Sep 20

SIMPLE STYLE TIPS TO LOOK GREAT EVERYDAY

By Ann Reinten | Colour, Coordination, Figure Flattery, How To..., Wardrobe Savvy | 2 Comments

Are there tricks to looking slimmer, taller, better?

Yes! In fact, using the following simple style tips you can achieve the look you want. All use design lines, colors, and fabric characteristics to enhance and/or minimize your appearance.

GET IN LINE

VERTICAL design elements slim and lengthen any area of the body they are worn on. The more vertical lines there are, the slimmer and taller you will appear. Vertical elements aren’t limited to vertical stripes. They include zippers, pants, monochromatic outfits and garments, open jackets, pleats, and center front buttons, which elongate your overall appearance.

HORIZONTAL design features add width to the area on which they’re worn. Working the opposite of vertical lines, they make you appear shorter and wider. Examples range from horizontal stripes to yokes, boxy skirts, belts, wide leg pants, and wide or contrasting waistbands. These appear to “cut” the appearance of the body into sections. A good rule-of-thumb to remember is that you will appear as wide as your widest hemline.

DIAGONAL design features run at an angle across the body, but follow vertical/horizontal illusions. If the angle is more vertical, the area appears taller and thinner. If the angle is more horizontal, the area appears shorter and wider.

CURVED/ROUND design elements add (surprise!) curves. While this sounds ideal if you’re going for a feminine look, know they also add width and weight, which is not ideal if you have ample sources of both. Floral, paisley, and swirly patterns, along with round necklines, curved hemlines, and contoured belts achieve the look.

TAKE A COLOR ADVANTAGE

Color is an easy device to use to maximize or minimize your size and manipulate your height (i.e. appear shorter or taller). Below are some simple style tips related to color.

Look at the following photos: in Photo A, the hips appear wider than in Photo C. Why is that? Light, bright colors “advance,” making the area they are worn over appear larger. Light colors worn on the upper half your body draw the eye upward, thus they also make you appear taller (Photo C). Dark colors “recede,” and do the exact opposite (medium depth colors have no movement effect). Darker colors also appear “heavier” than lighter colors and help you appear more balanced when worn on your lower half. Photos D & E show the slimming effect of the use of darker colors and low color contrast coordination (i.e. one continuous column of color). You must be naturally tall and slender to pull off the looks in Photos A and B.

There are some colors which suit almost everyone because they have certain characteristics:

They contain a little of the opposite temperature in the mix
Are medium-light to medium-dark
Are neither very bright (clear) nor very dull (muted)

These universal colors appear along with each new season’s crop of trend colors and are widely available. Here are just a few:

IMPLEMENT YOUR BEST SILHOUETTE

Besides using lines and colours to enhance your appearance, you must also consider a garment’s silhouette. The wrong silhouette for your figure can make even the cutest garment look bad. The right silhouette, however, can make you look great.

There are 4 silhouettes:

Very fitted: best for slender, youthful women with firm bodies because tight, clingy fabrics highlight every lump and bump.
Semi fitted: flattering on all women
Boxy & stiff: falls straight and stiffly and disguises the body’s shape. Best for straight-figured women under 45 years of age. A boxy jacket is best when it sits above the low hipline and hides a midriff roll or tummy. A boxy jacket can appear matronly on women 45+ years old if the jacket is longer or in an out-of-style colour.
Boxy & soft: made of a flowing soft fabric that’s flattering for all ages and weights, particularly on mature, full-figured women.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

What turns plain old clothes into a winning outfit? A focal point! A focal point is anything which attracts attention: smoky eyes, hair highlights, a piece of jewelry, a print, shoes, a handbag. It’s intended to draw the eye to it.

If you’re not certain your attire has a focal point or if your intended focal point is appropriate, try this experiment: get dressed and stand in front of a full-length mirror. Close your eyes and then open them. What’s the first thing you notice? That is your major focal point. Now ask yourself if you want people looking there. Yes? Then you’re probably doing something right. No? It’s time to find another focal point.
If you’re big in the hips or posterior, you’ll want your focal point to be above the waist. If you’re large busted and wish to minimize your appearance, you’ll want your focal point below the waist. This can be done by counterbalancing a body feature by adding a competing focal point in the right place. See in the photo below that the hemline stripes of the blue dress are balanced by the red cardigan, while the striped top and yellow cardigan attract attention away from the bright pants.

Be on your guard against fussy looks by using less than three focal points. A great subject to study for how to achieve the 3-focal point or less look is the Duchess of Cambridge.

FIND FIGURE FLATTERING FABRICS

Fabrics come in three basic surfaces which alter the appearance of the garment and manipulate the size of the wearer. They are:

Matte surfaces: absorb light rather than reflect it (wool, most cottons, linen). Tend to make the wearer appear slimmer.

Fabrics with sheen: reflect light, thus appears to “advance” slightly, but will not add significant bulk to your size unless the garment is clingy or tight.

Shiny/sparkly surfaces; highly reflect light, thus appear to “advanced” greatly and enlarges the area it covers. Soft, shiny fabrics can also highlight every bump and lump.

(Purple dress by IGIG, Leggings by Asos, Jacket by Free People, & Jacket by Bloomingdales)

Besides its surface qualities, fabric weight and texture can be used to your advantage. For example, did you know you can “lose” a few pounds by wearing the right fabrics? Thin, lightweight, smooth fabrics cling to the body and have little bulk and texture, which visually slims your silhouette.

Firm, smooth fabrics are figure flattering when they echo the silhouette of your body (i.e. a tailored suit or leggings) but won’t necessarily minimize your figure.

Sheer fabrics are great for camouflaging challenge areas, such as a full upper arm, tummy, or full behind.

If you want to “bulk up” certain areas of your body, wear thicker, heavyweight fabrics, especially those with a bulky texture (corduroy, crinkled, quilted, ruffled, or fur).

4 SIMPLE TECHNIQUES

Every “body” is unique; therefore, what looks good on a celebrity or an acquaintance won’t necessarily flatter you. So before you try to copy a look you like, keep these 4 rules in mind for style success:

Slimline tops and bottoms work well together for a long, lean look.
A full skirt/pant is best worn with a slim top.
A full top is best worn with a slim bottom.
A full top and bottom usually doesn’t work well because they create a wide, shapeless look.

Sep 13

50+ & FAB: FASHION FOR 50 YEAR OLDS

By Ann Reinten | Personal Style, Wardrobe Savvy | 2 Comments

Have you ever peered in a store window or watched in horror as you’ve seen the latest hot looks saunter down a catwalk and thought ‘they’ve gotta be kidding — how am I supposed to wear that?!

While, it’s true that fashion trends are primarily aimed at the young, looking current is important and very achievable at any age. I cringe when I hear women say things like ‘who cares, I’ve obviously passed my fashion used-by-date’, or ‘I don’t even bother trying any more no-one makes for a shape like mine anyway’.

Over the years they have skillfully managed to avoid fashion stores and now wear the same comfortable clothes they’ve had for years. No wonder they feel frumpy!

Dressing in a current and stylish manner after fifty is easy and very achievable no matter what your budget or lifestyle is. And I promise you, you’ll feel younger for making the effort and others will definitely notice the trendier, more youthful you.

If you are still in the workforce having a current look will also help others see you as someone who still is up with what is going on and someone to respect and take seriously.
So, how do you interpret fashion trends without looking like mutton dressed as lamb or feeling trussed up like a chook for thanksgiving dinner?

#1: Reconcile with, and Adapt to The Body You Have Today

If you are over fifty your body will have changed and finding the right trends and adapting them will be a useless exercise if you do not intimately and accurately know the body you have TODAY. I’m always surprised at how many over fifty women do not know their body shape. Maybe it’s a case that they’d rather not know – but please…that approach is only going to limit your life, opportunities and look. I PROMISE YOU even if you do not like the body you have today and it looks like gravity and cellulite are winning you CAN LOOK FABULOUS, so stop putting it off. Go get into your knickers, stand in front of a full length mirror and take a good long loving look at your body from head to toe and work out what shape you are today. This includes your horizontal body shape, bust size, weight, vertical ratio, and prominent features. If you need a little help My Private Stylist is here to help with our $25 professional photo assessment service.

Color is the next thing to consider. If you have had a color analysis in the past, then all you may need is an update if you hair is a different color or if more than 10 years have elapsed. Everyone’s coloring changes overtime with most women getting paler and cooler with time. Probably the most important thing about color is to avoid wearing dark colors near your face as they will make you appear paler and will throw shadows onto your face exaggerating any lines or dark areas.

#2: Assess Your Hair, Makeup and Eyewear.

When was the last time you updated your hairstyle and the way you apply your make-up? If you’ve been doing both the same way for years it’s definitely time for a change. A new hairstyle and makeup are the quickest and most effective way to update your look and gain instant gratification. In fact a good hairstyle can have similar results to a mini face-lift. This photo from a makeover by Carol Tuttle is a great example.

Source

The second thing which needs evaluating is your makeup. What worked even a few years may not be doing you any favors today. You can “try on” make-up at Taaz to see what colors and types are appropriate for you.

Source

The third thing you need to consider is your glasses. Out of date frames make you look older (and out of date). Get to your local eyewear store and take some time trying on various styles – especially ones you’d normally not choose. Who knows? You might discover a color or style that really makes you pop. Don’t limit yourself to one pair. Purchasing a couple different frames enables you to switch out your look, keeping it fresher longer.

#3: Get and Stay Active

You’ve already heard it said but it bears repeating: eat right and exercise! A healthy body and mind are crucial to maintaining a healthy appearance. Consult your physician on what exercises are right for you. They might be lifting weights, walking, core exercises, or short bursts of high intensity exercise.

#4: Determine Your Signature Style

How do you determine your signature style? Make a list of adjectives which describe the look you’re going for. This includes the type of clothing, other people’s impression of you, your personality, and what you want to enhance/minimize. Take this list with you or memorize it when you go shopping. Any garment or accessory which doesn’t reflect the list should be disregarded no matter how cute it is. If it doesn’t match your list, you probably won’t be comfortable wearing it and it won’t get worn, which is a waste of money.

For example, my adjectives are Comfortable, Accessorized, and Tummy Hiding. You may come up with a longer list. What’s important is to know your body shape and colouring before you make this list.

#5: Know Before You Go

Before you hit the stores, hit the Internet to find out what’s available. Websites like Pretastyler are like online department stores and cover many price points. You can also go to their trends area to see what’s new and what’s on the way.

As you investigate, you’ll spot common threads (no pun intended), such as:

Themes: nautical, mod, ethnic, military, romantic
Shapes: strong angular shapes, round, straight
Fit: very fitted, soft and flowing
Colour: red, blues, yellows
Fabric: tweed, chiffon, anything textured
Patterns: floral, ethnic, checks, stripes
Surfaces: Matte, sheen, shine, sparkle
Accessories: types of bags, necklaces, shoes, eyewear
Makeup and Hair: short, long, up, down, casual, stylized

If you’re not happy with what you find, don’t worry. You’re only a season away from a new crop of styles. Your investigating will also show you which stores carry the styles you prefer, which makes shopping simpler.

#6: Wardrobe Core Decisions

What are the best wardrobe decisions when thinking about fashion for 50 year olds? Trends are fleeting, but fashion is flexible. What does this mean? It means spend your money on high quality core, go-to items which flatter your shape, are simple in style, and can be mixed and matched with other items. For example, a solid blazer can be worn with jeans for a dressy casual look or with slacks or a pencil skirt for office attire. A crisp pink poplin shirt can add a light, feminine touch to tweed or give structure to a gauzy crinkled skirt or capris and sandals. If you aim for neutral colors in your core items, you can add colour through non-core seasonal garments and jewelry, scarves, shoes, and handbags, which are easily changeable through the seasons.
If current trends have you thinking there’s no way you can wear them despite how cute they look, remember this: clothing manufacturers and pattern companies know many customers do not have supermodel figures and adapt fashion trends into more figure-flattering styles.

#7: Lift & Support

As you age, gravity’s effect on your body becomes more noticeable. Thankfully, you can forego plastic surgery and liposuction and buy shapewear. Shapewear can be your new best friend. Imagine those bulges and jiggles smoothing away in this breathable, comfortable support. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll look and feel.

Speaking of support, if you haven’t been fitted for a bra in a while, get yourself to a store where a trained bra-fitter will help you find the right size and cup. The higher and perkier your girls are, the more youthful your figure will look.

#8: Avoid ‘Mutton Dressed as Lamb’

We’ve all seen it; women who cross the line from tasteful to tacky, chic to freak, vivacious to vulgar. Not all trends are appropriate for women over 50. They were never meant to be. A simple way to decide what’s hot and what’s not for your age is, “When in doubt, don’t.”
Here are a few suggestions of no-gos for 50+ women:

Bare midriffs
Mid thigh or higher skirts
Over the knee boots
Anything ultra tight
Low cut tops if you have a saggy chest
Sleeveless tops if you have saggy upper arms
G-string swimwear

The Fab Life

Once you embark on this new journey into 50+ style, you’ll be amazed at how you respond mentally and physically. Don’t be surprised when you discover a more confident you walking out the door with your head held high and vitality energizing you steps. You may be a grandma, but you look and act ready to conquer the world with the best fashion for 50 year olds.

Want more? Click here.

Aug 30

50 FASHION FLUBS & STYLE SAVES: How to avoid panty lines, Wardrobe Malfunctions and More

By Ann Reinten | Wardrobe Savvy | No Comments

Is there anything more embarrassing or aggravating than perspiration marks, runs in hosiery, or the ill-timed button popping off? As much as we love our clothes, sometimes they won’t behave and instead of sailing with style, we crash and burn in a clothing catastrophe. Read on to learn how to avoid panty lines, wardrobe malfunctions, and more embarrassing situations.

While not all annoyances can be avoided, most can be prevented or fixed with a little help and ingenuity. The following tips are presented to make your clothing life more attractive and less embarrassing.

IRRITATIONS:

Static Cling: Apply lotion to legs back and front, attach a safety pin to the inside hem of the skirt, or use a product like Statique spray.

Lint or Pet Hair: Wrap tape around your fingers (sticky side up) and pat your clothes.

Pills on Sweaters: Gently run a pumice stone over pills or use a fabric shaver.

Saggy Boobs: Adjust your bra strap length. If it doesn’t work, it’s time to go bra shopping.

Bra Strap Falling Off Shoulders: Unclip each strap at the back, lengthen to their longest length, re-clip to the opposite side to form an X. Put on bra and adjust straps for comfort.

Unwanted Colour on Clothes: Use Dylon’s Runaway Colour Catcher (UK and AU – warning: it smells like rotten eggs) or Rit Color Remover (US).

Bleach Spots or Faded Areas: Use a permanent colour marker of the same colour to fill in the spot.

Scuffs on Leather Shoes: Erase scuff with the inside of a banana peel and buff with a paper towel.

Snags and Loose Threads: Use a snag tool such as the Snag needle to pull the snag through to the other side (these are available online if your local fabric store doesn’t carry them). Secure short snags with a dab of clear nail polish.

Tight Clip-On Earrings: Adjust using an earring key(available online).

How to avoid Panty Lines: There are a number of solutions for how to avoid panty lines:

Wear ultra-thin microfiber panties, boy leg panties, boxers, or a thong
Wear a liner in your hosiery and go commando
Avoid skin-tight clothing – it’s okay to buy the next size up
Invest in shapewear
Tone your bottom by cutting off control top pantyhose at the ankles and wear under trousers without panties

Bulging Waist from Tight Pantyhose: Clip small Vs in the waistband (as many as needed).

Muffin Top from Jeans: Wear higher waist styles.

Crooked Jean Zipper: Turn jeans inside-out and cut the pocket where it attaches into the zipper edge. The pocket shouldn’t have a hole in it since you will be cutting fabric which is after the pocket seam. The result is about 2cm (3/4”) of extra room.

Tight Shoes: Placing a bag of water in each shoe (tilted toe down) and leave in the freezer overnight.

Foundation on Clothes:

Powder foundation – gently brush off excess powder but DO NOT RUB. Mix white vinegar with water to remove the stain. Test it on an inconspicuous spot first for colourfastness
Liquid or Cream Foundation – apply shaving cream to remove oil-free foundation. Mix in a dab of alcohol for tough stains. Wash garment immediately.

Chewing Gum on Clothes:

Apply an ice cube to gum or place garment in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours to harden the gum.
Scrape off the gum with a dull blade. Refreeze if necessary to get it all out.
Once the gum is removed, treat the remaining spot with an equal mixture of liquid dishwashing soap and white distilled vinegar (washable garments only). Rub in gently and wash the garment as usual.
Check the stain before drying and retreat if necessary.
Rub on a dab of petroleum jelly if the gum is old and dry. Treat fabric to remove the grease (see above mixture).
If the garment is dry clean only, use the freezing technique to remove the gum and take it to your dry cleaner. If using a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain with the included stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

Hoodie or Waistband Cord Came Out: Rethread by attaching the cord to a safety pin to push it through.

Shoe Strap Blisters: Foot Petal Strappy Stripes adhere to the inside of shoe straps to provide protection and cushioning as you break in new shoes.

Too Short Skirt: Sew lace or a band of fabric to the hem of the skirt or add a wider waistband to the top.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS:

Ladder in Hosiery: Apply clear nail polish at either end.

Torn Hem: Tape the hem up on the inside with masking tape.

Broken Heel: Apply Shoe Goo (found at most hardware stores) to the broken part of your heel and press firmly for a temporary fix.

Nipple Sighting: Purchase a pair of silicone nipple concealers or cover with a bandage.

Pokey Underwire: Push back in and dab superglue on the tear for a temporary fix.

Fallen Hem: Use double-sided tape to lift hem. Be sure to remove it before washing the garment.

Gaping Blouse: Close the gap with a double layer of double-sided tape.

Popped Off Sweater Button: Thread a twist tie (take the paper off first) through the button and secure it behind the garment. Only use on open weave sweaters and loose knits. The wire will harm fine fabrics.

Peek-a-Boo Panties

Getting into a car:

Stand close to the car facing the same
direction the car is pointing.
Place the foot nearest the car on a
line just in front of the seat, and the
outside foot one step forward.
Lower yourself with your weight carried on your thigh muscles until your head is clear of the car roof and sit on the outer edge of the seat.
Swing your knees to the front and bring your feet inside the car.
Arrange your skirt.

Getting out of a car:

Lift your derriere slightly off the seat and straighten your skirt, pulling it gracefully to cover your knees.
Slide to the outer edge of the seat, knees together.
Place the foot that is nearest the door on the curb, bending the other leg at the same time to keep the knees close together.
Step out with the other foot and lift yourself from a sitting position with your thigh muscles, keeping your back straight.

STAINS:

Suede: Gently rub stain with emery board. It will get rid of the stain and refresh the nap. Use stale bread to remove surface dirt.

General Stains: Rub stain with a baby wipe, Shout wipes, or Tide to Go pen to reduce the visibility of the stain until you can wash the garment.

Coffee: Run cold water over stain to get rid of most of it. Rub a little liquid detergent on old coffee stains.

Blood: Soak a blood stain with any clear carbonated beverage (club soda, tonic water) for 20 minutes and blot with a towel.

Red Wine: Pour white wine or club soda through the stain.

Oil Spots: Sprinkle with baby powder, then brush off with a clean white cloth.

Deodorant: Rub off marks with a piece of pantyhose.

Ballpoint Pen: Spray with ‘strong hold’ hairspray and launder as soon as possible.

ZIPPERS:

Stuck Zipper: Rub with bar soap, a candle, or a soft lead pencil to lubricate the teeth.

Keeps Unzipping: Slide a key ring through the hole in the end of the zipper pull. Loop the key ring over the button and button your pants.

Lost the Zipper Pull: Replace with a paper clip or safety pin. Make sure to hide it under the zipper flap.

PREVENTATIVES:

Handbag Collapse: Stuff with paper or fabric before storing to ensure they maintain their shape. Place inside an old pillowcase.

Underarm Sweat Marks: Insert sweat guards under your arms.

Back Bulge: Wear an Unbelievabra to eliminate bra lines, back fat, and muffin tops.

Belt Buckle Bulge: Invisibelt is a flat, a smooth, undetectable belt with a flat clasp that gives you a sleeker, slimmer look.

Angora/Mohair From Shedding: Insert sweater in a Ziploc bag and freeze for at least three hours

Runs in Pantyhose: Spraying hairspray on the toes of a new pair of pantyhose. It strengthens the threads and makes them last longer.

Shoes Losing Their Shine: Lightly spray just-polished shoes with hair spray for a coat of protection.

Sore Feet or Broken Heels: Check your heels before you leave the house and carry fold-up slippers such as SpareSoles.

Fading Dark Jeans: Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the last washing cycle.

Colour Runs in the Washer: Separate colours when washing or use Shout ^® Color Catcher^® sheets.

Undoable Shoe Laces: Watch the video.

RESTORATIVES:

Leather Handbags: Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, then buff with a colourless leather conditioner.

Patent Leather: Lightly spray on glass cleaner, then buff gently with a cotton cloth or paper towel.

Sneakers: Use an old toothbrush to clean with a baking powder and detergent mixture. Watch the video

Sweat Stains from Shirts: Spray area with lemon juice before washing.

NOTABLE PRODUCTS:

Denim Hem Tape: Supports heavier fabrics. Allows you get the most wear out of your jeans or trousers.

Need a Pocket: Pocksie adhesive pocket attaches to the inside of your clothing to carry small items like a cell phone, money, or credit cards.

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