All posts by Kimberly

Business Dress, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

SUCCESS? Not with this Dress

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One of the things that I have learned as certified professional image consultant is that looking successful is not just about the garments that you wear. It is also about how they are coordinated, the garment details and your body language. At first glance these men and women look quite professional (okay, except for the elf shoes). They are all wearing what would be considered business attire. But look again, how many mistakes can you see??

What not to wear for Success
What not to wear for Success

The man on the left:

  1. Notice the ripples on the jacket. Either he is pulling down too hard on the pockets with his hands or the jacket is too big around.
  2. His tie is also crooked. (Okay, these things happen)
  3. Shirt sleeve should extend about ¼ to ½ inch below his jacket sleeve for a classic business look.

The woman to his right:

  1. The skirt is too short. For business it should never be shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
  2. A little too much cleavage for work.
  3. The shoes would do better at a night club than at the office.
  4. The hemline of her top worn below the jacket might be alright in a casual work environment, but in a formal office it comes across too casual.

The man with the elf shoes:

  1. Assuming he is wearing a shirt, his shirt cuffs also should be ¼ to ½ inch longer than the jacket sleeves.
  2. With those shoes, his pants are too long. There should be a slight break at the bottom of the leg, not the rumpled look we see.

The woman on the right

  1. The sleeves appear too long, although it is hard to know for sure, since they are buried in her pockets.

Advice for all…

  • Putting hands in your pockets ruins the line of the garment
  • Don’t draw attention to your legs when you want attention on your face
  • Shirt cuffs add sophistication to tailored classic attire
  • Crossed arms send a negative message – she looks angry
  • Make sure the width of your pant legs coordinate with the style of your shoes.
  • Elf shoes have no place in the workplace
Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Mixing Metals in Your Outfit ~Faux Pas or Fabulous?

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A workshop attendee recently asked me what the rule is for wearing different metals at the same time.

The rule for wearing gold and silver together used to be very strict – Don’t Do It!
The thought was that jewellery metal should match. Matching jewellery sets were very common because they made coordinating your outfit very easy.

These days many of the rules of dressing have relaxed, and so has the rule about mixing metals. Now, it is more about the overall look and personality of the outfit being coordinated rather than just one element. Although wearing the same metal will appear more classic than mixing metals, a more important question to ask would be, “Does the personality of the jewellery go with the personality of the outfit?” If the answer is, “yes”, then go for it.

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.

    Etiquette, Uncategorized

    Texting and BlackBerry Etiquette – Kimberly Law

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    About a year ago three teenage cousins were invited by their grandparents to go out for dinner and then to a play. They all seemed excited about the activity until they arrived at the restaurant. After they arrived, two of the three girls received text messages. Instead of shutting off their cell phones and enjoying the company of their grandparents and each other,  they started text messaging their friends and each other. This left the grandparents and the third cousin sitting there feeling left out, annoyed and uncomfortable. At the theatre they continued text messaging throughout the play. Each time a text was received the phone would vibrate and the light came on, annoying the people around them. It was also embarrassing and insulting to the grandparents.

    Unfortunately this is a commons story and it happens often. When it comes to cell phones and text messaging we often forget our manners and etiquette. We don’t consider how the people around us might feel. Think about the last time you were kept waiting while somone you were with had an non-important texting conversation.

    Some people think that portable devices such as BlackBerry’s used for texting, emailing and planning your day follow different rules of etiquette then should be followed for chatting on a cell telephone. I think that most would agree they are generally less annoying then being forced to listen in on a cell phone conversation just because you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. However, just because they are more private and less disruptive then cell phones it, doesn’t mean you should use them at anytime. Checking and responding to e-mail, text messaging or planning your day on a portable device during these times is just plain rude!

    • During a meeting, public event, lecture or in a classroom.
    • Restaurants. (Unless you are alone)
    • Places of worship, weddings & funerals.
    • In someone else’s home or office.
    • While socialising with others face-to-face.

    When using any kind of electronic conversational device for texting, emailing or talking, consider the people around you and on the other end of the conversation.

    Etiquette

    Cell Phone Etiquette – By Kimberly Law AICI CIP

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    Cell phones are everywhere and used all the time. Over the past few years, cell phone use and misuse have gotten out of control. They can cause everything from general disturbances to road-rage. When it comes to mobile phones, be courteous to others and use a little common sense. Consider the following cell phone etiquette tips:

    • Keep cell phone calls quick and to the point.
    • Chat or text on cell phones when you are alone, not in public.
    • Quirky ring tones can be very annoying. When in a public place or business setting, set phones on silence, vibrate or use a traditional ring tone.
    • In a business setting, personal cell phones should be turned off.
    • Keep personal matters personal by having these discussions in private.
    • Don’t disturb people around you while talking on your mobile phone.  Keep your distance from other people while talking.
    • Don’t yell. Monitor the loudness of your voice and keep it at a low to moderate level.
    • Use hands free devices while driving, for your safety and to alleviate the aggravation of those driving next to you.

    Cell phones should be turned off in the following circumstances:

    • During a meeting, public event, lecture or in a classroom.
    • Restaurants.
    • Places of worship, weddings & funerals.
    • While watching a movie, play, or musical event.
    • In someone else’s home or office.
    • Public transportation.
    • Hospitals.
    • Elevators.
    • Any time you may be disturbing others.
    Etiquette, Uncategorized

    TECHNOLOGY VS CIVILITY – BY KIMBERLY LAW AICI CIP

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    In the Toronto Sun today there is an article called Rules of dumb, has our high-tech evolution resulted in a lower standard of etiquette? It mentions a situation where a teacher took a cell phone away from a student and then read all of her saved text messages in front of the class. Obviously he did this out of frustration over the perceived lack of respect. However, were his actions more respectful? He obviously embarrassed the student.
    Catherine Bell of Prime Impressions shares some great comments in this article on cell phones and technology from an etiquette perspective. When asked if the rules have changed, she says that the rules haven’t changed, but that people’s perceptions of them have changed and that is just as important. “The whole idea of civility and respect is wanting in all environments,” she says. “They’re throwing out the window the consideration for the people around them.”
    So I guess the question is, whether consideration for the people around us is still important. Or has society evolved to a place where taking other people into consideration by using manners and etiquette is no longer important? And if so will this lead to a continuation of civilization as we know it or will it lead to chaos?

    From my perspective as a certified image consultant and etiquette expert, it would seem that a society lacking in civility would be taking a step backward. Civility evolved over time to create order and respect in the lives of others and ours. However, lately I have seen examples of incivility everywhere. It is my personal belief that we need to get back to basics and consider before hand how our actions might affect others. Then act appropriately.

    Business Dress, Colour, Make up, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

    The Most Slimming Colour Combination

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    As an image consultant, clients often ask me how to wear colour in a way that will help them look slimmer.

    The most slimming colour combinations are when dressing in monochromatic colour schemes: This colour scheme is created by dressing in one colour and its own variations A simple way of achieving this is by tinting (adding white), toning (adding grey or the colour’s opposite in the colour wheel, its complement on the colour wheel), or shading (adding black). This creates different values and intensities of the same colour. When worn, it is commonly known as “tone-on-tone” dressing.

    When used in a wardrobe, monochromatic colour schemes have a slimming effect and can make the wearer look taller.

    They also create a harmonious effect and make the wearer come across as elegant and refined.

    The unfortunate thing about dressing in monochromatic colour schemes is that sometimes they can look boring. One way to remedie this is by accessorizing with jewellery or with an accessory such as a scarf that adds a small splash of another colour. This will create a focal point and draw attention and add interest. When using a focal point in your wardrobe, be aware of where your focal point is drawing the attention. I always recommend focal points close to the face. This will draw attention to your face and away from less flattering areas of the body.