Photo credit: www.thesun.co.uk
Musical artist Florence Welch has so many admirable qualities: she's smart, has a gorgeous, powerful voice, is a spectacular performer, is smart, and seems very in touch with herself and her goals. Reading in Sunday's Los Angeles Times about Welch's thoughts on fashion made me admire her even more. I love what she had to say when asked about work clothing:
"When I’m working really hard on a project, like making an album, I
can't get dressed. I have to put on the most simple pair of leggings
and a black T-shirt, because actually getting dressed up is a form of
creative expression, it’s a form of using your imagination, and when I
have to make a record I have no other thoughts left. ... If I need to
get from [point] A to [point] B without getting noticed I put on full
sports gear. No one thinks it’s me at all because they can’t put those
two things together. I can hide [that way] if I need to."
Photo credit: nytimes.com
Someone whose clothing style always makes me smile is chef Marcus Samuelsson. I have his new cookbook, Marcus Off-Duty, and while the recipes and stories are enticing, the photos of Samuelsson stand out. Here is someone who likes color, knows what styles suit his body shape, and has fun with clothing. And he can cook! Bravo.
Image credit: parisabasir@wordpress.com
When I get home from work, I put my hair up, wash my face, and put on either cozy sweatpants and a t-shirt, or skip the middle stage and go straight to putting on my pajamas. Unfortunately, wearing my pj's to work is not an option for me. I do, however, always wear comfortable clothes. Why wouldn't I?
My Wardrobe Wisdom clients often ask me how they can look professional and still be comfortable. Yes, it takes some effort to find clothes and shoes that feel good and look good, but this is not an impossible or insurmountable task.
Think about what you feel good in (besides sweats and pj's). Maybe you feel best in jeans and tops; or maybe you like wearing skirts and sweaters; or do you feel best in a classic suit and pumps? My favorite way to dress is in jeans and a white or gray knit top and fun accessories, or a dress and wedges, sandals or boots. I'm lucky that this attire is appropriate for my job. I do not dread getting dressed because my clothes or not too tight or sloppy looking. After years of searching for shoes I can wear all day, I know what to purchase and which shoes to avoid.
So give some thought to what clothes you feel good in. If you don't feel good in any of your "house" clothes, it's time to do some thoughtful shopping.
Read my article on page 26 in this month's Coastal View News. I share an experience working with an old college friend who wanted her outward appearance to mirror her new, upbeat attitude. We both learned a great deal from our time together.
I like it when clothing plays an important role in a book. This week I picked up the novel Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English, in which the title character is determined to become a full-fledged English gentleman after leaving his native Germany just before WWII. He relies on a pamphlet given to immigrants called While You Are in England: Helpful Information and Friendly Guidance for Every Refugee, following its instructions to the letter.
Mr. Rosenblum decides that getting a bespoke suit from Savile Row is an important step in his attempt to fully assimilate into (high class) English society. Here is the rich, wonderful description of his experience at Henry Poole on Savile Row:
The store smelled deliciously of cedar wood, and the tailor called him "Sir," measured his small frame without a sneer, and the suit was delivered twelve weeks later, wrapped in crepe paper inside a pearlescent box with the Henry Poole crest emblazoned in gold. His pattern was to be kept in the company vaults alongside those of Churchill, Gladstone,and Prince Albert. When he put on the suit, he felt taller than his five foot three inches, his bald head appeared to shine less and his nose felt, well, less pronounced.
So far, his suit has not helped him achieve one of his goals, but I'm looking forward to seeing him use his "sheer tenacity" to get what he wants.
Photo credit: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
I just finished reading "Dressing Your Age," by Lisa Armstrong in Harper's Bazaar. She writes about the value and importance of letting go of certain "treasured" pieces which no longer flatter or work for you. Instead of becoming depressed at the idea of not being able to wear former favorites, she encourages women to "see that letting go not as a loss but as a process of streamlining, simplification, and replacement." Armstrong suggests that we should always be letting go, paring down, and re-evaluating our style if we are to look stylish. It's not a matter of making dramatic changes as we get older.
Here is a passage that really stood out to me:
The basis of style is an understanding of not only who you are but also the kind of woman you want to project. "Don't ever try to compete with a younger woman on the age proposition. Why would you want to when you can outrun them by looking sleeker, more stylish, and generally better dressed?" asks Annabel Hodin.
Photo Credit: harpersbazaar.com
People have been talking about the recent story of a woman wearing a "uniform" to work every day for over three years. I listened to this story on NPR with interest and came away respecting Matilda Kahl (above) for making her daily life of getting dressed easier. Being a clothes-lover, I was also happy to read that she enjoys dressing up and showing her sartorial creativity during her off-hours. You can read the original story from Harper's Bazaar here. And go here to read about other uniforms people have adopted.
Photo credit: dontletcancerwin.com
I was happy to learn about Isabel's website, dontletcancerwin.com , from a friend. This cancer survivor's philosophy can be motivating for all women: "I hope you’ll come here for information and inspiration. And because one of the key ways we don’t let cancer win is by feeling good and looking fabulous during our treatments and beyond." Go here to read what she has to say about wearing white pants and to see the cool ensembles she puts together.
The other day, I complimented one of my students on how nice she
looked in her dress. She said that she had received several compliments:
"It's just been a great day!" I asked her if she felt good about
herself before she got the compliments, and she said, yes, since she
felt "really happy and pretty" in the dress prior to leaving her house.
We talked about how clothes have the power to lift us up and help us
feel confident. This is an important lesson to learn at a young age.
It's a lesson that many successful women live by, when they say their
deliberate clothing choices are like "armor," making them feel powerful
and competent.
Photo credit: aleksandrinavezilka.wordpress.com
Go here to read an article from Elle magazine in which Hollywood costume designers offer advice on what it takes to dress well. In short, it's all about tailoring and foundation garments. Oh, and wearing turbans.
Photo from Clinton Kelly's website: http://clintonkelly.com
Of course he has a blog. And it is quite wonderful which is no surprise. Go here to check it out. I love that man.
I read a column in last week's Los Angeles Times in which "a handful of Hollywood's top stylists" gave tips on how to look "as pulled together as the stars" without their resources and minions. Here are the tips intended to be for a special event, but applicable to everyday life:
1. Know your body shape: once you figure out if you are curvy, straight up and down, top heavy. . ., you know what clothing styles suit you best. When you shop, you save time by choosing garments made for you shape. Learn how to "maximize the sum of [your] parts."
2. Details, details, details: Pay attention to your hair, makeup, nail color, accessories, and undergarments.
3. Professional help: Use experts to help you achieve the hair and makeup look you want. The stylists also recommend using the Internet, since "almost any question you could think of regarding how to dress one's body shape, how to complement one's complexion, how to create a look using specific pieces, etc. can all be found on the Web."
4. Build on a solid foundation: Undergarments make a HUGE difference in how clothing looks on a person, so find ones that elongate and streamline "to create a smooth silhouette."
5. Tailor: Every stylist quoted in this article emphasized the value of hiring a tailor for a custom fit. I emphatically agree.
6. Take photographs and practice: Had I known that my arms would look ENORMOUS when I posed in a certain way, I would not have done so during the photo session we had with friends for my husband's recent birthday. A test run--even if it's just in front of your mirror--is a splendid idea.
7. Don't deflect, accentuate: "Always work with what you have." If you have great legs, show them off; if you like your shoulders, wear clothes that reveal them; if your smile is an asset, wear bright lipstick, etc.
8. Balance and harmony are key: "Too many beautiful things (jewelry, hair accessories, makeup) just compete and then nothing takes center stage. Knowing how to balance and harmonize and edit is really important, If you;re not sure, always ask.
My cousin (on right) sent me this photo, knowing I would appreciate her friend's colorful, chic outfit. And I do. But what really makes me smile about this photo is the sheer joy on Gina's and her friend Siggi's faces. These two beautiful women illustrate that when you feel good, you look fabulous.
Photo Credit: Ingrid Abramovitch
I've been re-reading Tim Gunn's excellent book, A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style. It's hard not to use my highlighter pen on every page as he doles out one pearl of wisdom after another. Here is what Gunn has to say about items that don't fit:
"There is no reason to have something taking up space in your closet that does not make you feel good. These items must go. Clothes do not exist to humiliate their owners. Please do not force garments into performing psychological tasks for which they were not designed. Furthermore, please be kind to yourself. They don't fit. Toss 'em."
If you need help with this process, please give me a call! 680-2640.
Go here to read my column on page 8 in Carpinteria's Coastal View News. A Wardrobe Wisdom gift certificate for your partner or male friend can make a big difference in his life (and possibly yours)!
Photo Credit: Nordstrom
I often tell my clients that if they feel good on the inside, their clothing should reflect that happy spirit. You can clearly see this woman's joy from the Advanced Style blog. I also tell people that if they make an effort to dress better, they will start feeling more confident on the inside. I have witnessed this over and over in my Wardrobe Wisdom work.
We all have clothing (I hope!) that we feel great in. Today I wore a new pair of workout pants (above) to the gym. They were not my usual black crop ones, but a much wilder style than I am used to. Still, I felt very good in them and know that my workout was more energetic as a result of that feeling. I urge you to get rid of clothing that does not lift your spirits. If the thought of being left with just a few things in your closet scares you, try to remember that having a few terrific pieces is preferable to a closet full of mediocre garments that can bring you down.
Tom Ashbrook, host of NPR's On Point, recently interviewed Dolly Parton. WOW! Go here to listen to the interview, see photos, and read an excerpt from her book, Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You.
My daughters were surprised to learn that I was a Dolly fan, knowing only about her big hair, made-up face, and skin-tight outfits. They knew I do not gravitate toward country music and prefer an understated, natural look. Like many people, my girls were not aware of Dolly's huge talent and generous heart, and did not know why she presents herself the way she does. After listening to the interview, they have nothing but awe and admiration for her.
During her talk with Ashbrook, Dolly mentioned the "town tramp" when she was a little girl, and how she marveled at this woman's style and looks. Dolly said she was "the prettiest thing" she ever saw and was inspired to look just like her. She said she feels comfortable and at her best when she is heavily made up, wearing form-fitting ensembles and her flamboyant wigs. I admire her greatly for knowing what makes her feel comfortable and for taking the time to look that way. I wish every woman had such a strong sense of herself and what makes her feel good. Dolly's prodigious song-writing talent and philanthropy makes her a role model in my book.
You can get a peek at her performing a song with Stephen Colbert (who had a huge crush on her as a boy) here.
I learn something each time I re-read my fashion and style books. Lately I have been looking over Nina Garcia's Style Strategy. Here are some of her tips that I find particularly useful:
1. Any [clothing] you know that accentuates your best physical trait also accentuates your self confidence.
2. A great shoe can make a $20 outfit look like couture, and a poorly constructed shoe can make couture look like a cheap knockoff.
3. When you love what you are wearing, it shows.
4. Splurge on tailored classics; indulge in inexpensive trends.
5. Comfort in your own skin is the core of style.
6. The belief held by most nutritionists--that if you deprive yourself, you will fall off the wagon and binge--holds true for shopping, too. Shop smart!
7. Playfulness and humor are just as vital to fashion as good taste.
I applaud Garcia's inclusion of this quote from Tim Gunn: "Fit is the most neglected aspect of how we dress: that is, most people wear clothes that are too big or too small or a combination of both."
Santa Barbara has always prided itself on its exceptional continuing education program through Santa Barbara City College. My colleague and friend, Sara Caputo of Radiant Organizing, teaches 2 very popular continuing education classes on organization and time management. I feel honored by her request that I speak in her class on Saturday, October 6. In this class, you can get motivated and learn practical skills on how to manage your time and tasks. As a bonus, you will get to hear me speak about editing your wardrobe, and hear another colleague, Keri Dickerson of KMD Organizing speak on the nuts and bolts of organizing your wardrobe. Go here to get all the details on the class.
Photo Credit: pem.org
If you do not know who Iris Apfel is, prepare yourself for a brilliant and inspiring introduction, thanks to Advanced Style. You can read more about her here. Enjoy!
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