InStyle magazine is a publication that I really enjoy reading. It contains great tips for the average woman on current fashion and beauty. 
However, in the September issue of InStyle magazine I was a bit disappointed to see this advertisement produced by Dry Idea. It indicates that these clothing items are appropriate office attire for women. Although I love the little black dress and it would definitely be appropriate for social occasions, it might leave some thinking that this style is appropriate for the office as well. Anything strapless, low-cut, mini in length or sheer is not appropriate office dress. However, in the case of the strapless black dress, if it is camouflaged by covering up with the coral coloured sweater showing next to it, you might be able to get away with it. As long as you can’t tell it is strapless. Good personal judgement is advised.
Tag Archives: fashion
The Navy Suit – a Hit in London
One of the things that really stood out for me on my trip to London was business clothing for men. The business suit was the key element for business dress compared to Vancouver where we are still seeing a lot of sport coats worn for business. The navy suit was everywhere; this in contrast to Vancouver where we are still seeing more charcoal, muted colours and earth tones rather than navy. In France, navy and charcoal suits were worn, however, so was the sport coat. In both countries, business casual included short sleeved camp style and dress shirts tucked into the slacks or trousers. Pant styles are mainly plain front styles with narrow legs, all worn with sleek, tapered oxfords.
We Saw Men’s Street Fashion First Hand in England & France
While we were in England and France we hit the streets and we walked everywhere, so we had a lot of opportunity to see men’s fashion in a lot of different areas and environments. What we noticed is that for men, street dressing this summer is basically the same in England and France as it is here in Vancouver. My observations included Bermuda & board shorts and mid-calf Capri styles were worn everywhere. Jean’s are a darker distressed denim with lots of detailing on the back pockets and some with print across the rear. Legs are straight or boot cut. All worn with t-shirts and/or collared shirt. I saw very few polo style shirts.
Shoes for men included everything from various sneaker styles (designed for street wear not active wear); boat shoes and loafers to dressier oxford styles with very sleek styling, tapered elongated toe and a thin sole.
Earring Size Matters
I love large earrings. And I am happy to say that over the past few years they have been making a comeback. However, there is confusion about how big earrings should be when worn for work. Currently, large earrings make a fashion statement. They also make a statement about you. The wrong earrings can harm your credibility, they can be distracting and in some situations dangerous. When choosing earrings for work opt small to medium sized earrings with minimal details to keep attention focused on you not the earrings. Always consider your work environment, your job and the culture of your company and industry.
Dressing Your Lifestyle
Our lifestyle represents the way we live and because of this we need to make sure our clothing helps us to function well in our living environments. It also needs to function well in the lifestyle environments that represent our goals. As our lifestyle changes so will our clothing needs. The key is to constantly evaluate our clothing needs and don’t get stuck in a clothing rut that may be holding you back.
Why Wear Colour Effectively?
Colour analysis is a scientific practice that has evolved over the past 100 years, and for good reason. Colour can affect your mood and the moods of others around you. It will influence your perceived size and body shape, as well as reveal your mood, personality and sense of fashion. Not only that, but It can also make you appear healthier and more attractive.
Colour analysis is a great way of determining which colours are right for you and will enhance your personal colouring. It is also a great way to coordinate a workable, versatile wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched. As you become more aware of colour and relate it to your own colouring and appearance, you can make more appropriate choices that will save you time and money.
How to Change Your Body Shape
When we refer to body shape or body type we are usually referring to the silhouette of the body formed by the structure of the hips, shoulders and waist. These three body parts form the shape of the body. There are many different ways that we can describe these body shapes. Some image professionals use geometrical labels. Some personal image experts use letters. And there are many other labels that describe body shapes and types. However, if you consider what they are saying it comes down to the following:
- The shoulders are wider than the hips
- The hips are wider than the shoulders
- The hips and shoulders are the same width and the waist is much smaller
- The hips and shoulders are the same width and the waist is not much smaller
- The hips and shoulders are the same and the waist is larger
Once you have determined your body shape it will make it much easier to decide if you want to dress to emphasize or to camouflage your body shape.
Your Best Foundation Colour
Choose your foundation as close as possible to your skin colour. The best place to test this is at the jaw line. The reason we test the colour her
e instead of the wrist, cheek or forehead is because the skin colour will be different on every area. The colour of your neck will be different than the colour of the skin on various parts of your face.
Your best colour will blend into your skin tone at the jaw line and look natural next to the skin tone of your neck. Happy testing…
Choosing Your Foundation
The right foundation will last on the skin, be comfortable to wear and give you the right amount of coverage that suits your personality and needs. Choose foundation based on four things:
- Your skin type – knowing your skin type before you buy will save you a lot of head aches. It will make your foundation last longer and be more comfortable. For example a dry skin would likely want a foundation that adds nourishment and moisture to the skin. An oily skin would likely want something oil free.
- These days there are so many choices for foundation formulas. Although liquid is still the most popular, consider cream, wet-dry or mineral powder. Each foundation has different qualities.
- Coverage is something you should consider before buying your foundation. Do you want a natural look, a flawless complexion or something in between?
- After you have determined your preferences based on skin type, formula and coverage it is time to decide on finish. Finish is like the finishing touch. This is also where fashion and personal preference come into play. Do you want a matte finish, satin finish, velvety finish? There are lots of options. Choose the one you like the best or go for fashion.
Once you have narrowed this down then it is time to choose the colour. I will tell you all about it in my next blog post.
The Easy Way to Get the Correct Tie Length
The correct length for a tie changes over time as fashion changes. However, for a classic look, the tie should end at the middle of your belt buckle. For many men, getting it to the right length the first try can be a challenge, especially for those who are new to wearing ties or exploring different tie knots.
I recently learned about a new tool called Eazytie. It is a gadget that will make it easier to get your tie knot tied at the right length, saving you time and frustration in the morning.
Kimberly Law AICI, CIP
Association of Image Consultants International (AICI)
Founding Director of
Institute of Image Training & Testing International (IITTI)
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