Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Beauty Fixes for Women in Their Fabulous Forties

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Gravity begins to take it’s toll as you approach your fabulous forties.
Go for a look of sophistication rather than trendy.

Be professionally fitted for a new bra. if you think you wear the same size as you did when you were in your thirties, you will be surprised to discover your new size. The correct fit and style of your bra will do wonders for your outfits.

Add jackets and pieces that give you shape if you are thick in the middle.
Don’t cover up with baggy clothes. Find styles that flatter your figure.

Stand up collars work wonders for wrinkled necks. Stay away from turtle necks.
They may cover but also push the skin up toward the chin. Very unflattering.

Focus on your legs. They don’t age for a long time. But please, no more mini skirts. Keep the length just above or below the knee. Sexy shoes will draw attention to your legs.

The worst thing you can do is to dress to young, it will only make you look older.
Lose the red lipstick and the liner under your eyes. I know it’s not easy but try and get used to seeing yourself that way. I assure you it looks better and you won’t look tired.

Play up your shoulders with an off the shoulder or wide neck top, a fabulous necklace, or a great pair of earrings. Not too much cleavage. You want to always look classy, not trashy.

Have fun with color and don’t wear so much black. Soft colors bring light to the face.
The colors that looked well on you in your twenties probably don’t work for you any more. Try something new.

If your hair is thinning or your color is starting to fade, make an appointment with a stylist for a consultation to a get a fresh new sophisticated style. Get rid of any grey.

Find someone you admire and emulate their look. Begin to create your own signature style and don’t worry so much about being trendy.

Shop in stores that cater to stylish women. Liz Claiborne, Giorgio Armani, Chico’s,
St. John and Escada offer great selections and you can always find them on sale.

How can a Wardrobe Consultant Benefit You?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Do you struggle to get dressed in the morning, feeling that no item in your closet will make you feel polished and confident? Are you unsure of the impression that your style or clothing communicates to others, whether at work or at play?  Are you just plain sick and tired of making excuses? Beginning in your closet and then shopping at stores selected to fit your interests, I can provide an individualized plan to dressing stylishly that is true to your lifestyle and budget. You will not believe the difference it will make in your every day dressing routine. Relieve stress and get organized.

If you are a reluctant shopper, I will show you how to develop the skills you need to be savvy about your wardrobe. If, when you walk into a store, you feel instantly overwhelmed by the array of styles, cuts, and colors. I will teach you to spot the styles or cuts that will be the most flattering on you and make you feel like your best self.  Invest in your self. You’re worth it!

How to Mark an Even Hem on Pants

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Wear  regular shoes ,not your sneakers, and stand up straight. The height of the heel or the padding on top of a sneaker will change the amount of space on the front of the foot for the pant to not crinkle and to hang freely. Work from the SIDE of the foot not the front or back. You can measure by setting the end of a ruler on the floor. It should be an even distance from the floor. Put a straight pin horizontally to the desired length. Then take off the pant and continue it around with a few more pins without twisting the pant.

Test the length by using the pin line as your hem turning line. Gently press the new hemline and try it on again to be sure making necessary adjustments as you go. Trim the excess fabric and sew it closely to the original way it was hemmed by the  manufacturer. A great tool I use for measuring a is a chalk hem marker. And if all else fails, ask a friend to mark the hem or find a good tailor. Prices vary so be sure to ask the cost so there are no surprises and try it on before you leave. You don’t want to find there’s been an error when you are ready to wear them.

Jeans, the Dress of Choice Today

Friday, December 18th, 2009

While jeans seem to be the dress of choice today, finding the correct pair can be a nightmare. We are all in search of finding the “perfect” pair that fits correctly flattering the figure yet maintaining a certain level of comfort.
Wearing the proper style will enhance your figure. The right pair of jeans will lengthen your legs, flatten your tummy, lift your butt, and create curves in all the right places. It requires knowing which style will flatter your figure.

And when you do find the “perfect” fit, buy two pair, one in darker wash denim and one lighter. Then shorten one pair for flats and the other pair for heels. You may have to spend more for the right pair but it’s better owning one or two pair that fit great rather than five pair that don’t do a thing to flatter your body style.
Then there’s the question of how to look stylishly dressed when wearing them.

Jeans are appropriate in finer settings when they are paired with dressy tops and high heel dressy shoes or boots. Simply replace the traditional basic black pant with dark denim for evening and light for daytime.
A trouser leg will also look dressier and very chic. Pair it with a blazer from a suit and add a sporty or glitzy top or sweater. And of course, don’t forget to accessorize. Traditional or trendy chunky pearls look great with a crisp white fitted blouse. Also try using gold or silver sandals or shoes and jewelry to pump up the fashion.

Get rid of jeans that don’t fit correctly. The right pair will fit your curves but doesn’t gap at the waist. Jeans with premium stitch denim hugs curves and maintains its shape after washing.
Offset seams will flatter fuller hips and thighs. Zipper free styles will make the tummy look flatter. Stay far away from narrow legged jeans. They will only add volume.
The width at the ankle should not be smaller than the width at the knee. It should be the same width or wider or it will make your hips and butt look larger. This is a very common mistake.
On a narrower figure, a pair that hits below the navel will accent the waist. A hint of stretch will work with your curves instead of against them. A wide waistband and lower pockets with details like stitching or buttons will contour and define.

Every manufacturer cuts differently, so the first rule of thumb is to not let size become an issue. Forget the numbers. Just buy what fits right and what is comfortable. If they are too small they will look cheap and tend to make you look heavier. Avoid the “muffin top” look at any cost. Wear a longer rise that covers and holds you in.
If they are too big, they look sloppy, unattractive, and will not flatter your figure. Too big doesn’t give more comfort it will only add unnecessary volume. Be patient. You will find the proper fit without having to sacrifice comfort. Also, if they are to long, they tend to make a shorter person look shorter and boxier.

There are simple ways of making improvements that will make a big difference. With just a few small changes, anyone can easily enhance their figure; update your look and feel and appear younger.
Whatever the style or color, the most important thing is comfort and fit.

Seven Seconds to Make an Impression

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Ladies,
I was recently working with a client who hired me to go shopping with her to find appropriate holiday outfits that would be trendy for her age. Remember there’s nothing worse than looking like you are trying to hard.
We went shopping and the things she had in mind would have been appropriate but would also, in my eyes, be screaming, BORING. Most women would take the traditional no brainer approach of going “safe” in fear of standing out too much, but remember that most women think the same.

Whether they blame not having enough time to prepare for an event, the lack of knowledge or the fact they they have lost sight of who they are- they don’t have a clue of what works for their body style any more and the women over 45 are sill stuck in what “used to” work for them. They too take the no brainer approach and play it safe.

If it worked for you 10 or  20 years ago it must work now. Right?
Wrong. Your body is not the same even if you weight the same. The styles have changed and even if you wore it when it was in style, doesn’t necessarily mean you should be wearing it again, (as you blow off the dust and cross your fingers that it could work). Why fight the inevitable. Your body changes with age, whether you are in your twenties going into your thirties or you’re in your forties approaching your fifties, etc.
And ladies, it doesn’t stop there, many women over 60 have made the effort and have sought alternatives to fight the aging process. According to the NPD Group, a leading market research firm, women over 65 spent $14.7 billion on apparel in 1999, almost the identical amount spent by the 25-to-34-year-old women the industry is fixated on. More significant, spending by the older women leapt 12 percent from the previous year, compared with a minuscule tenth of a percent rise in spending by the younger women. ”Older women see themselves as generally about 10 years younger than their chronological age,” said David Demko, a gerontologist in West Palm Beach, Fla., and the publisher of Age Venture News, a Web site for retirees. What is more, he said, ”they tend to use fashion as a personality cosmetic, telling themselves, ‘I’m going to go out and dress in a way that represents they way I feel.’ It’s not just about anti-aging serums. It’s about what you are wearing and what you are saying internally and expressing externally. What you are wearing when you are saying something is more important than what you are saying.

I told my sister Christine once that it wasn’t what you are saying it was more about how you are saying what you are saying. Well what’s more important than that is what you are wearing. People see you before you speak and  they assess your personality in just 7 seconds. Yes in only 7 seconds they have already formed an opinion of you based on what you are wearing and how you are caring yourself.
The opinion they form is what sticks for the duration of the time they know you. It sticks for an ENTIRE life time.

Basic Fashion Rules for Men

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Shoes in traditional colors such as black, brown, dark tan, and navy should always match your belt. Other colors are difficult to match and should be avoided.

Use a dress belt with jeans only when paired with a blazer or jacket and a dress shirt.

Don’t wear a dress belt when wearing jeans and sneakers. Wear a fabric or braided belt or one with a casual look. Never wear a belt with suspenders.

Wearing the same color shirt and tie is outdated. Even Regis stopped sporting the look he made popular. Use color and patterns in your tie to express your personality but not corny whimsical ties. Novelty ties are short lived so stick with diagonal stripes, polka dots, plaids, or soft patterns.
Socks should match your pants, but the exact shade is not necessary. Patterned socks work well for a fashionable look. White socks should only be worn with sneakers or when going to the gym, unless you are imitating Michael Jackson.
Pleated pants are more comfortable but flat front pants look more fashionable and are more slimming. If you need extra room, buy them in a size larger and have the waist taken in by  the store’s tailor.
A watch is an important accessory for a man. Every man needs at least one good quality watch that reflects his life style. A black band should be worn with black shoes and a brown band with brown shoes; and a silver or gold band works with either.
Wear glasses that compliment the shape of your face and express your personality. Updated frames will takes years off your look.
A new hair style will make you look younger and more fashionable. If you haven’t changed your hair style since high school, it is now time to consider seeing a stylist for an updated look. Go for it!

Fashion Over Forty

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

It is really a challenge keeping up with today’s quickly changing fashion styles.
You don’t want to dress like your mom and you definitely don’t want to dress like your 15 year old daughter, even if you can fit into her clothes. There is a fine line in looking like you are trying too hard.  Styles that are too young will only make  you look older. Please……no more mini skirts, even if you have great legs.
Our bodies are always in transition so your clothing should change as body begins to change. Don’t continue to wear clothing or colors near your face, that worked for you in your twenties. The key is to constantly refresh your look. Wear silhouettes that flatter your shape and learn how to adapt the trends that work for your body style. This is more important than wearing stylish clothing that doesn’t work for you. Don’t hide behind big, baggy clothing, think curvy. Shoulders and legs are the slowest to show signs of aging so play them up. Hand bags and shoes are the fastest and easiest way to update your look. If your hair is thinning, get a new haircut. Concentrate on developing a signature look rather than looking trendy.

Organize and Store Your Boots Properly

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Keep your boots in an obvious place  you can easily reach. This will keep them organized and help you to avoid buying duplicate styles. Lining them up by height and color will make coordinating your clothing easier.
If you are storing them in a box, be sure it is see through or use the top shelf of your closet  for the fall and winter or under your bed. Clear storage boxes are available at www.organize.com or at www.containerstore.com.
Keep your boots upright with a boot tree or coned shaped card board, to preserve their shape and keep them new looking. Always clean them after each wearing and treat  leather boots to keep them from drying out and looking dull. Please sure to replace the lifts on the heals when needed so they last longer and continue to look new.

Wear Stylish Boots in a Practical Way

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Wearing stylish boots will not only keep you warm but look very chic. Black knee high boots with any size heel can be worn to the office and look dressy enough for a dinner date in the evening. They can make a fuller calf look slimmer and cover any flaws. They look sexy yet sophisticated with a shorter or knee length skirt and create a romantic and feminine feel with a longer skirt.
A knee high flat boot will work well with casual clothing or preppy patterned skirts. If you tuck your jeans into your boots, be sure they are skinny jeans so you don’t create a ballooning effect.
For a thinner calf and ankle, look for a boot with bulk like a slouch or western boot. A slender heel is more flattering than a heavier heel which will tend to make you legs look even thinner.

Women with a larger calf and ankle should opt for a stretch boot. Scrunching down the shaft, then pulling it up like a stocking, will make it easier to get them on. Chunkier heels will make the a fuller calf appear slimmer. Look for styles with texture in basic colors and in fashion colors to make a statement. Pointy ankle boots look dressy with a pant and should be worn with thicker hose or tights with a skirt. A boot with rounded or square toe is more casual. Be sure the pant is long enough to cover the ankle and wear a dark sock or one with a pattern.

Having a Well Balanced Closet

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Getting dressed easier requires a well stocked closet made up of basics, which would mix and match with almost everything, patterns, and a few show stoppers.
Black and White Tanks will go with any look. Buy cheap ones and replace as needed.
Dark Wash Jeans with no more than 2% lycra to keep their shape and show off  curves.
Khaki’s with a flat front. Please NO pleats or front crease.
Black, Brown, and Grey slacks that are not too narrow at the ankle.
Classic Tweed Pant in black or brown.
Simple Knits in Cotton or Wool for layering in basic and fashion colors.
Crisp White Button Down fitted cotton top to tuck in or leave out.
Cardigans in basic and fashion colors, longer in style, that hits the hip.
Classic Black Suit that fits properly. Spend a little more, it’s worth it.
A Black Dress in a seasonal fabric in a long sleeve or sleeveless style.
Jeweled Tone Silk Blouse and a bold print blouse keeping colors subtle in larger prints.
Camisoles,  simple, lacey, or embellished for layering or low cut items.
Black Turtle Neck or a mock neck in a thin knit like cashmere, warm and less bulky.
Fitted Shorter Jackets in a solid, patterned, and a tweed.
Straight Line Skirt in black, an a-line in a print, and a denim skirt that’s not too long.
Sporty Shorter Denim Jacket will work well over a sleeveless dress or over all black.
A Few Signature Pieces that will not be forgotten and will be highly complimented.