The Perfect Fit

We all know the basics... black is slimming, draw

eye upward so the body considerations aren't as
blatant - but did you know that one unintentional fashion faux pas can add unwanted pounds and actually make you look bigger than you are?

Here are the top 5 pitfalls to avoid:

1. The Bra - too loose or too tight, neither is a flattering look under a shirt or sweater. Stiff, over-padded, push-up numbers are way too obvious under thin fabrics. Bras are meant to support, not show off. Get measured to make sure you are wearing the right size & then invest in a few smooth versions in basic colors like black and nude.
2. A too-tight neckline - find a neckline that flatters you best. Anything too tight or too close to your neck makes your whole upper body appear chunky. Take time to find the one that does nice things for your face, neck and shoulders... a v-neck or mock-turtle works for most women. Experiment until you find lines that look great on you.
3. A mis-placed or mis-matched belt - belts can really pull together an outfit, if they are the right width, size and color. Make sure nothing that belongs to you is hanging over the edges - try something thinner or go up a size. If you have a short waist, stay away from wide belts altogether.
4. The wrong shoes - make sure your shoes are in proportion to the rest of your body... stay away from anything too clunky... also stay away from anything too skimpy, especially if wearing a skirt. Ankle straps can make your legs look too heavy, as they cut off the line of your leg.
5. The too-short pant - this is one of my biggest pet peeves... if your pants onlly come to the top of your foot, wear them only with flats or sandles. The proper proportion is for the pants to 'break' on the top of your foot and come down to at least where the back of your shoe meets the heel - or longer. Pants shouldn't drag on the ground, but can come within .5 inches.

A put-together look can carry you confidently into and out of any situation.

Vail Presentation

Last Saturday, I spoke to a group of Senior Women Corporate Counsel (experienced female attorneys) at the Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, CO. I was part of a symposium focused on social networking - my piece was image and presentation skills. It was terrific! I was the first presenter AND I had 15 minutes. Yikes! I'm used to speaking for 30-60 minutes... so much information, so little time. I decided the best thing was to narrow down my comments to the 3 key ideas to remember regarding first impressions - You Only Have 7 Seconds to Make a First Impression is my mantra.

Let's face it - we are all in sales... we sell ourselves. Yes, we may also have a product or service, but generally, people buy us... something about us appeals to them, whether it's looks, presence, attitude, experience, sometimes about what we say... bottom line we are selling ourselves. And social media/ networking is great for the internet, but works best when hand-in-hand with getting yourself out there to meet your people - those interested in what you have to offer.

The women in the audience (about 80) were selling their knowledge/ experience, background and success in the law profession - some were in transition, some thinking about 'what's next?', some happy with where they were but knowing they needed to start using social media and had questions about their image, because they knew they might decide to use pictures of themselves - I am a firm believer in using photos - current, professional shots - of yourself for marketing... something that brings out your personality in that picture.

So here are the 3 key ideas to remember in developing a confident style - one that makes you feel like you can handle any situation confidently:

• FOUNDATION - ladies, a well-fitting bra is essential... 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. Get yourself to a store that will measure you for best fit - Nordstrom is great. The girls (your bustline) should be half way between your shoulders and your elbow... and they should be as close to perky as you can get them... experiment until you find something comfortable that provides good support. And watch the bumps, bulges, ripples - if you have figure considerations, consider Spanx or some other shapers. These are not your grandmothers' girdles... these are light-weight, contouring shapers that smooth out bodies.

Men - stand up straight! Nothing says confidence in a man better than seeing him at his full height, shoulders back, head up, looking you straight in the eye... not anywhere else, guys - the eyes.

• SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF - everything in your closet needs to fit, be clean and ready-to-wear. Then everything in your closet is an option... that's what you want - good options. You'll be able to make better choices to look great everyday if you know you have options. Shoes, bags, accessories - clean, polished. Men, this is so important for you! Know it or not - shoes are generally the first thing people will notice about you. They don't necessarily need to be new, just clean/ polished/ in good condition. Know your best colors and use them - don't hide out in black all the time. If you are using social media - take the time to get a great photo of yourself - this is not one where your husband or wife backs you up to the kitchen wall and snaps a shot. This is one into which you've put some thought about how you want to look, you've spent some time grooming (ladies, makeup is essential... not too much, watch the shine. Men, a little powder will go a long way to even out skin tones and help you look great in a photo - and you can take it off immediately after).

• DRESS FOR WHO AND WHERE YOU ARE - people will buy you in a role... who are you? For the purposes of your social presentation, who do you want us to see? Dress for who you are, so when we do see you, we get it. If you are an attorney, you don't necessarily have to wear a power suit, but something classy, elegant, stylish will let us know you're trustworthy, experienced & competent. If you live in a suberb you'll dress differently than if you live in a city... take into account who you are (your age, your style, your body) and find a way to express yourself in your dressing - hire me or another stylist to help you find your fashion voice... read articles. Be fabulous! Find a little something extra to help you make a statement... a bright scarf, a piece of vintage jewelry, a fabulous watch, colored sox or tights, a purple tie... something that reminds you how wonderful you are, how unique you are - shine for who and where you are.
  

Shop your own closet

Let's face it - tough times call for creative solutions. A lot of my clients are limping along trying to get another season out of what they already have in the closet. For many the addition of a few key pieces can extend the wardrobe choices significantly - make sure you have:

• a great white linen pant or skirt... classic lines, something you can wear for seasons to come - wash in cold water, hang to dry, press lightly - linen looks best when wrinkled
• bright colored tops - prints & stripes are really big now... make it body-conscious, not tight - it should skim the body
• colored sandals - spice up the lighter fabrics and colors of summer with bold-color sandals
• a colored handbag - preferably leather, but I've seen some great alternatives in fabric, vinyl - new neutrals can include butterscotch, barn red, avocado green. Mix up top, shoe & bag with what you already have for fun

Your appearance should be a creative endeavor! Let your personality shine!

Little Things to Spice Up Your Spring Wardrobe

Hi Guys - These are fun, kicky, comfortable, great with jeans, khakis or shorts.

Available @ Target $29.99

Great summer sandal

What a fabulous sandal from DSW! Gladiator is really hot this year - for $64.95 in 5 colors!

It's Spring and It's All About Color

Clients frequently ask - how do I know what colors look best on me? Look to your own hair, eye and skin colors to find your best colors. There are probably 6 or 7 colors in your eye alone... another 5 or 6 in your hair and 3-4 undertones in your skin. Look carefully in a mirror - if you can't see them, find a friend/ mate to help.

I often pull paint chips from a home improvement center or paint store to help clients remember & have something with them when they shop. Color can change our mood and influence those with whom we interact.

'Research reveals all human beings make a subconscious judgment about a person, environment or item within 90 seconds of initial viewing and that between 62% and 90% of that assessment is based on color alone.' - Institute for Color Research.

see me in action as a public speaker