Holiday Evening Gowns

I recently went to a fashion show featuring Lourdes Chavez's Collection. I have admired her for years. I am looking forward to wearing a red gown from a past season to a black tie event this December. The collection was outstanding. The exquisite fabrics, original yet classic designs, and the details. If you need an evening gown they are available at Robert Ellis, 12439 Ventura Blvd. 818 769 9666

Check out www.lourdeschavez.com for more photos. I did not see many of the pieces shown at the show on the site though.

Airplane Attire

I recently traveled on a long distance flight to a foreign country. I always want to look somewhat fashionable, yet be comfortable. I like pants with stretch. My favorite is a pair of pants with large front zip patch pockets. I can travel without a purse, as my passport or other ID, boarding pass, lip gloss, eye mask, sleeping pill....all except my reading material is on my body and easy to access. Once items go into the overhead it can be a problem retrieving if your seat mate is asleep.

Another favorite item on a long flight is a large warm pashima shawl that can serve as a blanket on the flight and extra layer for warmth on the trip. Even if the flight provides blankets they are often very thin. Additionally I usually wear a light weight cardigan, that will also be a basic layer with all I packed. The pashima can cover your legs, arms or wrap as shown around your neck.

If I am only traveling with a small carry-on suitcase, the outer pocket has items that would usually go in a purse. Then my empty flat style purse is packed inside the case. It's a matter of having one less item to carry-on. If I checked a bag, then I might have a zipped tote with reading material, my camera, itinerary, glasses or any other items I do not want to chance being without if my luggage is lost or delayed.

Also I rarely wear tennis shoes on a flight. It is just not very stylish, and there are lots of other comfortable attractive shoes that look classier. I see lots of travelers in athletic shoes and jeans though. Slip on shoes perhaps with rubber soles are also easier when going through security.

What are some of you favorites to wear on the plane?

A great website that invites readers advice by country visiting is http://www.journeywoman.com/

I found the pictured 22 x 80 inch basket weave shawl at http://www.thepashimastore.com/.

Alterations That Add Extra Polish

As an image consultant I can not stress enough how important proper alterations are. Several women of various figure types might all wear basically a size 8. Yet possibly only one will be so lucky as to have an "off the rack" garment fit perfectly. So do not pass up an outfit that otherwise suits you without considering what can be altered for perhaps $20-40.

The length of the pants, skirt or sleeve is usually a simple alteration. A slim pant should end at about the ankle, as seen in the left photo. Classic trousers should be hemmed to just the top on the heel. Wide pants should cover about half the heel. A skirt length that flatters most legs ends where your leg curves in, which for most women is just below the knee cap. Personal preference also enters in. The tall Per Se models above look youthful in the shorter length. Sleeves should just cover your wrist bone, unless they are 3/4 length which should be about the middle of the lower arm.

Most well made garments can be let out in the waist. Conversely the waist band can also be taken in. If you have curves and want to show them off, have your alterations person nip the jacket in on the side and center back seams. Be sure the jacket still falls over hips without bunching up in back.

Women with large busts or broad backs often avoid sizing up because the shoulders and even the upper arms can get too over sized. A good tailor can adjust the shoulders and arms on a larger size, though this is a more expensive alteration.

Do the side pockets on a pant, skirt or dress bulge out making you look extra hippy? Then have them sewn down. Dresses are the hardest to buy without some tweaking. Buy a dress to fit your widest area: your hips or your bust. Then have the rest altered. If you are short waisted and the dress has a set waist, then you can have the waist shorted. If there is enough fabric a long waisted figure type could have the waist lengthened.

Find a good alterations person who can make you look perfectly tailored. It will add that extra polish that shows you pay attention to detail.

Overdoing Black in Your Wardrobe

I recently did I style analysis and wardrobe audit for a woman who works in a conservative financial company. Her wardrobe was predominately black. While this is certainly a great color for the conservative environment that she worked it, it was not actually best color for her individual coloring. With her warm skin and hair color I advised her to add tops and even scarves to wear under her jackets with touches of colors like coral, aqua, warm red, yellow, apple green, camel and beige. Wearing warm toned jewelry such as a gold chain, warm toned pearls, and stones in earth tones would also lessen the effect of black next to face. Note how the blond pictured here in a Carlisle jacquard black suit has a scoop necked top under her jacket allowing her skin to show and a gold toned necklace to accent her hair color.

Personally, I also have a warm Spring's coloring. When I wear black I never have it near my neck. I wear a darker eyeliner and deeper eye shadow. In addition I usually wear a soft red lipstick and deeper shade of blush. Without intensifying my usual makeup I look washed out in black.

So while black is such a basic neutral in many women's wardrobes, it may not be your best neutral. You may want to consider navy blue or chocolate brown as a base for mix n matching.

Fall Fashion Trends

The Carlisle and Per Se Fall Collections are now being shown across the nation through private trunk shows. My show in La Canada, California began July 30 and goes through August 18. Then in October I will show again and add the winter collections. It is always exciting to see what our designers have created for the new season. Again they have again taken the current trends from the runways and created wearable yet remarkable garments.

So here are some of the trends. Plaids have an updated look. The plaid jacket here also shows the continued interest in sleeve details. Another trend is long sweaters that work like jackets and are so comfortable. Leathers are very unique like their black leather jacket with a large fringed collar. Skinny pants and leggings are still going forward, but all widths are fashionable. Pick the width that works for your figure type. Most amazing in the Carlisle Collection are the details and hours of hand work needed to create pieces that are works of art. One suede skirt has punch holes through which leather strips are woven to create a plaid pattern. It takes 10 hours to lace one skirt!

go to my website http://www.wardrobeperfect.com/ to learn more about trunk shows and to link to the Carlisle and Per Se Collections web pages. What you can not appreciate from the photos is the feel of their designer fabrics.

Designer Consignment for Cash

Do you have designer clothes in you closet that perhaps never fit you right, was a gift that was not your style or color, or simply a bad purchasing decision. If they are still in style, clean, and in good condition you can turn them into cash. In Pasadena, Roberta Lyon, owns a consignment store called "Style of Green". She will inspect your garment before accepting it, then determine the resale price. You receive 50% of the sale on garments priced at $100 and above. There is a one time marked down of 25%. New or gently worn couture quality pieces do not get markdown.

"Style on Green" is located at 1136 E. Green St. Call for an appointment to bring garments in 626-796-9924. Roberta will come to a home to collect larger consignments. Last month Roberta sent checks to women for thousands of dollars. This is because "Style on Green" has a great client base that frequents her beautifully merchandized store full of designer clothes and accessories.

Summer Whites

Nothing says summer like white. This turquoise Carlisle sweater just "pops" when paired with white, as do all bright colors. White does require some extra care though.

One of the complaints I often get is keeping summer whites from turning yellow or taking on a dull gray hue. I called Scott Bell, owner of Bryan's Cleaners, and my dry cleaner for decades. The best advice is to remember to clean frequently. Body oils, perspiration, unseen splatters of white wine or other unnoticed foods or sprays absorb into the fabric. The longer they stay in the fabric the harder to remove them.

When you clean your washable clothing note that regular bleach can turn some white fabrics yellow. Look for natural oxygen safe bleach, usually found in health stores. Borax or washing soda will also brighten whites, as will sunlight for cottons especially. Really hard water can turn garments that dull gray color, so use vinegar in the rinse cycle.

Byran's has an excellent website with tips. Go to http://www.bryanscleaner.com/ then the tab newsletter. You'll see several letters about the care of whites by Steve Boorstein. In addition there are style tips on body types by Kate Rice starting with #22.

Finding the Right Swimsuit

I had to face the terrible moment of buying a new swimsuit for the summer. On line I found this great site. www.itfigures.com You click your figure issue and a selection of possible choices come up. My issue is heavy thighs. Pictures here is one of their solutions. Other figure issues could be tummy, long torso, wide hips, small bust, large bust, or mastectomy. You can order on line, find a store that carries this line, or request a catalog.

Makeover for Executive Level Interview

Shirley was selected by McDermott and Bull Executive Search for a makeover by Corporate Icon. As a member of the team I helped Shirley with her wardrobe and accessories. Patsy Cisneros coached Shirley on her body language. Michele Hardy was brought in for hair and makeup. Shirley needed to step up the quality of her attire to reflect the director level position she was interviewing for. I selected a suit with some texture and updated 3/4 sleeves, as opposed to more traditional brasers which just looked simply boring

on her. The necklace was an appropriate size or her small frame and added that extra polish.

Executive Makeover

Through McDermitt and Bull Executive Network I was introduced to Jonathan . He needed an executive "touch up" after a weight change. Jonathan is 6'3" and tayloring was a key component in giving this well constructed dark gray suit made of quality designer fabric, the sense of confidence he needed to project. With a wide neck and long torso, he needed extra long ties. As the selection of long ties was not vast, we looked for three ties first, then three shirts that would send three different messages. Photographed here is his most powerful look for presentations and a new head shot which he needed.

Other shirt-tie combinations took the suit from networking events to more formal social events.

Every suit should have at least five combinations. Often it's a good idea to photograph your combinations in case you can not remember what tie you intended to wear with a particular shirt. Also after acquiring a new shirt or tie "play" with the other combinations you may be able to make with your existing wardrobe. Photograph these also, so that when you are in a hurry you can refer to the photos for possible combinations.

Keeping Up Appearances

I am preparing for a trip to France and recently read a book, "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull. The author who is from Australia writes about her cultural adjustments during her first years of living in France. In one section she writes about her boyfriend's shock that she was going out in the morning to get croissants in her baggy sweatpants. He thought that the baker would not be very happy to have her in his shop dressed sloppily. In other words her appearance downgraded the quality of his store. Most likely he would want to ignore her and wait on others. It really tickled me. I am one of those people who really likes to dress nice even when running errands. For instance today I have a nice top, skirt and sandals on with a necklace and bracelet. I just feel better when out and about. I do get better service. Plus I never have to be embarrassed if I run into a friend or business associate.

What is your feeling about the way most American dress when running errands and shopping?

Fashion Show at Sheraton Universal

May 10 I helped put on a fashion show for St. Joseph's Medical Center Benefit. The theme was Kentucky Derby Day, so lots of the women wore hats including me. The fashion producer, Lucienda Meidema, did a great job with the CARLISLE fashions. The opening scene was done to the music of "Ascot Opening Day" from "My Fair Lady" with the models in five CARLISLE black and white outfits and hats striking poses to the music.

The hats in the fashion show were from Lynn Frances Millinery. She can customize a hat to go with any special occasion outfit. So if you have an outdoor wedding, afternoon tea, or trip to the Ascot races, she is your resource. www.lynfrances.com or phone 866-lynfrances.

Cocktail Attire that Dazzles

While the little black dress is always safe at a cocktail party, sometimes you want to stand out from the crowd. My client, Lisa Johnson Mandell, frequently attends entertainment industry events. In this deep purple taffeta she stood stand her ground with all the starlets. Here she is with James Cameron of Avitar fame. Lisa reported lots of compliments, and her husband was a hero. We had secretly arranged for James to purchase this dress for Lisa's birthday.

Check out Lisa at http://www.lisajohnsonmandell.com/ She is the author of "Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want." She included some of my advice on appearance for professional women in her book. She has great tips on adapting resumes for today's marketplace and creating a web presence.

Shoe Organization Tip

My friend, Janie, amazed me with this shoe identification method. She has photographed her wonderful collection of shoes, then printed the photo and attached it to the end of a clear shoe box. This sure beats my black marker ID method with words like "silver heels". The shoes boxes pictured here are on an upper shelf in her closet. Her more frequently worn shoes were on an easy to reach shoe rack and casual flat sandals were lined up in rows inside a basket with the toe end pointing up on the bottom of her closet.

Wardrobe Planning Math

When I give corporate presentations and discuss wardrobe planning, I often suggest that you do some math. If you live in a warm climate like Southern California, and you were building a jacket or suit wardrobe you would need mainly transitional weight garments. That is, fabrics that can be worn most of the year. Therefore if you had 5 jackets, 3 should be transitional, 1 should be for cool weather, and 1 for hot weather. That's a proportion of 3:1:1. This formula would change according to the climate you live in. It should also help when you are doing a closet audit and deciding what to eliminate or add.

The jacket illustrated is a good transitional piece. With a white scoop neck tank, white pants and open toe shoes, it would be a great summer look. With a navy turtleneck, navy skirt, tights and boots, it would now be a great winter look. As pictured here with the navy pants or with a navy skirt and pumps instead of sandals, it's a perfect year round business look.

What to Wear at a Job Interview

The photo here shows a very feminine business suit with it's belted waist, the scoop neckline and 3/4 length sleeves. Minus the fashion gloves, could it work for an interview? Well that depends on the company's culture and the position you are applying for. If the company was very conservative with men in suits this would work with pumps and conservative earrings. Dangling earrings would distract. Perhaps the hair might be pulled back.

If the company was more polished business casual, the jacket belted with black classic pants would be less formal. At a very informal company you could wear the skirt with a black cardigan set. If the company was in the artistic field, the jacket with a wide belt, slim cut pants and fashion heels might be the look. Regardless you need to research the company culture and dress code before going to an interview.

5 Tips for Looking Slim Instantly

At this time of the year it seems everyone is dealing with those extra pounds. While dieting or thinking about dieting here are some tips to help you feel and look slimmer.

1. Watch your posture. It can be as simple as lifting your rib cage.

2. Avoid wearing tight clothes. They will only emphasis your weight gain and depress you. If necessary buy a basic neutral dark top and bottom in a larger size. Usually your jackets and cardigans will still fit if you are only up 5-10 pounds.

3. Wear a column of colors. That is a matching top and bottom. It creates an unbroken vertical line.

4. Be sure your bra is doing it's job. A low bustline makes you look heavier than you are.

5. Add a small shoulder pad. This will make your shoulders broader than your hips.

The outfit above is from the Carlisle Spring Collection. The column of brown is slimming and the white Topper jacket is a loose construction which hides those extra pounds.

Some of the ideas for these tips are from Brenda Kinsel's book, "Forty over Forty". She is a fellow Association of Image Consultants member. Another great book is Leah Feldon's "Does This Make Me Look Fat."

Are Your Clothes Tight?

Well, like most of you it's post Holiday diet and exercise time. Those who know me personally are always surprised that I diet. Of course I diet! How else do I stay slim and continue to fit into my wardrobe of beautiful Carlisle and Per Se investment pieces. My rule is once I reach or exceed my personal maximum weight, it's diet time. Actually I hate the word diet. It's really back to eating like I should all the time---Healthy.

So here is my favorite diet which has been around for sometime. The Fat Flush Diet by nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman. The first two weeks is a detox diet with no caffeine or alcohol (the hard part for me), no dairy, no carbohydrates except those in vegetables and fruit. You have warm lemon juice in the morning followed by pure cranberry juice with water an phylum (ground corn husk) in the morning and evening to cleanse your system. I get these at Trader Joes. The meals and snacks always keep hunger at bay. It simply means planning ahead to have the right ingredients in the house and even on the road if need be. You can buy the book, "The Fat Flush Plan" and extra supplements on the web at http://www.unikeyhealth.com/ . I also saw lots of used books on Amazon.

I always drop about 5 pounds in 2 weeks, and I feel great. Then I ease into phase two which lets you reintroduce food categories one at a time and watch if it affects your weight. I discovered dairy slows down my weight loss. For others it could be wheat or corn, etc.

Of course I am pretty regimented about exercise. I alternate walking , biking, and following DVD's of exercises. It has to be part of your routine. Mine is breakfast, exercise, shower and dress for the day. Check our http://www.collagevideo.com/ for all types of DVD exercises. I find driving to an exercise class just adds more time to the process of getting in a half or whole hour of exercise daily. Others need group motivation.

What works for you?