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.

Filed Under: Look Younger , Uncategorized , Wardrobe , Women

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.

Filed Under: Dining Etiquette , Etiquette

Email Etiquette

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Even though email can be a real time saver, it is still a form of written correspondence. Business emails should be written with the same formality and etiquette as a business letter.

• State the subject in the “subject” box.
• Start with a salutation like Dear… or Hello… or Greetings…
• Emails should be brief and to the point.
• Don’t send sensitive information by email. Accidents do occasionally happen.
• It’s easy to whip off a quick email, but remember to pay attention to spelling and grammar so that you are clearly understood.
• Do not use all capital letters in an e-mail message: it comes across as shouting.
• If you are sending an email to a group, and the individuals do not need to know who else is receiving the e-mail, use the “blind copy” box to type the email addresses. This prevents people’s e-mail addresses from being sent to others.
• Your e-mail signature should include: your name, title, company name, company telephone number, your direct line and fax number.
• When e-mailing different time zones, be clear about dates and times.
• Address people as Mr. or Ms. unless they specify a different title in their signature.
• Respond to e-mails in a timely manner. Either right away or, if it will take longer to obtain information, within 48 hours reply that it will take longer to get the required information.
• Business email addresses should come across professional and reflect your industry and position.
• Be respectful of other people’s time; do not send junk-mail, chain letters or jokes.

Personal emails can be more flexible in format and content although etiquette is still important. Remember to use your manners like you would in a verbal conversation. Things like please and thank you can make a big difference in an e-mail. No matter what the topic, always be considerate of the person you are writing to. Also, remember that emails sometimes end up in the wrong inbox and are unintentionally read by the wrong person. Don’t include content you might regret someone else reading. Manners matter, no matter what that format – verbal, hand-written or electronically.

Filed Under: Etiquette , Uncategorized