You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for March 2009

6 Degrees of Wardrobe Separation

March 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

In reading about the 6 degrees of separation in relationship building, I realized that the same theory might be used when “connecting” a well heeled wardrobe. The support for this comes from the fact that to truly have a wonderful working wardrobe, you need to relate each of the areas to one another and then to yourself.

For example, you are the core or the center of the circle and the 6 degrees that support you are all spokes on the wheel of influence to create the powerful image of you.  Visualize the following:

Color                            Tops
Fit              YOU          Bottoms
Style                            Accessories

Think about it.  Anytime anyone of these areas is throw off, the entire look is off and it no longer resonates with you. All six of these pieces must work together to make a great outfit that works for you.

Try concentrating on one area, develop that relationship in your wardrobe and see what happens to the other areas.

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: How To, Wardrobe Tagged With: , ,

Setting the Standard for Excellence

March 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

They say that the ‘devil is in the detail’.  I’ve even written about it, but now I want you to consider the beauty in the details.  Most people do average work.  Some achieve above average work, but the masters are those who succeed tremendously.  They set the standard for others and are masters in the detail.  This standard can be seen in every area of a master’s life.  They have set a standard at home, at work, at play and even in their wardrobe.

The single greatest thing that separates an otherwise average wardrobe from an outstanding wardrobe is the emphasis on the details.  A wardrobe of excellence doesn’t focus as much on quantity of product, but quality of product.  How does the garment fit your body?  Is the fabric draping appropriately for your body line?  What about your accessories-ties, belts, handbags and shoes?  Are your shoes shined, pants cleaned and pressed and is your hairstyle up to date?

No matter what you do, you must put your hand to it with absolute excellence.  This excellence comes from painstaking attention to detail.  If you do not have the passion for details in your wardrobe, you must search out and find that excellence in someone to help you.  It is the beauty of the details and the standard of excellence -the mastery- that will separate you from the average.

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Articles, First Impresions, Style Tagged With: ,

The Power of One

March 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Too often we focus on the things that are weigh us down and are all wrong.  Especially today it is easy to get caught up in a world of dispair and ill-fated choices.  When you begin your day why not think about the 1 thing that will make you look at yourself in a new way.  It is the power of ONE thing, and it is a powerful thing.

Think about Sara Blalkely, the originator of Spanx.  She invented the “Power Panty”.  If you have tried them, you know how powerful they are in smoothing your bumps and curves!  How about your “Power Suit”?  Isn’t that the suit you wear when you go into an interview or need to feel in control in a selling situation or presentation?  Then there is your “Power Color”, the color that makes you look and feel your very best.  It can also make you look 10 years younger just by reflecting the right color against your skin.

Finally, never underestimate the power of accessories.  Both men and women can show their style personality through accessories.  Ties, pocket scarves and even shoes or jewelry are just a few ways for men to release the power of one good thing.  Women have greater versatility with accessories.  This season, consider adding color to your accessories to create a new look.  Pull in the season’s best color for you in a handbag, match a scarf with it.  The power of one color will unify and personalize your outfit to make it uniquely yours.  So, when all else fails, don’t forget to accessorize and remember the Power of 1 Good Thing and make you glass always “half-full”! 

….look good, feel great, and have fun doing it!…

 

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: How To, Style Tips, Wardrobe Tagged With: , , ,

Really Cool “Green” Handbags

March 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Honestly, these are the “coolest” handbags that I’ve seen with a really fabulous idea.

Kim White has taken all that “old” vintage automotive fabric (remember the 70′s & 80′s seat inserts) and has unearthed an entire warehouse of unused upholstery fabric.  She uses this fabric to create handbags.  The unique part of your handbag is that the handbag is tagged with the model year and make of the car that it was intended to go to.  She is the sole owner of these fabrics, so I’d guess you better get them while they last! 

They range in price from about $95 to over $120.  Not bad for a cool tool!

 Seem them all a www.KimWhiteHandbags.com

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Color, Image, Style, Trends Tagged With: , ,

What’s Your Yin and Yang?

March 4, 2009 By 1 Comment

Just as the seasons ebb and flow, so does fashion. Sometimes a trend or style “feels” better and a trend simply just doesn’t work. Is it really as simple as black and white, yin and yang, yes or no? Consider the philosophy of yin and yang.

The principle of yin and yang is based on the ancient Chinese symbol (seen above) and is the key to understanding how things work. The outer circle represents everything, your entire being-your hair, your shoes, your clothes, and your color, the everything that you are made of. The black and white circles represent the push and pull-interaction between negative (yin) and positive (yang) energies that cause everything to happen.

You may have a personal preference to soft draping fabrics, or perhaps long, feminine hair this is your yang. Conversely, you may not like short boxy jackets, matched suits or heavily patterned fabrics. This is your yin. To achieve harmony and balance in your wardrobe you must have a little of both. Having too much of a good thing may make you feel off balance just as much as too much of a bad thing would or something that doesn’t fit well.

What’s your yin and yang? The push and pull that drives you to buy something? Pay attention and ask yourself before you purchase that next item, you may be surprised. Take a look in your closet to see what “energy” or “movement” is there.  A balance of both will give you a sense of harmony, peace and tranquility to your wardrobe.

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Articles, How To, Style, Wardrobe Tagged With: , ,