FIVE FASHION STEPS
Follow these five steps and you’ll be on your way to organizing your wardrobe – and your life!
1. COLOR - Select colors that flatter your skin tone!
You look and feel best in colors that flatter your skin tone. When you select clothing that flatters your skin tone, all your garments will match. For example, I have fair olive skin (a “winter”) and look best in white, black, navy, deep red, and the jewel tones of amethyst purple and emerald green. Even though I love the rust tones of autumn, I look pale if I wear them.
No matter what skin tone you have, we will discover the colors that look best on you. Once you see the difference color can make, you will only want to wear the colors that make you look your best.
2. FABRIC – Afford the finest fabrics you can find!
Gorgeous luxurious fabrics have been treasured for thousands of years all over the world. You were the epitome of fashion and taste if you were a Roman senator wearing a toga made from Chinese silk, or an Empress wearing a cashmere stole made of wool from Kashmir. Not much has changed during the past 5,000 years.
I can teach you the difference between natural fabrics and petroleum-based synthetic fabrics. Natural fabrics drape to move with your figure and help to flatter all figure types. I can also show you how to care for your fine-quality garments.
After sorting through your closet, we will shop to fill in your wardrobe with clothing made of the best fabrics. You get what you pay for. For example, one very nice cashmere sweater can make an outfit of ordinary jeans and sneakers look luxurious, warm, and comfy.
3. SILHOUETTE – Pick clothing to suit your frame and flatter your figure!
No matter what shape you are, I can teach you to dress in a style that flatters your body type. For example, I look best in classic tailored clothing. As much as I appreciate prints, they usually look too busy on me. But fun prints might look great on you!
Here are examples of three different clients with very different silhouettes and how we worked together to enhance what works for them and minimize what didn’t:
One of my clients is 5′2″ and a size 2 on the top and size 8 on the bottom. She came to me wearing boxy polyester suits that made her look short and dumpy – completely wrong for her corporate executive position. For her first garment, I put her in a Tahari navy-blue pinstripe suit. The jacket added length and covered her ample bottom, and the boot-cut trousers added even more of an appearance of length. She loved it! Today she dresses for work in impeccably tailored solid-colored Armani suits that cover her bottom and drape to give her height.
Another client is tall but extremely thin. She needs ruffles and bright prints to add fullness to her slight frame. I dressed her in colorful dresses and skirts from the designer Betsey Johnson. You and I might not look the best in petticoats and big loud prints, but this client looks more shapely and attractive.
Another client is overweight and does not like to shop at plus size stores because she is a publicist and wants to look unique. We selected patterns and bought fine material at a fabric store. A tailor adjusted the patterns and custom made her garments. They fit perfectly, and she’s twirling about in her full circle skirts that camouflage her round belly.
Each of these three women have very different silhouettes, but dress their best to make the most of what they have and they all look great.
4. APPROPRIATENESS – Wear what works for the occasion!
You’ll feel most comfortable in clothing that is appropriate for the occasion and appropriate for your age. I can help you organize your wardrobe from casual to formal so that you know what to wear for work, on a date, with the kids, or running errands. I can offer practical advice about what works when and where.
Clients often ask me if specific garments are O.K. for casual Fridays. No one’s sure about what to wear and when to wear it – which is a question of appropriateness.
The most common problem I’ve seen with appropriateness is the lack of casual clothing. Many professional women do not have a casual wardrobe at all – they look good at work, but wear a suit jacket as outerwear on the week-ends. They don’t know where to begin to build a stylish casual wardrobe.
Another issue of appropriateness is clothing that is either too sexy or not feminine enough. A sexy camisole can be fine, but when, where, and with what must be considered. The opposite of this problem is avoiding feminine clothing at all and just wearing comfy sweats. Sports clothes are fine, but I can teach you how to decide when they are appropriate.
What style is appropriate for your age? This answer differs for everyone. I can help you with this issue when I meet you.
5. JE NE SAIS QUOIS - Go for the je ne sais quois!
When a garment has that certain je ne sais quois, (French for “I don’t know what”, something indescribable) it just works. It is your favorite piece and has special magic, but you can’t really articulate why. You just put it on and it gives you energy and confidence! One client calls these outfits “home runs” and wants a wardrobe full of only je ne sais quoispieces. Here is where you find your personal style.
One of my male clients just loves one special leather motorcycle jacket even though he has closet full of coats. This jacket is of vintage design and is enhanced by the worn patina that improved with age. The jacket is so comfortable that he feels great every time he puts it on.
My favorite je ne sais quois garment is a slim-cut black trench coat I purchased in Italy a few years ago. The color is right for my complexion, the fabric is rich, the cut flatters my silhouette (”dress Italian, don’t eat Italian”), the coat is appropriate for most occasions from very casual to formal, and the second I put it on I knew it was right – very je ne sais quois!
Contact me and together we’ll discover your hidden “je ne sais quois“!
