On August 26th. the culmination of our “Sofie Made Me Do It” Makeover Contest occurred.  Kathy Powell, makeover winner, received her final steps in her long Journey to Style.  It seems easy doesn’t it?  Just go to a hairstylist and get a new haircut, put some makeup on and do a little shopping.  THAT’s the easy part!

When you make a decision to change, it is very hard.  You are used to the way things are and are scared that you might not like what might be.  It is a risk.  The challenge is, there is no easy way to change except to embrace the journey along the way.

When Kathy won, I wanted to make sure that she was “up for it”. I told her that when I work with my clients, I am interested in developing a relationship with them because these “things” can take time.  We started in March.  I said that I would be a “summer excursion” and we would diligently work toward her success all summer.

There are 4 things you must know about change that Kathy embraced:

1. You must be ready and willing (open)
2. You must be diligent about learning things that you may not know-no one can do it for you
3. You must be persistent and keep going even when you don’t think things are moving in the right direction
4. You must focus on your strengths. (Everyone has them!)

Once you have begun, it is very easy to relax back into old habits.  As they say it takes 21 days of consistent doing to make or break a new habit.  So it is with a wardrobe.  When you are learning how to put things together you see it each and every day.  So it is easy to practice simple rules.

Revisit what worked and what didn’t each season.  Plan, focus attack.  Step by step and day by day your efforts will pay off and you too can be victoriously persistent.

Thank you to all of the vendors that participated.  Please check out their sites to start your own journey.  Each has something special to offer.  Kyle Young of Multi-TaskingWoman.com, Susan Cadley of Coaching for Your Soul, and Alyson Hoag of Authentic Beauty. Congratulations Kathy on your successful Journey to Style!  I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you as your success continues. Watch her video journey. It’s a beautiful tribute to her. Keep up the hard work and:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have Fun Doing It!”

Women love cropped pants. Most men DON’T! I love them not only because they are comfortable, but also because they hide my veins and giggly legs! I inherited my mother’s legs, which she always called “piano legs”. (big at the top and narrow at the bottom). Needless to say, they are no longer a feature that I care to accentuate!

Moving into the fall season, I am seeing cropped pants transitionally worn in many ways. I encourage your to watch your cropped styles. They are tricky. When you are wearing them, make sure to pair them with the proper shoes. Look at how they are being styled in the magazines and COPY them. Forgo the desire to wear your “comfortable” shoes or else you will be a fashion misstep.

Your shoe selection with a crop is more important that with most other pants/shorts. try these tips and let me know the reaction you get.

• My least favorite cropped pant is one that is a “baggy”, shapeless crop.  These are the most unflattering of all styles.  They show no shape and are ill fitting..Comfortable, yes, but have no style.  They rank right up there with sweatpants.  My recommendation is to just walk on by.

• A slimmer, body skimming leg is universally flattering-even for those who feel they can handle it- because it shows the line of your body.  You can wear them with a flat shoe or a sleek pump.  Easy!

• A tailored crop is a little looser so pair it with a clean classic look such as a peep toe or pump or one of the newly styled platform wedges (watch the balance though)

• A rolled denim is fun and easy to wear, but here again, resist the urge to wear these with your athletic shoes.  You’ll be weighed down and your legs will be cut of at the “roll”.  Wear them in a fun way with a gladiator or higher heeled shoe.

• “Harem” Crop.  This is my other least favorite unless your are rail thin.  The challenge with this crop is that the woman drawn to this pant typically has “junk in the trunk” or has wide hips.  This crop will only serve to make you appear larger because of the typically soft billowy fabric it will be made of.  If you are lucky enough to be able to wear them, again go for a platform wedge or if you are daring enough a bootie for fall.

Just remember that crops are OK but can be difficult and must be chosen with care first.  Comfort should not come first in your selection process.  Follow your principles of proportion and skim the body for the best, most flattering look and you’ll:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have Fun Doing It!”

Shoes play a significant role in your finished look.  Wedges over the past several seasons have moved from mod to mainstream and this fall wedges, booties and flats are an important trend.

I’m loving the softer, sleeker looks of wedges and booties for fall trends.  In the past it’s been all about the gladiator and extreme heeled looks.These are some of my favorite shoes this season.

Not that gladiators or extreme heels are not out there.  You will still see them but they are becoming less  “in your face”.   You will note here that once a trend has saturated the mainstream market it begins to fade pretty quickly.  So, for those of you who don’t have a budget for replacing your shoes often, I wouldn’t go out and spend a fortune on anything too trendy right now.

Simple looks are in every part of your clothing wardrobe for the foreseeable future, from skirts and slacks to tops and t-shirts. Choosing the softer, more delicate shoe styles with detail will be easier and more fun to work into your outfit. The styles for fall are so easy to adapt that even the most conservative style minded dressers will find it a fun way to update. Wedges can be fun and they don’t have to weigh you down.

The big word for fall is minimalism.

Now is the time to play and pay attention to your shoes to make yourself unique.

Play, have some fun with your shoes. Stop being boring. The styles are conservative and you CAN add a little light-hearted fun in your shoes to make things less serious.

Pay Attention to detail. Watch the detail on the shoes. Minimalistic detail is good, but do add SOME detail.  This will help you extend the wear ability to create different looks.

Choose your shoes with care and attention this season and please take a chance go for it and “live on the wedge” for fall!!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have Fun Doing It!”

In architecture it is said that “form follows function”. Simply put, the shape of a building or an object should be based on its intended function or purpose. The same can be said of your clothing.

How are you wearing the clothes in your closet?  Are you wearing them for the function they were created or in another capacity?

If you shop online, clothing is already put into functional categories such as:  “fitness”, “casual”, “weekend”, “business” and “formal”.

Land's End Active

Land's End Chino

Land's End Denim

Land's End Shirt

When searching for an item you know how to put in the key words to pull up those pieces.

This might prompt a question in your mind to ask yourself “why are you wearing fitness or casual weekend apparel to work????

Tim Gunn, mentor on Project Runway recently was quoted as saying “physical comfort is overrated”. What he meant was that as you are moving through life you must have a sense of presence about you.  You need to be aware of your physicality.  As he said, “if you’re in a lackadaisical comfort haze, you can’t be engaged in the world the way you need to be.”

Ponder these questions as you are cleaning out your closet and move toward a functioning closet this fall. Each piece in your closet has a function, from your foundational and core pieces to your accent and accessories.  When you transfer your casual, easy-going summer pieces into fall, assess the function of each piece in your closet.  Ask yourself :

• What lifestyle am I leading everyday?  Is it a casual, formal business or weekend?  Don’t be so quick to answer casual….perhaps it really shouldn’t be so casual.  Do you have a job that requires you to meet people?  I strongly feel that the only people that should dress in a “casual” style are those who are retired or stay at home full time.
• What type of people do you meet each and every day?  Just because others fail to dress for function doesn’t mean you have to.
• Is your closet supporting 80% of the things you do each day?

Stay close to the function purpose of your clothes and you’ll not only engage but also:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

As I have “aged” (I like to say matured) I say I don’t want to look “younger”- just want to stay youthful, look alive, vibrant and current.

Recently, I took my youngest son to a Tom Petty Concert.  Crosby, Stills and Nash led the concert off and they were amazing.

The concert was a great way to connect with my teenager.  I had done the same with my daughter. (We saw the Back Street Boys).  I have to admit my bedtime was exceeded by several hours and I don’t want to do it every week, but it did remind me that in order to stay current, you have to engage in what IS current.

What do you do to stay “youthful”? Do you attend concerts, art shows, read books, connect with people young and old alike?   I have noticed when people mature and begin to slow down, the television can become their best friend and the level of “engagement” tends to be what is being blared out on a daily basis.

I hope that as I mature I will always want to learn and engage with what is going on in the world.  To do nothing would be to be boring, disconnected and honestly become a breeding ground for unhappiness and “self-focus”.

It goes without saying that exercise is of utmost importance, but how else do you stay engaged?  Here are a few suggestions to help you plan with purpose your engagement as you move throughout your life.  Do these things and people will want to be your friend and stay connected with you!

1. Schedule an event (concert, play, volunteer) no less than twice a year
2. Read a variety of material not just the newspaper, but also business, current event books, as well staying up to date with world cultures.  We are a global society now.
3. Remember, just because you are “mature” doesn’t mean you must wear “old lady” clothes.  Update your look AND glasses every few years

By all means have fun with whatever you do and SMILE….It will make people wonder what you are up to!

“Look Good Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It”!

Let’s get excited about FALL 2010 Style and Trend Watch! Color may be subdued, but detail reigns supreme!

One way you can update your wardrobe quickly and with minimal effort is by adding a great jacket. Using neutral colors as a backdrop when you purchase core pieces (suits, suiting separates, etc) allows you to focus on detail in the construction of a garment when updating your wardrobe.

Target.com

Valentino

Dolce and Gabbana

Minimalism is such an important trend that you’ll not want to overlook the details that make a difference in creating a spectacular piece.Details that draw your eye…. fabrics (menswear inspired tweeds), top stitching, buttons, sleeve placement, asymmetrical design, etc. In addition to details, focus on accessories.

According to Nina Garcia, the following are top 10 trends for in the fall of 2010:

1. Framed ladylike handbags
2. Cozy shearling trims and linings
3. Rich neutrals like camel and gray
4. Structural, architectural coats
5. Polished ’90s-style minimalism
6. Knitwear and sweater dressing
7. Sophisticated tweeds
8. Tailored, streamlined pants
9. Full, feminine tulip skirts
10. Bold leopard/ponyhair accessories

Detail not only gives an immediate impact and interest to an outfit it will set you apart from the crowd bringing style, uniqueness and creativity to your closet. This is what creates your signature style. Remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Each season, especially the Fall Season, new trends emerge and  sometimes perspective can be lost to the domination of fashion.

Have you ever bought something just because it was on trend or “in fashion”?  Do you do something just because it is new and you must have it or someone has told you it is a “must have” for the season?

If you answer with a slight grin and a nod then you might be considered  a slave to fashion.  A slave is defined on the web as a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person.  Some may be slaves to food, others work, but we are surrounded by clothes!  How can one NOT become a slave to fashion?

I’m the first one to tell you that I love clothes, but the more mature (older) I get the more I want to make sure that the pieces I put in my closet not only work now but also later.

When youth is your best friend, it’s easy to have ‘throw away’ clothes.  Those are items that are with you for a season.  Choose with caution these clothes because even they seem to stay around for longer than their life cycle!  It seems as if they grow partners and find their way back into your life with a vengeance.

How do you ensure that you do not become a slave to fashion? Try these 5 tips when shopping this fall and you’ll be sure to add just the right pieces in your wardrobe this season and beyond:

1. Make sure to check in with the classics
2. Focus on 1-2 colors (accents)
3. Just because it is “on trend” doesn’t mean it is “your trend”
4. Fit the largest part of your body and ALTER to fit the rest
5. Don’t forget your assets! (don’t focus on your negative parts)

Remember these 5 things and keep your perspective.  You’ll go a long way towards:

“Looking Good, Feeling Great and Having Fun While Doing It!”

Recently I traveled to my home town to visit a friend who had lost everything in a fire.  We sifted through a bit of rubble but there wasn’t much left.

Have you ever thought about to how much we accumulate over a lifetime?  Not just furniture and nick-knacks, but clothes, shoes, jewelry and everything else we must have.

Our society thrives on accumulating “stuff”  (me too).   My visit made me wonder what I would do if I lost everything to a disaster.  It certainly puts a new perspective on things!

When I asked my friend what she was going to do, she had an easy response.  She didn’t really want to get back to the “stuff” she had, she just wanted to keep it simple. Her resilience amazes me.

Perhaps in some ways she is lucky because she didn’t have to make any choices of what to keep.  No one would wish or choose this way though of course!  Although a challenging time, making choices will be easier for her because she will chose only what really works.

We all go through problems and are all forced to move on and transition throughout life.  Very often the simple act of clearing out the clutter in your closet will enable you to see more clearly in other parts of your life.  It is liberating and allows growth in other places that need nurturing.

As you begin to transition your closet this season, I want you to think what you would really miss if it were to disappear tomorrow.  What are the pieces in your closet that are your core basics that without these, you would be lost.

Move everything else out to make room for what will be the best season ever because, you know that you will be wearing only the pieces that look good and feel really great on you.

Remember my mantra:  core, accent, accessories and in that order and you will:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

“Look for the woman in the dress.   If there is not woman, there is no dress” -Coco Chanel

This quote from Coco Chanel says it all.  When I read this I thought of a woman wearing a sack to hide her body.  The reality is that the baggier we wear our clothes the bigger we look.  The tighter we wear our clothes the bigger we look!

Recently, I have noticed that my “normal” size no longer fits my body. I will shop anywhere and everywhere and I’m always looking at what’s in the market to add a special touch to my wardrobe.  I don’t like to look like I shop at one store or look like a specific brand.  That is “my style”.  The challenge with this is that I may be one size at one store and then need to move up 2 sizes somewhere else.

Psychologically speaking, I have a difficult time pulling another size, but I have forced myself to pull a range of sizes just to see what works.  I must practice what I preach.  When shopping with new clients, I will always pull 2 sizes up from what they will tell me just to make sure that I get the best fit for the style garment that I am working with.

As women we tend to look in the mirror and see all our bad parts first.  We are far too critical of our bodies.  Men tend to see themselves in a much better light.  We could use a bit of humor when we look in the mirror.  I do no know why men really don’t look at themselves as critically as we do.  Probably something to do with Venus and Mars!

Style truly doesn’t have a size. Remember “fashion can be bought, style one must possess”.  So as you are developing your sense of who you are and getting into the new season, take a different approach this season.  Try looking at what IS working, what DOES feel good. What do people compliment you on and listen to that first.

Think about how you can develop THAT part of your wardrobe and go from there.  P.S.  you can always cut the tags out and you will go a long way towards simplifying your wardrobe and your life and you will begin to :

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Fall will soon be here and with it comes a host of “new” trends.  This fall we will see a continuation of conservative looks in fabrics and coloration.  What trumps the runways in my opinion this fall are the trends towards neutral core pieces.

Safe is the word.  Now is the time to begin building some great neutral pieces into your wardrobe. Seasons past have seen intense colors in yellow, brilliant blues and reds.  Although those colors are still seen, it is not seen to the intensity as in seasons past.  So don’t get mad, go neutral this fall. You’ll be investing in some perfect pieces that will carry you through many seasons ahead!  Check out the great pieces below to build a base around all that color you’ve been adding to your closet!

Neutrals: The new neutrals are taupe and beige.  Black is back  but so are cooler neutral taupe and beige tones.

Capes and Sweaters: Neat knits and ponchos!  Either tiny and tailored or big and dramatic, the cape is definitely the new fall cover-up of choice.

Layers and Turtlenecks: The more layers the better!  A blouse under a vest under a blazer or a turtleneck under shirting under a cardigan.  The fits are sleeker and all the detail is at the neck and waistline.

Overall the runways are dark and glamour is making a quiet comeback.  Re-emergence of luxury comes in smart, lean savvy looks.  Nothing is “in your face” and over the top.

So as you are approaching your wardrobe this season, think quality and classic.  NOW is the time to add key CORE pieces to your wardrobe.  Invest in quality and make sure that you pay close attention to detail.  The pieces you add this season will surely stay with you longer and make you:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”