Leaving the house and just noticed your hem coming down? As a certified professional image consultant my first suggestion would be to change into another outfit. However, in some circumstances this just isn’t possible. Instead of pulling out the safety pins or the duct tape…
Fashion Tape again, is the better solution. It will be less visible and do a better job then a homemade remedy.
Bra clips (which are available under a number of different names) are a plastic clip which will clip the bra straps together, holding them in the center of your back. http://www.thestrapper.com
When your bra style has the option for changing the straps, clear plastic bra straps work well. They stay in place and generally aren’t noticeable even when you are moving around.
Fashion Tape can also work to keep your bra straps in place.
Fashion Tape is the answer. It is a two sided tape that can be used to hold two pieces of fabric together. It also sticks to the skin holding straps, plunging neckline or even hosiery… to your skin. Here is one resource: http://www.essentialbodywear.com
Ever have one of those really embarrassing moments? Although many of us think wardrobe malfunctions and mishaps only happen to celebrities like Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, it happens to all of us at one time or another… And recently it happened to me.
I was wearing stay-up hosiery. The kind with the silicone at the top, which is supposed to keep the hosiery in place. I was being escorted to my car by someone that I didn’t know very well, when suddenly I could feel one of my stockings sliding down my leg. How embarrassing!!! Yes, even professional image consultants have their embarrassing moments.
Although there really are not guarantees, the stay-ups are in good condition, they are more likely to stay put. To keep them in good condition longer. Wash them in cold water with mild detergent and avoid the dryer.
Don’t try to extend their life. As soon as the silicone starts to peal off, it’s time for a new stocking. The nice thing about stay-ups though is that often only one is ready for the garbage. By buying the same brand in the same colour, you mix and match as needed.
Another thing to consider is what you have on you skin. They tend to stick better if they are clean, and worn on clean skin without any creams, lotions or powders.
If you have any other suggestions to keep your stay-ups from malfuncting, I would love to hear about them.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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:
The woman to his right:
The man with the elf shoes:
The woman on the right
Advice for all…
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.
Association of Image Consultants International (AICI)
Institute of Image Training & Testing International (IITTI)
