killer heels that ooze power and a savvy sense of style.

Shirtdress

A crisp shirtdress can be business appropriate in an instant.  Accessorize according to your office dress code.  If you need something more formal try hosiery and classic pumps but if casual is the go you can express your individual style with a wide belt, matching tights and some stunning knee-high boots.

The Wrap Dress

The wrap dress is an easy what to wear option with a sophisticated style that is elegant and also flattering for most figures.  The diagonal line visually slims and lengthens the torso, making our plus size girls look slimmer, big-busted girls look less chesty, and petite girls look taller.  Probably the only figure it doesn’t look right on is the tall, slender, small-busted model-types as it makes them look taller, thinner, and really flat chested. 

The Jacket

Appropriate for business casual office wear, a classic crop, tailored boyfriend or safari jacket can complement an outfit. Pair it with either a pencil skirt or flat front pants to give you credibility in a chic yet casual way.  Opt for a classic look or reveal your unique sense of style with trendy details and interesting jacket features.

Twin Set or Cardigan

While it may seem old fashioned, wearing a simple knit shell top with a matching cardi has been popular since the 1930’s because it looks great and is really easy to wear.  Pair it with a straight or pencil skirt or smart trousers for polished business casual attire. Add your signature style and look chic at any age with interesting accessories.

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Getting married in the tropics offers a number of unique challenges. Unlike a wedding close to home, much can be unknown about the venue and therefore decisions have to be made in advance to ensure a stress-free event and the comfort of the bride, groom, wedding party and guests.

While the destination may set the scene or theme for the wedding, choosing a beach wedding gown that best suits the bride and the location needs careful consideration. If the weather is very humid avoid beach wedding gowns which have fabrics that can cling or drape too closely to the body. Natural fabrics such as silk breathe and can be more comfortable. A single hooped cotton petticoat worn beneath the gown can assist with air flow. If the bodice is a corset, do not lace it too tightly as swelling and heat may make the bride dizzy or faint. When choosing the veil to complement the dress, select a style and weight of tulle which is light and detachable. A heavy veil over the face and covering the back can inhibit airflow and be most uncomfortable. Many brides remove the veil after the formal photographs are taken, so they can move freely and mingle with their guests at the reception.

Beach wedding gowns are not the only thing you need to consider though, as shoes are also important. Shoes for the bride and wedding party should not be too high. The humidity can cause uncomfortable and unflattering puffiness around the ankles. Delicate wedges or sandals with wider heels can be useful if your wedding is on the lawn or even sand.

 If guests are walking any distance, having a second pair of walking shoes in a pretty bag is handy as many outdoor surfaces can be in poor condition. You may provide fans for the guests or suggest that they bring one if they’re to be exposed to sun or heat for any length of time. A parasol may be a useful and stylish addition to an outfit.

Bridal make-up and hair can suffer due to humidity and wind. Using a primer under a reliable foundation is essential and avoid pink eye-shadow as it can be unflattering in equatorial light. Strap marks can be very difficult to conceal. If your beach wedding gown is strapless avoid tan lines in the weeks leading up to the big day. If desperate, a spray of leg make-up may help even the coverage. Loosely curled hairstyles are unreliable and prone to drooping. Up styles can be more secure and are a much better option.

The choice of attire for the groom and groomsmen is much greater for a tropical wedding. Semi formal lightweight suits with cotton shirts and elegant ties are acceptable. Stylish shorts and interesting over shirts are often in tune with the location. The choice should reflect the bride’s gown and tone of the service and reception.

Please inform your guests of the dress code so that they can select outfits which are comfortable and suitable for your exotic wedding. Bright colours can look great and patterned fabric can hide any perspiration marks.

When planning the day allow for climate changes and ensure that the wedding party and guests are cool, comfortable and provided with shade, seating, refreshing hand wipes and cold non alcoholic drinks.

Finally, try to choose the season at your dream destination which is the least hot and humid. You will relax and enjoy the wedding so much more if you know that you’ve planned well.

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In today’s economic climate we all want to save money. Do you have a full wardrobe but nothing to wear? Can’t afford to shop but still want a style-fix? Then it’s time to reorganise your wardrobe and decide what to wear and what not to wear!

Did you know that the average person only wear 20% of their clothes? How much money have you wasted on impulse buys, fashion fads or clothes in colours and styles that you don’t wear, don’t suit you or aren’t compatible with anything else you own?

If you’ve spent years buying clothes without a plan, then culling your wardrobe  is one of the most cleansing and therapeutic things you can do. Just remember to be ruthless. And during this process you’re sure to discover some forgotten articles of clothing or shoes that you can put back into rotation, so you’ll feel like you’ve bought something new! You will also decided on what not to wear.

It is important to remember that having a large number of clothes has little bearing on presenting yourself well. Someone who dresses with style doesn’t need to wear something different every day. Applying the ‘less is more’ theory, you need range and versatility to make great outfits. So let’s get moving…

Stage 1:  Take out every item in your wardrobe.

Toss out anything that is too shabby or old to give away, and bag up anything still in good condition to donate to charity.

Next, sort out every item into one of 4 piles.

RETAIN – it flatters your figure and your colouring. It works with just about everything. You wear it often. You feel great in it. Action! Back to the wardrobe. Make it earn its rent!

REPAIR – there’s hope here with just a few buttons missing, broken zippers, hems undone . Action! Get out your sewing kit, send it to your trusted alterations professional or recycle it.

RENOVATE – retrieval possible eg; too long, too short, too big or just a bit too snug. Note: A well-fitted garment looks much more expensive and custom made.  Action! Have it altered, dyed, updated with new buttons . If these aren’t feasible or desirable, recycle it.

RECYCLE – if you haven’t worn it in 12 months, chances are you won’t. If it’s dated, doesn’t fit or you don’t look or feel good in it – it needs to go! Action! Donate to charity or sell on ebay, but don’t let it share the same space as the clothes you wear. If it’s sentimental – archive it.

Stage 2:  So you’ve cleared your wardrobe, what now? Here’s the fun bit – time to fill the gaps!!

RE-ORGANISE – Wardrobes that work effectively for most of my clients are the ones that are organised by the type of clothing, and then by colour. So rearrange everything by categories: dresses in one section, jackets & coats in another, tops, pants, skirts, suits etc.  

REWORK –  Try on all the clothes that are left and explore new combinations. Include your accessories  – shoes, scarves, belts, jewellery and handbags. Consider what’s missing.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR - Look separately at your underwear, jackets, pants and tops and select only those items that you love to wear and need to replace purely because they are worn or tired. 

REINVEST –  Identify those items of clothing that if you DID have them, would help you create more outfits from your existing wardrobe. Try making your own list. This helps you prioritise your next purchase, and keeps the shopping focused on what you actually need.

REQUEST – Ask family and friends for department store shopping vouchers for Christmas, Birthdays  or  special occasions instead of (uunwanted) presents! If you receive a number of these, you can invest in quality items to expand your wardrobe options.

REVIEW:  How did you go -  is your closet empty? Don’t feel guilty – forgive your past clothing mistakes and move on. Whether on a tight budget or not, having a well-managed wardrobe will not only save you money but make your life much more efficient as well. 

Remember – just don’t buy anything. Buy the right thing and you will always know what to wear when it’s time to get ready. 

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Double duty – Select items that can do double duty for clothing. For example a sheer overshirt with cropped pants at night can double up over swimmwear during the day, a singlet top can be worn as a vest, and tights for gym work can add warmth under other layers etc. But what about other items? Look for shampoo-conditioner blends or all over body and hair wash combinations in travelsizes. Some cosmetic bags can be used as handbags and beach bags. Choose shoes and bags that can go from day to night.

Mix and match - Part of your optimization can be making sure most items go with most others. If you settle on a theme (charcoal, red, and white) you can find pieces that can be worn again in different combinations. A charcoal striped tank, a pair of white cropped pants, a black skirt, and a white tee will give you at least four days of outfits.

Think thin and layers - Whether you’re headed for warm or cool weather, layers work best. You can layer up multiple items for warmth, and thin items pack easier and take up less space. Also look for clothing with spandex that are less likely to crush and need ironing.
Pack enough – Make sure you have one full outfit planned for each day. Then pack another, just in case. Be sure to bring enough underwear plus one. If you’re going somewhere warm always pack a lightweight cardigan or jacket just in-case.

Balance dressy and casual – Most weekend or holiday destinations only require casual clothes. Include items such as interesting jewellery, statement pieces such as great earings or necklaces. Smart lightweight tops, must have black pants and a wrap or pashmina provide more options and variety from day to night. Light weight inclusions such as colourful scarves, sarongs and hats can add interest to an outfit.

If flying, pack your special pieces, swimwear, pyjamas, a change of underwear and cardigan and essential make-up in your onboard bag.

So when packing and deciding on what to wear be prepared and take into consideration the above tips

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