An inverted triangle shape may not be as curvy as other body figures but it is your athletic build that is your strong point as it is what you see on the catwalks these days.  Your broad shoulders, long slim legs and slim hips are envied by other women but your confidence is knocked by having a small bust and hardly any waist. 

You shouldn’t disguise your shape though but instead embrace your angular body and learn how to dress it!  You’ll look and feel utterly fabulous when you know which clothing styles do and don’t suit your inverted triangle shape. 

Stay away from shapeless floaty dresses and platform shoes – you’re tall enough so don’t really need the extra height.  Never wear three-quarter length sleeves, scooped necklines, cut-away shoulders and shoulder pads either as they’ll make you look even broader.  If you avoid these clothing styles then shopping will once again become fun and enjoyable!

Cardigans with dramatic angles will help redraw the shape of your body whilst broad collars will balance out your shoulders.  A wrapped waist will also define your middle giving you a lovely shape. 

Wide lapels on a shirt will break up the expanse of your shoulders to bring your body back into proportion so are ideal pieces to wear to work.

You want to create dramatic shapes when wearing a dress that won’t put too much emphasis on your shoulders.  Draping materials help to accentuate your subtle curves whilst a style which exaggerates your hips will balance out your shape.  You’ll feel elegant and oh-so feminine. 

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Zara is one of the largest international fashion companies with more than 1000 stores worldwide and is an extremely popular high street brand for women, men and even children.

The collections recognise and respond to the ever continuous changes in fashion which is the brand’s strength and no wonder with a team of over 200 designers.  That’s impressive! 

Zara’s clothing, shoes and accessories are extremely chic and stylish with all the pieces flowing nicely together to create a whole round collection each season.  Sophistication mixed with versatility and style makes Zara at The Bentall Centre in Kingston a great place to shop.  For Spring/Summer 2012 Zara has a gorgeous range of clothes and accessories to keep shoppers satisfied so keep a lookout this March for some new pieces to land in store.

Floral, tribal and scarf prints have been integrated into the women’s collection for this season to bring femininity and depth to pieces.  Gorgeous pastel shades, which are a great trend for SS12, are super versatile and can be incorporated into a range of different looks. 

Stud detailing can be found on shirts and jackets making for a tough chic look whilst fringing on certain garments makes for great daywear.  There is a definite sport luxe vibe throughout the collection too in the form of slouchy tops, jumpsuits and trousers.

Stripes adorn jumpers and shirts in the men’s collection providing relaxed and sophisticated pieces which can be mixed and matched to create chic Spring/Summer looks for day.  Stylish suits with straight leg trousers make for perfect work wear whilst a preppy vibe is added into the mix in the form of bow ties. 

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The Hollister store at The Bentall Centre in Kingston is home to a range of Southern California inspired lifestyle clothes for the more laid-back fashion lovers.  The brand is fresh and brings a summery flare to us Brits as we can’t really rely on the weather these days!

There are ranges for both men and women, or dudes and bettys, plus the brands unique lifestyle is felt through the energy of their in-store experience.  They are dedicated to designing and producing the highest quality Southern California inspired clothing and accessories which have become a massive hit with UK shoppers over the years.

Laid back, casual garments mixed in with trendy detailing is what makes Hollister so popular and there are loads of hot new colourful items for this season.  The range of pieces make for great holiday and day wear looks so why not take a trip to the store in Kingston to snap up some perfect items for SS12.

Fashionable bikinis will make sure you women will be the best dressed by the pool or on the beach this summer.  For an effortless daytime outfit, team a relaxed tee with a mini skirt and flip flops. 

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Each season brings a whole new range of trends and styles and for some it may all seem slightly daunting.  Peplum clothing can be seen throughout high street and designer brand collections but what is Peplum style exactly?

The peplum design originated in ancient Greece, meaning tunic, and can now be described as a short flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman’s jacket, dress, skirt or blouse to create a hanging frill or flounce. 

Dress with Frill at Waist, £69.99 from Zara

Peplums became popular in the 1940s on women’s suiting as jackets were often fitted at the waist, but fabric extended beyond in an overskirt.  The style then re-emerged in the 1980s which saw Thierry Mugler create body-con garments with exaggerated flips of fabric at the hips or the stomach to create drama.

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Here at The Bentall Centre we’re always on the look out for exciting and worthwhile events happening in the Kingston area.

The Kingston Royals Boat Club is holding a couple of dragon boat beginner days in March and April and will be a great day out.  Give this sport a go and you could end up finding a new hobby for yourself! 

Dragon boating received royal endorsement from Prince William and Kate during their royal tour of Canada and the Kingston Royals selected to participate in the upcoming Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. 

So what exactly is dragon boating?  Well it involves up to 20 male and female paddlers in the same 40-foot boat and it originated in China over 2000 years ago.  Over time it has grown to become the second largest team sport in the world and is a great way to keep fit, socialise and have fun.

If you fancy joining in with this popular sport then pop down to The Royal Canoe Club and give it a go!  The morning’s session will include paddling technique and a safety briefing off the water before grabbing a paddle and joining the team for a fun but active session out on the Thames. 

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Mother’s Day is fast approaching and it is the perfect occasion to spoil your mum with lovely gifts and an unforgettable day. 

Taking place on March 18^th 2012 still leaves you with plenty of time to find the ideal present and what better place to start looking than at The Bentall Centre in Kingston?!

Lancôme Tresor Midnight Rose Eau de Parfum 30ml, £34.00 from Boots

Mums are there for us through the bad times and the good.  We all get so wrapped up in our own lives that sometimes we forget to say thank you to the person whose helped and supported us.  Mother’s Day is a great occasion to show our appreciation to our loved one so choosing the right gift is vital.

Venetian Double Photo Frame, £18.50 from Oliver Bonas

Oliver Bonas is full of gorgeous items that any mum would love!  From clothing to beauty products and homeware pieces to quirky, unique presents this store really does have everything.  Maybe choose a beautiful photo frame which your mum could treasure forever – they make lovely keepsakes! 

Avocado, Olive & Basil Essentials Basket, £35.00 from Crabtree & Evelyn

If you want to treat your mum to a bit of pampering then visit the beauty stores which can be found at The Bentall Centre such as Crabtree & Evelyn and Boots.  Choose from gorgeous gift sets of perfume or bath and body products which will ensure your mum is relaxed and carefree on the day.

Rosette Long Pierced Earrings, £67.00 from Swarovski

Stunning jewellery, ornaments and figurines in classic and fashionable designs can be found at Swarovski.  Their spring 2012 collection is full of sparkle and gorgeous colours so the hard part will be deciding what to buy for Mother’s Day as all the pieces are utterly gorgeous! 

9ct Brooch set with Diamonds and Freshwater Pearls, £295.00 from Fraser Hart

Fraser Hart is also a great jewellery store to visit.  They have a range of elegant designs in a variety of styles to browse through. 

Gift cards are a fantastic idea too if you’re struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day present.  You and your mum can have a shopping day at The Bentall Centre allowing her to be able to pick out items she wants.  You could even treat her to a spot of lunch or dinner whilst you’re there!

Paperchase, WH Smith and Clintons are all ideal shops to find a lovely Mother’s Day card.  They each offer something different whether you’re after something funny, quirky or sweet.  So whatever you decide to get her in the end, your mum is guaranteed to have an amazing and unforgettable Mother’s Day!

Pantone, the global authority on colour, recently revealed the PANTONE Fashion Colour Report 2012 which is a complete overview of designers’ use of colour in their upcoming collections. 

The report features the top 10 colours for women’s and men’s fashion for fall 2012, designer sketches, quotes and headshots – everything a fashion lover needs to know for the next season!

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, said:

“By playing to consumers’ practical side with versatile neutrals, and boosting their confidence with bold, spirited hues, this skillfully balanced palette has something for everyone.” 

A lot of people may be thinking what this Fashion Colour Report is and what makes it so important in the world of fashion. 

The colours featured in it are picked from the PANTONE FASHION + HOME Colour System which is the most widely used and recognized colour standards system in the world. 

For every season Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to collect and put together feedback on prominent collection colours, colour inspiration and colour philosophy. 

With all this information the PANTONE Fashion Colour Report is created!  It makes for a handy and vital reference tool throughout the year for fashion enthusiasts, reporters and retailers.

The top colours for women’s fashion for fall 2012 are:

PANTONE 19-4056 Olympian Blue

PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

PANTONE 18-5338 Ultramarine Green

PANTONE 17-4014 Titanium

PANTONE 15-1142 Honey Gold

PANTONE 18-2133 Pink Flambé

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Who needs London Fashion Week this season when The Bentall Centre in Kingston is holding their own amazing Fashion Week! 

The days will be packed full of tips and advice on clothes, accessories and make-up making it a worthwhile event to attend – you do not want to miss out!

Starting on Monday 20^th February 2012 there will be plenty of events and activities taking place throughout the shopping centre including amazing fashion shows, demonstrations and free makeovers by bareMinerals, Clinique and Clarins.

Plus top London modelling scouts from Models 1 are back so dress to impress guys and girls!

Popular make-up brand bareMinerals will be holding make-up demonstrations throughout the day on Monday 20^th February, introducing you to new techniques and products.  You’ll pick up some handy tips which will help broaden your beauty knowledge – definitely worth attending!

Tuesday 21^st February will see the return of fashion stylist Jo Wilson who will be running a capsule wardrobe event, incorporating the hottest trends for 2012.  This is a great opportunity for you to discover new techniques of how to make the most out of your wardrobe.  Once you have some fashion inspiration you can then do a bit of retail therapy afterwards.

More gorgeous make-up demonstrations will take place on Wednesday 22^nd February from premium make-up brand Clarins.  They’ll be showcasing their latest collections and techniques for achieving perfect skin for this SS12.  Find out what looks are hot for this season and you’ll be a make-up master in no time! 

Make-up brand Clinique will be offering free makeovers and demonstrations on Thursday 23^rd February letting you shoppers know what their latest skincare and make-up collections are.  A day full of lovely pampering – what every woman loves!

The beauty fun continues into Friday 24^th February which will have Panacea Health & Beauty introducing Weleda Skincare and their number one selling product ‘Skinfood’ as promoted by London Fashion Week.  A great chance to stock up on some must-have beauty products for this season.

Top London modelling agency Models 1 is back on Saturday 25^th February and their best model scouts will be on the look out for the next big model – could this be you? 

The Bentall Centre will also be hosting a fantastic fashion show fusing all of the top brands from within the centre with cutting edge dance routines.  Shows will be taking place every half an hour from 11.30am to 5pm so be sure not to miss it.  A great way to end Fashion Week in Kingston!  

It’s Half Term already which means once again The Bentall Centre has put together an amazing fun packed week of children’s activities.  You mums and dads out there can relax as all the hard work has been taken care of!

This is a fantastic opportunity for your little ones to be creative and try some new activities so you won’t have to struggle to think of ideas to keep them entertained and busy.  You’ll be able to do a bit of shopping whilst your children take part in different Valentine’s inspired activities!

There will be a different event each day throughout Half Term so your little ones can take part in all of them if they want.  They’ll have so much fun plus you’ll have loads of time to do what you want – perhaps a spot of lunch with fellow parents and friends?

Remember all these great activities are free so make this Half Term one to remember!

Monday 13^th February – Fairytale Prince and Princess Storytelling

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The Bentall Centre in Kingston has everything you need and more to make this Valentine’s Day extra special.  It is home to over 80 amazing brands so finding the perfect gift for your loved one will be easy and stress free!

Whether your partner wants clothes or accessories from their favourite store, such as Zara or Tommy Hilfiger, or a gorgeous piece of jewellery from Pandora or Swarovski which they can treasure forever, you’ll be amazed by how many ideas you’ll get from visiting the shopping centre.

What’s even more exciting is that The Bentall Centre has organised a Cookie Workshop which will take place on Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th February 2012. 

You’ll be able to decorate a scrumptious cookie which you can bag up and take away for your loved one.  It will be a lovely little surprise on the day.  You could even take the workshop together and put your creativity to the test! 

The rest of the day can be filled with shopping and maybe dinner in one of the centre’s restaurants.  A perfect day out. 

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