What's your style?

Now is the time of year to start thinking about your Fall/Winter wardrobe and what few pieces you might want to add. The first step in looking and feeling your best is knowing your silhouette and best colors. If you have never had your "colors done" or you body shape analyzed, that's your first priority. We come in all shapes and sizes and every color and every style does not look good on everyone. Are you a pear shape? Inverted triangle? Rectangle? Hour Glass? or Other?

You too can create the illusion of a "perfect" body. Wait! You don't think that the celebrities, stars and entertainers ALL just happen to have great shapes, do you? No, they have wonderful stylist who suggests clothes for their particular body shape, that makes them look like a million. For example, someone top heavy cannot wear the same type blouse that a small chested person can wear. If you're petite with broad hips, short ruffled, pleated or balloon skirts don't look good on you, but short pencil skirts look fab.

Once you know your body shape, learn what colors and what shade of colors look good on you. I've worked with Jeunique color system where we take your skin, hair and eye color, use the corresponding codes and develop a chart of best colors and styles for you.

Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own right. You have to find what works for you, what looks good on you and work it! Remember, if it doesn't fit, it doesn't flatter. Walk in your best Image!

To Strap or Not to Strap

This is a question I'm often asked during seminars. What about strapless or spaghetti strap dresses or tops?

My response is usually this, if a woman is going to wear a halter top, tube top, spaghetti straps, or strapless top or dress, she should make a small investment in one of the wonderful multi-way bras that are available nowadays. For everyone's sake, if you have on a black top, please do not wear a colored or white bra and leave the bra strap visible. Folks in Hollywood can get away with almost anything, but quite frankly, us everyday people cannot. If males should not wear their pants sagging displaying their underwear, females should not have their bra straps noticeable. Equal opportunity Do's and Don'ts. :o)

I once overheard a gentleman say to the woman he was with, referring to another woman nearby "why are her bra straps showing"?

Mothers, Aunties, Friends, Romans and countrymen, lend me your ear, please don't allow your daughter, niece, student, friend, enemy or frenemy walk out with their bra straps showing, it's too many options in bras for this to be happening. Each one teach one... and Smile, it's the best accessory you have !

The Right Fit

The survey says...if it doesn't fit, it doesn't flatter, whether it's too tight or too big, it's not going to do anything for you. As we know image is everything, so decide your personal style, (or have an image consultant assist), get your measurements to obtain your shape (pear, hourglass, triangle, etc), and purchase clothes that match your style and shape.

In the event you want to take it a step further, you might want to have your colors done (by a color analyst), so you will have the right, style, the right fit and the right color and take your beautiful self to another level. Feel good on the inside and make it fit on the outside.

Cheers to the best fit ever!

The Art of Color

One of my favorite pairings is black and white w/a splash of color. Two looks that I saw this morning which I thought were fabulous, pink top, white slacks, black blazer. Another one, pink top, black pants, white blazer. Or you can wear black skirt/slacks, black tank and a colored jacket. All white, black jacket, bright colored belt, shoes and accessories. There are a million ways you can wear black and white and throw in a bright color like red, yellow, orange or pink. And mix it up each time.

That is why I believe it is essential for a woman to have multiple pairs of blacks slacks or skirts, several white crisp shirts, and colored tanks and tees and a few of nice jackets (one black, one white and one bright color). You can take it from business casual to leisure. You can create so many outfits and never look the same. And it doesn't have to be pricey. If you have a nice quality jacket, heck you can get your tees and tanks from Wal-Mart. I've worn $250 suits (retail not what I paid :o)) With a top under it from Target. You just have to know how to coordinate! :o)

Happy pairing!

Six Glamour Do's and Don't's

Don't have visible bra straps, unless they're clear.
Don't wear hosiery with sandals (don't believe the package "sandal toe hosiery")
Don't let your hosiery be darker than your shoes
Do get the lifts on your heels repaired (no scraping the ground)
Do get a pedicure
Do smile, it's your best accessory

7 Ways to update your wardrobe

1. Get a new black dress (you should have several).
2. Shop vintage or consignments shops, they have great gems, all you need is patience.
3. Get something you already have altered (i.e. make long jacket short, change buttons on a shirt, jacket or dress)
4. Add new accessories, they spice up any outfit.
5. Brighten things up, all fall/winter wardrobe doesn't have to consist of blacks, browns & grays, what's your favorite bright color? If you don't have one, get one and add it to your outfit. This can be done with a belt, earrings, scarf, hosiery, etc.
6. Select two colors that you don't currently have or have little of in your closet, add a piece or two.
7. Change your attitude, attitude is 90% of everything!

Tidbits about Color

Did you know?

Red is an eye-catching, powerful color.
Black can be either associated with doom and gloom or it can be sleek and sensual
Purple is associated with Royalty
As bright as it is, yellow can conjure up angry or hurt feelings
Green has been known to make your relax because it is the easiest on the eye.
This one surprised me, pink makes you feel tired.
If you are trying to release weight, eat in blue settings, red is known to increase the appetite.

And Remember, the meaning of colors differ around the globe.

Have fun with it!