Posts by Diana:
- Formal (Tailored) – business suits (day), evening gowns (night)
- Semi-Formal (Softly Tailored) – business jackets (day), cocktail attire (night)
- Casual (Casual Tailored) – collared shirts, sweaters
- Informal (Untailored) – sweats, swimsuits, exercise apparel
What is Casual Attire?
January 5th, 2012There are lots of misconception about casual attire, particularly in these oh-so-casual times. Some think it means no tie, others think it means “anything goes.” The truth is somewhere in between. If you’ve ever been confused about the casual attire dress code, it’s time to set things straight.
There are four levels of clothing formality, according to Image Master Judith Rasband of the Conselle Institute:
I really like using Judith’s four levels because they’re easy to remember and apply to every situation. They are:
So on a scale of 1-4, with 1 being the least formal and 4 being the most formal, casual attire ranks as number 2. More formal than exercise clothes, less formal than cocktail attire.
The problem is that because we’ve become so lax in recent years, most people confuse casual with informal. They do morning coffee runs in pajama bottoms or run errands in sweats or workout clothes, and call it casual when it’s actually informal. Then when they’re told to wear smart casual or sharp casual or even business casual, they’re stumped. They don’t know what that means.
Don’t let that be you.
Here are some examples of casual outfits for women:
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Pictures courtesy of Chadwicks
Notice that there is some structure to casual clothes, typically a collared shirt, crisp skirt, or nice pants. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy or “whatever you can get away with.” It means a level above the clothes you clean your house in and a level below what you’d wear to church or a cocktail party. It’s very specific. Crisp, slightly tailored clothes that you can relax in yet still look good. Designer sweatpants do not qualify.
Ralph Lauren built his fashion empire on this smart casual, “English weekend in the country” look. Polo shirts, denim skirts, and tweed jackets all say “I dress well, even for downtime.”
Google “images + Prince William casual” and you’ll see pictures of this very modern English prince and his bride adhering to the Ralph Lauren ideal in their casual wear. Collared shirts, khaki pants, cute dresses, maybe some jeans – but no sweats, logo t-shirts, or workout gear, EVER. They know what casual attire looks like, and it’s NOT pajama bottoms, rumpled shirts, or “I just rolled out of bed” crazy hair and no makeup. No, their casual attire is easy but proper and lets people know they know how to dress.
So should yours – especially if you have a business casual dress code at work.
Go back and look at those casual clothes again and consider how your work clothes measure up. Does your casual wear instill confidence and inspire trust? Would you be comfortable being photographed in what you wear to work? Do people look at you and know you mean business?
If not, it’s time to freshen up your casual wear and bring it into line with what’s appropriate for the job or situation. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy. It means not formal. Learn it, look good, and prosper.
Need some more help in answering the what is casual attire question? Occasion Magic can help.
2011 Fashion Year in Review
December 22nd, 2011
Who was the best dressed of 2011? Who was the worst? Who dazzled on the red carpet? Who made us jeer?
It’s always fun to look back at the best and worst of things come year end, and 2011 fashion is no exception. But as I started to build my own list, I discovered there were so many fun, quirky year-in- review fashion lists around the web that I decided to share those with you instead. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
The 2011 International Best Dressed
The mother of all best dressed lists named princesses, First Ladies, industrial barons, and movie stars among the best dressed of the year. See who else garnered honors.
Worst Dressed Celebrities 2011
Was Snooki, Lady Gaga, or Nicki Minaj the worst dressed celebrity of the year? Vote on StyleList’s poll (which offers some of the most unflattering pictures I’ve EVER seen), and tell them what you think.
Top Trends for 2011 Fashion
What were the top fashion trends of the year? Fur, feathers, and lots of color, according to the LA Times. Do you agree?
Go Fug Yourself’s Well Played and WTF?
Not a top 10 list, but an ongoing look at the Fug Girls’ favorite and least favorite celebrity looks. If you like your celebrity fashion served with a side dish of sarcasm, you’ll enjoy both these lists.
Best Manners of 2011
Kate Middleton has the best manners, Kim Kardashian the worst, according to the National League of Junior Cotillions. See who else will treat you politely, should you ever meet.
15 Major Fashion Moments in 2011
Refinery 29 offers its take on the “major” fashion moments of the year, including things like what models’ feet look like after fashion week, how awful the Versace for H&M line was, and why John Galliano was the fashion villain of the year.
Best Celebrity Nail Art
Kate Perry, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna all have amazing voices and legions of fans, but they also have something else in common: crazy fingernail art. Here’s a look at other celebs who spend way too much time with their manicurists.
Top 10 Style Icons of the Decade
There’s wearing nice dresses, and then there’s influencing the way people dress. These winners have done both. Whether you agree or disagree, here are the Top 10 Style Icons of the past decade, according to Style.com.
Top 10 Most Innovative Fashion Companies
While everyone else is looking back at dresses and people, Fast Company decided to crunch numbers and give report cards – to fashion retailers, that is. See who they think are the most innovative fashion companies of the year.
Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gift Guide
Not a top ten, but a perennial favorite: the Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gift Guide. What would you like for Christmas? A Ferrari? A custom library? How about your very own flower show? If you’ve got the money, honey, Neiman Marcus has the goods. See what else they suggest.
So, a little fun, a little dreaming, A LOT of fashion.
Here’s wishing you Happy Holidays and a Stylish New Year!
5 Great Ways to Wear Tights
December 16th, 2011Ready to embrace the tights trend and put it to work in your closet? It’s economical, works well for all ages, and keeps you warm in cold weather. What more could you ask from an accessory?
Now I know some women aren’t “into” tights. In fact, I read a report recently where 80% of women said they thought it was “Okay” to go to work bare-legged. It’s not. In fact, if you typically report to work without legwear AND you live in a cold climate, what I’m about to share will not only keep you warm this winter, it may boost your credibility as well.
Remember: the more you cover, the more formal it is, the less you cover, the more casual it is. That’s why we long, “formal” gowns to balls and short, “casual” swimsuits to the beach. The more you cover at work, the more seriously you’ll be taken.
That said, here are five great way to wear tights so you can:
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Look Taller and Thinner Want to look long and lean? Wear tights that match your dress and shoes to create a monochromatic look. The single color draws the eye up and down to make you look taller and thinner. Great for work and casual wear. |
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Freshen Up a Tired Standby Tired of wearing the same old dress the same old way? Add a pair of patterned tights and make the whole outfit sparkle. Wear them to holiday parties and for casual times with friends. But be careful- they tend to be a bit too distracting for work. |
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Look Chic and Stay Warm Bare legs may keep you cool in warm weather, but they leave your teeth chattering when temperatures drop. So grab a pair of tights, cute booties, and a fabulous coat to look good wherever you go. |
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Make An Outfit “Pop” Have great legs? Want to call attention to them? Then wear a simple dress and bold, colored tights. Just make sure the colors harmonize and that the ensemble is appealing. |
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Cover Up Leg Imperfections If you tend to stick to with pants and long skirts because of leg scars or varicose veins, grab some opaque tights and break out of your clothing rut. Opaque means unclear or obscure and when applied to tights, means they’re hard to see through – as opposed to sheer, which are easy to see through. So if you don’t like how your legs look bare or in sheer hosiery, try opaque tights instead. They’ll broaden your wardrobe choices and do wonders for your self esteem. |
Just because hosiery isn’t currently in style doesn’t mean you have to forgo legwear completely. Just grab some tights, put them on, and stay in style while all your bare-legged friends are rubbing their legs together like crickets, trying to keep warm in cold weather. When you use tights – or any accessory – wisely, you look chic, current, and at the top of your game. So put aside your negative feelings about legwear and give tights a try – you may be delightfully surprised by all the compliments you get!
Click Here for More Ways on
How to Use Accessories to Update Your Look
Look Chic and Stay Warm
Bare legs may keep you cool in warm weather, but they leave your teeth chattering when temperatures drop. So grab a pair of tights, cute booties, and a fabulous coat to look good wherever you go.
What to Wear To Holiday Parties
December 8th, 2011‘Tis the season to pull out your finery and enjoy some holiday merriment. But what’s appropriate for different situations, and how can you look good when your style is bigger than your budget? Here are some guidelines on what to wear to parties:
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Cocktail Party Cocktail parties call for cocktail attire, which typically means a knee length dress with some sparkle that shows a little skin. Heels and an evening bag are appropriate, as are evening hair and makeup. If it’s chilly where you’re at, don’t forget an evening wrap. |
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Dinner Party Cocktail attire is also appropriate for a formal dinner party – unless it’s black tie. If it’s very formal, opt for an evening gown or evening trousers (like palazzo pants) and a beaded top instead. As with the cocktail attire, evening hair, makeup, accessories, and wrap are all appropriate. |
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Office Party Many holiday office parties call for cocktail attire. If you’re going to the office party straight from work, wear clothes to work that you can upgrade to cocktail attire by switching the accessories, like a simple sheath, or by “going glam” with your business suit. But keep it modest. You still have to work with these people come Monday. |
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Potluck Party These are popular with family and friends and gives everyone a chance to visit and sample each other’s cooking. They’re typically not as formal as cocktail or dinner parties, but a little festive attire is appropriate. Try nice trousers with a beaded or evening top, or even a season-appropriate maxi dress with an updo and bright lipstick. |
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Tea Party Often staged at upscale hotels and resorts and featuring Santa Claus as the guest of honor, tea parties are favorites of the under-10 crowd. Dress your little ones – and yourself – in your Sunday best and have fun. Children are what makes the season magical. |
So what can you do if you have several invitations this year but only one good cocktail dress to wear to all of them? You can do two things:
Change Accessories
Wearing different accessories can make the “same old, same old” look completely different. Instead of going with the standard all black with your LBD, for example, try all red, green, or silver accessories instead. Wear your hair differently. Add a sequin jacket. Try a long string of pearls.
Try Different Combinations
Do you always wear the black lace blouse with the black crepe skirt for the holidays? Try a different skirt. Or a bright, sparkly top. Or cream pants. Just because you bought pieces together doesn’t mean you ALWAYS have to wear them together. Mix them up for variety – and get more wear out of all your pieces.
Whatever you do, don’t fret over what to wear to holiday parties this year. You have plenty of options. Just get creative, shop in your own closet, and don’t make it more complicated than it is. Have a great time!
All clothing courtesy of StyleBop
Embrace Your Inner Princess To Save a Fortune
December 1st, 2011
Remember when you were little and used to dress up like a princess? You dreamed about a future surrounded by beautiful things. You wanted the best, and if your brother or sister got something more or better than you, you immediately hollered, “Not fair!”
Fast forward a few years and a few disappointments and your expectations probably went down. Probably WAY down. In fact, you may be counting yourself lucky to have what you have and don’t dare to want anymore.
But I encourage you to revisit that inner princess, to dust her off and start questioning EVERYTHING as you once did, particularly when it comes to quality. Why?
Because accepting things at face value is costing you a fortune. You can do better for less.
Take designer clothes, for example.
We’ve all been raised to believe that big brands equals high quality. In some cases, that’s true.
But if you really want an eye-opening experience, go to the most expensive department store in your town, try on the high-end designer apparel – the pieces costing $1,000 or more – and look at yourself in the mirror. Walk around in them. Sit down in them. See how they feel against your skin. Then try on that same designer’s low end offering – the ones for $100 all plastered in logos – and see how they compare.
Chances are, they won’t. You’ll be amazed at the difference in quality. Shocked, even.
Beautiful clothes come at a premium. They always have.
But in the last 50 years, we’ve been seduced by the term “designer.” We’ve been taught that designer clothes are best and the more popular the brand, the better it has to be.
It’s not true.
First of all, ALL clothes are designer, because they were DESIGNED by SOMEONE. Whether it’s a name you recognize or not is the issue. If you aren’t open to names you don’t recognize, you’re missing out on a world of amazing clothes.
Secondly, the reason why there’s that huge disparity in price between the high and low end offerings is quality. The fabric, finishes, and fit aren’t as good, and often, they’re not even made by the design house – they’re made via a third party licensing agreement, who pays the designer a royalty to use his name.
So go ahead – turn the garment inside out and have a good look at the construction. I dare you. Don’t even look at the label. Look at the quality and the construction of the garment. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
There’s decent quality at all price points, but you have to know what to look for. There’s also garbage at all price points, both with and without famous names.
I was reminded of that just last night as I was looking for something to watch on TV and landed on a shopping channel. It was yet another celebrity hawking her new line, and the quality was terrible. Yet it was selling like hotcakes because of her name. I would never have put my name on it.
That’s the mindset YOU should be shopping with.
Instead of worrying about some designer’s name, think about whether the clothes you’re buying are worthy of YOUR name, particularly if you’re planning on spending a lot. Is the construction, quality, and fit worthy of YOU? Are the details right? Is it properly finished? If not, don’t buy it – regardless of whose name is on the label.
Let me explain it another way:
Once upon a time, rich, fashionable women traveled to Paris for their wardrobes. Before they could start flying there in the 1930’s, they had to rely on trains and boats to make the trip. It involved days or weeks of travel, days or weeks in hotels for fittings, and months of waiting for the finished goods to arrive once they got back home.
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| Worth 1860’s | Poiret 1913 | Fortuny 1930 | Vionnet 1938 |
When you look at some of the amazing clothes from that period, you see why they went to all the trouble and expense. Worth, Poiret, Fortuny, Vionnet – a hundred years later, the artistry still leaves you gobsmacked. You can see why those women endured the long travel to get these clothes and happily paid a king’s ransom for them – because they were incredible. Just as some haute couture pieces are today.
Keep that scene in mind next time you’re thinking about dropping some serious money on clothes or accessories. Is the piece truly remarkable? Would you travel by plane, train, and automobile to get it? Is it worth the price?
Or does it look just like something everyone ELSE has? That ANYONE could get, if they had the money?
You’re unique. Your clothes should be as well.
Be discerning. Be demanding. Be princess-like when it comes to clothes. Quality counts. If a garment doesn’t have it, don’t pay the price – regardless of whose name is on the label.
Because the name on the inside doesn’t matter nearly as much as how the garment makes you look on the outside. BE the princess. Demand more from your clothes.
Clothing Quality Secrets shows you how.
REMEMBER: Closes Friday, December 2nd.
