How to Wear Leggings Like a Lady

Do you have a desire to wear leggings, but you're unsure how to style them?

 

"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself." -- Coco Chanel

Let's talk about how women "of a certain age" can wear leggings in a sophisticated, stylish way and still be themselves. Leggings have a place in our lives because they're versatile, comfortable, and fit into a busy lifestyle. I've seen controversial articles about how older women shouldn't attempt to wear leggings -- nonsense! My advice? Go for quality legging fabrics and use layering techniques to reduce the chance of looking like a student wearing an over-sized sweater.

Here are some examples of how to wear leggings like a lady:

I am wearing TART leggings with a beautiful goldenrod Equipment Femme blouse, silk scarf and chunky gold necklace. Badgley Mischka handbag and Diane Von Furstenberg boots.

While setting up the photo shoot, our good friend, Ruby Raymond, stepped into Finders Keepers, looking absolutely gorgeous in her Ralph Lauren skinny  jeans (which could easily be leggings), Alberto Fermani boots, and Johnny Was blouse. I asked her if she'd let us include her in this style post, and she said yes!

Leggings take on elegance with a crisp, tailored Chicos blouse, relaxed linen jacket with sleeves pushed up, and a silk scarf serving as an artsy belt. Add an Arcadia Italian handbag, Diane Von Furstenberg boots, multi-strand silver and pearl necklace, and I'm ready for a day of shopping in SLO or lunch with the CEO.

Look who I'm going to lunch with! My good friend, Helen Anderson (jewelry designer extraordinaire). Helen is the perfect woman to model leggings because she wears them almost daily in different ways, always looking beautiful and put-together. Here she's wearing Renaur leggings with a teal Free People tunic and her own jewelry creations.

As you've seen, leggings can look elegantly French chic when styling with a crisp blouse and jacket. They can be casually classy with a relaxed tunic top in a great color, fabulous necklace or two, and flat loafers or strappy sandals.

Where can you find leggings? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Finders Keepers is bringing in a special line of leggings that offer structure.
• Lysse has different legging styles for all sorts of body shapes.
• Spanx has a line of leggings that offer structure and control.

Do you wear leggings? How do you style leggings? Please share your thoughts below.

MisMatch or Match?

Which side of this are you on?
Do you like to match your handbag and shoes? Aesthetically I prefer a mismatched look -- it fits my artsy style. Okay, the other reason I don't match bag and shoes is I'm too lazy to switch handbags. Now you know. Plus, my handbags are in a neutral color within my color palette so they go with everything I wear. 

I have a deep regard for women who match their bag with their shoes. Some fashion gurus will say it's not stylish, but I say it can work because it looks very classic, chic and put-together. It takes time and effort to move your belongings to a matching handbag, and I, for one, appreciate the thoughtful effort!

So, which do you prefer? 

How to Be Unforgettable in Your Appearance

I’m over sixty and I can still make heads turn with an entrance...…and if you asked me HOW, I’d say it’s primarily because of MY CONFIDENT STYLE.

Like you, I have my assets and my flaws. The difference is I know how to play up my assets and play down my flaws! I've learned that it's more important how you FEEL in clothes than how you LOOK. What you REALLY need to walk into a room and get attention is A CONFIDENT WARDROBE. Clothing can influence the way you feel, think and act! When you express yourself with clothing, your look will be UNFORGETTABLE and COMPLETELY AUTHENTICALLY YOU. 

It's not about face lifts, cosmetics, wearing the latest trends, or the most expensive jewelry. It's about finding YOUR CONFIDENT STYLE. This is what I teach my clients, and it works!

I believe women over fifty are redefining what style and career success means. We are rocking our second act with purpose and passion!  



Here’s what it really takes to become UNFORGETTABLE in your appearance… and how you can make a huge difference with your gifts.

First: Wear only clothes that make you feel beautiful
 

Being unforgettable starts when you walk out the door feeling beautiful and confident in the way you look. You may have awesome high-quality skills and services that change lives. If that was all we needed to be successful we'd all be there! What you REALLY need to make an impact and attract clients to your business is to FEEL beautiful and powerful on the INSIDE and project that confidence on the OUTSIDE with your appearance.

Every day, when you open your closet, you should have a wardrobe of unique, personally pleasing pieces that fit your body perfectly and create a vibrant glow.  

You can create the most beautiful wardrobe by doing these two things NOW:

1. Clean out your closet and remove anything that doesn't make you feel beautiful. There's this concept that many women are catching on to, and it's called Minimalism. I mean how many pairs of black pants do you really need or wear? Be honest, you go for the same black pants every time, don't you? Why is that? Because they fit the best and make you feel the most like YOU!
2. Wear only colors that make your face light up. This will make a HUGE difference in how you attract people. Color is the first thing people notice on you, so why not wear a beautiful color around your face? If you insist on wearing neutrals, throw a colorful scarf around your neck and watch the compliments flow.

Second: Help them remember you through your personal style 

Wear clothes that express your personality. When you have a definite style that sets you apart from everyone else, you will help people remember you.

What's wrong with making people feel envious of your impeccable style, or chic flair? You will become a role model as you express your joie de vivre and inspirational vitality through your appearance. My look is structured chic, with a touch of bohemian attitude -- my hair is curly and wild, and my accessories are bold and colorful. That's a big reason why I stand out.

Listen, anyone can wear a pair of jeans with a t-shirt. The outfit is super-comfy and COMPLETELY FORGETTABLE. Especially as we get older, it's important to use creativity and beautiful details in your outfit even when you're just running an errand. People are more likely to remember you when you're wearing an extraordinary necklace with your t-shirt, or walking in kick-ass, red pumps.

The most important element of being unforgettable is to awaken the emotions of the people you meet with a captivating appearance. Most people don't put any thought into their t-shirts and jeans every day, so wearing clothes with class and flair will give you a distinct advantage! Your visual appearance can help you express who you are in a powerful and unforgettable way.

Want to learn how to dress unforgettably? Stay tuned for an announcement about how you can attend my Style Your Way to Success Online Workshop coming soon.

I invite you to share your thoughts below about how you plan to dress unforgettably!

Weddington Way NYE Wedding Challenge

Working as a stylist I have helped many brides, bridesmaids, and mothers-of-the-bride dress for that special day. I love discovering wedding fashion design companies that come up with trendy, attractive and affordable styles for this very special occasion. That's why I was thrilled when Weddington Way contacted me and challenged me to come up with a style board for a NYE wedding. How fun is THAT?
 
In my experience working with wedding parties, a bridesmaid wants to create a fun, joyous event for the bride. However the bridesmaid also wants to show her personality, be comfortable, and most importantly, feel confident in her bridesmaid attire. I chose Weddington Way's Veronica Tuxedo Gray dress for this challenge. It creates the perfect canvas for a glammed up look with pink accessories galore! I think NYE calls for pink champagne and all the trimmings! Take a look at other bridesmaids dresses from Weddington Way here.

1. This simple, pocketed bridesmaid dress in gray is a fantastic backdrop for glamorous accessories. Plus your girls can style it and wear it again and again. Weddington Way Veronica Bridesmaid Dress, $129.
2. 246 Ct. Heart Shape Pink Mystic Topaz Sterling Silver Pendant with 18" Chain, $25.eBay
3. Splurge on these Bavna Sterling Silver Earrings with Ruby Composition, $1,000, Bluefly.
4. Boohoo Darcie Woven Cape Jacket, $40, Boohoo. 
5. PIECES Pearl Bracelet, $12, Pieces.
6. Benjamin Adams Lawrence Ivory Wedding Shoes, $185, BridalShoes.

Dress Like You Mean Business So You GET More Business in 2015

FOR THE BUSINESS WOMAN WHO IS READY TO STEP UP AND STAND OUT!

I talk to so many women who don't like the way they look in clothes so they give up and make do with the sad clothes in their closet. They end up looking old-fashioned or frumpy which does not attract new clients. If this sounds like you, it's time to release all self-doubts about your age and appearance and make up your own fashion rules that express ALL OF YOU!

Many of today's business woman over fifty are gutsy, sexy, and personality plus! Their style expression is completely personal and effortless. They've given themselves permission to dress their own way, and they're not a slave to fashion trends (unless they work!).

Ladies, it's time to GET IT RIGHT! You can't afford to make the wrong first impression, and you certainly can't afford to make costly mistakes with your time, energy, or money. Here are four tips to step up your style and stand out!

4 STYLE TIPS TO STEP UP AND STAND OUT:

 
Tip 1 - Clean out your closet at least once a year and get rid of the following clothes:
 

1. Business suits - if your business requires a conservative appearance, break up the suit into separates and add a gorgeous scarf or brooch. For example, pair the blazer with wide-leg or skinny pants in a complementary color. Pair the trousers with a moto jacket or belted cardigan.
2. Elastic-waisted pants that make even the skinniest women look big.
3. Long, A-line skirts - if you're saving them because you think they'll be back in style some day, forget about it.
4. Bulky, cable-knit sweaters - these will only add weight to your body and increase your frump-factor faster than anything else. Do not wear sweaters with appliques especially around the holiday!
5. Frumpy-looking shoes - you know what I'm talking about, the clunky, heavy-heeled shoes that you know are NOT sexy or flattering but they're really comfy.

Tip 2 - Build your wardrobe around simple, classic styles that flatter your figure, and add interesting and unifying pops of color, texture, and pattern:

1. In the photo above left, Anna Wintour is keeping her dress and coat silhouette simple and classic, letting the pattern express her story.
2. Susan Street, photo above right, is wearing three classic pieces with an updated spin. Her accessories pull the outfit together in a sophisticated way.
3. Look successful. Let's face it, we're drawn to people who look successful! Spend money on well-tailored blouses and blazers, luxe fabrics, fabulous colors, trendy accessories, comfortable and fashionable shoes. You'll get more "cost per wear" from classic pieces.

Tip 3 - Create a business uniform that represents your personal brand:

1. Creating a business uniform reduces the stress factor of shopping or getting dressed for last-minute client meetings. Build a uniform of core staples in your neutrals with pops of color. Your business uniform should align your inside and outside, feel comfortable, express your personality, and fit your body shape properly.
2. Have your "wardrobe essentials" on hand, cleaned and pressed. Pieces such as camisoles, dark jeans, blazers, button-down blouses (I love to pop the collar and scrunch the sleeves!), slacks (my current favs are cigarette-length pants), cashmere sweater, dressy boots, dressy coat, and accessories.
3. Do you know what color palette best represents your personal brand? An easy way to create a uniform is around a color palette because your wardrobe will easily mix-and-match. Buy colors that match your eye color, skin tone, and hair color. If you've let your gray shine through, you can wear cool, rich tones in blues, violets, and intense or muted pinks to add personality. If your skin tone is warm, colors like orange-red, plum, bronze and gold add richness to your uniform.

Tip 4 - Know what works with your body shape and what flatters your figure:

1. First, determine your natural body silhouette created by your shoulders, waist, and hips: hourglass, inverted triangle, triangle, rectangle, or apple shaped.
2. Know your proportions and dress accordingly using garments to balance and elongate your body. For example, a beautifully pear-shaped woman has a well-defined waist and full hips -- I adore this sexy silhouette! Since your lower half is larger than your top half, the key is to wear clothes that create balance and proportion by drawing the eye upward and wearing brighter colors and more embellishments on top. The length of your tops should always hit your hipbone. Accent your small waist with a belt or empire-waist dress. Emphasize your shoulders with a boat neck or cowl collar. De-emphasize your hips with wide or bootleg pants, A-line skirts and dresses that flow gently away from your bottom half. If you can wear heels, the height will elongate your leg line. If heels aren't an option, wear shoes or boots that match the color of your pants or skirt to create a long, lean look.

I'd love to hear from YOU: Do you have any 2015 style resolutions you'd like to share? What are you going to do next year to Step Up and Stand Out?

How Confident Are You?

This week's topic is about CONFIDENCE. Why is confidence important?

Take this short quiz and rate your confidence level

Confidence is one of your most important assets (and sometimes the most fleeting). It is more important than what you know or even how much experience you have. You've heard the term, "Fake it til you make it?" This phrase is a mindset of positive belief that promotes confidence. The "fake it" part is the awareness that you may not know everything about a particular job or task before taking it on. For example, you may have to walk into a room at a networking event and make a good first impression with strangers. The "make it" part is a mindset of success. So, even if you have fear or internal self-doubts, you have the belief that you can face anything and be successful. 

Every job I ever got was a "fake it til you make it" moment during the interview. I had to show my prospective boss that I believed in my ability to do the job. I mean, who knows everything about a job before you accept it? If I had shown any self-doubts about my ability to do the job it would have been a confidence killer and probably an interview killer.

For many women, confidence has everything to do with how you feel about your appearance. You may be ready to do more meaningful work in your career, but you have self-doubt because you know you'll need to get out and sell yourself. You'll need to make a good first impression so you have to get your image right! The negative self-talk chips away at your confidence, causing you to not believe in yourself, avoid taking risks, and look to others' opinions instead of trusting your gut. This lack of confidence may stop you from taking the necessary steps to start a more meaningful career or leave an unhealthy relationship.

Confidence gives you the strength to trust your gut
and follow your passion!

How confident are you when it comes to creating your own signature look? 

Are you confident enough to follow your own voice?

Take this short quiz and rate your confidence level

Fashion Tips for a "Less Than Perfect" Neck

I'm a HUGE Nora Ephron fan ("When Harry Met Sally") so when her book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck" came out, of course I belly-laughed my way through it. I highly recommend this book if you missed it. However, for many of my clients, necks are no laughing matter. Almost every client over fifty says to me, "I hate my neck" during our style consultation. I've heard women describe their necks as "chicken neck," "blotchy neck," wrinkled neck," and "turkey neck." YIKES! My response is always the same. I say to her, "Oh, you have a lovely neck. Here, wrap this scarf around your neck. Look how beautiful that looks..."

If you think you have an imperfect neck (who doesn't?) you can use one of these 5 style techniques to help you get over feeling badly about your neck. I call these techniques "The Art of Distraction," which is using clothing and accessories to draw attention away from your flaws and towards your assets:

Style Tip #1 
The most obvious solution to disguise your neck is to wrap a SCARF around your neck. Pictured below is a simply polished woman from Advanced Style. To the right, Judi Kadden looking lovely in a green scarf!

Style Tip #2 
Wear a collared blouse and pull the collar up, ala Diane Sawyer. Add a multi-strand necklace and you're all set! Here is Diane Sawyer looking lovely in her classic, crisp white blouse, and Susan Peters (Stylist Over 50 from Pinterest).

Style Tip #3
Layer, layer, layer! Layering a blouse under a sweater, or a light turtleneck under a sweater, adds interesting texture and "distraction" effect. Pictured below is a confident woman in black layers from AdvancedStyle and a more conservative, casual layered look.

Style Tip #4 
Another obvious style choice is a turtleneck sweater or a coat, which covers every inch of your neck and keeps you warm. Make sure the color is flattering against your skin tone, as that's a lot of fabric right up against your face. Also, if you have a large bodice, stay away from thick, cable knit fabric.

Style Tip #5
A cowl neckline doesn't actually cover your neck, but it takes attention away from your neck with the soft folds. Add a beautiful necklace and you're looking golden!

If you have an issue with your neck, ya gotta get over it and learn to love every part of your beautiful body. But, ya gotta love the cold weather for some of these Art of Distraction techniques! Do you have another style technique that works for you? Please share in the Comments below. I'd love to hear from you!

 

How to Look Chic and Feel Comfortable at a Holiday Party

Once upon a time, I could wear 3-inch strappy heels and stand all night at a holiday party. Those days are long gone! Doesn't mean we can't still be wildly attractive and get noticed for all the right reasons. Here's a festive, chic outfit you can stand in all night long.

Chic and Comfortable Holiday Outfit by truecolorsbylinda featuring a diamond solitaire

Roland Mouret scoop neck top, $580 / Jane Norman peplum jacket, $55 / Vince wool trousers, $275 / Chanel ivory ballet flat / Lipsy jeweled earrings, $16 / Allurez diamond solitaire, $120

Winter is Here!

Are you prepared for the cold weather?

If you live anywhere the weather changes significantly, it's time to move your summer rags out and move your winter rags into center position.  If you're like me, you use two ends of your closet. I have a wear-it-this-season end and put-it-away-until-next-season end. Everything that can be worn all year stays in the middle. 

Winter is about layering, faux fur and accessories.

Brrrrrr..... by truecolorsbylinda featuring lace up boots

Here are some Style Tips to think about as you’re building your winter wardrobe:

Style Tips for Winter
 
Desire. Know what you love. Know your colors and styles. Tear out magazine pages, surf the web, collect images of what looks best on you so that you can go hunting for it.  If you know exactly what you’re looking for, you won’t buy mistakes, and you’ll make a beeline for it when you see it!
 
Quality. Choose quality (good advice in all areas of your life). It is better to buy one quality sweater that will last for years, than three cheap sweaters that get stretched out or worn out by spring.  Look for fabrics like wool, cashmere, and quality knits.  They’ll keep you a lot warmer and look nicer!
 
Patience. Perfection takes time. Don't buy anything that doesn't make you feel AMAZING. Seriously. Compromised style rarely feels good and looks worse!
 
Budget. Set a budget for what you'd be willing to pay for the PERFECT sweater, coat, or pair of boots.  And check out Clothing Resale Shops in your neighborhood for winter treasures – wool scarves, cardigans, or leather boots.
 
Color. Winter is a time to wear darker, more intense colors. You can still pop your outfits with metallics, icy gray, icy blue, as well as white. For those "Winter" color types, wearing deep jewel tones, such as royal blue and regal purple is a fabulous change of pace from black.

Awareness. Most importantly of all, KNOW YOURSELF. Authenticity is energizing and magnetic, turning you into an attraction machine!
 
Treat Yourself. Paint your nails a deep rich color.  Invest in a few pairs of cashmere socks.  Buy new winter pajamas that you will enjoy wearing while you curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea.

One of my clients told me the other day that she wants to wear her skinny pants but she's concerned that they make her look "hippy." She has an hourglass figure so she has gorgeous hips! I suggested she wear tunic tops over her skinny pants. She loves her new stylish look!

Hip Cover-Up! by truecolorsbylinda featuring skinny pants

Zero Maria Cornejo v neck top / Red coat, $94 / By Malene Birger skinny pants / High heel boots / Nixon stainless steel jewelry, $165 / House of Harlow 1960 drop earrings / Joules navy blue scarve, $55

How to Choose Attractive Eyeglass Frames

I went to Costco this morning to buy new prescription reading glasses. As I looked around at the eyewear choices I noticed that most of the brands were clothing designers, such as Karen Kane, Lucky Brand, Polo, Coach, etc. It reminded me that eyeglasses make an important fashion statement so it's important to choose glasses that make you look and feel confident, as well as balanced and attractive. 

After all, you don't want to end up looking like this! :-)

Here are three True Colors Tips to consider when choosing your next pair of eyeglasses. It will save you time and mistakes!

Whether you're shopping for clothes or eyewear, I recommend the same procedure: 

#1: COLOR - Select colors that complement your skin and eye color
#2: STYLE - The shape and style should balance your facial features
#3: FIT - Make sure the glasses sit comfortably

Color

It's important to choose glasses that are in the same color family as the clothes you wear. For example, if your coloring is soft, muted and "summery," this transparent-colored DKNY pair will look harmonious on your face.

On the other hand, if your best colors are mustard-gold, dark orange and other "autumn" colors, you will ROCK a tortoise-shell frame (I bought the Lucky Brand glasses below).

Another consideration is the metal you choose. If your coloring is warm, a gold metal frame looks best. If your coloring is cool, choose silver frames.

Style
Your face shape pretty much determines your frame shape. In general, I like to mimic your face shape with the frame. If you have a round or heart-shaped face, try a cat-eye, aviator or large wrap frame. Basically you want to match the size and shape of your face.

Another style consideration is the overall "personality" of the glasses. If you have a fun personality your glasses should be fun, too! Play up your sassy style with cat-eye shapes and lots of bling!

If you're more of a quiet observer personality, choose a classic style and you'll feel like the glasses express who you are inside and out.  
 

Fit
Your eye care professional will guide you to find the right technical fit around your nose bridge and temples. But, more importantly, just like your clothes, your glasses should fit who you are inside and express your personality. The best judge of that is YOU.

Do you enjoy shopping for glasses, or do you end up trying on every pair in the store before you find the right pair? Do you think these shopping tips will help you pick out the perfect pair of glasses next time?

Why Should You Hire a Style Consultant?

I find there is a natural inertia, or complacency, when it comes to hiring a style consultant. If you ask any woman whether she's in favor of hiring someone to help her clean and organize her closet to create fabulous outfits that work, she'll invariably say YES. But when it comes to actually scheduling this service, she'll find many reasons to avoid it. 

Perhaps this stems from an underlying nervousness about confronting poor clothing choices she's made in the past (who hasn't made mistakes?), or the fact that some of her favorite clothes don't fit anymore. She just doesn't want to go there! What is it about our closet that reminds us of the past and all the experiences we've enjoyed or regretted? 

A style consultant can help you "heal your closet" by removing the confusing clutter and old reminders. She'll help you rediscover the hidden treasures in your closet that bring you joy and she'll make those clothes more present in your life. Cleaning out your closet is like a spiritual reawakening -- out with the old, in with the new! 

Here's a compelling reason to hire a style consultant: she will take you by the hand and guide you gently (or maybe she'll be more like Jillian Michaels shouting at you with tough love) through the process of confronting your cluttered closet, cleaning out what doesn't work, returning the garments that still fit and work for you, and organizing beautiful, put-together outfits. In the end you'll discover that almost everything you need is in your closet. You just have to clear out everything that doesn't work for you anymore! Doesn't this sound like a metaphor for life?

Here's another reason to hire a style consultant: she will help you create "Go-To Outfits" for your current lifestyle. For example, she could create complete, accessorized outfits for your:

• Client meetings
• Job interviews
• Date nights
• Speaking engagements

Yes, this service does cost money, I won't kid you. Style consultants have to earn a living. But my experience has been that no one has EVER regretted it; on the contrary, what I hear from my clients proves to me that this very personal, very motivational and life-changing experience is worth every dollar and moment you spend.

Find Your Hidden Closet Treasures

If you're interested in learning more about my services, please visit my web page, Grow Confidence, and while you're there, sign up for my Free 5-Day Wardrobe Strategies Mini-Course.  

Are Your Wardrobe Staples Updated?

Updating your Wardrobe Staples every couple years is an important activity because it keeps your outfits current. Wardrobe Staples are not to be confused with the basic foundation pieces, such as underwear, socks, sleepwear, etc. Wardrobe Staples are the versatile building blocks that make your outfit come together in a cohesive look. If your staples aren't in place you will probably end up with a lot of closet orphans, or one-offs, that don't really coordinate with anything. 

Your Wardrobe Staples will be different than mine. They're very personalized and based on your signature style, climate, body type, and personality. Do you prefer to wear a blazer over your t-shirt or button-down shirt? Prefer jeans to dressy trousers? Or, do you wear pencil skirts and maxis? It's important to ensure that your wardrobe staples are current. You should revisit seasonally to ensure the staples still fit, suit your lifestyle needs, are fashionable and in good shape. Yes, even jeans wear out! 

My list of Wardrobe Staples has changed over the years as I've simplified my lifestyle and work mostly from home. My climate is warm and temperate most of the year, so I don't make dramatic wardrobe shifts from one season to the next. I now prefer to wear nearly flat sandals, shoes and boots versus tall heels. Here's my list:

1. V-neck t-shirts and loose-fitting tops: I collect v-neck t-shirts in high quality cotton in all my colors. I also wear a lot of loose-fitting tops that I sometimes half-tuck in front. These looser tops range in color, geometric patterns, and even animal prints.
2. Casual blazers (including a jean jacket): I still love adding a casual blazer over a pair of jeans and a nice top when I meet with clients or go out to lunch with friends. A jacket pulls my outfit together, and with the addition of a colorful scarf, I have a chic, casual look. My blazers include denim, corduroy, wool, silk and cotton.
3. Cardigan sweaters: I own several cardigans in various lengths and thicknesses.When the weather gets chilly, my favorite outfit is a long-sleeved t-shirt, jeans, cardigan and boots.
4. Jeans: I just discovered and purchased a pair of Gap Boyfriend jeans for running around town. These aren't for everyone, as they're loose and won't show off your beautiful curves. However, for comfort I give them an A++. I have several skinny jeans in dark blue, black, white, tan skinny, and spring colors. I'm happy to see bootleg jeans making a comeback because I held onto my Paige bootleg jeans!
5. Dressy Tops and Cigarette Pants: My signature look for events and speaking engagements is a fitted silk top with a black or navy cigarette pant, topped by a dressy blazer (Theory or BCBG), and either suede Sam Edelman booties or black gladiator sandals. The look is fashionable, versatile and best of all, comfortable for sitting and walking.
6. Chunky, colorful necklaces and metal bracelets: I love finding unique necklaces that POP my outfit. A local artist makes beautiful, one-of-a-kind necklaces from antique pieces she finds all over the world. Another local artist hammers gorgeous copper bracelets -- I love wearing copper because that's my True Colors metal as a COPPER (discover your True Colors!).
7. Tall Flat Boots and Booties: Black and Neutral: I have a black Sam Edelman tall boot that I bought at Finders Keepers Consignment, brown suede tall boot, and several booties in browns, tan, cognac and black. Most are several seasons old, but they still look current and attractive.

If you haven't already done so, consider making a list of Wardrobe Staples. When clients call me for a style emergency session it's often a case of missing or dated wardrobe staples. These are not the most exciting items to shop for, but they transform your wardrobe into signature style outfits. When you keep your staples current and replenished you'll have a stress-free dressing experience every day! 

Fall 2014 Trends & Tips to Update Your Current Wardrobe

Have you seen the September 2014 issue of InStyle magazine? Whoooeee! It's an inch of pure fashion fun and trendy ideas to spruce up your sexy, fall wardrobe. 

You'll see trends such as thick knit sweaters, sweetheart necklines, menswear, flared jeans, cognac accessories, boxy coats, white pumps after Labor Day, aubergine, tailored culottes, animal prints (yes, still around!), monochromatic colored outfits, chunky knits, furry faux coats, flat oxfords, miniskirts, long skirts (yes, on the page after miniskirts), luxe track pants, nude makeup and nail art. You get the idea...

For those who have been around the block a few times, you're probably not running out to buy all the latest trends. Your style is more about individual expression, comfort, classicism, exhibiting strength and confidence. So my advice is choose one or two trends that light you up inside and pair them with your existing wardrobe. Here's some suggestions (Men's fall trend ideas coming soon!):

Loose-Fitting, Wide Pants
 
I'm talking harem pants, silky loose track pants, boyfriend jeans, and wide-all-over trousers. Boot cut and flared jeans.

Elegantly sloppy.

If you've been living in skinny jeans and leggings for years, this is quite a switch. I have a feeling this loose pant style is like a potato chip -- you can't stop with just one!

 


Winter White

White is hot again for fall and winter. 

This cotton-blend biker jacket looks great over a pop of color such as tomato red, mustard or aubergine. A great alternative to neutral gray, black, and brown.

Pair with colorful eyewear, cream wool pants, and animal print pumps!



Sporty-Luxe

A dream come true if you dress for comfort first!

Invest in an upscale sweatshirt, silky track pants, or a bomber jacket. You'll feel like you walked out the door in your pajamas, and you'll be completely fashion forward.

This is a sporty look that may take you back to your h.s. daze...




Boots and Booties

We're still wearing our booties from summer to winter, and it looks like there's no stopping this trend.

Wear booties with skirts and dresses. Here are a few tips to pull off this look:

• Keep hose and booties a similar color to create a longer leg line
• If flat booties are hard for you to pull off, wear a heeled bootie for a longer look
• When wearing mid-calf boots, show a little knee
• Booties that are low and close to the ankle tend to look more flattering  

What Does it Mean to Dress Your Age These Days?

I think about how different the dressing style rules were for our mothers and grandmothers, and how much more freedom we have today to express ourselves, regardless of age. When I was a child, my mother dressed very differently than my grandmother or younger women. Now, the same pair of designer jeans and top can be worn by a 20-year-old and a 65-year-old. These days, your dress style depends more on your lifestyle, personality and career than your age. Our goals have changed, too. Now we get to express our individualism, celebrate our power, energy, and wisdom, at EVERY AGE.

The key to looking powerful and energetic at any age is to BE POWERFUL AND ENERGETIC. It's not just about wearing the latest style trends. Wearing trends can backfire when they're wrong for your personality or figure shape. You can always temper a trend by pairing it with a classic piece. 

Take the trend of silky track pants and printed loose pants. Silky track pants are trousers made of dressier woven fabrications that are cut like fleece sweat pants or “track pants”. 

They usually have an elastic waistband and drawstring, are tapered at the ankle, and are roomy right through the leg. The baggy fit is about relaxed comfort and a small amount of slouch.

When not styled carefully it can read "early 90s" in a bad way. That's why no matter what your age, if you don't like a trend, or you don't know how to style it, you might want to let it pass. If you do like a trend, and it suits your lifestyle and figure, then go for it, regardless of your age!

Here's my recipe for looking energetic and powerful at any age:

• BE energetic and BE powerful
• Take the best care of your health (eat well and stay active)
• Get a modern hair style that suites your face and skin tone
• Make sure your clothes FIT well
• Wear great-fitting undergarments (yes, that means a professional fitting and spending serious money!)
• Update your eye wear (buy chic, trendy sunglasses and adventurous eyeglasses)
• Revamp your makeup and skincare routine (radiant looking skin is ageless!)
• Invest in high quality, chic shoes (who doesn't notice a great pair of shoes?)
• LOVE whatever age you're at!

Speaking of shoes, I'm creating a webinar, "If The Shoe Fits..." that's all about what shoes to wear with different outfits, what shoes to wear if your feet aren't perfect, and more shoe talk. I'll announce the webinar soon...