How Image Affects the Fruit You Buy

Do you think your image doesn’t matter?  Close your eyes and picture yourself in the produce isle of the grocery store, choosing apples.  Without any real thought you pick up one apple after the other until you find the perfect one.  Some of those apples may be bruised or old, but some of the ones you discarded simply had an image that negatively impacted you.  Lucky for us, we can be aware of our image and make changes that ensure we put our best foot forward each and every day.

 

No matter your profession, age, or where you are going, image always matters.  Like it or not, in our society we only get seconds to make a first impression.  In that very brief time period people make split decisions and judgments about you that are hard to undo. 

 

A big part of the image you portray comes from the clothing you wear.  Coco Chanel said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”  Wearing clothing that fits well, is age-appropriate, and shows your unique style will help you portray the image you desire.    

 

What is your clothing saying about you?  If you’re not sure, Charleston Style Concierge can help.  Sign up for our monthly ezine and shape up your image with FREE style tips and tricks.

Read Full Post »

Enter to Win a Style Consultation

Add some excitement to your Valentines Day with the gift you really want:

EFFORTLESS STYLE.

Enter to win a

Virtual Style Consultation

($100.00 Value)

Enter to win your Virtual Style Consultation.

During a 60-minute Virtual Style Consultation over the phone, we’ll discuss your style goals, answer your questions, and uncover the best way for you to get effortless style. We will use a style-assessment workbook and digital pictures you send to help develop the personal style you desire.

In your 60-minute Virtual Style Consultation, you’ll learn . . .

• What clothes are right for your body.
• How to dress based on the proportions of your body.
• What you need to buy to create a versatile wardrobe.
• How to develop a great style within your budget and for your unique lifestyle.

Here’s how it works: Using a style assessment and digital photos, we will help you determine the right clothing for your body type and easy ways to update your current wardrobe. All you need to do is fill out our style assessment, send photos, and show up for the call. It’s that easy.

Celebrate you this Valentines Day and enter to win.

Winner to be randomly chosen and announced on Valentines Day, February 14th.

Click here for your chance to win a FREE Virtual Style Consultation

GIFT CERTIFICATES ALSO AVAILABLE

 

Read Full Post »

5 Reasons Style Matters at the Gym

1.   There are mirrors everywhere. If you hate what you have on you will be less likely to keep a good spirit and finish your workout.

2.   A lot of stylish active wear has wicking technology to keep you cool and dry.

3.   There are other people there!

4.   Choosing workout clothes that don’t make you feel good about your body will deflate your motivated spirit.

5.   Style always matters because it gives you the confidence to conquer anything, including that really hard workout.

Read Full Post »

Activewear Dos and Don’ts

Jessica, an activewear expert, and owner of Looking Glass Outfitters, weighs in on some Dos and Don’ts of what to wear while working out.

Activewear should be comfortable and allow you to move freely, but there is no reason it can’t be attractive and stylish. Today’s activewear allows you to pop in the store or meet a friend for lunch right after yoga, still looking and feeling great. Fabrics containing synthetics like Supplex and Lycra will wick moisture during your workout and keep their shape and color through repeated washings.

Activewear Dos
-Pair clothes that flatter your body type, allow you to move freely, and do not expose more than you should.
-Don’t be Joe the Plumber. Pants should stay put as you bend and stretch, ensuring a comfortable and flattering fit through out your workout.

Activewear Don’ts
-Dressing like a frump. Just because you are exercising, don’t let your personal style go out the window. Pair the outfit smartly, and you won’t panic when an impromptu errand or coffee date pops up.
-Wearing regular bras when you need a sports bra. Even if you wear an A or B cup, it is distracting to tug on bra straps while you exercise. Find a sports bra that is comfortable and offers the support you need for your cup size and activity level.
-Expose endless numbers of straps. Today’s sports bras and tops allow you to show off your best features -toned arms and abs- without the distraction of unnecessary straps.

Check Out:

· The Prana Cassia Zip

Consider this jacket a chic replacement to your tired old hoodie or sweatshirt. The smooth-faced fleece exterior won’t attract piles of pet hair like the fleece of yesteryear and the princess seams keep your outerlayer both flattering and out of the way for freedom of movement.

·

The Prana Divine Pant

This pant combines Supplex and Lycra to offer great moisture management, yet the cut – semi fitted in hips and looser in legs ensures a clean, modern silhouette that still allows you to do the trickiest of yoga poses.

Read Full Post »

Your Fit Problems Solved

·        Sleeve Length  Long sleeves on a shirt should stop just below your wrist bone.  If you are wearing a jacket or blazer the sleeve should stop right in the middle of the meaty part of your thumb.

·        Sloppy Shoulders  Shoulder seams  on a garment should be AT your shoulder. A common fit problem is a shoulder seam that hits below the shoulder, causing a sloppy ill fitting look.

·        Jacket Length  If the fit of your jacket is the wrong length it can distort the way your body looks. For example, a jacket that is too long will make your legs look shorter, making you look shorter.  A good rule of thumb is for your jackets to be no longer than a few inches below your hip bone.

·        Shirt Gaps  A button front shirt should not pull or gap.  If you have a larger chest this is probably a common fit problem for you.  Buy the size that fits your chest.  If the rest of the shirt is too big, a tailor can size it down for you.

·        Pant Length  Hem your pants to be ¾ of an inch from the ground helping give you a long and lean leg line.

·        Waistband Gap  This is a very common problem for curvy women.  The gap in the back of your waistband can be taken in by your tailor.  Buy your pants to fit the widest part of you and take in the waist.

·        Mind Your Rise  The fit of the crotch, or rise, of a pant can make or break your look.  If you get a lot of pulling and wrinkling across your crotch, your pants are too small.  If you get a lot of excess fabric around the crotch area your pants are too big.

·        Uneven Skirt Hem  Your skirt should have the same length hem all the way around.  The curve of our bum can hike up the back of a skirt.  Make sure you look at yourself in a mirror from front and behind to combat this fit problem.  Consult your tailor and discuss letting the hem out in the back of the skirt or shortening the front.

 

Remember that great fit is the first step to having great style.  Everyone has one fit challenge so discover how to combat yours.  For help determining proper fit for your body contact Charleston Style Concierge.

Read Full Post »

Get Effortless Style

Do you envy the woman who always looks stylish and put together no matter what?  You know the woman, the one who looks like she spent hours getting ready with a stylist and tailor at the ready.  You will be surprised to find out that many of your style icons (I’m talking real world style icons.  Your co-worker, the neighbor, your best friend.) are able to get dressed in minutes with minimal effort, and look fabulous. 

 

 

Get effortless style.

 

A Perfect Fit.  Without fit you have no style.  A trendy blazer that is too big will look shlumpy and outdated.  The same blazer too small makes appears as if you are trying too hard, and will remove the chic sophistication from an outfit.  Learn about your body type and dress it appropriately.  It is sometimes hard to see our bodies for how they really are.  Get advice from a personal stylist or ask a trusted friend to help you examine the fit of your clothing.

 

Embrace Your Personal Style.  Stylish women own their look and exude confidence because of it.  Take note of the style and type of clothing that makes you feel like you can conquer the world.  This is your personal style.  If the trendy item of the month doesn’t fit your personal style, it will just look silly on you.  Find a style that makes you feel sexy, confident, and proud.  Then embrace it, that’s your style, and what makes you unique.

Flaunt your Assets.  The put-together women of the world know what their best and worst body features are.  Nobody is perfect, and everyone has at least one hang up about their body.  Stop dwelling on the parts you don’t like and flaunt the parts you do.  As you study how to play up certain assets you will learn how to downplay you least favorite body parts, and stop worrying about them.

Create a Versatile Wardrobe.  French women are a great example of how chic a versatile wardrobe can be.  Walk the streets of Paris and you will find women who put together fabulous outfits with fewer pieces than hang on your husband’s side of the closet.  Examine your lifestyle and then purchase wardrobe pieces that can be mixed and matched to make different outfits.

Accessorize.  Accessories are one of the most important parts of your outfit.  The right accessory is the missing link between you and your style icon.  Learn to accessorize with unique pieces that compliment an outfit.  Add pizzazz to a boring outfit with a colored shoe.  Carry a handbag in a pseudo-neutral color like purple, pink, or burgundy.  It goes with everything and will save you time from changing back and forth.

 Effortless style isn’t just for celebrities.  Change how long it takes you to get dressed and feel good every time you walk out the door.  For help creating your effortless style contact the Charleston Style Concierge.

 

Read Full Post »

Inauguration Day Fashion

(CNN) – The presidential inauguration party tops the list of formal affairs next January, and President-elect Barack Obama is rumored to be preparing for his big event: He’s believed to have ordered a simple and classic black tuxedo by the union-friendly suburban Illinois-designer Hart Schaffner Marx, a stylist to which the president-elect is said to be faithful, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Read the full article

Read Full Post »

Shop Now, Shop Right

Every day the media paints a bleak picture of the economy. Not everything is bleak. Now is the time to get out there and shop! Many retailers are offering huge discounts to encourage people to shop with them. These sales are an opportunity for you to save money or treat yourself to something you ordinarily couldn’t justify or afford. Not to mention you are putting money back into the economy.

Spend some time examining your current wardrobe and lifestyle. What do you need? What would help make your current wardrobe more versatile? Make some notes about items that would help you make outfits and solve the problem of never having anything to wear. If you need help determining how to get more use out of what you already own hire a personal stylist. The knowledge you learn is an investment and will save you money in the long run.

When you hit the stores only buy things that fit, work for your lifestyle, and compliment your personal style. Even the best deal isn’t a deal if it won’t help you solve your morning crisis of having nothing to wear.

If you shop with your style goals in mind you will walk away with a great deal and an idea of what to wear to work the next day!

For help discovering how to get the best deals on clothing that makes you feel stylish and confident, contact the Charleston Style Concierge. We can help you feel confident about your style while showing you that great style doesn’t take a lot of time or effort.

Read Full Post »

It’s a New Year, What Will You Change?

It’s a new year. Don’t settle, make a change.

This morning I saw this bumper sticker. Give it some thought.

“If we don’t change direction we will end up where we are going.”

Get inspirational and stylish quotes sent to you each week with Charleston Style Concierge‘s Style Solution. Sign up now.

Read Full Post »

How Celebrities Look Picture Perfect

Stop disliking the way you look in pictures and use these tricks the next time you are in front of a camera.

· Mind your feet. Position one foot in front of the other. The heel of the foot in front should align with the ball of your other foot. Swivel your hips, and turn feet slightly away from the camera, narrowing your image.

· Give a great smile. Think of something pleasant and give an authentic smile. If you place the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth as you smile, you will relax your facial muscles and avoid a double chin.

· Don’t press your arms to your body. Instead of resting your arms against your torso, slightly angle them back from your torso.

· Wear dark colors. Dark colors are always the most slimming in pictures, and bring more focus to your face.

· Set down your drink. Point your hands down around the edges of your hips to make your hips look smaller. If you are holding a drink, set it down.

Read Full Post »