Style Trends, if you’ve noticed are spanning several decades.  We have Hollywood Glamour of the 40′s, Leave it to Beaver dresses of the 50′s, Beach Blanket Bingo casual of the 60′s and Color Blocking, Hippy, Bohemian Styles of the 60′s and 70′s…..But wait, 80′s Power Dressing style trend is Back!

There’s never been a better time to get your personal style down and just right!  I love many of the style trends from of each decade and want you to as well!  For my personal style, these are the trends I love:

My Inspired Style Trends:

1. Style Trends from the 40′s – Gorgeous necklines
2. Style Trends from the 50′s – Dresses that shape
3. Style Trends from the 60′s – Classic casual and colorful prints
4. Style Trends from the 70′s – Jeans and natural fibers
5. Style Trends from the 80′s – Trousers and menswear inspired prints

The trick to taking stylish trends and looking great in them is to know what you like and to keep it current.  Don’t get stuck in a decade that was once “yours”.  Take a characteristic (neckline print, etc) of that trend and embrace only a part of it.  Not only does it keep you look current, it makes for interesting combinations.

Style Questions to Ask:

Check the mannequin out before you buy what’s on it.  Ask yourself:

• Is it the color that is drawing my eye?
• Is it the styling that is drawing me into the look?
• Can I own that look, color, style, trend ?
• Should I just grab a piece of that look and take it?

Many times you might find that you already have ‘pieces’ of this trend in your closet and will only need to adapt it in the same way.  Perhaps by adding a new belt, new top or new color!

As the saying goes, “measure twice cut once”…THINK, before you BUY! If you do I believe you will, love it and you’ll

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

February Color…Ah, Love is in the air and the color for the month of February is Sheer Lilac. From  the book: Colorstrology, by Michele Bernhardt, the color Sheer Lilac is Uplifting, Progressive and Detached.

“Inspiring and imaginative, this color invokes the qualities of humanity and kindness.  Sheer Lilac helps us comprehend the spirit of humankind and allows us to experience our friends and the people in our community as family.

Use this color when emotionally entangled, as it can help you practice and understand detachment.

Sheer Lilac inspires a loving detachment and a fresh perspective on emotional issues.  it is the color that corresponds with friendship and community.

Wear or surround yourself with this color when working for a cause, sharing love on a global level, or connecting to your true spiritual nature!” -Michele Bernhardt

If your birthday is in the month of February, stay in touch with your words, continue to uplift and inspire others!

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

I love clothes. I love color.  No, I love shoes. No, I love what clothes and color and shoes can DO for me.

I love the way that they can make me feel important.  I love the way they can make me feel calm and gentle.  I love the way they can make me feel pretty.

Do you believe that getting dressed can make you happy?  Do you believe that success can be influenced by the clothing that you choose?

I do!

Last week wrote a poem about getting dressed and the clothes we choose and I’d like to share it with you.

More than anything when you read this I want you to ponder your relationship with clothes!

 Get Dressed – Be Happy

The clothes you choose-Determine the way you Look

The way you dress-Determines how you Show Up

How you show up-Determines how you Feel

How you feel-Determines who you Attract

Who you attract-Determines how Successful you are

Success – Determines your Happiness

It’s Up to YOU to Choose

And so it goes.  Success is defined by everyone differently, as it should be!  My definition of success isn’t as simple as monetary rewards,  but just like everything in life, the choices we make impacts everything we do!

It’s not about spending tons and tons of money on clothing. No, it’s about spending the RIGHT money on the RIGHT clothing!

This season CHOOSE the right clothes for your body, your style.

Get dressed, show up, feel great and attract the kind of people you want in your life.  See how it impacts your happiness!

Jason Wu, born in 1982, began his career as a designer creating doll clothing.  He was educated at Parsons The New School for Design and interned with famous designer Narciso Rodriguez.  Wu’s first full collection was debuted in 2006.  Since then he has been collecting accolades from notable groups such as Fashion Group International and Vogue Fashion Fund.

Jason Wu has attracted the attention of clients such as Ivana Trump, January Jones and Michelle Obama.  Beginning February 5^th, Jason Wu will launch an exclusive line for Target which will include ladies clothing, accessories and handbags.

On the runway Wu’s designs are decidedly feminine.  He effuses lace, crystals, feathers, appliqué, ruffles and chiffon.  What’s captivating about designer Jason Wu is his ability to put just enough femininity into a garment and not make it too sweet, but alluring and somewhat sexy yet not over the top.

For Target, you can expect the same but different.  He said that he didn’t want to duplicate his runway looks, rather create a totally different line. His aesthetic is shown throughout the entire collection, and it is refreshing to see.  Not only will you get great looks, you can have them all for $60 or less.  What’s my recommendation?

Go for the accessories…Perhaps a blouse or a top of some kind.  Pair these pieces with your more expensive pieces so that you aren’t too sweet.  Most of the looks are geared toward a younger audience, but that doesn’t mean those over 40 can’t or shouldn’t try them.  No, I’d like to see you play with them to freshen up your winter wardrobe!

I for one will be scheduling a Target visit just to see what’s there on February 5^th.  How about WU?

Last week the Huffington Post shared the entire collection online.  Check it out before you shop.  See what you think and plan to go early or go home!

Color speaks in any language.  I cannot imagine a world without color.  Even if you have lost your sight, studies have proven that you can still “see” color.  Color is energy. Color is life. It promotes, it demotes, it moves you to action, it keeps you calm and serene.

I want you to ‘see’ color and the value it has in your life.  To learn how to use color not only through the written word but also in dressing is, THE most powerful way we communicate!  

So, I say LEARN HOW to use it to your advantage!   What does color DO to you?  Think of some of the phrases we say:

Negative Color Meanings

• Are you ‘feeling’ blue? 
• ‘Red-hot’ with anger or
• In a “white” knuckle situation or
• ‘Green’ with envy?  

These are all negative connotations of color. We often wear clothing and use these words without even realizing what we are attracting by doing so. On a positive note:

Positive Color Meanings

• Red can give you power (the power tie) and
• White can make you have a sense of cleanliness and sterility (lab coats).
• Yellow is the symbol of caution but it can also help you maintain your attention (post-it notes, legal pads)

Restaurants use the color red purposefully to stimulate your appetite?  The color red is active and penetrates the brain cells, but can be exhausting if used in an over abundance.

 “What does brown do for you”?  It’s UPS’s slogan.  Companies spend vast sums of money trying to get a logo to demonstrate to the world who they are.  Brown is part of the earth, therefore it is seen a stable, sturdy, dependable.

Think about how you are utilizing color each and every day.  Can you begin to use it in ways that might influence people to elicit a more positive reaction to you?

Next time you are getting ready for an interview, date, speaking engagement consider the colors you are wearing. Who will you be speaking to, and how you might influence their behavior in a positive way.  Let me know what the reaction is AND how YOU feel after doing so!  I’ll bet that you’ll notice a difference in the reactions of others and you’ll:

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

Color has psychological (impression) and physical (expression) meaning.  When I ask what a “favorite” color is, very often the answer is BLACK.

From the “LBD” to black pants and now with Spring Trends using it as a foundation color to ground everything vibrant, black never goes out of style.  Sometimes though, black  is a lazy, fall back way to dress  and I want you to “think” next time you pull it out of your closet.  Yes, it’s easy, because it is slimming, but be careful adding too much black into your wardrobe.

ALL color elicits both positive and negative emotion when we see it and usually those emotions are influenced by the situation.  For example, the color black is worn both for “black tie” events and often to funerals.

The color black absorbs light and therefore not only makes you appear slimmer also can cast shadows.  It is this last aspect of black that we must pay close attention to as we mature and lines or wrinkles appear on our face.  I don’t mind being older, more mature, but I certainly don’t want to “look” older than necessary!

It is important to know where it is best to wear black.  Follow these color tips and look your very best no matter where you are going.

Rules for Wearing the Color Black

• Color matters MOST when it is worn next to your face (above the waist). Make sure the color next to your face compliments your skin-tone.
• When wearing all  black, be sure to show some skin through great necklines.  Showing a bit of skin through necklines will separate the color and deflect some of the shadows that can appear by wearing this dark color.
• Wear accessories in your favorite accent color.  If your neckline prevents you from showing skin wear accessories (necklace or scarf) in your best accent color.  This too will help deflect some of that black reflecting next to your skin.
• There are many different shades of black, choose the right one.
• Wear makeup.  Remember that the color black can cast shadows on your face so be sure to wear makeup.  This includes a great lip color!

Color is a magnificent way to draw people into your inner circle.  Use color to enhance your look. A great color will make you appear younger, healthier and yes slimmer.  It will brighten your day when used it strategically in your wardrobe.  Think about the color black the next time you wear it, you’ll look better and people will want to know what you are doing!

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

]]> http://www.styleyouniversity.com/color-me-black-look-your-best-when-wearing-black/feed/ 1 http://www.styleyouniversity.com/4-ways-to-add-color-to-your-wardrobe/ http://www.styleyouniversity.com/4-ways-to-add-color-to-your-wardrobe/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:02:57 +0000 Karen http://www.styleyouniversity.com/?p=8388

The Color of the Year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango.

Adjectives being used to describe this color are: bright, spirited, vivacious, appealing, sophisticated yet dramatic and seductive.

How will YOU put this color into your wardrobe in 2012?

Knowing how to put this color to use into your wardrobe so that it will reflect your very BEST attributes might be hard.  If you are NOT a fan of orange or red, or have a tendency to shy away from bright, spirited colors you might just feel you can’t wear them at all.  This is NOT true!  You Can and You Should!

Color is important part of your daily life and knowing how to use it to your advantage will help you overcome a myriad of obstacles.

Don’t shy away from this color if you are scared of it. Instead, simply pay attention to where you place it and how it is used.

Follow these tips for the successful use of color no matter WHAT color you are using and you’ll begin to see how colorful your world can be!

4 Tips to Add Color in Your Wardrobe

1.  Wear Accessories

If you tend to be a bit color shy, Tangerine Tango is not the time to add major pieces to your wardrobe.  Most stylists know that a simple addition of a new fashion color (tangerine tango) in a bracelet, earring or necklace is all they need to give their white shirt  pizzazz. Not only will it keep you ‘feeling’ like you are on-trend, you’ll also feel up to date and not spend your seasonal wardrobe budget on major colorful pieces.  Try a little and see how you like it first!

2. Wear Shoes or New Handbag

Feeling more adventurous? Get a great handbag in the season’s hottest color.  It can be your “it” bag for the season.  Color this vibrant will stand out next to your khaki, navy, gray , brown and yes, even black without looking too much like you’re getting ready to trick or treat! Better yet, go for a new wedge or suede brogue.  Nothing’s more beautiful than a neutral pair of slacks next to a pop of color! Shoes with color will give life and add interest to your neutral core pieces.

3. Wear a Core Piece

If you’ve had your “colors done” and this is one of YOUR colors, then by all means go for it! Start adding some core pieces.  Check out a winter coat for example.  Maybe a novelty jacket or a trench.  Pairing a trench in vibrant tangerine tango with creamy white will be a stunning new look for you. This season it is all about colored denim.  Maybe it’s time for a new colorful pair of jeans!

4. Wear an Accent Piece

An accent piece can be a t-shirt, a blouse, sweater or underpinning that supports your core pieces.  You’re sure to find accent pieces everywhere as the season progresses. Make sure that you vary your textures if you are adding these colors. Color as well as texture adds interest to your collection.

Just remember, whatever you do, just try!  Be open to the possibilities that Color can bring to your life and remember to always:

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

John R. “Bob” Hughes, (my father-in-law) passed away quietly on Saturday; he was 88. I’ve been thinking about his journey in this life since then, and wanted to share some of who he was with you.

One of 4 children, born to Irish parents, he was a feisty man…someone who didn’t know the meaning of “I can’t”.  You can see a little of his personality in the photo. The simple way he placed his Navy hat on his head; the look of the devil in his eye!  His wife tells me that he got in trouble more than once for not putting it on correctly.  It makes me smile.  He wanted to do things “his way”.

When I first met him, we became fast friends.  He was a doer and had a quest for learning and discovering things.  A consummate salesman, I remember when I started my business, he was excited for me and  quick with advice on how to run a business!

Known to many by his “given” name, John and friends by Bob, I got to call him Bob.  In the last decade of his life he drove a Silver super charged VW Beetle (GTI) with a 5 speed transmission. If you are familiar with “Bugs”, you know there is a vase for flowers in the front dash.  With his wife of 62 years, Edna,  by his side, the flowers changed seasonally. It always made me smile seeing them enjoy life tooling down the road ilke a pair of bookends.

Edna says he was a “man’s man”. He took charge, made decisions, did his work and commanded respect and friendship from everyone he met.  I have to agree.

I never knew the stories he had as a veteran.  They lay silent.  I only saw the resilience that it brought. He was on the USS St. Louis.  There aren’t too many WWII veterans left to talk with.  If you know one, share a story with them.  In a different time, they were different men, but war is war no matter what year it was.

Bob lived a long and fruitful life.  He made many friends along the way and loved the beauty of each new day.  The blue skies and sunny days were his favorite.  I’m reading Heaven is For Real, for my book group study.  It is a poignant reminder that although transitions from this world are hard, there is life beyond death. All those who have gone on before us are given new life….waiting patiently for our arrival.

I know Bob is tooling around in his Motor-home, Volkswagen Beetle or just enjoying the view of  the mountains of  heaven savoring his favorite drink…a Chilled Coke in a Bottle!

Cheers to you, Bob!

I just wanted to share with you that I am looking into a great program to add to my ‘bag of tricks’.  If you are like me I know you like contests.

Rafflecopter is a new program that will help me manage my contests that I run. Can’t wait to check it out! You can too!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fashion Trends come and go and looking back on 2011, I don’t have a lot of complaints about what we’ve been offered up in fashion.

We’ve seen the return of the dress trends begin to take up more floorspace and designers are giving us options in clothing for “real women”. Alas, there are some trends that should go and I hope if they are in your closet or part of your repretoire you will move them out before the new season is upon us!

Can I just say that I’m a bit wearing of all the fluff and puff on t-shirts and blouses and am so ready for simple blouse trends! Don’t get me wrong, I love the feminine detail on the bow blouse, but when it comes to a great t-shirt enough is enough. Let’s keep it simple, let a t-shirt be a t-shirt, let a blouse be a blouse and let’s give the clothes in our closets the support it deserves.

There are more great trends that will follow for 2012.  It’s shaping up to be a season of style and taste for 2012

 Trends to Say Goodbye To:

Here’s what my predictions are for what’s OUT in 2012.

• Jodpurs
• Cut-outs everywhere
• Hollywood style pants (way up there waistbands)
• Lady Gaga Shoes
• Oh, so sheer dresses
• Over the top fur (and dyed to match)
• Over the knee boots
• Gladiator sandals
• Bandage dresses and skirts (they literally look as if you were wrapped up in them like a bandage!)

As we move deeper into a new decade, business casual is going the way of the way down there pants and a simple COTTON t-shirt paired with a business suit is not going to cut it for the interview anymore.  Pay attention to what’s working in your closet, move the items that look old, dated and tired out.  Give new life into your closet and don’t hang on to those things that make you look and feel “old lady”

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