What Women Should-and Shouln’t Wear-in the Workplace

Check out this article from Forbes.com that provides great tips about dressing for the office.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/09/workplace-office-clothing-women-style_0209_suit.html

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How to Buy Cashmere

There are rules to follow to make sure your new cashmere sweater is an investment that will last you for years to come.

Rule #1: Look for the best fibers.

The best fibers are those that come from the Kashmiri goat (from the chin and belly) and are harvested only once a year. These fibers are the reason cashmere comes with an expensive price tag but with proper care your cashmere garment can last a lifetime. When you decide to invest in cashmere take the time to feel many different kinds and price points. All cashmere will feel soft to the touch but you will know when you touch “good” cashmere. Lower quality cashmere will sometimes feel scratchy.

Rule #2: Good cashmere will have loft.

A great cashmere sweater will have loft. Loft if the spring of the fabric. Gently pull the sides of the sweater away from each other. When you let go, a high quality garment will spring back to its original shape. A loosely knit one will not and will probably stretch out after wearing a few times.

Rule #3: Look for Bright Colors.

Vibrant colors are an indication of top quality cashmere because of the wool and dying process. It is more difficult to dye cashmere in vibrant colors so often times a lower grade is used. If you are buying darker colored cashmere check to see it is the same softness as some of the other lighter colors.

Rule #4: Check the labels.

Check the labels. Only sweaters of pure cashmere can be labeled as such. The way the garment label is sewn on will also indicate the quality of the cashmere. The best cashmere is hand knitted and is usually made in Scotland or Italy.

Rule #5: Consider the price tag.

Cashmere has become much more affordable, but be weary of great deals on cashmere. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Rule #6: Make it a wardrobe staple.

The right cashmere sweater can become a staple in your wardrobe. Cashmere can work for all seasons depending on its ply and gauge. Invest in a garment that stays true to your personal style, is figure flattering, and can integrate into your wardrobe in a versatile and stylish way.

Need help with your personal style? Not sure what to wear to flatter your figure? Let Charleston Style Concierge help you with all of your style needs with our Virtual Style Consultation.

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Get Great Style This Holiday Season

 This fabulous telecall on How to Survive the Holidays With Style will help you stress less over what to wear this holiday season.  We are very excited to share the recording with you.  

Listen to this call and learn:

• What to and not to wear to a holiday party.
• How to create a holiday wardrobe from what you already own.
• Party etiquette essentials for making a good impression.

Click below to listen and Survive the Holidays With Style.

 http://marketingonlinebootcamp.com/audio/holidaystylecall12308.mp3

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Renowned Designers Sketch Their Idea of the Perfect Inauguration Attire for Michelle Obama

Check it out at:

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/dressing-the-first-lady-1875632?module=featured_1875632

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What Not to Wear this Holiday Season

1.      Don’t wear clothing that doesn’t fit your personal style or make you feel confident.  You won’t feel festive or fun!

 

2.      Don’t wear seasonal clothing or accessories.  I’m sure there are many of you out there who would like to argue this with me but seasonal clothing takes the sophistication and modernity away from your look.  Does dressing like a tree, a jolly man, or a reindeer really speak to your personal style?

 

 

3.      Stay away from clothing that is too revealing or too skimpy.  By the way this rule applies throughout the entire year but it never hurts to mention it again.  Holiday parties do afford us an opportunity to show more personality with our wardrobe, but be careful how much you show, especially if you are attending an office party.  To stay safe go for pretty, not sexy.  You’ll be surprised you can sneak in the sexy without being too overt. 

 

4.      Don’t overdo the shine and embellishment. If you are as shiny as a x-mas tree you are wearing too much.   Adding shine or embellishment is a great way to make your wardrobe look more dressy and festive.  But too much isn’t necessarily a good thing.  Don’t let all of your clothing stand out.  You should pick one piece that plays the lead role, all the others should play a  “supporting role.”

 

 

5.      When in doubt, don’t underdress.  It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.  Usually when you are overdressed you can simply take off your bling earrings or change your shoes and your outfit will be perfect.  If your  unsure of how you should be dressed for an event put a pair of more casual earrings in your purse to change if you arrive and feel overdressed or bring a cashmere cardigan to swap out for your beaded wrap.

 

For more tips on what not to wear sign up for our newsletter where you will receive great style tips and tricks from the Charleston Style Concierge.

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Know What to Wear this Holiday Season

Doing some research sounds like a no brainer, but it is actually one of the easiest ways to take the stress out of figuring out what to wear this holiday season.  During the holidays you already have enough to stress about.

 

Start with your holiday invitations.  Most invitations will specify a dress code.  If not, just ask the host what the “dress” for the party is.  If you are going to a work party with a mystery dress code, talk to your colleagues.  Find out what others are planning to wear, and what they might have worn last year at the party.  This should give you a good place to start planning your outfit.

 

Two of the most common dress codes found on holiday invitations this time of year are cocktail attire and festive attire. 

 

Cocktail Attire is fun because as a woman you have so many options.  Typically women wear short elegant dresses or separates and men wear a dark suit.  Women can also wear dress pants with an elegant/dressy top.  Another great option is your little black dress.  That is something many of us have already have in our closets.  The little black dress is very appropriate and can have many different looks just by changing your accessories.  Remember that accessories can be the key to dressing up or down a look.  Also, don’t be afraid to wear color.  There are a lot of beautiful vibrantly colored cocktail dresses in the stores for the holiday season.

 

Many of us already have the beginnings of a cocktail outfit in our closet.  The little black dress is a cocktail attire staple, but it doesn’t have to be black.  You may have a great dark dress in your closet that you can glam up with accessories.  Play up your bag, shoes and jewelry to make over a plain dress.

 

Most of us have some type of dressy or evening top in our closets.  Pair that with dress pants, a skirt, or even a suit for a more conservative office party. Your shoes can play a big role in dressing up your look.  Metallic shoes, or shoes with lace, satin, patent leather, and embellishment are a great way to dress up an outfit.

 

Also don’t forget about your bag.  Leave your day bag at home and opt for a clutch or evening bag.  Bags are a great way to play with color, and can do wonders to tie your outfit together.  Remember that your bag doesn’t have to match your shoes.  That is an old outdated rule.

 

Festive Attire is another common dress code found on invitations this time of year.  Festive attire is not as dressy as cocktail attire but more dressy than casual attire.  Festive attire is meant to evoke a fun, flirty, party atmosphere.  Think metallics, beading, ruffles, bows, velvet, holiday colors, etc.  This is a great time to have a little fun with your wardrobe and the party will probably be pretty fun too.

 

For more help deciphering what to wear to all of your holiday parties contact the Charleston Style Concierge.

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What’s So Important about a Versatile Wardrobe

Imagine waking each morning, walking to your closet, and choosing an outfit that makes you feel great. You put it on, accessorize, and in minutes, you are ready to walk out the door. Imagine you’re running late and have a dinner party to attend in one hour. You walk to your closet, stand in front of it, and quickly choose an outfit. Slip on the dress, slide on your stilettos, and you look like a million bucks. 

 

With a versatile wardrobe, getting dressed can really be this easy.

 

For those of you who think this is impossible without having a lot of money, let me reassure you, that is not the case.

 

In fact, creating a versatile wardrobe saves you money, time, and energy. When you have a versatile wardrobe that’s created to fit your lifestyle needs, you immediately eliminate all the headaches of trying to find something to wear.  

 

Having a clear idea of what you have and what you need will prevent you from spending money on items that you’ll never wear or wear only once. 

 

Christian Dior had it right when he said, “It’s not money that makes you well dressed, it’s understanding.”

 

The key is understanding how to mix and match pieces while creating your own style that fits your lifestyle.  Creating a versatile wardrobe takes time and energy. But it’s not as hard as you might think.

 

In fact,  you probably already have a good start with items you already own. Investing time and thought into creating a wardrobe that serves your lifestyle needs will produce results. And fast.

 

Feeling fabulous shouldn’t be a chore. When you create a versatile wardrobe, you’re investing in yourself, in who you want to be in this world, and how you want people to perceive you. So, have some fun with your clothes and feel great every time you walk out the door.

 

This is an excerpt from my latest style guide, 5 Steps to a Stress-Free and Versatile Wardrobe.  To read more from this great guide sign up for our mailing list at www.charlestonstyleconcierge.com and download 5 Steps to a Stress-Free and Versatile Wardrobe for F*R*E*E.

 

 

 

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Common Fashion Questions Asked by Men

1.  How do I know what size belt to buy?

 

To determine your belt size add two inches to your waist size to know what size to buy.  This will center the buckle in the belt holes and give you a proper fit.

 

2.  How long is my tie supposed to be?

 

When tying your tie, aim for the end to hit the top of your belt buckle.

 

3.  Are my socks supposed to match my shoes?

 

Your socks should match your trousers, not your shoes.  The exception to the rule is when you wear jeans, match your sock to your shoe.

 

4.  Do my belt and shoes have to perfectly match?

 

No, they do not have to be the exact same color.  They should coordinate together.  To play it safe keep your belt and the shoes roughly the same color.

 

 

5.      Is it appropriate to go sockless?

 

 

If you aren’t going to wear socks make sure you are wearing a casual shoe, such as a casual sneaker or loafer, and that the occasion warrants casual attire.

 

 

If you have a question about what to wear, contact the Charleston Style Concierge for great style advice.

 

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Shop for Comfort, Style, and a Great Cause!

I’m excited to announce that one of my favorite designers, Spooney, is hosting an exclusive trunk sale to benefit the documentary film and cancer initiative, Awaken the Dragon.  The trunk sale will take place November 5th and 6th from 11am -4pm at 918 Lansing Dr., Suite F, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 

 

Come experience the irresistible moisture wicking fabric that spoons you in comfort and style.  The trunk sale will feature special savings on overstocks, samples, and discontinued items.   

 

Learn more about Spooney

 

For active women who fantasize about wearing their PJs all day, Spooney®, may just make their dreams come true. An innovative, “wear ever” tagless collection, combines the benefits of high-performance active wear with the comfort of pajamas. A “Spooney Girl” can snuggle, go out for a latte, a night on the town or catch a plane all in the same attire.

 

Janice Fetter, founder of the company, was introduced to high- performance fabrics on a bike tour and the idea for Spooney surfaced. Combining the best qualities of both, she set out to design a garment made from easy-care, moisture-management fabric that still maintained a soft, natural, “cozy” feel. The light-as-air fabric “spoons” the body, putting the wearer in a “pajama state of mind” yet ever ready for the high performance, high-active lifestyle so typical of today’s women.

 

 

For more information about this event please contact Spooney or the Charleston Style Concierge.

 

 

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5 Ways to Stretch your Clothing Budget

I am often asked how much money is needed to buy a new wardrobe.  I believe that with a little effort you can look great on any budget.  All you need are the right tips and tricks.

 

1.   Make the most of what you already have.  Before you head to the mall, start by shopping in your closet.  Take a mental inventory of what you own.  Ask yourself how you can wear what you have more?  Are you breaking up your suit to wear as three different outfits?  Could the dress you bought for a special event look more casual with a simple change of accessories?  Is your closet neat and organized so you know exactly what you have and where it is?  The simple act of being more aware of what you have will help you discover the infinite possibilities your closet holds.

 

2.   Step out of your shopping box.  With so many retailers dedicated to our shopping pleasure, you can find anything you need at any price point.  Step outside of your usual shopping habits and hit new and different stores.  Try discount stores like TJMaxx or Marshalls.  With a little patience you can find great designer pieces for a lot less.

 

3.   Change up your accessories.  Accessories can completely change the look of an outfit.  Accessories are a fun way to add color, participate in a trend, or add versatility to your wardrobe.  Try on your favorite outfit and then change a layer, your shoes, or jewelry for a completely different look.

 

4.   Host a clothing swap party.  Swap clothing with your friends.  A clothing swap is a great way to get new wardrobe pieces and helps you create more room in your own closet.  Not to mention a clothing swap is a great excuse for a party and is an environmentally friendly activity!

 

 

5.  What’s old can once again be new.  With the help of a great tailor you can turn your old clothing into something fabulous and new.  Shorten a long frumpy skirt into a knee length wardrobe staple.  Get a great shirt just by taking in the seams for a better fit.  Modernize an old jacket just by adding belt loops and shortening the length.  A great tailor can help you turn your favorite pieces into one of a kind looks.

 

For more help shopping in your closet contact the Charleston Style Concierge.

   

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