Imagine having a closet full of clothing you truly love. The only challenge to getting dressed would be deciding which fabulous outfit to wear. Getting dressed would be quick and easy, and you would feel great every time you walked out the door.
All of this is possible if you adopt a love it or leave it attitude. It is easy to be seduced by price, styles that you love but that won’t work for your body type, friendly encouragement from sales people, and numerous other factors. As you shop for wardrobe additions or as you edit your closet, you must be ruthless. If you don’t love something, you’re never going to be happy wearing it. Give it away, or leave it at the store!
5 Things Each Piece of Your Clothing Should Have
1. The fit makes you feel great about your figure.
2. The price does not affect your desire to buy it.
3. It makes you feel confident and unique.
4. It can be used to create many different outfits.
5. It has special details that speak to your personal style.
When I started Charleston Style Concierge, there were some who wondered what the benefit was to helping people “find style.” Being concerned about having great style seemed shallow and only relevant to people of celebrity status. In some ways, style and fashion can be vain or shallow.
But I believe that your personal style sends a message to the world about who you are and what you stand for. Every day you interact with many people, only some of whom you actually talk to. The majority of people you come into contact with are forced to form judgments about you from just your image. 55% of the image you portray comes from your appearance alone. This means what you wear and the style you create really does matter. I encourage you to take some time to think about the image you put out into the world. What does your style say about you?
5 Ways to Create a Style That Enhances Your Image
Thursday, March 14, 2009
FREE Teleseminar: “Get Dressed in 10 Minutes or Less”
Getting dressed can be quick and easy!
Do you stand in your closet staring at a sea of clothes feeling as if you have nothing to wear? Do you have the perfect outfit in mind but can’t find the quintessential piece in the depths of your closet?
We only wear 20% of the clothing we own. Creating a plan for both your wardrobe and closet will help you wear what you have more often, save time getting dressed, and help you spend LESS on your wardrobe. Join me and my special guest, Sean Johnson, an organizer extraordinaire, as we share these secrets with you in this FREE ONE-TIME ONLY TELESEMINAR.
(In a hurry, click here to reserve your spot now.)
This call is hosted by Sean Johnson, organizing expert and owner of Organized Bliss, and Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge.
On this call, you will learn:
· How to wear what you already have more often.
· What you can do to make your closet and wardrobe work for you without spending a dime.
· How to use household items to help organize your closet.
· How to make your wardrobe more versatile.
· Why you always feel like you have nothing to wear.
· How to keep unwanted pests out of your closet (and we’re not talking about the kids!).
· Why less really is more.
For more information or to sign up for this seminar click here.
The key element to complimenting your body type is wearing clothes that create balance. Whether you’re smaller on the top, bigger on the bottom, or fall somewhere in between, it’s important to understand the power of fabric colors, textures, and sizes, when finding a figure-flattering dress.
For people with . . .
· Curvaceous Hips: It’s important to balance out your body shape, since those with curvy hips tend to be larger on the bottom than the top. Balance can be achieved by wearing a dress that has a wide V-neck, boat neck, or off-the-shoulder top. Try to stay away from dresses that have bulky fabric at the bottom. This will add even more curve to your hips and draw attention away from the top portion of your body. A pencil skirt matched with a wide V-neck top will also flatter curvy hips. Also, wearing lighter, floral, or vibrant colored tops and dark colored bottoms will equalize your look.
· Petite: Go for slim fitting dresses and skirts if you have a petite body. Anything baggy works against your look, making you appear lost in the material. Also, matching a slim fitting top and high-waist skirt (that comes above the naval) is the perfect combination for petite figures. To appear taller in your spring dress, trade in flats for espadrilles or strappy heels. Another way to create the illusion of height is to wear a pencil skirt. They’re slender, which adds length to your body.
· A Larger Bust: Wearing dark colored tops and light colored bottoms will create a balanced look for those who are well-endowed. Also, look for dresses that allow a small amount of cleavage to peak through. A little cleavage can go a long way. It’s important to find dresses that fit appropriately on top. If you wear a dress that is too tight on top, you’ll start to bulge in numerous directions. Bulge can also happen if you are wearing the wrong bra size. Experts say women should be sized for their bust area every six months, as there can be slight fluctuations in weight, hormones, and body shape. A full-coverage, proper-sized bra will hold you in, while still showing a little skin.
· Plus–Size: Tailored dresses that glide along the shape of the body are perfect for plus-size figures. They’re not too snug and not too baggy. Materials that are too stretchy or thin will fall on unwanted bulges, so it’s important to look for dresses that have a thin lining. Also, look for dresses that are darker in hue since they tend to make larger figures look slimmer. Again, every aspect of the dress should graze the skin, not snuggly hug it.
Now that you know what types of dresses flatter your body type, it’s time to find the perfect dress and shoes. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find the best clothes to fit your individual lifestyle. We are dedicated to helping men and women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
For more tips on dressing for your specific body type visit Find the Perfect Bathing Suit to Flatter Your Body Type, or visit Find the Perfect Pair of Shorts to Flatter Your Body Type.
1. Give your Mom the gift of time. Let her invest in herself by creating a block of time to spend editing her closet. A closet edit is therapeutic and will help your Mom feel more confident and less stressed. Start by eliminating your Mom’s distractions for at least three hours. Next, give her the tools she needs to enjoy her closet edit such as candles, a glass (or bottle depending on the size of the closet) of wine, pad to take notes about the wardrobe pieces she needs, and a full length mirror. Your Mom will emerge from the closet a new woman with an organized and true sense of personal style.
2. Help your Mom create a look book. After her closet edit, she will have a renewed sense of new and different outfits to choose from. Take a picture of each outfit (don’t forget to add accessories) to help your Mom get dressed quickly and easily each morning. Create a book for her to keep in her closet that has pictures of at least twenty outfits she can easily throw on each morning. The next time she is running late she can reference the look book for an outfit she knows looks great and makes her feel confident.
3. Create a relaxation day for your Mom. Purchase her favorite style magazines and create a style library she can read while relaxing on the beach or at the spa. She can jump start her style simply by getting inspiration from magazines. It doesn’t take a lot of money to invest in your personal style, just good information so you can tweak what you already have.
4. Show your Mom how she has inspired you to become a confident and successful woman. Make a list of all the ways her actions have influenced who you are and the impact you make on the world. Include this list in the card you give her. It will have more meaning than the saying Hallmark thought of.
5. Purchase a gift certificate to her favorite boutique and schedule a time for her to have some fun shopping. Encourage your Mom to bring the notes she made during her closet edit with her. Her notes will direct her to wardrobe pieces or accessories that will help her develop a versatile wardrobe that works lifestyle.
Let Charleston Style Concierge create the perfect gift for your Mom with one of our style services. Contact us at 843.323.2466 for great ideas of how to personalize a style experience for your Mom. Gift Certificates are available.
Don’t shy away from the word shorts just yet. They aren’t simply for the young and the skinny. There are thousands of styles and cuts to choose from to flatter your individual body type.
Similar to our previous blog post, Find the Perfect Bathing Suit to Flatter Your Body Type, finding great shorts can be just as simple with the right tips and strategies.
Look fantastic this spring in the perfect pair of figure friendly shorts by following these effective personal style tips:
· Plus Size: If you have a larger bottom, wider hips, and larger thighs, find a pair of shorts that fits appropriate to your hip and bottom size. The waist should fit the same way as pants—snug, yet not too tight. Look for shorts with a tailored leg, not a tight fitting or baggy leg. Shorts with a leg that goes halfway down the thigh are perfect for all body types, especially those with shorter legs because this style makes legs appear longer. Knee-length shorts or Bermuda shorts are also excellent for plus size figures because they hide the upper thighs. Since tailored knee-length shorts tend to make legs appear shorter, match them with a heel or wedge to make your legs look longer.
· Short Legs: Try shorts with a three to five inch inseam (depending on how much thigh you’re trying to cover) to make short legs appear longer. Match with wedges or sandals. These shorts pair well with a tucked-in button down top, and a scarf belt. Visit jcrew.com for a selection of fantastic shorts, scarf belts, and tops.
· Petite: Shorts with a waistband that sits right above or below the naval are excellent for petit body sizes. A fitted, tucked-in shirt goes extremely well with these shorts. This style is perfect for a warm night out with a pair of pumps or a casual stroll through downtown Charleston during the day with a pair of flats or sandals.
Many shorts can be dressed down or up depending on the pair of shoes, jewelry, and top you pair with them. I suggest finding styles and cuts that can be worn on both a formal and casual occasion. This way you can get the maximum usage out of one pair of shorts and its versatility can match all aspects of your personal lifestyle.
Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC and help you find the perfect pair of shorts to flatter your body type. Contact us at 843.323.2466 to learn more about our amazing services. Isn’t it time you mastered the art of effortless style?
Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, weighs in on the importance of dressing for success in the workplace.
Watch the segment that aired on the 7 o’clock news.
It happens to all of us. We stuff our suitcase so we have to sit on it while huffing and puffing to move the zipper inch by inch just to get it to close. And the sad part is, it’s not for a month long trip, it’s for a four day weekend!
Save time, frustration, sweat, and maybe even some tears when packing for your next four day weekend trip with these five effective packing tips:
1. Check the weather. It’s important to pack according to the weather forecast. This ensures the items you bring will help you look and feel great during your trip. If there is a possibility of rain, pack your favorite trench and umbrella. Your trench can also act as a versatile layering piece at night or on the plane.
2. Bring just the right amount of underwear . . . plus one more. If you’re going on a four day vacation bring five pairs of underwear. And not just any five pairs. Go over the outfits you’ve chosen to bring and pay attention to what style and color panties you need so that you don’t see lines or colors peaking through. For example, if you only have two nude thongs and one outfit that absolutely requires one, make sure you put one aside for that outfit. When deciding on what bras to bring, review the fronts and backs of each outfit to see what style and color bras you need. I suggest purchasing the 100 ways bra from Victoria’s Secret. It’s so versatile—you can literally wear it with anything.
3. Don’t go shoe happy. Pack footwear based on the weather, types of activities you’ll be participating in during your short vacation, and color scheme of the vacation wardrobe you packed. If you’re going on a sailboat, yacht, or cruise, do you really need your favorite heels? Also, if you plan on walking long distances on your trip, make sure you bring comfortable. Comfort and fashion can go together.
4. Pack a light cardigan. A neutral colored cardigan can be paired with any outfit. On a chilly night, belt your cardigan over your dress. It can also be a stylish cover up for a windy day at the beach or the perfect cover for your shoulders and arms in a cold restaurant. It’s better to be prepared than suffer through the cold while trying to enjoy a delicious meal.
5. Don’t go overboard with tons of accessories. Bring a hat to protect your delicate skin from the sun, one pair of sunglasses, two necklaces, two sets of earrings, and two bracelets. Bring pieces of jewelry that can be easily mixed and matched. Jewelry can get heavy, so it’s important to be smart about how much jewelry you bring. Only bring what you know you’re going to wear.
Vacations are meant to be enjoyed to the fullest. Packing efficiently gets your vacation off to a wonderful start. Now that you have the tips to pack accordingly, it’s time to find the perfect outfits and shoes. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find the best clothes to fit your individual lifestyle. We are dedicated to helping men and women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
More often than not, each piece of your brand image was created when you needed it, but not altogether in a strategic fashion. Your image may look fine, but does fine help you grow?
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