“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”
- George Eliot
Transition gracefully from summer to fall…
Fall always seems to sneak up on us with its crisp yet warm air and occasional falling leaves, and it leaves us stranded in our summer clothes.
I recently held a wardrobe analysis session with a client, she really has a great basic wardrobe, but we talked about adding pieces to update it a bit. So I thought I would share with you some of my favorite updates for fall. Adding just a few key pieces can update your wardrobe in an economical way.
The good news for those of you on a budget (who isn’t these days) is that many of your summer clothes can transition nicely into fall.
Dresses and skirts can be warmed up with tights, cardigans (don’t forget the belt), and some cute short boots (booties). Layering is great way to go from warm to cool, and vise versa. Scarves and pashminas are still going strong, and will help keep you warm when there’s a chill in the air. Carry your ruffle spring/summer blouses into fall by wearing them under an updated fall jacket or sweater.
You can really update your fall look with a few new trends, and keep within a budget. Here are just a few:
Faux Fur is a trend for Fall. Try it on a sweater coat (also a fall trend). Anthropologie has a nice chunky fur trimmed sweater jacket, the Rushcliffe Cardigan at $148.
Sweater Coats & Cardigans: go chunky, fur trimmed or coat length. J Crew and Banana Republic have great cardigans. I really like Boden’s Metropolitian Cardigan Sweater Coat at $148. And you can’t go wrong adding Gaps Shawl Cardigan to your wardrobe at $49.50. Don’t forget to belt your cardigans for an updated look.
Men’s inspired shoe: another big fall look and they are comfortable. Anthroplogie has great oxfords - they are a bit pricey. I like Banana Republic’s Reno High Heel Oxford at $140. Talbots has some nice men’s inspired loafers, and Piperlime has a great selection with a variety of prices.
Military Boot. Gaps Suede Wedge Bootie at $79.50 is great. Again Anthropologie has some great boots, but they are pricier. Piperlime has a good selection with a range of prices.
Retro: full skirts, long skirts and the 50’s inspired look. I have to say that Anthropologie does this look very well and the pricing ranges from $78 to $198. Talbots Bead Dot Shirtdress is very classic and priced at $149. Remember; when you do a full skirt keep the top more fitted.
Mixing prints and textures is a great way to pull your summer wardrobe into fall. Feminine print blouses look great with a fall hound’s-tooth pant or skirt. Fall’s hot colors are: cobalt blue, gold, purple camel, emerald green and red. To spice up a monochromatic look add camis, scarves, printed or textured tights in these colors. If you’re a more daring individual, then checkout the colorful tights at welovecolors.com.
I hope this has helped. I would love to talk with you about a wardrobe analysis; maybe we can find some hidden gems in your closet that will expand your transition wardrobe.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Image and Identity in Conflict
“When you look in the mirror, what do you like best about yourself?”
* Mr. Holland's Opus
Are the outer you and the inner you compatible?
I recently read an article and took the quiz to define your personal image. The beginning of the quiz asked you to define your style type, they gave a list of five possible options, classic, chic, whimsical, bohemian, and avant-garde. At the end of the quiz you would find out your real style type.
I chose classic with a touch of bohemian. I then proceeded to take the quiz. At the end my score was 5 for classic, and 3 for bohemian. It then told me I was classic with a touch of bohemian! It has taken me a while to realize my style and match my image to my identity. Although I was able to do this on my own, the point of the article and quiz were right. Style is achieved when your image (external) is in harmony with your identity (internal).
So I will ask you how does your image project your identity?
While working with a client recently, she wondered if she should keep a jacket she had purchased that was very casual, and not fitting her right. I asked her if it was representing her and the image she wanted to portray. The answer was no, she bought it under peer pressure. When you shop do you have a direction? Or are you shopping for someone else’s image?
One great way to help define your image is to create a style file. Look through fashion catalogs, and magazines for inspiration. Clip outfits, and ideas you like and create your own personal style file. Remember to put together looks you like for all occasions, professional, casual, special occasion.
One thing to remember is you do not have to be defined by one style. If you remember my style type was classic with a touch of bohemian. This may not sound compatible, but it does work. Once you have defined your style and matched your image to your identity I will guarantee you will always look and feel confident.
I would love to help you define your image and create a wardrobe that projects that image in harmony with your identity.
* Mr. Holland's Opus
Are the outer you and the inner you compatible?
I recently read an article and took the quiz to define your personal image. The beginning of the quiz asked you to define your style type, they gave a list of five possible options, classic, chic, whimsical, bohemian, and avant-garde. At the end of the quiz you would find out your real style type.
I chose classic with a touch of bohemian. I then proceeded to take the quiz. At the end my score was 5 for classic, and 3 for bohemian. It then told me I was classic with a touch of bohemian! It has taken me a while to realize my style and match my image to my identity. Although I was able to do this on my own, the point of the article and quiz were right. Style is achieved when your image (external) is in harmony with your identity (internal).
So I will ask you how does your image project your identity?
While working with a client recently, she wondered if she should keep a jacket she had purchased that was very casual, and not fitting her right. I asked her if it was representing her and the image she wanted to portray. The answer was no, she bought it under peer pressure. When you shop do you have a direction? Or are you shopping for someone else’s image?
One great way to help define your image is to create a style file. Look through fashion catalogs, and magazines for inspiration. Clip outfits, and ideas you like and create your own personal style file. Remember to put together looks you like for all occasions, professional, casual, special occasion.
One thing to remember is you do not have to be defined by one style. If you remember my style type was classic with a touch of bohemian. This may not sound compatible, but it does work. Once you have defined your style and matched your image to your identity I will guarantee you will always look and feel confident.
I would love to help you define your image and create a wardrobe that projects that image in harmony with your identity.
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Power of Appearance
Dress Code
Function: noun Date:1968
: formally or socially imposed standards of dress
Do you wonder why you have to look nice at work if nobody sees you?
Do you wonder why you get passed up for the promotion, or the new job altogether?
In a CareerBuilder.com survey, 41 percent of employers said that people who dress better or more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in their organization. Also surveys show that a first impression is made within seconds of meeting.
A while ago an old friend and I went shopping for a wardrobe for her new job as a customer service rep. We put together a great professional yet casual working wardrobe consisting of a suit jacket and pant, skirt, dark jean and a dress that could be worn for special occasions.
About a week after she started her new job I asked her how things were going. She told me everyone at her new company wore jeans and t-shirts, so she returned all of her new purchases. Except for the jeans, (which she had hemmed to a too short length). She than went back to the unwritten company dress code: ill-fitting t-shirts and mom jeans.
A few months later she called to vent about how upset she was over the fact that she was passed over for a promotion she was clearly qualified for. Who did they promote? The new woman, who came to work every day, dressed for the position she wanted, not the one she had.
Although we would like to believe that we are judged solely on our talents the truth is people form an opinion based on our appearance. Even if you have a job where you feel no one sees you, or everybody else dresses down, you can step it up a notch. I guarantee you will feel better, and you will get noticed (in a positive way).
You can still stay casual, and comfortable just follow a few simple rules.
*Casual does NOT mean sloppy. You should always keep it neat and clean. Your clothes should be clean, ironed and in good repair, no missing buttons, holes or tears. Fit is always important, not to small, not to big.
*Keep the slinky tops, tight pants and short skirts for clubbing outfits, if that’s the image you want to project in your personal life. You want to be taken seriously at work, so take yourself seriously.
*You can't go wrong with a few casual basics, khakis, blouses, dark denim jeans (if permitted), Flattering classic tee shirts (short sleeve, scoop neck; three quarter sleeve, v neck), cardigan sweater, and a great jacket, or blazer.
I would love to show you how with just a few changes you can stay comfortable, keep it affordable and always look great, which will make you feel great. Maybe even get you that promotion you’ve been wanting.
Function: noun Date:1968
: formally or socially imposed standards of dress
Do you wonder why you have to look nice at work if nobody sees you?
Do you wonder why you get passed up for the promotion, or the new job altogether?
In a CareerBuilder.com survey, 41 percent of employers said that people who dress better or more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in their organization. Also surveys show that a first impression is made within seconds of meeting.
A while ago an old friend and I went shopping for a wardrobe for her new job as a customer service rep. We put together a great professional yet casual working wardrobe consisting of a suit jacket and pant, skirt, dark jean and a dress that could be worn for special occasions.
About a week after she started her new job I asked her how things were going. She told me everyone at her new company wore jeans and t-shirts, so she returned all of her new purchases. Except for the jeans, (which she had hemmed to a too short length). She than went back to the unwritten company dress code: ill-fitting t-shirts and mom jeans.
A few months later she called to vent about how upset she was over the fact that she was passed over for a promotion she was clearly qualified for. Who did they promote? The new woman, who came to work every day, dressed for the position she wanted, not the one she had.
Although we would like to believe that we are judged solely on our talents the truth is people form an opinion based on our appearance. Even if you have a job where you feel no one sees you, or everybody else dresses down, you can step it up a notch. I guarantee you will feel better, and you will get noticed (in a positive way).
You can still stay casual, and comfortable just follow a few simple rules.
*Casual does NOT mean sloppy. You should always keep it neat and clean. Your clothes should be clean, ironed and in good repair, no missing buttons, holes or tears. Fit is always important, not to small, not to big.
*Keep the slinky tops, tight pants and short skirts for clubbing outfits, if that’s the image you want to project in your personal life. You want to be taken seriously at work, so take yourself seriously.
*You can't go wrong with a few casual basics, khakis, blouses, dark denim jeans (if permitted), Flattering classic tee shirts (short sleeve, scoop neck; three quarter sleeve, v neck), cardigan sweater, and a great jacket, or blazer.
I would love to show you how with just a few changes you can stay comfortable, keep it affordable and always look great, which will make you feel great. Maybe even get you that promotion you’ve been wanting.
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