Victoria Genevieve, Kent Life’s new fashion guru, advises on how to stay warm while still looking stylish

Meet our new stylist - Victoria Genevieve

Victoria grew up in Goudhurst, studied fashion management at the London Collage of Fashion and has lived in Tunbridge Wells since 2005.

She started Victoria Genevieve Styling soon after having her son and helps women make better use of their time and money by showing them the benefits of a capsule wardrobe and having a style file that they can use as a daily reference to get dressed in the morning.

If she had to pick just four items from her own wardrobe, she’d go for her All Saints biker jacket, one of her many scarves, a chunky silver and gold statement necklace that she wears all year and her Russell and Bromley black courts.

Victoria’s favourite fashion season is summer and she is looking forward to 2016 being “a very feminine season,” with luxurious layers of silk, organza and chiffon mixed with soft ruffles and lace layers. In contrast, brights such as hot pinks, tangerine and acid greens will feature in graphic prints or clashing block colouring.

Follow Victoria @wardrobefairy

VICTORIA SAYS ...

We are in the depths of winter and we know there are a few more months of doom and gloom ahead, but do we let that put a dampener on our daily outfit choices? Absolutely not!

The season of being jolly piles on the pounds and by January we are determined to hit the gym while keeping under cover and staying warm. What better time to buy some fabulous new gym gear and cashmere in grey-banishing brights or pastels.

Spring/Summer 2016 is set to be a season of bright colours and soft pastel feminine frills, so start the ball rolling early and invest in some luxury pieces to see you through the darker months. We all know the New Year really starts in March.

The best knitwear I can advise any woman to buy is cashmere. Not cashmere mix but pure cashmere. It can seem like an expensive outlay but cost per wear and if looked after properly, will reward you for years to come.

Autumn/Winter 2015 has been a big season for grey and burgundy, so now is the time to buy yourself a couple of cashmere jumpers that nod to spring, cheer you up, keep you warm and feel luxurious.

We have some fabulous stores and online boutiques that offer wonderful cashmere, and even the high street has an excellent selection (see Zara and Marks & Spencer), but if you want something special try Coco Cashmere (found at Kitch in Tunbridge Wells), The White Company or Pure (also in Tunbridge Wells). Every budget can invest in cashmere these days, so take a note from the Parisians and see it as ‘less is more.’ Who actually feels fabulous in acrylic and nylon?

The trick is to keep it simple and size up. Unless it is a loose style, cashmere tends to fit snugly and if you leave it too late you will notice that the sizes 14-18 are often out of stock, this is because a slightly looser fit will flatter with a skinny jean and give a bit of leeway if it does shrink slightly in the wash.

To add even more warmth and a luxury try layering a silk slip underneath your knit and then throw on some fluff. Again there are some fabulous pieces around. Whether you just want a scarf or a collar, a waistcoat or a fully lined and finished parka, there are some amazing additions to lux up your January wardrobe.

I love Charlotte Simone, Poppy London, Ducie Fashion or Ruby and Ed, you just pop them on and you’ve upped your fashion game in an instant.

However, if you feel a new jumper is a step too far why not update your current knitwear with some accessories to layer over your grey, winter white or burgundy. Perhaps a scarf or a piece of jewellery or even change your lipstick and nail varnish to a brighter colour, et voilà!