07.25.07
When to Walk Away
When you’re on a mission for a specific item and you’re not finding it in the store, walk away. Don’t force solutions where there aren’t any. New merchandise arrives every week. Ask a helpful sales associate about the schedule of arrivals. Try again later.
If you find what you’re looking for, but it’s not in a flattering color, walk away. Fifty percent isn’t enough. Leave the store empty-handed.
Remember when you’re trying on clothes that 90 percent of what you bring into your dressing room may bomb. Don’t get discouraged. Twelve dresses in a row can be awful. That can be useful because when the thirteenth one slips over your head and is gorgeous, it’s easier to see by comparison how truly right it is.
The point is to buy clothes that are fantastic, fit well, and make you feel fabulous in them. You should never settle for just any old thing, just because you feel like buying something new. It will only hang in your closet with the tags still on with the rest of the clothes you never really liked. What a waste of money and space. Have the discipline to only buy things you love! You’re image will adore you for it!
* From the lovely Brenda Kinsel’s fabulous book 40 Over 40
07.23.07
Boxy Tops and Pencil Skirts for OC Women Over 40
Boxy tops and below the knee pencil skirts are all the rage right now for women over 40. It’s perfect for the end of summer and can be worn in or out of the office.
The skirts hem should just skim the bottom of the kneecap. To balance the longer length, pick a curve hugging cut; woven fabrics work well here.
Choose a top that’s structured, slightly roomy through the body, and hits at the hip; short or three quarter sleeves keep the proportions right.
For the most flattering look, definitely opt for heels. And since the feel of this outfit is so pared-down, go for simple, architectural jewelry, like a cuff and hoop earrings.
* from Lucky magazine August 2007
07.05.07
Summer Sandals in the OC
I know living in Orange County we can all get a little lazy when it comes to wearing flip flops everyday in the summer time. I am guilty of this all too often myself. This summer I am really trying not to wear them everyday. They are fine if you are going to the beach or heading to the pool or at a VERY casual occasion. But the reality is, there are so many cute, dressier, flat, comfy sandals that you could wear just as easily. Invest in a couple pair of these. Wear them with your sun dresses, skirts, linen pants, or jeans and you will look much more put together and little less beach bum.
06.28.07
Baby Boomer Beach Attire
I realize I’m talking about the beach, bathing suits, and beach attire a fair amount, but it is summer and I am in the south of France, so it just seems so appropriate. I also know that most women over 50 dread the thought of getting in a bathing suit or exposing their arms in summer dresses or tops. Fear not!
There are so many cute sundresses, skirts, and tank tops on the market right now to accomodate all body shapes and sizes. They can all be used or adapted to look fabulous on you.
I don’t know about you, but I find that a lot of sundresses and beach attire are see through. I fought it for ages trying to wear modest underwear or slips, but the reality is, when it’s hot you don’t want to be wearing a slip! My theory is just wear your bathing suit under these dresses if you are in a beach or pool environment. Then it doesn’t matter if your straps stick out or if your bathing suit can be slightly seen underneath. It actually can look a little sexy. It’s a nice solution to the battle of the slip.
This obviously doesn’t work for every situation, but for a casual beach or pool scene, it’s perfect.
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!
06.11.07
Packing for a Vacation
I’m leaving for a month long vacation on Friday and I was starting to think about what I would bring. I have travelled a lot, so I have got this packing thing down pretty well. I’m not the type that plans for weeks what I’ll bring.
The key to not over packing is to make sure that every piece of clothing you bring serves more than one purpose. Don’t pack an entire outfit that doesn’t match anything else you are bringing…it limits your choices. I tend to like skirts and tops for warm places because skirts can be dressed up or down. You can wear the same skirt to the beach with a tank top and flip flops that you can wear out to dinner with a nicer top, blazer, and strappy sandals. The tops that you bring for your skirts can also be worn with your jeans, linen pants, and other skirts of the same color combinations.
Here’s an example of what I’ll be bringing with me…keep in mind we will be at the beach for a month:
1 pair of jeans
4 skirts
8 tops
3 sundresses that can be dressed up or down
2 cardigan sweaters
3 bathing suits
2 pair of pajamas
2 work out outfits
1 pair of beach flip flops
1 pair of dressier sandals
1 pair of running shoes
All of the clothes that I’m bringing can be mixed and matched with each other to give me countless outfits. Packing like this will mean I will be covered for any type of situation. I can’t wait to get there!
06.06.07
Baby Boomer Before and Afters in Orange County
Here are a few pictures of a recent before and after shoot I did. This will give you a small idea about how I can help my clients. Both of these women looked absolutely beautiful and have been receiving rave reviews on their new looks.
This could be you! Are you ready for a makeover or to update your look? Call me today! Erin Stafford Image Consulting 714 351 3849. www.erinstafford.com erin@erinstafford.com
Cleaning Out Your Closet in the OC
It’s time to take stock of what you’ve got. Grocery shopping is much easier when you have a list right? Same idea with shopping. If you know what you need and what you are looking for, then you can have more focus and not get carried away while shopping.
Go through your closet and write down how many pants you have THAT YOU WEAR, how many skirts, tops, sweaters, dresses, etc. I’m not talking about the ones that have been hanging in your closet for years that you haven’t worn once. I am talking about the clothes that you actually wear. We will address the clothes you don’t wear later.
Once you realize that you have 10 pairs of pants and only two tops that you like, you can start understanding why it is so difficult to get dressed in the morning. After you’ve established the holes in your wardrobe, make your list more specific so that you can shop for tops to match all those pants easily. So write down: navy pin stripe pants, brown tweed pants, black wide leg trousers, etc. Have an exact list so you can find tops to go with those items.
This is just the start of organizing your closet and making shopping easier.
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!
