Posts Tagged ‘style consulting’

Video – Tips on Mixing Similar Shirt and Tie Patterns

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Mixing similar shirt and tie patterns is a great way to show off your sartorial muscle.  Get it wrong, and your style looks weak and in need of a personal fashion trainer.  In this first of a two-part series on pattern mixing, learn how to mix two similar patterns to achieve a smooth and natural transition.  Stick with these guidelines and your style will always be in top shape.

Subscribe the YouTube Channel or, if you have an account, the VIMEO channel for a chance to win a designer shirt and tie valued at $150.

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Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

Cheap Chic – Tee Shirt Styling Tips

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Fergie's Tee Shirt Style

Unquestionably a quintessential wardrobe staple, the classic tee, in its varying colors, patterns and prints, triumphs as one of the most versatile clothing articles of modern times.

Follow these seven style tips and you will be certain to stay on top of your tee-shirt game:

  1. Invest in a seamless bra or T-shirt bra for a smooth silhouette.  Maidenform® offers
    The Smooth Bra® Push-Up     featured recently in “People Style Watch” magazine.
  2. A tee-shirt’s shoulder seam should sit properly at the widest part of your shoulders.
  3. A fitted crewneck tee is a classic for all ages.
  4. Scoopneck and V-neck types are great for those with fuller busts; be sure to avoid loose-fitting ones that can be unflattering.
  5. Cap-sleeve tees show off those toned biceps well.
  6. Want to give the illusion of a more elongated silhouette? Push up long sleeves.
  7. Wear an open-neck fitted tee under a smart jacket for boardroom chic.

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Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Personal, Petite | 2 Comments »

Fashion Proportion – Reveal

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Thanks to all who responded with comments to Monday’s post.  Congratulations to Lanette aka Amadi, winner of the T.J. Maxx gift certificate.

So here are my opinions of the three looks.

Elise Neal.  Love the color and the style works well on her figure.  The length, however, falls flat.  It too short to be long and too long to be short.   Also, I totally agree with reader Christina’s comment regarding Elise’s display of the girls.  It’s one thing to show decolletage; it’s quite another to offer a peep show.  Finally, Elise’s earrings, ring and shoes lack cohesiveness.  My Rating: 7

Elise Neal 2010 Silver Rose Gala

Taraji P. Henson.  This outfit works perfectly for the office, but not for a Beverly Hills gala.  The blouse’s red hue flatters the actress’ skin tone, but, once again, Taraji gets the skirt length wrong.  Her necklace, however, correctly stops at her second balance point*.  My Rating: 8

Taraji P Henson 2010 Silver Rose Gala

Alicia Keys:  Yes! Tightly fitted, as should be the case when wearing leather.  Still, it’s not too tight, as we see no fabric pulling across the hips.  As for the length.  Dead on!.  Love Alicia’s shoes and the toe cleavage.  Sexy.  Christina again nails it in her comment about Alicia’s hair.   Updos instantly bring elegance to a look.  Had she put her hair up to display a fabulous pair of earrings to play off her shoes, I probably would have given Alicia a ten.  My Rating:  9:5

Alicia Keys 2010 Silver Rose Gala

* Second Balance Point:  To find your second balance point, measure the distance between the widest part of your face to your chin.  Measure the same distance from your shoulder line to your chest.

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Posted in Body Analysis, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal | No Comments »

Andy Thê-Anh Fall 2010 Collection

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

May I share a secret with you? I know color; I know fit; I know proportion. But when it comes to knowing the names of hot fashion designers, I’m usually tardy for the party.  Fortunately, master fashion journalists like Arise, Obsessionista, SheBreathes, Stylemom and The Midwestern Front, keep their well-manicured fingers on the pulse of what’s fresh and modern so I don’t have to.

Last night, however, while researching information for a new blog post, I came across the name of an unfamiliar designer; Andy Thê-Anh.  Andy actually entered the Canadian fashion scene in 1981 (talk about being tardy) and quickly earned recognition as one of Canada’s most brilliant designers. See his work and you’ll clearly understand why. He designs with the modern career oriented woman in mind, creating masterfully tailored trendy and ultra-feminine threads that exude refinement and glamor. Well known for his impeccable suits, ladylike blouses and to-die-for frocks, Andy Thê-Anh’s collections include something for every size 0 to 14 silhouette. Images of his recent showing in Toronto left me in complete awe and longing to share. I mean, I know I’m late getting wind on this designer, but surely there’s someone else out there who’s late too . . . Right? 

Here’s a glimpse of his Fall 2010 Collection. I’d love to hear what you think.

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Posted in Body Analysis, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal | No Comments »

The Art to Good Proportion

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Good Proportion Begins with the Head

Good proportion begins with good head; length that is.

Occasionally, I get strange looks from my clients when I pull out my tape measurement to measure their heads. Once I explain that the essence of pleasing proportion begins with relating the head length to the rest of the body, well, they still give me a side-eye roll; that is until they see the technique in action.

Color, fit and proportion differentiates a good look from a fabulous one. The synergism among these elements solves the fashion equation and, like math, if you don’t insert the right variables, you end up with a wrong answer.  Real talk:

Placing the wrong color next to your face will age you. Tightly fitted clothes say “I’m easy” if you’re a woman or “I’m cheap” if you’re a man; slovenly fitted clothes communicate sloppiness.  Bad proportions make you appear insignificant, unimportant and imbalanced. Get all three correct and not only do you get 100 percent but you may even make the fashion Dean’s List.

Take a look at this picture of actress Taraji P. Henson. The blue hue works amazingly well against her skin. The dress skims her body magnificently for the perfect fit. I love the fact that she shows an ample amount of upper body skin to offset her high waist. However, there’s something still a bit off with this look.

Actress Taraji P Henson (Click Image to Enlarge)

This next picture shows where I’ve charted Taraji’s head lengths. Notice the point of her ideal dress length.  There isn’t a significant difference in terms of inches BUT to shorten her dress just these few inches would do wonders in creating better proportion.

Taraji P Henson Showing Head Lengths (Click image to enlarge)

Now take a look at actress Elise Neal’s dress. Great color and the proportions are dead on. Elise, like Taraji, has a high waist. In fact, Elise’s waist is short by nearly a half-head length. Consequently, she should always show a lot of upper body skin for good proportion as this dress does.  Also, note the actress’ side-sweeping bangs. Excellent technique as it works to visually shorten her long face, again promoting good proportion.  Regrettably, the fit of the dress is less than perfect, as evidenced by the pulled fabric seen at her hips.  It’s really unfortunate because wearing the proper underpinning would have easily alleviated this problem.

Color is good; proportions are good; fit, not quite.

Yes, both women look beautiful and, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give them 8.5s. But 8.5s aren’t what you pay image consultants big bucks to obtain and they sure as heck won’t get you on the Best Dress List, unless, of course, you’re First Lady Michelle Obama.

So, if you ever decide to hire me, be warned.  I’m all about good head; length that is.

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Posted in Body Analysis, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal, Petite | 2 Comments »

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