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.