Five style blunders...
..and how to fix them
You would never dream of making an obvious fashion faux pas (Seamed
hose with sandals? Never!)
But even dedicated fashionistas sometimes run the risk of making
style snafus.
Here are fashion traps to avoid, with the fixes listed at the end of
each:
1. Relying too heavily on the fashion media. You buy all the
fashion magazines religiously, watch awards shows, read the paper and
keep up with all the online sources. How could that be a mistake?
By relying too heavily on the media to rule your wardrobe, you run
the risk of being a fashion victim.
Remember: most magazines and TV programs about fashion produce an "aspirational"
effect. They present you with fabulous clothes you'll want to buy on
fabulous models you'll want to look like.
The problem is that a) you probably can't afford any of the clothes
they show and b) you're never going to look like a supermodel or a
celebrity.
Better ways to develop style -- read it and thumb your nose at the
next "must-have" list.
2. Buying clothes that don't fit. You probably
already know that you should NEVER buy something too small, thinking
you'll lose weight -- even if it is a $10 Pucci dress you picked up off
eBay.
But did you know that little details like the length of your jacket
sleeves or the place your pants hem rest can make or break an outfit?
The best way to get perfect fit is to have a tailor alter the
garment. Find a few pointers: A quick guide to how your
clothes should really fit.
3. Creating a mish-mash wardrobe by buying odds and ends.
Buying up odds and ends on sale may seem to make sense. After
all, the easy availability of off-price merchandise has lulled us into
thinking that minor purchases won't blow our wardrobe concept or budget.
Actually, it's the little things that kill your wardrobe. Without a
plan, you can end up with tons of clothes and nothing to wear. But it's
never to late to change your habits:
How to
always have something to wear.
4. Getting stuck in a style rut. The exact opposite
of the No. 1 style buster is not staying caught up on the latest trends.
Sticking with classics has been conventional style wisdom for ages, and
for women with full lives and limited resources this is still a sure way
to investment dressing.
The problem is that as we grow older, we sometimes become a little
too comfortable wearing our old standbys (or just doing "replenishment"
shopping each season).
Sometimes all it takes is tweaking the basics that you already own to
look fabulous. How to
keep your look up-to-date.
5. Choosing the wrong undergarments. Even Maria
Shriver (NBC news correspondent and Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife)
commented on "Oprah" how she relied on heavy-duty foundation garments to
look smashing in her Valentino Oscar dress a few years ago.
Just think what the right bra or support-top pantyhose could do for
us mere mortals.
In addition to gravity-defying bras and body slimmers that eliminate
lumps and bumps, there are other tricks of the trade:
Getting it right
underneath
~ Cynthia
Nellis
How your garments
should fit
- Long sleeved garments should hit just below the wrist bone with
just a little ease (shouldn't be too tight or loose)
- A button-front blouse should never gap open at the bustline. If
the garment seems to fit, the problem may just be wide-spaced buttons.
Attach a snap.
- A slim or pencil skirt should fit without bunching or wrinkling
up. Do the sit-down test.
- Hemline correction -- skirts should be completely straight all the
way around. If that's not the case (because of hips or tummy) have it
rehemmed.
- Tailored pants should fall to the top of your instep.
- Long, formal gowns should fall to about an inch off the ground.
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How to Always Have Something to Wear
Always buying clothes but never have anything to wear?
Step by step instructions on how to develop a wardrobe.
Here's How:
- Stop impulse buying. Every $10 mistake you would have picked up in
the bargain bin goes to a really great wardrobe.
- In the first step of cleaning out your closet, eliminate
everything that doesn't fit or that you haven't worn in a year.
- A few weeks later, go back and get rid of all the stuff you fudged
on the first time around.
- With what's left, begin identifying a theme to your wardrobe,
relying on favorite looks, colors and lifestyle pieces..
- Decide on three colors that either match or will coordinate with
what you own and buy only those three colors for apparel.
- Establish a workable budget.
- Make a list of all the items you need in your wardrobe. (For
example: solid blazer, wool pants, white shirt)
- Set aside an hour of time each week to shop -- online or off.
- Avoid trendy items.
- Buy clothing that will span two to three seasons -- like wool
crepe or matte jersey.
- Purchase only clothes that work with something that you already
own.
- Pass on anything that doesn't fit -- no matter how great a buy.
- Try to add only one or two well-thought out items per month.
- Add punchy color and trendiness with accessories, shoes and
handbags.
- Continually eliminate and replace essential wardrobe pieces once
it is built up so that you are never caught without a necessary item.
Tips:
- Ignore that advice about buying "the best" of everything.
Regardless of how well-made a garment is, moths, coffee spills and
kids take their toll. Never choose between a mortgage payment and a
cashmere sweater.
- Try to plan your wardrobe around three neutral colors like black,
white, khaki, navy or brown.
- Buy more solids than prints - you won't get tired of them as
quickly.
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Keeping
your look up-to-date
- Pick up a women's magazine you normally wouldn't buy (hint: should
have more fashion than recipes on the cover). Elle, Vogue, Harper's
Bazaar and W are good starters.
- Go to a different store (online or physical) and try on new
labels, even if the style is similar to what you already own. You may
be surprised what you're missing if you rely on certain set merchants
and brands.
- Slip in some punchy color. Every season there's a trendy color
palette, and it's usually not too hard to figure out what it is. Use
color as accent pieces -- a bright scarf, a camisole under a suit.
- Accessories are the easiest ways to update a look. Choose a new
handbag, sexy sandals or a new necklace. If you're not sure what's
modern, ask a sales associate to point you to what's hot -- they
usually know what others are asking for.
- Don't try to radically change your look -- no one in real life
ever emerges looking like the "After" picture in a fashion makeover
Make subtle changes over a period of time.
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