Category Archives: fashion tips
5 Things That Don’t Belong In Your Closet Anymore | Seattle Image Consultant
Do you start out your day feeling overwhelmed and uninspired when you look in your closet? If you answered yes, you’re not alone.
With spring around the corner, now is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves for some spring cleaning in your closet. When you have an hour to spare, take some time and start pulling out clothes that aren’t working for you.
Here are five things that don’t belong in your closet anymore:
- Clothes that doesn’t fit anymore. If you have clothes in your closet that are too tight, too big, or too short, you’re far less likely to wear them. If you have pants that are too long and worth tailoring, put them in a separate pile and get them hemmed.
- Clothes that are uncomfortable . If you’ve been holding onto that wool sweater you never seem to wear it because it’s too scratchy, it’s got to go. If you have a pair of pants that are great, except they’re too short in the crotch area, put them in a giveaway pile for someone else who will fit them.
- Clothes that are stained beyond repair. If you have a shirt with an oil stain that you never got out when it was fresh, it’s time to let that go. Same goes for white shirts with stains in the underarms.
- Clothes that need replacing. Anything discarded in point #3 that you wore regularly and need to replace belongs on your shopping list.
- Clothes that don’t reflect who you are. Your personal style is constantly evolving so if you see something that you haven’t worn for ages because it’s no longer a representation of who you are today, toss it in the giveaway pile.
After you go through your closet, put all the clothes that are still usable in a plastic bag and take it to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or community clothing swap so someone else can enjoy them. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
If the thought of purging your closet is completely overwhelming to you, consider working with an Image Consultant for a Wardrobe Evaluation. In a Wardrobe Evaluation, we clear our what’s not working, create new outfits with the clothes you already have, and develop a shopping list to fill in the blanks. And believe it or not, we have a blast while we’re at it! As one of my clients said of her wardrobe session, “Best money I ever spent!” Schedule your Wardrobe Evaluation today!
How to Tie a Scarf Video – Variation on the Slipknot
A couple weeks ago, I taught a workshop for women in the community about How to Make the Most of Your Wardrobe. It was well attended and the women walked away with some great actionable tips, including creative ways to tie a scarf. My friend Rachelle Willhite was so kind as to take some photos and video of the event during the “how to tie a scarf” portion of the segment. Here’s a variation on the slipknot, the most common way to tie a scarf, that adds some texture and interest.
A clever way to wear a scarf is to use it as a beach cover-up and tie it around your waist. Many a woman feels self conscious about her body at the beach and a colorful scarf tied as a sarong is a great way to feel more comfortable in your skin poolside. (As a sidebar, I love how my model Faye is beaming in this picture!)
Eyeglasses Lessons Learned from the Rivet & Sway Pop-Up Shop
Have you heard of Rivet & Sway? They’re a designer women’s eyeglasses company based in Seattle providing at-home try-on services. When I was working with Ellen Rowan on her image recently, she extended a lovely invitation to Rivet & Sway’s Pop Up Shop at Swink Style Bar.
Sarah and Britt at the Pop Up Shop at Swink Style Bar
It was such a treat to meet Britt, Sarah, and Ritzy, the team behind Rivet & Sway, and see their frames up close and personal. These gals are the kind of women you’d love to have around everyday — delightful, complimentary, and darling. Ritzy, the Personal Stylist for Rivet & Sway, is living proof that your career can be decided by your parents by your name!
Talking glasses geometry with Sarah, Ritzy and Britt of Rivet & Sway
I love a good pair of glasses and learned several great lessons from trying on Rivet & Sway’s frames:
- Don’t knock it till you try it. Give it a try! Step outside your comfort zone and try on styles that you may not have looked at otherwise. I have never owned a pair of cat-eye glasses before, but I have to say that the Spitfire frames were absolutely enchanting!
- There’s a geometry to consider. There are all sorts of lines at play in your face shape, your eye shape, your eyebrows, your bone structure, and the way that they interact with your frames.
Trying the Punchline frames in Neopolitan with Britt from Rivet & Sway
- It all boils down to personal preference. Even though everything may align stylistically between you and a frame, it may still not work with your personal preference. Styling isn’t an exact science because even though it could look perfect from an outsider’s perspective, it might not fit with your preference. It’s always wise to accept other people’s two cents, just remember that at the end of the day, your decision is the one that counts.
Trying on the Six Shooter from Rivet & Sway. Can't get enough of this color!
One of my favorite pairs of the night was the Hungry Heart. It just looks so natural.
The Hungry Heart. (Many thanks to Tim for the great mirror shot)
If you’re considering a pair of stylish spectacles, definitely check out Rivet & Sway for fab frames and convenient at-home try-on’s!
Do you wear glasses? How did you decide on your last pair of frames?
Posted in accessories, designers, events, fashion tips
Tagged cateye glasses, designer eyeglasses, how to pick eyeglasses, how to pick glasses frames, metallic frames, neopolitan eyeglasses, rivet & sway, short hair, stylish spectacles, swink style bar, teal eyeglasses, the hungry heart, the punchline, the six shooter, the spitfire frames, tortoiseshell glasses
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How to Layer Without the Bulk
Fall fashion is all about layering, but unless you’re careful, you can start looking like the Michelin Man. Here are three quick tips on how to layer your clothes without the bulk.
Layer lighter pieces. A lot of the bulk in layering can come from thick layers like cable knit sweaters or lined pea coats. Look for thinner sweaters, cardigans, and jackets to layer instead so you can keep the warmth without the bulk.- Cinch that waist. Find a way to create a clear waist indentation and it will create the illusion that you have a more hourglass silhouette. This anorak jacket has a drawstring waist which helps to accentuate a nice waist. You can also belt over or underneath your layering piece.
- Ditch the jeans. Jeans can add extra unflattering bulk underneath your longer layers. Instead, opt for a pair of streamlined leggings, pants, or trousers without the bulky stitching and pockets. If you’re wearing leggings, just make your derriere is covered!
Anorak jacket: $69.99 | Striped sweater: $69.99 | Mixed metal necklace: $29.99
Styled by Sarah Ward, Wardrobe Stylist for Pala Pala Dress Boutique in Seattle, WA.
6 Quick Tips for Posing for Pictures
Recently someone on Facebook asked me for tips about how to pose for pictures. Though I’m no Gisele Bundchen, I have modeled, can boast a billboard under my belt, and as an image consultant / wardrobe stylist, I know a thing or two about helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera. So if you’re looking for suggestions for an upcoming photo shoot, here’s 6 quick tips for posing for pictures.
- Keep moving. If you’re doing a photo shoot, every time you hear the shutter lens, change your pose slightly. A few suggestions to change your pose is to lower your chin, pop your shoulder up, tilt your head, put your hand on your hip, change the juxtaposition of your feet, vary your facial expression, just keep moving! You’ll have far more options to choose from when you see your photos. This photo series from Audrey Hepburn is a great example. Sometimes all it takes is a slight movement to make the perfect picture.
- Practice posing. A few years ago I was on the set with a new model who was having a hard time working the camera, so the art director had her grab a magazine for inspiration and start practicing posing in front of the mirror! I would extend the same advice to you. Grab a magazine, look for poses you’d like to try, then get in front of a mirror and see and whether the pose works for you. (I have a whole Pinboard on Pinterest called “Girl Can Pose”which is filled with different pose ideas. Follow away!) These images from fashion photographer Trever Hoehne are lovely, natural poses to try.
- Try new things. When editing my most recent Wear One Piece Five Ways segment, there were a couple new poses I haven’t tried before that found their way into the mix — I loved the results! We get so comfortable in the same poses, but it’s always refreshing to mix things up a bit. Take some of the things you’ve been practicing in the mirror (a la tip #2) and try to introduce them in front of the camera. It’s important to have a photographer you feel comfortable with so you feel safe to step outside of your comfort zone.
- Stand up straight. They say the camera adds 10 pounds, and good posture can make you look 10 pounds less so make sure you stand up straight! Elevate that carriage! Inhale deep through your nose and lift your breast bone. (Sidebar: don’t stop breathing when the camera clicks! I can actually tell on images where I completely freeze a pose for the camera, including my breath. It’s far more natural when you keep breathing while having your picture taken.)
- Whatever part of your body is closest to the camera will appear larger. This can be in your favor if you want to maximize your jawline or bust. On the flip side, if you want to minimize a figure variation such as your hips, derriere, or arms, angle this area away from the camera — the area in question will look smaller in the photo as a result. A bad example of what not to do is Fo from America’s Next Top Model Cycle 12. By leaning towards the camera, Fo’s head and face look larger while the rest of her body appears smaller and short. This is the shot that sent her packing.
- When all else fails, turn at an angle to the camera and smile! For a slimming effect, standing at a 45 degree angle to the camera, put your hand on one hip and smile. It works practically every time!
Photo: Elisabeth Kate Photography. Styling by Cable Car Couture
What is your best tip for posing for photographs?
Clothing Shopping Tips from My Clients
Photo: Vicente Alfonso
This week I have learned some great shopping lessons from my clients and since September, fall fashion is upon us (and that means shopping!), I wanted to share these shopping tips with you.
- If you’re still thinking about an item 24-48 hours later, go back for it! Don’t like being an impulse shopper? No problem. If that dress / jacket / bracelet you tried on shopping this weekend is still floating about in your mind in a couple of days, this is a good sign you really want it. If you can make it work with your budget, go back for it!
- Try different styles of clothing than what you already own. When you go shopping, you may find yourself naturally gravitating towards styles that you like, own and wear all the time. Challenge yourself the next time you go shopping to look for styles, colors, patterns, and silhouettes that are different than the usual for you. Stretch your personal style!
- If you know how a certain style fits, you can skip trying it on. When you’re shopping in a hurry, it can be a big pain to have to strip down to try things on in the dressing room. When you know how a certain style consistently fits on your body and you’re short on time, you can skip trying on the garment and probably still end up ahead.
If clothes shopping isn’t something that comes naturally to you, consider Personal Shopping services! Working with a Personal Shopper speeds up the shopping process, helping you navigate through endless options to find the right clothing for you. It seriously takes the stress out of shopping.
What is your best shopping tip?
Daily Outfit: Mixed Prints — Tips on Pairing Prints
One of the hottest recent fashion trends is mixing prints, but unless done with proper care, it can look like you got dressed in the dark. For best results pairing patterns, follow this framework:
- Combine two prints that share a color scheme.
- Make sure that one print is dominant and the other subordinate. If you have two equally loud patterns, the eye has nowhere to rest.
Denim shirt: Gap thifted | Coral striped tee: Boehme | Gold necklace: handmade | Gold watch: Fossil (similar) | Belt: Target | Tribal Skirt: Forever21 (also worn here) | Wedges: Aerosole from Famous Footwear
Have you tried mixing prints before? What were your results?
Linking up to Marionberry Style and Watch Out for the Woestmans!
Public Speaking Tip: Wear a Jacket
This weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to speak at church to the entire congregation. While it took me most of the week to decide what to speak on (I decided on how we can be happy by being creative and looking for ways to serve other people, based on a talk from Dieter F. Uchtdorf), the Sunday morning dilemma was what to wear.
Public Speaking Tip: If you want to hold your audience’s attention longer, wear a jacket. And tell stories.
It’s true! This is great advice for people in a leadership or professional environment. Wearing a third layer piece of clothing, like a jacket, a vest, or a cardigan, will make you take up a little bit more space, making you seem more important. And who can go wrong with telling stories?
The Clothes We Wear Have an Impact On Us
When I received my formal image management consulting training, one of the biggest takeaways I received from my mentor, Judith Rasband, CIM, is this:
We talk all the time about the first impressions we make when meeting other people for the first time. But before that can happen, the first impression we make is on ourselves when we get dressed in the morning. Long before you can impact anyone else, the clothes you wear will impact you first.
I would challenge you to become more aware of the impact your clothing has on the way you think, the way you feel, and the way you act.
If you’re having a down day, the quickest way you can turn it around is to put on some nice clothes — something that inspires you. Put on some makeup, do your hair. You’ll be amazed at what a big difference your appearance has on how you feel.
Have you seen the effect that clothing has on the way you think, feel, act, and how others react to you?
Posted in fashion tips, image consulting, professional image
Tagged first impression, judith rasband
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Classy Career Girl Interview: Cultivating Professional Personal Style
Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Classy Career Girl, Anna Runyan, on cultivating a professional personal style. We had a great chat and I shared some valuable fashion tips for professional women. Here’s the video clip and you can read the entire transcript over at Classy Career Girl.
If you’re a young professional woman, I highly recommend checking out Classy Career Girl! She shares sound advice for young women in the workplace and is a wealth of information!
Posted in career, fashion tips, personal style, professional image, video
Tagged classy career girl
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