1 BOOTS

“A great boot is such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. Elevating your daytime look, a knee-high boot can be worn both under a skirt or with your favourite jeans – then transform into evening chic with the right accessories. As an added bonus, it keeps your feet nice and warm in the colder months. The decision is what colour – if you want to go for something more trend-led now’s the time to opt for burgundy.”

2 TURTLENECK

“Consider your basics: a quality turtleneck is the real secret to looking stylish, as well as braving the cold throughout the winter months. Throw it under a blazer, under a shirt, or with your favourite jeans, and you are pretty much ready to go. It’s instant sophistication and style.”

3 BLAZER

“Every outfit in winter needs an extra layer, but not always a chunky coat. What I love about a good blazer is that you can be in leggings and a messy bun – but add this piece and suddenly you’re ‘casually powerful.’ It’s a great transitional staple that you can wear all year round, and something that I don’t see leaving our wardrobes anytime soon.”

4 DENIM

“We all need at least one good pair of jeans that are our true heroes. We can wear them in the day with boots or trainers, but we can also throw on a little heel and go for dinner. Jeans are so important to fit right and feel great in, as they are almost your foundation of every outfit – and you can wear them in so many ways. They’re timeless, versatile and survive all trends.”

5 SCARF

“A winter must for me is an oversized scarf. I don’t like to wear too many layers, as I want my outfit to be chic and polished, so a scarf is the perfect touch that can be removed when you arrive and you can avoid getting too hot. It’s an easy way to inject colour and fun into any outfit, and if you want to dip your toes in the colour of the season this is the perfect place to start.”

The post Winter Fashion Advice From Renowned Celebrity Stylist Ellis Ranson appeared first on Best of Living.

Pure Cashmere Zip Neck Jumper

“Crafted from 100% cashmere, this superior sweater is made from the finest wool, sourced from Inner Mongolia — where goats withstand the coldest conditions. Coming in a zip-neck style for a gently sporty feel, this jumper combines the most luxe fabric with a relaxed edge, so you can dress it down with jeans and a puffer jacket, or up with a shirt and suit trousers for work.” £179: buy here

Cashmere Check Scarf

“A guaranteed winning winter gift — or a treat for yourself — this scarf is crafted from 100% cashmere wool, meaning it’s not only super warm, but also lightweight and comfortable on the skin. Pick from smart checks, herringbone patterns or solid colours like seasonal maroon or every man’s favourite navy — it’ll go with whatever coat or jacket you team it with.” £89.95; buy here.

Italian Velvet Jacket

“Steal the show — whatever the event — in this jacket woven in Italy’s Pontoglio Mill. The definition of artisanal craftsmanship and fine tailoring, it’s crafted from 100% cotton, is deceptively comfortable to wear and super-soft to the touch. Pick from single and double-breasted styes, and shades like rich chocolate, versatile navy, striking indigo and timeless black.” £279; buy here.

Non-Iron Stretch Floral Print Shirt

“Made from 100% cotton with a natural stretch, this floral print shirt features non-iron tech for a smooth finish all night. High impact as well as being low maintenance, choose from a classic, slim or extra slim fit. Not a fan of florals? There’s a host of solid colours, geometric prints and subtle paisley patterns to pick from, too.” £74.95; buy here.

3-in-1 Rain Mac

“Coming with a detachable gilet for extra warmth, wear this rain mac all together, remove the gilet when the temperature gets a little milder, or wear the gilet solo as an easy, lightweight layer. The simple, elegant design can be worn over suits and jeans alike — and, no matter what you’re wearing underneath, you’ll stay dry and presentable.” £249; buy here.

The post Winter Fashion To Choose From For the Stylish Gentleman appeared first on Best of Living.

You come from retail royalty. What would you say is your earliest memory of the shop floor?

“I suppose it would be when I got a Saturday job at Browns under the ownership of Sir William Pigot-Brown. My family bought the business two years later, and while this was a lifetime ago, I still remember those early days and always try to lead by example. I don’t need to take boxes to the stockroom, but I do because it helps everyone.”

Your mother, Joan, was instrumental in bringing names like Calvin Klein to London. What are the style rules she taught you?

“I worked with my mother as an assistant from the age of 18 and learnt so much. ‘When in doubt, cut it out’ was her motto, and this always made editing collections easier.”

Selling Browns must have been emotional. What would you say prompted the move?

“I returned to London in 2008 having spent 20 years living and working in Paris for Sonia Rykiel — and after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the retail business was tough. The pub next door was demolished and replaced by Bosideng, and tunnelling for the Elizabeth Line was going on underneath our store. It was a crazy time with so much happening.”

How did you survive?

“It was thanks to a strong retail and online presence. However, what was becoming apparent was that we were trailing behind our competitors like Matches and Net-a-Porter in terms of online business. So, when José Neves of Farfetch approached us, it seemed to be the right move for everyone for him to acquire Browns, as clearly we lacked the experience and funding to match our competitors.”

Your business, The Place London, now resides on Brown’s original spot on South Molton Street. What’s your vision for the brand?

“When I opened The Place London in 2015 in Connaught Village, I wanted to continue to find talent and give designers a showcase to express themselves. I made a conscious choice not to go after any big brand but to offer ‘affordable luxury’ with a combination of craftmanship and technology, often with a timeless style to customers.”

How are you finding it?

“Customers are often pleasantly surprised to discover brands that they have never heard of. Mii and Cord are just a couple of examples of great designers offering original collections and great quality at affordable prices.”

You also have a branch in Paris. When there are there any places you always like to visit?

“Paris is my second home, and I fell in love with the shop located in the heart of St Germain, which is on a beautiful street called Rue de L’Odeon, which leads up to the Jardin du Luxembourg. My three daughters live in St Germain, so I usually hang out in the neighbourhood. There are so many good restaurants to choose from, along with galleries and small museums, which I love.”

You continue to champion independent and emerging designers as your mother did. How do you select designers for The Place?

“I do an awful lot of research, mostly at trade fairs where I can spot designers that have a strong identity that matches the ethos of The Place London.”

You also acquired Leathersmith of London in 2015, which recently received the Royal Warrant. Tell us about the brand.

“Leathersmith of London encompasses everything I champion. Heritage, craftmanship, technology, quality and good value. Instead of retiring after selling Browns, I did quite the opposite. I was a minority shareholder in Nealedataday Ltd., a family-run business producing Leathersmith and other brands in Canvey Island. Unfortunately, the company ran into financial difficulties, and it coincided at the time with the sale of Browns, so I was able to save it. Today we have a beautiful modern bindery that the Duchess of Edinburgh opened two years ago. The Royal Warrant was granted to Charfleet bookbindery for the calendars we supply to Buckingham Palace.”

You work hard — which must afford a few luxuries. What is your biggest indulgence today?

“My real luxury is to be able to do what I am doing, travelling a lot to interesting places. I realise that I will never make more money with my current businesses than I did with the sale of Browns, so it is a labour of love. I am indebted to my parents and sister for all the hard work they did over the past 40 years.”

When you do get a moment to unwind, what is your favourite way to spend the day?

“I love to go to the markets: Portobello and Goldborne road in London, or Vanves in Paris on a Saturday morning. I like to do some food shopping, buy the weekend newspapers and have a late breakfast nearby. I am also a keen tennis player and a member of the Campden Hill Lawn Tennis Club, so I often play there on a Saturday afternoon. But if I’m being honest, relaxing at home with my partner after a busy week and putting my feet up is my absolute favourite way to unwind.”

The post Interview: Luxury Fashion Retailer and Business Icon Simon Burstein appeared first on Best of Living.

For a Job Interview, Night Out or Public Speaking

Choose red: it’s universally associated with power, passion and leadership.

Avoid beige/light grey: this can sometimes washing you out, especially in winter.

For a Work Meeting, First Date or Networking

Choose royal blue: this signals trust and credibility and is calming but authoritative.

Avoid yellow: it has a risk of making you look tired, and can be overpowering on pale skin.

For Everyday Office Wear

Choose emerald green: ideal when you want to be fresh, balanced and linked with growth.

Avoid white: it can feel exposing and impractical, not ideal for a high-stress or messy environments.

Other Advice

Use accents: If bright red feels too bold, introduce it with accessories such as a bag, lipstick or scarf.

Skin tone matters: Fairer tones may prefer jewel shades such as emerald or sapphire, while deeper skin can carry off brighter, bolder colours.

Layer neutrals with confidence colours: green or blue against black/grey can transform an outfit.

The post Dress for Success with These Fashion Colours for Confidence appeared first on Best of Living.