It's Not About the Clothes!

"Honouring you and your Style"

All around us there is pressure to conform to what, that is sometimes unclear.  What I do know after being a professional for almost 20 years and being a professional image consultant for 15 years is that I am even more scrutinized to conform to what people think someone in my industry should look like.  One of my challenges is that my clients will allow themselves the freedom and space to unleash what should be, to what is and who they are. 

What I find exciting when working with a client is the progression from the unknown to the oh this is who I am!  It is not easy to honour who we are and our preferences.  The definition of this may be scary because there are no wrong answers or wrong ways of doing things.  There is no judgement, however, there is honesty and coaching on my part as your professional image consultant. 

Many clients start out feeling quite uncomfortable with even looking at themselves in the mirror when we are involved in the colour analysis process, to being measured for their style lines and body type, let alone asking them what their style is and what they want to look like.  I find the colour and body part easy, so to speak, the challenge for me is for the client to open up their possibilities to define who they are, what they like, goals, etc. Because, who they are is perfect, good enough and beautiful.  One of the myths perhaps surrounding the appearance side of my work is that the outside is one of the more important elements such as colour, line and design, clothing, etc. however for me, the inside is the key to perfection on the outside.  We have all we need to create whatever you define as your style on the outside, we need to get to know the style on the inside and then the fun begins.  Honouring the person, allows for the style to come naturally. 

Because Spring is around the corner, March is a great Month to start the process of closet review, closet clearing and perhaps asking yourself what methods are in place for you that allow you to honour your style.  If I can help you to start this process, please feel welcome to visit my website at personal services.





"Cufflinks for women are cool"

I was recently at an event with some of my colleagues and a client was wearing the most beautiful purple blouse and it was a french cuffed shirt.  We discussed the issue of cufflinks for women and how it is not always easy to find them.  I had suggested if her partner had a pair of silver ones that suited her taste, then she could borrow his.  She emailed me to follow-up that she indeed borrowed a beautiful pair of her partner's cufflinks and had many compliments.  Because we are now in January and the sales will be abundant, it is a great time of year to think of adding this into your accessory wardrobe! This client has many facets to her clothing personality and it is because of specific aspects that she chose to even buy a french cuffed shirt as well as consider wearing cufflinks.  If you are curious about what your style or clothing personality tastes are, please feel welcome to check out my website at special packages for more information and to connect with me.

 

"WHAT'S IN YOUR JEANS"?

It's Lycra and usually between 3 - 5%! I was just speaking with a client, planning a shopping trip and she said oh, I need to replace my jeans because they come out of the dryer perfectly fitted and then within an hour, they are saggy and baggy! OK, I have been told I am a bit dramatic, but stop the presses... did you say you put them in the dryer! In that moment, I realized that it is these useful pieces of information that either not everyone knows or cares about that I need to share.  Please do not throw your jeans in the dryer!  The reason is because the heat of the dryer basically melts the memory of the lycra.  Just as this client described, your jeans will feel awesome, hug your every curve when they come out of the dryer and then within a short period of time may feel as though they are falling down.  If they are a pair of jeans that didn't break the bank, you may not feel the pain, however, in this case my client had a pair of seven jeans! There are many more tidbits such as this in my head that I feel are either trivial or everyone knows, practices or cares and because my client confessed to throwing all her jeans in the dryer,I felt this was definitely a blogworthy subject.  I hope I have caught you before you have thrown your favourite pair of jeans into the dryer. 

With Spring upon us, please feel welcome to contact me if I can help with any wardrobe, colour and or style queries.   The best way to find me is through my website under personal services. Take care, Happy Jean Shopping! 

"DRESSING FOR MYSELF, NOT AS AN IMAGE CONSULTANT"

Do you think the pressure is on when going to an Image Consulting conference?  You bet there is - as well as packing for it!

My annual Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) conference was held in Irvine, California from May 14 - 18th! This is the "IT" event for all Image Consultants  in our profession to gain education, networking and products.  There are alternate sources of education and networking during the year that involve our own Chapter level events, but this is mainly the source.  I feel refreshed, rejuvinated and reconnected with my industry colleagues and excited to be back practicing what I absolutely love, my work!

The theme due to the geographic location was Hollywood Glamour and it was spectacular.  I wanted to share with you how I chose what to wear to my gala awards dinner on the last night... I  haven't worn a long dress since my wedding, almost 20 years ago now and was quite excited at the prospect of choosing a totally one time wearing of an outfit!  I broke all my rules and cannot wear this again to my conference for about 5 years or so because it is that memorable.  I am ok with this because of how I felt in it!  The function of this gown was purely glamourous, if only for one night!  I need a wedding/blacktie event to wear this to as it is so dressy. The reason I am sharing this is because how often do you go somewhere feeling absolutely beautiful on the inside and out where, what you are wearing is absolutely PERFECT! It was totally worth it because it was the best colour choice, style choice for my body type and the best of all expressed the part of my clothing personality I love to dress in! 

If I have intrigued you or you have an event you want to feel great in what you are wearing, I would love to hear from you and help you.  Please feel welcome to visit my website and view the service options and packages at personal services. 

  

"HOLIDAY PARTY WEAR COLOUR AND YOU"

What are you wearing to your Holdiay party?  Is it Black?

"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH JEANS AND SNEAKERS FOR A HOLIDAY PARTY?"

How many parties have you been invited to and are you and your wardrobe ready?

"ARE YOU REALLY A PETITE OR JUST A BIGGER SIZE?"

I have been shopping a lot lately!  It always amazes me how we think we are less than or more than in this case.

HERE'S A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR CUSTOM SHIRTS FOR MEN!

Do your measurements qualify you for custom made dress shirts?

ILL-FIT versus RELAXED FIT

Here's a quick tip for women. If you're wearing a button-down shirt with stretch in it, without a jacket and untucked, undo the bottom button. This creates a v-line at the bottom of the shirt that prevents the look of pulling around the abdomen. Unless you're square-shaped, the bottom button will create tension and you'll look like you have a bigger belly than you do.

FASHION SELLS A PRODUCT; YOUR IMAGE SELLS YOU!

Most of us can relate to this experience: faced with all the choices a retail store offers, we gravitate toward the current trends or to what a salesperson makes us aware of.  As a result, your closet may be filled with items you either don't know how to wear or have nothing to wear with.  My philospophy and goal with each client is to guide and coach them to entirely alter the experience.