Tag Archives: dress

Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Holiday Dressing on a Budget!

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For those of us on a budget, holiday dressing can add to the stress of the season. However, there is no need to spend a fortune on holiday clothing. Here are three ways to stick to your budget and still look great!

Choose Versatile Clothing – When you are buying a new holiday outfit, avoid making it too holiday specific. A dress or tie with an embroidered Santa can only be worn during Christmas, and chances are you won’t want to wear it to every party, so it would get very little use.

Look at What You Already Own – Use items that are already in your closet and add inexpensive, current accessories to make them look new. If you have a nice red or green blouse or shirt, for example, you might add some sparkle with a pair of earrings or festive necklace from the current season. For men, it can be as simple as wearing a new tie or a shirt with cuff-links. Pair this with a nice black skirt or pair of slacks to complete the look.

Christmas, Hanukah, New Years… Holidays in general are A Great Time for the Classics – Do not be tempted by trendy holiday outfits, as they can cost a fortune and you will not be able to wear them next season. Save money and get more wear out of your clothing by dressing classically for the holidays. It is the perfect time for the classic little black dress. Use trendy accessories to add interest or glamour.

Follow these strategies look great and to make your holiday dressing just a little easier.

Happy Holidays…

Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Festive Frocks ~ Select Your Most Flattering Party Dress

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Holiday party time is coming fast. As it approaches women everywhere are panicking and asking the same question “How do I choose my most flattering dress this holiday season?” The answer, “choose dress styles with embellishments or volume on the areas you wish to draw attention to or make larger. The rest of the dress should skim the body without adding additional bulk or additional details. Here are four ways to use this information to flatter your figure!

Look slimmer around the middle with a simple, smooth and elongated silhouette that does not emphasize the waistline. Draw attention to other areas of the body or face with details such as beading, ruffles, shirring or seams well above or well below your midsection. V-necks, wrap and off shoulder necklines draw the eye outward at the shoulder making you look slimmer in the middle.

Feel too thin? Add curves to your figure by adding volume to areas you want to look curvier. On the top this can be done with details like puff sleeves, shirring, or ruffles. Avoid necklines that draw attention to your thinnest areas. Dresses with a full gathered skirt will show off a slim waistline and add volume to the hips making them look fuller.

Balance the bottom by adding width to the top. Wide v-necks, plunging necklines, bateau necklines, off shoulder designs and puff sleeves all draw the eye outward at the shoulder. Add volume on top with shirring, gathers and ruffles. Skirts look best when they skim over the hips, not cling.

If shoulders are wide or bust is full keep it simple at the top. Sleeveless styles with narrow V-necks, scoop necks, wrap and asymmetrical necklines work well. Keep this area smooth by avoiding embellishments. Add curve to the bottom half with flared and A-line styles. If the waist is slim, a full gathered skirt will balance the body and accentuate an hourglass shape.

Luckily this season, there is an option for everyone. By analysing your shape and focusing on your assets you can find the perfect dress and flatter your figure this party season.

Look Younger, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Start with a Strong Foundation when Getting Dressed

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With the holiday party season arriving, we are likely to be dressed up more often. But, no matter what outfit you are wearing, be sure to start with figure-enhancing underwear. If forms the foundation for the garments worn on top, so it is really important to choose the right size and the right style. Instead of bumps and bulges, go for smooth lines. They will automatically make you look slimmer and your torso will look taller.  Smooth lines make your clothing hang better and look more expensive. It also helps to keep the eyes away from your liabilities, so they can focus on your assets. There are so many options available these days and the right bra, slip, pantyhose or even a comfortable shaper can make a huge difference.

Colour, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

How to Wear Colour Schemes Effectively

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Throughout history, clothing colour combinations have been made more complicated than they need to be because fashion has always dictated what we should wear. However one of the nicest things about being a certified image consultant is that I get the privilege of showing my clients what colours look great with their colouring and what they should wear based on their personality, body shape and goals. Instead of focusing strictly on fashion, they are shown how to dress to look their personal best with colour.

In general there are two types of colour schemes – related colour combinations and contrasted colour combinations.

Related combinations are colour schemes where the colours have something in common. An example of this is an analogous colour scheme, where colours are side by side on a colour wheel. Monochromatic colour combinations are another related colour scheme. These colour combinations refer to colours that are made from the same base colour. The colour is altered by toning with grey, adding black, white or a small amount of another colour. When these colours are worn together they appear tone on tone.

Contrasting colour schemes are colours that have nothing in common. They are on different sides of a colour wheel. When side by side they draw attention to each other and stand out. Complementary colour schemes are the most contrasting. Complimentary colour schemes are when the colours are exact opposite to each other on a colour wheel. For example: red and green; blue and orange; violet and yellow; another example of a contrasting scheme is using three colours all equal distance apart on a colour wheel. An example of this is would be wearing red, yellow and blue together in a combination.

To look more elegant, softer, more approachable or harmonious opt for related colour combinations. To appear more dynamic, fun or energetic dress in contrasting combinations.

I highly recommend playing with colour and creating your own colour schemes with a box of Crayola crayons or paints. Find the combinations that interest your personality and suit your colouring. Incorporate them into your wardrobe and the way you dress.