Margaret Parris, a careers coach from Epping, had an enviable problem. She and her husband, Kevin, were going on a romantic, 12-day cruise. On their trip to St Petersburg, the itinerary included cocktail parties, black-tie dinners, and an evening gala in the Hermitage.
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Cue wardrobe panic!
"I'm feeling a bit time-warped," Margaret wrote before departure. "I'm in my forties and my wardrobe is very Nineties: it's safe, restrained, nothing adventurous. Because of my job, I'm not comfortable being overly casual, plus I'm afraid of dressing too young. My wardrobe just doesn't know where to go. I'm very conscious of my stomach, so I tend to conceal my waist, and with an ample chest I can look a bit blobby.
"This cruise will be the most glamorous thing I've ever done. I want to look and feel fabulous."
Hilary's verdict
"Having been on several of these cruises, I knew the sartorial demands. I gave Margaret a selection of casual/sightseeing and day-for-night pieces that could be dressed up or down, depending on shoes and accessories. But I concentrated on looks for after-dark that were glamorous without going too far on the bling or the cleavage. Fenwick's silk paisley tunic and restrained palazzos by Tolani were perfect for sunset drinks on deck. The Ben de Lisi beaded short cocktail dress was an LBD with extra edge. And the two long dresses were slinky and sophisticated, with a slight empire-line cut that lengthens the silhouette and is flattering for fuller busts."
Red dress, £99, sizes 8-18, John Lewis; 08456 049 049. Lucia clutch bag, £155, LK Bennett; 0844 581 5881. Necklace and earrings set, £18 and bracelet, £12.50, Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234. Ring, £6.50, Daisy & Eve at Evans; 0844 984 0262. Shoes, £110, Dune; 0207 258 3605.
Blue dress, £125, sizes 8-18, No. 1 Jenny Packham at Debenhams; 08445 616161. Clutch bag, £45, Accessorize; 08448 110 068. Necklace, £15, Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234. Ring, £7.50, Ribbon & Asher at Dorothy Perkins; 0844 984 0261. Shoes, £165, Kat Maconie for Dune; 0207 258 3605 .
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Margaret's verdict
"I love my new haircut and make-up tips. The striped dress and paisley top with white trousers were great for trips ashore, and the evening wear was sensational. The short cocktail dress gave me the confidence to get my legs out more often, and I loved the cut on the shoulders. The John Lewis and No.1 Jenny Packham at Debenhams dresses were my favourites: ultra-glam, with a hint of cleavage. I felt stylish throughout the cruise. I've worn the orange paisley 'pyjamas' to a few parties since we returned and received many flattering comments. You've given me the confidence to wear things I like and not because I have to 'fit' in. You really have helped re-energise my wardrobe and my thinking!"
Dress, £150, sizes 8-18, Ben de Lisi at Debenhams; 08445 616161. 10 Denier Ladder Resist tights, £4, necklace, £18, and earrings, £5, Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234. Milford clutch bag, £195, LK Bennett; 0844 581 5881. Ring, £7.50, Dorothy Perkins; 0844 984 0261. Shoes, £59.99, Zara; 0800 030 4238.
The make-up
"I concentrated on light, lush glamour to suit the black-tie events," says Jane Richardson, make-up artist for Nars. "I used Sheer Glow foundation in Deauville by Nars, with a little concealer, sealed with loose powder in Flesh, powdering around the eye to make it easier to blend the eye shadows. To contour and define the eyes, I used matte shadows: Bali on the bridge and the brows, Biarritz to blend, and Pandora to line the eyes. I didn't use mascara as Margaret has great false lashes. Laguna Bronzing by Nars powder gave extra contours, finished with Orgasm blusher on the cheeks. Dragon Girl red lipstick gave her a dramatic evening look, while Dolce Vita velvet matte lip-pencil with Ophelia lip gloss was the softer day option."
Silk paisley top, £170, sizes XS-XL, Lauren by Ralph Lauren at John Lewis; 08456 049 049. Trousers, £45, sizes 6-18; and bracelet-necklace set, £15, all Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234. Set of bangles, £12, Daisy & Eve at Evans; 0844 984 0262. (Underneath: Miracle Suit hi-waist thigh slimmer, £35, sizes 8-18, Bhs; 0845 196 0000). Shoes, £45, Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234.
Dress, £45, sizes 8 - 22; hat, £17.50; and earrings, £9.50, all Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234. Jacket, £45, sizes 8-20, Principles by Ben De Lisi at Debenhams; 08445 616161. Belt, £65, Jigsaw; 020 8392 5603. Sandals, £25, Marks & Spencer; 0845 302 1234.
The hair
"I took about an inch off the back and sides of Margaret's bob, cutting in to make less width and layering it to open up her silhouette" says Henry Teare, hairstylist at Neil Cornelius. "For evenings, I pinned the top layer on the crown, and brushed the fringe over the temples."
Pictures by Andrew Crowley
Hair by Henry Teare @ Neil Cornelius 1st Floor, 109 New Bond Street, London W1; 020 7493 5304; neilcornelius.com
Make-up by Jane Richardson, international make-up stylist for Nars Cosmetics; 0207 313 5592; narscosmetics.co.uk
Stylist: Hilary Alexander
Fashion assistants: Ellie Pithers, Lucy Scott
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