Mary Anne Wahle
Color and Wardrobe Consultant
Choose a great neutral or two as the base for your wardrobe. If heavier on the bottom, choose a darker hue, if smaller, go lighter. Neutral colors typically are tan, gray, black, brown, khaki, or navy. Having a palette friendly neutral allows you effortless mixing and matching to achieve maximum versatility.
From Emily Neill of Shape Your Style: Small framed women should look for tops with lycra - the more the better; cottons tend to "billow out." Firmer fabrics with design details like darts at the torso and bust are a better option for a heavier chest and
thicker middle.
Look your best as you exercise, too!
Try Sports Authority, Nordstrom, Lucy, Macys and Marshalls for some appealing options in
workout apparel.
Accessories With Slenderizing Power:
Shoes can lengthen legs. Avoid chunky heels or shoes that are lighter than your legs or hosiery. Pointy shoes elongate short legs.
Purses put slimming in the bag. Oversized bags can double as a stomach camouflage.
Necklaces trim neck size. Long necklaces elongate your look, especially when paired with a v-neck blouse.
Belts make sizing down a cinch. Once you see what a good belt can do for your figure...Dark, wide belts are especially slenderizing. A large buckle can further define your waist.
Scarves have skinny power. Colorful scarves around your neck draw attention to your face.
Hosiery creates lean and long looks. Darker-colored hose slims legs, especially when your outfit is the same color as the hose.
Undergarments keep extra weight under wraps. A good support garment alone can be more slimming than all other items combined.
~ Adapted from N. Bhatta for AOL
#1 Ensure that your teeth are the whitest they can be: There are many ways to achieve good results now that don't cost a fortune. Do whatever you can afford but it is really worth it. Your dentist will charge approximately $300 to $500, but this treatment will last for a substantial period of time. You will leave equipped with trays that have been molded to your teeth and a more potent bleach than over the counter, which you can use to touch up your pearlies at any time. Smile, a lot!!
#2 Sport a current, flattering hairstyle: For ideas, check out magazines, internet sites that allow you to search for cuts and styles that work best for your face shape, or get the names of stylists from women whose hair looks
consistently great.
#3 Know which styles and colors really complement your coloring and figure. Tweak your look with a few trendy accessories or pieces. Think coordinating not matchy-matchy when assembling your outfits. A current look conveys the message that you are up on what is going on around you ~
#4 Let concealer, sunscreen, and a well matched foundation be your friends. Apply your eye-liner with a lighter touch and experiment with a softer, more neutral eye-shadow. Try a paler shade of lipstick and see if you like the way it softens your look. Keep your skin moisturized at all times.
#5 Maintain a healthy weight by eating nutritious foods and exercising...
(who knew?)
5 Ways to Look 5 to 10 Years Younger
8 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Wardrobe
Adapted from The Budget Fashionista, aka Kathryn Finney
1. Develop a Signature Piece. Something you're going to be known for....could be signature eyewear (think Edith Head), dresses (vonFurstenberg), jewelry: Kathryn's signature piece is necklaces that she finds at thrift stores and shops like Forever 21. A step further: Identify your overall signature style!
2. Use the Cost Per Wear When Shopping Formula. TBF has been spreading this message for years. Calculate the cost per wear by dividing the price of the garment/item by the number of times you think you will wear it. If it cost $100 and you wear it 10 times, the cost per wear is $10. The more you wear an item, the cheaper it becomes. This forces you to consider the usefulness of an item to you rather than just the price. Paying any amount for something you never wear is money wasted.
3. Limit Trips to the Dry Cleaners. Kathryn says this is a real money zapper. Suits should only be dry cleaned two to three times a year and coats even less. TBF recommends spritzing garments with a fabric freshener like Febreze in the meantime.
4. Learn to Sew. Not necessarily for 'Project Runway', but Kathryn recommends learning how to hem your own pants, fix slight holes and other minor alterations...saving both money and the garments.
5. Follow the 70/30 Rule. 70% of your closet should be classic pieces that never go out of style like a perfect length black skirt or elegant silk blouse. The other 30% should be fun trendy items like shoes, statement handbag or color of the moment sweater.
6. Create a Shoppers Savings Account. TBF has a special, interest bearing savings account that she puts her shopping dollars in. She ONLY purchases items with the $$ in this account and it can go down to zero because it isn't connected to her REAL checking account which is used to pay the bills.
7. Swap Parties. Friends gather and bring their used, but still stylish items and swap for other "new" items (slightly used friends' clothes). Have fun and get new things for free.
8. Use Giftcards. Kathryn uses this tip especially during the holiday season, putting her entire Christmas budget on a visa giftcard. Once the money is gone, she's finished shopping.
* Educate your tastes and get inspired: Shop without your credit card at finer department stores either in
person or on the internet.
* Go armed with a list and determined optimism!
* Dress nicely and wear comfortable (yet stylish!) footwear.
* Take items you wish to coordinate.
* Suspend negative, critical judgement of yourself. Please :) YOU are a Beautiful Woman:
A unique work of art created by the Master.
* Remember, clothes were made for YOU, NOT the other way around.
* For maximum versatility, choose garments that go with at least two other items, better if it's three or more.
* Allow plenty of time and take along snacks and water.
* Identify designers and merchandisers that have been 'friendly' to you in the past.
* Buy the best quality you can afford and spend on those pieces that will give you the biggest
bang for your buck.
* If you find a real gem, buy multiples.
* Identify your individual fashion personality, figure type and best colors so that you don't waste
time looking at apparel that doesn't represent or flatter you.
* Shop around. Usually no one store has everything you need.
* Patience and persistence are key to uncovering gems at discount stores.
Petite: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Eddie Bauer, Macys, Lord and Taylor, Penneys, Talbots, Coldwater Creek, Steinmart, Loehmanns, JJill, Liz Claiborne, JCrew, RLauren, Lands End, Michael Kors, Asos (internet). Stores like Express, Limited and Benetton carry smaller sizes that may also work for you. You don't have to shop only in petite sizes especially if you are open to altering clothing to fit your figure. A good seamstress is your best buddy.
Women & Plus: Elisabeth, Nordstrom, Avenue, Bloomingdales, EBauer, Lane Bryant, Penneys, Lands End, Saks, Coldwater Creek, Talbots, Chicos, Old Navy & more great options via internet. (updates soon!)
Tall Sizes: Penneys, JCrew, JJill, EBauer, LLBean, Lands End, Neiman Marcus, Barrie Pace, Ann Taylor, Nordstroms, NY&Co, Macys, Gap and online options such as: Long Elegant Legs, Long Tall Sally and Just My Size. (more options on the way!)
Maternity: Old Navy, Motherhood Maternity, Gap, Target, Lands End, Nordstrom, Kohls, Anna Cris, imaternity, Penneys, Pea in the Pod, Ross, LizLange, Boden and internet options. (coming soon!)
Eclectic style? Looking for unique pieces?
Try Anthropologie, Free People, Zara, Etcetera Collection, Consignment shops, Etsy, Vintage, Ebay, Asos, Shopbop & internet galore.
Mary Anne's Top Shopping Tips:
703.615.6269
Why Not Look Your Best Every Day!?
