What to Wear on Camera

When it comes time to film your first video, or, if you're lucky enough to be interviewed on television, what you wear on camera is vitally important.  As I always say, "Your image is your brand!  This is your opportunity to connect with your audience and let them know who you really are. Color demands our attention, so pay special attention to the colors you wear on camera.

Wearing the right colors on camera will make your:

• Skin look radiant
• Eyes sparkle
• Body look fit and "put-together"
• Image look younger and more energetic

How do you know what colors look best on camera?

Here are some Do's and Don'ts:

DO's:

• Think about what colors look best on you off-camera.  What colors bring you the most compliments?  Is your skin tone warm or cool?  If you'd like help determining your best colors, I offer personal color and style consultations.  Click here.
• Wear colors that connect with your audience.  You don't want to appear harsh and stand-offish.  You want your skin and eyes to appear warm and inviting. 
• As you age, you might not be able to wear the bright colors you wore in your twenties.  Wear softer, more muted colors such as blue-gray, lavender, soft green, or rose.
• Wear solid colored fabrics, as fine patterns create a "Moire Effect" where the pattern appears to be moving on camera.  
• Bring three or four outfits to the studio.  Test the outfits on camera if time permits.
• Wear beautiful colors such as shades of green, lavendar, blue, royal blue, rose, and violet. 
• Wear a color that matches your eye color, and watch your eyes sparkle!  Pay attention to how your skin tone looks in a particular color.
• Pay attention to how your clothes look when you're sitting down.  Make sure it doesn't bunch up around your stomach area.  Does the garment pull?  Do the fabrics look rich?  
• Wear a scarf around your neck or a beautiful necklace to add color and sparkle around your face.

  
DON'Ts:

• Black is a dramatic color, yes, but it's also a harsh color.  If you want to appear warm and friendly, black is not the best choice.  It can make you look tired and older, as it draws in all the light.  It's better to wear a color that reflects light onto your face.
• White competes with your face for light balancing, so your skin may end up looking ghost-like or ashy.  
• Hot colors, such as bright red, hot pink, bright orange and yellow, can create a glowing effect, as the camera sensors have a problem reading them.  They may even make you look bigger than you want to!  Who wants that?  
• Fine patterns in clothing appear to be moving on camera.  Stick with solid colors.

Men's Spring Fashion Tips

Gentlemen, here's a fashion-related question for you:

What is the MOST important thing when it comes to looking polished, professional, and of course, sexy?  It's FIT, FIT, FIT.  What's wrong with super-baggy pants and crumpled, over-sized shirts?  Speaking on behalf of the entire female population, we would like to see the outline of your strong, muscular legs, not folds of fabric.  We also like seeing the outline of your broad shoulders and tight torso. You look "put-together" when you wear your clothes; not the other way around.

Just sayin...

I've discovered a menswear company, Bonobos, that caters to helping men look more polished and professional, and they help you select the right color, style, and fit. Believe it or not, Spring is coming soon! Bonobos is launching an exciting, vibrant new line of men's shirts for spring.

The key to looking polished is to wear colors that complement your skin tone, eye and hair color; also, fit is extremely important; and, knowing how to create your signature style by layering with color, pattern, and texture.

Here are some fashion tips for men:

Create Different Looks, From Professional to Casual
For a more professional look (first photo below), choose dark colors, wool fabric, and coordinate a solid or conservative patterned tie.  A more casual look (second photo below) is sporty, with lighter colors, cotton or linen fabric, a looser fit, and you can have fun pairing a patterned shirt with a fun, patterned tie; or no tie at all!

Use Layering and Mix-and-Matching Patterns to Create Interesting New Looks
Casual layering creates interest and a look of confidence.  Here are two examples of relaxed styling with a casual shirt and washed, stone-colored chino jacket (first photo below); and pairing a Spring Collection Tattersall shirt (second photo below) with a Fushia striped tie, creating a "put-together" look.

Create the Perfect Fit for a More Polished, Sexy Look
When it comes to fit, Bonobos has spent months fitting hundreds of shirts on dozens of guys to create the perfect set of options:  Standard, Slim, and Tailored Slim.  Here are some tips from Bonobos to help you select the best fit for you:

Standard Fit:  For guys of average build who like a shirt that's flattering, but not too snug.  It's a little trimmer than most off-the-rack shirts because we got rid of that unnecessary fabric around the middle.

Slim Fit:  For men with a more slender build, or who simply prefer a snugger fit.  The waist has a distinct taper, and the sleeves are a little narrower as well.

Tailored Slim:  The most form-fitting option Bonobos offers. It's the closest to a custom tailored shirt as you can get!  The rear darts really bring in the sides for a crisp, definitive taper.

Check out the New Spring Dress Shirts at Bonobos, and start looking more polished and sexy! 
 

Where Confidence Comes From

Do you remember the first time you walked in heels?  (Okay, men, you'll have to use your imagination here)  Walking in heels the first time is not an easy task.  It requires a mixture of balance and poise. Were you wobbly and awkward at first?  Of course you were!  It takes confidence to successfully walk in heels and look natural.

What did it take to build your confidence?  

PRACTICE!

The more you practiced walking on those stiletto pumps the steadier you became.  Over time you developed the ability to walk in heels without wobbling or falling over, and your confidence walking in high heels grew. 

Being confident is being certain in your ability to do something -- anything -- without awkwardness or self-doubt.

So, ladies and gentlemen, don't be afraid to try something new.  Just make sure you leave plenty of time to practice and rehearse your new skill. 

      

What to Wear After 70? -- Wear CONFIDENCE and a Whole Lot of ATTITUDE!

I found this documentary about six women who are defying the aging process, living with style and panache into their 90's. The "Fabulous Fashionistas" series about Bridget, Daphne, Jean, Gillian, Sue and Lady Trumpington explores the art of aging, and how these women have something inspirational in common: a determination to keep going, to look fabulous and have fun with fashion.

One of my favorite moments in the video is when one of the women says, "I like to wear short skirts. Some people look at me and think who does she think she is?  Well, I don't give a toss!"

That's my new favorite phrase of the week -- "I don't give a toss!"

Click on the link below and be inspired!  

The Fabulous Fashionistas 

What Mature Women Should Wear to Land the Job Interview

or... 

How to look energetic and current in today's younger generation job market and still be yourself. 

It's hard to believe you're getting older even when you still FEEL really young on the inside.  If you're in mid-career, and competing for a job among the twenty-somethings, remember, you've got more wisdom, experience, breadth and depth than a twenty-six year old person.  You have years of gathering knowledge and the maturity to make sound decisions -- you're a fantastic and powerful woman! Here are some tips on presenting yourself as current and powerful.  You can make an impact with your put-together, young flare (but not over-the-top), and still be YOU:

Tip #1: From the neck up, make yourself look current and hip.

• Get a trendy hairdo.  If you've been going to the same hair stylist for ten years, it's time to get a new perspective.  I know it's scary, but remember if you dislike the results, HAIR GROWS!  A new stylist can look at your assets and give you a fresh and youthful look.
• Wear makeup that highlights your best facial features.  Go to Sephora or a department store and get a free makeup consultation before your interview.  I suggest makeup colors for my clients, and wearing the right makeup makes a huge difference. As you get older it's more important to use moisturizing products that give you a dewy glow.
• Get your teeth whitened.  Young teeth are sparkling white!  Old teeth are yellow.

Tip #2:  Wear colors that make your skin look radiant!

•  The right colors make you look radiant, healthy and ten years younger. Your skin tone and hair color are changing, so the colors you wore ten years ago may not work for you anymore.  Story time:  I'm over 40. I was in Trader Joe's a few weeks ago buying groceries and wine, and the young checker asked me for ID.  At first I was flattered, then I thought he was joking, then when he seriously made me produce my driver's license I knew he thought I looked younger than my age.  Turns out this is a trend to ask people who look 40 and younger for ID.  I'm still flattered he thought I was 40!  I swear it's because I was wearing vibrant, radiant colors. Get your colors done by a professional and wear them all the time. It will change your life.
• Wearing your colors is a transformational experience.  Your true beauty shows up. Your outfits will always be color-coordinated and put-together.

Tip #3:  Wear clothes that fit you like a glove, look stylish, and look like YOU.

• Tailored clothes give your body the structure it may not have
• Current trends appropriate for a job interview are: leather skirt paired with a soft flowy blouse and tailored jacket; mix and match textures such as a tweed jacket, cotton blouse and pencil skirt; peplum suit jacket over a slim pencil skirt
• Take your clothes to a tailor if they don't fit your body perfectly -- especially your interview outfits
• Choose a neckline that complements your face shape

Tip #4: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

• Add a colorful scarf to pull your outfit together, look chic, and cover your neck
• Wear a beautiful necklace and bracelet in your metal
• A pop of color can come in the form of a purse or sophisticated shoes

What to Wear When Your Body Isn't Perfect (Isn't that just about everyone?)

When you look at fashion magazines, the airbrushed models are breathtakingly beautiful -- their skin is taught and glowing, bodies are paper thin and buff, and muscles bulge in all the right places. 

But that's not reality! Real people have blemished, bumpy skin, baggy eyes, big bums, small breasts, large breasts, bigger on the bottom than on top.  That's the way life really is.  Most people are somewhere between looking trim and fit and carrying extra weight in certain areas.  

So, how can you dress in a way that accentuates your positive features and mitigates your flaws?

Here are 3 sure-fire ways to dress your natural shape in an attractive, balanced way:

Tip #1 - Create the illusion of a longer body shape with silhouette and color.

Your style aim is to create the illusion of proportional balance between your upper and lower half.  Where you are SHORT, optically lengthen, by wearing long, straight pants to lengthen your legs, or by wearing a longer top to lengthen your upper torso. Look how long her legs appear!  By layering pieces on top you'll give the illusion of longer torso and legs. One monochromatic color is another way to elongate your body, and you don't have to stick with the same, exact color, but rather mix and match with different tones of the same color.  Try a royal blue printed skirt with a chambray blue blouse and touches of sapphire accessories. 

Tip #2 - Accentuate the best parts of your body.

Whether you have a small waist, delicate facial features, shapely thin legs, or gorgeous feet, every outfit should celebrate your best features. 

The easiest way to call attention to a feature is by using a pop of color.  If you want to call attention to your face, wrap a beautiful, colorful scarf around your neck or wear a fabulously colorful necklace. Call attention to the smallest part of your body, such as your small waist, with a belt.  And adorn those gorgeous feet with bejeweled, strappy sandals!


Tip #3 - Divide your body into pleasing proportions.

Our bodies actually measure eight head lengths.  Really!  Take a tape measure and measure from the top of your head to your chin. That's your head length.  You are three head lengths from the top of your head to your waist, and five head lengths from your waist to your feet.  

A pleasing proportion to wear is 2:3, or 2 head lengths from shoulder to waist, and 3 head lengths from waist to knees.  A dress with a belted or tucked waist, or a blouse and skirt combination  follows this 2:3 proportion.  The dividing line of the outfit falls at the waist and draws attention there. 

Generally, it is more attractive and interesting to wear outfits that divide your body into thirds, not in half.  See the example to the right.  You can use color, horizontal lines or different shapes to demarcate between sections.

Have fun trying different proportions.  The goal is to visually alter your body proportions and create an illusion of perfect proportions with your clothing. 

Fall 2013 Trends for Women

Fall is already here, and the fashion magazines are two inches thick with "What to Wear Now" advice for women.  They want to get you excited to go out and buy NEW clothes and accessories, and you can do exactly that -- even on a tight budget!  Bottom line, ladies, continue to wear what looks good on you, and let the other trends go.  The key is to wear clothes that give you an elongated body, complement your coloring, and bring you comfort and joy.

Not all the new Fall looks and colors (emerald green, charcoal grey, hot pink) are going to look great on you, so you need to be selective when you adopt the new trends. 

And if money is a little tight for you right now, choose one new trend and go hunting for it in consignment and thrift stores:

Colors
Winter white and, of course, black, is hot this fall.  Remember my viewpoint on black?  It's not for everyone, but everyone has their own version of black.  Pantone's fall fashion colors range from Mykonos blue to Acai purple to Vivacious hot pink.  For those who are familiar with the True Color palettes, Mykonos blue looks great on COPPERS and PLATINUMS, but it has a wide appeal so try it on. Acai purple looks great on everyone (depending upon the tone). Vivacious pinks and emerald green are best on a SILVER.  Linden green is a great GOLD color.  Samba red will make a COPPER pop!  So everyone get out there and try on the new Fall colors.

Leather

Zoe Saldana is showing off a gorgeous leather coat over skinny leather pants. Leather is really in this season, and you'll find combinations galore -- leather sleeves, leather skirts, jackets, in combination with other textures.

Sweater and Skirt Pairing

Look for cable knit, ribbed and fine gauged classic sweaters. Wear them with a feminine skirt be it a slim pencil skirt or a flirty full skirt. What's makes this look new is a mix of the casualness of a sweater with an ultra feminine skirt. Hot tip: Borrow your boyfreind's cable knit sweater and wear it with your most feminine skirt!"
Read more at http://newyorkfashionweek.com/index.php/articles/469-trend-sweaters-skirts-fall-winter-2013#Ls4bcoElCW2s3vzf.99

Look for cable knit, ribbed and fine gauged classic sweaters. Wear them with a feminine skirt be it a slim pencil skirt or a flirty full skirt. What's makes this look new is a mix of the casualness of a sweater with an ultra feminine skirt. Hot tip: Borrow your boyfreind's cable knit sweater and wear it with your most feminine skirt!"
Read more at http://newyorkfashionweek.com/index.php/articles/469-trend-sweaters-skirts-fall-winter-2013#Ls4bcoElCW2s3vzf.99

Reminiscent of the 1940's oversized look, the best look is a chunky, cable sweater over a feminine, flowy skirt.  Play with the texture combinations, but keep it monochromatic or muted to give it a chic look.  What makes this look new and fresh is a mix of the casual sweater with an ultra feminine skirt.  Hot tip:  borrow your husband's cable knit sweater!  Be aware of your body shape, and don't wear boxy sweaters that add weight. 

Peplum

This is such a put-together, flattering sophisticated look that plays up your waist.  The length, volume, drape and choice of fabric of the ruffle makes a difference. Here are some tips for different body types:

• If you're short, choose peplum with less volume, a single color will help lengthen your frame
• Boyish figure, structured or flared peplums create curves
• If you have a slight tummy, choose a slightly higher waisted peplum with a streamlined, soft ruffle.
  
  choose peplum with less volume if you’re on the shorter side; the width of the flare should, ideally, be eight inches or less. A single colour outfit will also help lengthen your frame - See more at: http://www.estylista.com/2013/07/peplum-how-to-wear-it/#sthash.dJ44NcZE.dpuf

Faux fur
They're everywhere!  Check out Express, Old Navy, Piperlime, and even your local thrift store (I picked up a short faux fur vest at my local Goodwill in perfect condition!). Oversized, inspired by menswear. These animal-friendly vests can be layered over t-shirts to dresses and keep you snuggly warm!

Mixed and Matched Textures

Finally, tweed is back!  All you COPPERS out there, pay attention and go shopping.  They're mixing all sorts of textures, from leather, lace, wool, knits, tweeds, and furs.  This gives you a definite statement look, so take it easy!  My advice is to layer your looks tastefully, like this Marissa Webb tweedy short-sleeved tee, edged with leather details, worn over a silk blouse.

7 Tips to Look More Attractive, But Not Provocative, at Work

Ladies, if you want to be taken seriously at work it's important to look attractive and put-together, but not sexy or provocative.  Here are 7 style rules that will create an attractive professional image:

Tip #1:  Your skirt and dress length

The style rule is to wear a length that is proportional to your height and appropriate for the situation.  The professional "power woman" rule is for your skirt and dress length to hit just above your knee.  The reason is when you sit down, your skirt hikes up naturally, and you don't want to cause a distraction.  A tasteful maxi skirt is fine as long as your top is more fitted and conservative; add a belt and a short jacket over it to create a complete outfit.

Tip #2:  Neckline cleavage

Where would you like someone to look when he or she is speaking to you during a business meeting? If the answer is "your eyes," then your neckline should not reveal any cleavage.  There is a way to determine the most attractive neckline that balances your face -- it's called a Balance Point.  Artists use balance points when painting portraits.  Measure the distance from the top of your hairline (if you wear bangs, your hairline is where your bangs end) to your chin.  Then take that length and extend it from your chin down to your bodice.  Wherever that measurement falls on your bodice, that's the most attractive neckline opening for you.  If it's too low, and would show cleavage, then place a necklace at that point.   

Tip #3:  Tight clothing

Most people wear clothes that either too big or too small, thinking it makes them look thinner.  That's a myth.  Squeezing into a sausage casing will only make you look...well...you get the picture.  Clothes should skim your body and fall naturally. Clothes that are too tight actually call attention to your body flaws, or worse, create body flaws where you have none!  Dressing in overly tight clothes sends the wrong signal at work.  

Tip #4:  Amount of skin showing

For women, the more skin you show, the less influence you have. Do you really want to work harder to earn the respect of your co-workers and boss?  A good rule of thumb is to divide your body into thirds:  one-third on top from shoulders to waist, one-third from waist to knees, one-third from knees to feet.  Show skin on one third only.  If you have a skirt that ends above the knee, then wear a conservative blouse with long sleeves.  If you're wearing a cowl-neck top (no cleavage!), this calls for long pants.

If you wish to be seen as a professional, limit the amount of skin showing.

Tip #5:  Color and fabric

Of course, the best way to make a statement about who you are is to wear colors that make you look radiant and energetic, and wear the highest quality fabrics you can afford.  It's better to own a few memorable pieces than a closet full of forgettable ones.

Your best colors are determined by your natural skin coloring, eye and hair color, and even your personality.  I can do a virtual color consultation for you, determine your colors, and provide a color card with your color palette. It's a great way to create a mix-and-match wardrobe that brings you confidence and joy!

Tip #6:  Shoes

We ladies love our shoes!  Shoes make a statement.  They complete our outfit.  Of course, close-toed shoes are the most professional style.  A trendy bootie, loafer, or gladiator shoe is the perfect accompaniment for pants, dresses, or skirts.   Sandals that reveal your toes are becoming more acceptable especially in hot climates.  Here are some things to avoid:  lack of pedicure, worn out shoes, too high (4" and higher), too strappy (those are for date night), and flip flops are out.

Tip #7:  Bare legs

The good news is unless you work for a conservative office that specifically calls for them, pantyhose and stockings can be left in your drawer.  Bare legs are work appropriate.  Fall and winter bring with it the opportunity to add colored tights into the mix, which are a great way to get a put-together look.

What do you think?  What does the line between looking attractive and looking provocative mean to you in the workplace?

How Women can Look Attractive, But Not Provocative, at Work

Women in leadership positions, as well as future leaders of tomorrow, want to be taken seriously.  One of the first things we notice about a woman is her clothing, and we quickly form a first impression.  The same is true for a man, but men have more of a professional uniform that is relatively easy to identify.  There are so many clothing and accessory choices for women to make, that it's easy to miss the mark!  Women can easily project something with their appearance that goes beyond attractive into the realm of sexy and desirable.

Back in our grandmother's generation women were subject to stringent rules regarding what a woman could or could not wear.  Many of our grandmothers didn't work outside the home, so they weren't subject to issues of how to dress in the workplace.  My grandmother never wrestled with intractable problems as she stood hesitating in front of a rack of clothes.  Can you wear a sleeveless shirt dress without a cardigan or jacket to cover your arms?  How much cleavage is permissible to show without looking sexy?  How short is too short for a skirt? Is it ever okay to show your tattoo at work?

Here's the rub:  women still have to be attractive in order to make a good first impression.  However, women must not look provocative because that is sending the wrong kind of attractive signal.  Women should get noticed because they look put-together and because they communicate confidence in their professional skills, ideas, and expertise.

Let's assume you want to express something of who you are in your clothing, not too trendy as to look like everyone else, while concealing your flaws and accentuating your assets.  Whew!  The good news is you can create a powerful first impression without total conformity or losing your individuality. It's all about dressing appropriately for your coloring, body shape, and the situation.

My suggestion is, when in doubt, dress like a Parisian woman.  That's right.  They would never, ever, ever leave the house in sweatpants! Leaving the house calls for dressing up.  If you look like a slob in Paris you let down the whole city.  Take a look at the average Parisian woman....her skirt is the perfect length, her jacket is beautifully tailored, and she spends money on her undergarments to flatter her shape.  Her outfit is pulled together with a colorful, but tasteful scarf.  Her look is brilliantly balanced.  She does this because she believes in good taste -- it's a way of life for her.  She loves to look unique and she loves what she wears.

I've put together 7 fashion tips for professional women who want to look attractive, but not provocative.  See my next post for 7 style tips that will keep you from crossing the line between looking attractive and looking provocative at work.

Busy Woman's Guide to Natural Beauty and Style

 Wanting to be attractive is a natural instinct. Women have been moisturizing, plucking, adorning, coloring and fluffing to look beautiful for all sorts of reasons.  And it seems the more beautiful we make ourselves on the outside the more confident we feel on the inside. We may not all be raving beauties, but every woman has the potential to look beautiful on the outside and feel beautiful on the inside.  All it takes is a little self-care, knowing what looks best on you, and the effort to put it all together.  When you walk into a room feeling confident and looking put-together, people notice and respond in a positive way.  Your put-together appearance tells the world you have confidence, credibility and self-worth.

Since ancient civilizations, natural beauty has been considered a sign of one's balance with nature and the universe.  This makes sense.  A healthy body and beautiful inner spirit shows in your face! 

Today, we are reinventing the meaning of beauty and attractiveness.  No longer is there an age limit to beauty -- quite the contrary -- as baby boomers glide gracefully into senior status looking even more vibrant and glowing with confidence.  

No longer is there one standard to achieve beauty.  The good news is we are removing the shackles of what it means to be beautiful; the bad news is there are so many beauty trends to choose from (largely fueled by the cosmetics and fashion industry) it creates huge opportunities for fashion faux pas!  It's difficult to know what looks best on you, let alone walk the tightrope of dressing appropriately for every occasion.

So, how do you achieve natural beauty, make good fashion choices, and juggle a busy life? 

the answer lies in knowing yourself

Knowing yourself and expressing who you really are in the way you dress and accessorize, confidently communicating and nurturing relationships, and caring for the health of your body is a way to achieve natural beauty on the outside and inside. 

Loving yourself and appreciating your natural assets (including your flaws!) creates a beautiful glow.  One way to stop being so self-critical about your body is to

picture your body as a work of art

Think of your body as a sculpture that an artist drapes with flowing fabric. An artist sees your body as lines, shapes, shadows, and would create a pleasing silhouette by nipping the fabric here and there to call attention to an area, and flowing the fabric away from an area he/she wishes to hide. The result is a beautiful image!

Being a busy woman is no excuse for ignoring your personal style and natural beauty. In the next several articles I'll explore tips and step-by-step ways to transform into the most remarkable YOU. Some of the topics I'll explore:

• Create a Beautiful, Easy Wardrobe that Builds Confidence
• Accessorize to Always Look Put-Together
• Nourish Your Body Naturally Inside and Outside
• Know Your Strengths and Develop a High 'AQ'  

Men and Women Fashion Tips -- Dress From the Inside Out

The best fashion tip I can give you is something I tell my clients. 

"Fashion is not about the clothes you wear.

It's about expressing who you really are.

So, dress from the inside out."  

When you dress from the inside out, it's important to ask yourself: what do I want people to know about me without saying a word?

Color Speaks

Use color to highlight your best features and send a message that you know yourself well enough to pick the best colors.  When you wear colors that complement your skin tone you will look:

• Younger
• Healthier
• More Energetic

How many times have you asked someone if she is feeling ill, when in reality, all that is wrong is the color she's wearing!

Here's an example of the wrong color 

Here she is wearing the right color, looking radiant and confident!

Style Matters

"A man has his clothes made to fit him;

a woman makes herself fit her clothes." -- Edgar Watson Howe

Women, we can learn something from men's fashion.  Men keep it simple and stylish. What's simpler than a suit?  Tailoring a suit to make it fit a man's body is a given.  Make a statement with the perfect fit, fine fabric and a pop of color in the shirt and tie.  

Quality, color, fit, and style.

Accessories Polish Your Look

What can you do with a scarf?  Hmmmmm.....let's see:

• Keeps your neck warm on a frosty night
• Adds a punch of color to an otherwise neutral outfit
• Good for hiding a drip of salad dressing on your blouse
• Wrap it around your face to create mystery and allure

A good accessory for a man is a tie that marries his suit to his shirt, and provides a pop of color and sophistication.  For a woman, shoes can express her sexy, fun side.  An artfully crafted wide copper bracelet says artsy and interesting.

Confidence Pulls It All Together

"Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom."  -- Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching

How do you start gaining confidence?

• Trust your gut -- do you rely on other peoples' opinions or do you follow your instincts and do what feels right for you?
• Self knowledge -- the more you know about your coloring, your body shape (without judgment please!), and more importantly, what matters to you and brings you joy, the more confidence you will gain.
• Be authentic -- no more faking it!  Be exactly who you are twenty-four hours a day and you will decrease your stress and increase your joy.  Celebrate who you are.
• Dress from the inside out -- learn about the colors and styles that create a harmonious look and express who you really are. Then, walk into a room and OWN it!

Men's Fashion Tips - How to dress like you own the company

If you are Mark Zuckerberg, and worth $10 Billion you can show up for work in a worn t-shirt and jeans. 

The Borowitz Report, The New Yorker

But you're NOT Zuckerberg, so you will have to try a little harder to create an impressive image.

Style can be transformative.   One day you're a slob, and the next day you're a dashing head-turner.  This can be accomplished with a colored tailored shirt (your best color) underneath a great jacket, worn with a pair of wool slacks and a pair of leather shoes (your belt and shoes are the same color). Style is a form of communication. You are telling people what you think of yourself. A put together appearance tells the world (whether it's true, or not) you have confidence, credibility, and self worth. It will give you the edge every time!  When you know you look good, you feel good.

Best Way to Look Like an Executive

http://pinterest.com/fabuliss/men-s-executive-style/

Own your own style. Be consistent.  Always wear your colors and well-fitted clothing.  Create an image for yourself and buy clothes and accessories that reflect that image.  Be yourself -- you don't have to conform to the latest trends.  When you dress one step better than everyone else, you will get noticed when you walk into a room.


When you wear the colors that make your skin look radiant and healthy, you're going to look younger, healthier, and more energetic.

www.fashion-for-mens.com

Buy Fewer Pieces, Spend More Money on each Piece

• Cashmere sweater

• Leather-soled dress shoe - streamlined sole or chunky sole, your choice! Keep your shoes polished using Kiwi cream polishes. It's a time-honored ritual for good reason.

www.GQ.com

• A polo shirt underneath a suit jacket -- wearing a polo shirt in your strongest color underneath a suit is surprisingly, casually elegant

• Streamlined, pin-striped suit

• Dark-wash jeans

Shop at a Trendy Menswear Store to Find Out What's In This Year

You can always buy your clothes at H&M if you are on a tight budget, but if you want to look hip and turn some heads, walk into the more expensive men's stores and note the styles and colors they're showing this year. Then, go buy some lookalike, less expensive pieces. However, I'm still a big believer in the classic, timeless styles of good taste.  So, go easy on the trends!  If you look terrible in a fedora hat, don't wear it.  

How to start living the life you love,

Fall in love with yourself.

Nurture your body with love, nutritious food, and exercise. 

"I fall asleep feeling beautiful," she said to me. "Then, in the morning, before I leave the house I say five things I love about myself, like, I have really pretty eyes, or, those sit-ups are really working!"  That way I can go out into the world with that little bit of extra confidence. It's a feel-good protein shake that fortifies my soul in case someone messes with me."

Try eating mostly vegetarian for one week. See how creative and fun it is to fill your shopping cart with colorful vegetables and then roast, stir fry, steam, or eat vegetables raw.  This plate above is 3/4 vegetables with roasted potatoes and asparagus, heirloom tomatoes, sweet peas, asparagus, and sliced hormone-free beef tenderloin filet, served with Dijon mustard for zing.

Love your job with all of your heart. Have pride in it, do it 100%, and keep growing in it. If you hate your job, change it. Start something new, create it, market it, perfect it, and love it with all your being.

Build the life you desire by starting with small ‘dough ball’ changes so it's not so overwhelming. For instance, if you're a writer, a colleague of mine, Adele Sommers, recommends writing small metaphorical dough balls of content that you can stack in the freezer to be pulled out later when you are ready to create something like a book or workshop. By creating small dough balls one at a time, you are not faced with preparing ten loaves of bread all at once, and the task doesn’t feel so overwhelming.  

This also applies to lifestyle changes, and your dough balls could be things like starting to walk for twenty minutes every day, cutting out soft drinks, or writing short stories that will one day turn into a novel. The point is start out with small accomplishments that turn into the life you love.  What begins with a dough ball could end as a multi-tiered wedding cake!

   

Is your image helping or hurting you?

What does your image say about you?  Think about the last time you met someone for the first time.  What kind of impression did you make?  Some say it's wrong to 'judge a book by its cover.' Yet we all do it.  For good reason!  Our tribal ancestors had a few seconds to judge whether a stranger was friend or foe. If they judged incorrectly, they were dead within seconds!  We evolved this ability to judge quickly, mostly based on a stranger's size and clothing.  The size thing is obvious, and the clothing indicated whether he/she was a member of the tribe. Clothing still plays a significant role in our first impression -- the way you dress tells the world how you feel about yourself, so show the world you care.

Your image on social media is also important.  Social media gives you a voice.  Use it wisely. It is a powerful connection to the world.  Become a thought leader and change the world one thought at a time.  

Pay attention to your personal brand. Everything you say and do reflects who you are.

Create balance in your life by nurturing personal relationships, taking breaks and vacations often (short 1-day excursions revitalize your spirit), fitting exercise and quiet time into your daily schedule.

   

Enjoy the arts. Go to free concerts, attend art openings at your local galleries, take an art class even if you cannot draw a circle, or learn how to throw pots. Here's my sister, pictured below, throwing a pot for the first time.  She has always talked about getting a hobby, and one day suggested maybe she'd like to learn ceramics.  So, this summer, while we were visiting a pottery store, the owner asked if anyone would like to try the wheel.  I pushed my sister forward and said, "my sister wants to try it!"  Reluctantly, she sat down at the wheel, and proceeded to create a very nice vessel. 

Stop thinking. Start doing.

How to Mix and Match Colors

The feedback I hear most often from my clients is that they're saving money on clothes because when they buy just one new piece of clothing, like a skirt or pair of pants, they can make seven NEW outfits!  That's because all the clothes in their closet are in the same color palette, so the colors can easily be mixed and matched.

If you're concerned about limiting your choice of colors, and you think it's boring to have all your clothes revolve around one color palette, I will tell you that when when I look in most womens' closets these days, I see mostly BLACK!  How boring is that?

When you build your wardrobe around the neutrals, basics, and accent colors in your color palette, you will be able to have a relatively small wardrobe and still have a huge number of potential outfits.

And, the best part is opening your closet to see a mosaic of colors woven together in harmonious patterns.  Here's a friend's closet, who is a COPPER (Autumn), with her neatly arranged sweaters that look like geological layers of the earth, and a work of art!

Her commitment to buying sweaters in her colors has resulted in a very pleasing collection of sweaters that must make her smile every time she opens her closet.  It's the simple things that really make a difference in our lives...

The color palette for SILVER (Winters) looks like a box of Crayola crayons with all its bold, dramatic primary colors. 

These clean, intense colors include neutral colors of White, Black, Navy, Gray, Taupe, and a collection of light, "icy" colors that can be paired with the basic colors of True Red, True Green, and Burgundy, and accent colors like Hot Turquoise, Lemon Yellow, and Magenta. 

BUT TAKE IT EASY PAIRING THESE COLORS!  Limit bold colors to one or two colors in any one outfit, and use neutral colors as your foundation. 

Imagine having all these beautiful, color-coordinated SILVER colors in your wardrobe, and you purchase a Brown sweater.  Other than pairing the brown sweater with jeans or neutral black pants, it will clash with most of your clothes.  Not to mention how washed out and pale you might look! 

Bottom line:  when you buy clothes in one color palette, you will be able to mix and match more easily, and you'll end up with more outfits!