Don’t have tickets to the WTA or ATP finals at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships? You might be in luck — if you dress right. On February 19, making a sartorial effort could bag you a finals tickets: it’s the annual Ladies’ Day at the stadium. Put on your glad rags (like you weren’t already — this is Dubai, after all) and make sure you get your photo taken by the team at the Duty Free shop in Tennis Village at 6pm. One of the top female players in the world will be on hand to choose the best dressed on the day, who will be rewarded for their efforts with finals tickets. The top ten are featured in tabloid!.
If you’re not sure how to do this, we’ve got Dubai-based image consultant Nidhi Singh to give us her top tips on how to win at the style stakes:
1. Know your silhouette:
Dressy occasions aren’t the time to play with new proportions or shapes, so know your silhouette [what suits your bodyshape] and stick to it to always look your best. Example: If fit and flare is your go to dress shape then it is not the time to risk it out in the new drop-waist dress.
2. Don’t overdress:
Keep in mind that you are going to a sports event and not to a nightclub. Keep your make-up simple or natural and the dress classic and sporty. Keep the mini skirts, skyscraper heels, glitter and fake tans at home.
3. The eyes have it:
To catch the eyes of the judges your outfit must be current or classic and not overly casual. You can achieve this look with this season’s crisp white look which is both elegant and trendy at the same time.
4. Go easy on make-up:
Don’t go overboard with make-up, keep it natural and simple. Since you are going to be photographed a lot make sure that your skin looks youthful and luminous but not shiny. Use a small sweep of translucent powder on either side of the nose and on the centre of the forehead only. This way the skin will glow in the correct areas and the flash won’t reflect in an unflattering way.
5. Watch that hair:
Clean hair that has been cut and styled in accordance to suit your face shape is your biggest asset. Overly styled, messy or limp and lanky hair really pull you down in the style stakes.
6. Accessorise:
Accessories can make or break an outfit. It is important to choose an accessory that will match your outfit on the day. Skip the oversize hefty bag and opt for a clutch. Adding eye-catching statement accessories with bold jewels and/or a distinctive pair of sunglasses a la Audrey Hepburn can make you stand out from the crowd.
7. Colour palette:
Stick to a colour scheme that suits your skintone. Go for no more than three in your colour palette for a striking look. For example, blue top and a white skirt with sea green shoes and clutch.
8. Key pieces:
Your key outfit pieces could be classics with a sporty twist. A classic white shift dress with sporty details like black raglan sleeves, curved hemline or mesh detailing finished off with white wedges is a great classic meets sporty look.
9. Mixing prints:
If prints are your thing, then go for a stand-out combination of geometric with organic prints like a brown and black polka-dotted top with a white and black striped skirt.
10. Same dress syndrome:
The horror of arriving at an event and realising that someone else has turned up in the exact same outfit as you. To avoid this either don’t get your outfit from the various popular high street stores or go for a classic and simple outfit and personalise it with your unique jewellery and shoes.
— Nidhi Singh is a Dubai-based image consultant and personal shopper. To get in touch with her, go to style-infusion.com or call 050-4515871.
