Recently I was shopping with one of my lovely clients (we’ll call her Sue). She, like so many other women, was resistant to wearing color. “I don’t want to stand out. I don’t want to draw attention to myself.” You know what I said to her? RUBBISH!!! (I sound English, don’t I?) Sue is an Autumn. She was wearing muted colors and blending in with the wallpaper. I was able to convince her to try some vibrant scarves and you should have seen her face light up when she looked at herself in the mirror. She was glowing. When I did a color consultation for her, she realized she was wearing all the wrong colors.

Why does that matter? It’s all very scientific. I am certified through a company called Color Me Beautiful. CMB was founded in the early 1980‘s by a stylist and a scientist. They took into consideration a person’s dominant color characteristic~ their hair, and their secondary color characteristic~ their eyes. They paired the hair color/eye color into four different combinations and came up with a color palette for each one~ naming them after the seasons~ Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Spring and Autumn have a warm tone palette and Summer and Winter have a cool tone palette. In short, the colors they chose for each palette compliment a woman’s coloring from a natural harmonious standpoint.

Why is this important? Wearing the wrong colors can make you look sick, tired and accentuate any facial imperfections. Wearing the right colors makes you look more vibrant and healthy, your eye color pops, your teeth look whiter and you look YOUNGER!! When the colors you don are in harmony with your own coloring, you are more attractive and more approachable. Good for business? YES! Good for relationships? YES!! Good for your confidence? DOUBLE YES!!

Back to Sue! As women age, they begin to lose color. In their hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, lips- well… you get the picture. She felt safest in black. Sound familiar? As I worked with Sue, it became clear that she was a bit insecure about showing up in color. Once she stepped out of the box and began wearing color~ little by little~ she received compliment after compliment and became MORE confident. See how it all works?

Are you ready to embrace YOUR best colors?? We’re so excited to highlight our NEW FEATURE  at Wardrobe Rx.  You can self-determine your OWN color palette and purchase a Wardrobe Color Wallet with colors that will make you SHINE!!

Have a colorful DAY!!

As Michael Kane, Director of Marketing, of Karen Kane was giving me a sneak peak at the looks for summer, fall and holiday of 2012, there was one component that stood out!  BLAZERS.

Blazers polish your look and take it to the next level.  Think of your blazers as the finishing touch.  Keep your Color Season, Style Essence and Body Silhouette in mind when choosing yours.  The practical side of me says, choose one or two of your foundation colors, but the free spirit in me insists you grab one in one of the bold colors of 2012!

When shopping for a coat, make sure to purchase at least one matching piece.  If you want to create suiting, choose pants or a skirt.  At a minimum, add a matching underpinning or blouse.  Take a look at the ensemble I just purchased (above).  If you have not already entered the KK Sweepstakes (before 4/15/12), make sure to do it and let them know I sent you!

Step into Empowered Style and pick up a blazer next time you’re shopping!  You’ll be the best dressed woman in the room!

I so vividly remember those times when I would head out to the retail stores with shopping on my mind.  I might need a dress to wear to a cousin’s wedding, or a new pair of jeans, but there were times I would leave the store empty handed and deeply frustrated.

Then I began my profession as a Personal Touch Consultant with Nordstrom.  I began to make mental notes about the women who seemed to shop successfully.  NOOOOO, they were not all size 2 with an unlimited budget!  They were the women who came prepared and with a positive attitude.  I though I’d pass on some of  those tips to you!! (more…)

Whether you are fighting off the chill of Minnesota or basking in the 70 degree weather of Florida, it’s that time of year again.  Spring Fashion Trends!!  I know it can be hard to  think Spring in early February, but bear with me!  This is the time of year when the best selection of Spring is out there.

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Yes… I said BEAUTIFUL!!  I have always said that a woman can look fantastic as long as she knows how to flatter her shape!  As I am in the throws of menopause and experiencing, shall we call it, thickening in the middle, I have needed to rethink some of my own clothing.

In guiding women (and myself) to complimentary styles, I teach balance and placement of details.  For instance, if you are more generous above the waist, accentuate your hip area with your best cuts and details to create an even silhouette.  How?  Read on…

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This post is not as intense as the title may have led you to believe .  The media and YES sometimes in real life fashionistas are portrayed as or ARE judgmental and unkind.  I wanted to speak to that!  Many of us are just the opposite!!

I view it this way.  A woman makes the decision to begin working out to get rid of a few pounds and makes an appointment with a trainer.  Do you think the trainer will take a look at her when she shows up and laughs at or criticizes her client’s extra weight or jiggles?  I think NOT.

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I LOVE dresses or coordinated skirt/blouse outfits!  They are a no brainer on those days when you just don’t want to think about what to wear. Throw it on and you feel terrific!  I also love the simplicity of it.  We all need to have at least one of these!

Today I am highlighting shift dresses.  These classics have a beautiful columnar cut and no defined waist.  It can be tricky to find just the right one for your body silhouette so here are a few tips to help!

If you have a large bust focus on vertical or diagonal darts and a slight A-line will help balance your body symmetry.  As always, try to avoid upper body details (like ruffles) that draw even more attention to your bust line.

If you have a tummy (like me) look for a cut that is neither tight or boxy.  Your dress is most flattering when it skims your outline.  Dark color blocking is great for slimming your midsection.  Details at the neckline or hemline will further direct the focus away from, well let’s just say, your pooch!

If you have full hips and thighs the A-line is perfect for you!  Vertical lines always elongate your body.  Lining is a plus as you have a smoother look overall.

If you have a straight figure, a shift dress with some detailing, whether it’s pleating, darts, a pattern or a lower neckline, adds curves and definition to your figure.  Avoid plain styles that are stiff or loose as they will add visual pounds!

Now to add the FUN!  Depending on your neckline, choose a bib necklace, a long strand or a pendant to SHINE your Style Essence.

Do you have a fave shift dress?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Between Christmas and New Year is a week of extra reflection and
organization in my mind and household.  A bit about my reflection…
(next post about organization!)

New Year, New YOU!!

Discover Your Empowered Style LIVE Workshop
(we extended the early bird pricing thru midnight Friday- don’t miss out!)

When you take the ACTIONS to honor and care for yourself you FEEL fabulous!

What action(s) will you take today??

First of all, I must begin by telling you that I am pulling this straight out of the January 2012 Real Simple’s article Magazine Anti-Aging Style Secrets and have added a touch of JuliAnn to it!

Much of my clientele is in their 40’s and 50’s and are often asking to freshen up their look, moving it a bit more fashion forward, while maintaining age-appropriateness.

Well ladies… let’s move fashion forward!

What’s aging your look?  Mom slacks.  They are the professional version of mom jeans, with a pleated front and high waist.

Try… a flat front, mid-rise trouser with a straight or boot cut.  Pants should really sit at the hip and drape from there.  The pants should barely hug your thighs and gradually get a bit wider toward the hem to balance you out.

What’s aging your look?  Visible Panty Lines (VPL).  The make for a lumpy rear and to take that a step further an unsupportive or ill-fitting bra can drag you (and the “girls”)down.

Try... If your’e not into trying a thong try Vanishing Edge Underwear from Soma.  Get professionally fitted for a bra.  I usually send my clients to Nordstrom or Soma for great fitters.  For more on bras, check out my previous post.  Your Breast Foundation Ever.  Your Proper Bra Size and Care for more great tips.

What’s aging your look?  Boxy cuts.  Ok.. your 22 year old body is long gone.  That’s no reason to hide under muumuu-esque tunics, manly suits or those pajama-like separates.  “The older you get, the more important it is to have properly fitting clothes,” says Kim Johnson Gross, the author of What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life.

Try… Well tailored or draped garments- for example, a structured jacket with a nipped waist or a ruched jersey dress- hint at your figure while camouflaging the parts that you’re not so crazy about.  No matter your size, formfitting (not tight, just more tailored) clothes make you look younger, because you’re showing that you have a bust, a waist and hips.

 What observations do you have about styles that age?

Stay tuned for Parts Two and Three!!

I’m all about feeling regal any chance I get!  Nothing adds the sublime look to your holiday outfit like a plush or faux fur jacket.  There are a couple of reasons I chose a “fur” jacket or wrap as THE must have item for holiday dressing.

First (and you know I’m all about comfort) it will keep you warm!  So often I go to holiday parties and want to show off my cocktail attire, only to be shivering!   Donning your snowball of a cropped jacket will give any outfit that festive feeling and keep you toasty!

Secondly, your addition of glorious plush will step any outfit up a little (or a lot)!  Pair it with jeans and a fitted tee or turtleneck and you will look fab for a more casual night out with your hub or the girls!

Which style to choose? First a quick lesson on dressing for your Body Silhouette.   The key is to balance the symmetry of your body.  For instance, if you are more generous in your upper body, you want to try and go for a longer style with the detail or flair at your hips.  If the opposite is true and you are more generous in your hips, go for a style that will draw attention to your upper body, like a puffy sleeve or embellishment above the waist.

Take a look at these furry resplendent additions to your holiday look!  Tie Tie Front Fur Vest by Karen Kane (pictured above) or this beautiful animal print cropped jacket at Nordstrom.com (pictured right) .  

Do you have something furry and warm to add to your festive holiday attire?