Man or woman, boy or girl, we all want to enhance our appearance and look as good as we can.The secret to being well turned out?We all assume it is a matter of style and elegance... but there is so much more to it.

The right clothes for the right context is key: work, leisure or sport. The practicality and wearability of the clothes we wear. The right choice of colours and accessories...

This practical guide looks at:

1. How to dress well in summer and winter
2. Your personal style: your physical type and the right sort of clothes for you
3. Different context, different outfit
4. How to buy wisely
5. Tips on how to dress well to suit your age

How to dress well in summer and winter

We tend to update our clothing as the seasons change. We feel the urge to buy new outfits and even go for a new style.

That said, nowadays there seems to be less of a contrast between the seasons and our homes are more comfortable and energy efficient... We are also on the move more, often passing from one climatic zone to another in a short space of time.

Hence a particularly useful and oft repeated tip is to dress in layers. Yet there is a downside to dressing "like an onion": our clothing must be breathable and non crease, otherwise we risk looking scruffy and unkempt, especially at the end of a long day.

A typical day may involve different micro-climates and different activities, that may be static, like sitting at a desk, or more dynamic, such as during meetings, presentations or travelling and commuting by car or public transport.

Comfort and practicality are, therefore, two key requirements. We also need to keep our bodies at the right temperature (not too hot or too cold) in order to look our best.

Polo shirt, T-shirt or dress shirt: being able to choose a breathable, non crease garment is a great advantage. Garments that are easy to wash, stain resistant and non crease offer so many advantages, including time savings.

Your personal style

We all have our own style that reflects our personality and the message we want to put across. While this is not just a matter of how we dress, our clothing still has a lot to say about us, and is of immediate impact.

When choosing what to wear, we need to be true to ourselves, take into account our physical build and try to enhance the best bits and minimise others.

So let's start by looking at typical physical builds.

Both men and women need to take into consideration their height and proportions (differences between the length of the legs and torso, width of the shoulders and waist, breadth of the chest and hips).

As a result, there will be certain cuts and styles that suit one person better than another.

For example, let's look at the different body types of a man::

1. Trapezoid body type No problems here. You can wear anything. Slim fit clothing will look great on you.
2. Rectangular body type. You need to go for clothes that enhance your slim look. Adding accessories, like a belt, will provide extra structure.
3. Oval or triangle/inverted triangle body type. Try to avoid clothes that are tight across the chest. Choose the correct size (semi-circumference of the chest) and make sure the drop is right for you (difference between the semi-circumference of the chest and the semi-circumference of the waist).

In the case of women, the most common body shapes are:

1. Pear Try to emphasize your waist. Wear clothes that glide over the hips.
2. Straight (rectangle) You suit all styles. Try to enhance your femininity.
3. Apple Wear clothes that draw attention to your décolleté and emphasize your long, slender legs.
4. Hourglass Go for clothes that nip in at the waist and enhance your curvy figure.
5. Inverted triangle. Highlight the waist to offset your wide shoulders and narrow hips.

Another key aspect is colour. Which colours suit you best?

Certain tones are best, depending on the colour of your skin, eyes and hair.

It is not really a matter of 'colour', but which 'tone' suits you best: warm tones tend to be best for dark or olive skins, while cold tones (of the same colours) best suit lighter skins.

The colour palette changes with every new season, but you must feel comfortable and wear the latest colours with ease.

Natural ease is key to style.

Different context, different outfit

Choose the right clothes to suit the occasion. Are you off to work, or about to go out with friends? Are you getting ready to go to the gym, do the shopping or have a BBQ? Always consider the context and you will never look out of place or be made to feel uncomfortable.

Let's consider two completely different contexts... ignoring those special occasions, calling for fine clothes and even a specific dress code.

So, how should you dress for work?

New day at work? Think about what you will be doing and who you will meet. Will you be constantly on the move, perhaps on a business trip, or at your desk for hours on end?

Dress according to the workplace dress code. Always aim for a simple, comfortable, yet smart outfit.

Always favour breathable, anti-odour and non crease garments.

It is a good idea to have a few work clothes made from a technical fabric, offering both top performance and a stylish look.

Your choice of accessories will make all the difference. A smart belt can dress up a pair of jeans, as can a beautifully tailored shirt.

What to wear when not at work?

Everyone looks forward to enjoying some time off work.

Time to relax, catch up with friends, go out for a walk...

By definition, "free time" should not impose any dress code or label, meaning that you should be able to dress as you please, and be comfortable.

As we said earlier, you need to be true to yourself. There is no point in dressing like a marathon runner if even going for a walk is not your thing.

Choose practical clothes that are so comfortable you forget you are wearing them and complete your look with the right accessories that you can swap and change to suit the place and time, what you are doing and who you are with.

How to buy wisely

Before buying any new clothes, look at your current wardrobe and decide what you need.

Make sure you have some basic essentials (trousers/skirts, shirts/blouses, jackets, polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts) in colours you are not likely to tire of. Always buy the best quality clothing you can afford.

Top quality fabrics turn a simple garment into something special, and help ensure perfect wearability. Such garments will withstand frequent washing, will not shrink, will not fade and will last much longer.

Think about the characteristics of natural yarns: the warmth of wool, the shine of silk, the strength of linen and the variety of cotton.

Get used to appreciating the benefits offered by the very latest microfibres, like polyamide. Lightweight, breathable fabrics that never crease and, especially, wick away moisture, dry quickly and need no ironing.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure all those involved in the production of a hi-tech garment have a reputation for quality.

Once you know what you have in your wardrobe, make a list of what you need to speed up the process and ensure any new purchases will match your other items. Choose fashionable accessories to update your image.

You are now ready to go shopping! If time is of the essence, you feel uncomfortable in boutiques or you hate shopping malls, on-line shopping is for you!

No matter what the time or where you are, you can 'window-shop' at will. Choose the style you want and check your size using the tables provided on good e-commerce websites. If not satisfied, you can always return the item and ask for a replacement or even a refund (often not possible in a physical shop).

Fashion and sustainability. Instead of throwing away clothes you no longer wear, take them to a recycling point or a charity/thrift shop so others can benefit. Or sell them on-line or take them along to a clothes-swapping event.

Tips on how to dress well to suit your age

Our modern, fluid society means we often find it hard to talk about age and, especially, try to come up with some definitions.

However, the old adage 'mutton dressed up as lamb' still holds true and the various aspects of style we have covered so far (such as physical type and colour choice) become even more important.

1. Thirty-something? Explore your style, people watch, try out new looks and be bold.
2. Reached the big 5-0? A smile should be the first thing you put on each morning, plus a healthy dose of self-irony. Enjoy the knowledge that you can pick and choose from the latest trends, without ever compromising your own style. Experience is your strong point.

No matter how old you are, if you want to look good in your clothes you must look after yourself. Even clothes with the best design and cut will suffer if the person wearing them has poor hygiene, scruffy shoes and uncared-for, badly styled hair.

Follow these few rules if you want to express and enjoy your own personal style with ease.