Surfer Girl:  go for a maxi or in this case a casual pull on dress!  It’s a great look.  Just add some colorful sandals a great bangle and you are good to go!

Sassy Safari: Animal is always in!  This summer rompers are the latest trend.  If you are feeling a bit on the wild side, try this new look.  Just take note that this is the “statement” .  Don’t over do it with lots of animal, a wooden bangle and a natural wedge or sandal is all you need to finish it off.

Pure Prairie: “Sweet” prints identify this look.  They don’t have to look dowdy though!  Wear it with a corseted bodice to amp up your style.  The Prairie Look is coming back for fall.  You’ll see it in plaids and vests so be on the look out!  Put a great woven hat with this to give it some style but don’t go overboard or you’ll look like an “old lady” trying to look thirteen again!

The Minimalist:  Black or white, it doesn’t matter.  The minimalist always needs both.  There’s nothing prettier in the summer than a “little white dress”.  It’s fresh, it’s uber cool and fun.

Prep Squad: Preppy is always “in”.  The distinctive Lilly Pulitzer is the iconic brand of “preppy”. A simple cardigan over a sheath dress will put you there too!  Have fun with it, wear something bold for summer.  It’s one time that you can get away with it!

Whatever you do or whatever you wear this summer,

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

Continuing to feel the impact of the economy, designers are playing it a bit safe with colors and creating lines that mix into a wardrobe and can be developed over time.

If it has been a long time since you introduced a new suit into your wardrobe, now might be the time to start with some new neutral basics.

As they say, black is the ‘new basic’.  Well, black never went out, just took a back seat to other colors such as brown and navy.

Ah, the question then becomes, how do I wear black if it is NOT a good color for me???

Always add interest with color. Never just wear black and white.  Too predictable and quite honestly, pretty boring.  I know all of you in the northeast will scoff at this because everyone in New York wears black and white.  Step out of the box for a while and try some color. At the very least wear it in a scarf!  Color matters most when it is right next to your face so wear a color that will complement your skin tone.

Check out Doncaster’s Fall Trends now.  You can see the latest trends in person too!

Pantone introduced it’s fall color preview with more muted tones that the past seasons. I love how they create the names of their colors.  They evoke such emotional response.  Names such as:

• Endive
• Golden Glow
• Lipstick Red
• Purple Orchid
• Chocolate Truffle
• Lagoon
• Woodbine
• Oyster Gray
• Rose Dust

You just get the true sense of the colors and what they look like.  Soft and warm, not the bright electric colors of seasons past.  So two words for the upcoming season to remember soft and deep.  These colors are not pale and pastel.  Fall must have some depth of color to mimic the season and get us through.

If you purchased emerald green last year, tone it down a bit this year, soften it up with a new color.  You’ll still be able to work with it.  The color family is still there, just softer.  Adding a softer hue will give your “old” top increased dimension, new interest!  Use a  color in a necklace such as lipstick red or living coral, all Pantone colors that will blend beautifully with the new neutrals of fall.

You can read more about Pantone’s prediction of color for Fall 2010 and see with the colors actually look like at www.pantone.com .

Begin studying the color trends for fall and you’re sure to be on trend and:

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

This market segment which has always been a fickle market for retailers, goes to the mall, brings bags of goodies home and then video tapes them.  They’ll go through each item telling what they like and don’t like and where they got it.  Through Skype or other video means such as YouTube, they distribute their “haul”. These two girls are special. They are sisters and I’ve actually been watching them.

More than 100K+ YouTube videos are currently circulating and now it has become BIG business for numerous fashion brands.  These young shoppers are given free products to review, merchandise to try and in return the companies get free advertising!  What more could they ask for?  A teenager endorsing their products is pure gold in the retail industry.

Here’s a word of caution to all of you who are aspiring fashionistas!  Buyer beware. It sounds awfully fun doesn’t it, but I ask you to think about your closet’s needs. (I know, I sound like a mother)

I’m the first one to love a “good deal”, but a “deal” is never a “deal” unless it works for you!  Getting something that is the wrong color, style or fit will we be worn 1 time and then become an orphan.

Most women I know (over 30) are interested in looking great, finding good value and putting something in their closet that they can count on being there for a while.

So if you are compelled to do a Mall Haul video take these tips into account:

1. Buy only what works for your body line and proportion
2. Make sure that the item can go with at least 3-5 other items in your closet
3. Ask yourself what part of your wardrobe it fits into. (which lifestyle and does it work?)
4. Does if fit, flatter and feel good on?
5. Are you buying it JUST because it’s on SALE?

If you are buying it just because it is on sale, go back and make sure that it answers all the other questions positively and that it “fits, flatters and feels good on!”  Then you have successfully “hauled the mall”.  Share it with us, let us know what it is..We want to:

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

“Camo” has gone classic and so have the styles that go with it.  That means a cargo skirt in your closet might just be the next thing to purchase.

When you are wearing something as casual as a cargo skirt, ensure you balance out the casual flair with something less casual.  A dressier top or shoes will balance out the look and keep everything looking new and fresh.

Wearing too casual of a shoe a.k.a. a flip-flop because you want to feel more comfortable will take the whole look from young and hip to “o.l.” (old lady).

Check out these quick tips and get into the cool looks of cargo this summer.

1. Choose a skirt that has a crisp feel and is fitted through the hips.  Make sure it isn’t too slouchy or you’ll add unnecessary pounds.
2. Opt for a thin-tissue weight t-shirt, even a slouchy top will throw in just the right mix to soften the hard lines of the skirt. A form fitting top or shirt will become too much like a uniform – too predictable.
3. Pair the outfit with one of the latest cage or strappy wedges and heels.
4. Add a bucket bag or cross shoulder tote in a pop of new color -red or yellow- and you’re good to go.

Remember these things and you’ll:

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

Once client recently spent 10 days in numerous points overseas, one of which was Paris.  Can you see the Eiffel Tower!  How exciting to have been on their trip albeit “virtually” with her!  She brought back this wonderful gift!

I was born in Chambley, France.  My parents were in the military and were stationed for several years there.  I do not remember my stay there, but love to say I was born overseas!  It feels so chic and worldly.

So, I have a challenge for you!  Let Image Assets go on your trips this summer!  Let’s see where we will go!  Take a picture and let see what parts of the world we can explore.  I want to give a “shout out” to Organized Instincts for snapping this photo and sending it to me!  Thanks Nanette!

Share with me your style thoughts.  What colors did you see?  How did the women look?  What about their hair style, color, length?  I’ll get a world map and put a pin every place you send!  Won’t that be fun!

Let’s see where Image Assets will go!  Together, we’ll go in style!

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

• It’s hard to look serious in head to toe denim
• Few people can carry off  all denim style look
• If you are wearing denim, wear a top or bottom piece of denim but not both
• Put on a denim jacket with a floral dress or skirt for a fun hip look
• Mix up your denim colors (dark and light) if you must wear double denim
• If you are wearing DD, throw on a fun scarf to give interest

By the way, jeggings (denim leggings) are not work appropriate. Remember, just because you see it in a magazine doesn’t mean it is the latest trend….It could just be a fashion moment. Do you really want to  be remembered in that photo op for your fashion faux pas? One more thought on jean shorts (jorts) guys...According to Authors Anne Coyle and Ellen Rakieten in their book called Undateable, 311 Things Guys Do to Guarantee they Won’t be Dating the number 1 reason for NOT being dateable are jean shorts!  Think “Daisy Dukes” are you visualizing it??? Do you really want to go out with this guy? Until next time:

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

Here are some of my inspirations this spring:

Add some camouflage to your wardrobe this spring and you will find that you have added a “classic” to your wardrobe.  Remember when camouflage turned from mottled green to desert tan?  It’s back again this spring and we’ll see it moving into fall.

What you  might ask defines a classic?  A classic is a trend that stay around.  It is cross cultural and goes deep into all the styles.  It is interpreted and embraced by designers at all styles.  So, no matter where you shop, Target or Kohl’s, Macy’s to Neimans, camo will be seen on all the racks for the forseeable future.

As you can see, camo doesn’t just mean army green and true “camouflage” fabric.  You can add some green, khaki or desert tan and you’ll be on trend.  Get something that fit’s your body, feels good and flatters your figure and you are sure to wear it again and again.  It’s a classic remember!  Choose the right piece and it will be in your closet for years to come!

We’ve looked at the “cracks” in your closet.

All of this is in great anticipation for cleaning out your closet and getting ready for SPRING.  Are You Ready to get DRESSED???

If you haven’t been shopping in a while the biggest trend that you will notice on the clothing racks is the quantity of dresses.

Retailers have loaded up on dresses in everything from

• pretty prints, butterfly motifs, breezy, billowy sheer & netting to
  
• tribal, color blocked, geometric psychedelic patterns & cutouts.

Where once were rows and rows of pants, suit jackets and jeans you’ll find dresses.  There are a few skirts right now but dresses are the trend.

If ever you wondered how the tides of fashion changes, you had only to reflect on the last year and you could see.  It’s rather like Malcom Gladwell’s book The Tipping Point.  It started with a little ripple last year.  I wrote about it last spring in a blog called “Obsess the Dress”. This trend will continue for the foreseeable  future.

So, if you are dress-adverse, don’t fight it anymore, there is one out there for you!  This season ya, “gotta getta dress” and:

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

Accessories are said to be the “icing on the cake” . They finish your look.  They can change your style and make an otherwise boring, simple outfit chic and trendy.

So, what’s the latest accessory trend?  We’ve seen cage shoes, chunky jewelry, big bold belts, even skinny belts.  The latest trend in accessories in NAILS!  Yes, that’s right, all the stars are getting “minxed”!   Extend “fashion to your fingertips!”  You heard it here first…

A few years ago artificial nails became passe.  Everyone who was stylish and on trend began to adhere to a more “natural” clean look to their nails.  I wondered at the time how long it would last simply because a true natural nail takes so much more upkeep.  Well, it didn’t take long.  Introducing Minx nails.

So what exactly is “Minx”?  Minx is a solid film with an adhesive back that is heat activated. The heat gives Minx the ability to confom to fit over the compound curves of nails and seals it onto the nail bed.  Think of it as “shrink wrap” for your nails!  It is created in San Diego, California and there is a patent pending on the product.  It can be easily removed with heat by you or your manicurist.

Check out the video on YouTube to see how it is applied.  It’s the latest in nail fashion and I suspect will be sweeping the country this spring.  Match your nails to your new dress and you’ll

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

I love the end of each year because Pantone, announces their color of the year.  This year turquoise will be the color for 2010.  The announcement of this color has a huge impact on everyone, from clothing and interior trends to the next generation of automobiles.  In effect, it has an impact on everything-the world around us.

The introduction of a color each year is not taken lightly.  Influences include everything from the political and social climate to historical and cultural trends and events.  So, it doesn’t surprise me in the least to see a color such as turquoise become the color of the year.

According to Leatrice Eiseman, color expert with Pantone, the gemstone has long been used as protective talisman against evil by man cultures.  Some even consider turquoise a “universal” color, one which everyone can wear.

Perhaps it is our desire for a better economic climate or even protection in a volatile world adrift that has helped push this color choice.  In any case, turquoise is considered a color of deep compassion and healing.  It encourages both inner and outer healing, something we all can embrace.

Varying shades of turquoise, the color combines both blue and green-symbolizing  truth and new beginnings.  I say let’s all add some turquoise into our wardrobe starting this spring and embrace a new decade of healing from the inside out.

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