Okay, I admit... I'm stealing this from my friend, Kristen Kaleal's blog. BUT for the fashion-challenged of us (myself included), this should be considered Fashion 101!
Enjoy!
- Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Spice up your Wardrobe
with Prints
By Kristen Kaleal
A couple of years ago, I realized how blasé my wardrobe had become. I had precious few patterns in my closet, but those that I had, I wore quite often.
Several patterns I didn't feel were "right" and they quickly wrote their own ticket out of my closet. I looked at the patterns I wore the most to see what they all had in common and tried to figure out why I felt great and looked good in them.
I realized all the patterns shared one trait - they all contained beige or yellow. They worked with my coloring because I am a champagne blonde. It's all about harmony - my hair color was repeated in the patterns I wore.
I started using this new tactic, and you know what? I started buying (and more importantly, wearing) interesting patterns! My closet isn't boring anymore!!
Most of us appreciate a rule of thumb so we are assured that what we buy will look great on us. Fortunately, this concept works for everyone - whether male or female, and regardless of hair color - brown, red, black, gray, or blonde.
A pattern will generally work on you if your hair color is repeated in it. I think that's why leopard print is perpetually 'in'. It contains so many of our hair colors - blonde, light and dark brown, white, and black. And redheads can wear it because it's in their color palette!
A few more tricks for wearing prints:
The 80/20 Rule
This is for anyone who has attended one of my color events. For best results, when you buy prints, make sure 80% of the colors in the print are from your own palette. The other 20% can be any color in the spectrum. Remember, it's all about creating harmony!
Filling Your Closet
The easiest way to incorporate prints is to use the following list in descending order:
Stripes
Plaids
Checks
Dots
Abstracts
Florals*
*A quick note - be careful with florals in the professional world - they can undermine your credibility
Mimic your face and body shape
If your facial features are on the angular side with dramatic high cheekbones, a square jawline, or thin lips, and you are tall and/or slender, opt for bold, geometric patterns.
If you have softer features and are more curvy, choose soft or rounded prints, like paisley, swirls, and abstract florals.
A mishmash of prints from my very own closet:
clothes, bags, shoes, scarves
As you can see, I'm on the softer, curvier side, so I select patterns that are more rounded, leafy, or swirly - nothing too angular or with hard edges.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mixing Patterns
Guys do it all the time - a pinstripe suit, striped shirt, polka dot tie. Women, on the other hand, are generally afraid to mix patterns for fear of looking silly, I suppose. I do it quite a bit and I can assure you I don't look silly. I will pair striped or plaid pants with abstract print shirts or jackets.
There are a few tricks to making this look work:
Don't combine more than 2 patterns - unless you are going for a very fashion forward look
Items must have at least 2 colors in common
Make sure the prints are different proportions - for instance, herringbone (a very tight pattern) and a large print brocade jacket can work well together if you follow all the other rules
Mixing patterns mandates toned-down accessories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@ClevelandWomen.com.
Showing posts with label dress code. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dress code. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wardrobe Mixology
Yep, more stuff "stolen" from Kristen's latest newsletter. Great stuff for those of us who live in black clothes (although, today I took a break from my "uniform" and am wearing an off-white top with off-white pants with various shades of blue pinstripes.)
Enjoy!
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is about how to make one's wardrobe more interesting. For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut – never varying their standard look. People always know what to expect from them – whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.
If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.
And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.
I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together – how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.
And throw them a curve.
Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!
For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.
Here's how to use this little guide:
We have our BASICS – our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful. But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may either end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.
Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.
And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.
Here are a few examples from my own closet:
..:namespace prefix = o />
..
1)
BASICS – Gray jacket, black pants (boring!)
SHOT – Bright red shirt
TWIST – Gold bag and leopard print shoes.
Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.
2)
BASICS – White denim jacket
SHOT – Here, the base garment is the shot – an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST – Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.
Casually elegant!
..
3)
BASICS – Dark wash jeans
SHOT – Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST – Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote
I put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put a lot of thought into it.
4)
BASICS – White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT – Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST – The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit. Playing with texture can be fun.
Interesting, but conservative. Great for business casual.
Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!
1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!
2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time – don't be "matchy-matchy" – the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together. It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.
3. Use RESTRAINT. I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim. Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.
Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.
Isn't that really what it's all about?
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@kkimagedesign.com.
Enjoy!
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is about how to make one's wardrobe more interesting. For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut – never varying their standard look. People always know what to expect from them – whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.
If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.
And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.
I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together – how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.
And throw them a curve.
Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!
For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.
Here's how to use this little guide:
We have our BASICS – our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful. But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may either end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.
Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.
And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.
Here are a few examples from my own closet:
..:namespace prefix = o />
..
1)
BASICS – Gray jacket, black pants (boring!)
SHOT – Bright red shirt
TWIST – Gold bag and leopard print shoes.
Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.
2)
BASICS – White denim jacket
SHOT – Here, the base garment is the shot – an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST – Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.
Casually elegant!
..
3)
BASICS – Dark wash jeans
SHOT – Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST – Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote
I put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put a lot of thought into it.
4)
BASICS – White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT – Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST – The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit. Playing with texture can be fun.
Interesting, but conservative. Great for business casual.
Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!
1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!
2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time – don't be "matchy-matchy" – the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together. It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.
3. Use RESTRAINT. I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim. Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.
Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.
Isn't that really what it's all about?
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@kkimagedesign.com.
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