Monthly Archives: October 2009

Business Dress, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Wardrobe Classics make Great Wardrobe Capsules

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As an image consultant, my clients are always looking for ways to optimize their wardrobe and save money.  I tell them that the most versatile clothing items are neutral in colour and have few distinctive details. This makes them easier to mix and match with other clothing items and accessories. These items work well for wardrobe capsules.

Wardrobe capsules are a great way to optimize your wardrobe and build a wardrobe quickly. When choosing items for your capsule purchases keep in mind your lifestyle and image perception goals, your best colours and your silhouette goals. Although there are many strategies for building wardrobe capsules, the following formulas will simplify the process.

Wardrobe Capsules

  1. Start with an extra layer garment such as a blazer
  2. Find two coordinating bottoms
  3. Find three tops that coordinate with the jacket and both bottoms
  4. Add coordinating ties (men only) and accessories to these combinations
  5. Add coordinating shoes and belts to these combinations
  6. Add stockings or socks toned to each bottom and shoes
  7. Add appropriate underwear

    Once established, your capsule can be expanded and pieces can be changed easily. When adding a new piece, be sure it can be worn with at least 3 other pieces in your wardrobe. Complete unfinished Wardrobes Capsules before beginning new ones.  Wardrobe Capsule – video

    Wardrobe Capsules save you time in the morning, Save space in your closet and leave money in your wallet.

    Look Younger, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

    Skinny vs. Tapered ~ What’s Hot What’s Not

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    Back in the day Tapered pants were hot. And women young and old were wearing them with confidence knowing that they were impressively dressed in style.

    Since the skinny jean became stylish a few years ago, many women are breathing a sigh of relief knowing that something from the past is finally back fashion and still in the back of their closet.  Happily they search the depths of their closet for the tapered pants they wore and loved so long ago.  Only to find when they put them on, that something is just not quite right. Puzzled they look at the fashion magazines thinking, “I haven’t changed that much, have I? Is it me or pants?” Although you likely did change a bit over the years, unfortunately so do the subtitles of fashion. Even though the general idea may be similar, fashion rarely comes back from the past in exactly the same way.

    Think celery vs. carrots- Tapered jeans are like carrots. As their name implies they, start off fuller in the thigh area and taper down becoming narrow at the ankle.  The skinny jean is more like celery. The leg is slimmer in the thigh so the narrowing towards the ankle is more gradual. The leg appears straighter and slimmer top to bottom even though the leg still tapers slightly.

    It’s in the rise. Skinny jeans are styled to fit either below the waist or on the hip. For tapered pants, the style of the day was worn high above or at the waist.

    The fit is fit. Tapered pants were generally a bit generous in the rear and hip area creating a curvy look. Skinny pants are worn fitted top to bottom.

    Watch the length. Skinny jeans are worn long, not at ankle length like tapered jeans were styled in their hay-day.

    The great thing about fashion these days is that there are many fashion options. If this style doesn’t flatter your curves, there are many other stylish pants that will.

    Dining Etiquette, Etiquette

    Cutlery Etiquette How to Make a Great Impression

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    I have travelled quite a bit over the past few years and one of the things I have noticed is that many restaurants have moved away from traditional place settings at the dining table. Although I suspect that this is part of their branding efforts to be seen as upbeat and unique, it can also be confusing and occasionally embarrassing for their patrons. This makes it more important than ever to familiarize yourself with various types of cutlery and know how to use them.
    If the table is set traditionally, utensils are used starting from outside the place setting, and working in. If it isn’t use the appropriate utensil.
    When holding a knife the fork is always held in the left hand. When in the left hand, the fork is held with the tines facing down. The knife is held in the right hand with the index finger on top. When eating American style after cutting the food, the knife is placed on the upper right corner of the plate and the fork is transferred to the right hand with the tines facing up for eating.

    Here are a few more tips:

    • Only begin eating when everyone has been served.  The host picks up his or her cutlery first.
    • Once a piece of cutlery is picked up, it is never put back on the table.  It lies on the plate with the handle resting on the rim.
    • When taking butter, use the butter knife or serving utensil to place it on your bread plate. Then use your butter knife (spreader) to butter your bread.
    • Leave spoons on the service plate or saucer. An exception is made if the soup plate or soup cup has no service plate.

    If you want to take a break, but don’t want your plate taken away, signal this by placing the fork and knife at right angles on the plate, tines facing down.

    • When dining American Style, hands go in the lap. Wrists, arms and elbows stay off the table.
    • When eating European Style, keep hands and wrists above the table at all times.

    With either style the elbows stay off the table until the meal has ended.

    When the meal is finished, place your fork and knife on the plate diagonally like the 10:20 clock position. The knife sits above the fork with the blade facing toward it. Napkin goes to the left of the plate… never on it. In some regions it is the custom to place the fork and knife vertically in the centre of the plate instead of the 10:20 position.