Posts Tagged ‘handbags’

Find Upcoming Fall 2010 Styles Right in Your Own Closet

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Dear Tonia,
I know that fashion repeats itself every ten or twenty years. Over the years I have pretty much stayed the same size and bought good quality clothing. I kept my favorite pieces in hopes of using them again some day. I was wondering what will be in style for the fall and if I can dig out some of my old favorites and still be in style. I am in the business world and very fashion conscious but also on a tight budget right now and don’t like shopping in consignment stores.
Thanks, Beth- New York City

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You Can Find Upcoming Fall 2010 Styles Right in Your Own Closet.
Dig out your old vests. This fall you can rest your jackets and layer with vests. Fur, menswear, velvet, sweater: whatever you like, are all good choices. Be sure they are in the correct length for your body or it will make you look boxy. If you are busty, opt for a longer length to elongate your torso, in a textured fabric without embellishment. You can let your shirts or tops hang past the vest but not past your back side, especially if your fullness is at the bottom. Remember to show off the quarter moons for the best look.

Longer skirts are back as well. Be sure they are the right length to flatter your legs. If the skirt is too long and you are petite, it will make you look shorter. Also, when it is too long and you have a very thin ankle, it will look like a chicken leg sticking out. If your ankle is thicker, it will look like a tree stump. Think curvy and use your calf as your guide.

Your skirt, dress, or capri, should hit mid calf or a little longer. The key is to show the difference between the wide part of your calf and the narrow part of your ankle and that will be the correct length for you. Compare the lengths and you will easily see the difference. Go shorter with a kitten heel (also in style) or a flat shoe or boot.

Ankle boots are back and look great with any length skirt or dress. Use with colored or textured hose.

Gray is the color for Fall 2010, everything from soft dove grays to bright silver. It mixes great with other neutrals like camel or black. If you can’t do the all-gray look, you can work it with color pops of yellow, pink, light blue, burgundy and purple as well. Worn in various textures and tones, together it looks stylish and very sophisticated. If gray doesn’t work for you then just use the color as an accessory in belts, shoes, or handbags.

Thin belts are in, wide ones are out. Use a skinny belt to cinch-in a chunky cable knit sweater  and define your waist.
Fur features heavily in everything from skirts to coats, hats and handbags and boots are no exception.

For Women Over Seventy

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Mature women want to look as fashionable as the younger women. The challenge is finding wearable updated clothing to fit your life style, budget,and figure.  Modifying today’s fashions will keep you looking current when you follow simple guide lines keeping everything in proportion to your size.

Handbags are one of the give aways to your age. Discard pocket books that are flattened, stained, cracked, or have multiple compartments. Condense. You don’t need to carry a lot for one day’s outing. Choose shoulder bags in bright colors and textures with different shapes.

Shoes should be updated selecting colors with texture and some stretch. Don’t sacrifice style for comfort. If you have to wear corrective shoes, keep the eyes up with your elegant outfits and fun accessories and your fabulous smile.

Dressing sexy doesn’t mean you have to show off too much of your body. You don’t want to look like you are trying too hard. Bring out your sensuality wearing rich fabrics like silk, cashmere fur, or leather.

Choose strong vivid colors like elegant reds, plums and wines. Chocolate browns, deep navy and rich champagnes look luxurious. Fabrics with gold or silver threads running through it add shine and subtle glitz. Stay away from beige, taupe, army green or pale pastels unless paired with vivid colored blazers or accessories. Wear cabled cardigans with flat knit tops nit the matching tank. Be comfortable but stay away from baggy clothing. Dresses are great as you never have to concern yourself with what goes with them except accessories and a great pair of shoes.

Accessories are important to dazzle any outfit and should be used differently that how you originally wore them. Use multiple strands of pearls of different sizes and lengths mixing them with gold chains. You can also wear them as belts. If the pearls are costume, be sure they haven’t yellowed.  Apply brooches on hats and scarves and use them to pinch together a neckline. Use clip earrings on the straps close to the bust line.

For rounded or sloped shoulders, add shoulder pads too square off your frame and appear upright. Use them with your everyday outfits not just for special occasions.

Be sure to wear a good bra that fits properly. Consider padding and adjust straps for a great lift. Buy pretty colors, patterns and lace in bras and panties. Even if no one sees them, you will feel sexy, youthful, more feminine and it will show on your face.

Don’t over due your make up. You are beautiful naturally and your laugh lines and wrinkles display your wisdom. Highlight your lips with brighter shades of lipstick or your eyes with mascara. Use a lip liner to avoid lipstick bleeding but don’t over extend your natural lip lines. Re-apply lipstick after lunch. Fill in patchy eye brows with a powdered brow or eye shadow applying with a slanted thin brush. A dark stick pencil looks too severe. Contour the shape. Too straight across will appear angry, too rounded looks clowny.

Update your hair do with a chic salon style that is manageable, staying away from  small curlers and perms. Add color to washed out locks and shine to beautiful gray hair. Be sure to brush the back or crown eliminating the natural parting or flattening of hair.

Invite compliments by putting effort into looking and feeing stunning everyday. Think young and be unpredictable. It will do wonders to distract you from aches and pains. Celebrate everyday as Your special day.

Embellish Your Look Without Looking Over Done.

Saturday, April 12th, 2008

Incorporate small embellished items such as a glitzy hang bag, scarf, or jewelry.
The embellishment should be near the part of your body that you want to accentuate.
Be sure it is scaled to your figure. Accessories that are huge will overwhelm your figure.
Large, bold jewelry looks best with simple streamlined clothing.
Sequins, embroidery, studs, and trims look classier on basic colors like black and white.
Only wear one embellishment at a time as your focus. Don’t over do it.
If you have more that three accessories on at the same time, not including your ring or watch, it’s too much. Less is always more but bold is beautiful. Make a statement.