Is that you simply can't wear it! I know that sounds harsh, but bear with me and I will explain.
Once you pass the magical (and I do mean that in a very positive way) age of 40 - well really 35, let's not quibble; fashion is something that should be viewed and never worn.
Fashion is, by definition, something that changes, evoles and sometimes revolves. Fashion is extreme - it has to be. If it wants to be seen as new and innovative, it cannot be conservative - it must be extreme. In colour, shape, texture or all three.
Most women are NOT extreme. Most women do not change (significantly), they may evolve a little, but in a majority of cases - we do not embrace extreme change.
Fashion makes a stand. Sometimes we head back to the 50's which is wonderful - do you have the time to "create" that perfect hair, make-up and hoisery look on a daily basis? I do not. The gorgeous models in the fashion shoots have an army of people to make them look good. And they arrive there looking stunning! We mere mortels, have a bathroom cupboard, a blow dryer and nowadays a straightener (I have singed finger tips on a regular basis) and around 20 minutes to get dressed.
Sometimes fashion is bohemian - I thought that would work for me. I then became a little "lost" under the layers of beads, scarves and fabric. I love scarves just not quite that many.
Short, short skirts, oh please spare me. Clingy tops with tight singlets underneath - uh, no! I get hot and they cling to all the wrong parts.
Belts do not work on most people. When you put on a big, contrasting belt it does not only show off your tiny waist (oh no) it draws attention to your hips and thighs. Now if they are perfectly proportioned and free of extra "stuff" - then well and good. But are they perfectly proportioned and free of "wobbly bits"?
Mark my words - things that are described as "must haves" in 2011, will be out of fashion within 12 months. Do not invest (spend lots of money) on fashion. If you must buy something that is deemed "in", buy it in a cheap version. You will get the "look" and not break your budget.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Well done UBS!
At last, a company that is prepared to make a stand on presentation and image!! UBS (Switzerland's biggest bank) has issued a 40+ page "dress code" for staff. This is great!! People are told exactly what to wear and how to wear it!
You only have to look around in the street to see how poorly people dress for work. It is not professional, it is not presenting the employer in a positive way and, in some cases, it is just sloppy.
"our style of dress reflects our mode of action" - this being the case, most of us must be fairly unsure of the companies with whom we are currently dealing!!! Most people in business need to be told how to dress.
Business people (regardless of the size of the company) want to impress, gain our confidence and consequently, our business. You would be forgiven for thinking this is not the case, when confronted by the appearance of some folk.
The dress code goes on to cover many, many more related topics and I say "good job". These documents come about because they are needed. If everyone at UBS dressed and behaved flawlessly, there would never have been a dress code written - however, if this document achieves excellent personal presenation and behavioral standards - it will be an absolute winner and something other companies should replicate!
One of the most highly searched topics in the Image Industry is Business Dressing - people not only need to know, they want to know how to dress correctly for business. UBS has provided leadership, instruction and easy to follow direction for their staff.
I would encourage other companies (large and small) to take a leaf from their book!!
You only have to look around in the street to see how poorly people dress for work. It is not professional, it is not presenting the employer in a positive way and, in some cases, it is just sloppy.
"our style of dress reflects our mode of action" - this being the case, most of us must be fairly unsure of the companies with whom we are currently dealing!!! Most people in business need to be told how to dress.
Business people (regardless of the size of the company) want to impress, gain our confidence and consequently, our business. You would be forgiven for thinking this is not the case, when confronted by the appearance of some folk.
The dress code goes on to cover many, many more related topics and I say "good job". These documents come about because they are needed. If everyone at UBS dressed and behaved flawlessly, there would never have been a dress code written - however, if this document achieves excellent personal presenation and behavioral standards - it will be an absolute winner and something other companies should replicate!
One of the most highly searched topics in the Image Industry is Business Dressing - people not only need to know, they want to know how to dress correctly for business. UBS has provided leadership, instruction and easy to follow direction for their staff.
I would encourage other companies (large and small) to take a leaf from their book!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Stripes that work and stripes that don't!!
When it comes to clothing there are lots of patterns, prints and colours with which you can play. Some work really, really well and are consistently good! Others, sadly, do not.
Let's take stripes as an example. Vertical stripes make things (people included) appear taller. They are flattering - for most people. In fact, AFL footballers use vertical stripes to magnify their height, thus giving them a mental advantage over their opponents. Vertical stripes that fall in a straight line are flattering and give the illusion of extra height, which has the added benefit of making the person wearing them, appear slimmer.
However, should the vertical stripe curve, gape or wriggle - the flattering effect is lost. A top that is too tight across the bust or back, will make the fabric (and hence the stripes) wriggle and pull. Your stripes become curves - in all the wrong places! A skirt or trousers with vertical stripes must be worn over a flat stomach, slim thighs and a narrow backside. Otherwise, the stripes curve over the stomach, arch over the thighs and squiggle over the tail. Noticeable? Yes! Flattering? No.
Horizontal stripes can be wonderful, when worn on the smallest part of the body. I have yet to see anyone look realy, really good when wearing horizontal stripes below the waist!!
The gathered skirt that had white, grey and black horizontal stripes with lots of pleats at the top and shirt tucked into it (in a size 14+) that I saw this morning, was not flattering! The plain black vest did not help!
Now, had the skirt been in a plain fabric, the shirt in the horizontal print and the vest left at home - the whole look would have been much, much better.
Rugby League footballers use big horizontal stripes on their jumpers (or they used to) to maximise their size and intimidate the opposition.
Next time you are thinking about stripes - stop and really consider their purpose and placement on your body!
Let's take stripes as an example. Vertical stripes make things (people included) appear taller. They are flattering - for most people. In fact, AFL footballers use vertical stripes to magnify their height, thus giving them a mental advantage over their opponents. Vertical stripes that fall in a straight line are flattering and give the illusion of extra height, which has the added benefit of making the person wearing them, appear slimmer.
However, should the vertical stripe curve, gape or wriggle - the flattering effect is lost. A top that is too tight across the bust or back, will make the fabric (and hence the stripes) wriggle and pull. Your stripes become curves - in all the wrong places! A skirt or trousers with vertical stripes must be worn over a flat stomach, slim thighs and a narrow backside. Otherwise, the stripes curve over the stomach, arch over the thighs and squiggle over the tail. Noticeable? Yes! Flattering? No.
Horizontal stripes can be wonderful, when worn on the smallest part of the body. I have yet to see anyone look realy, really good when wearing horizontal stripes below the waist!!
The gathered skirt that had white, grey and black horizontal stripes with lots of pleats at the top and shirt tucked into it (in a size 14+) that I saw this morning, was not flattering! The plain black vest did not help!
Now, had the skirt been in a plain fabric, the shirt in the horizontal print and the vest left at home - the whole look would have been much, much better.
Rugby League footballers use big horizontal stripes on their jumpers (or they used to) to maximise their size and intimidate the opposition.
Next time you are thinking about stripes - stop and really consider their purpose and placement on your body!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Strapless dressess DO NO SUIT everyone!!!!!
For some strange reason there seems to be a plethora of strapless dresses around, not just at the moment but for the past 3 - 4 years (or so it seems). They look great - on very few people. To wear one well you have to have - a perfect length neck, firm flesh on the upper part of your body, a good bust (to hold the thing up) and a great sense of balance!!
A perfect neck so that you do not start to resemble a giraffe - all neck that just goes on and on from the top of the dress!
Firm flesh - so that the dress clings in all the right places WITHOUT lots of extra flesh errupting from the top of the frock. On this note, even the most slim of ladies do not look great in strapless, when time has taken it's tole on your skintone. Age, sun and life tend to make skin less firm and "folds" of skin with age spots, is not a good look!
A good bust - too flat and the dress will fall down. Too full and there will be too much flesh to stay in the dress!!
A great sense of balance - to ensure that you don't trip and catch your foot in the hemline, thus removing the top half of the dress!!
MOST women look better with a sleeveless top, or straps that go over the shoulder. They are more flattering and provide support for fuller busts!!
If however, you do have the perfect body for the strapless dress - then "go for it". Make the most of your perfect features whilst you can!
A perfect neck so that you do not start to resemble a giraffe - all neck that just goes on and on from the top of the dress!
Firm flesh - so that the dress clings in all the right places WITHOUT lots of extra flesh errupting from the top of the frock. On this note, even the most slim of ladies do not look great in strapless, when time has taken it's tole on your skintone. Age, sun and life tend to make skin less firm and "folds" of skin with age spots, is not a good look!
A good bust - too flat and the dress will fall down. Too full and there will be too much flesh to stay in the dress!!
A great sense of balance - to ensure that you don't trip and catch your foot in the hemline, thus removing the top half of the dress!!
MOST women look better with a sleeveless top, or straps that go over the shoulder. They are more flattering and provide support for fuller busts!!
If however, you do have the perfect body for the strapless dress - then "go for it". Make the most of your perfect features whilst you can!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Spots, Dots and Fashion Disasters
Spots and dots are fun to draw, great to colour in and nothing short of wrong when it comes to most people using them in clothing.
Any round shape makes you look more round!! ROUND ADDS POUNDS!!
A Spot is bigger than a Dot and they look great on a Twister mat, however, on most people they simply draw attention to the part of the body on which they have been put. Imagine if you will (and I saw this just this week) a woman of average height wearing a white background skirt that has quite a few large, brightly colour spots on it. Some on her stomach, some on her cheeks and even more on her hips and thighs. She was a mass of spots in bright colours that made you look at every single one of them!!! Of course, had this lady been super-model tall and slim, it would have looked a whole lot better. Particularly as she finished the ensemble with a bright, plunging (to her not insignificant bosom) and fluffy peasant style top. It created even more bulk on the top of her already speading silhouette.
Dots looked fantastic on Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (remember the great dress in biscuit & cream that she wore to the races). Looked sensational on her. Great colours for her (she has warm toned skin, hair & eyes) terrific style of dress - she is tall (quite), slim (beautifully) and flab free! Sadly, most of the rest of us poor mortals are not!! Much as I hate to be the one who says this - we just don't look like her. Dots are only found in groups. Groups of dots gathered on your clothing make people stare at that part of you. Putting little round dots of colour on your bustline, hips, stomach or backside positively CALL OUT to be seen. Should you choose to use this type of feature, be aware that people will look at your dots.
Any feature on fabric demands attention. It makes you look at it. Be aware of the feature you choose and where you choose to place it.
Fahsion stylists use features to create fantastic looks - on mannequins. (tall, extremely slim mannequins). Image Consultants start with real people (curves, bumps, short, average, slim and not so), and are generally more wary of fabric/style features. We are very careful about where, and how, we use features.
Any round shape makes you look more round!! ROUND ADDS POUNDS!!
A Spot is bigger than a Dot and they look great on a Twister mat, however, on most people they simply draw attention to the part of the body on which they have been put. Imagine if you will (and I saw this just this week) a woman of average height wearing a white background skirt that has quite a few large, brightly colour spots on it. Some on her stomach, some on her cheeks and even more on her hips and thighs. She was a mass of spots in bright colours that made you look at every single one of them!!! Of course, had this lady been super-model tall and slim, it would have looked a whole lot better. Particularly as she finished the ensemble with a bright, plunging (to her not insignificant bosom) and fluffy peasant style top. It created even more bulk on the top of her already speading silhouette.
Dots looked fantastic on Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (remember the great dress in biscuit & cream that she wore to the races). Looked sensational on her. Great colours for her (she has warm toned skin, hair & eyes) terrific style of dress - she is tall (quite), slim (beautifully) and flab free! Sadly, most of the rest of us poor mortals are not!! Much as I hate to be the one who says this - we just don't look like her. Dots are only found in groups. Groups of dots gathered on your clothing make people stare at that part of you. Putting little round dots of colour on your bustline, hips, stomach or backside positively CALL OUT to be seen. Should you choose to use this type of feature, be aware that people will look at your dots.
Any feature on fabric demands attention. It makes you look at it. Be aware of the feature you choose and where you choose to place it.
Fahsion stylists use features to create fantastic looks - on mannequins. (tall, extremely slim mannequins). Image Consultants start with real people (curves, bumps, short, average, slim and not so), and are generally more wary of fabric/style features. We are very careful about where, and how, we use features.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists!
I would like to clarify the difference between Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists. Both people are fortunate enough to work in the wonderful world of fashion - however they do have very different roles within that industry.
A Fashion Stylist is a person who's primary role is to display, and sell, clothing and garments. They are the clever people who put together fantastic Fashion Parades and Shows. They generally work with models who look great as "coat hangers" for clothing pieces. Fashion Stylists are employed by shopping centres to put toghther outfits featuring current fashion, then promote those "looks" to the general shopping public.
Image Consultants show off people, rather than clothing. When a person is successfully assisted by an Image Consultant, you see the person first not the piece of clothing. Image Consultants often take people shopping and can find very little - if anything - that really suits the client. Image Consultants promote less rather than more. Less pieces that really suit a person, rather than more things that just hang in the wardrobe.
I am a great ran of Fashion Stylists and thoroughly admire, and enjoy, their work. Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists both work in the Fashion Industry, doing two very different jobs.
A Fashion Stylist is a person who's primary role is to display, and sell, clothing and garments. They are the clever people who put together fantastic Fashion Parades and Shows. They generally work with models who look great as "coat hangers" for clothing pieces. Fashion Stylists are employed by shopping centres to put toghther outfits featuring current fashion, then promote those "looks" to the general shopping public.
Image Consultants show off people, rather than clothing. When a person is successfully assisted by an Image Consultant, you see the person first not the piece of clothing. Image Consultants often take people shopping and can find very little - if anything - that really suits the client. Image Consultants promote less rather than more. Less pieces that really suit a person, rather than more things that just hang in the wardrobe.
I am a great ran of Fashion Stylists and thoroughly admire, and enjoy, their work. Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists both work in the Fashion Industry, doing two very different jobs.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Spring has not Sprung - It is Springing and so are those capri pants!
Beware the Capri Pant!!
For some reason, ladies "of a certain age" keep choosing to wear/purchase capri pants. These fashion pieces (the pants, not the people) have multiple pockets, lots of detail (in all the wrong places) and finish between calf and ankle. The pockets tend to sit on the thighs and knees adding bulk and width to these areas. The "backside pockets" have lots of stitching and "noise" that adds volume to the afore mentioned backside and the length just does not flatter. The lower part of most women's legs is the part that first starts to show age i.e. veins, fluid and general tiredness! Draw a line right across that part of you and where else are we supposed to look?
Capri pants looked good in the 50's and then only on slim, young things - who frankly looked good in most things!
If you are a slim, young thing wear shorts, skirts or dresses. If the occasion, or your peronsality, call for pants - then wear long pants!
If you are not a slim, young thing - wear shorts (of an appropriate lenght), skirts or dresses. There is never the occasion that requires Capri Pants. If your personality insists on Capri Pants - put them on and (somehow) take a look at yourself from behind. Look all the way from the top of your head to your feet, then see where your eye is drawn - chances are it will be your tail, thighs or ankles. If any, or all, of these are you best features then set sail in you capris and enjoy.
Should that not be the case, remove said capris and find something else to where!
For some reason, ladies "of a certain age" keep choosing to wear/purchase capri pants. These fashion pieces (the pants, not the people) have multiple pockets, lots of detail (in all the wrong places) and finish between calf and ankle. The pockets tend to sit on the thighs and knees adding bulk and width to these areas. The "backside pockets" have lots of stitching and "noise" that adds volume to the afore mentioned backside and the length just does not flatter. The lower part of most women's legs is the part that first starts to show age i.e. veins, fluid and general tiredness! Draw a line right across that part of you and where else are we supposed to look?
Capri pants looked good in the 50's and then only on slim, young things - who frankly looked good in most things!
If you are a slim, young thing wear shorts, skirts or dresses. If the occasion, or your peronsality, call for pants - then wear long pants!
If you are not a slim, young thing - wear shorts (of an appropriate lenght), skirts or dresses. There is never the occasion that requires Capri Pants. If your personality insists on Capri Pants - put them on and (somehow) take a look at yourself from behind. Look all the way from the top of your head to your feet, then see where your eye is drawn - chances are it will be your tail, thighs or ankles. If any, or all, of these are you best features then set sail in you capris and enjoy.
Should that not be the case, remove said capris and find something else to where!
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