Are You Wearing All the Wrong Clothes?

How would you like to walk into a room and get noticed? Would you like your opinions to be heard, or your boss to notice and reward all the good work you’re doing? When you follow simple guidelines and dress to bring out your true radiance, you will discover a power within that you didn’t even know existed, and your life will change for the better. We all know how good it feels to receive a compliment about something you’re wearing. Has it been a while since someone gave you a compliment?  Let’s examine all the things that could be preventing those compliments from streaming in:

LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, PANTS, SKIRTS, TOPS, ETC.

How many times have you heard the fashion industry say that you need a little black dress? Do you wear black almost every day? Think black makes you look thinner? Well, it’s all a bunch of fashion industry myths. Black doesn’t make you look thinner – it’s the style and cut of a garment that will make you look thinner. And, for most of us, there’s a better color choice than black. In fact, most people don’t look their best in black! I will show you YOUR BLACK. Let's hear your stories about wearing black!

NOTHING TO WEAR?

Do you ever feel like you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? Here’s the reason – no matter how many pieces of clothing you have hanging in your closet, if the colors don’t mix and match, if they are inappropriate for your lifestyle, if they’re torn or stained, or if they’re too small or too big -- then you have nothing to wear! How many times a week do you say "I have nothing to wear" ?

BUYING ALL THE WRONG CLOTHES?
How many mistakes are hanging in your closet -- with the tags still on? You knew it was a mistake when you bought it, but you bought it anyway for a variety of reasons – you were in a hurry and had to have something new to wear to an event, or you went shopping alone and the sales person talked you into it. Whatever the reason, you wasted your money because you did not have the knowledge of what colors and styles look best on you. So there it hangs… When you shop with color and style guidelines, you can walk away from anything that falls outside those guidelines. With color and style guidelines you will shop more efficiently, save money by avoiding buying mistakes that hang in your closet, and you’ll enjoy shopping more!

DON’T KNOW HOW TO SHOP FOR CLOTHES?
Ever walk into a clothing store and feel completely overwhelmed with all the choices -- not sure what looks good on you? How many times have you turned around and walked out of a store without trying ANYTHING on? How would you like to walk into a clothing store, make a beeline for the right clothes, and get out without buying any mistakes or wasting time trying on clothes that just aren’t going to look good! Get in and get out.

AT THE MERCY OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY

Most of us feel we’re at the mercy of the fashion industry. We buy styles and colors that are the latest fad, or because it’s in our price range, or it’s the IN fashion this year, even if it doesn’t look particularly good on us. Instead of buying something that looks good on a manikin wouldn’t it make more sense to know what colors, styles, and accessories bring out your best features, your uniqueness? When you do, everyone will see YOU –not necessarily your clothes. As we get older, our bodies are changing, styles are changing, and I’ll bet many of you are still hanging onto your old clothes that expired years ago! Remember, your closet is NOT a museum!

THE SECRETS TO GETTING THAT PUT TOGETHER LOOK!

Have you ever been in a public place and seen a woman that turns heads because she looks perfectly put together? Do you wish you could have that put-together look? When you look at a well-dressed woman, you see her radiance. She lights up. She stands out. That’s because every single thing she put on that morning, every color, every fabric, and accessory brought her RADIANCE out. How can YOU bring out your radiance and beauty? You will understand how to bring out your best features when you understand the secrets of your own PERSONAL BLUEPRINT.

YOUR PERSONAL BLUEPRINT
Your personal blueprint consists of the way you look TODAY -- your face shape, your skin tone, eye color and hair color, your body structure. It also includes the way you move, the way you speak -- and even your personality. It’s the essence of you! These are the components found in every person, and they all work together to make you unique and wonderful! When you dress in a way that supports your personal blueprint, the real you will show up! Next week I’m going to show you some Personal Blueprints. Each of the blueprints represents a unique set of characteristics and is linked to a set of colors and styles that are right for the blueprint. When you know your Personal Blueprint, you will know what COLORS and STYLES look great on you!
See next blog for these Personal Blueprints, and see which one is YOU!

Let's Talk About Transformation

Have you ever had a transformational experience?  What did it feel like?  Did it change you forever? 

I have been a practicing image consultant for a little over a year now, and I have to tell you I have witnessed women having MAJOR transformational experiences, and it has changed me forever.  Let me tell you about some of them...

All the women have three things in common:

1. They had been thinking about creating change for themselves, some women actually thought about getting their colors done or finding someone to help them shop for clothes. But they didn't know how to go about finding a style consultant.  So they drew me into their lives in a "law of attraction" way (ie. randomly sitting next to me at a conference and striking up a conversation) In any case they knew they wanted to change their personal appearance which they hoped would change them in a deeper, more significant way. 
2. They were wide open to hearing my color and style advise, even though it meant that many of the clothes in their closet would have to go.  They were open to the change.
3. They were 40+ years old, and had never really been sure how to get that put-together look.  Shopping was an overwhelming experience for them, and some of the women avoided it as much as possible, shopping only once or twice a year.

The look on a woman's face when she is finally dressed in the colors and styles that make her feel completely beautiful and radiant in her skin is like "coming home."  She stares into the mirror and finally sees the real, powerful truth of who she is.  And she never looks back....

It's pretty powerful.  I think about how the transformation in a woman's life moves outward to affect her loved ones, friends and acquaintances in a meaningful way.  It's like throwing a pebble into the water and watching the ripples of energy radiating out. 

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world -- that is the myth of the atomic age -- as in being able to remake ourselves."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

Seeing Your Body As a Work of Art

I have been pondering the problem of how to get women to stop being so self-critical about their bodies and start loving their bodies the way they are, and learn how to show off their best assets.  Then, I remembered what I tell women during a personal consultation:

Picture Your Body as a Work of Art

How many of us look at our bodies and all we see are the flaws? 

• My hips are too wide
• I am bulging at the waist (you probably use the unflattering term "muffin top")
• My neck has folds
• My arms are too fat
• My legs are short

I could go on and on, but you get the point.  We can all think of far too many things that are WRONG with our body, and almost nothing that's RIGHT!

Instead of being critical, think of your body as a sculpture that an artist drapes with fabric. The artist creates a pleasing silhouette by nipping the fabric here and there to call attention to a small torso and flows the fabric away from voluptuous hips.  The color of the fabric creates glowing skintone and makes her eyes appear vibrant and alive. 

You Can Drape Your Own Body Just Like An Artist

Start here -- stand in front of a full length mirror and look at yourself.  Name FIVE things that you LOVE about your body.  1-2-3-4-5.  There!  You did it!  If, for example, you chose as one of your beloved body parts, your shoulders, then you should wear tops that expose your shoulders, like a halter top, strapless, or boatneck neckline.  Everyone's eyes will be on your lovely shoulders!

Why I Started True Colors by Linda

Here's my story: By the time I reached fifty, I had built a successful training career in the computer industry. However, after leaving the industry I soon felt lost and invisible.  Feeling confused about what new direction to take, I knew I wanted to reinvent myself and my career, but I had no idea what to do.  Then I discovered my colors and styles and the physical transformation changed how I felt about myself.  It made me feel powerful, beautiful, and put-together.  I was visible again (especially to my husband)!  As a result, I embarked on a new career that leverages my creativity, business savvy, desire to help people, and my love of teaching. I enjoy helping women over 50 reawaken their self-confidence through fashion and style power!  I am the woman I help transform into a confident, powerful individual who makes an impact with her life.

Upon reflection, I remember as a young woman I was attractive and sexy enough, and adept at getting attention. This Wonder Woman-like power enabled me to confidently walk into a room and own it. Somewhere between the ages of 45 and 50 I started feeling my super powers fading – I was becoming invisible – and it was shocking. I was no longer commanding attention when I walked into a room – there were younger, more attractive women to draw peoples’ eyes away from me. My solution was to keep my sense of humor, resign myself to invisibility, and chalk it up to growing older.

Some years later, I attended an art marketing class where one woman, quietly minding her own business in class drew everyone's eye. Some combination of her outfit, her jewelry, her hairstyle, her aura made her "pop" so she was the focal point of the entire room. I was intrigued. She wasn't much younger than me so it wasn't an age thing. When I complimented her on her outfit, she told me about a program she had just attended where she learned about her colors and style, and she said it changed her life. She encouraged me to attend the same program. I did.

Learning to wear my best colors changed my life

I learned that I was wearing the wrong colors and styles for my “energy” which consists of my coloring, body type, and my personality. Instead of enhancing my energy and personality, I was watering it down with clothes that did not highlight my best assets. After learning this, did I immediately change the way I was dressing? Heck no! I fought it for almost a year; after all, I was comfortable in the outfits that filled my closet, but slowly I started buying new clothes that reflected my true colors. Then something amazing began to happen. Friends, family and complete strangers started complimenting me. The most surprising compliment came from a gentleman in Trader Joes grocery store. He approached me and said, "I'm not trying to pick you up, but I had to come over and tell you how fantastic you look."

There IS something to dressing in the right colors and style. It gave me the courage to make major changes in my wardrobe and hair style, and that’s when life became really interesting!

I felt so much better about myself – I wasn’t invisible anymore. That’s when the light bulb came on for me. If I’m experiencing this dramatic transformation, maybe I can help other women do the same. And that’s how True Colors by Linda was born.

I noticed that once my wardrobe got organized with all the right colors and styles, the following things happened:

• Getting dressed is stress-free and a joy
• Everything is mix and match so I have more outfits
• Shopping is easier and faster because I know exactly what to buy
• I save time and money because I don't buy mistakes

The Goal of True Colors by Linda

True Colors by Linda is based upon the fact that you can walk into a room and OWN it when you dress in the right colors and style and reflect who you are inside and out. Anyone can “own a room” at ANY age. Why? Because when you dress in a way that enhances your body and your personality, people will notice you and they’ll want to get to know you. They won’t even know why, they are just drawn to you. You are unique and have many gifts to offer and you, too, can easily learn how to “own the room”.

Many of us walk around invisible because we’re dressing in a way that confuses people. I used to be invisible, but didn’t realize it could be any other way. How about you? Think of your energy like a radio signal – when you dress in a way that is in harmony with your energy, your radio signal is clear and strong. When you dress in the wrong colors and style, the radio signal becomes weak and full of static. If you’re like me, you can tell when people aren’t really noticing you. Their gaze travels quickly past you and settles on someone else.

On the other hand, have you ever experienced this? You put on an outfit that makes you smile, and you feel especially confident. Throughout the day you get compliments. Maybe you’re not exactly sure what it is about the outfit that works, but you know that whenever you wear it, you have a great day! Wouldn’t life be grand if every outfit you wore made you feel great and the positive energy you radiate was reflected back at you by everyone around you?

How you can save money and own beautiful clothes

My favorite discovery in the last few years has been consignment clothing stores and thrift stores. I never shopped for used clothing before. I used to donate my gently worn clothes to charities, but it never occurred to me to shop there. Well, that has changed. I discovered a world of hidden gems. Imagine how many women buy clothes they never wear. One woman's mistake is another woman's treasure. It's environmentally friendly, too. All those compliments I’m getting these days? Recycled clothing!

How do you find your local consignment and thrift stores? Ask friends or google consignment and thrift stores in your area. Here's a bonus: consignment and thrift stores are not based on fashion designers’ seasonal whims of colors and styles. You can find YOUR colors and styles almost any time of the year.

You, too, can look like a million bucks!

I understand you

I understand the woman who is older and can’t afford to retire, yet she doesn’t want to work for a company anymore (and they may not want her either). She doesn’t know what she’s passionate about because she’s stuffed those dreams so far down that she can't remember. She needs help re-discovering her passion and beauty.  I understand her pain, her self-doubt, and I have a solution.

I help women of all ages and sizes discover their passion and express who they are with their appearance. Here’s an exercise I have my clients do. I tell them “Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a work of art — visualize the lines of your body, the shadows, textures and colors that define your form. See the beauty of your body as an artist would, without any judgment. Now picture your body draped with beautiful fabric accentuating your curves.” After this exercise I teach my clients how to choose clothes that complement their coloring, body shape, and personality to create a beautiful artistic image. It’s amazing how transformational this is!