08.03.07
Get Your Colors Done – No More Unworn Clothes
I met with a client yesterday to do some personal shopping. I had met with her about three months ago to do her colors and go through her closet, so it was nice to catch up with her again and see how she was doing. She said that having her colors done and having her palette of colors in her purse at all times meant that she was finding shopping much easier. And as all the colors look great on her and go together, she was finding that she was no longer buying clothes that just sat in her closet with the tags still on. She was actually wearing them and mixing them with things she already had.
It makes me so happy when my services help my clients shop and dress themselves much easier. She can now get dressed for work in the morning without having a clothes crisis.
06.18.07
The Importance of Having Basics in Your Wardrobe for Baby Boomers
One of the best pieces of advice I could give any baby boomer woman, or any woman for that matter, who is looking to update her wardrobe is to make sure you have lots of basic tops and tanks. Make sure you own black, white, cream, and beige short sleeve tees and tanks. You should have at least two of each color and style. I cannot tell you how much you will wear these.
Layering solid colored tees and tanks under lower cut tops or dresses allows you to look on trend, but keeps your cleavage or arms covered to make you feel more comfortable. You can also layer these under funky blazers and jackets to look instantly updated. When you wear something that is more modern or trendy, pair it with one of your solid colored tops so that they are not competing and so you don’t look like you are trying too hard to be young! I want you to look chic and modern without looking like you are trying to compete with every 18 year old out there.
Find solid tops that fit you well and buy lots of them! Most are cotton, so they need to be replaced every season or so, as they get fadded or worn out easily. Keep a constant rotation of these in your closet. When winter rolls around, substitue long sleeved tops in place of the tanks.
06.14.07
Prints Charming – The Trick to Putting Prints Together
I’m often asked by my clients if it is possible to wear two different prints together at the same time. The answer is yes, but there are a couple rules that you need to follow.
1) There needs to be a common color base. You don’t want to wear a red, white, and blue stars and stripes with an army green, beige, and brown floral skirt. Stay in the same families or tones of a color.
2) The scale of the patterns can’t be the same. One pattern needs to be more dominant. Giant orange and white checks with a bold orange and pumpkin paisley wouldn’t work. However, the orange and pumpkin paisley could work well with a cream scarf that has a faint orange pin stripe. The paisley would not have to compete with the scarf and the look would work.
More tips next time!
06.02.07
Clothing Messages – What are your clothes saying about you?
Your clothes are speaking whether you want them to or not. What are yours saying about you?
Color
Navy, gray, black, and other dark shades say professional, authoritative, “I mean business.” Light, bright colors, especially when two or more are put together give a message of playfulness, casualness, “We’re having fun now!”
Texture
Smooth fabrics in tight weaves say, “I’m efficient, professional; I’ll get the job done.” Nubby tweeds, loose weaves, mixing and matching textures is more friendly, approachable, cozy.
Pattern
Little or no pattern is more serious, authoritative; big abstract prints (think Hawaiian shirts) say fun, fun, fun; little floral prints say, “I’m sweet.”
Line
Vertical, straight up and down lines are more formal, rigid. Think pinstripe suits worn in the banking world. Curved, circular, or meandering lines are more playful, sensual, inviting.
Accessories
Shiny gold is most formal, next comes silver. Matte finishes or colored metals are more informal; jewelry made from wood, paper, or fabric is taken less seriously and is not seen as very important.
This is again from Brenda Kinsel’s book 40 Over 40.
05.31.07
The Importance of Knowing Your Colors
Here’s another great quote from Brenda Kinsel’s book 40 Over 40. If you haven’t read it and you are a woman over 40, or approaching 40, I highly recommend it.
“Wearing flattering colors can make up for lack of sleep. The right proportions of a suit can knock years and pounds off your driver’s licence….A pleasing, appropriate ensemble can get you a promotion, a date, win your case, give you instant confidence, comfort, and personal pleasure. Clothes celebrate, announce, advertise, and declare yourself. You hardly have a more powerful tool for life….The right clothes have the uncanny ability to make you feel at ease, more beautiful, more assured, more ‘yourself’ that you feel with no clothes on at all.”
Spending time and money on your clothes and appearance does not make you vain. It is important to your self esteem, success, and energy levels to look and feel your best every day. Go ahead, you deserve it!
05.19.07
Check out my latest article on Style Diary
http://www.stylediary.net/Toolbox.aspx?ArticleId=489
Find out how to adapt billowy tops and trapeze dresses for your body type!
What you don’t know
I took a day long workshop on Thursday with Judith Rasband, one of the pioneers of the image consulting industry. She’s been in the industry for over 50 years and has so many great tips to share with us “new” image consultants. She had a great quote that went like this:
”If you don’t know what you don’t know, you don’t know what you’re missing” – Judith Rasband
I think that sums things up very nicely. If you don’t know how to put yourself together and how to make yourself look your best, then you don’t know how great you COULD look!
05.11.07
More Image Tips
Here are a few more things to keep in mind regarding your image. Make sure your image isn’t speaking a completely different language than you!
Tangerine Legs – In Orange County, where everyone thinks they need to be tan year round, fake tanner abounds. The problem is that you end up with bright orange legs. There is nothing that screams CHEAP quicker than someone with streaky orange legs. You are much better off with whiter legs than with orange ones.
Brightly Painted Nails – Every woman loves getting her nails done. There is something so relaxing about having someone massage your hands and feet and do your nails without having to lift a finger. The problem begins when we get carried away with bright colors, rhinestones, and painted designs on our nails. Keep your image looking classy and professional with a simple french manicure, or soft colored polish…anything else will cheapen your appearance.
Scuffed Shoes – Men are pretty good about polishing their shoes, but for some reason, us women tend to forget about them. Maybe it’s because we have many more shoes than men, but we still need to make sure that our shoes are always polished. There’s no point having a great outfit on if your shoes are a mess. It throws off your look, makes you look shabby, and shows that you don’t have much attention to detail. Like so many things in life, it’s the little things that make a big difference in how you are perceived.
05.07.07
Quick Tips for Short Waisted Women in Orange County
The waist should lie half way between the underarms and the top of the thighs. If your waist is closer to your underarms, you are considered short waisted. Here are a few suggestions for how to compensate for this irregularity and help create the illusion of a longer waist:
§ Jackets and vests extending to below the hip bone
§ Jackets matched to the skirt or pants to eliminate horizontal lines at the waist
§ Tunic sweaters and tops
§ Waist-less garments
§ Narrow belts in a color matching your top
§ Stitched down pleated skirts
§ Slim skirts with minimal gathers at the waist
04.20.07
Wedges – The Hot Spring and Summer Sandal
Today will be the last day that I continuing on with my analysis of London fashion and trends. Starting tomorrow I will go back to giving you great fashion tips.
Wedge sandals are all the rage this spring and summer. Whether they are espadrilles, cork, or wooden soled, find yourself a pair that works for you.
The key is to make sure that the wedge is in proportion to your body. If you are a petite woman, find a wedge that is more dainty and not quite as tall. If you are a larger woman, try to find a higher wedge with wider straps to make your legs look thinner. Like everything else, it’s all about proportion. Your wedges should not over power your body.
