For those of you interested in seeing one of my presentations, here is my upcoming schedule for 2013:
* January 23 - Cary Library, 7pm
* January 29 - Park Ridge Library, 7pm
* March 17 - Oak Brook Library, 2pm
* March 20 - McHenry Library, 7pm
* March 26 - Glenview Library, 7pm
* April 3 - Rolling Meadows Library, 7pm
* May 1 - Itasca Library, 7pm
* May 30 - Grayslake Library, 7pm
These presentations are free and available to the public. I have several presentations schedule for companies, fundraisers, and women’s groups. If you would like me to put together something for your organization, please give me a call!
I’m often asked for some suggestions for comfortable flats… or at least something kind of stylish for walking around or travel. Here are some of my favorite brands.
* Many of my clients love their Stuart Weitzman flats. They are lightweight, cute and flexible. They come in classic colors like black and tan.
* AGL is a brand sold at Nordstrom. They have a rounded toe and also come in a variety of color combinations - metallic, red, black and so on. Like the Stuart Weitzman, they are easy to throw in your bag and they’re cute and comfortable!
* I have two pairs of Me Too flats that I bought for my Paris shopping trips. They have a pointy toe so I bought them a size bigger so that my toes didn’t get crunched. They worked!
* Anyi Lu are a splurge, but again, a brand my clients who are on their feet all day swear by. These are sold at Nordstrom.
* Cole Haan has the Nike air technology to give you some support without sacrificing style.
* I would also suggest checking out Bandolino and Anne Klein.
If I haven’t listed a brand it’s because I don’t know it or I don’t think they’re stylish! Happy shopping!
It is sometimes said that the summer brings out the worst fashion offenders. In all honesty, I think they were always there… they were just covered up with thick sweaters and puffy coats! But in all seriousness, dressing for the hot summer days can be a challenge. Here are some things to keep in mind.
* If you are wearing something with a see-through or sheer back, be sure to cut out the tag. It’s never chic to see the tag.
* Most summer items are in white or very light colors so a nude bra and underwear is your best friend! Look for something as close to your skin tone as possible.
* Be careful with white shoes - these can sometimes look a bit cheesy. When in doubt, opt for nude or metallic (silver, pewter, gold or bronze).
* Dresses and skirts are a lot more flattering than shorts and are so easy and cool in the summer. Plus, what guy doesn’t love a woman in a summer dress?
* If a cardigan isn’t your thing, then opt for a jean jacket over your summer dress or skirt. It’s classic and fun. The little shrugs and cropped cardigans need to go (especially when they’re so matchy, matchy with the outfit). These are starting to look dated. Instead, opt for the denim jacket or a cotton blazer.
* Remember to keep skirts and dresses at knee-length (just above, at or right below the knee). Longer, and then become dowdy, too short, and it could look like you’re trying too hard. The same rule applies for shorts, but you can go a bit shorter if you have great legs!
While I don’t give my clients make up and hair suggestions (I stick to what I do best - style), I have picked up a few tips and tricks over the years. Here are the things I wish my clients knew.
1. Color in your eyebrows. This is one of the first things Carmindy does on the TLC show, What Not to Wear. Eyebrows frame your face and make a huge difference (ever see those freaky photos of people without eyebrows?!). Light or dark, young or old, this is the number one make up application I wish people would do. I’m young and I have thick, dark eyebrows yet I still fill them in with a dark brown pencil. This would probably be my one item if I was “stranded on a desert island.”
2. Everyone can do a red lip. Yes, it does take some time to apply (you can’t just swipe it on and go), but it looks fantastic. You have to find the perfect shade as some reds have a bit more blue or orange in them, but every time I see I woman in a red lip, it just really seems to complete the outfit. And yes, red heads can wear red. The idea that they can’t is a make up/color myth!
3. Primer is a woman’s best friend. A primer helps fill in any wrinkles or fine lines. It creates a smooth canvas for applying your foundation, bluish, bronzer and whatever else you want to add! I’ve worked with many different make up artist and they all seem to love the Photo Finish primer by Smashbox (available at Sephora or Amazon). There is a “regular” one and one that has a bit of illuminizer in it (great for adding just a subtle glow).
4. Most people have heard me talk about too much matchy, matchy when it comes to clothes (purple top with a purple necklace and matching purple earrings) and there is such a thing with make up. If you’re wearing a green dress, please do not wear green eye shadow. Also, gone are the days when your finger and toenail polish had to match (that’s kind of like wearing a twin set!). Just as it is in fashion, things should coordinate or “go” but not match. If your dress is green, perhaps the make up just needs to be simple since you’re already wearing a fabulous color! Clothes should make you shine, not detract attention from who you are.
I just got back from a short trip to Denver, Colorado. My mom and I went to see the YSL exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. It was fabulous. I had to see the man who gave women “Le Smoking,” the safari jacket, the peacoat and put women in a pant suit!
As we all know, people watching is best at the airport. Gone are the days when airlines would upgrade you to first class if you were well-dressed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still perks to be had. Whether it was 6:30 in the morning or 6:30 at night, the lines for security were long. They were all backed up because the body scanners take much longer than the regular metal detectors. Both times, the security personal let me breeze through the metal detector instead of going through the body scanner. Yes, by the time I got up to the scanners I was devoid of all my accessories, shoes and blazer, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t see me before I took all that off. It doesn’t take much to stand out from all the sweatshirts, denim and fleece.
Need more proof? The last time I was at the airport was in November for my trip to Morocco. While I could have chosen some stretchy jeans or yoga pants and gym shoes for the nine hour flight to Rome and then the three hour flight to Casablanca, I chose something else. I opted for a pair of black ankle pants and cute crisscross black flats. I topped it off with a dark purple ¾ length cotton sweater and a black, grey and gold metallic scarf. When I approached the security lines, they ushered me to the first class security line because that line was empty. I showed him my ticket to confirm that I was in coach, but he waved me ahead anyway! If you want to be treated well when you travel, dress well. Everybody is so concerned with being comfortable, but you can be comfortable and stylish. It just takes a bit more than the expected ensemble.
Sometimes it might take forever and a day to find the perfect white blouse, so when you do find it, it’s important to keep it looking great. Here are some of my favorite products to keep your whites whiter, your darks darker, and your leather bag in tip-top shape.
If your favorite white blouse has lost its brightness then try soaking it in White Brite. This isn’t as harsh as bleach and can easily perk up your blouses, white jeans or sheets. I’ve used this on comforters and pillow shams with great success. White Brite is available on Amazon.
On the other end of the color spectrum, your dark clothes may also seem a bit faded. When this happens, I opt for Perwoll, which is a detergent specific for dark items. I’ve never seen this in the store so once again, Amazon is your best bet. As a side note, heat causes colors to fade so the less time in the dryer, the better. And be sure to wash your jeans inside-out. This will prevent the dye from fading too quickly.
Lastly, an automotive interior cleaner works great when lipstick, wine, ink or dark denim dye gets on your leather handbag. A leather bag can be pricey so you want to make sure it looks as great as the day you bought it.
I often say that there are no rules in fashion anymore, just the rules of fit. However, the rules of fit are different for men and women. Here are some of the main differences:
Length of Jacket - For women, a jacket sleeve should “clear the top of your hand” or hit at the “gummy” part between your thumb and index finger. There are jackets with ¾ length sleeves, but for the proper fit for a regular jacket, a woman needs to make sure that it extends past her wrist bone. For men, the sleeve of a jacket should “break at the wrist.” This difference in length ensures that a man’s shirt sleeve (about an inch) will peak out underneath the jacket.
Shoes: To match or not? Women used to make sure that their shoes matched their handbag, but nowadays, this can be dated. It’s better if things coordinate, but not match. If a woman is wearing black pumps, she can choose a red bag as a pop of color. Fun and oh so chic! Unfortunately, men don’t get to mix ‘n match. It is a faux pas to wear black shoes with a brown belt. Shoes and belts should match or should at least be in the same color family. Sorry guys, but women get to have a little more fun breaking this rule!
Length of Trousers - Like jackets, this fit rule differs greatly between men and women. For example, men should have a slight break at the bottom of their trousers, but trousers on a woman should be straight, without any break. I tell women that their trousers should brush the toe of their shoe or cover ¾ of their heel. Either guideline is appropriate. For men, trousers should break slightly at the crease above the hem. If there’s too much fabric gathered at the bottom, then the look becomes sloppy and adds pounds. However, for both sexes, beware of the trousers that are too short! This is all too common and looks really bad. Remember, you can have the most expensive, beautiful and unique garment, but if it doesn’t fit, the whole look falls apart. A tailor is your best friend!
“‘Tis hell to a man of spirit to be contradicted by his tailor.”
- Richard Garnett
If you didn’t see the movie, Ryan Gosling plays Jacob, a smooth talking, ladies man with sleek suits, pointy shoes, and confidence to match. Now I’m not trying to turn every man into a bon vivant, but I wanted to highlight the good things from Ryan’s wardrobe (especially when compared to Steve Carell’s, which consisted of oversized polos, khakis and New Balance).
- Every suit jacket that Ryan wore had a double vent. Most American-made suits have a single vent, however, a double vent is a bit more European and modern. I think it’s also more flattering since it allow the jacket to move and molds well around the body. The single vent can sometimes pull open a bit too much and doesn’t look as tailored. If you want to step up your style, opt for the double vent.
- The opening scene of the movie is all shoes - no faces, no clothes, just shoes. Shoes are where it’s at. They say more about your sense of style than anything else you could ever put on. Your shoes don’t have to be super pointy, but gym shoes should not be your fallback outside of the office. There are tons of styles out there so there’s something for everyone. Stay away from square-toes, chunky soles and boxy styles and you’ll be fine. Oh, and if you really want to increase the style factor, try brown shoes - they go with everything (yes, even black) and aren’t as predictable.
- If you noticed, Ryan’s character never wore just a t-shirt or a polo. He took the basics and gave them a twist. If it was a polo, it was in a blend (not just cotton) and was fitted (instead of just a box). He also made sure it had some extra details like striping on the color or buttoned up sleeves - whatever it was, he took that extra step to look for items with interesting details. No one wants to wear boring!
- Before Steve Carell’s makeover, he worn a solid shirt with a horizontal printed tie. This look works, but we can do better! After Jacob’s influence, Steve’s character started wearing printed shirts and ties! I know this can seem tricky, so the easiest way to do this is to make sure your tie is always the boldest print. If you always wear solid shirts, try some with a subtle pattern - your ties will still work and it will be a nice change.
- Very few men can wear more than just a wedding ring and watch - Ryan wore a necklace and an onyx ring and it looked sleazy, so just don’t. Leave the jewelry up to “characters!”
I’m always cutting out little tips, fun websites or different people’s take on style. This is a short write up that Heidi Klum did for Glamour magazine in 2009. I just loved her description of what confidence is, style, and how to hone in on what you already have.
“The first step to having fashion confidence is simpler than you might think: Know yourself. Don’t follow the trends; follow your instincts. A fashionable woman wears the clothes; a fashion victim lets the clothes wear her! So choose a few basic pieces that are flattering to your figure, clothes that you feel good in. And since some people are naturally more flamboyant, and some are quieter, don’t try to be the opposite of what you are - embrace your body and your spirit. Then, when you’re ready to take your style up a notch, step out of your comfort zone a bit with an accessory or just once piece that’s you but more - more sophisticated, more rock ‘n’ roll, more feminine, more of whatever you’d like your style to be. I think fashion should be fun, and I’m willing to take risks. Sometimes that means other don’t like what I wear, but as long as I’m being true to myself, I don’t care. When I’m not feeling as confident as I’d like, I have two secret weapons: One, I wear super-high heels. They always make you look sexy and even change your posture and the way you walk. (Just make sure you can actually walk in them!) Two, I always smile. It’s the best accessory, and most times, people smile back.”
A trench coat is a must for every woman’s wardrobe. It’s timeless, chic, and oh so classic. It’s the perfect transition coat (for spring and fall). Here are few thoughts when shopping for the right one.
- Color: Think out of the box as a trench doesn’t have to be khaki or black. Try a beautiful color like raspberry, purple, yellow or emerald. A color will pop against neutrals such as black, brown, grey, white, off-white and denim (which is mainly what you are wearing on the bottom half).
- Don’t buckle: It’s kind of an unwritten fashion rule that you’re not supposed to buckle your trench coat. Instead, just tie or knot the belt that comes with the trench.
- It can be changed: If you don’t look good with a belt, don’t fret as most belt loops can be removed. Many coats still have shape even without the belt. You can also change the look and feel of a coat by changing the buttons.
- Style: Keep your coat to knee-length (just below, at, or above the knee) - too far below the knee and it will shorten the line of leg and make you look dowdy (yikes!). Avoid double-breasted styles if you have a large bust or broad shoulders.
For more tips, check out my February 2010 newsletter, In The Trenches.
