Category Archives: Men

Etiquette, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Hat Etiquette

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It’s not just baseball caps anymore… This season hats are hot. They are everywhere and they come in every style for both men and women. Recently clients have asked questions about hat etiquette. So here are a few tips:

In the past when hats were popular there was a distinction between men’s and women’s hats. And each had its own rules of etiquette.

Traditionally men would tip their hats to say hello and they would always be taken off indoors and / or before sitting down at the table to eat.

Women’s hats were considered part of their outfit. They were pinned into their hair so they would stay in place during the day. When socializing inside they would keep their hat on as an accessory, even at the dining table.

These days, hats are worn for function and fashion. As women have adopted men’s hat styles as their own, the line for gender specific hats and etiquette has become grey.

For men the rule remains the same. Please remove your hat or cap when coming inside and always before sitting down at the dining table.

Women should remove their hat if it is for function or if it is a traditional men’s style hat or cap. If the hat has feminine details and forms part of an outfit it may be worn as an inside accessory.

This Hanukah, Christmas and New Year show respect to your family and friends with Hat Etiquette…

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.

    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.

    Colour, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

    How to Dress in Contrasting Colour Schemes

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    Clothing worn in contrasting colours combinations can appear very strong and sometimes hard on the eyes. An example of this would be dressing in a wardrobe combination of true violet and true yellow. Although this example contains complementary colours which are across from each other on a colour wheel, contrasting colour schemes are a combination of 2 or more colours that are on opposing sides of the colour wheel.

    When wearing contrasting colours they tend to look best when worn in different intensities and example of this would be dressing in one dark; one light and one bright colour. This will draw attention to the brightest colour and the rest will complement that colour in the background.

    A less dramatic version of this colour scheme is when the colours are all muted. Muted colours are more restful to the eye and appear more harmonious. In these wardrobe combinations they are also easier for most of us to wear and feel confident in.

    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.

    Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

    13 Packing Tips to Make Unpacking Easier

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    Looking great, while living out of a suitcase, is definitely not easy. You will find that your clothing tends to wrinkle and it is usually impossible to pack enough outfits to wear without having to find a Laundromat if your trip is more than a few days. For many women and men, deciding what to pack to look good while traveling is a huge challenge.

    Below you will find tips for packing to look great while you travel. Follow these tips and you won’t have to lug three suitcases with you. Looking great while on the road does not have to be difficult at all.

    Avoid Pure Cotton
    Cotton wrinkles rapidly and it is probably one of the worst fabrics to pack when traveling. Instead, look for clothing that is either supposed to be wrinkled (think crinkle fabric) or that is wrinkle-resistant. There are several brands of clothing that are specially designed not to need ironing and these work very well for travel.

    Use Accessories to Dress up or Down
    As I mentioned in my previous post, ‘Packing Light for the Stylish Traveller’, before by changing accessories you can take an outfit from one activity to another or change your look from daytime to evening. Save space by packing basic clothing styles in neutral colours. Using accessories is an easy way to alter your appearance.

    Give it a Roll
    A good way to pack your clothing is to roll it, rather than fold it. Roll garments in tissue, plastic or a thin towel if they are likely to wrinkle. This helps to eliminate lines and creases and helps keep clothes nice and smooth.

    Keep Garments looking Great with Plastic
    Covering garments in a clear plastic dry cleaning bag before hanging them in a garment bag will help to prevent wrinkling.

    Roll ties and belts.
    This will stop them from getting crushed during transport.

    Fill the Gaps
    Socks and underwear can be stuffed into shoes. This will save space while keeping your shoes from getting crushed. These items can also fill in gaps around bigger items and prevent them from moving around.

    Use Space Saver Bags
    This idea works well for wrinkle free fabrics. By removing the air you will get a lot more into your suitcase. Test the fabric of your garment before you try this unless you are planning to bring an iron.

    Use Travel Sizes
    By transferring toiletries into travel size containers you will save space and weight in you suitcase.

    Limit the Shoes
    Shoes weigh a lot and take up precious space. Limit your shoes to neutrals and metallic’s. They will be easier to coordinate with your clothing. Stick to comfortable, basic styles that can be worn for different kinds of activities.

    Protect with Plastic
    When travelling use plastic bags to protect your clothing from your shoes and toiletries. Ziploc bags work particularly well and keep your items sealed and visible. Use a kitchen garbage bag for dirty laundry.

    Leave the Blow-Dryer at Home
    Most hotels and resorts now have blow-dryers in the rooms. Check ahead to be sure.

    Swap Clothing
    No I don’t mean share clothing, although if you have laundry facilities, the idea does have possibilities. What I mean is, if you are travelling with family pack an outfit in each others’ suitcase. If swapping clothes is not an option, carry-on a complete outfit.  Just in case you and your luggage don’t arrive together.

    Unpack Immediately
    When you arrive, unpack immediately and hang up hanging garments. If they are wrinkled, hang them in a steamy bathroom for a short while and then let them cool in a closet.

    If you have a packing tip or any questions about packing for travel, I would love to hear from you.

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    Business Dress, Men, Wardrobe, Women

    Packing Light for the Stylish Traveller

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    For business or pleasure travelling can be exciting and adventurous. However, packing to suit all possible situations can be tricky; especially now with weight and carry on restrictions. This can make packing and travel frustrating, even for the experienced traveller. As an Image Consultant,  I have found that these packing tips help my clients lighten their load and maintain their style.

    Choose a Color Palette
    Pick two main wardrobe colors.  At least one of your two main colors should be a neutral: black, brown, taupe, tan, or navy. While white is a great neutral, especially for summer, it may not be the best choice for travel because it gets dirty so quickly. All of your basic clothing pieces should be one of the two main colors. Next choose one accent colour that can be worn with either of the two main wardrobe colours. This way all of the clothing in your suitcase can be mixed and matched to look great together.

    Stick to Three Pairs of Shoes
    A casual pair of shoes, such as sneakers that are comfortable for walking is a good idea if you plan to go sightseeing. Dress shoes in a basic style are ideal for business or a dinner out with friends or family. If you are near the beach or plan to enjoy some warm weather, sandals can look nice and still let your feet breathe. There really should be no need for more pairs of shoes. If you go with neutral colors that coordinate with your basic wardrobe colours, the three pairs that you bring will match anything in your travel wardrobe.

    Pack Lots of Accessories
    Ties, scarves, earrings, necklaces and belts take up very little room in your suitcase, yet can change your look in seconds. For women, a pair of dangly earrings will dress up a basic shirt or blouse for daytime. A set of pearl earrings and choker turn that same blouse into the perfect evening wear. Bring a couple of different belts and scarves as well, since these can dramatically change how an outfit looks on you. Men can instantly change the look of an outfit by adding, removing or changing a tie. Sunglasses are also an important accessory to pack, particularly if your eyes tend to look a little dark after a long trip.

    Go Reversible
    Reversible clothing is a great option for traveling. It gives you twice the look without taking up extra space. Jackets, skirts and shorts are ideal for this type of treatment. Using a reversible bag lets you have two looks in one, as well. When purchasing reversible clothes make sure both colors and, of course, the overall style is flattering to your colouring and body shape.

    Bring Sample Sizes
    Instead of bringing full sized toiletries and cosmetic items, transfer small amounts into travel containers. Travelling is also a great opportunity to use those ‘Gift with Purchases’ and cosmetic samples that may be accumulating in your bathroom vanity. This will save space in your luggage, and lighten your load while travelling.

    Follow these tips before your next trip and you will be sure to look stylish wherever you travel.

    Men, Wardrobe, Women

    How to Pack to Look Great While Travelling

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    For many men and women, vacation packing consists of throwing shorts, t-shirts and a couple of bathing suits into a suitcase. However, this can get you into trouble when something unexpected comes up that requires a bit more finesse. Before you travel for work or pleasure, ask yourself a few simple questions. The answers will guide you towards packing right for every occasion.

    Where are you going?
    I know this may seem redundant (of course you know where you are going). But the reality is, often we don’t really think this through prior to travel. Even if we are spending all of our time at a resort and your objective is to relax, often there are dress codes for restaurants, golf courses and local attractions. Research the local customs and resort expectations ahead of time to learn about the do’s and taboos.

    What is the climate like?
    Different climates require different fabrics for comfort. Does the temperature change or remain fairly constant? If the temperature changes during the day or at night, layers can add warmth and allow you to add and remove as needed. If the climate is humid natural fibres and looser silhouettes will help keep you cool. Keep synthetics such as fleece for dryer and moderate climates unless they are guaranteed to breath.

    Who are you traveling with?
    Children, friends and family may have different ideas about the ideal travelling wardrobe. Dressing out of sync with your travel party can leave you and others feeling unprepared and uncomfortable. Know who you are likely to spend time with while travelling and how they intend to dress before you leave home.

    How are you getting there?
    Is it a boat, a plane, or a car? Different modes of travel require different clothing, different packing requirements and volume restrictions. This can weigh heavily on how much and what you pack. Consider carefully the comfort, convenience and speed of travel. Keep toiletries and a change of clothes handy for easy access… just in case.

    How long will you be there?
    Short trips have their advantages because you can usually pack enough without being concerned about laundry and dry-cleaning. However, for longer trips you need to determine ahead of time how this will be handled. Although some hotels and resorts provide laundry facilities or service, many do not. Decide in advance how you will keep your clothing fresh and clean.

    Once you know the answers to these questions, pack accordingly. This will help to keep your vacation or business travel stress-free and more enjoyable.

    View our next post for tips on how to pack light and still look stylish!