Come rain or shine...

"Argh! Please help me! I don't know what the hell to wear at the moment - the weather is so unpredictable. Is there a guide as to what I can wear to work, so I'm not sweating one minute & freezing the next?" Rebekah Collins, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire

Dear Rebekah,

You're not alone! My wardrobe's taking a real beating at the moment, too.

Yes, I know as a personal stylist, I should be dressed to impress every morning without a care in the world - but even I stare into my wardrobe every morning thinking 'I haven't got a clue what to wear!'. I just know the weather won't be the same in 5 minutes, let alone 5 hours!

One minute it's warm & sunny & I'm boiling hot, the next its blowing a gale & my hair looks like I've come in from a Worzel Gummidge audition (for those young Busy Girls out there thinking 'who?' - good old Wurzel was a scarecrow in the 80's who you either loved or were scared of!)

My trusted companion through these challenging climate times has to be the cardigan. See, my initial reaction to the word 'cardigan' was something my Gran would knit me (&she did when I was young - very successfully! My navy school cardigan was the envy of all my friends!) So, needless to say, the thought didn't fill me with love & make me want to skip down the high street & rush to buy one - even if it did keep me warm.

The cardigan has so many different guises these days. Take the 'shrug' for example - it's fab if you have a waist as it nips in just under the bust & really accentuates your shape. This red shrug from Noli (left - £54) is a real eye catcher & there are no brass buttons in sight! Wear it with a cami underneath so you can bare all when the sun pops out.

The next is the 'wrap' - this has the added benefit that it can be worn as a top as well as a cover up (aka 'cardigan'!). This wraparound top (middle) from ASOS.com is a steal at £22. It's versatile enough to be cinched in at the waist to create curves & be won as a top, but also can be worn loose, hiding the bits we hate if you carry weight in the tum region.

If you're still not loving the idea of the new updated cardigan models, then a pashmina may be your new best friend. It's elegant, stylish & über chic worn over the shoulders to keep the wind at bay or as a neck scarf for a more quirky look. Tie Rack have a selection of pashminas ranging from £20-£30 (right).

So... Rebekah, now you've got the look - light weight trousers, nice little cami & one of our great 'cardigans' - all set for a blowy/sunny day out or in the office.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for some sunshine along with you Rebekah.

Martine x

Martine Alexander
Personal Stylist
The Busy Girls Guide, Manchester