WATCH NICKY'S CHALLENGE ON OUR EXCLUSIVE FABULOUS VIDEO: A SEXY LOOK FOR A LUNCH-TILL-LATE HEN DO

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With her wedding weeks away, Laura Clayton, 27, has been so busy planning the big day she’s overlooked another date in her style calendar – her hen night.

And as party plans are a big secret, working out what to wear is proving tricky for the PA from Essex.

“All I know is that I’m heading to Brighton for a weekend of fun, so I need every angle covered,” explains Laura, who is getting married to buyer Peter Hackshaw, 28.

“I’m going to need a look that’s glam enough for swanky bars but comfortable for when we’re out and about during the day.

"The only daytime clothes I’ve got are baggy jeans and boring jumpers, and I can’t go clubbing in them," she says.

Stylist and 10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones has just the thing to cover all eventualities.

She says: “Laura is trying to think of a glamorous alternative to jeans and a jumper when, in fact, jeans and a jumper could be just what she’s looking for.

" It’s all a question of colour and shape.”

Laura looked nervous when she was handed a bright orange top and royal blue super-skinny jeans, but Nicky assured her she’d feel a million dollars once she’d got them styled up with the right accessories.

“This soft-knit top hugs Laura’s waist, showing off her gorgeous figure without being too clingy,” says Nicky.

“And as she’s long in the body, the skinny jeans and heels balance out the look by making her legs appear longer and slimmer.

"The overall look is slinky and ultra-sexy.”

Nicky added a gold belt and bracelet of bright chunky beads, explaining that bold colour is a great way to give a casual daytime outfit the wow factor.

And despite Laura’s misgivings, the bride-to-be loves the look.

“I never thought I’d see myself in something like this but I feel great,” she says.

“With the gold belt and heels I feel really glam and ready to hit the dance floor.”

For more tips read Top To Toe by Nicky Hambleton-Jones (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99).

 

NICKY ON MAKE UP “In keeping with the retro trend, our make-up artist, Armand Beasley, used gorgeous greens and silvers on Laura’s eyes to bring out the blue in them. Laura has amazing skin anyway, so the rest of the look is soft and natural, with a flush of rosy colour on the cheeks, and neutral lips.”

NICKY ON HAIR “Laura wanted to give her straight hair a bit of oomph for the weekend but didn’t want to lose any length ahead of her big day. So stylist Mark Hill went for bouncy disco-diva curls. To get the look he used rollers for volume then tongs to curl the ends of her hair into big spirals.”

NICKY ON CLOTHES “Despite her gorgeous figure, Laura tends to shy away from clothes that cling to her curves, which is a classic mistake. Clean lines and a sleek silhouette are the best way to flatter your figure and detract from any areas you don’t like. The key is to stick to soft fabrics like jersey and fine knits, teamed with slim-fitting trousers.”

NICKY ON COLOUR “Laura looked terrified when she saw the colours I was picking out for her, but once she realised she could carry them off they gave her a new-found confidence. Of course, too many bright colours can leave you looking like a kids’ TV presenter, which is why I’ve broken up the brights and added a touch of grown-up glamour with a metallic gold belt.”

 

LAURA'S SHOPPING LIST

Top, £45, Untold from House of Fraser;
jeans, £25, New Look;
belt, £15, Miss Selfridge;
shoes, £50, Shellys

 

STOCKISTS

House of Fraser (0870 160 7258, www.houseoffraser.com)
Miss Selfridge (0845 121 4517, www.missselfridge.com)
new look (0500 454094, www.newlook.co.uk)
Shellys (01274 893356, www.shellys.co.uk)

 

Words: Georgia Barlow. Photography: Lancton. Backstage Photography: Alicia Clarke. Hair: Mark Hill (www.markhill.com). Make-Up: Armand Beasley at www.armandinternationalltd.com assisted by Christiana Trigo for Clinique