September 2008

Martha Stewart: Up Close and Personal

September 27, 2008

Introducing The Martha Blog! One of Martha Stewart’s greatest contributions is her passion to empower others by taking on an aesthetic responsibility whether it is via books, television, radio, magazines, products and now a blog. She successfully leads a smart and talented team to educate and to amplify the fact that aesthetics is a serious business. Ultimately, these displays and actions have led women (and men) to recognize and appreciate their own value in aesthetics and that it can contribute to the world. That it adds richness to the fabric of life!!!

What are some of the most significant ways you have allowed your own aesthetics to make an impact on your personal presentation? How has this been a positive experience/experiment?

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Do You LOOK Like a Good Investment?

September 23, 2008

Peter Som – F08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

There is no denying it the United State’s economy is a mess right now! Nevertheless, what we truly can’t afford is to hang on to the accompanying doom and gloom. Accordingly, it is more important than ever to put your best foot forward in the marketplace. In order to authentically and effectively sell your talent, ideas, products or services today you must sell yourself first. Prospective employers, current bosses, venture capitalists, loan officers, clients, customers, the media and many others will be looking to see if you look like a good investment.

Attributes that make a good financial investment tend to be those that have favorable long-term benefits. An auspicious reputation, minimal risk requirements and respectable returns (ROI) are common traits. In addition to your talents, qualifications and financial stats; another rabbit to pull out of your hat is the magic of having your personal presentation instantly and authentically showcase these traits as well.

This is the perfect time for investment dressing! Our confidence rises when we make wise investment choices in our lives. In turn, our confidence radiates, always attractive to others. This will help us stay on top of our game, ahead of the curve and invite new opportunities.

Another reason this is the perfect time for investment dressing is due to the fact that a number of designers have created an astounding assortment of noteworthy basics in classic designs this year and stores have followed suit by stocking up on them. This is absolutely ideal for the consummate professional. This season there is a vast selection to choose from for all shapes, sizes, tastes and budgets to build or add to a wardrobe that actually works for you and your individual lifestyle as brilliantly demonstrated by designer Peter Som (see above). Plus the stores want to sell this merchandise so steals and deals will be plentiful!

Here are 9 key questions to ask yourself prior to making your next purchase:

• Does it fit properly?
• Is it flattering?
• Is it appropriate?
• Do you love it?
• Is it comfortable?
• Is it durable?
• Where specifically will it add value?
• Is it worth the price per wear?
• Does everyone else have it?

These tough times are really an opportunity for buyers to thoroughly think before they buy. To not just go for the quick fix anymore. Less really can be more!!! You can repeat an outfit. It really is OK and it can still be fun because you feel good in what you’re wearing, you know you’ve invested your money wisely and it SHOWS!

Another note is to try to incorporate some color in your choices. History shows that during economic downturns many people turn to wearing solely dark and drab colors. Be careful not to get caught up in it. Color not only can affect your mood but the mood of those around you as well. So get some good staple pieces in neutral hues but don’t forget to give a visual lift to your outfit. Of course, as always, make an effort to keep up with your personal grooming. It is extremely important to not only maintain a fresh, flattering and modern look with your hair, makeup, nails, skin and so forth but to also keep them healthy. This is essential to completing a cohesive and memorable look. Remember your personal presentation when done well can be another powerful and dynamic marketing tool.

To make this happen and to invest in yourself doesn’t mean you have to hurt your bank account. Do the research, create a budget and make strategic purchases to keep you looking sharp and ahead of the pack, so as to instantaneously showcase and highlight your talents, skills, ambitions and professional goals. And although times are tough right now, this really is an opportune time to build a reliable wardrobe that not only makes you feel empowered but immediately and authentically exudes confidence to others. Now that’s a ROI!

Do you feel the way you present yourself at work is relevant? Were you aware that oftentimes working with a personal style consultant can actually save you money by efficiently building an authentic, appropriate and reliable wardrobe rather than a closet full of ‘now, why did I buy this’ or ‘what can I wear with this’ or ‘I have nothing to wear’ rhetoric?

I encourage all of my readers to feel free to post replies and/or helpful suggestions to this article and/or any other previous posts.

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Global Warming and the Transitional Wardrobe

September 7, 2008

It seems that paying more attention to what you wear amidst each seasonal change can no longer be postponed. In the past three or so years it has become quite evident that global warming is no longer allowing designers and the fashion conscious to identify their designs by seasons. It’s almost as if these longer seasonal transition periods have become a ‘new season’ and thereby are not only having effect on what we wear but also what we buy. It used to be that one could slide by for around three weeks wearing, in this case, summer clothes as we head into fall because the fickle weather didn’t last long. And so if we got caught wearing a summer outfit on a cold day early in the season then it was easily survived and forgotten. However, nowadays this transitional fashion grace period is becoming extinct. Consequently, more attention needs to be paid to this ‘new season’ which I refer to as the Transitional Season. Thank goodness for the Pre-Fall Collections!!!

For all of you that are struggling with the transition right now from summer to fall, here are some chic weather proof suggestions to help build or to add to your transitional wardrobe:

LAYER DIFFERENT SEASONS

Style.com – Diane von Furstenberg PF08

Style.com – Diane von Furstenberg PF08

Diane von Furstenberg in her Pre-Fall 2008 Collection did a wonderful job here pairing a spring/summer dress with a fall/winter sweater coat and blazer. The idea of combining staple pieces from different seasons is a fundamental styling technique for a transitional wardrobe. Be sure to note that the darker color scheme and sporadic prints on the dresses have pre-fall undertones. And the open-toe platforms top off the outfit. These shoes can easily transition into fall and be worn with opaque tights. Here are some more examples of this trend.

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView – Nina Ricci PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView – Rachel Roy PF08

ADD A MIXED-SEASONAL PIECE

Style.com Dan Jackson for Louis Vuitton PF08

Style.com Dan Ashby – Oscar de la Renta PF08

I love what Marc Jacobs did here for the Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2008 Collection by designing an ivory closed-toe oxford pump. One tends to typically catch sight of oxfords during the fall/winter months; however these are in a light spring/summer color. Same with this gorgeous floral brocade Oscar de la Renta coat made with a heavier fall/winter fabric. These mixed-seasonal pieces add an unexpected twist to an outfit. Again, combining seasons is key.

MERGE SEASONS

Style.com FirstView – Narcisco Rodriguez PF08

Style.com – Burberry Prorsum PF08

Style.com – Dolce & Gabbana PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView – Vera Wang PF08

The idea here is to wear spring/summer pieces on top and fall/winter ones on the bottom. Narcisco’s lovely short sleeve dress combined with dark opaque tights is an easy transitional outfit. Burberry’s Christopher Bailey shares with us a wonderful example of seasonal merges as well. As do Dolce & Gabbana and the ever so talented Vera Wang.

A TOUCH OF LIGHT GREY

Style.com Dan Ashby – Oscar de la Renta PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman - Michael Kors PF08

Style.com - Dolce & Gabbana PF08

Style.com Don Ashby - Luca Luca PF08

Style.com Don Ashby - Luca Luca PF08

By adding a touch of light grey to an outfit it just seems to make the overall look appear less heavy and dark. And therefore it is the perfect addition to include in your transitional wardrobe. Plus this shade of grey, especially when combined with more saturated colors looks well on most everyone.

SLIP ON SPRING/SUMMER SHOES WITH DARK OPAQUE TIGHTS

Style.com Don Ashby - Valentino PF08

Style.com Don Ashby - Valentino PF08

Style.com Don Ashby - Zac Posen PF08

SHEER TOPS

Style.com Kevin Sturman - Michael Kors PF08

Style.com Don Ashby - Valentino PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Bill Blass PF08

Wearing a sheer blouse or twinset on the top half of your body while wearing dark fall/winter pieces on the bottom half is a splendid tactic for a transitional ensemble.

AUTUMNAL COLORS

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Nina Ricci PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Nina Ricci PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Rachel Roy PF08

Incorporating autumnal colors with existing seasonal pieces is a surefire approach to putting together a chic transitional outfit. Here are some further samples.

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Rachel Roy PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Nina Ricci PF08

Style.com - Tory Burch PF08

Style.com Kevin Sturman FirstView - Bill Blass PF08

Remember that a designer’s expertise in part is not only to create and to manufacture beautiful clothes and accessories but it is also an opportunity to inspire us. So, perhaps you see an outfit that you really like however, the shape doesn’t work best with your particular body type. Then look at which specific elements you are drawn to from that ensemble and try to incorporate/tweak/adjust them as necessary to get the overall desired look. A simple example might be that you like some of the dresses showcased here but they are too short for you, your professional position or the suggested samples just don’t fit into your wardrobe budget. Then try to find longer and/or lesser expensive versions with the same shape, color, print, fabric or general silhouette created by the designer. When a designer puts an inspirational outfit together – break it down to find the main reason(s) you’re attracted to it or what makes it so special and then take those attributes and make it work for you and your lifestyle. However, please note in this particular example regarding dress length, oftentimes there are adjustments made to the pieces worn on the runways so as to support a larger audience in the stores. Plus the average height of models is 5’9” so a dress hem may fall longer on you.

These were just a few suggestions to get you started when thinking about expanding your transitional wardrobe so as to thrive and be better prepared for random weather patterns however long they may last.

What are your full-proof pieces that you wear during a change in seasons? Have you noticed a difference in your approach to buying staple pieces for your wardrobe based on recent weather conditions?

 

 

 
 

 

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