It’s summer and time to hit the beach. Lucky us! Savvy Style got a chance to get some insight from Dori Dainton, owner of Hong Kong’s favourite swimsuit shop Ozzie Cozzie Swim & Resort Wear Store. 

Dori is originally from the UK and came to HK working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. After having the opportunity to own her own business selling swimwear, her business became a success and she opened up her own shop in Lan Kwai Fong in December 2005. From fitness instructor to swimwear specialist, Dori has some great tips to share!

What are your best-selling swimsuits this season?

So many different ones - that is hard to answer.  The Miracle Suits that make you look 10lbs lighter in the 10 seconds it takes to put them on, are very popular.  Many different kinds of bikinis including bandeaus and triangle shapes. People still like tankinis and especially ones with ruching for hiding tummy.

What do you think are ladies’ biggest concerns when they are shopping for swimwear?

Most women are quite negative about their body shape and when they look in the mirror they often look straight at the parts they don't like about themselves.  Sometimes if a lady's self-esteem is too low we can't help them to get past that, but most of the time we can work with people and get them looking good.

The average Australian lady will buy more than 4 suits a year because they have such a sunny climate and spend a lot of time outdoors.  Most of our brands are Australian as they really know how to make good fitting quality swimwear and their women are all different sizes and fits.

Any tips for looking great beachside/poolside this summer?

One of the most important points to start with when buying swimwear is to go for colours that 'Match You'. ie. the ones that suit your eye colour, hair colour and skin tone.  When you are not wearing very much, like a bikini, then getting the right colours is really important.  

Then the fit has to be right for your body shape.  Sometimes we have ladies who insist they are two sizes smaller than they really are and squeeze themselves into swimwear, but that is really not a good look when swimwear is too tight.  It actually doesn't matter what size the label says it is, but it matters that it fits right.  

Thanks for the great advice Dori! Before you head out to the beach or pool this summer, feel confident in the swimsuit you choose. Savvy Style has consultations to help you learn all about your best colours and which styles of clothes (and swimwear) will flatter your figure.

When you’re in the business of colours, there’s nothing more satisfying than hearing about a success story! One of our clients came in for a consultation and through our colour analysis he discovered that his perfect palette was that of a ‘cool winter’. 

This means he was suited to very cool colours – so warm tones are out! With his new knowledge he went all out and found a new wardrobe while on holiday, check out his shopping haul!

“Friday I celebrated my 35th birthday and I followed my partner to Osaka for the weekend where I shopped till I dropped. We hit the outlet mall near Kansai airport (I think I mentioned I was going during my consultation). Although I had the colour palette with me, I just kept your advice in my head and went forth and shopped for seven hours straight. 

I walked away with a new wardrobe---at least for summer. Still need to build up my work wardrobe but will do that in August.”

He made perfect choices, lots of cool colours, some lighter pastels, some bold crip hues, and even some fantastic clear patterend shirts. Not to mention some fabulous looking shoes for summer – love it!

Do you know how having a colour analysis works? Using colour theory you can learn all about how your personal colours fits into the system. Once you understand if you look best in something deep or light, soft or clear, or warm or cool you can take our your palette and go shopping for your own colour corrected wardrobe!

Art Basel begins tomorrow! Do you know what you're wearing? Get some tips on what to wear to an artsy event, whether it's a gallery stroll or a fancy gallery opening!

Quite frankly, entering the gallery atmosphere can be intimidating. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing. There is no better time than visiting an art gallery than to wear a piece in your wardrobe you think is unusual or only matches a few things.  Avoid wearing something unusual head to toe, or you may venture into costume territory!

At an event like Art Basel expect to do some walking - and then some more walking! Located in the Convention Centre, Art Basel features over 2,000 artists so you will definitely need to wear shoes that are comfortable. Flats are always a classy and comfortable choice. For spring round and pointed toed styles look chic or choose a loafer style to match something trendy. If you're more comfortable wearing heels, consider a wedge or chunkier heel to distribute your weight over your foot so you won't experience foot pain.

While it is boiling and humid outside, you can be sure that in the Convention Center the thermostat will be turned way down! Prepare yourself and pack a light cardigan or shawl in a fantastic colour. Even if you feel like wearing black head to toe, add a pop of colour (in your best shade) with an accessory to keep you warm.

Spring is here! Say bye to those grey winter blues and say hello to sunny skies and the cool breeze. It's a brand new season with exciting new spring toned hues and shades! 

We’ll break all the colours trends down for you to make shopping and getting ready for work in the morning a piece of cake. 

Colour Trends

Bright hues-Express yourself in an array of rainbow candy colours this Spring. With so much to choose from, you just have to find out the shades that suit your hair, skin and eyes the best! From emerald greens, nectarines, cobalt blues, canary yellows to hot pinks, this season is all about colour! Wear them as a blouse or a skirt for work, toning it down with neutrals. Or, if your workplace does not allow for too much pizzazz in your office wear, carry a bright pop coloured bag. 

Sweet and pretty macaroon pastels-Fresh and feminine define the look of Spring 2013 and we can’t help but love the soft shades of pistachio green, fondant blue, candy floss pink and lemon yellow. You can easily wear this colour as a blouse or blazer for work, shifting into pastel coloured denim on weekends, which is a red hot trend for this season. Pair pastels with crisp whites and you’re right on trend. 

Neutrals-Go minimalistic this Spring with neutral shades of white, cream, beige, grey and black and white combos. Try layering a number of neutrals together to get the look.

Metallics- this isn’t just for the party season. You can add a punch of metallics to your Spring wardrobe with some cool accessories such as shiny gold or silver flats and sandals. For dinners and nights out, go a little more daring with a shimmery silver skirt or top. 

Makeup Trends

You can find pastels all over this Spring as well! Wear your eyeshadows in creamy mints, lilacs and pinks. They're light enough for the office so you can wear them on a daily basis as long as you keep it natural looking. 

Eyeliners are not just in black anymore but rather in colourful brights this season! Experiment with bright turquoises or aquas-spring's it colours.

Keep your cheeks and lips nude, peach or pastel pink depending on your colouring.

Not sure of what makeup colours suit your face? Well then book an appointment with Savvy Style and get a Spring Makeup Makeover! We'll teach you how to select the most flattering shades for your face and prescribe you cosmetics.

It is a well known fact that everybody loves Kate Middleton. Her timeless style is one which is adored the world over by women of all ages. Working women, stay at home mums, college gals-they all aspire to emulate her choice of fashion, making her a certified Fashion Icon and a favourite of Savvy Style’s. From classic shifts to elegant frocks, this princess knows exactly how to dress perfectly for every occasion. Always elegant, never under-dressed or over-dressed, Kate knows the shapes and cuts which flatter her body best. Let’s face it though-not all of us have sky high gams like Kate. So how do we incorporate a bit of Kate into our wardrobes? 

• Stick to classic cuts-Kate wears a lot of A-line skirts which are great for concealing larger hips or thighs, creating a slimmer silhouette. A classic shift dress is also a favourite of Kate’s and looks good on all shapes and sizes.

• Tailor it-Kate likes to maintain a sleek, tailored shape to her clothes. Copy her look by choosing structured, fitted separates to mix and match. Invest in a good fitting blazer which gives you a waist, and a fit-and-flare skirt to give you curves in all the right places.

• Heels-create the illusion of height with a pair of classic timeless pumps

Transition into Autumn!

Not only does Kate dress beautifully, but she also knows how to re-wear items in her wardrobe and transition them into a different season. As the warmer, humid months come to an end, take a look at how Kate transitions from summer to autumn effortlessly.

Wear your lightweight summer dresses into fall by simply adding a tight fitting dark blazer over. Add some sheer black tights to keep your legs warm inside the cold Hong Kong air conditioned offices, or for a night out during the cooler months. Trade your strappy, summery sandals and wedges in for a pair of deep coloured suede flats or pumps. 

Add a lightweight cardigan or a pastel coloured blazer over your floaty summer dress. Or go for a glamorous brocade coat (hottest fabric of the season!) over your shift dress for work or to Sunday brunch over the weekend.

Key separates-add a light blazer over a summer tank top and a lightweight pencil skirt to work.

Wear a classic belted trench coat over your summer dress or office ensemble. Go classic and choose cream s Kate has, or choose one in one of fall’s most popular colours eg. Teal or cobalt blue. Here, Kate has chosen a pretty, feminine fit-and-flare cut to her trench, a common cut of the season.  Copy her style or go for a classic A-line cut. Add a pair of black opaque tights when the weather gets colder.

Add a velvet coat over your office dress ensemble, or over a cocktail dress for a night out. In addition to being one of the hottest fabrics of this season, velvet is warm enough to keep you from getting too chilly outside, yet light enough for autumnal weather. Pair your outfit with a pair of purple suede heels like Kate has, as it is one of the hottest colours for fall!

Would you like to know more about how to transition your summer wardrobe into fall? Savvy Style is here to help! Discover your best styles, fabrics, cuts which suit your shape, lifestyle and personality. Click here to find out more about our Style Consultations!

Confused about which autumn colours look good on you? Not to worry. Come and take a look at our Colour Analysis packages we offer to help you access your best colours.

Interested in a head to toe consultation on your most flattering colours, styles and makeup? And how to incorporate this season's trends into your wardrobe, cosmetics and accessories? Click to find out about our Total Makeover package!

Neon brights are great for this season as they add pizzazz and vivacity to your wardrobe, helping you endure and hopefully enjoy the hot, humid Hong Kong summer. Here at Savvy Style, we understand how the combination of the steam room like heat and Hong Kong pollution can drive you nuts. But wearing bright colours can help put you in a better mood and help you enjoy putting your outfit together for work/play in the morning.

So how is a girl to decide the right shade of neon for herself? The key is to understand the undertones of your skin colour, and to work with it by choosing the correct bright colours which enhance your skin tone. 

Fair-choose colours that are slightly softer and milder. Steer clear of overly loud colours that tend to make you look more washed out than refreshed. Opt for warmer neons such as acid pink, fuchsia and coral that give your cheeks that “flushed” summer glow. 


Olive-this is the perfect shade of skin tone for wearing bright colours, as the deep seated warm undertones of your skin allow more room for creativity. Lime greens, hot pinks and ultramarine blues would all complement your skin tone well. Best advice for you lovely Mediterranean skin toned gazelles? Have fun and experiment! 

Medium-medium skinned lasses are you girls who are neither fair nor tanned, but have slighter cooler undertones in your skin than your olive skinned friends. Go for cooler shades of turquoise, electric blue and royal purple which will flatter you best. 

Dark-you have the benefit of having a great coloured canvas to begin your neon bright ‘paint’ application. The chocolate tones of your skin make wearing bright colours a piece of cake, as the darker tones of your skin offer a great contrast to vivid neons. Choose tangerine oranges, bright lemon yellows and tomato reds to stand out from the crowd.

Tip: Find colours which complement your personality. How do you go about this? Well, there is no standard rule of thumb, but the colours you choose should make you feel happy, confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Colour is absolutely EVERYWHERE this spring. 

The catwalk is practically shouting at us to dress in bold pastels, have you noticed? Be it workwear, evening dresses, sportswear, shoes, casual slacks or even your handbag, there's no escaping how important colour blocking is to the mood and look of this season. 

We couldn't be more thrilled because here at Savvy Style, colour is what we're all about. So what better reason to get you on board with the colour hype! To help you with this, we've identified the must-have items of colour clothing and accessories this season to help you spring into life, dressed in a style that is full of freshness and fun.

Mint green is all the rage and this tunic dress is so versatile. Wear it to the office with a white blazer, to weekend drinks with ballerina flats or even to a special occasion with a pair of heels. This outfit will do anything you want it to. 

Coloured trousers can be a difficult style to get right. With colour block bottoms, the key is to go for a forgiving fabric and a streamlined cut. This high-waisted collection from Alice and Olivia is perfect for the vertical lines it creates with the wide flare leg and long length. With a pair of wedges (very on-trend), your legs will just keep on going. Wear this slim, tall, sophisticated look with a lighter pastel or white blouse to balance the colour.

Top off your springtime look with a neat and sweet sherbet coloured satchel. The rigid formality of the shape combined with the femininity of the dusted candy colour and suede finish makes for a winning formula.

So whether it's a pleated chiffon skirt to go with your plain tees or a bright and breezy blouse to match your linen trousers, make sure you get your new buys in pastel this season and wow everyone you know with your colour confidence and style.

Have fun and stay Savvy!

Spring has made way for pastels and Easter egg shades of jeans but we’re also still seeing a lot of those primary colours. Whether you prefer a straight leg, boot cut, or ankle silhouette, the shops will have your perfect pick in every colour of the rainbow.

Top Reasons people shy away from colour:

- You tend to go for classic rather than trendy clothing.

- You prefer to buy things that you can get away with wearing several times without anyone noticing.

- You find them unflattering and prefer the dark shades of classic blue or black jeans.

- You think they are too casual and people won’t take you seriously in them.

Top reasons you should love colour now:

- Colourful jeans actually feel very wearable because a pop of colour can brighten up an otherwise monotone outfit (we know you have neutral coloured tops and cardigans in excess!) and so can actually be used as a handy accessory!

- When paired with the right pieces, these jeans can look good year-round.

- It’s good to have colour identity; it will make you shine with confidence and style personality.

- There are so many colours and shades to choose from, so going for a deep but bold colour will be more flattering on those with bigger hips but will keep you current and colourful at the same time!

- You need only throw on a fitted blazer, smart pair of shoes, or a leather bag and your coloured jeans will instantly become part of a stylish yet smart ensemble. This works for both women and men.

Things to remember:

If you're new to colour, stick with blushes, greys, and soft tan shades of jeans. These will pair fantastically with navy (a super chic option), and neutrals. As for shoes, consider metallic flats – rose gold, silver, or bronze are unexpected and fun.

Choose the same cut you would for regular jeans. But when in doubt, cigarette (straight leg) look best on those fortunate lean-legged-ladies and boot cut styles tend to be the most flattering to all.

Show your coloured denim some love and care by turning them inside out and using cold water when washing. This will help preserve the colour and shape. Always ensure you separate them from your whites to avoid staining or tainting your lighter clothes. A great little trick for making brightness last is to add 1 cup of distilled plain vinegar to the last rinse. It works a treat for setting the dye before future washes.

You should also try to switch to line drying. The added heat from a dryer will only fade colour and ruin quality and shape. Shrunken skinnies are no good to anyone! If you don't have the time or the space, dry on low, keeping the pants inside out.

Have fun and stay Savvy!

With Rugby fever sweeping Hong Kong, the Olympics on its way in the UK, and catwalks dominated with a trend that screams athleticism, we thought we had better be good sports and embrace the hype.

This is a fresh and confident look that doesn’t have to have anything to do with lycra or breaking a sweat! Sporty chic casuals are all about colour, simple cuts and soft fabrics, so don’t go hunting down your gym kit...

To make easy additions to your casual wardrobe, just add one or more of these items to your spring collection: 

1.       ¾ length sleeve top

2.       Hooded parka

3.       Tunic

4.       Slouchy trousers (with a well-fitted waist)

5.       Mixed fabric outerwear

6.       Exposed zip tee

7.       Pumps or hightops

8.       Chunky bangles

9.       Colour block dress

10.   Satchel

Stand out from the crowd in different ways:

•  When it comes to colour, don’t hold back. Go for colour blocks and neons to embrace the fun and youthful feel of this trend.

• Really make the most of spring’s colour wheel with pastels and whites. Jazz them up by pairing with metallic details for high shine and even higher style. Bomber jackets, bowling bags and high-tops are the easiest way to accessorize the clean cut clothes you already own.

• Cut a sporty silhouette in slouch trousers that nip in at the ankle, add a thin metallic belt, bright tee and white blazer to bring the sporty into the luxury.

Now you can have comfort and style. So whatever way you choose to interpret this trend, be it loose fit tees, coloured pants, or sporty wedges - just make sure you have fun and feel good!

Stay Savvy!