Holiday Accessorizing

December 21st, 2007

The finishing touches on your holiday ensemble can literally make or break your outfit. While it’s easy to go overboard with kitsch-y holiday accessories like jingle-bell earrings or ornament-colored bracelets, it’s just as easy to get a stylish, festive look - even if you have to use old pieces to ring in the New Year.

Here are some quick tips to help you look polished and chic for all of your holiday parties:

Shoes

The most popular color for evening shoes is black, with silver following a close second. Shoes can be open or closed toe or open or closed heel, depending on your preference and the style of the outfit. Favorite fabrics include:

    Silk or brocade

    Metallic

    Lucite

    Jeweled

    Satin

    Velvet

To look taller, avoid ankle straps. To draw attention to your feet, where eye-catching shoes and keep the rest of your outfit simple. To spice up basic leather pumps, add a flashy clip-on earring in the front.

Whatever style or material you choose, be sure to keep your shoes in the same mood and weight as your outfit. Slinky dresses call for slinky shoes, for example, while heavy fabrics (velvet, leather) call for heavier shoes.

If you’ll be wearing a new pair of shoes to a function, break them in before you go. If the soles are slippery, stand in your driveway or on the sidewalk and twist your foot against the ground as if you were extinguishing a cigarette. This will scuff up the bottoms enough to give you a little traction.

Whatever you do, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Nothing will spoil your party mood faster than standing for hours in shoes that pinch or bind.

Hosiery

Evening hosiery should be sheer and may include embellishments like seams, rhinestones, and embroidery. If you opt for such details, choose a simple dress style to avoid competing for attention with your legs.

Time-honored guidelines for hosiery include:

    1. Keep it in the same color base as your garment.

    2. To look taller and trimmer, go monochromatic by matching the color tone of your hosiery to your shoes and hem.

    3. With neutral-colored skirt or pants, match all three color elements. Example: brown skirt, camel-colored hose, brown shoes.

    4. With a brightly colored garment, choose neutral-colored shoes and match hose to shoes. Example: red dress, taupe hose, and taupe shoes.

    5. Keep leg coverings in the same mood and weight as your shoes.

Should you or shouldn’t you...wear hosiery with an evening gown and sandals? There are some purists who instantly say, “no way!” but being grounded in reality and knowing that all legs are not created equal, here’s what I suggest:

If you live in a warm climate, have beautiful legs and a perfect pedicure, skip the hose.

If you live in a cold climate, have legs that look better with hose than without, or unattractive feet (like most dancers I know), wear hosiery.

In the end, it really boils down to what you feel most comfortable wearing.

Handbag

Evening bags should be small and delicate, with only enough room for your money, keys, lipstick, and tissue. Like everything else we’ve talked about, it should be in the same tone as the rest of your ensemble, and compliment your outfit. Pearled, rhinestone, satin, and velvet clutches have been popular for years, and are a good investment. With care, they will last for many years.

Jewelry

This is the time of year to pull out your “good” jewelry. Make sure it’s clean and that all the clasps are strong and in good repair before your big night on the town.

Intricate evening clothes call for simple or no jewelry. Elaborate jewelry calls for simple but elegant evening clothes. If you have beautiful jewels, wear them. Just make sure they don’t complete with your clothes for attention.

Want a fun way to show the holiday spirit? Pull out your seasonal pins from years past to add a quick, festive touch.

Adding snappy accessories needn’t be a challenge. Just remember to keep it simple and elegant and you’ll turn heads wherever you go.

Need some more ideas on how to accessorize correctly? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC to see how easy accessorizing can be:

http://www.accessorymagic.com

Accessory Magic

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

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Holiday Accessorizing

December 21st, 2007

The finishing touches on your holiday ensemble can literally make or break your outfit. While it’s easy to go overboard with kitsch-y holiday accessories like jingle-bell earrings or ornament-colored bracelets, it’s just as easy to get a stylish, festive look - even if you have to use old pieces to ring in the New Year.

Here are some quick tips to help you look polished and chic for all of your holiday parties:

Shoes

The most popular color for evening shoes is black, with silver following a close second. Shoes can be open or closed toe or open or closed heel, depending on your preference and the style of the outfit. Favorite fabrics include:

    Silk or brocade

    Metallic

    Lucite

    Jeweled

    Satin

    Velvet

To look taller, avoid ankle straps. To draw attention to your feet, where eye-catching shoes and keep the rest of your outfit simple. To spice up basic leather pumps, add a flashy clip-on earring in the front.

Whatever style or material you choose, be sure to keep your shoes in the same mood and weight as your outfit. Slinky dresses call for slinky shoes, for example, while heavy fabrics (velvet, leather) call for heavier shoes.

If you’ll be wearing a new pair of shoes to a function, break them in before you go. If the soles are slippery, stand in your driveway or on the sidewalk and twist your foot against the ground as if you were extinguishing a cigarette. This will scuff up the bottoms enough to give you a little traction.

Whatever you do, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Nothing will spoil your party mood faster than standing for hours in shoes that pinch or bind.

Hosiery

Evening hosiery should be sheer and may include embellishments like seams, rhinestones, and embroidery. If you opt for such details, choose a simple dress style to avoid competing for attention with your legs.

Time-honored guidelines for hosiery include:

    1. Keep it in the same color base as your garment.

    2. To look taller and trimmer, go monochromatic by matching the color tone of your hosiery to your shoes and hem.

    3. With neutral-colored skirt or pants, match all three color elements. Example: brown skirt, camel-colored hose, brown shoes.

    4. With a brightly colored garment, choose neutral-colored shoes and match hose to shoes. Example: red dress, taupe hose, and taupe shoes.

    5. Keep leg coverings in the same mood and weight as your shoes.

Should you or shouldn’t you...wear hosiery with an evening gown and sandals? There are some purists who instantly say, “no way!” but being grounded in reality and knowing that all legs are not created equal, here’s what I suggest:

If you live in a warm climate, have beautiful legs and a perfect pedicure, skip the hose.

If you live in a cold climate, have legs that look better with hose than without, or unattractive feet (like most dancers I know), wear hosiery.

In the end, it really boils down to what you feel most comfortable wearing.

Handbag

Evening bags should be small and delicate, with only enough room for your money, keys, lipstick, and tissue. Like everything else we’ve talked about, it should be in the same tone as the rest of your ensemble, and compliment your outfit. Pearled, rhinestone, satin, and velvet clutches have been popular for years, and are a good investment. With care, they will last for many years.

Jewelry

This is the time of year to pull out your “good” jewelry. Make sure it’s clean and that all the clasps are strong and in good repair before your big night on the town.

Intricate evening clothes call for simple or no jewelry. Elaborate jewelry calls for simple but elegant evening clothes. If you have beautiful jewels, wear them. Just make sure they don’t complete with your clothes for attention.

Want a fun way to show the holiday spirit? Pull out your seasonal pins from years past to add a quick, festive touch.

Adding snappy accessories needn’t be a challenge. Just remember to keep it simple and elegant and you’ll turn heads wherever you go.

Need some more ideas on how to accessorize correctly? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC to see how easy accessorizing can be:

http://www.accessorymagic.com

Accessory Magic

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

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The Art of the Schmooze

December 13th, 2007

One of the great things about holiday parties is that you can catch up with old friends yet still meet new people. You never know where a new contact may lead or what fascinating tidbits a drunk colleague might reveal during a pleasant evening of socializing.

But for some people, parties are pure torture. They’d just as soon be drawn and quartered as to make idle chit-chat with people they don’t know.

If that’s you, fear not. All it takes is a little preparation to turn a room full of strangers into a Rolodex™ full of contacts. Here are some simple tips from Dr. Lillian Glass, author of “Say It Right: How to Talk in Any Social or Business Situation” (Perigee Books, 1991) that you can use to break the ice and draw people in:

1. Ask Questions

Most people love to talk about themselves. All you have to do is ask. But don’t go for the same-old: “What do you do?”, “Where do you work?”, “How many kids do you have?” routine. Instead, try an off-beat, open-ended question. Start with a statement followed by a question, like:

    “That’s a lovely necklace! Is it an heirloom?”

    “You’re an accountant? I hate numbers! What drew you to that line of work?”

    “I met Joan (the hostess) when I rear-ended her in the parking lot. Where do you know her from?”

…or something similar. Easy topics to quickly engage strangers include current events, offers of assistance (”May I refill your drink?”), or pleas for help (”What is that lady’s name again? It just went right out of my head!”).

Humor breaks the ice nicely, but don’t push it if it doesn’t come easily to you. If the person you’re trying to engage isn’t friendly or acts like you’re intruding on her conversation, move on. There are plenty of other people longing for someone to talk to.

2. Introduce Others With a Flourish

Ever been introduced to someone with a “Sue, this is Leslie, Leslie, this is Sue” approach? Probably. All you can do is say “hello” and nod or shake hands. But if you introduce others and offer a little background information, you give people a place to start talking. It’s a great way to break the ice.

For example:

“Sue, this is Leslie Smith. She’s one of the best patent attorneys in town and a home room mom for her son’s fourth grade class. Leslie, this is Sue Finkelstein. Sue has her own PR firm, and one of the accounts they handle is your favorite shoe store, Sloan’s.”

With just a few more words of introduction, you’ve given these two people a lot to talk about. Not only have you made it easy for them to converse, you come across as a great conversationalist.

3. Get In and Out

If you have several commitments on the same night or are faced with an invitation that would be politically unwise to ignore, opt for the “drive by” or “putting in an appearance” approach. The goal is to get in, get out, and get on with the evening.

Here’s how:

Arrive when the party’s already in full swing, about 30 minutes late. You don’t want to be the first ones there. Bring a hostess gift, if appropriate. Greet the host and take whatever drink he’s offering-even if you don’t want to drink it. Walk around for at least 30 minutes and speak to at least five or six people. Be a part of the party while you’re there.

When you’re ready to go, make a point of saying goodbye to the host, and offer a vague excuse that’s as close to the truth as you can get without hurting the host’s feelings, like “The sitter can only stay until 9″, or “We have tickets”, or “We have company coming” or something like that. Don’t go into elaborate detail, particularly if it’s a fib. It will come back to haunt you and cause ill feelings.

Once the goodbyes are said, don’t linger. Leave without a scene.

4. Ditch Annoying People

So what if your conversational skills engage someone who’s annoying, rude, or too clingy to let you go? You can make a graceful exit several ways, including:

    Look over his/her shoulder and saying, “Oh, there’s so-and-so. I need to ask her something before I forget. Please excuse me.”

    “I need to powder my nose.”

    “How I do run on! Please, don’t let me keep you from the other people you came here to see.”

Then cut and run.

5. Drink Responsibly

This should go without saying, but during the holidays, rules tend to get lax. If you’re the designated driver, don’t drink. If you’re not, try to limit your alcohol consumption to one drink every two hours, particularly if you’re around colleagues. “Loose lips sink ships” and can undermine your career if you’re not careful.

6. Be The Life Of The Party-Within Reason

There are some people who love to be the center of attention and view the office party or family gathering is a welcomed stage.

Some folks are natural performers and do quite well in these venues, garnering themselves scads of invitations as a result. In her book “Personality Plus,” author Florence Littauer tells how she and her brother, both extroverts, kept their weekends booked during high school by being entertaining guests. They would read the newspaper the morning of a party, and spend the rest of the day making up and rehearsing funny conversations about what they’d read. Come party time, their banter back and forth, which appeared completely impromptu to the other guests, would put people in stitches and become the hit of the party. If you’d like to be a welcomed and frequent guest, experiment with this technique.

On the other end of the spectrum, of course, is the uncomfortable “scene”. The obnoxious drunk. The belligerent husband. The emotionally-charged mother-in-law. How, exactly do you handle THOSE situations?

If you’re the host, you need to discharge the situation as quickly as possible or it can ruin the whole event. As uncomfortable as it is, tell the person flat out that his or her behavior is unacceptable. Pull him aside and tell him that he’s had too much to drink, that she’s too upset to think clearly, or whatever the situation, and ask them to leave. If they’re drunk, call a cab for them.

If the obnoxious person has a reputation for this kind of behavior, don’t invite him. Or, put him on notice before the party: “If you cause another scene, Dad, it will be the last time you’re invited.” Then, stick with the threat.

7. Talk, Don’t Eat

One of the hardest things to do gracefully at a party is to hold a drink, a plate full of food, and a conversation at the same time. It’s easy to make a mess of all of them. To keep problems to a minimum, don’t go hungry to a cocktail party. Eat before you go.

That’s right. Eat ahead of time. It worked for Scarlett O’Hara, and it will work for you. With a full stomach, you’ll be less likely to drop food on your clothes, get smashed on half a glass of champagne, or thicken your waistline by grazing on hors d’oeuvres.

Other tips:

    1. Carry a clutch and hold it all night. With your purse in one hand a drink in the other, there’s no hand left over for eating.

    2. Order a Virgin Mary as your cocktail of choice. You won’t get drunk, and the tomato juice will act as an appetite suppressant.

    3. Keep sugar-free mints handy. They give you something to chew on without having to eat.

 
Whatever you do this holiday season, remember that parties are for having fun and meeting new people, so enjoy yourself. If you go with an eye toward entertainment, you’re sure to have a good time.

Need some ideas for what to wear this holiday season? Check out the evening clothing capsule concept in WARDROBE MAGIC:

http://www.wardrobemagic.com

Wardrobe Magic

 

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Fun Gifts for Fashion Lovers

December 6th, 2007

Have a few fashion lovers on your shopping list this year? Trying to think of what you can tell others to get YOU? You’re in luck! From stocking stuffers to scene stealers, budget-friendly to wildly extravagant, here are some fun gift ideas you can use to get the “It’s perfect! Just what I wanted!” response you want.

Beauty Classics

Looking for some tried-and-true beauty classics that would be welcomed in any stocking? Peruse the 2007 BEST OF BEAUTY Master List from the Editors of Allure Magazine. They review hundreds of products in dozens of categories to find the best performers. Some are old classics, some are new favorites, all are sure to be a hit with the fashion-savvy on your list.

Scent Sampler 

Like the idea of giving perfume but not sure which fragrance is right? No problem! Sephora’s Scent Sampler allows you to give samples of ten of their most popular fragrances (Philosophy Inner Grace, Vera Wang Princess, Givenchy Very Irresistable, among others) so the recipient can try them all and choose her favorite. Then she can redeem a gift certificate at Sephora for a full sized sample of the one she liked best. Great idea! Some restrictions apply, so be sure to read the fine print.

 

Scent Sampler
Sephora.com

 

Luxurious Muffler

A luxurious muffler looks great, feels great, and can update an old coat in a flash. If you have someone on your list who’s fussy or hard to buy for, give them a beautiful muffler and see how often they wear it. With all the compliments such pieces tend to generate, it will probably be a lot.

 

Luxurious muffler
Overstock.com

 

Diamond Stud Earrings

Simple, classic, elegant. If your favorite fashionista doesn’t have a pair of diamond stud earrings, perhaps you should get her some. Beautiful pieces are often worn for years and passed down through generations, so don’t be afraid to splurge. You’re sure to get your money’s worth.

 

Diamond Stud Earrings
Overstock.com

 

Nintendo DS Fashion Designer

Do you have a young fashion lover on your list who’s also into Ninetendo DS? Me too! Challenge her inner designer by designing a clothing line, styling her models’ hair, and putting together a fashion shoot. She can even see what it’s like to run a boutique and work with clients. Ages 7 and up.

 

Nintendo DS Fashion Designer
ToysRUs.com

 

Spa Experience

Energy-draining projects. Year-end deadlines. Last-minute shopping. Unexpected guests. Want to pamper a special someone and take her away from all her troubles for a while? Then gift her with a massage, facial, or manicure and watch her grin from ear to ear. Look for participating spas across country or around the corner with a little help from Spa Wish. (Also recommended to anyone reading this.)

 
 

Mmm....a relaxing spa day!

 

 

Luggage

Have a fashionable traveler on your list? Try a pretty new set of luggage that looks great, has wheels and handles, and stands out from the sea of black suitcases on the airport luggage carousel. Designer brand luggage doesn’t have to be expensive to look good and perform well.

 

Luggage
SmartBar gains.com

Gift Card

Sill stumped? Try a gift card to their favorite store (department, boutique, book, or discount) or a general-purpose gift card, like American Express. Gift cards make it easy for people to get just what they want while making it easy on you to give. Win-win all around.

So, there you have it: fun gift ideas for the fashion lovers on your list. Why stress yourself out this holiday season when you can just let your fingers do the clicking?

 

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Heather Kuzmich is America’s ‘Model’ for Neurologic Disorder

December 4th, 2007

Heather Kuzmich is socially awkward, has trouble making eye contact, and is often a target of malicious treatment – all because she suffers from a neurological disorder known as Asperger’s Syndrome.  Believed to be a form of autism, this condition is characterized by unusual social skills and poor communication.

So what makes Heather’s story unique? 

She’s bravely shared her trials in front of the camera as a competitor on the reality show ”America’s Top Model.”

A haughting beauty with arresting features, 21-year old Heather wowed the judges with her modeling ability even as she was forced to endure unkind treatment from her fellow competitors because of her awkward social skills.  In an industry where cattiness is the norm, Heather’s fellow contestants take nastiness to a whole new level.

You can read more about Heather Kuzmich and her travails in this New York Times article.

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Look Great on a Tight Budget

Have champagne tastes but a beer budget? High-end style but a low-end bank account? No problem! You don’t have to spend a lot to LOOK like you spend a lot. All you need are the closely-guarded secrets of budget-savvy fashionistas to know when, where, and how to shop to get the looks you crave at the prices you can afford. See for yourself in BUDGET-FRIENDLY STYLE.

 
Budget-Friendly Style

                            *******************************************

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How to Shop in Your Own Closet

November 29th, 2007

Let’s say that you see an outfit in a magazine or store window that instantly calls to you, “Buy me, buy me!”

What do you do? Do you:

    1. Go online or into the store and buy it right then and there?

    2. Give yourself a few days to think it over?

    3. Look at the price tag, curse the stars that you weren’t born rich, and put it out of your mind?

Or do you going shopping for it in your own closet?

If you said one of the first three options because you have no idea what the fourth one is, I believe I can save you both money and a few choice words to your forebears. For once you start learning how to REALLY wear everything you own, not only will you save money, you’ll learn to make smarter choices when you shop.

So how do you shop in your own closet?

Start by taking the picture of the outfit you like (whether it’s from a magazine or just a mental snapshot), and head to your closet to see if you can re-create the look from the pieces you already have. You may not be able to replicate the exact ensemble, but you may find that you can approximate the look by using a blue jacket instead of black one, for example, or a pair of ankle straps instead of a pair of sandals.

Or you may find that you need to buy one thing to pull it all together instead of six things to start from scratch. Either way, you’ll probably find that you can evoke the new look without buying it all from head-to-toe.

Now this presupposes, of course, that you actually KNOW and can see the contents of your closet. Many women can’t. In fact, they can barely squeeze one more hanger onto the rack, let alone move them around freely enough to flip through their inventory. So they’ll swear up and down that they don’t have anything like what they’re looking at, buy it, bring it home, and are completely shocked to find that they already have something similar.

If you haven’t cleaned your closet it a while, chances are very good that you have some duplicates taking up space as well. Take some time to cull through your belongings and organize your wardrobe. Knowing what you have to work with is the first step to putting together a wardrobe that works.

Next, take some time to flip through fashion magazines, stroll through the mall, or click around online to get some ideas of different ways to wear things. Rip out magazine pages, print off web pages, or make a mental note of the outfits that strike your fancy while you’re window shopping. Then see if you can replicate the look by shopping in your closet FIRST. You may be surprised by what you already have or conversely, by how poorly all that impulse shopping has served you over the years. Always strive to fill your closet with pieces you can mix and match easily for maximum wear.

Shopping your closet first is also a great way to put together your holiday wardrobe as well. Since those velvets, velours, and Santa sweaters are usually only pulled out this time of year, take inventory of your existing holiday pieces before burdening your seasonal budget further with unnecessary purchases.

Mix and match them in new ways, or use the picture pull out/print off/mental snapshot approach to see how you can transform your old favorites into current looks. A snazzy new pair of hose and a stylish updo may be all you need to take that five-year-old little black dress or red velour skirt from ho-hum to va-va-va-voom! Try it and you’ll see.

Remember: Filling your closet with impulse buys is like eating a candy bar for dinner. It satisfies the instant craving, but always leaves you hungry for something more substantial. It can also blow your clothing budget as easily as a candy bar can blow your diet. So don’t do it.

Instead, force some reason into the scenario. If you find an outfit “to die for”, see if you can’t recreate it (or parts of it) by shopping in your own closet FIRST. Not only will you save a bundle of money, you’ll learn to get the most out of every piece of clothing you buy.

Or, to quote German designer Jil Sander, “Buy less, think more.”

Have high-end tastes but a low-end budget? No problem! You don’t have to spend a lot to LOOK like you spend a lot. You just need to know when, where, and how to shop to get the looks you crave at the prices you can afford. BUDGET-FRIENDLY STYLE can show you how, 

http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/budget

 
Budget-Friendly Style

 

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Fashion Advice from Yesterday and Today

November 16th, 2007

I saw a story on Style.com yesterday that made me laugh out loud.  It compares fashion advice from two new books coming out (by “Spice Girl” Victoria Beckham and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe) to fashion advice given in a 1959 book about the art of being a well-dressed wife (by 1950’s fashion designer Anne Fogarty). I haven’t read any of the books, but after howling through parts of this article, I may track them down.  Perhaps you’ll enjoy the fashion advice as much as I did.

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What to Consider When Buying a Coat

November 15th, 2007

When was the last time you took a good, long look at your everyday coat?

Does it fit your properly? Does it fit over bulky clothing? Does it fit your lifestyle?

For many women, the answer is “no.” I know that because I see them on the street every day in outerwear that’s too big, too small, or too casual for their needs. Many are on their way to work and have taken time with their business attire, only to spoil the effect with a coat that doesn’t work.

Don’t be one of them.

Just because you’re in your coat a short time doesn’t mean that it’s not important. You’re not invisible. In fact, if you regularly wear a coat while conducting business, like making sales calls, showing real estate, or coaching a sports team, for example, your coat can make a BIG difference in how you’re perceived.

In his classic “Dress for Success” book, John T. Malloy conducted several tests on coat styles and colors to determine how people responded to different things. He sent two similarly dressed men into business offices and asked them to hand deliver a package to the boss. The only difference between them was the color or style of their coat. In repeated tests using trench coats, the man in the beige trench was allowed to deliver his package within minutes of arriving. The man in the black trench was kept waiting much longer, sometimes hours. Why? Because for men, the classic beige trench is often associated with high incomes while the black trench is considered blue collar. Thus, those wearing black weren’t perceived by the receptionist to be as important as those wearing beige, so they were forced to wait.

Totally snobby?

Yep.

But you can’t control what people think. You can only help shape their opinions by how you present yourself.

So what does your coat say about you?

That you mean business whatever the weather? Or that outerwear is an afterthought? As we saw with Mr. Malloy, how you approach the matter will have an impact on how you’re treated by others.

So what should you think about when buying a coat?

The same think you think about when buying clothes: purpose, lifestyle, and budget.

PURPOSE

What will the coat be used for? Work? Taxing kids in cold weather? Skiing in Canada? Mucking out horse stalls? What? If you begin with the end in mind, you’ll have a lot better success in finding what you need.

Long wool coats work well over dresses and business attire, for example, but hip-length coats are better if you’re constantly in and out of the car. Ski coats need to be warm and waterproof while dirty work coats need to be easily washed. Think about what you’ll be doing to find the best coat for the job.

Hip Length Coat
Chadwicks.com
Hip-Length Coat

LIFESTYLE

How many coats do you need? It depends on your lifestyle. For most people, one dress coat and one casual coat fits most of their needs. But if you live in a climate with four distinct seasons or if you attend a lot of different activities (like work, sporting events, and charity balls) your outerwear needs increase. If you travel a lot, you know that different climates call for different coat weights. So build your outerwear wardrobe based on the needs of your lifestyle so you’ll always be appropriately dressed.

BUDGET

Coats can be expensive, and you may not be able to afford all the different coats you’d like to have to fill out your outerwear wardrobe. That’s okay. Look to your primary needs first, then set a goal to fill in as your budget allows. If you’ll be doing something once or for a short amount of time (a formal dinner, a weekend ski trip), see if you can borrow the necessary pieces instead of buying them. It makes much more sense.

So what’s the most versatile go-anywhere coat around that offers the biggest bang for your money? A classic trench with a zip out liner. It can handle cold, rain, casual, or business with equal finesse, and it folds up nicely for compact storage. A real plus when traveling.

Trench Coat
LaRedoute.com

Looking good in bad weather doesn’t have to be a challenge if you plan appropriately and build a versatile outerwear wardrobe. What’s more, by making a conscience choice to dress appropriately for whatever the day might bring, you’ll be delighted by how well you’re received - and treated - by those you meet. In fact, as Molloy discovered, you may even find yourself with quick assess to all sorts of things.

Want more in-depth information on how to build an outerwear wardrobe? Download a copy of BUSINESS WEAR MAGIC

http://www.businesswearmagic.com

to see how income-boosting an appropriate business wear wardrobe can be.

Business Wear Magic
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How to be Unforgettable

November 8th, 2007

Want people to think about you when you’re not around? Want to slip into their thoughts when they least expect it? Want to haunt them even if you haven’t seen them in years? Then develop a signature style. It makes you unforgettable.

Signatures are those beauty, fashion, and style elements that are uniquely YOU. That people associate with YOU. Wherever they go or whatever they do, they’ll see it and think, “That reminds me of .”

For example, one of my former bosses always wears “Youth Dew” perfume by Estee Lauder. Whenever I smell that scent, I think of Pat. My sister LeAnn favors simple tops and bottoms paired with tailored, Ralph Lauren-esque jackets. Whenever I see one, I think of her. My friend Diane also prefers simple styles but in rich, decadent leathers. Whenever I happen by a Wilson’s Leather Shop, thoughts of Diane creep into mind.

See how this works?

When you find what you like and wear it (or versions of it) consistently, people begin to associate that with you. It becomes your signature. It makes you stick out from the crowd and then linger in people’s minds long after you’re gone. Like songs from your childhood whose lyrics are embedded in your brain (”A-B-C, easy as 1-2-3″), signature pieces can remind others of you even if you haven’t seen them in years.

So what’s YOUR signature style element?

If you don’t have one or if you’ve never given the matter much thought, perhaps you should. Signatures are a great way to indulge a passion AND be remembered for doing so. They don’t have to be expensive or costume-y. Best of all, they allow you to follow trends and stay current — yet still make the look distinctly your own.

Here are some popular signature elements:

COLOR

Find a color that looks good on you and build your wardrobe around it. Black is a popular signature, as are red and blue. My daughter Peyton has large, grayish-blue eyes that look amazing when she wears cornflower blue or periwinkle, so those are quickly becoming her signature colors. Experiment to find your best colors. The great part about having signature colors is that when you have limited colors in your closet, you don’t need a lot of accessories to go with them so you can buy quality instead of quantity.

STYLE 

Find a clothing style that suits your shape and stick with it. My busty, short-waisted sister, Mary Ann, is five feet tall with an hourglass figure. She learned long ago that monochromatic, surplice (wrap) styles flatter her curves yet make her look taller and leaner than just about anything else out there. Her closet is full of wrap tops and dresses. Find your best looks and stick with them.

Wrap styles can be very flattering
Chadwicks.com
Wrap styles are figure-friendly for most women

GARMENT

Have a penchant for fuzzy sweaters, crop jackets, or pencil skirts? Then make them your signature garment. We used to watch the 1980’s sitcoms “Newhart” and “The Golden Girls” to see Mary Frann’s beautiful sweaters and Bea Arthur’s flowing vests - their characters’ signature garments. If you can’t seem to stop buying a certain type of something even though you already have a dozen of them, you’re probably looking at your signature. Stop buying and start wearing what you already have as the new focal point of your ensembles.

ACCESSORY

Have a weakness for unusual necklaces, beautiful bags, or to-die-for shoes? Make them your signature pieces. One business woman I know with a nice figure and beautiful legs would wear conservative, monochromatic dresses and suits and then pair them with wild, multi-colored shoes. Where did the attention go? Right to her legs and feet. You’d seen rooms full of grown men stop and stare at her gorgeous gams. I often wished I had her chutzpah. Determine your best feature and call attention to it with a signature accessory.

GROOMING

Spend lots of time maintaining your hair, makeup, or manicure? Perhaps one of those things could be your signature. Celebrities Anna Wintour and Jane Seymour are as known for the hairstyles as Pamela Anderson and Dita Von Teese are known for their makeup (among other things). Find which grooming element sets you apart and work it as your signature.

 

See something in the list that strikes your fancy? Chances are very good that you already have something you like and wear a lot, like a favorite color, style, accessory, or whatever. Build your wardrobe around it. It doesn’t mean that you have to wear it every day or even that you can’t change your mind and find something else you like better later on. But if you take your passion and showcase in a fashionable way that still respects the boundaries of time and place (work, church, the ballet, etc.), you’ll soon become “known” for that signature element.

Then, when others see that element when you’re not around, they’ll think of you. You’ll be unforgettable. And after all the work we putting into making ourselves look good, isn’t it about time?

Need some other ideas for creating a signature look? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC,

http://www.accessorymagic.com

to see how easy using accessories to stretch your budget and define your style can be.

Accessory Magic
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Dressing Lessons from the Rich and Famous

November 1st, 2007

Last week, fashion designer Giorgio Armani announced that he would be underwriting the annual Costume Institute Ball next May at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. George Clooney and Julia Roberts will be co-Chairing.

When a Clooney-mad friend of mine heard the news, she called me right away and asked me how to score some tickets to the ball. Since I rarely venture out past dark these days (my kids are small), let alone into New York high society, I found the question rather amusing. Still, I made some inquiries - which, roughly translated, means I went to Google and looked around.


Roberts and Clooney
WireImage.com

So what’s the story?

Unless you’re an A or B List celebrity, have six figures sitting around to buy a table, or are a personal friend of VOGUE editor and gala organizer Anna Wintour, you’re pretty much out of luck.

This New York Magazine article details all the cut-throat, behind-the-scenes drama of this glitzy event.

So what does all of this have to do with you?

While most of us probably won’t get an invitation to what VOGUE’s André Leon Talley describes as, “&ldots;the most important social and fashion party of the year,” there are some lessons to be learned from this slice of the rich-and-famous lifestyle: namely, that dressing well opens doors - just as dressing poorly keeps you firmly on the outside, looking in. Ms. Wintour refers to them as “riff raff.”

“The fashion is more confident [at the Costume Institute Ball],” Talley said in the nymag.com article. “It’s not some haphazard stylist saying suddenly, ‘Oh, you should wear this.’ Women like Lynn Wyatt know who they are.”

It’s a telling statement.

When you allow others to dictate how you should look by following every trend or copying your favorite celebrity, you lose your sense of self. When everyone knows who your stylist is because she dresses all of her clients the same way (a certain L.A. stylist comes to mind), you can pretty much kiss your shot at the best dressed lists good-bye. After all, how much creativity does it take to pick up a phone and dial?

On the other hand, those who hone their sense of fashion draw attention just by walking in a room. Good things often follow.

Lynn Wyatt, if you’re not familiar with the name, is a Houston socialite who was born into a department store family (Sakowtiz), married an oil tycoon (Oscar Wyatt), and has mingled with royals, celebrities, and socialites for forty years (she’s 72). While some high society women are called “crass”, “catty”, and “ruthless”, “La Lynn” has always been described as “classy” and “a real Southern lady” - which just goes to show you that nice manners, a beautiful wardrobe, and very deep pockets can take you anywhere you want to go.

Now while you may not have the deep pockets part of the equation down (these resources might help), the nice manners and beautiful wardrobe are definitely within reach. Just as “please” and “thank you” are the magic words, there’s a magic combination for putting together a head-turning wardrobe that will gain you access to all sorts of things, including leadership roles, corner offices, board rooms, and even high society.

Here it is:

    1. Make a realistic assessment of your body. Determine your best and worst features. Decide what parts you should play up and which parts you should play down.

    2. Look for clothing and accessories that meet these goals. Insist on good fit. Don’t get distracted by trends that don’t work on you.

    3. Determine your favorite apparel elements, like cool jackets, sleek shoes, or elegant jewelry. Consider making them your “signature” pieces. Signature looks I’ve seen over the years include dressing only in black, wearing monochromatic ensembles with multi-color shoes, and sporting whimsical lapel pins.

    4. Understand the dress code required for various functions. If you don’t know what it is or will be traveling someplace where it might be different than what you’re used to, don’t guess — find out what’s right. Why look ignorant when you don’t have to?

    5. Maintain your clothing and accessories. Iron wrinkles, repair holes, polish scuffs, and snip loose threads.

    6. Practice good grooming. Update your hair and makeup styles twice a year, and see to those unruly brows, stained teeth, and that chipped fingernail polish. Yes, people do notice those things.

In short, take pride in your appearance. You’re a walking, talking billboard of your background and expertise, so make sure you’re saying what you want others to hear. In a very short time, you may be surprised at just where your efforts take you: into the corner office, an elected office, or even to dinner at the same table as George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

Hey, you never know.

Need some more tips on what to wear when, including galas, balls, and other society events? Download a copy of Occasion Magic to learn the simple secrets of dressing for the different occasions in your life.

Occasion Magic
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