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Inspired Style-It’s Not Just The Dress

March 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Who or what inspires you?  Are you inspired by a friend, relative, or co-worker?  Maybe you are inspired by an actor.  You might even be inspired by an activity, running, tennis or yoga for example.  Inspiration comes from many sources, but we are all inspired and motivated by something.

Connecting with your source of inspiration is one sure way to begin to understand your unique style personality.

Oscar Night is always an inspiring event for me.  I love watching all the beautiful people parade like peacocks in front of the cameras.  I imagine the weeks and even months of planning, searching and scouring designer looks for just the right piece actors (well their stylists)  go through to capture the right look.

This year it seemed as though more than ever there was something that distracted my eye and brought down the total look.  All these women are beautiful people.  All have style.  All have a certain “look”.

Sarah Jessica Parker in  Chanel.  The dress is classic Chanel, but her  bad spray tan and oversized hair piece put the whole look in danger.  Sandra Bullock, always sporty chic wore a gorgeous Marchesa gold beaded dress embracing a different spirit.  It was elegant and chic, it didn’t seem to resonate with me.  It was beautiful on her body, but I felt wasn’t “her”.  Topped off with her bright pink lips I just felt a disconnect.  I’ll bet she couldn’t wait to get it off.

The one style icon that I feel got it right from head to toe was Meryl Streep in a former Project Runway contestant Chris March design.  Sheis a Traditional Style woman.  She is a “working girl”.  I love the fact that she “is what she is” and has no pretenses.  This makes her true to herself, beautiful, aging gracefully and stunning in her dress.

You see, it’s not just about the dress.  It is the total overall look.  Tell me who do YOU think had the most fun on Oscar Night?  Of these 3 ladies, who do you feel was true to herself and expresses her Style Personality?

The next time you are inspired by someone or something, try to connect, really connect with the source of this inspiration and you will truly have an “inspired look”.  Do this and you will always:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Dresses, How To, Style Tagged With: , , , , ,

“Sensible” Ways to Build Your Wardrobe

March 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

One of the biggest and most inspiring challenges that I have as an image consultant is helping someone create their. unique wardrobe.  Style that is “uniquely” yours separates you from the competition and allows you to be yourself, feel confident and reach your goals.

In order to discover your unique style, I need to “get inside your head” to see who you really are.

I have trained myself to become acutely aware of what makes you “tick”.  It’s not easy, but you too can learn what it is that makes you unique through using your 5 senses!  As you hone your skills, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and feeds on itself.  It grows as you grow in confidence.  Start by becoming more aware in the following ways and see where it takes you!

  1. Touch -  When you touch fabric, how do you respond?  Do you like the way fabric feels on your hands when you touch it?  How does it feel on your body?
  2. Hear – Does it bother you when you “hear” fabric swishing?  Remember the old warm up  suits of the 90′s?  They sounded like paper scratching and being crumpled.
  3. Sight - How do respond when you see color?  Color can make us feel calm or excited.  Pattern can speak very loudly or elicit a quiet emotional response.
  4. Taste – Sometimes color just “looks” yummy.  I know you know what I mean!  For you chocolate lovers out there, do you love deep dark chocolate or milky chocolate?
  5. Smell - Have you ever noticed out raw silk, wool or fresh cotton smells?  Fabrics have smell.  What memories are brought to mind when you smell your favorite fabric?

All of your senses fine tuned can help you choose the best fabric for your body.  That’s why I say it must “fit, flatter, and feel good” or it just won’t work!  Become more cognitively aware of your selections of fabric and you go a long way towards creating a wardrobe that will:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Your Style the American Idol Way

March 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

A new season of American Idol is underway, and although I normally catch the final rounds, I tuned in this past week to see the top 12 women compete.

The women range in age from 16 to  24.  Their talent is pretty amazing-it was the first time the audience had the opportunity to see each contestant perform and vote.  As one would expect,  Simon Cowell’s critiques were harsher than the other judges  This time though something that he said resonated with me in a different way.

At one point Simon said:  “quite frankly I thought it was boring” and “I don’t know who you are”.

It hit home with me in a new way when crafting your image, your personal style and your unique wardrobe.  Admiring someone’s style is a starting point in creating your style.

“Copying” someone’s style is just that a copy.  It is not you.  Just like Simon said, it is boring, something you have heard/seen before.  Does it look good?  Sure but are you really being unique?  Maybe not.   In order to make yourself unique you must discover not  “copy”  style.

We all have a “Simon”, an inner critic.  Make it easy on yourself when creating a unique style.  Start with something that you can identify with.  Start with music!  What music do you love?  Is it “rock and roll” or is it “country”.  Is it loud or soft, lilting or intense?  All of this will help you to become more aware of who you are on the most intimate level.  Watch as the season progresses.  Each contestant that makes it to the top will connect with and discover their inner music style.

Next time you are admiring someone’s style, pick it apart.  Look at it from head to toe.  What exactly is it that you like about the look?  Is it hair, makeup, shoes, accessories, body line, etc.  Use your 5 senses to connect to your true style and don’t settle with copying someone’s look!  Grab onto an icon to begin – connect with your inner style.  Become your own American Idol-step into your style and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Cracks in the Closet

February 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I love to walk and listen to my iPod while walking.  Sometimes I am inspired and motivated to write when I listen.  If you haven’t heard the singer Adele, the YouTube link here is what inspired my latest post!  It’s called Hometown Glory.

Although I am certain she in NOT talking about fashion, I couldn’t help making the correlation to “doing the same thing”.

We get complacent and do the same thing in the same way ALL THE TIME!  If you have been doing the same thing in the same way for the last few years, you are probably missing the cracks in your closet!

Instead of replacing the same pieces with the same things this season, focus on finding the cracks in your closet.  Be wardrobe specific, only buy what is missing, cracked or broken!

Where are the cracks in your closet that you need to fix?

  1. Lingerie Closet
  2. Shoe Closet
  3. Pants & Jeans Closet
  4. Jacket or Outwear Closet
  5. Dress Closet
  6. Handbag Closet
  7. Jewelry Closet
  8. Top or T-shirt Closet
  9. Blouse or shirt Closet
  10. Belt Closet

When you look at each specific area, you will begin to think and be more cognitively aware of the cracks in your closet and be more focused on buying just the right piece that will fill in that space.  Don’t forget StyleCAMP if you need more help with getting it right this season!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Finding the Friends in Your Closet!

February 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

DSCN2176I’ve been in a lot of closets over the past few weeks and I wanted to share with you some of my observations.

Whatever stage of life you are in-whether you are:  at home with your children, in the midst of your career or retired, everyone is in search of great looks every day.

You see your clothes every day, you may get tired of them; but, you are missing a great opportunity. Your clothes need to be be friends with each other!

I was in the closet of a lovely retired lady last week. She had quite a few clothes in her closet but they weren’t DSCN2212communicating!  Above is a first look at what I saw.  Lots of variety!

Clothes just like friends must compliment each other or else they will not be happy!  Someone (something) has to take charge to create a healthy balance.  What do you have that is a strong personality in your closet?  Maybe a jacket or a great pair of shoes?  Pick something and go with it.

Make friends with the neutrals in your closet.  Make those your core pieces. Then invite some color into the relationship to give it some spice and life.  Finally, create interesting conversation with your relationship by adding accessories.  It will give you and everyone else something to talk about and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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5 Ways to Know If Your Style “Expired”?

February 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Everything in life has a  shelf life-the time when it no longer tastes good, looks good or works for you.  Credit cards “expire” so why don’t we think that our clothes expire?

When was the last time that you took a good hard look at your hair style or  the clothes in your closet?

I wish that manufacturers would put an expiration date on our clothes!  I understand when your clothes are “well-loved”, worn to just to the right softness and the feel really good against your body.  But, honestly, how do we know if our clothes have ‘expired’?

To see if your clothes  may have passed their prime, check in with these tips:

  1. Just because the 80′s look is back doesn’t mean that “old” jacket you had still works.
  2. Is the fabric shiny from dry cleaning?  Fabric does expire (wear out)
  3. Check the heel and toe of your shoes.  Out-dated shoes will date your outfit.
  4. Are you still wearing a “Farrah Fawcett” hairstyle (shag)? News flash it has expired.
  5. Be careful when you are matching denim, it is coming back but it can look very dated on a mature woman.

The 80′s fashion is having a revival of sorts and if you have already been in that decade, I caution you to proceed with a great deal TLC.  Once your clothes are past their prime and you are over the age of 30 you stand the real risk of looking OL (old lady).

If you are one of those who like to keep clothes forever because it will come back in style you  need to be especially cautious!  When styles come back, they NEVER come back exactly in the same way.  If you keep a piece make sure it is a classic piece from that decade NOT a trendy piece from that decade.

Now that we are ending a season, it is the perfect time to assess what worked and what didn’t.  If they didn’t work, move them out of your closet and out of your sight.  Click here for closet cleaning tips to help you get going.  Hope springs eternal with less duds in your closet and remember……

“Look Good, Feel Great & Have FUN Doing It!”

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Look Dynamic in a Dress

February 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dresses continue to be all the rage in trends right now and with spring coming, why not work on the prefect dress for you!  Feminine dressing is chic and dresses can hide a multitude of sins.  Finding a flattering dress really isn’t that hard.

Remember the perfect shape is considered an hour glass figure.  Your goal in dressing is to create the illusion of an hour-glass!  Follow these general guidelines and you’ll look stellar this spring.

  • A-line dresses are universally flattering to any figure.
  • V-and Scoop necklines create a visual balance and highlights your décolletage

Triangle Shape Body (wide or curvy hips)- Draw attention up to your face with a high waist, 2 color dress.  This Rebecca Taylor dress draws attention to the face with the light color and de-emphasizes the hips,  creating an hour-glass look by having dark on the bottom.

Full-Bust-Opt for a scoop neckline and empire waist that will discreetly emphasize without being too revealing.  This dress from Nordstrom creates emphasis with the  scooped neckline and gentle draping of fabric.  The floral print is so chic this spring.

Petite-To create a longer look, opt for a wrap dress that hugs and flares the body.  A shorter length and deep v-neck will show some skin and call attention to your legs and upper body making you appear taller.  This dress from BananaRepublic has all the right moves for spring.  It’s pink, it has soft ruffles and it creates a great long look for the petite woman.

Step out this spring and try on something new!  You’ll be glad you did and you will:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Part 3 Trend Trouble – Danger Zones in Your Closet

February 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This is the final installment in the Danger Zones in Your Closet 3 Parts to  Wardrobe Malfunction. Up to this point we have been talking about:

Today, we are uncovering the trouble with trends. Everyone wants to be stylish, trendy perhaps.  But, there is a key difference in the 2.

  • To be Stylish you must know what your unique personal style characteristics are and adapt the trends that work with your personality.
  • To say that you are Trendy doesn’t necessarily mean that you are “stylish”. You can be trendy and stylish at the same time BUT you must know WHAT your style is.

Who you are and expressing that in your style is considered “stylish”. Adapting the trends appropriately to your style and you become “trendy”.  Am I making sense here?

We’ve all seen middle-aged women who adopt a trend in an attempt at being “current” and trendy.  It comes off looking all wrong and mismatched.  A poor attempt at both to say the least.  Take a look around you when you are just out and about.  How many women do you see trying desperately to wear the all new “skinny” jean look and getting it all wrong?

Take it from me, a “middle-aged” woman.  When you embrace a new trend, no matter what your age, be sure to look at how the trend is “staged” both in the magazines and in the market.  What tops are paired with the look?  What shoes?  Are there specific embellishments to the look that make it look unique?  Then ask yourself the other questions:

  • Does it fit my style?
  • Will it flatter my body?
  • Will if feel good on me?

Ultimately, that’s the bottom line…..Fit… Flatter…Feel Good...You’ve heard it from me before!

There’s nothing worse that a women who remembers wearing something earlier in her life and tries to bring it back again the same way.  On the other hand, there is nothing more beautiful than a middle-aged woman that knows and embraces her style.  She’s always dress appropriately for any occasion and looks like it was effortless!  Now that’s what I call “STYLE!”

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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5 Ways to Eliminate Returns!

January 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I really hate returns, well, I take that back.  The only returns I  like are on my investments and those are few and far between these days!  But seriously, I abhor returning items to a store.  It is a waste of time and money.  Here are 5 easy ways to eliminate or at the very least MINIMIZE your returns and maximize your ROT (return on your time!)

  1. Shop With a Plan: Go to the store focused on what you are looking for and don’t get distracted
  2. Don’t Buy Just Because It Is On Sale: How many times do you convince yourself that it is “o.k.” just because it is on sale.  It must follow the 3 “F’s” to get to the register (fit, flatter, feel-good!)
  3. Don’t Shop With Your Friend: unless she knows your style and promises NOT to make you buy what looks good on her!
  4. TRY IT ON! How many times do you buy something just to take it home to “try”..Get theyself into the dressing room…(remember “Fit-Flatter=Feel Good”)
  5. Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry: Basically don’t wait until the last minute when you need something. Shop seasonally and build your wardrobe “based on purpose”.  Being pressured to find something is the best way to ensure a return

Plan, focus and “attack” and you are sure to have a great wardrobe and

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Articles, How To, Shop Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Part 3 – A Wardrobe Based on Purpose – Accessories

January 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

In Part 1 we discussed, key core pieces, Part 2 we discovered the importance of accent colors. Now in the final installment of a Wardrobe Based on Purpose, we explore Accessories!

Much like the “icing” on a cake, accessories complete the outfit.  To leave the icing off just doesn’t “taste” as good.  Neither does your outfit!  An otherwise boring outfit become stellar with a few simple well-placed and thought out accessories.  Accessories should always bring out your style personality and embrace your inner core.  For those of you who abhor shopping, this will make it more fun, I promise!

There are 6 well-defined style personalities and one of those reflect who you really are!  Don’t hide behind a core piece, don’t hide behind your “accent” color. Bring it on!  Show your style!!

DO you know if you are a classic, traditional, feminine, sporty, dramatic or trendy personality.  I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to be considered stylish, but knowing “who” you are is key.

Accessories: Belts, shoes, handbags, jewelry, scarves -may even be the buttons or embellishments added to a jacket that shows your style

What is it that makes you say that someone looks “put-together”?  Is it that they have a pair of slacks on that fits their body?  Is it the jacket they have on?  I say NO, these are not in and of themselves unique.  It is the accessories added to an outfit that create a dynamic, unique, expressive outfit.

Here are the important components to build a wardrobe on purpose with accessory pieces:

Accessory Key Core:

  • Key Core Neutral shoes and handbags (Ex., if you have purchased a navy suit, then buy key core accessory shoes and a handbag in navy.
  • Two heel heights (minimally) open and closed-toe.
  • Remembering that you have 2 seasons that you are working with, do not forget to have 2 sets of seasonal key core accessory shoes.

Accessory Accents Colors:

  • Know your seasonal accent  “color”
  • Shop only for accessories in your accent color
  • Collect scarves, handbags, bangles, belts, earrings, necklaces, etc.

Make sure that as you select your accent jewelry that it does reflect your personality!  If you have a very sporty personality, you will not feel comfortable in a sweet, delicate necklace or one with lace!  That’s for the feminine personality.  There you have it!  A simple wardrobe created on purpose with focus on 3 easy steps. To read the other parts of a Wardrobe on Purpose click the links below.

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