5 Style Tips

People often ask me to give them some style tips and of course I am happy to oblige even though I am not sure that they want to hear it.  I send style tips to people when I have a party sharing what the theme of my party is and whether to wear something fancy or casual.  All of my friends and family expect it of me and are never offended by it.  I think the only people who have taken offense are usually people without any sense of style.  Those people will always remain nameless so if you are out there reading this be not afraid.  I am not going to mention any names.


Here are some simple style tips I truly abide by: 

1.  When in doubt wear black: If you have a question as to what color to wear go with black first and foremost.  Find a lovely simple black dress and heels and throw on some pearls.  For a man a black pair of pants/black suit and white shirt will do the trick every time.  If a tie is required choose a rep stripe pattern that is classic.  Places like Burberry and Brooks Brothers are known for their classic ties.  If you are dare ful and your body allows it, wear a fitted garment that shows off your body.  For men a pair of slip on black loafers are great but make them a little more tapered and Italian in design.

2.  Wear clothes that flatter you:  Wear clothing that flatters your body type.  If you have some sins to hide then an empire cut dress helps.  If you have a little extra love on your waist wear something that does not hit you close in the waist line.  A wonderful trick to hiding our flaws (and we all have them) is to wear your belt on a dress a little higher and closer to your bosom.  If you are very thin make sure to wear something that fits well and that is not too baggy.  A jacket will add a little layer to a thin person and give him or her a fuller look.  Men make one basic mistake.  They wear things that are too large, especially suit jackets where the shoulders are drooping down.  A man should wear a suit that fits him in the shoulders well and the body is close to the body but not too close.  The pant should be more tapered than not and match the fit of the jacket.  Flat front  pants are the most flattering for any man.  The trick to looking beautifully dressed is to be certain that the clothes you wear fit you well.

3.  Dress for the Occasion: I will only tell me story once about inviting a date to the opera and that date showing up in a dingy t-shirt and jeans.  Needless to say I had a beautiful black suit and shoes on, a white French cuff shirt and a black bow tie.  Needless to share this person did not get to go to the opera with me and in fact was left where I went to pick him up.  Dressing for the occasion is very important.  Where are you going?  Once you determine that then you can decide if you will dress casually or semi-dressy or dressy.  When in doubt the best thing to do is to ask if there is a dress code where you are going whether it is the establishment or the person inviting you out. Asking is a sure fire way to make sure you are dressed for the situation.  Dressing appropriately is one of the most important aspects of dressing.  Take good notes of where you are going and what would be the best thing to wear.  A jacket with jeans can be a great semi-casual look for a movie or casual dinner while a black suit and  tie would be a hit for the opera, funeral or a wedding.  But even if you are going on a picnic a nice pair of shorts and a graphic t-shirt would say that you cared enough to look good for your date.  Nothing says silly and uncaring more than a dingy shirt or a super wrinkled pair of pants.  Think about where you are going and dress in a way that aligns with that occassion.

4.  Be Freshly Groomed:  When you are going out groom yourself as closely to the time you need to leave for your date by taking a shower, brushing your teeth, doing your hair, doing your make up and putting on a soft fragrance.  Getting ready too soon prior to the date is a mistake because you will not smell and look as fresh as possible.  Grooming can include some things we don't always think of: a manicure, a pedicure, brows, hair cut, nose and ears hair trimming, buffing nails and more.  While some men and women might find this overload it is always a good idea to do some extra special things to show your date you cared and that you care about yourself.  Every part of you is important: hair, nails, skin, brows and feet.  Take an inventory of every part of you starting with your feet and ending with your hair.  From the bottom to the top it is important to present yourself as your very best self.

5.  Be Aware of Color: When you select your clothing be aware of the colors that look good on you and that may not flatter you.  Color is also dictated by the season.  Wearing a bright summer color in the winter is OK as long as you pair it up with a darker color that fits with the season.  Wearing a powder blue linen suit in the winter is not a good color or seasonal choice.  Browns are great in the Fall while pastels are great in the Summer time.  Black is always OK but the fabric will be very important.  There is a tropical weight wool for summer days while there is a flannel wool for winter. Black linen can be lovely in the summer with a crisp white shirt while a thick wool pant would not work well in hot weather.  There are department stores that will help you to select a garment for you that is appropriate for your skin color and the season.

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