HOW TO MANAGE YOUR WARDROBE

It’s the eternal problem of a closet full of gorgeous clothes: making sure that you actually WEAR them. What good are all those amazing pieces if you wake up with 5 minutes to throw something on for class and go? How is it that some people can look so put-together no matter what, while others usually look like complete trainwrecks?

It’s all about “wardrobe management”, or knowing exactly what you have and how to work it.

Learning to manage your wardrobe can be beneficial in a number of ways. It can save you time, money, and can make you look far more stylish and put-together. It’s an absolutely essential skill to master if you plan to invest in quality pieces, or if you just want to make the most of what you already have.

My Top Tips For Wardrobe Management:

1. Spend time coming up with new looks.
   I know you might hate to hear it, but it’s true – looking fashionable isn’t always effortless. If you want to take full advantage of what you have, you need to spend some time planning outfits. Whenever you get new clothes, shoes, or accessories, try them on with different stuff you already own! Once you know what goes with what, getting dressed will be a snap.
2. Get a second opinion.
   Go through your closet with your most fashionable and honest friend. Try things on and get her opinion. Your friend might also help you come up with new outfit combinations that you would have never thought of on your own.
3. Take photos of the looks that work.
   If you really need help with your style, you could create your own “look book” of outfits. After you spend time going through your clothes and creating outfits that work, lay all the pieces down on the floor with matching shoes, handbag and other accessories, and snap a photo. Polaroids are the quickest, but regular or digital photos are fine too.
4. Write it all down.
   You might also find it helpful to write down the names of which pieces you chose on the back of each photo, just in case you’re in a hurry. And it’s good to keep all the photos together too, so it’s like an archive of your style. Any time you need to get dressed fast, just turn to your personal look book and a great outfit will be all ready to go.
5. Digitalize it.
   If you’re more into digital photos than polaroids, there is a great site that can help you with wardrobe management. My Style Diary is a community where users take pictures of their outfits and post them for all to see. It offers you an easy way to save all your outfits in one place, and also serves as a great source for wardrobe inspiration.

Ultimately, wardrobe management is not a one time only deal, but rather an ongoing process that you will need to repeat whenever you get new clothes or accessories. It may seem like a lot of work, but the time you put in will pay off in a big way. With a little extra outfit planning, you too can look put-together and fashionable every day, no matter how late you oversleep

4 Tips on Dressing for a Job Interview

Tips on Dressing for a Job Interview - Your interview attire is more important than you think so let your talent and personality get you noticed, not your wild tie or brightly colored socks. The right clothes give you an opportunity to make the right impression. I have outlined 4 important tips on dressing for a job interview.



Fragrance


On the day of our interview, before you even begin to get dressed, there is one thing you should avoid. You may be tempted to follow your normal routine of splashing your favorite cologne or aftershave on after you hop out of the shower. Don’t do it for your interview, you don’t want to overwhelm the interviewer. They may not like your fragrance as much as you do.


What to Wear. . .


To a more formal interview: It helps to know how formal the company you will be interviewing with is and if wearing a suit is necessary. I hate to state the obvious, but it is important to go in a suit and tie to any company that's part of a more formal industry, such as banking, law or brokerage. Choose a basic black, dark gray or navy suit. Also opt for black leather lace-up shoes and a black belt. Blue shirts are a great choice since they compliment most skin tones and easily coordinate with most suit colors. Choose a flattering tie that goes well with both the suit and shirt you have chosen.


To a less formal interview: Some less formal industries such as software development and technology companies will not require a suit. However, it's better to wear something a little nicer than what everyone in the office is wearing. So choose something dressy but casual. Such ensembles might include pressed khakis or trousers, a well pressed button-down shirt, and of course some sort of nice looking dress shoe and matching belt. You may even want to thrown on a blazer. Navy blazers look great with khaki pants.


Shoes and Belts


Pay attention to details such as matching your belt to the color of your shoes. Choose black shoes if your outfit consists of dark gray, navy, brown or black. Opt for dark brown shoes if you'll be wearing tans or medium toned colors. I hate to sound like your mother, but polish or clean your shoes before your interview. Scuff marks on your shoes make you look tattered, and we can't have that.


Accessories


Keep interview accessories minimal and professional. Use some sort of bound portfolio to carry your resume, references or other papers. Men should limit jewelry to a wristwatch and cufflinks if you wear them. Earrings, necklaces, nose rings, and such are not interview material (for the man who wants the job anyway). Whatever the type of industry, men should wear jewelry sparingly.

imageQ bespoke product

Keepyour image aapearanc Consistent

 Your appearance is a communication tool, use it to send a consistent message

Within seconds, your appearance communicates a number of factors about you. If you send inconsistent messages the viewer will see it. People believe what they see.







If there is a discrepancy between what you say and what other see, they will choose what they see. In the case of cheap shoes paired with an expensive suit, the viewer will most likely think you don’t pay attention to detail or don’t understand the importance of finishing “things off”.

The wonder of the wardrobe

I do know that you have a wardrobe. Don’t you? Can I ask you a question? How much importance have you attached to it? No so much. Isn’t it? Let’s briefly look at something interesting about a wardrobe - I mean your wardrobe.
Your wardrobe serves as a ‘robe’ that you put on (in your world). It’s more like a ‘world-robe’. You have your own world and so do I. We are in our own world where we have the authority to rule; we rule with our talent and skills. Any where you are expressing your skill and talent right now is your own world. But also know that this talent is (and can) never be enough.


In our world today, the most celebrated people around us are not usually the well talented people. The later are only perceived as talented/ skillful in what they do, or are doing. The way you appear will always determine how you will be perceived, which will affect how you will be appreciated. When you appear ‘dull’, you spread the rumor that you are ‘dull’. And that would go a long way affecting you performance and position in that environment. It’s also the other way round.


How we are perceived as human is becoming increasingly important in the ‘new economy’. Let me say it again: Your wardrobe is your world-robe; the symbol of your authority. You are only respected in the manner you express yourself. A king will only be respected as a king until put on the symbol of his authority. Your value as a person (king) in your own world rises and falls in harmony with your appearance. And this controls people perception of you, and what comes afterwards.


Find out what makes your look ‘click’ and hold unto it. More so, endeavor to ‘tweak your look’ to express your true individuality, making it more personal. Your perceived value of yourself is what will be appreciated and it may not even be your inherent value (what you really worth).


The power to control people’s perceived value of you is in your hand, is in the way you express yourself with some ‘panache’ through the power of your wardrobe.

How to Dress When There is a Dress Code

What to Wear for Casual, Semi-Formal, Cocktail & Black Tie Events


When invitations come with a dress code, read carefully; learn what clothing is most appropriate for casual, cocktail, semi-formal, formal & black tie dress codes.


You want to make an entrance at a party and make a statement. To make sure that statement is “Wow,” and not “Huh?” read invitations with a dress code carefully, know your audience, and dress accordingly.


Casual Attire
Casual dress code basically means that (almost) anything goes, subject to good taste, of course. Dressing casually means that you can choose something that is comfortable, which probably won’t require a shopping trip to assemble the outfit, but please do make an effort! Casual – as in “Casual Fridays” does not mean that it’s okay to wear pajamas, sweat pants or track suits, fitness gear, or skimpy clothes.


Avoid wearing clothes emblazoned with slogans and logos, and while jeans are generally considered to be acceptable for casual events, for a more pulled-together look, it's wisest to wear fashionable, designer, or dark wash denim and reserve worn, ripped or tatty jeans for yard-work or vegging out at home.

Dressy Casual Dress Code
Dressy casual – also known as smart casual – means that pants and trousers are acceptable, but jeans are not, even $300 designer ones. Trendy and fun tops are a great choice for dressy casual, but don’t wear a T-shirt. Business casual is a tricky variation of dressy casual in which low-cut, cleavage-baring tops are a no-no.


Read on
What to Wear to the Office Holiday Party
Understanding Dress Codes
Office Dress Code
Cocktail Attire
Cocktail attire means you should wear a short dress, and you can let your most fabulously fun self shine when putting together an outfit for the cocktail attire dress code. Choose a fantastic short dress, killer high heels, and funky and expressive jewelry. Other dress codes which are pretty much synonymous with cocktail attire include: black-tie optional, informal, and semi-formal.


Black Tie Dress Code
Black tie attire is nearly always reserved for evening events in which you can blossom into a beautiful, butterfly and live the fashion fantasy version of who you are. Men are expected to suit up in tuxedos at black tie affairs, and women are expected to wear a long dress or a cocktail dress. But just because all the guys will be wearing black it doesn't mean that you have to; take this opportunity to stand out from the crowd by wearing bold colors, fabulous jewelry, and any other accessories that help make your statement and entrance absolutely smashing.


Formal is the same thing as black tie. Creative black tie means there is a theme – but be careful that you don’t come off looking like you’re wearing a costume. And white tie is a souped-up version of black tie, where you should wear a ball gown.

Stereotype your Style

It’s human nature to use little bits and pieces of information to form an overall impression.


Sometimes just the mention of a certain group conjures up an image of that group. Next, we fill in the details - how they look, dress, what they represent. It’s called a stereotype and it doesn’t always have to be negative, it just “is”.


Now, we can’t change how the world thinks, but we can dress to associate ourselve with the "right" group. For example, if you look like you belong to a certain group (i.e. bankers, lawyers . . . thugs), others will think of you as having similar values, attitudes and other characteristics associated with that group’s image.


Carefully choose the stereotype you want to be associated with, then dress for it.

Choosing The Best Clothing Colors77

Trying to find a color that works for your skin tone isn't the easiest thing in the world. Here are some quick tips to help you choose:

1. Fair Skin - If you are a blond or a redhead, you need to stick with dark colors. Your pale skin looks even worse when paired with white. Go with navy, blues, basic black or a sage green.

2. Sallow Skin - If you look a bit yellow or green, you definitely need to avoid wearing these colors. A yellow shirt will just make you look like a giant banana. Go with whites, blues and black.

3. Darker Skin - You have it made. Pretty much all colors work for you. Stay away from dark browns or dull colors that don't highlight your gorgeous color.

Now, let's move onto eye color and what will highlight your features:

4. Blue Eyes - If you want to bring out your baby blues, you've got to wear blue. Look for shirts that match the color of your eyes. This will really make them more noticeable.

5. Brown Eyes with Red Tones - If you have dark brown eyes that have flecks or stripes of red, you need to go with warm tones to highlight them. Stick with oranges, reds or yellows.

6. Brown Eyes with Green Tones - If you have a hint of green in your eyes, you'll want to bring it out. Purple, especially plum, is the ideal color to do this. You'll be amazed at how green your eyes look.

7. Green or Hazel Eyes - These eyes can get lost in a color shuffle. If they are green, wear similar green colors to draw attention to them. Hazel is a little more difficult. Pick the color you want to draw out the most - for blue, wear blue, for green, wear green.

So, that's out the way...

Let's move onto what season you are. Yes, this will actually help you find the right colors for you. First, look at the underside of your arm. Do the veins appear blue or green? If they are blue, you are a cool tone. If they are green, you are a warm tone.

8. Cool Tones - Winter/Spring - These skin colors look best in primary colors. Look for bright shirts in teal, purple or Kelly green. You can get away with bold color choices. What colors do you associate with Winter and Spring? This is your jumping off point for color choices.

9. Warm Tones - Summer/Autumn - These skin colors need earth tones. Neutral colors or pale primary colors work best for you. Think of the season to help you pick the right colors.

10. Stuck in the Middle - If you have a skin tone that's really neither pale nor sallow, you can get away with mixing up your warm and cool tones. Pair bright bold colors with a more subtle earth tone to capitalize on your versatility. For example, a bright blue shirt will work well with a pair of drab khakis.