Style Vitamin E – Enthusiasm

When you look up Vitamin E, you’ll see that it’s taken for so many reasons. A few of those are for treating diseases of the heart, increasing energy and for treating diseases and symptoms specific to women.  Well, our Style Vitamin E fits in perfectly because it’s tied to our hearts and is especially to important to us as women when it comes to our appearance.  It’s Enthusiasm!  If you don’t have a regular dose of enthusiasm when it comes to your appearance, it shows immediately.

When you throw open your closet doors to get dressed every day, you should love what you see in there!  As one of my colleagues in the image business says, your wardrobe should be full of pieces that are shouting “Pick me! Pick me!”   (I just love that!)

I’ve talked about how to maximize your wardrobe before (click here for my most recent article in my monthly newsletter.)  Of course, it all begins with proper closet editing and thoughtful shopping, but here are a few quick tips to help you start generating some enthusiasm right now – today!

*Accessorize: put on a statement bracelet (see one of my favorites in the photo)…carry a dynamite handbag…toss a pretty scarf around your neck.  The rest of your outfit can be neutral – your accessories will pull it all together for you. And with really great options today at all price points, there’s no excuse not to accessorize.

*Let your shoes be the star. Pick out a great pair of shoes and base your whole outfit around them. For example, I love my animal print heels, and I know whenever I wear them they’re going to be the star of the outfit.  I always get comments and compliments on them, so that’s a quick and easy way for me to be enthusiastic when I’m getting dressed. For you, it may be a special pair of boots or sandals – whatever your choice, let those tootsies dance!

*I’m always talking about pops of color, but it truly is a way to instantly feel great.  Try a pair of colored pants or a brightly colored top or sweater. Whenever you see someone wearing color, doesn’t it just bring a smile to your face? Well, bring your own smile to your face by wearing one of your special colors!

*Wear something animal print.  I don’t know what it is about animal prints, but they create instant ‘chic’.  They come in all prints and colors today – pick one that suits your coloring and size (if you’re tiny, you want to wear a smaller print; if you’re tall or larger in size, you can handle a larger pattern.)  Whether it’s your shoes, or handbag or blouse or whatever, you’ll feel energized when you put on that print.

Now go out there and be amazing!

Style Vitamin B-Complex – Stress Reducer

The second Style Vitamin you should be taking regularly is vitamin B-Complex. (If you missed the first, Vitamin A, see it here.) The physical vitamin B-Complex is (as its name suggests) not just one but many vitamins, all working together to accomplish many things in our bodies, including reduction of stress.  The Style Vitamin B-Complex can be a great ‘closet stress reducer’, giving you many more options of outfits to wear by breaking-up your existing outfits and look at them in new ways…in new combinations.

We all tend to get into ruts – wearing the same combinations of clothing over and over. Maybe the pieces were purchased as a suit or a ‘set’ and that’s the way you always wear them.  Maybe you were told as a young woman to “never wear those colors together” or “never mix patterns” or some other “never…”.  These days, there truly are very few “nevers” when it comes to fashion, except “never wear what doesn’t flatter you  and never wear what you don’t love.”

The next time you get dressed, as you start to pull out the same pieces you usually wear together, stop!  Take one or the other and look at the rest of your closet with a fresh eye and pull out a new companion piece to pair it up with.  I realize this can be tough if you’ve never given it a try (and it you need help getting started, give me a call.)  Once you begin to recognize all the possible variations that exist right now in your closet, it will be like having a whole new wardrobe.  You’ll love your Style Vitamin B!

Have You Taken Your “Style Vitamins”? Vitamin A

I was thinking recently about how we rely on vitamins for our physical health and, of course, being in the business of advising on style-related matters, I made the leap to the things we rely on to keep our wardrobe and style-personality healthy.  I’m calling these essentials the “Style Vitamins”.  First up…Vitamin A.  Have you taken yours lately?

Vitamin A is “important for growth and development and….good vision.” (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Style Vitamin A is “Assessment”.  With a regular assessment of what’s in your wardrobe you’ll be able to stay true to your vision – your style personality – and to grow and develop with the ebb and flow of your life.  Sad, tired, unworn, unfit items hanging in your closet are not healthy for you.  When you open your closet doors you want to experience happiness and joy, knowing that everything in there is just perfect for you.

Some women like to assess their wardrobes with the changing of the seasons, when they trade out winter for spring, or summer for fall.  Others do it on an on-going basis, taking out one garment for every new one they put in.  Here in California, we don’t have strong seasonal differences, but they do exist nonetheless, and it’s a great opportunity to take a hard look at what you’re intending to store for next fall/winter, for example, before putting it into storage.  Does it still suit your lifestyle? Does it fit (now, not at some future, yet-to-be-determined weight?)  Does it need repair and can it be repaired?  Do you wear it and love it?

Vitamin A can be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s essential for your wardrobe health.  Do you take yours regularly?

Is That Burberry the Real Thing?

If you love to shop on Ebay or in consignment shops for discounted luxury items, it’s important to know if what you’re looking at is a true designer piece or a knock-off.   I recently posted a video showing how to determine if the Louis Vuitton bag you were considering was the real thing. See it here.  Today’s video from The Real Real shows how to authenticate a true Burberry.  Enjoy!

 

Swimsuit Season Already – Yikes!

It may not be warm enough yet for swimsuits, but let’s just say – it you haven’t started thinking about it yet, it’s probably time!  And if you’re like most women, the thought of trying on swimsuits is truly intimidating.  (Couldn’t they please get some better mirrors and lighting in those rooms?  I know…blame it on the dressing room!)

Photo: Refinery 29

As far as shopping for your body type goes, you probably have a good idea what your ‘shape’ is. But you may not be sure exactly what suit would be best for your particular type.  Well no worries – this nifty slide show will give you some ideas to get you started.

For more tips on how to make this experience a lot more pleasant, download my free tip sheet Sum Sum Summertime.  With these two resources, it should all go swimmingly – if you need some professional advice, that’s what I’m here for.

Stylish Eyewear Rocks!

Ari Seth Cohen and Gai Gherardi

When I realized that I was going to have to wear glasses all the time (Ugh! Yes, for distance as well as reading), I decided to select a pair that weren’t ordinary and picked a fairly distinctive black pair. Those have evolved into my current pair with red frames around the eyes and tortoise earpieces (Mine were actually reading glasses that I found in an airport and had my custom lenses put in.  It pays to keep your eyes open!)

Ari Seth Cohen, of Advanced Style, recently featured his new pair from l.a. Eyeworks, along with co-owner of the shop, Gai Gherardi.

A West Village lady; Photo Advanced Style

Jane
Photo Advanced Style

There are a number of the Advanced Style ladies who sport distinctive eyewear – and do it fabulously.

Iris Apfel
Photo Advanced Style

And then there’s the ever-so-popular Iris Apfel, who may have been one of the first to start this trend.  The point is – take the opportunity to turn what might have been perceived as a liability into an asset.  Don’t just settle for the ordinary – embrace your own style from head to toe!

“The Making of the Cardigan”

While not everyone can afford a Chanel sweater, we can certainly appreciate the artistry that goes into the making of one.  Sit back and relax while watching this lovely little video showing us how it’s done (just click on the photo.)

Photo from “The Making of the Cardigan” Chanel News