Fashion Style Advice

“Within each new challenge there are always hidden gifts, for these are the times that strengthen our resolve and allow us to build new dreams.” – Flavia Weedn

With the costs of buying clothing today and the constant change in styles, bargains are a treasure. Especially on a limited budget, and for working women this is a definite challenge. Yet, dressing well can be done.

Since it takes money to build a wardrobe, the key is in the planning. Here are ten tips, tidbits, and ideas to get you started. . .

* Get to know your own particular fashion styles including the strengths and weaknesses of your figure type. Make a point to focus on a clear image of what you consider being well dressed. Get to know exactly what you like, want, and what looks well on you. Buy only what suits you best without relying on the opinion of someone else. Nor should you base your final decision on what is popular at the current moment.

* Learn to stretch your fashion dollars by saving any clothing you already have. Make an inventory of what you have in your closet by separating your wearable items into two main categories. One is your spring-summer wear; the other is your fall-winter wear. Then you can easily see what needs to be replaced when each season begins.

* Shoes complete your outfit and are major items that must be frequently kept clean and in shape. When you constantly walk along cemented sidewalks the heels and soles of your shoe take a beating. So, remember to have them repaired as frequently as possible and discard them when they are unsalvageable.

* Accessories add the crowning touch to any outfit and often may be the central aim of the way you dress. Sometimes your outfit is planned around your choice of accessories. As such an important part, give them your full attention. Keep your jewelry in a sparkling state by giving your pieces a frequent beauty bath. Just using soap and warm water, or a commercial cleaner is good.

* When shopping, plan to make trips only for items you need that will meet your personality and uniqueness. No matter how much you wish to follow the majority by purchasing what is advertised and offered in the stores, or what is popular at the moment, if you are not a glamorous entertainer, a closet full of after-five outfits will be a waste of money. Buy clothing for what you spend most of your time doing. This is where the biggest part of your money goes.

* Decide what you can afford to spend. If, like most people, you have a limited amount to spend on clothing, make the most of each purchase. Plan well and with good values in mind. Avoid trendy fashions and fads that go out of style within three to six months. For longer lasting value, classic styles in dresses, suits and coats are always a good investment.

* Choose a special place for everything and keep everything in its place. That way you will know where to look when you need it. Fold knitted sweaters and put them in a drawer or on a shelf. Keep jewelry, belts, hose, gloves, and hats in their own special place.

* Learn from past shopping mistakes. When your fashion budget is limited, set aside a clothing allowance. Try to keep a log of everything you spend for the month and plan ahead for emergencies. Allow half of your budget for your fall and winter wardrobe; the other half for spring-summer wear. Be sure to buy the best you can afford in your coats; the same applies for your dresses and suits. Quality is more important then quantity.

* At times when your social life is full or more active, an ideal wardrobe should include fashions that are suitable for special occasions. In this case, your clothing may be geared to a specific type of activity. For example, if you were active in sports, your wardrobe would reflect more sportswear. If you attend parties, entertain, or attend upscale events, then your wardrobe would have more eveningwear fashions.

* Keep up with fashion trends and what goes on in the fashion industry. Study fashion magazines. Go window-shopping before planning your wardrobe. Know what looks best on your figure and plan outfits, accessories, and shoes that you can wear and coordinate into several different ensembles.

These ten tips, tidbits and ideas are just a tip of the iceberg. Follow your own insight, know how much you have to spend, and buy only what matches your unique style. These wise and savvy fashion choices lead toward your pursuit to dressing well.

 Fall Fashion Trends 2009     

This season there are over a hundred trends from the catwalk fashion shows. This fall you will see a return to classic tailoring with suiting for every occasion not just the office and boardrooms. Remember Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman? Boyfriend blazers, suiting and a return to classy dressing with 80’s inspired silhouettes is returning. As I have always taught, if you were around for the trend the first time, it’s not for you the second time. That said, just don’t wear 80’s from head to toe. Pick one or two trends with classic pieces to keep it age appropriate. You will see loads of fur and leather as the cooler weather begs for cozy layering.  To bring all of the trends to a concise list of usable street wear, I’ve organized the trends into two categories: 40’s inspired ladylike and rockstar! There’s sure to be something for everyone regardless of your age.

White is very chic in the fall and wintertime when paired with other tones of white like light beige, taupe or cream. Accessorize with metallics for a classy chic style like silver, gold or gunmetal. If there’s one must have piece for the fall/winter, buy a sleeveless menswear inspired vest. Wear it overtop t-shirts, tops, ruffled blouses, button up collared shirts or long sleeve sweaters. Leave it open or buttoned-up. Try belting it to accentuate your waist for a curvy feminine silhouette. Tres chic!                                                                                          

 40’s inspired ladylike

During these tough economic times everything is more basic with less embellishment. Style and glamour is achieved by the fit, silhouette and coordination of your clothing into wearable outfits. This trend is a departure from casual dressing and returning to a sophisticated, feminine glamour. Your wardrobe will be built on neutral tones such as black, navy, charcoal, brown or bordeaux to give maximum mix ‘n match possibilities. This is a new era of elegance. This trend is for the woman who is tired of always being casually dressed and wants to look and feel more pulled together, classy and elegant regardless of her height or size. How will you achieve this coordination of separates when getting ready in the morning is already a chore and time consuming? Take out the guesswork by using The Perfect Wardrobe Builder© which provides a fool proof formula to build 30 outfits from 11 strategic pieces of clothing. $20, www.lookingyourbestinc.com. A new wardrobe isn’t just what you buy; it’s how you see what you already own. Consider hiring an image consultant to come to your closet to remix and rematch new outfits from what you already own. Looking Your Best Inc. specializes in creating amazing outfits from your own closet. Call 780.451.0661 for more information.                                      

Here is a quick reference list to follow this trend:

 long and lean silhouettes  draw attention to the waist with details at the waist like pockets or belted styles  wear a belt over tops, jackets to draw attention to the waist for a feminine hourglass shape wear pencil skirts and slim pants use flowers as a feminine inspiration on purses, brooches on hats or necklaces, bracelets, and scarves wear pretty blouses, try ruffles, lace, sheer material on sleeves wear hose with your skirts, try black fishnets for a glamorous edge  a cardigan is your fall must have garment, think Michelle Obama. Wear a medium width belt overtop  mix up fabrics: shiny with matte, jeans with a beaded jacket, a skirt with a t-shirt and sleeveless vest belted short capes are the coat of choice multiple strands for necklaces, mix up pearls with edgier metals and gold links a return to 80’s inspired cowl necklines day dresses can be a comfortable option to pants; choose jersey or knitwear evening dresses with adorable heels and a clutch purse consider purple for a muted feminine colour

Rockstar

During these tough times, the tough get tougher. Their clothes have a harder edgier look anchored by a dark palette of black on black.  80’s strong shoulder lines give a tough proportion reflecting that we are carrying tough burdens but our shoulders can handle it. No, do not wear your original 80’s clothes. The modern shape does not look like football uniforms! You may try one bare shoulder on tops and dresses to have a strong emphasis on the shoulders. Revealing shoulders can be a very sexy alternative to cleavage. A bare shoulder is not appropriate office attire. To pull off this rockstar trend, consider the following:                                                                                                                                             Think rock ‘n roll: leather, studs, heavier eye liner, smoky eyes, high heels everything leather this fall from gloves, jackets, boots, skirts and even dresses. Do not wear big hair and loads of eyeliner if you are older than 25! Instead wear one element of this rockstar          inspiration to keep your look age appropriate. Wear classic pieces with your leather jacket. Add a bit more liner with a deeper lip colour. For more fall makeup trends, email info@lookingyourbestinc.com for your free copy. Leather in exotic skins like python, crocodile and lizard for purses, belts, bracelets black on black rules from matte to shiny fabrics; from opaque to sheer. Wear them unexpectedly together boyfriend jackets that hit lower on the hips with room to move; look for jackets with some shape not just oversized long boxy jackets from the 80s. Wear them like a cardigan: over a camisole, top, dress or blouse. Team them with slim bottoms like a pencil skirt or slim leather pants and amazing heels shine and sparkle for both day and night, mix with fur, ruffles and leather for a modern look Huge chunky rings continue to be popular Wear opaque dark hose like chocolate brown, charcoal gray or fall colours like deep teal or bordeaux wine. Avoid neon tights. Black sequin with matte fabrics Edgier hairstyles, sleek and clean, definite parts Oversized accessories Elasticized plaid scarves are hot this season to keep your neck cozy when out and about Hats; fedora, newsboy and page. Wear slightly tilted to show off your best side Ankle booties; if your legs are slim, wear them with skirts, dresses or ankle pants. These are an easy way to where a trend while keeping it age appropriate. Don’t overdo this trend by looking like you are part of a bike group or going to the bar. Keep it classy and modern by introducing leather with classics, wearing one or two trends with classic pieces

 Avoid these trends

Avoid Double denim; the slim and the young are wearing head to toe denim. If you insist on wearer denim on denim, make the two denims a different colour; one dark and one lighter. Avoid acid wash denim unless you are younger than 25 Avoid high fashion puffy coats. Is it really flattering on you? Maybe if you live in an urban center and wear size 4 or smaller Avoid mini dresses or skirts if you are older than 25. If you are one of the lucky few more mature ladies with beautiful legs, it is still too much leg to show. Calm it down by wearing ankle leggings and booties. Avoid thigh high boots.

 September 2009 © Looking Your Best Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted only when credit is given to the author as above along with her contact information:  www.lookingyourbestinc.com; 780.451.0661

For some it is being in the public eye, where as for others it is just a fascination. Some of them are in admiration of glamour of this profession and for many, it is just pure fun. Fashion modeling is truly a very well-paid profession. All you need is drop dead gorgeous looks and a fabulous body. But it may not hold always true. Changes in fashion modeling always see changes as per various seasons.

You might go hungry to be a high profile fashion model and you may finally end up realizing that thin is no longer in! So, what does it take to be a high profile fashion model? Looks, outlook or intelligence? The answer is a combination of all three, but there’s more to fashion modeling than meets the eye. Various categories are available for modeling. Fashion modeling is quite different from commercial and modeling for promotional purposes.You can visit so many personals sites where you can meet so many models also who can chat with you and even can give you some tips.For fashion modeling, models need to walk the runways and if one gets that ‘break’, one can be featured in topmost fashion magazines as well and can soon become the most required face.

Commercial modeling would need you to model for various products and be a part of the various media, planned for advertising. You can find your pictures marked across billboards and posters as well in this case. If you are dreaming about fashion modeling for a long time, then there are varieties of ways you need to plan and manage, before taking the push into this industry. There are so many beauties you can find in modeling sites. Modeling is not just about good looks; it’s about ways to plan and ‘market’ yourself in the best way possible. So, how does one go about climbing the rungs of the ladder to be a top model and bag the best deals available? For this, there are few things you need to consider, which are as follows: Get a suitable portfolio done to highlight your assets.

If you want to bag loads of fashion modeling assignments, then a good portfolio is a must.Have a picture that make a bold statement about you and show you in the best light. Any basic and flexible portfolio should have a casual shot, a full length shot, a fashion shot, an exclusively styled shot and even a natural shot. These pictures should showcase you in different looks so that the agency or the client would know how flexible your looks can be. Avoid showcasing too many shots that show you in the same dress, learn to select the best from the rest. Be sure your portfolio is stylish and professional and get the photographer to use your strengths to the best of his or her capability.

The outfits and the styling should be decided weeks before the actual shoot. Do arrange a meeting with the photographer, the hair stylist and the makeup artist so that the look gets coordinated well.You should plan the ensembles in advance; plan your entire look, from the color of the outfit to the shade you finally paint your nails with. All the essentials need to merge well so that you can have a eye-catching look for the actual shoot. To begin with a career in fashion modeling, firstly you need to look for a good professional photographer.

You must see the photographer’s portfolio also try to understand how well he or she can understand the requirements of the industry. Is he or she up to date with the latest changes of the fashion industry? Where does his or her skill lie? What about the status of the studio? Professional fashion photographers may take a heavy tax on the pocket, but at least you can be rest secured about the quality and the reputation of the studio. Always be sure you do take a friend or a family member along, for the shoot.