from work to play...

while there are fewer and fewer professions...where women or men for that matter are wearing suits...they have been slowly trickling back in as a strong trend...and even more so for the fall season...while i think everyone should own a good suit or two...how do you make it look less like work...and more feminine when meeting friends or that someone special...for dinner...

to take that suit from the boardroom...to a sexy look for dinner...start with a nice suit...menswear inspired...which means...clean lines and sophisticated fabrics...

next...add some feminine underpinnings...how about an embellished camisole...a blouse (think vibrant jewel tone colors) or better yet...how about a sexy bustier...peaking out from underneath your suit jacket...like this lovely item...

photo source

next...time to swap out the pumps you wore all day..nothing wrong with them...but how about putting on some strappy heels?  instantly changes the look of your suit...

and while we are at it...put away the big handbag...yes...you know the one that carries all your belongings?  how about replacing that with a lovely clutch...

add some sparkle in the way of dangling earrings...a cocktail ring...and looks like you are ready to paint the town red...

is the iron lady on to something?

i read an interesting article this morning...that a fellow image consultant had posted on facebook...entitled "lessons from the iron lady" written by vivia chen in the careerist...

the article spoke of margaret thatchers "uniform" and what about it worked...how wearing a skirt vs a pant may help you in how you are perceived in the work place...

the whole conundrum of career dressing...needless to say...has really changed over the years...and sometimes...when i read articles such as this...i wonder...just how far along we have really come...

back in the day...when i was completely saturated in corporate america...my wardrobe of choice...every day...was a business suit...but even then...some 15 to 20 years ago...i never wore the basic black, brown or navy blue suit...did i have them? yes...but there was always color in my dress...and many times...my suits would be brighter colors...then the standard navy blue or black...this was my personal style...and it did not deter my climb up the corporate ladder...

but what is standard? and what makes it standard?

when i am working with career women...there is that fine line of not being "too sexy"...all at the same time of not being "too manly"...or worse...looking dowdy...personally...seems like there are too many "too's" to follow...but ultimately...i believe it is about finding your own personal style...and not conforming...to one way of dressing...

many will argue that clothes don't make the man (or woman)...but first impressions do exist...whether we like it or not...

what are your thoughts? do you think women today need to dress like a margaret thatcher look alike to get ahead? do you think women need to hide their feminine side? just asking these questions makes me feel like we are going backwards in time...

photo source

suits...

a suit is a big investment..and a major clue to your personality and life style...do you need the sculptured tailoring of a power suit to underline your authority? or would you be happier in a suit that is less about control than it is about comfort and subtlety of line? maybe you prefer a more traditionally feminine knit suit...or a fitted...dressy mixed suit with components you can really match with other parts of your wardrobe...

the ultimate question...which suit suits your style?

there was a time back in my corporate america days...that i literally wore a suit every day...although that isn't my lifestyle now...i kept alot of my suits...and when occasion calls for it...i absolutely love donning my suits...

how about you? is it something you incorporate into your wardrobe?

neiman marcus ad from summer 2009...
the kay unger on the right is calling out to me...even though it is from last year...

wool in the spring...

as winter winds down...it's always good to get a few more wears out of all your heaviest woolens before packing them away for spring...or maybe...you are at the point that you've seen enough of them...and just want to pack them away...many wools (depending on where you live) can be worn year-round...so it's also time to start thinking about sprucing up your "lighter-weight" wools for warmer weather...

there are many different types of wool used by designers to make clothing...it's handy to know a few definitions about each along with how they will work for you from season to season...

crepe - this is a very lightweight wool with a slightly pebbled surface...commonly used in dresses, suits, and separates...crepe has day to dinner flexibility...many crepe separates can be worn ten months of the year...they do need to go away in really hot weather...

merino - this thin...woolen...twilled cloth was developed during the nineteenth century from the wool of the merino sheep...although it was intended primarily for outer garments...today...merino is most often used for sweaters...this wool tends to be very warm...and can cause itching for women with sensitive skin...merino is usually more affordable than many other wools...

lambswool - shorn from lambs up to eight months old...lambswool is a very soft fabric primarily used in sweaters...because it sheds a lot...i recommend keeping it away from black pants and skirts...

gabardine - commonly used in separates and trench coats...gabardine is a highly woven, smooth, and strong wool...also referred to as worsted...this is a great transitional fabric...

cashmere - cashmere is more expensive than both lambswool and merino but worth the cost...(in my humble opinion) =) classic style that will last a lifetime...click here...for cashmere care...

boucle - a soft and thickly textured wool that is knit or woven to produce a looped or knotted look...boucle is commonly found in tailored jackets and dressier suits...because the look is bulky...be aware that boucle can add pounds to your frame if it is not coordinated well...many boucle suits in soft pastel colors are available in the spring...

i thought i would share two of my favorite boucle jackets...

this first one...i have paired with cream slacks to jeans...i love the versatility of dressing up or dressing down this look...



and here is one of my favorite suits...i have had this for about 5 years now...and still wear it quite often...i opted in buying the three pieces that it came with...for fun & versatility...


this lovely suit has accompianed me to a spring wedding, a sunday brunch, an afternoon tea party, a spring fashion show...

and several outings with the pieces separated...
the jacket with jeans & a white tee...
the skirt with a blouse...
the bustier with white jeans...

now do you see why buying a complete suit gives you many options?



not to mention the fact that i love all the spring colors...here is a close-up...

you want me to buy a suit?

of course...your base wardrobe doesn't have to include suits at all...some of my clients don't want to look too "suity"...but more creative and daring with their clothes...

if you don't consider yourself a "suit person"...i urge you to give it some more thought before you write them off altogether...a suit can be a lifesaver for those occasions when nothing else will do...and even if you rarely have cause to wear one...the separate pieces of a suit will lend versatility to the rest of your wardrobe...

when looking at suits...the same rules apply as buying separates...the fit is key...and...bonus points...if the suit comes with a skirt & a trouser...i say grab all three pieces...some also come with a dress...more options for you to work with in your closet...

black + color = drama...

yesterday i was on a black theme...why wear black? is there such a thing as too much black? for me...black is a great palette from which to start...and in a simple math equation...black + color = drama...

one of my first posts was about a pop of color...and when i bought those luscious purple suede shoes...i knew exactly how i was going to wear them in the cold grey days of winter...black turtleneck, black skirt, black tights...and my purple shoes...and yes...as i wrote that...i was smiling...

black can be intimidating...so dark, so full of attitude, so...black...but used as a backdrop, black brings out the best in colors and patterns...it has the effect of simultaneously toning them down and punching them up...

and with a basic black wardrobe, you'll always have something to pair with that chartreuse shirt or that leopard-print skirt you've been holding on to...

- sweater sets...a colorful sweater set radiates against black...

- silk scarf...pattern and color are always well framed by black...

- skirt...the unmatchable skirt? try it under a black blazer...

- black suit...deconstructs easily into pieces that can each be worn with colorful companions...

from a.m. to p.m...

tis the season...more so than throughout the year...functions after a long workday...no time to go home and change...what to do??

a few evening accessories can transform a tailored suit from work day to night play...

a.m...it's early to work, and you don't want to think about what to wear...you have a meeting, a presentation, and interview on your mind...you reach for your fail-safe uniform...a well-tailored and sensibly cut suit...pants finish it off? or perhaps a skirt...skirt length? to the knee...color? nuetral...a white shirt adds crispness and flatters your coloring...accessories? classic, of course, with the quiet confidence good quality bestows on any object: it leaves you and your work in the starring roles...and you still have time to eat breakfast with your kids...



p.m...the transformation: from the office to a dinner party...hang up the jacket and the white shirt...you have an evening blouse that would work...you also can consider wearing the jacket over nothing but a strand of pearls...or perhaps a camisole...in the end, you decide on a beaded evening sweater for extra glitter, and besides...it's easy to pack in your work tote...don't forget to jazz up your earrings, trade in the tote for an evening bag...and dress up the heels...add a little perfume and perhaps some red lipstick...presto!