How do you choose flattering clothes and accessories?

The easy answer is: “Know your own signature style.” That’s the easy answer but when it comes to real life, it isn’t always the answer we follow.

I am an image consultant. I know what colors look best on me. I know the styles that work best, yet I still occasionally succumb to a great bargain. For instance, last fall I found a Ralph Lauren blazer for 10% of the original price. It fit perfectly. It would work with different jeans that I presently owned and would be the perfect jacket for cool days or when I wanted to be casual but look a bit more put together. The problem: the jacket was black. Now I know that black is too harsh with my very fair coloring but I rationalized that I could wear a white or pastel turtleneck sweater under it and it would work, so I bought it. Yes, I have worn it numerous times and all of my rationalization was correct. But, I never feel great in it. I feel okay.

After that experience (yes, there have been others) I have been rethinking my philosophy for making fashion decisions in the future. I have come to this conclusion. I want to always look great. Just okay doesn’t cut it any more.

How do you do this? First of all, know your color palette. This, I think is the most difficult and gets even more so as we age. When you are young with more dimension of color in your skin, the biggest key is getting it right between cool and warm. People’s personal colors change as we age or as we go through stressful periods. About every five years, our coloring adjusts slightly. Sometimes it happens more quickly. I remember working with a lady from New Orleans. She had lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Carla Mathis, (the woman with whom I studied) had done her colors right after the hurricane. She came to me about two years later and asked to have a reevaluation. The colors that looked beautiful on her were more vibrant that those done right after the hurricane. In another instance, during a workshop I gave for single women, one lady commented that she had mostly black in her closet. She had recently gone through a divorce. Going through emotional or personal trauma effects more than your emotions. Wearing color takes energy. If you need to put your energy into other areas of your life, you will resonate with more neutral colors so that your energy can be devoted to your area of need. As the crisis passes, your more vibrant self emerges.

Know your body shape and proportion. Certain styles flatter certain body shapes. Just because it is in style, doesn’t mean it will work for you. For example, cropped pants were popular last summer. If you have shorter legs, it simply will make them look shorter so don’t follow that trend. If you are a triangle with wider hips, the leggings – not matter what name they bear – will always make you look more like an ice cream cone than give that svelte image of a six foot tall model with no hips.

Know your scale. Whether you are petite or large in scale, accessories should reflect your scale. That huge purse or necklace that is fabulous on a large boned, large scaled person will never work on a small-scaled person. I just consulted with a petite lady who has larger scaled features. She can wear jewelry in a larger scale than someone who is petite with small features but she still needs to keep it in scale with her very small frame.

These are probably the most important considerations in allowing you to choose flattering clothes and accessories. To go deeper into the finer details, one can consider proportion in more detail and look at the part line and texture have in helping each person present his or her best self.

If you want to get past okay and always feel great in what you wear, we need to talk. This fall, I have been working with clients to show them how to always look great with fewer clothes. Save money, time and consternation! Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com 404-467-0288

It’s October and the leaves are changing so, despite the unseasonably warm temperatures, it is time to think of switching to fall clothes.

I have just started my bi-annual closet audit. Our closets in the condo are not as large as they were in the house, so for the first time, I am going to pack away summer clothes, giving more room for my winter garments. I know many women who love this approach to seasonal change. When it’s time to unpack your spring clothes, it seems like greeting old friends. This also allows you to look at each garment with fresh eyes. You may discover something that you thought was a keeper, is really not quite up to standard for a new season. Or, perhaps one of your go-to pieces has really become tired and needs to be repurposed.

First, I look over each item and make sure it does not have stains, pulls or other signs of wear. Then, I determine if it needs to go to the cleaners. Anything with visible soiling needs to be sent. However, if it is just wrinkled, I am packing it away so the dry cleaning can be done in the spring and the garment is ready to wear.

A quick tip: don’t stores clothes in the plastic drycleaner bags. Dry cleaner bags do not allow natural fibers to breathe.

Something else that I did was store a few things that I am not quite ready to give up. There is that beautiful, beaded long evening dress and the suede suite. I have worn neither of them for several years, yet they are not Good Will candidates but probably not quite up to standard for a resale shop. I also packed away the turquoise silk dress that I wore 24 years ago when we got married. The style was timeless but the shoulders have become faded from hanging in the closet. That is definitely a sentimental “must keep”. Besides, my husband who is far more sentimental than I, would be really upset if that dress disappeared!

Summer shoes were transferred to the secondary closet in a hanging storage unit. My winter shoes now reside in my primary closet. All sweaters and blouses are arranged by color. I added a separate grouping for those things that I wear at home and on weekends and those garments that I wear for working with clients, meetings and other events. Slacks and jeans are grouped in the same fashion. My suits, skirts and jackets also reside together.

Now, when I walk into my closet, I know exactly what I have and what items work with each other. With that information top of mind, I can keep an eye open for new fall looks that can be worn with what I have in my closet and which accent pieces might give a fresh new look.

To paraphrase Coco Chanel: You don’t need a closet full of clothes; only a few great pieces that look fabulous on you.

Want some help choosing those few great pieces? Call me. We’ll determine which pieces those should be and what accents can give them lots of mileage. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com. 404-467-0288 office 404-428-2527 mobile.

I was recently asked to write an article on when I developed my sense of style or had I always had it. It got me thinking.

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love clothes, fabrics, shoes, hats and everything to do with fashion. At age eight, I made my first dress: a 4-H project. (Now I must confess, that the zipper appeared to have been put in with a hen’s beak, but it was securely installed.) However, growing up on a cattle ranch in a remote area of Oregon didn’t exactly lend itself to this young girl becoming a style aficionado. In the little town where I went to high school, we had a J.C.Penney’s and a Mode O’Day as well as one dress shop with name brands and “nice” clothes – where I promptly got a job. That, coupled with other part-time jobs, allowed me to buy all of my clothes from that shop.

After college at a small northeastern Oregon university, I moved to southern California. An entire new world of fashion opened up before me. Married with two small children, I learned to stretch my fashion dollars. One of my great finds was a fabric store in Beverly Hills that carried designer bolt ends. This fabulous resource allowed me to create unique garments from beautiful fabrics at reasonable cost.

While teaching school, I discovered classes at UCLA on the Psychology of Line and Design, which qualified for continuing education credits. At a time before Color Me Beautiful became the rage, our instructor did individual color analysis and body/personality analysis. She taught us about the psychological effect of different lines in clothing design. Then she analyzed each of us individually and suggested which lines would work best for us.

In the third quarter of study, we were given a different project each week in which we had to build a storyboard of our dream outfit for that project; complete with color, fabric selection, and pictures of all accessories. I particularly remember when our assignment was to put together the most dramatic thing we each could wear. The simplest solution was to use color contrast but black and white was not an option for this blond, fair-haired individual. That year of study is where I really began to develop my personal style and when I discovered my passion for understanding why certain styles and colors work better on different individuals.

Today, hundreds of books, numerous classes and workshops later, I am still learning. Attending the Body Beautiful Institute in Southern California brought all of the previous study together and added much greater depth.

Understanding personal style is an ongoing learning process. I discover new nuances each class I take, each book I read, and each client with whom I work.

If you would like to discover your personal style, let’s talk. It is a fun and rewarding process that empowers you to “express yourself from expected to amazing”. (Christopher Hopkins). Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com 404-467-0288

The Ann Klein Fashion show at Macy’s on Saturday revealed a fall line perfectly designed for a real woman. That is to say, it was designed to take you from the office to dinner or cocktails after work or to meetings and social gatherings while being appropriate for ladies over forty. Of course, the clothes looked great on the young models as well. The collection was predominantly black, accented with reds and some touches of plum and cobalt blue. The choice of slacks and skirts topped with sweaters and jackets over bright printed blouses, offered great versatility. It was easy to envision how a few of these pieces could work together to make an entire wardrobe.

Gray was interspersed to add variety. All of the blouses featured soft, feminine touches such as ruffles pleats or ties. One of my favorite sweaters was a simple long black cardigan worn over a red print blouse with a narrow belt at the waist. When the model turned around, the back of the sweater was a lacy knit that allowed the blouse to show through. What a fun touch of drama, still giving a professional look.

One of my top wardrobe strategies to give a fresh, new look is using texture and color to play against a basic background in order to give a variety to your wardrobe without requiring a closet full of pieces. This works very well for travel. Attention is drawn to the blouse or item with color or texture and the basic becomes a backdrop. Blouses from this collection had both visual texture through the prints and dimensional texture through ruffles, pleating or bows. Bling was adding through necklaces and bracelets.

Of course, this collection won’t work for many of us. If you have warm coloring, there was nothing that would work with your warm color palette. For those of you who need a softer color palette and don’t wear black well, going with the gray basics and the gray and cobalt print blouse might work. If you have been reading my articles for some time, you know that choosing a print that works for you is much more complex that it might seem. A couple of tips that will keep you away from really bad choices are; first, don’t buy a print if you don’t really love it. If you love it, there is something about the print that speaks to you. Secondly, you should do a “blink” test. Close your eyes for a bit while looking in the mirror. When you open your eyes, if you see the print first before you see you, the print is probably too intense for you.

In conclusion, I really liked the Ann Klein collection for its wear ability and versatility for the average woman. Tying a collection together through certain colors is a good thing as many more options are available. If black and the jewel-toned colors are not for you, look to other designers. This collection offers great ideas that can be adapted to your individual color palette.

Need some help in putting together a core wardrobe? That’s what we’re here for. Call and we can discuss how to help you put together that perfect wardrobe for work, play or just every day. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com 404-467-0288 office 404-428-2527 mobile.

Puzzling over just what to do with a beautiful scarf has always been a challenge. We go through seasons where wearing a scarf looks so dated, then other seasons where the scarf must be a certain shape to be in fashion.
This year, we have so many choices, it will be hard to go wrong. The main guiding factor is that they should make a statement! I chose several styles from the Neiman Marcus web site as examples. They are from different designers to give a variety of styles and looks.

As you can see, there is a way to wear a scarf for everyone. Scarves can transform a simple look into spectacular. They can also serve as a wrap when in an air conditioned meeting or to take the chill off in the evening.

This is one look that won’t break the bank but will give you great style mileage!

Need some help in bringing a new look to those fall and winter clothes waiting in your closet? Call me and we’ll put together a fresh new fall look without ruining your budget. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or 404-467-0288

Does it make any difference if I dress for comfort and not for how I look? Last week I wrote about sitting at Starbuck’s in Lenox Mall and observing at least half the people in the mall wearing oversized shirts, cargo short and flip-flops. It was discouraging to observe how many people who apparently have the attitude of, “Why bother?”

As an image consultant, I want to present myself in a positive fashion. When I’m out and about, even if it is at the grocery store, I am never sure of who I might meet. It might be a client or someone I would like to have as a client! But beyond that, I feel better when I am well put together. I stand taller, smile more and have more confidence.

A couple of months ago, I was running some errand and my husband asked me to pickup something at Lowe’s. Having come from an event, I was wearing a summer dress and high heeled sandals. As I was hurrying through Lowe’s, no less than five clerks and/or customers complimented me on how nice I looked. Now shopping at Lowe’s was not on my list of things I really wanted to do but it turned out to be a highlight of my day. Obviously, even people in a store catering to a do-it-yourself clientele, appreciate someone well dressed.

We recently went to a play in which our 14 year old granddaughter had a lead part. She usually slouches with her shoulders forward and speaks rapidly and indistinctly. Her role in the play was the sophisticated city cousin. We noticed how tall she stood with shoulders back as she played the part in heels and sophisticated sheaths. Her speech was clear and distinct. I don’t think the change was all due to the play director. I think she was proud of her appearance.

So, why do so many people spend hours working out, jogging and exercising then cover up all those great results with the easiest thing within reach? Why do so many ladies get regular mani-pedis, facials and great haircuts only to diminish the effect by dressing in workout clothes?

Perhaps casual, unpressed clothes have become so much the norm from grade school through college that people don’t stop to think about how they really look.

I encourage each of you who have fallen into this habit: Take a fresh look at yourself before you leave the house. First impressions happen in less than 20 seconds. Consider the old adage that how a person appears reflects the work they do. Don’t risk that promotion or job interview or maybe just meeting some fantastic people by not presenting your most fantastic YOU!

If you need some guidance, call me! I’m here to help you discover your unique style from the inside out; then help you plan a core wardrobe to showcase your “signature style”.
Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com 404-467-0288

My husband and I went to Lenox Square for lunch after church on Sunday and then stopped by Starbucks for a Chai Latte. Most of my trips to the mall are purpose driven so it was fun to have time for people watching. As an image consultant, I enjoy observing creative ways people are expressing themselves in fashion. This Sunday I discovered the majority of mall goers had neither style or fashion. Maybe it was because it was a holiday weekend, but the majority of shoppers looked more like they were dressed to go shopping at the dollar store or Walmart. Certainly, it was inappropriate attire for this upscale mall of Buckhead, with high fashion stores like Cartier, Saint John, Burbury and Neiman Marcus. My husband, who loves his comfortable clothes, even commented that attire at the mall has really deteriorated from the years when he owned a restaurant there.

One young man walked by with his oversized “T” shirt and pants. The image was ruined by his pants riding so low revealing about 4” of blue-plaid boxers.

Then there was the older gentleman wearing a “T” shirt with shorts, held up by suspenders. He completed the look with high sox and oxford-type shoes.

I noticed three different young girls were wearing what appeared to be net petticoats as skirts. One was embarrassingly short, the others just embarrassing. It must be a new fashion trend for the young.

Half of the mall goers were wearing flip-flops. These were the plastic things that one wears in the shower or at the pool – not the more stylish leather ones. What ever happened to sandals? There are many varieties of attractive yet utilitarian sandals for both men and women.

I could have gotten rich had someone given me a dollar for every pair of cargo shorts that passed by. Two young women were wearing cargo shorts and sloppy “T” shirts topped with baseball caps. It took a moment to realize they were women.

One lady was attractively attired in jeans and an becoming blouse, sporting her platform stilettos. She had obviously not worn heels that high before as she walked with her knees bent so that her body followed her feet by about six inches. It was painful to watch.

On the other hand, I did observe a handful of people appropriately fashionable. There was one couple with a little girl. The dad was well-pressed in his Chinos and blue dress shirt while the mom had on a cute white top with a floral cotton skirt and sandals. It was perfect attire for Sunday at the mall.

I especially noticed one young man who really made a fashion statement. He accented his black pinstriped jacket with a pastel shirt and brightly flowered tie. I would have chosen matching black pinstriped pants instead of the cream colored pinstripes that he wore, but it was so refreshing to see someone who took pride in how he looked.

A few years ago, we had a French exchange student with us for three weeks. One day I asked her what things really stood out to her that were different in the States than in France. She immediately replied that the way people dressed to go out was starkly different. Although young people dress more casually, adults always present themselves in stylish attire with make-up and hair well done.The sloppy, oversized look does not exist.

On your next trip to the mall, you may want to think about the possibility of how you appear to other people. Who knows, you might even be observed by an image consultant watching who will write a blog!

To quote Yves Saint Laurent: “Fashion fades; style is eternal.”

What is the difference between fashion and style? Fashion is what designers present to us each season as the “new” look. The fashionista will follow each new trend despite how it looks on her. Her motto is, “If it comes in my size, I need it.” The person with style picks only those things that work with her personal style, despite how fun it would be to wear certain fashions.

As a certified image consultant, my goal is to help each woman discover her own style and learn how to choose fashions that support that unique style. It is knowing yourself from the inside out. You can have two ladies with similar builds, similar coloring and similar age but they might have totally different styles.

We can determine a client’s line and body shape, proportion, scale, and texture. We can show them how to choose styles to camouflage or accentuate different areas of the body to give the illusion that they have that ideal proportion and shape. We can teach them how to choose the right scale or whether one can wear texture. These skills are similar from one lady to another.

Conversely, identifying the right personal style is much more than that. For example, color analysis might indicate that two ladies could wear the same color palette. In reality, a lady with a strong personality and persona should wear deeper, bolder colors than a retiring person. In fact, the retiring person might be more at home in neutrals. Each is being true to her personal image. This is where understanding who your are deep down inside really makes the difference.

Let’s look at some famous people who have or had a great understanding of their true personal style.

Coco Chanel designed for herself. Her clothes were always right for her. She defied the corseted, elaborate dresses and hats of her day and went for wear ability and simplicity. Then she adorned her clothes with more simple designs of jewelry.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis had a true understanding of her personal style. She chose simple, elegant lines. Some of her dresses looked almost like sculptures. These designs supported her angular body and her reserved elegance. Even though she was in her early thirties when she became First Lady, she always dressed appropriately for the position as well as her style.

Diane Von Furstenberg has very strong coloring and a personality to match. Her designs often are in rich colors and strong prints. No one can imagine her in a soft pink dress with ruffles. She understands who she is and supports that image in how she dresses herself.

Laura Bush also really understands her personal style. Her choice of classic clothes are perfect for who she is. There is nothing extreme about her. She is reserved but always impeccably groomed and appropriate for the occasion.

Renee Zellweger is another example of someone who knows herself. Since I haven’t studied her as much, this observation may not be quite as accurate. Her small, curvy, frame is beautifully showcased by the feminine, romantic dresses she chooses for awards event. Unlike many other stars who look like a different person at each ceremony, Renee works with Carolina Herrera to design her awards dresses. Ms. Herrera’s designs are elegant, refined and feminine. Perfect for the image of Ms. Zellweger. This indicates to me that she understands her personal style.

The woman with style understands who she is, knows how to work with her natural attributes and chooses clothing that is both age-appropriate and complements her as a total person. Designer Leo Narducci summed it up nicely. “Notice the woman first, and after than what she is wearing.”

Do you have any $100 mistakes hanging in your closet? Talk to me about how to avoid those costly mistakes. You can be the women Narducci described. And, spend less money doing it! Call Beryl at 404-467-0288 or 404-2527.

“Every woman needs a little black dress” has been the mantra from fashion aficionados for as long as I can remember. But, is it the golden rule of fashion? I say, not.

The little black dress was an innovation of Coca Chanel long before Suzanne Caygill began her study of colors as related to people’s natural coloring and personality. The little black dress is a great concept. The downside is that only a small percentage of the population actually looks good in black. Black is generally not flattering to warm-toned coloring. It is often too harsh for the very fair person. Even people who once could wear black often find it too harsh as they age.

Every woman’s wardrobe can benefit by having a basic dress that can be dressed up or down. It should be simple in design so that accents can be added to change the look. In other words, it should be the blank canvas on which you paint the portrait of your choice. Let’s look at possibilities.

Chocolate brown, camel or beige
Navy, burgundy, purple, gray
Olive – a huge color this season

You may love some other colors that could serve as a basic. Just make sure that it complements your natural coloring and is neither too strong nor too muted.

Now, let’s accessorize.

Scarves – a major fashion accessory this season
Jewelry – you can’t go wrong with pearls for fall
Cardigan – think of the many possible styles and/or patterns
Jackets – possibilities in many lengths, styles and colors
These are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

As you can see, a great basic dress can be worn so many different ways without people even recognizing that you are wearing it repeatedly.
So the answer is: A little black dress? No. A versatile little dress in your best color? Absolutely!

Looking for some help on how to get the most mileage out of that dress? Call me. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or 404-467-0288

Boots have been popular for several seasons; each season making small changes just to keep a fresher look. Anything you can imagine is out there. Wedgies, platforms, high skinny heels and high thick heels. There is the work boot look, biker look and military look. Boots come in all heights – above the knee, ankle, mid-calf and in between. Every iteration of buckles and hardware add adornment. If it’s boots you are looking for, you will find something that appeals to you.

I am getting tired of all the ankle boots paired with dresses. Those that have heavier heels and/or platforms are very heavy looking, thus drawing the eye to your feet. It also cuts your leg-line, making your legs look shorter. Designers compensate by featuring short skirts – not a good look for everyone. Neither can I imagine who need heavy work-boots unless you are planning to dig a ditch or take a 20-mile hike. Boots can be a versatile asset to your wardrobe. I only suggest that you choose something that fits your lifestyle and looks like they should be worn by a woman.

Feathers have come back into vogue this fall. Feathers tend to appear in fashion when there is economic and political uncertainty. We think of feathers being for evening but some designers are using feathers to adorn shoes, clothing and purses for use in daytime as well. In the past, feathers have had a short fashion run, so if feathers are on your short list, I suggest you make your selection with that in mind.

Lace continues to be popular. Like feathers, it is best kept to evening unless you choose a lace cami or accent for day. I have noticed lace ankle boots and purses which seem a little over the top. You probably have something in lace from a previous season that you can revive to maintain a current look without having to spend a dime.

Pearls have made a big comeback this fall. Pearls are shown in all sizes, multiple strands and accented with various stones. Pull out all your pearls and play with new combinations. Most magazines have photos to give you ideas so recycle those classic pearls for a fresh, new look.

Handbags are more structured this season. The large, unstructured handbags are not flattering to most people so I am glad to see more structure. Size is a big factor when choosing a bag. Yes, the large bags will accommodate your running shoes and lunch as well as all of the items you normally carry. Unfortunately, they overpower most women’s frames. If you see the bag coming before you see who is carrying it, it is too BIG. Unstructured bags are very casual in appearance; not supporting a business suit or dressier casual look. These newer structured handbags give a less casual appearance and are not quite as oversized. They offers more versatility and can be worn for casual while being much more appropriate for more upscale or business occasions.

One of the best places to start shopping is in your own closet. I’m sure there are many items lurking there that can add a great update for fall. If you need some help in choosing what goes and what stays, contact me. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or call 404-467-0288 office or 404-428-25

What do you plan to add to your wardrobe for fall? With new fall clothes arriving in stores, let’s take a look what’s being served up for this season.

Green is the fashion color of the season. Unlike the apple green that has dominated the fashion scene for several years, this is an olive green. For all of you who have had color analysis, you know that green is a pivotal color between cool and warm, thus it is important to choose the shade that works with your personal color palette. If your coloring is cool, you will want to choose an olive that has some black added to it while the person with warm coloring will want an olive leaning more toward yellow. Olive is a great basic color, which can be accented with a bright scarf, blouse or jewelry. I like to wear leopard print shoes trimmed in red and a red handbag to accent my cotton cool-toned olive pantsuit.

Military influenced style goes hand in hand with green. What would be more natural than a military design in olive? The designs feature lots of buttons, epaulettes, pocket flaps and all manner of military detailing. Military, by definition, is generally quite a masculine look. Couple that with olive and you risk looking more like your heading to the battlefield than the office. Not the way to present a polished, feminine, image! My advice: Choose carefully.

Pantsuits – After several seasons dominated by skirts and dresses, we are seeing a resurgence of the pantsuit. (Can’t you just hear Hillary say, “Yes!”) Pants are more versatile than skirts and for this reason, I prefer them. Rather than buying a matching pantsuit, why not try separates? The best part about this new look is the pants are available in a variety of styles. If you are a triangle with wider hips than shoulders, select the wider legged trousers. Straight-legged pants are a good style if your legs and hips are slender. Really skinny pants are best worn by the very young with long, slender legs and hips. Brands vary a great deal in cut so you can most likely find the pant that really works for you, even if it takes a bit of alteration.

Capes, Ponchos and Vests – You will see a wide range in styles of capes and ponchos. This is a fun way to update your current wardrobe. There are cape jackets that give a more business-like appearance or the casual poncho on the other side of the spectrum, which works in a casual setting with a great pair of jeans. Depending on which cape or poncho you choose, it will work with a variety of different slacks or jeans and take you to many different settings. Vests are practical for our Atlanta temperatures. These are really just jackets without sleeves. I found one in Europe several years ago and it is a staple in my casual wardrobe throughout the fall and winter. Worn with a long-sleeved sweater, it is lighter than a full jacket or coat. Any of these choices will not only give your fall wardrobe a new, updated look but will offer great versatility.

We’ll complete the Top 10 next week.

If you are puzzling over which fashion statement will give you the most bang for your buck as you step into fall, give me a call. Brainstorming is always better with two! Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or 404-467-0288.

With temperatures soaring well into the nineties, it is hard to think of fall clothing. Cool fall temperatures – now that’s inviting!

In spite of not feeling much into fall clothes, I went to an Escada fall fashion show recently and I loved with the new fall line. More than any other season, the line has coordinated items so they can be mixed and matched.

The color palette was comprised mostly of neutrals – lush caramels, chocolates, grays and black. The collection was divided into lighter weight for late summer and early fall to heavier weight for winter. The lighter weight line would be excellent for our Atlanta temperatures even in winter. This line featured cobalt blue for a pop of color while the heavier, winter collection featured a beautiful eggplant.

Pants are back in style this fall. Not that they were ever out of style but skirts have certainly rules for the past few seasons. You can’t make too many mistakes with pants this fall. Escada was showing skinny leather jeans – great on the 6’ tall size 4 models. For real people, the straight-legged pant with a higher rise is a great option. One beautiful trouser was in gray wool with very wide legs and interesting stitching detail. These would be fabulous for the lady with wider hips.

Interesting details in jackets and dresses gave a unique look to the collection while remaining appropriate for the corporate wardrobe or the lady who attends luncheons or business meetings. Sweaters added a less formal look, offering variety and practicality.

I love sweaters. Various styles of sweater jackets or cardigans really add versatility and practicality to a wardrobe. The caramel sweater set, for example, could be paired with caramel, eggplant or black slacks. The stylish cardigan could be worn with its matching shell or a simple blouse in a complementary color.

Sweaters are also superb for travel whether for business travel or pleasure. Sweaters don’t take much room to pack and do not wrinkle badly. Building a travel wardrobe around your basic colors with accents of the brighter colors will give you variety and keep you stylish no matter where your destination.

Clothing manufacturers seem to “get it” that people are no longer going to go out buy a complete new wardrobe every season. I am happy to see that some lines are offering fashion designed to last for years and coordinate with a variety of other pieces.

If you would like to have your closet bring a smile to your face every time you walk in, contact me. We need to talk! Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com

Do you have a favorite fragrance? I know people who are the first to purchase the latest fragrance that either their favorite celebrity or designer introduces. Then the other end of the spectrum is the person who never wears a fragrance. Somewhere in the middle is that person who has a favorite fragrance and it becomes her “signature”. I fall somewhere closer to the “signature” fragrance than either extreme. What has been frustrating over the years is finding a fragrance that works for ME. Fragrances are so individualized so one perfume will be lovely on one person and terrible on another.
We have a unique opportunity here in Atlanta to work with Master Blending Artist, Susan Sexton to fabricate your own custom perfume. Susan has studied in Grasse, France with Galimard, the oldest parfumerie in France. When you work with Susan, your personal fragrance will be formulated from one of the fourteen families of perfume. The perfumer’s desk, the Organ, houses 132 trade-secret scents/essences. Clients begin to blend base notes, then heart notes, then top notes. “The essences used to blend top notes last for approximately one hour; a couple of hours later, the heart notes dissipate, leaving only the fragrance of the base notes – the fixatives,” says Susan.
I had the pleasure of working with Susan to create my own fragrance. Not only was it a delightful experience, I loved my unique fragrance and, even better, my husband loved it. To get your personal fragrance, you don’t have to head to France and, by appointment, visit the Galimard parfumerie. Susan at BLEND will welcome you and help you celebrate your birthday, other special occasion or just treat yourself. Susan also does bridesmaid parties or works individually with both brides and grooms.
You can contact Susan at 404.202.5503 or email her at info@blendcustomparfum.com. Blend is located at 2971 North Fulton Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305. She works by appointment so please contact her rather than just dropping in.

This is a quote from Denise, our teacher in a color theory workshop I took this last weekend. My purpose in taking the class was to delve deeper into understanding color and how I might use this knowledge to better work with my clients. Denise, an artist herself, not only guided us into exploring mixing of colors for different effects but also demonstrated with works of art by famous painters. I was struck by the connection between an artist expressing himself on canvas and how we are a living canvas on which we paint who we are.

Each artist has a distinct, recognizable style, brought to life through the chosen color palette. Transferring this concept to people, we each have an individual shape, proportion, scale, and texture but how we “paint” that canvas depends upon the colors that we use. These elements work in concert to “paint” our individual masterpiece. Think of the difference between Monet and Gauguin. Monet used a lighter palette and more delicate lines while Gauguin used strong, earth tones and bold images. Often painters evidenced changes during their lifetimes as they matured and events shaped their lives.

People will use different colors at different points in their lives. Recently a lady in one of my workshops commented that she found her wardrobe at present was dominantly comprised of black although she had worn more colors before. This was not surprising, as she had recently gone through a divorce. It takes emotional energy to wear colors, thus, a serious emotional event will often drain all of that energy. Retreating to a safe neutral is nature’s way of conserving that emotional energy, allowing us to deal with the crisis at hand. This is no doubt where wearing black after losing a loved one originated.

A lady from New Orleans came to me for a color consultation about two years after Hurricane Katrina, in which she sustained great loss and had endured over a year in restoring her home. She found that her colors did not work right after the event so had her colors done by Carla Mathis (the woman with whom I studied). When she saw me, it was two years further into regaining equilibrium in her life. The palette that I did for her contained colors with more intensity than those done right after the disaster. She was healing; regaining her natural vibrancy.

Some people just naturally need a more neutral palette. I have a friend who wears neutrals almost exclusively and her home is beautifully done in neutrals. She is well read, intelligent and gracious to be around. Her gentle nature puts everyone at ease and is a pleasure to spend time with her. Her coloring could certainly support deep reds, blues and violets but that would not paint her canvas as who she is. On the other hand, I have another friend who loves yellow. She often wears yellow, orange or gold tones and always has yellow somewhere in her home. As you might imagine, she has a vivacious, outgoing personality and spending time with her is animated and dynamic. She paints her canvas to project who she is. It is a joy to spend time with each of these ladies but they are very different and know how to project themselves as who they truly are.

Who does your canvas say you are? Does it truly depict your inner being? Understanding who you really are, deep down, and choosing the colors that tell the world who that is will place you there with the masters: Gauguin, Renoir, Monet or you fill in the blank.

Call or email to ask about our complementary 30 minute consultation.
Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or 404.467.0288

My daughter, Cyndi, got married this weekend and we are still basking in the afterglow.  It was a second marriage for both of them and had a perfect balance between the solemn tradition of a marriage ceremony and much less formal, “let’s have a great party” atmosphere.  I can say that because she planned it all.  I got calls on organizational details and protocol but it was all hers concept.

The ceremony was held at bi-centennial mall, which has a beautiful marble patio surrounded with bell towers.  She organized the seating so it was looking directly at the capital.  Since it was at 4:30 in the afternoon, the sun was still quite hot so she had white umbrellas handed out to each guest.  Her next- door neighbor travels the world with his trumpet, but came back into town just to be there to play “Here Comes the Bride.” The ceremony, complete with “ring-bear”, was personalized for them and family members read favorite scriptures as a bonding of families.  She served the cake and champagne at the park after the ceremony; a tres leche cake with strawberry filling.  It was absolutely delicious with only a part of one layer remaining after many guests had returned for seconds.

Cyndi, Steve and Ring Bear

Cyndi and Steve

The reception was held in a grassy, playground area in back of her condominium.   Everyone had time to change into more casual clothes for this picnic setting.   The caterer served tacos with appropriate accompaniments, augmented by Mexican coleslaw and salsa prepared by able family members.  As it grew dark, tiki torches, provided lighting and a ready way to light sparklers which everyone seemed to fine delightful.  While the band played, people were all around either dancing or socializing and children enjoyed the playground equipment and hula-hoops Cyndi had provided.

Of course, all of the condominium residents were invited and Cyndi says she has had so many neighbors tell her it was the best party ever.  To economize, she had very little catering help so both the groom’s family and ours pitched in to move and set up tables, prepare food, run errands, etc.  It was a great way to build family bonds between two families who have never met from opposite coasts.

New York Fashion Week 2007 by Peter Duhon

We attended a large party this weekend where the guest list spanned the gamut in age and style of dress.  As an image consultant, it is always great fun to attend such a party as I get a fascinating peek into a wide cross section of Atlanta.  With temperatures soaring into the 90’s and intensified by the typical high humidity, it is no surprise that many ladies chose sundresses.   Along with sundresses, one could find dressy cocktail dresses, dressy casual and just simply casual.  It wasn’t until people started dancing that the need for  proper under garments became spotlighted.

One of the popular fabrics for summer is a knit or jersey.  These dresses come in different weights but all of them should come with a “caution” label.  One striking young lady wore a heavier jersey dress that fit her beautifully.  She was lovely until she started to dance.  Once on the dance floor, it was quite evident that she was only wearing a thong and the longer she danced; the jersey dress clung even tighter, making the lines of her thong more pronounced.   Jersey has a proclivity to affix itself to skin once the skin is a bit moist with perspiration.  On a recent outing to the symphony, I followed a young lady out after the concert that was also only wearing a thong.  The long, jersey dress she was wearing had adhered itself to her derriere and left nothing to the imagination.  I’m sure none of the ladies wearing a dress of this type have any idea that a dress that looks so attractive from the front could ultimately be such a disaster from the rear.  This is where some under garments would save the dress and the appearance.  A half-slip would help skim over whatever kind of panties the wearer chose and keep a nice, smooth line.  One trick that I use with a garment that shows a panty line is to wear panty hose with the feet cut off.  This allows for a bare sandal look while a providing a line-free undergarment.

Another undergarment error that I observed was a middle-aged lady with salt and pepper grey hair wearing a satin cocktail dress.  The dress was quite modest and appropriate for her build and her age but once on the dance floor, it clearly revealed that she was not wearing a bra.  It did not appear that the cut of the dress would prevent wearing a regular bra but if so, a strapless bra would have been appropriate.  Some very young women can get away without a bra for a while but the majority of women need a bra to keep “the girls” in place and help the dress fit correctly.

The third example of needing help with undergarments (or lack of) was a lady who appeared to be with her 20 something daughter and her boyfriend.  This lady had chosen a cocktail dress that revealed more of her bosom than it covered and had even had a bare area in the middle of the back.  She was much more exposed than her daughter and it seemed to me that she would have been much lovelier in a less revealing dress.  I have talked with many men who have stated that they find a suggestion of sexy far more alluring than revealing so much that nothing is left to the imagination.

Anyone looking for that great summer dress that will work for our hot, humid summers might want to be more thorough in checking out how it will sit, move with you on the dance floor and be perceived by others.  Even though it is not quite as cool as wearing minimal undergarments, taking precautions that you are properly covered can save you embarrassed once you hit the dance floor or spend time sitting.

Did you ever wonder what happens to those outfits that you loved so much when you bought them but after time, they sit in the back of your closet?  Do they feel unloved, neglected and abandoned?   Here’s a way to give them new life and purpose.

I have just researched three resale shops in the Buckhead area and there are some fantastic options available.  Each one has a slightly different focus.  All resale shops I have visited have similar rules:  garments must be in good repair without stains and they should be no more than two years old.  I have found that some shops are more lenient on the age of a garment if it is a timeless design from a top designer.

Let’s take a tour.

B Chic is located at 3277A Roswell Road,  just north of the Roswell Road and West Paces Ferry intersection.  www.bchicatlanta.com  Nancy Scalera is the owner and is delightful.   It is a bright, cheerful shop packed with great clothes.  She has a variety of brands from Etcetera to Ferre.  There was an Anne Fontaine blouse with the tags still attached when I visited.   A wide selection of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and other top designer shoes is available as well as handbags.  Again, some have never been used.

Backstreet Boutique, located at 3140 E. Shadowlawn Avenue, bills itself appropriately, as Buckhead’s Upscale Resale.  It is located just a block off Peachtree in a little house where each room is filled with Chanel, Armani and St. John jackets, skirts and pants and a few dresses.  There is one section for leather and a huge selection of jeans.  Owner, Joey McCraw also has a huge selection of top designer shoes and accessories.

Career Fashion Consignment takes a different approach.  Owner, Judi Gerhardt, who relocated to Atlanta from New Orleans.  After losing everything to Hurricane Katriana she had just reestablish and was hit by Gustav and Ike.  She decided to come to Atlanta for a new beginning.  In her shop, located at 45C Bennett Street in Buckhead she carries both men’s and women’s career clothing.  www.careerfashionconsignment.com Judi’s philosophy is to recycle and repurpose so the clients who take clothes to her shop will not expect top prices but will know that their gently worn clothing will be enjoyed by someone else.  You can find shoes such as Farragamo and accessories as well.  On a recent visit, she had just taken in a dozen or so pair of top brand men’s shoes, some never worn.  My husband regretted that they were not his size.

When you do your seasonal closet audits, this could be a great way for you to give a new life of purpose to those lonely clothes lurking in the back.  Or, you might decide you would like to search for something for yourself or your husband.  I have both consigned and purchased from consignment shops with great success.  My husband found several pair of virtually new  Zanella slacks last fall which have become his favorites and together they cost less than one pair new.

Have some fun and give these shops a visit.

Here are some great pictures from the wedding for Annie and Blake that I coordinated on June 29.  It was a beautiful event and both the wedding ceremony and reception were lovely.

Annie and her dad were a delight to work with and the vendor’s professionalism and expertise contributed to a memorable event.  These are a few of the photos by Jeff Roffman who superbly captured the activities.   You can view more of the pictures by clicking on the link at the right for Jeff Roffman Photography and  go to his blog.

This is the dress that Michelle Obama chose for the dinner in honor of President Felipe Caldaron of Mexico recently.

Mrs. Obama has a good sensing of clothes for daytime events.  She has an athletic build with an outdoor girl appearance so her simple sheaths with sweaters or tailored suits work very well.  I also admire her for selecting young up-coming designers.  Certainly, having the first lady wear your designs has helped catapult several of them out of obscurity into fame.

However, in my opinion, Mrs. Obama does not have a good sensing of which formal styles best complement her athletic appearance and she is often a fashion victim.  This dress ranks right up there at the top in fashion disasters.

One can’t really compare Mrs. Obama with other recent first ladies.  Laura Bush was always impeccably dressed; appropriate for every occasion.  She knows her own style and follows it well but the conservative, classic look never caused people to think, “Wow, she looks great!”   Hillary Clinton does not have an easy figure to dress and has absolutely no interest her clothing.  Both of these ladies fall into a more matronly category as well so it is a bit unfair to compare Michelle Obama with them. Jackie Kennedy Onassis was considerably  younger than Michelle Obama when she became first lady, yet she had such an incredible sense of what styles worked best for her coupled with wisdom of what appropriately carried the dignity of the position of First Lady.

I would love to see Michelle Obama work with a good image consultant who could guide her in choosing evening gowns that both work for her personal style and appropriately represent her position instead of looking like she is going to a costume party.

I’m sure some of you will agree and others disagree. Let me know your comments at Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com

I met Naomi Tickle about a year ago at a meeting here in Atlanta.  Naomi is known for her work in “personology”, the art of reading people’s faces.   On hearing me introduce myself as an image consultant, she came right over after the meeting and we had a delightful conversation.  She had studied under Suzanne Caygill who was the pioneer of matching color with an individual’s natural coloring and personality.  Suzanne’s work dates back to the 1940’s, some thirty years before Carol Jackson’s “Color Me Beautiful” was published.  I mentioned to Naomi that I would like to become more expert about the nuances of prints and she graciously invited me to visit her in Petaluma where she would share her knowledge with me.  I learned that Naomi worked as a color consultant for clients and taught Suzanne’s color concepts before she chose to devote her full energy to reading people’s faces.

What Naomi does works hand in hand with guiding a client to using colors that best compliment her/her total person.  I use diagnostics to help identify whom a client is deep down and we select the color palette coupling that information with the client’s natural skin, hair and eye colors.  Prints work the same way.  For example, a couple of nights ago I was watching a news show where a woman panelists was wearing a lime green jacket with white piping and a floral print blouse.  This panelist has bone structure which clearly defines her cheek and jaw, straight eyebrows and a straight, fairly thin mouth.  Her answers indicate that she is direct and businesslike.  Thus, nothing in her persona indicated roundness or the softness of flowers.  A print with straight lines and angles would have been much better.  The jacket style with piping was an excellent style but her skin tone is cool so the lime green drained the color from her face.

I spent an enlightening hour with Naomi and picked up a number of good concepts.  She has invited me back to spend more time which will also include more of Suzanne Caygill’s complex color theory.  I am already strategizing  how I can work out another trip to  the Bay area.

When I called my husband and our buddy, Dave, to pick me up, Naomi offered to do a mini face reading for each of them.  Joe has been exposed to her work as I have read her book at home but Dave was completely in the dark.  He volunteered to be first and she immediately said, “You enjoy music.”  “How did you know that?” Dave demanded.   Dave plays the piano beautifully and worked his way through college playing for Opryland.  As her analysis continued with complete accuracy,  he accused me of feeding her information about him.  Next it was Joe’s turn.  Her first comment was that he is very sensitive since he has extremely fine hair.  Bingo!  She also said he has a dry sense of humor.  Bingo, again!   Although we have been married twenty-four years, he still can throw me into peels of laughter with some unexpected, off the wall comment.  When she felt his jaw line and said, “Hmmm.  You’re stubborn.  You’re really stubborn.”  I burst out laughing.

This is all great fun but it serves an important purpose as well.  Naomi works with corporations in helping them assess which employees are best suited for different positions.  She does individual career counseling and helps couples with relationship issues.   You can imagine how beneficial it would be to understand that many things your spouse does simply reflects how he or she is wired.  If they are wired differently than you, they are going to respond differently to situations.  When Joe and I recognized that we are wired absolutely opposite from each other, it has helped us avoid a lot of confrontations and often prompts us each to look at things in a different way.

Naomi comes to Atlanta several times a year so if you are ever interested in hearing her speak, would like to invite her to speak to a group or just spend a bit of time with her, you can check her schedule at   Naomi Tickle naomitickl@aol.com.  She is a delightful lady with an amazing area of expertise.

One would think that after the experiences of The French Laundry and Jordan Winery the rest of the trip would, by necessity, head down hill but that was not the case.  We had a tour of the Von Strasser Winery, which a friend had suggested we visit.  It is truly a jewel among the wineries.  This is a small winery owned by an Austrian.  He is the only American to have interned under Lafitte Rothschild.  The limited varieties he produces are nurtured from vines planting to final bottled wine on site, allowing him total control from start to finish.  This would be a great winery to add to your itinerary if you are ever planning a trip to the California wine country.

Lunch was at the Culinary Institute of America in St Helena.  Enjoying the delightful cuisine on the patio under towering oaks overlooking vineyards cannot be improved upon.  It was the day before graduation so the young students were assisting the regular wait staff.  We talked to several young chefs; all excited about the next phase of their careers.  One young man was going to work in a restaurant in Copenhagen.

The afternoon treat was a tour of Del Dotto. This family-owned winery does barrel tastings in the cave.  Again, we were the only ones in our tour group, conducted by the son-in-law so we were treated to some special wines that weren’t normally a part of the tour.    That evening, we had dinner at Zazu.  It was a total change of pace; an old farmhouse located several miles out of a town.  It is known for its fresh food right from the gardens outside the restaurant.  Talk about a culture shock!  Many of the diners could have stepped right out of the Hippie era, complete with long hair, now turned gray, faded flowered dresses and shirts and Birkenstocks.   Food was great.

On Friday, we headed to San Francisco for a couple of days.  I was delighted to be able to visit Naomi Tickle in Petaluma on the way.   Naomi comes to Atlanta every few months to work with companies and conduct seminars on face reading.  She also has extensive training on color but more about that next week.

I love San Francisco, despite its extreme contrast.   World famous San Francisco Opera and symphony coupled with the extraordinary setting are contrasted with homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks and bizarre “happenings”.  We experienced both.  Wicked was playing and we were able to get matinee tickets.  My daughter had seen it in Chicago and had raved about it so this was a treat.  While I was raving about the costume design, the guys were super impressed with the lighting.  It was a fabulous production so if you ever get a chance, I highly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity.
That night we were trying to make dinner reservations, and our concierge told us that the “Bay to Breakers” event was in town and the hotels were packed.  We didn’t get the significance of that until the next morning.  It is a race from the Bay to the Breakers and apparently half the younger crowd surrounding the bay area comes to San Francisco to participate.  When we went out for breakfast, people were pouring out of the hotels in every costume imaginable.  This event so typified the “other” side of San Francisco.  It was evident that these people were not actually participating in the run:  flip- flops, bumble-bee tutus and ostrich feather boas are probably not the best running attire!  One group asked us to take their photo so they invited me to join them while Joe took a photo of them.  They were among the least wildly dressed.

My birthday turned into a birthday month and was an incredible experience.   However, it is a good thing significant birthdays don’t happen every year or  I would never survive!

A few times during ones lifetime, there is that “big” birthday – usually ending in a “5” or a “0”.   This year is one of those for me.  The only other time I remember being particularly moved about a birthday was when I turned twenty-five.  I kept thinking, “I’m a quarter a century old!”  Now this seems ridiculous but part of my obsession might have had to do with my being very pregnant at the time.  This year’s birthday fell on Mother’s Day and has become a birthday month.

After enjoying a wonderful Mother’s Day/birthday with my husband and children, we packed for departure to San Francisco and on to the Napa Valley.  Our dear friend, Dave, gave us a special trip to our destination of choice so we chose the wine country.  Dave met us in San Francisco and we headed over the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge to the Napa/Sonoma Valleys.

The first big surprise was a call that The French Laundry had a cancellation so we were booked for dinner on the night of our arrival.  This is the legendary restaurant that has headed the best restaurants list for many years.  It was truly a once in a lifetime dining experience.  There were nine petit, fabulously different and delightful courses such as, “Sweet butter-poached Main lobster “mitts” with globe artichokes, tomato confit, picholine olives, green garlic, parsley and spicy lobster broth as well as Snake River farms “Calotte de Boeuf Grillee” with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms,  green asparagus, potato “Mille-Feuille, and pickled ramps.   The length of the name was larger than the serving – each just large enough to enjoy but not so much that there was no room for the next, delicious course.  Truly, a memory never to be forgotten.

Highlights in wine tasting included the Jordan winery, where we had a special tour including delightful hors d’oeuvres of the chef complementing each flight of wine.  This winery is not one of the large producers but is carried in restaurants across the country and we thought it was superb.  As we were choosing which wines to bring home, our guide brought out a special gift of some bottles of wine that my children had called ahead to had waiting for me.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed.

The weather was beautiful; cool, clear and sunny.  The verdant beauty of vines, row after row across the landscape was spectacular.  Beautifully manicured flowers and plants, beckoned guests to visit the different wineries.  Old oaks, towered majestically over the landscape, causing one to wish they could talk and share the hundreds of years of history they had witnessed.

………to be concluded next week……..

It was four or five years ago that my husband and I were walking through Lenox Square and I noticed the most incredible pair of slacks in the window of Neiman Marcus.  I pointed them out to my husband who agreed that they were extraordinary.  He suggested that I make arrangements to try them on.  Well, it took some time to find from which department they had originated and then I discovered they were by a new designer, Zac Posen, and they were the only pair in the store.  The window displays would be replaced in about a week, at which time I could determine what size they were and  the price.  It all seemed too improbably to possible work out and became even more doubtful when I checked back only to find that they were no longer in the window but could not be located.  On making one final attempt, I discovered that they had been located and were a size smaller than I wear.  As you may have guessed, not only did they fit but even needed to be taken in through the hips to accommodate my figure eight body shape.  What’s more, the prices of this new designer, although high, were within my budget. I love these slacks and get compliments on them each season.  The design is unique but timeless and will wear out before it goes out of style.

Since that experience, I have been following this young thirty-year-old designer as he has gained name recognition.  Unfortunately, not only have his prices increased with his popularity but also the fit of his garments is inconsistent so my special slacks are the only Zac Posen item in my wardrobe.   Susan Posen, Zac’s mom, has recently left her Beverly Hills law firm to become business manager for her son.  Under her guidance, he introduced Z Spoke this spring, a more moderately priced line carried exclusively by Saks Fifth Avenue.  An even lower priced line for Target stores has just been launched.  Mom obviously wants her son to start making some money!

Observers have concerns that the Zac Posen brand does not have broad enough name recognition in Middle America to make the kind of impact in Target that is needed.   My hope is that Mom’s business sense is able to catapult this charmingly handsome young designer into the realm of Armani, Valentino and De La Renta.  I am delighted that his designs will be available to a much broader audience.  If you get a chance to check out either line, I’d love to hear what you think.

With the arrival of spring, at long last, we plunge into our tradition purge of elements of winter and welcome the new, freshness of spring.  Along with the seasonal cleaning, changing from winter to spring/summer clothes and accessories  this is the time to purge those old cosmetics.

Until I started using Arbonne, I had items lurking in a drawer dating back to some unknown year.  And my rational was, “This was expensive and is only half gone so I hate to throw it away.”  I imagine many of you have the same dilemma so I wanted to share a recent interview with Jaklin Adris, North American director of education for the Darphin label, owned by Estee Lauder.    As you can imagine, she acquires a lot of different products so her guidelines were especially meaningful for me.

If a product has not been opened, three years is a good guideline.  Most all cosmetics are formulated to last that long.  If the product has been opened, it should be used within 24 months.  Products for the eyes have a more gentle preservative so that the sensitive area around the eye is not irritated but they do not last as long.  She recommends using eye products within six months or discarding them but I have heard people in the cosmetic field recommend discarding eye products , especially mascara, within three months as it is more prone to pick up bacteria on the wand.  I recommend using a spatula rather than dipping your fingers into any cream to avoid bacterial contamination.

It is a myth about storing cosmetics in the refrigerator to extend their life, however, keeping them in a cool space is a good idea.  Being kept in a cupboard in the bathroom is better than keeping them exposed to the heat and moisture of the shower.  Closing the caps tightly after use will help prevent the products from drying out and forming a crust on top.  If you have a cream that has formed such a crust, Ms. Jaklin says she scrapes it off and stirs the remaining cream. Then she uses it on her feet or other areas of the body but not on the face.  Exposure to extreme temperature changes can damage products so be aware of any change in texture or odor.   If you have ever left your purse in the car on a hot day, you have experienced what intense heat will do to lipstick and other similar products!

I found most of these suggestions match the routine that I use.  It helps to have a product that you like and that works for your skin.  Then you will have far fewer mistakes that might sit in your drawer unused.  By choosing only those items that you know you will use and avoiding  impulse purchases of an untried product,  you will save money and lots of guilt by not having an expensive, unused bottle “of” in your drawer.

I’m in the process of updating my web site so decided to have a new headshot done along with some other shots needed for another project.  It occurred to me that many of you might be doing the same thing what with people looking for new positions, choosing a gift for that special someone or, like me, updating your web site.  Since we don’t have professional photos taken often, great attention should be given to how you are projected – perhaps for several years to come.

Of course, choosing a great photographer is key.  I called Teryl Jackson, a member of my mastermind group whose photos had really impressed me.

She suggested bringing several different outfits to see which one photographed best.  Also, she recommended a “V” neck and wearing something with sleeves.   For men, the shirt collar needs to fit the neck exactly and the coat or blazer should lie perfectly against the shirt collar, exposing a bit of collar.  A headshot is very revealing if a shirt is either too tight or has a gap at the back.  Blue is a great color for both men and women, especially if they have blue eyes.  Blue portrays a sense of trust.

Other considerations are having your hair and makeup or beard perfect.   I am a strong believer in having a top stylist give you a good cut and style.  This is not where you should default to the $10 cut.  Since hair is a person’s crowning glory, I believe it is worth the expenditure to get a great cut that works for you.  A good stylist will know what is going to work best with your facial features as well as your hair.  Having very fine straight hair, I learned the hard way that a good cut that works with my hair is the only way to go.   An accomplished hairdresser will also want to know about your lifestyle so your style is something that you will be able to maintain.   A great style does no good if you cannot keep it up at home.  A top stylist will also be able to create a hairstyle that suits your personality so your hair becomes a part of your brand.

Makeup for a normal headshot (not the glamour shot) should be moderate.  Choose whether your eyes or lips should be accentuated and make one or the other the main focus.  Most people choose the eyes as ones attention is drawn up on the face away from a double chin, wrinkles or neck lines that you don’t wish to have attention focused on.   Guys need to take care that they are properly shaved or trimmed if they have facial hair.  For job interviews, it is best not to have facial hair unless you are in a more artsy field like an ad agency.  Once you are hired, you can get more a feel for the organization and determine if facial hair is appropriate.

I spent about two hours with Teryl and was so impressed with her expertise and attention to detail.   My biggest problem was choosing which photos to select as there were so many good ones.  If you are thinking of a new photo, I encourage you to check out several photographers, but do include Teryl Jackson in the mix.  Her web site is Terylphoto.com or just Google Teryl Jackson.

Life used to be simple when choosing the correct shoes for an outfit.  When I attended design classes at UCLA, the rule was: dark shoes with dark slacks or skirt, taupe shoes with red or green and white shoes only in the heat of summer with a light outfit but never wear white shoes in San Francisco.

Then came the advent of statement shoes – red, leopard, snake and other bright colors among many other options.  No wonder it is confusing and no wonder there are so many ladies putting together outfits that don’t work that well.

While studying with Carla Mathis, author of The Triumph of Individual Style, which is the textbook for the Art Institute of New York and the Design School at Cornell among other universities, I learned the overriding principle of hair color.   Listening to someone with those credentials seemed important!  The objective in good design is for the eye to first see your face and head then follow down your body, to your shoes.  If your shoes match your hair color, the eye is drawn back up to the face so your viewer’s total attention is focused on you.   Unfortunately, as in all good principles, there are exceptions so let’s try to make this practical so it is easy to incorporate in to your everyday dressing routine.

First of all, no matter what your hair color, black slacks should be grounded with black shoes.  I prefer dark shoes with a dark skirt as well, if worn with hose.  Dark hose, whether sheer or opaque, create the same continuum of color and need to be grounded with dark shoes.   So, my UCLA professor was right as far as it went.

Using a statement shoe will work with knee length or shorter skirts and a natural color hose.  Color me old fashioned, but I think hose for business look much more professional.   However, if you have nicely tanned legs, going without hose works fine for more casual occasions.  (If you have white legs, use a self-tanning cream.  I love Arbonne “Made In The Shade”.)  A brown tone skirt could be lovely with brown toned leopard or snake shoes.   These shoes could also work nicely with brown toned slacks if the tones are not drastically different.  A navy skirt could be accented with red shoes.  The whole point is not to shock the eye when visually following the leg, covered in a dark color and then, Wham! There is a much lighter colored shoe.   Brightly colored shoes can be adorable with a print or as an accent in a more casual setting.   If you choose a statement shoe, that should be the main punch in the outfit.  Remember, statement shoes are a fashion trend and will probably not be here to complicate our lives forever.

Now to look at the premise, matching the shoe color to the hair.  If you have very dark hair, you are always right by choosing black shoes.    This year, shoes are being shown in every shade of neutral color so it is easy to find shoes close to your hair-color. Redheads and all shades of brown or blonde can find options that will closely match their hair.   Even with navy or other darker shaded skirts, a neutral hose and shoes the color of your hair will be right every time.

One other point.   A pump is best with suits.   These pumps can be sling back or a peep toe for most work environments unless it is very conservative.   Sandals should never be worn with suits or business attire.  Save them for fun day or evening dresses and casual wear.  If a man were to wear sandals to the office with a suit, we would think he had lost his mind.  Even though many department stores catalogues show sandals with suits, it doesn’t mean that they work.  That may be the only pair of shoes the model had that day!

I hope these guidelines have not complicated the conundrum of choosing the right shoes.

Don’t forget that it is time to do that spring closet cleaning.  Style With Aplomb is offering a 20% hourly discount to help you in this process.  Just give us a call at 404.467.0288.

At a recent style show featuring one line of clothing, I was surprised to see the majority of models adorned with either bib or very large, chunky necklaces.  For the most part, they didn’t work.

Any dramatic or dominant piece of jewelry necessitates being the main focus in the look.  The garment with which it is worn must be understated and allow the necklace to take center stage.  Special details on the outfit fight for attention, thus neither the garment nor the dress is shown off to full advantage.

Scale of a necklace must relate to the scale of the wearer.  Since most of these necklaces are large and dramatic, they visually overpower any wearer who does not have equal dominance in her facial features and bone structure.  A woman with delicate bone structure and small features will be visually overpowered.

Lastly, each of us has a natural balance point – that is the point where a necklace or neckline most naturally balances with the face.  These larger necklaces often do not fall at that balance point, creating a visual disproportion.

Although the bib necklaces can be beautiful, one needs to be very selective in choosing the right one.

In spite of our cold winter, spring has finally arrived in Atlanta and springtime flowers are emerging in all their splendor.  I grew up in Eastern Oregon, called the “Switzerland of America,” which is a most appropriate name for this beautiful area.   The spectacular mountains are covered with snow in the winter and summers are rarely very hot.  As in most mountain regions, a snowfall in April or May is not unusual so spring sort of slips by unnoticed and suddenly it is summer.  After graduating from college, I moved to Los Angeles for a number of years where the seasons come and go without any fan fair as it is hard to differentiate one from the other.

Moving to Atlanta in the fall, I marveled at the beauty and variety of colors as the leaves changed.  Everyone told me that spring was even more spectacular but I could not imagine how that was possible until the following spring arrived.  It seemed there was wave after wave of glorious new blossoms on a daily basis, combined with the emerging of leaves once the flowers started to fade.

Again, this spring the long-awaited tree and flower blossoms just take my breath away.  As I have been observing this spectacular display of beauty, I am reminded of how each variety has a beauty all its own.  The tulips and daffodils, standing so straight and proper, adorned with just one or two blossoms are true minimalists.  Japanese Magnolias, with their tulip-like blossom present themselves in a bubble of soft color, giving the tree the appearance of a giant, pink ice cream cone.  Delicate, wild looking forsythia branches covered with joyful yellow blooms, invite you to skip through a meadow.  Conversely, the delicate, pink cherry blossoms convey a feeling of fragile beauty and femininity.

In observing how each species has a beauty all its own and each conveys a different message, I have been struck with how similar we are, each with our own individual beauty.   We would think it ludicrous if the forsythia grumbled because it wished to be an azalea or the tulip wanted to be a pansy but we don’t think it unusual if we look at someone with a different type of beauty than ours and wish that we were like her.

A fun exercise to do is to think of your favorite flower.  Consider what attributes draw you to love that particular flower.  Often you will realize that the flower represents you.  I know of one woman who loves white tulips.  She is very competent and efficient and dresses in an understated, minimalist way.  Another lady loves an amaryllis.  This is the person who will never walk into a room unnoticed.  Her magnetic personality and sparkle telegraph to everyone that she is present.  Yet another woman absolutely loves a sunflower.  Like the sunflower, she has a personality and presence as big as all out doors.   Each person will be drawn to a particular flower that reflects a blend of her personality and appearance.

As we marvel as each new flower emerges this spring, let’s also marvel at our own unique beauty and savor the beauty with which we have been designed.

As a Certified Image Consultant, I have been in untold numbers of closets, sometimes revealing small boutique of new clothes bearing tags from present and past seasons.  My clients and friends seem to fall into different categories as to “why?”

The Clueless person has no understanding of which colors and styles looks best on her.  So when she see a new style or color trend, she impulsively buy it without giving thought to how it will look on her.   Then you add the allure of finding something at a deep discounted sale price and it becomes impossible to think clearly.  Of course, that great price also includes a “No Return” tag.   Just because it is a size 14 and you wear a 10 is not important at the time until you discover it will cost more than the original price to do the alterations necessary.   This joins other such purchases hanging in the closet.

The Insecure shopper is the person who needs a friend to shop with her and help her make a decision.  Most friends choose garments that work for them without recognizing that it won’t work for others.   The shopper brings home the article chosen by her friend and recognizes upon a second try-on, that it doesn’t really work. Thus, the garment often is not returned and just hangs in the closet, new tags in tact.

The Hunter is typified by my daughter, Cyndi.   She shops consignment boutiques, deep discounted stores and vintage stores.  It is always a thrill when she finds something by a name designer.  I remember how excited she was when she bought a brocade jacket by Jenny, a well-known Italian designer some twenty years ago.  The brocade didn’t exactly match her spunky personality and penchant for wearing something slightly funky, but it was a Jenny jacket.  Neither did the jacket exactly work for the one formal event she attended each year nor did she have anything with which to wear the jacket; but it was a Jenny jacket!    Cyndi carried that jacket in the back of her car for probably three years, searching every consignment shop for something to go with it.  I even got drawn into the process on more than one occasion.  I don’t think she ever found anything with which to wear the jacket and I doubt that she has ever had it on her back but she undoubtedly got her money’s worth from the pleasure she had in having a reason to go on the hunt.

Then there is the Marinater.     This process is most useful with husbands when you buy something that you absolutely love but feel guilty about the purchase. Out of guilt (or perhaps by design) it rests in the closet for a marinating period.   It might even be pulled out to wear to a luncheon or ladies event where you can return it to the closet without your husband seeing it.  At an appropriate time in the future, you put on the garment and your husband asks, “Is that new?”  You can honestly say, “Why, no.  I have had it for a long time.”  It is even more convincing if he says, “I don’t remember seeing it” and you can respond, “Really?  I know I’ve worn it before.”   Being a recovering marinater, I can attest to the effectiveness of this technique.

There are no doubt additional reasons why women buy clothes they never wear but when that image consultant comes to help audit your closet, all of those clothes will be repurposed and there will be a Cyndi who will be thrilled to find such a treasure when on her thrift shop or consignment store shopping rounds.

Diane Von Furstenberg reintroduced the wrap dress a few seasons ago, launching a return to dresses.  Although dresses don’t offer the versatility of skirts or pants, which can be paired with a jacket or sweater, it is nice to see women’s legs again.  Wrap dresses are particularly limiting, since they don’t lend themselves to layering, but a sheath offers great versatility.

The sheath can be flattering for any body shape, can be worn with jackets or sweaters to give more style options and can go from day to evening.   Anyone who likes to wear dresses can wear a sheath.   By knowing which style will fit your body and your lifestyle, you can add lots of miles to your wardrobe just by including the right sheath.

A classic sheath dress just skims the body, zips up the back and has a boat neck.  The best fabrics for this dress have body such as linen, lightweight wool or knit.   Fabrics that have a bit of stretch work well.   I think solid colors give more latitude in how you can wear the dress whereas a print is more memorable and will take it out of the category of being a basic.  If you like a touch of drama, choose a sheath with an asymmetric neckline.  Surprise is one of three techniques one can use to create drama.  Sleeves add more versatility, helping bridge the seasons.   I have been amazed to see so many women in newsrooms this winter wearing sleeveless dresses with below freezing temperatures outside!  This always seemed to me a bit of a disconnect.

If one has an oval or rectangle shape, the sheath should just skim the waist area and the skirt bottom should hang straight.  For a small waist, extra fit can be achieved by having a side zipper, which will contour more closely to the body.  For wider hips, the skirt should be a modified “A” line skirt allowing for the width through the hips.  Those with narrow hips can have the skirt tapered in slightly at the bottom or the “Sicilian cut”.  This will require a slit in the back to facilitate waking.  An inverted triangle, although slim through the hips, can balance the hips with the shoulders by wearing more of an “A” skirt shape to give the illusion of wider hips.

A sheath can have a wide range of variations from design detail at the neckline or waist or being belted or a flippy bias flounce at the bottom just to name a few.  A jacket or sweater will give a more tailored, work appropriate look then add a necklace, change from business pumps to strappy sandals and you are ready to go to dinner.

Stores are filled with great selections of sheath dresses from which to choose.  This could be your one big purchase to wear for spring and throughout the year.

Although I just wrote two blogs on spring fashion trends, the day has finally arrived when these trends have become suggestions instead of dictates.   David Wolfe, creative director of Doneger Group, has been analyzing style trends for 41 years.  He recently told a room full of retail executives, “There are no more style trends.  Everything is in style.”  Wow!

We love to watch old films if for no other reason than to either giggle or long wistfully over the fashions.   The flapper look of the 1920’s, the very fitted suits with long skirts of the 1940’s, miniskirts of the 1960’s to name a few, all furnish us with ideas for costume parties or fill us with nostalgia.   I remember those minis of the 60’s being so short that breathing could cause embarrassment.  One creative manufacturer included panties that matched the dress to avoid over exposure.  It was probably a blessing that I was too conservative to wear minis myself!  Each decade offered a distinguished style, different enough from the previous one that one looked very “yesterday” if past favorites were worn.

Today, pants ranging from wide legged to skinny and every width in between are shown side by side – often by the same designer.  Skirt lengths, although usually above the knees or mini, can also be found in longer lengths.   Jackets have a wide variety of styles, including various jacket and sleeve lengths.   Finally, women are able to be stylish in clothes that work for them – body shape, age-appropriate, and personality.  It may take some extra work to find the store that carries your style but it is out there.

With the trend toward more lasting clothes styles, I suggest you buy the best quality you can afford in your classics pieces, especially wools for the cooler months.  Higher quality fabrics will cost more but they last longer without showing wear.  For example, there are two brands of slacks that fit me very well so I have a wardrobe of black, grey, brown, navy and winter white at all times.  Because the wool is good quality, these core pieces will last three or four seasons so I can replace a particular color when I know it is reaching its limit of wearability.    In this way, I am only purchasing one or two pair of slacks a season and have the possibility of finding them on sale.    Other wardrobe items can be rotated in the same way.  Summer clothes need to be replaced more frequently as the fabrics do not hold up as well but they are generally not as expensive.   This is the season that you can really throw in some fun pieces that you might want to keep only for a season.

So let’s make the most of the “Everything is in style” trend for as long as it lasts!

Continuing with the new spring trends proposed by Neiman Marcus, we first next look at shorts.

Shorts – This is a great fashion trend for our hot Atlanta summers.  The best part about this season’s offerings is the variety in length.  Not all of us can wear short shorts but walking shorts just above the knees can be worn by most any age.   Another option is to go even longer.   Cropped pants are being shown in all lengths.  The caution here is that many of them are tapered at the bottom.  This only works for an inverted triangle or a figure eight body shape – slender through the hip area.  If your body type is wider through either the hips or the waist area, find cropped pants that drop straight from the hip to the bottom.  Also keep in mind your height.  If you are short or have shorter legs, a wider, cropped pant will shorten the leg line.  In this case, it is better to select walking shorts or choose lightweight long pants so a long leg-line can be achieved.  Cargo pants are also being shown in all fabric weights.  I was just shopping with a client who has a rectangle body shape and has an “all American outdoor girl” appearance.  We selected several pair of these pants, some in lightweight fabric in a natural crinkly fabric.  These will be easy care for travel and excellent for our hot Atlanta summers.   This look will not work well for the more sophisticated or classic person whose appearance needs a more tailored look.

Nude shoes –Very high heels with high vamps continue to be popular.  This season, however, the high vamp is being shown in nude or natural which are much easier to pull off.  One wants to make the leg line appear longer so a high vamp defeats this purpose unless you have extremely long legs or at least your legs are long from the ankle to the knee.  High vamped shoes can dominate by putting visual weight at the foot, especially if they are in a dark color and/or the wearer has small bone structure.  By keeping the vamp close to skin color, the shoes don’t carry as much visual weight.  Personally, I will be happy to see this trend disappear, as I don’t believe there are many people that can wear it well.

Novel Tees – There will be some type of Tee that you can wear if this trend appeals to you.  Not only are some very creative styles being featured, but a wide range of colors and prints.  I love Tees for summer. They work well with shorts or other casual bottoms, can be layered with a blouse or jacket or can stand on their own.  Better yet, they are easy care.    This is a versatile look that will give you great mileage in your summer wardrobe.

The Wedge – Wedgies are a great summer look.  Rope, raffia or cork wedges gives a fresh tropical feel while leather kicks it up a notch.  They are the perfect finish for casual summer clothes whether it is a sundress, shorts or pants.

Arm Candy – Large bracelets have taken center stage as the fashion accessory.  They are often being shown grouped by twos or threes.  These bracelets are great fun and you can find them in most stores at very reasonable prices.  Keep scale in mind when you are trying these bracelets.  If you are large boned, these bracelets will draw attention to your hands and will often be snug around your wrist.  Try grouping several smaller bangles of varying widths, that swing on your wrist comfortably.   This will give you a decorative accent while not drawing attention to your larger bone structure.  The same can work for a very small boned person.  One or two very wide bracelets might overpower your small bone structure but grouping several smaller bangles together will accent what you are wearing, while not dominating.

Great White Shirt – This is the MVP (most valuable player) of the spring/summer season.  A great white shirt or blouse can go anywhere.  So many options are being shown from tailored to ruffled or pleated.  Shirts carry more authority than a Tee while giving the versatility of layering with a sweater or jacket.    If you have warm toned coloring, choosing a slightly warm-toned white which will be more flattering to your natural coloring and it will work wonderfully with bright oranges or lime greens as well as brown tones.

So these are the eleven top new looks as suggested by Neiman Marcus.  I’m sure you will not all be running out to fill your closets with each of these but enjoy choosing those that you find most appealing.  You will have a new, updated look for spring that will carry you through until fall.

Happy shopping!

Snow may be complicating fashion week in New York for the new fall collections but we are focused on what new trends we will find in the stores for spring.   Neiman Marcus recently published eleven trends to look for as spring merchandise arrives.

Blue – Some forecasters have projected turquoise the key color for spring but Neiman’s includes all blues.  Blue is a wonderfully versatile color and there is a shade of blue that will work for any skin tone.   Blue, denoting a sense of sophistication and serenity, is welcome in today’s climate of financial and political uncertainty.   As you are selecting what to choose to freshen your wardrobe for spring and summer, be sure to select something in blue.

Denim Dressing -  Stores will be featuring denim and more denim.   Looking beyond our traditional jeans, to jackets, skirts and even shoes.  Manolo Blahnik offers a pair of white leather and denim lace-up pumps!   This is a light years from the originally intended use of denim as a practical fabric for miners during the gold rush!  Certainly, jeans have become a staple for everyone’s wardrobe but I would caution to only wear one denim item at a time.    A cute denim skirt with a great blouse will work well or denim shoes (there are also ballerinas) as an accent but it is hard to envision stepping out in all denim and having it not look like a costume.

Tribal – First we had prints then graphics and now it is tribal.  These are all small nuances in type of prints.  This spring the emphasis is more on prints that have a tribal feel as well as jewelry and accessories.  The caution is to choose something that works with your style.  A markedly tribal print will not be becoming on a delicate, feminine woman.  Since it can be tricky to choose a print right for you, first you should absolutely love the print and not choose it just because it is a seasonal fashion.  Then, as mentioned in other blogs, try the blink test to see if a print works for you.   Standing back a distance from a mirror, close your eyes for a moment, then open them and what do you see first?  If it is the print, it is too strong for you but if you see you first, it probably works.  Or, if prints aren’t your thing,  you can no doubt find a pair or earrings or accessory that will say “tribal” while staying true to who you are.

Feminine Draping – Draping, pleats and tucks are found everywhere.  You may not think draping is right for you but there is a huge variety in treatments so that most everyone can find something having these details that will be becoming.   Of course, it isn’t necessary for one to add every new trend so choose the ones you love!

Relaxed pants – We have gone from skinny jeans for fall/winter to relaxed pants for spring/summer.  If the skinny jeans were not for you, the more relaxed pant could easily fit the bill.  Caution though:  many of them are looser through the waist and hip area but taper in at the bottom.  This is not going to be flattering for a triangle or anyone with extra width through the body.  These bodies need wider legs to carry the eye smoothly from the waist/hip area to the hem of the pants.

Next week we will look at the remaining six trends for spring.  You may want to start your closet audit now, retiring those items that are a little tired, have pills or spots or you are just tired of wearing.  Go through jewelry and accessories to see if there are items that you can incorporate back into your wardrobe in a fresh, new way.   Then start making a list of pieces you would like to add for your new spring look.

Until next week when you get the rest of the story!

Expect lots of denim in the stores for spring.  You may not want – nor would I recommend – an entire wardrobe of denim but most everyone should have a great pair of jeans in her wardrobe.  As a certified image consultant, I do not advocate extreme styles with lots of holes and distressing for anyone but the very young and trim. However, a great fitting pair of dark denim jeans can become your “go to” pant.  They can look great paired with a blazer, knit top or crisp blouse.  The key will be the fit.

There are six different body shapes so let’s talk about the unique considerations for each.   Jeans vary in the rise from fairly low on the hip to nearly touching the waist and have a wide variety of leg shapes.  Once you know your body shape, you have a starting point from which to begin your search for the perfect jean.

The rectangle is the body that has shoulders and hips generally the same width and very little indentation for the waist.  Usually a rectangle is fairly flat through the derriere.  Choose jeans for this body type that are slim cut if you have slender legs while straight legs or a boot cut work for everyone.  Avoid pegged or very tapered legs, as that will exaggerate the width of the waist.  Back pockets with flaps can be very flattering to the rectangle, adding dimension in the derriere.  Personally, I don’t recommend the low pockets that extend well down onto the thigh for anyone who is not a hip hop artist.

The oval is a body that is wider at the waist with narrower shoulders and hips.  This shape is often found on a person who is somewhat overweight but can also be the natural shape for even a size 2.  One may need to choose a larger size to fit the waist and have the hips taken in.  A straight leg will be the most complementary.   Choosing a loose top that floats over the waist and lands at mid hip will be very flattering.

The hourglass is the body with shoulders and hips the same width and a noticeable smaller waist sloping in from the bust and hips.  This is the body shape that most people dream of having but as with everything, there are drawbacks.  Often the distance from the waist to the crotch is longer in proportion and sometimes the legs are shorter.  Wearing lower rise jeans will break the space from waist to crotch.  If one is slender, add a fitted blouse, tucked in to show off that small waist and accent with a wide belt.  Legs should be boot cut or straight.  Avoid pegged or slender cuts.

The figure eight body is similar to the hourglass in that the hips and shoulders are the same width with the waist being noticeably smaller.  The difference is that this body has a high hipbone so the waist comes directly out then falls straight on the sides.  This body usually is longer from the waist to the crotch as well.  Jeans for the figure eight should have a higher rise, falling just at the waistline if one is to tuck in the blouse.   There needs hip pockets or a yoke in the back to break up the vertical space.   Lower rise jeans will accentuate the widest part of the body so these should be worn with a top that comes at least mid-way down on the hips.  This body shape can wear straight, boot cut, tapered or slim cut legs.

The triangle is a body whose shoulders are smaller than the hips.  This body may or may not have a defined waist.   The space from the waist to crotch is generally longer.  For this body, with a defined waist, a lower rise jean can be worn similar to the hourglass adding a fitted blouse to accentuate the waist and visually shortening the rise.  This is a good time to wear a blazer which will add width through the shoulders and visually break the length of the rise.   Wear either straight or wide cut legs.  If you are petite, stick with the straight leg.   Avoid at all cost a tapered or slender cut leg, which will accentuate the width of the hips.

The inverted triangle is the body that has wider shoulders than hips and may or may not have a clearly define waist.  This body type often has a short rise so jeans need to be shorter through the rise.  Avoid pockets, yokes and belts so that the rise does not have any visual breaks. Legs may be tapered, boot cut or slender.

It is not always possible to find the perfect fit in jeans even after you have followed the suggestions for your body type.  Remember, even jeans can be tailored and it is worth it to spend a little extra money on tailoring and have them fit perfectly.  If you are a triangle, you may need to go up a size to fit your hips then have the waist taken in.  An inverted triangle, oval or figure eight might need to have the side seams taken in.  If your store does not have an alterations department to evaluate whether the alterations will give a perfect fit, take the garment to your alterations expert.   If a good fit can’t be achieved, return the jeans and start over.

This may sound intimidating but once you find that great pair of jeans that can give you a perfect fit, make note of that brand for the next purchase.  You might even want to get two pair just in case they change styles the next season.

With airline travel becoming increasingly challenging, it puts more pressure on the business traveler to choose wisely.  I recently spoke with a group of women who travel every week and are searching for ways to maintain a fresh new look each day without feeling like they are wearing the same thing every day.  I have another client who travels two or three times a month and her company does not want to pay for a checked bag so everything must go into a roll-on.   So what to do?!

It is easier when you travel and are calling on different clients during the week but those whose travel takes them to one client for three or four days can find the wardrobe challenges daunting.

My suggestion is to take one basic suit (jacket with pants or skirt) then add variety through:

Texture

Color

Interesting scarves

Your suit serves as the base while adding texture, color or interesting scarves gives variety so that you and your clients have a feeling that you are wearing a different outfit each day.

Texture:  Notice in this example, the ruffles on the blouse offer lots of texture.  Now this blouse might have more ruffles than you care to wear but the point is that the eye is drawn to the texture of the blouse.  You hardly notice the long, black sweater and the gray skirt.  We are just looking for a concept here, not that each of these pieces would be perfect for your body type or personality.

Day 1:  Your core suit is gray.  You wear it with a simple shell; let’s say black with a jewel neckline.   Accent with an interesting necklace.

Day 2:  Wear the skirt with a textured blouse and long black cardigan as in the example.

Day 3:  Wear black trousers, the cardigan and shell with a bright colored scarf at the neck.  Use a longer silk scarf (print or plain) and loop it around your neck then tie the ends in front.  Your attention will be drawn to the scarf and the sweater and trousers will be subordinate.

Day 4:  Wear your gray suit jacket with black trousers and a bright colored blouse.

Notice on this second example that the blouse becomes the focal point.  Again, these colors or styles may not be to your liking so we are again looking at the concept.  For a warm palette, let’s look at the possibilities.

Day 1:  Wear a chocolate brown suit with trousers.   Wear a camel shell and interesting accent jewelry.

Day 2:  Wear the yellow sweater, floral blouse and camel slacks as above.

Day 3:  Wear the chocolate brown suit jacket, second floral or bright colored blouse in toasted greens, teal or burnt orange or a combination some of these colors and camel slacks.

Day 4:  Wear the chocolate brown slacks, yellow sweater and brown shell from day 1 with a brightly colored scarf.

In both cases, you have other possible combinations beyond the suggestions given.

Let me just throw out some other possibilities. Let’s say you have a traditional, waist length cardigan.  For the gray/black option, it could be in red, plumb, or blue:  shades that go well with gray or black.  Button the bottom few buttons and wear a shell underneath that coordinates with your skirt or slacks.    Add a scarf at the neck pulling in coordinating colors and you have another option requiring hardly any suitcase space.  For warm tones, how about a teal blue, lime green or burnt orange?  The bright color will give a completely different feel to your basic colors and look fresh and different.

I would suggest basics of gray/black or gray/navy for cool toned skin and chocolate brown/camel for warm toned skin.   As spring approaches, a warm or cool toned taupe is excellent for business.   These neutrals will still go with the bright colors that complement your natural coloring.

With these few suggestions, I hope your imagination is now ignited to see the variety of possibilities that can be made.  Don’t forget to keep track of what you wore with each client so you can use a different combination for the next visit.  By doing this, you will appear fresh and different each time you call on a client.

Tip:  Dry cleaning will change the fabric color over time so be sure to dry clean both jacket and bottom together so they maintain the same color.

Stylish on the Slopes

We are in Vail this week for our annual outing with family.    My first trip to Vail was 24 years ago and I felt that I had been transported into a wonderland.  The charm of the village is enhanced by clear Christmas lights on trees throughout which gives a fairy tale effect.   Whether walking through the village or being up on the slopes you are struck by the myriad of different ski wear.  Some of the boarders look pretty – well, stereotypical of boarders.  However, the variety of skiwear reflects every color in the rainbow and every personal preference.  Which brought to mind my first skiing experience.

When I was seventeen and a freshman   in college, I was dating someone who invited me skiing.  The little college I attended in Eastern Oregon had two small ski stations within driving distance from campus, neither or which offered any rental gear.  That meant that I needed to come up with my own gear.  Now, being on a very tight budget, I was challenged as to how to make my money stretch as far as possible.  So first of all, I had to have boots so that was purchase number one.   The next most important, of course, was my outfit.  I chose some navy ski pants, a beautiful white ski sweater and topped it off with a medium blue parka that really enhanced my blue eyes.  By this time I was nearly out of money but still needed skis.  Being quite creative, I remembered my dad having a pair of skis that he had used to ski over the mountain into the Hells Canyon on the Snake River during the winter to check on cattle he had wintering there.  (Remember that I was raised on a cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon.)  Now the fact that the skis were wooden and seven feet long never posed a big problem in my mind.  After all, this was the days when long, straight skis were the style of the day.   I took the skis to a shop and had metal edges and downhill bindings added and I was set.  Of course, the reality was that even with the trend of the day being longer skis, these were nearly a foot too long for my 5’ 7” frame.  That fact was born out when I found doing turns quite challenging.   In the several times I skied, I never made it off the bunny slopes but I always looked good.  As my husband says, “You haven’t changed!”

Based on my perusing the ski shops here, I doubt that a college student on a tight budget could buy his/her stylish outfit.  Even though skis and boots can easily be rented, it would take a good chunk of the “What Not To Wear” budget to just buy the outfit.  (And, let’s don’t even think about Aspen.   The ski outfits pale in comparison to the ladies you see on the streets sporting in excess of six figures in furs, jewelry and purses.)   That aside, if you think you would like to take up the sport, try Peter Glenn’s big sale that is held every fall.  After all, part of the fun of skiing is looking great on the slopes!

“We love stripes!” Colleen Sherin, woman’s fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue was quoted in a recent article by reporter Christina Binkley for the Wall Street Journal.  Based on the article, stripes will dominate the spring fashion season.

Coco Chanel continues to have an influence in fashion through the new movie, “Coco Before Chanel” starring Audrey Tautou.  The striped “mariniere” or sailor styled pullover shirt is another such example.  These boat necked shirts were worn by French sailors, thus the name mariniere.  These were the low-ranking  guys who swabbed the decks – not officers.  Typical of Chanel, she adapted the striped shirt for her own personal wardrobe and the look has continued to be attributed to her.   When Ms. Tautou wore one of the shirts in the movie, it may have been the spark that ignited the revival of the mariniere.

It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly what sparks a new fashion trend but there have recently been several books about Coco Chanel in addition to the film.  The economy may have played a part as well.  Certainly the stripes, originating from the lowly swabbies, may be more appealing to consumers than emulating a suited banker or for that matter, a polished politician.   I don’t think we can pinpoint the exact catalyst of why this return to fashion representing honest labor and earthiness will be so dominate in stores.   Based on what I read, you can expect to see  many versions of the mariniere for both men and women as spring clothes begin to arrive in stores across the country.

Stripes have a fresh, clean look and most people can wear some version of them.   I caution you to do the “blink” test to be sure they are not too dominant.   If so, there is another version that will work so keep looking.  (The “blink” test is to close your eyes for a moment as you stand in front of a mirror.  When you open your eyes, if the garment is the first thing you see, it is too dominant.)

Ringing in the New Year always brings with it resolutions to drop those few pounds gained through our annual eating marathon from Thanksgiving to the New Year.  I have just finished Murielle Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat and  was surprised to see that most of her suggestions echo those that I have practiced for years.  My weight has stayed the same since I was about 25 so I know the habits work, at least for me.   Just for the record, I weighed 15-20 pounds more through high school and college until I discovered how to maintain a healthy weight.

1. Don’t ever go on a “diet”.  The very word conjures up visions of deprivation and facing an unpleasant experience.  Just by tweaking some of your eating habits, you can drop a few pounds without ever feeling like you are on a diet.
2. Read ingredients on labels when grocery shopping.  If you can’t pronounce it, you don’t want to put it in your body.  You will be amazed at what you discover.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most nutritious, then frozen with canned being the least. 
3. Breakfast is the most important meal of your day so be sure to have some protein.  I always have a protein shake. It can be made with almond milk, sweeten with Stevia (a natural sweetener with 0 calories that you can find in health food stores) and add frozen berries to make it like a milk shake.  Other options are a piece of cheese or an egg with Ezekiel bread or yogurt with good quality granola.  You will never get as hungry during the day if you start your day in this way.
4. Lunch can be a homemade soup, salad or other fresh vegetables with possibly some lean chicken.  When eating out, you never know what has been added to the food.  Sugar is a common addictive and most foods have too much salt, rich sauces or added fats which can negate your good intentions.
5. Have an afternoon snack of a handful of raw or toasted almonds without salt or an apple, orange or other piece of fruit.  The actual fruit is better than juice since it is more nutrition’s and you get the pleasure of chewing while your stomach has to work to digest it and feels more full.  Don’t forget to chew each bite thoroughly.  This starts the digestive process and also gives your stomach time to realize when it is satisfied.
6. Dinner is best when prepared at home for the reasons mentioned above.  I often prepare two or three vegetables or a salad and vegetables with a serving of wild-caught fish or chicken.  I frequently buy a roasted chicken (free-range antibiotic free), which gives us our meat serving for two meals, and then I can pop the carcass in a pot and cook it to make broth, which include the remaining pieces of chicken.  This is the base for a great vegetable soup. (Be sure to skim off the excess fat.)  Sometimes I serve a salad with chicken the second night.  Options are limitless.
7. Drink plenty of water.  Our bodies are 70% water and must be hydrated adequately.  If you weight 140, you should divide that by half  – 70 – and that is the number of ounces of water your body needs daily.  Coffee and soft drinks do not substitute for water.  If you are drinking several soft drinks each day, remember that a can of Coke contains twelve tablespoons of sugar and the diet Coke is sweetened with a chemical that causes you to crave more sugar.   Begin gradually cutting back as you increase water.  But, you say, “I just don’t like the taste of water.”  We have become so accustomed to drinking flavored drinks that many people don’t like the taste of water.  Water from the tap has chlorine and tastes pretty awful so drink filtered water or bottled water.  Most refrigerators have filters on their dispensers.   You can add a squeeze of lemon to give a better taste and boost your consumption of fruit at the same time.   Fruit juice, however, is high in calories so it should not take the place of water.
8. Begin moving.  If you don’t regularly go to the gym, look for ways to add steps each day.  Twenty minutes of daily walking will jump-start your metabolism so that you will burn more calories.   More importantly, there are many other health benefits such as helping prevent osteoporosis and helping high blood pressure to name just a few. Take the stairs when possible and park further from the building allowing you to have a little longer walk.   Find ways to add more steps, which will add up to twenty minutes without your even realizing it.
9. Allow yourself treats.  If you love sweets, treat yourself after dinner with a special reward.  It is best to have a small, self-contained portion.  It is easier to stop at one scoop of ice cream if the whole carton is not there beckoning you!  If your weakness is chips, have a handful after dinner for your special reward.   Just don’t eat the whole bag.  Have a glass of wine if you like.  The key is to never feel deprived but to reward yourself with a small portion of your favorite. 

After a few weeks of following these simple suggestions, I think you will be surprised at how much better you feel not to mention the pounds you have shed.

I just finished reading The Gospel According to Coco Chanel  by Karen Karbo.  It is humorously written and joins a stable of other books and films on this icon of fashion.

Chanel died in 1971 at the age of 87 having influenced women’s fashion more than any other designer.  Much of her success was due to the two wars the world experienced while she was young.  Her simpler, easier to wear clothes and pants for heaven’s sake met the changing needs as women joined the work force.  They found corsets, restricting feminine dresses and huge hats requiring a mound of hair to keep balanced impossible in the workplace.  Coco adapted her ideas from the closets of her various boyfriends and the simpler styles were perfect for her rectangular figure.  She was her own best advertisement. 

Chanel was known for her pronouncements on style, many of which contradicted each other!  “Fashion fades, only style remains, and I am style,” is one of her most noted.   I thought it would be fun to quote some of the fashion edicts attributed to Chanel as we close one year and look forward to the New Year and what fashion has to offer.

She said elegance equates to luxury, which must be invisible and must be felt.  Luxury is simple and the opposite of complication.  It is the opposite of vulgarity or status.  “Luxury is liberty.  Luxury is elegance.”

“And then modern times were upon us, and luxury was no more, according to Chanel.  Women went to dinner in dirty pants and a man’s shirt.  Luxury was replaced by squalor.  And Coco said fashion is always a reflection of its own time, but we forget this when it is stupid.  …And if a dress is shaped like a bubble, a barrel, or any other form that does not conform to your body, you must tear it from your body. 

And if the dress is well formed but also brings to mind a bed sheet, a linen napkin, or a tarp, which may also be used to cover the vessel parked in your driveway, you must tear it from your body.

And if you were to wear pants that rest so low upon the hips that which is called a muffin top is created, you must tear it from your body, and if you wear pants that rest so low upon your hips that upon sitting the cheeks of your buttocks are revealed, you must tear it from your body, for it offends me, also the multitude who pass behind you.”

I am not sure if this is actually quoted from Chanel or what the author thought she would have about today’s styles.  There is, however, a ring of truth when we reflect on recent fashion offerings.    “It is better to possess a few elegant pieces in which one feels at ease” than to follow fashion trends that simply don’t work.

Happy New Year to all!

Jeans have now transitioned into being acceptable in high-ranking business and political circles.  Power jean dressing signifies that the wearer is powerful but relaxed as demonstrated by Dmitry Medvedev when he dined with President Obama a few months ago.  Medvedev wore a fine blazer with and impeccable button down shirt, expensive shoes and dark blue, straight-legged jeans according to Christina Binkley, reporter for The Wall Street Journal.  

Jeans started out as work wear but as designers adapted styles to look more cosmopolitan, the younger crowd embraced the modern styles and now even those with gray hair are sporting jeans.   To quote Binkley, “…jeans are now a legitimate part of the global power-dress lexicon, worn to influential confabs where the wearers want to signal they’re serious—but not fussy –and innovative.”    CEOs of luxury products have even embraced the trend.  President Nicolas Sarkozy and Tony Blair are among global leaders who have joined Steve Jobs choice of work-wear.  Jobs, CEO of Apple, has been known since the ‘90s for his work uniform of Levi’s 501s and a black turtleneck.  Of course, this has been the classic work uniform for the tech world for twenty years and anyone wearing slacks was viewed with suspicion.

Powerful men wearing jeans properly takes finesse as Barak Obama learned from the ridicule he received for his “daddy jeans” (baggy and high-rise) when he threw out the first pitch at the All Star game.  Eric Jennings, men’s fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue, offered a list of “don’ts” for a man to carry off the jeans well.   They must be dark and straight-legged, well fitting, worn with a crisp, well-pressed shirt – no French cuffs.   A distressed or acid washed jean is not appropriate nor is lavish embroidery, metal studs or other extra embellishments.  Baggy high-rise, super-low-rise and jeans with holes also fall into the “no” category.   

Jeans have not become acceptable attire in conservative professions such as banking and accounting.   I would caution anyone hoping to bridge into wearing jeans in a professional setting, to take your cue from senior members of the firm.  If you wish to be promoted or perhaps even keep your job, it would be wise not to be a trend-setter!   However, now that you know the rules, you can knock everyone’s socks off with your great power jeans look during leisure hours!

It’s December first.  The holiday party season is upon us and the annual office party is coming up.  What to wear, what to wear?  Navigating through the pitfalls of choosing the right thing can be challenging.  So let’s take a look at some of the possible perils.

Holiday wear this year offers many choices in both color and style.   Since the very short skirts are a popular fashion trend right now, it may cross your mind to choose one of them to show off your great legs.  Then, there’s always the deep neckline plunge or that alluring backless dress.  After all, isn’t the one time you can go a little beyond the staid office wear and flaunt it a bit?  

Hold on just a minute.  After reading articles for several years about the impressions one can make amongst co-workers, I advise caution.  An office party is really an extension of work so should be viewed as just that and not an occasion to kick up your heels.  A recent article quoted comments from men who had  been interviewed.  One of the most telling comments was from one man who stated that he never again looked at his coworker the same way at the office.  He only pictured her in that revealing dress she had worn to the company Christmas party.  You can bet he wasn’t thinking about her competence or what a great teammate she was on the project they were doing together!       

Another pitfall is for a lady to have just a little too much champagne.  If a man gets a little tipsy at a company party, it is usually forgotten within a few days after everyone has had a good chuckle.  The same rules do not apply for a woman.  I have read articles where women have been passed over for promotions just because they had one glass too many at a company party.

There is nothing fair about these realities but they exist.  Your company may be  different but I would encourage everyone to dress conservatively and conduct themselves in business mode instead of party mode at the company  party.  Save that seductive dress and party mode for social gatherings with friends when you are not under the watchful eyes of managers and coworkers.  You have worked too hard to earn that great position.  Don’t risk it by one night of letting down your guard!

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When people ask me, “How did someone from a cattle ranch in Oregon get to the big city and become an image consultant?”  I have to think of my aunt Jane.

Jane was my Dad’s older sister, the only one of the seven siblings to leave the ranch and go to the city.  Her name was really Nellie Jane but she eliminated the Nellie as soon as she could.  Jane moved to San Francisco before I was born and I remember as a child, when the family got together and her name was mentioned, everyone sort of rolled their eyes.  The first time I saw Jane, she was impeccably groomed, wore heels and a skirt with an attractive blouse and a hat.  It was a dramatic contrast from the rancher brothers wearing blue jeans and boots, Western shirts and Stetsons while their wives all wore simple cotton dresses and sensible shoes.  From that time on, I was intrigued with Jane.

In high school I had a couple of occasions to visit Jane in Palo Alto where she had settled.  I fell in love with her beautifully furnished condominium and the way she presented herself.   After moving to Southern California myself, I always made a point to stop by Palo Alto when driving back to Oregon to visit my family.  Somewhere along the line, Jane started calling every Saturday – a tradition that lasted for some twenty –five years.  Since she had never had children, I became more like a daughter and later, my daughter, Cyndi, was added to the calling routine.    Both Cyndi and I still treasure those conversations.  Jane may have moved to the city but she was so genuine, had a great  a sense of humor and called things as she saw them. 

My aunt had style.  She always designed her own clothes, using patterns but mixing up components to create her personalized look.  When she first moved to San Francisco, she had very little money.  She would take her pattern to a store, roll out the fabric and lay out her pattern so she did not need to buy even an extra inch.   Later, as her circumstances improved, she used a dressmaker in San Francisco.  She would drive to San Francisco from Palo Alto  fabric in hand and give her dressmaker instructions on how she wanted the garment made.  This was a practice she continued until she was 97. If it didn’t turn out just right, she would tear it apart and remake it herself.

A couple of times a year, Jane would call and ask if I could possible use anything as she was cleaning out her closet.  It was like Christmas to get her boxes and see what treasures were inside.  Since Jane never followed trends, I could wear most everything with some minor alterations.  One time, Jane called and asked if I would like an outfit that she had seen in the window of I. Magnin (a upscale department store of the day).  She had called the store and asked them to send it over but decided it didn’t look that good on her.  Since she debated for several weeks, she was embarrassed to return it to the store so wanted to send it to me.  Of course, I was happy to accept.  When the package arrived, I found a skirt  with a coordinating blouse and a suede vest.    It was beautiful but it really needed boots to complete the look.  Boots were a bit out of my budget so creativity kicked in.  Jane had sent a cape bearing the I. Magnin tags.  This cape was going to require coordinating an entire outfit so I returned it to the store and used the credit  for the boots.  A few days later, wearing my new ensemble,