Makeup

I firmly believe that women learn how to wear makeup by the time they are 15. As I have stated before, I grew up in a beach community where my friends and I went clean-faced throughout our high school years.


Therefore, my learning curve in terms of cosmetics has been pretty steep over the years. After receiving more than one department store makeover that left me feeling like a prostitute, I have finally learned what colors and kind of makeup look best on me. Finally, at age 45 I know where to buy my cosmetics and where I can get reliable advice. Phew!

What I have yet to learn, however, is a brilliant way to store my makeup. The picture above is what I do now. It works okay and is not an eyesore, but I keep thinking there must be a better way. So I have been surveying my friends as well as my clients, and guess what? They are also challenged by how to keep their makeup accessible and neat. Several confessed to rooting around in a makeup pouch (usually a "gift with purchase") that can be very frustrating when they are rushing to get ready. I am curious: How do you store your makeup and makeup brushes and applicators?

Jewelry and Your Face Shape

Since I love to read, it is always a pleasure to discover well-written, thoughtful articles. Calla Gold, jeweler extraordinaire has terrific advice on how to choose jewelry in relation to your face and body shape. I learned a great deal from these articles and hope you will enjoy reading them too!

What Not to Wear

Whenever I spend time at my friend Stacy's house, we end up watching "What Not to Wear." Naturally, we constantly comment on the show, and are taken aback by a blunt comment from Stacy London (such as "You are the worst dressed person in the world."), or critiquing a dubious haircut given to a contributor. Mostly, we are impressed with the advice given by Stacy and Clinton Kelly, and we usually learn something.

I agree with Robert Lloyd, television critic of the LA Times, who wrote, "'What Not to Wear' works because it helps its subjects gain a new look and a new outlook." Reading this article reminded me why my Wardrobe Wisdom work involves a lot more than just shopping and dressing people. Kelly says it best: "This [What Not to Wear] wasn't just about wearing a pair of dark-washed jeans; it's about having the confidence to achieve your goals. I really believe that if you spend your life in elastic waistbands and hoodies and cross trainers worn as casual footwear you're not telling the world you're important, you're not telling the world you're paying attention; you're saying ignore me."

Many women I have worked with have spent years dressing to be ignored; I try to coax them out of this dressing mentality, encouraging them to pay attention to how they feel and look in certain things. Wardrobe Wisdom also teaches them how clothing can help them feel better when it fits them properly and works for their lifestyle. Focusing on images in magazines and on TV, images of women that are the result of stylists, personal trainers, lighting, makeup artists, etc. is a downer for all women. Instead, like "What Not to Wear" I encourage my clients to think deeply how "by changing your clothes, you can change yourself."

Returnaholism

Whenever I listen to Marketplace on NPR I learn something new. Years of working in retail and working with my Wardrobe Wisdom clients has given me insight into people's shopping and returning habits. However, this segment on the latter--people who return and return and return--opened my eyes to a different kind of consumer.

As a follow-up, you may want to read or listen to this story on how retailers deal with returns.

We Should All Have So Much Fun

I just watched Christian Siriano go through his closet, describing what he has in there, what he loves, why he bought certain things. His delight in his wardrobe is such a joy to witness. Watch it here.

I may have to go through my closet now, editing out anything that does not delight me. I think a "delight scale" can serve as a brilliant method for deciding whether to keep or say good-bye to something.

2 Little Things

There are two very simple ways to look and feel terrific:

1. Stand up straight, with your shoulders back and your stomach held in.

2. Smile.

When I think about people I want to be around, people who seem to enjoy life and feel good about themselves, I've noticed they share the qualities of having good posture and smiling faces. I am not giving this advice with the idea that I have invented something new. However, I do know that if you are feeling glum about your appearance or are just low in general, keeping these two little things in mind will improve your mood and appearance immediately. No matter how impeccably dressed you are, it is your smile and posture that will complete your outfit.

Flat Bottom

My oldest daughter can be counted on to provide a choice word or two when I am getting dressed. She recently informed me that I had a "flat bottom." Ah, gravity. I know there are worse things, but her comment didn't really make my day. It did, however, cause me to re-evaluate my pant collection, with an eye toward keeping only those which gave me a good-looking backside.

When I work with my Santa Barbara Wardrobe Wisdom clients, I stress the importance of looking at yourself from every angle when you are shopping and before you leave your house.

It seems that Levi's are taking all parts of a women's body into consideration with their newest styles. According to a piece I read in September's InStyle magazine, "With Levi's new Curve ID pairs, you can choose a style that is 'slight' (if you have a flatter, more boyish behind [like me!]), 'demi' (more curves behind), or 'bold' (for those with wider hips and a smaller waist." I am eager to try on Levi's new skinny, straight, and boot cuts. I only need to decide whether or not to bring my daughter along.

What to Read

Reading is one of my very favorite pastimes. When people ask me in amazement how I find time to read, I always wonder how they cannot find time to read.

On Sunday, November 28 in the Los Angeles Times' Image section, an entire page was devoted to this year's slew of fashion books. Some of the books highlighted are visual feasts, made to be placed on a coffee table. Others were written as advice books on how to dress more stylishly, and still others focus on a particular designer, such as Anna Sui.

One book on this list that interests me is "Bespoke: The Men's Style of Savile Row." Learning why "Savile Row, a small street in London, that's known globally as the epicenter of men's tailoring" is sure to be fascinating. I am easily taken in by tales of experts in any field, artisan cheese makers, master woodworkers, and of course, master tailors.

Another book which I'd like to read is "The World's Most Influential Fashion Designers." Even though I am much more of a clothing person than a fashion person, I appreciate that each leading designer has come to her or his aesthetic via unique avenues. I love to learn what inspires designers, who are truly artists, to create.

Reading about new books made me cast a glance at my own Wardrobe Wisdom bookshelf. Here are at least 30 books about fashion and style. Sometimes I use them as reference books, for when I want to know what the best way to store scarfs is or or what belt to wear with what dress for a large framed woman. At that time I turn to Kendall Fararr's "The Pocket Stylist" and "Style Evolution," Nina Garcia's "The Style Strategy" or "The Lucky Shopping Manual." Then there are those that I read for pure pleasure, such Clinton Kelly's "Freakin' Fabulous," and Linda Grant's "The Thoughtful Dresser."

I encourage you to check out the fashion section of your local bookstore (Chaucer's if you live in Santa Barbara!), and see what books strike your fancy.

The Boss: Iconic American Style

Bruce Springsteen knows what works for him. For decades he has worn jeans with a T-shirt or jeans with a dark or plaid shirt. I am guessing he does not spend time agonizing over what to wear each day yet without fail he looks comfortable and ruggedly handsome.