6 Things We Want to Share This Week
Stores and retailers are getting ready for spring already. Are you? Transition from winter to spring with a colorful sweater. If you scale back on pedis, manis and waxing during the winter, plan to kick it back into high gear now as it takes about two to three months to get back to the norm! […]
Dear Blueprint …. Need Help!
Mystery: What does a 38-year-old, married mother of 3 wear to an evening wedding?” Solved: The options are numerous but the rules are few. While there are additional considerations of which assets to highlight and which liabilities to hide, here are the key rules to remember: (1) unless you are attending a formal affair (Head-of-State, televised affair, […]
Make the Most of Your Clothes: Expensive Dresses
Don’t wash/dry clean after each wear For small stains, use instant stain remover
Manly Tshirt Tip
“Wearing a T-shirt simply makes a great suit jacket look less rigid, less uptight. I personally like to wear a white loose-fitting crewneck tee—or one of those U-necks—but you can get away with anything. Try a rock-band tee, a college tee, or just a solid-color, and wear it with a structured jacket for a nice […]
Suits Me Just Fine…
A well-cut suit is flattering and, even more than a LBD, creates instant polish! Focus on lean, not tight; expect some restriction of movement (no gymnastics but hugging yourself shouldn’t be painful) Look for a jacket that allows elbows to be placed snugly against your front without creating too much stretch across the back The collar […]
It’s a Cinch!
I am forever telling and showing my clients how you can quickly change up the look of your outfit by adding a belt…and now Vince Camuto has a few new ones in stock! My favorite is the snake stretch belt ($55) that comes in black or brown.
Monday Morning Power List
A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… HOLIDAY DEALS: Everyday I am updating and providing links and key information to the best deals for Holidays gifts, and items that every man or woman of style can add to their wardrobe. Simply visit my FaceBook page to catch it ALL! On […]
It’s Finally Friday’s Fashionable Yet Quirky Q&A
Read about this week’s everyday dapper don who is a Pacific Northwestern to the core. He keeps it simple and to-the-point, no frills and no designer wear. A gent more comfortable in a black suit than a tuxedo, but savvy enough to love stripes and sushi. Read a little more about our ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ compadre! Occupation: […]
Stick It In!
You’re in your prime and physically fit, but when you tuck your shirt into your pants, you get a midsection bulge – – why? Two options to resolve this issue: (1) Try a slimmer cut shirt (European shirts vs. American); many makers offer full or tapered. Or (2) have the shirt altered, and many specialty […]
Black Friday BIG Money-Saving Tip
People spend more money during the Holiday season than at any other time of the year….and retailers know this! Save yourself some time (time is money) and extra money by creating a list of must-have items for yourself and others; and a list of nice-to-haves. Once the ‘spirit’ of Black Friday and Holiday shopping kicks […]
Brown Shoes, Navy Suit, Black Shoes?
You have a navy blue suit – do you wear brown or black shoes? Your shoes should be at least as dark as your suit, so either color works! BTW – black and navy blue go together….ask any Navy person.
Monday Morning Power List
A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Social Graces: Although we are in a world of immediate gratification, social graces and etiquette still exist. For example, when you arrive as a guest at a dinner party and you come bearing consumable goods, the host determines when that “gift” […]
Monday (Late) Morning Power List
A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Mondays are Awesome: Choose a day of the week to be your Power Day. For me, it’s Mondays— since everyone else hates Mondays, it’s my day to shine and ‘knock it out the park’! What is Style?: Style is not derived […]
Tokyo Fashion: Lesson Learned….
For most Americans, Tokyo is expensive. Consider this: a tall Starbucks soy chai with flavoring (I get french vanilla) is about ¥650 which is about $8.50 using a generous conversion of ¥75. To get into a taxi, the starting fare is ¥710 which is about $9 before you even start moving….! With that said, walking […]
Can You Dress for Success?
The way you dress tells people who you are the minute you walk into a room — the average person assesses you within 20 seconds of meeting you. So what does your work wardrobe say about you: professional and stylish or too casual and clueless? The way you dress conveys respect to those with whom […]
Are You Event-Appropriate?!
Last night I was on the invite list for this Congressional Black Caucus event that took place at B. Smith’s restaurant in Union Station in Washington, DC. After a long week, I opted to go, but didn’t feel like getting dressed up so, I donned dark skinny jeans, flesh-colored platform peep-toe heels, a fitted white/cream […]
Fall Style Tip
What do you want to keep in mind when shopping for fall items? Click and find out!
Monday Morning Power List
A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Pregnancy: Women who embrace pregnancy and the associated weight gain, inevitably look better and feel better than women who try to hide it. Grab that full-length maxi dress, toss on a wide belt above your belly, and strut your stuff — tummy […]
Morning Quickie
Shoes…with a more pointy toebox look more chic and streamline thus, more easily go from day to evening – even if they’re flats. So look for a pair of pointy toe shoes to go from work to workin’ it!!
Styling Tip to Stand Out
Stand out for your stylishness by using contrast! One of the simplest ways to get noticed is to wear colors or textures that contrast….dark colors with bright red accessories, monochromatic brights, or lighter top half with darker bottoms
Style Tip #13: Highlight Your Legs
To highlight your legs: cover your top half to avoid competition, and knee-length pencil skirts with sheer or textured tights. Avoid capris and midcalf skirts that shorten your legs!
Style Tip #12: Highlight Your Arms
To highlight your arms: use decorative necklines, multistrand necklaces, and moisturizing lotion to hightlight sleek biceps and triceps. Avoid tops that cover your assets!
Style Tip #11: Highlight Your Butt
To highlight your butt: use butt ruching, pocket designs, and tops that hit above the waist. Avoid pants/jeans with flap pockets because they increase volume but not shape!
Style Tip #10: Highlight Your Chest
To highlight your chest: use deep v-necks, unbuttoned collared shirts, and a well-fitted, seamless bra. Avoid turtlenecks and shirts that hide your collarbone…
Style Tip #9: To Highlight Your Waist
To highlight your waist: use sharp color contrasts (instead of muted combos), waistline details or a great belt cinched at the midriff! Avoid unstructured dresses, chunky knits and baggy blouses…