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.
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SUCCESS? Not with this Dress
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??
The man on the left:
- 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.
- His tie is also crooked. (Okay, these things happen)
- Shirt sleeve should extend about ¼ to ½ inch below his jacket sleeve for a classic business look.
The woman to his right:
- The skirt is too short. For business it should never be shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
- A little too much cleavage for work.
- The shoes would do better at a night club than at the office.
- 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:
- Assuming he is wearing a shirt, his shirt cuffs also should be ¼ to ½ inch longer than the jacket sleeves.
- 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
- 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
Mixing Metals in Your Outfit ~Faux Pas or Fabulous?
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.
Wardrobe Classics make Great Wardrobe Capsules
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
- Start with an extra layer garment such as a blazer
- Find two coordinating bottoms
- Find three tops that coordinate with the jacket and both bottoms
- Add coordinating ties (men only) and accessories to these combinations
- Add coordinating shoes and belts to these combinations
- Add stockings or socks toned to each bottom and shoes
- 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.
Skinny vs. Tapered ~ What’s Hot What’s Not
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.
Email Etiquette
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.
Texting and BlackBerry Etiquette – Kimberly Law
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.
TECHNOLOGY VS CIVILITY – BY KIMBERLY LAW AICI CIP
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?
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.
The Most Slimming Colour Combination
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.
How to Dress in Contrasting Colour Schemes
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.
