Jill Brown walked away with a new wardrobe and two crucial pieces of advice after winning a $500 shopping spree at Dandenong Plaza.
The advice: good underwear and layering are the keys to good dressing.
Jill was the lucky winner of a joint competition run by the Journal and Dandenong Plaza.
She won $500 and a shopping spree with stylist Jo Blankfield.
Jill, from Nar Nar Goon, entered the competition online.
“It worked out so well because I had my son’s deb ball on Saturday night so I wore one of the new outfits. If I hadn’t gone shopping with Jo I would have worn the same old things I always wear that my kids are getting sick of seeing me in.“
Jill said she was happy to be guided by Jo, who runs her own styling business, and was surprised that everything Jo suggested suited her.
“Normally I wouldn’t go for things like tops with the shoulders cut out. But Jo was great, explaining how to layer with a top and longer cardigan to give an elongated look.
“The first thing she did was take me to Kmart to buy a new bra. She said it is all about the shape and she was right.“
Jill said Dandenong Plaza was one of her favourite places to shop.
“My daughter and I go there to the movies look at shops. We like the multi-cultural perspective and the food.“
Jo Blankfield says colour is key this winter, with red and burgundy being stand out colours that are “classic and enduring“.
“Lucky for Jill, these were two colours she particularly loved and we picked up a burgundy skirt in Ally Fashion and burgundy cut out shoulder top from Katies. At Dotti we found her a gorgeous red tie front pant.
“My favourite colour for the season is the deep jewel green. It looked amazing on Jill and we found her a top at Katies in the perfect shape and hue.
“ Leather and denim are classic winter staples and work well together and can easily be dressed up and down for many occasions. A leather look pencil skirt from Ally fashion and a denim jacket from Katies were the perfect pieces to extend her wardrobe.
“Winter florals are huge for the season, and we rounded out the session with some mid size floral prints from Ally Fashion and Katies to complete our shop.
Jo’s top styling tip for winter is to buy pieces that will create at least three different looks.
“Too often we purchase something that we love and have nothing to wear it with, so consider the looks you can create from your current wardrobe when purchasing new pieces.“
