Red Magazine: December Issue

Waistband feeling tight?!

Do you suffer with IBS? Does this effect your confidence, self-esteem and how you feel about your wardrobe and image?

I’m in December’s issue of Red Magazine, talking about my experiences having suffered with IBS for over twelve years. Now that I’ve got the symptoms under control and found a way of managing the problem, I realise that my experience has made me a more sympathetic personal stylist as I have far more understanding for my clients who are having wardrobe and image challenges that stem from health issues.

My Top Tips for Dressing with IBS are: -

1) Use layering – you’ll most likely be feeling self-conscious about your tummy, so use light jackets, cardigans, gilets, waistcoats and even long scarves that come past the tummy; in order to break up the volume of the stomach and disguise the bloat! Wear with loose silk tees to look as stylish as ever but feel super comfortable.

BUY: Warehouse’s Drape Pocket Jacket, £60
BUY: Bright coloured silk tees from Reiss, from £89 – £110

2) Think comfort – trousers with a fasten become almost impossible to wear with IBS as you feel they may bust open at any moment. Plus the pain of the waistband digging in constantly on your mind. Look to stylish tunics and long tops to wear with leggings and treggings which will hopefully have a more comfortable waistband.

BUY: Damsel in a Dress Angelina Treggings, £79
BUY: Damsel in a Dress Liberty Tunic, £149

Damsel in a Dress, £149

3) Use statement accessories –  near to your face, such as collar necklaces and big earrings to drawer the eye up and away from your tummy. Plus a nice big statement neck-piece always makes me smile!

There are some other fabulous girls in there too talking about how they have overcome their health issue – just goes to show, we’re never alone! Nicola x