Polished-casual Outfits for the Holiday Weekend

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Natalie & Carina

Ladies it is time to break out the LWD (Little White Dress)! Memorial Day is around the corner, and with that comes a calendar filled with fun outdoor events. It can be difficult to stand out in a sea of white sundresses, but with a single statement piece for each look, you’ll be the belle of the barbecue, while showcasing your personal style. Check out our three must-have pieces for summer looks, and how we style them. Use these looks as inspiration.

1. A Show-Stopping Hat

White sundresses are a Memorial Weekend essential, and far be it from us to stop anyone from pulling out their favorite from their closet; by accenting with an oversized sunhat (which is both fun and functional) in a fun color, you can update your standard summer look entirely.

2. An Ethereal Maxi

A maxi skirt is a fabulous way to Flaunt an elegantly casual look. While we don’t think this is appropriate for the office, it is perfect for social occasions. A coral-colored maxi skirt and metallic sandals lend a regal touch to your look yet still keeps you appropriate for your weekend activities. Keep the elegant skirt casual with a simple cotton t-shirt, aviators, and a slouchy satchel. Add a long necklace for even more pizzazz.

3. Bold Printed Platforms

These Kate Spade sandals are an unexpected and refreshing twist from the season’s ubiquitous rubber flip flop. Draw attention to chunky floral shoes with a slightly color-coordinated skirt, and keep the rest of the look casual with a simple straw bag.

Be sure to visit Elan Image Management’s website for more style tips. If you find yourself struggling with how to coordinate your summer wardrobe Contact Us to explore how we can help you with one of our image consulting services. Are you subscribing to the blog feed to get weekly updates in your inbox? Do so Here.

Be Fabulously You!

Personal Style Focus: Rainboots

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Natalie & Carina

Summer weather is almost here, but before that comes the hurdle that is April Showers. As an image consultant, I know how tempting it is to throw on a pair of sweats to match the drab weather. But resist the urge! Rain boots are a practical and vibrant way to look fabulous, even in a downpour. Try one of these 3 ways to style your rainboots:

A sporty puffer vest is an easy and casual way to transition your outfits to warmer weather. The weatherproof fabric makes it perfect for running errands on rainy days, and plaid paired with hunter green make for a stylish menswear-inspired look.

Although rainboots are definitely a casual accessory, they can be dressed up for a more polished daytime look. A sundress and blazer are chic additions to a pair of black wellies, and are great for brunch on a rainy day. If it isn’t quite warm enough to go bare-legged yet, throw on a pair of tights or above-the-knee socks.

Not for the faint of heart, candy-colored rainboots are the risk-taking fashionista’s spring staple. They coordinate flawlessly with dresses or denim; the trick is to keep the rest of your ensemble simple to avoid looking busy. A gray sweater and a chambray shirt is a great way to layer for unpredictable weather, and adds a preppy edge to your look as well.

Be sure to visit Elan Image Management’s website for more style tips. If you find yourself struggling with how to coordinate your spring wardrobe Contact Us to explore how we can help you with one of our image consulting services. Are you subscribing to the blog feed to get weekly updates in your inbox? Do so Here.

Be Fabulously You!

Figure Flattering Ensembles for Spring

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Natalie & Carina

With countless spring collections appearing in stores, it can seem daunting to appropriate trends shown on size 0 models. Don’t be discouraged! Whether you’re plus-sized, petite, or slim, you can rock almost any trend thrown your way with some style knowledge and confidence. Here are a few ideas for figure-flattering outfits for spring:

Casual

Fit perfectly into the beautiful spring scenery with a polished and colorful casual ensemble. Flared dark denim balances out wider hips, while wedges are both comfortable and sexy. Toughen up a feminine blouse with light leather and add an unexpected pop of color with a lilac satchel.

Daytime Party

Timeless and universally flattering, wrap dresses are a go-to for any season. Accentuate (or create!) an hour-glass silhouette with Michael Kors’ effortlessly glamorous wrap. Subtle metallic accents liven up the cream color and work for both day and night.

Office

Bring style to the office with two of springs hottest trends: mint and black and white. Slimming vertical stripes add dimension to the staple pencil skirt, while a mint blazer adds a pop of color to the look.

We hope these tips help you navigate the new spring trends with ease. Let us know what questions you have so we can address them on the blog. As your image consultant, I am here to help!

Be Fabulous!

5 Ways to Add the Color Mint Green to Your Spring Wardrobe

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Natalie & Carina

It may be still be chilly for the majority of us, but spring is coming sooner than you may realize. For us, Fall/Winter ’13 fashion week signifies that not only will temps warm up in about a month, but that it’s time to anticipate our spring wardrobes. Flattering mint hues have been cropping up in several spring collections and on celebrities everywhere. If you’re in search of a signature color for the spring, your favorite image consultant has you covered!

1. Outerwear

A mint jacket (like this steal from H&M at less than $50!) is an easy way to transition dark winter clothes to springtime. Pair it with black and gray pencil skirts to add a bit of color to your work wardrobe.

2. Accessories

An accent as subtle as a skinny belt can transform your whole look. Try a patent mint belt with your favorite pair of jeans, or around the waist of any dress for a flattering hourglass silhouette. Skinny belts work on most figure types. Other accessories that look great in mint include clutches, enamel bangles, and if you’re feeling particularly bold, nail polish.

3. Denim

We’ve already hailed colored denim as a fun way to amp up your casual wear, and we stand by that choice. Pair these Current/Elliot jeans with a chiffon blouse and nude pumps for a polished daytime ensemble. If you’re on the curvier side, find jeans in a boot cut or straight leg style.

4. Handbag

This Kate Spade mint satchel is a great alternative to your standard black or brown winter bag, and coordinates well with almost any spring shade. It’s both large and structured enough to use at the office, and transitions seamlessly to after-work cocktails. As you know at Elan Image Management, image consulting, we believe accessories, are every woman’s secret weapon.

5. Pencil Skirt

A mint pencil skirt is ideal for both the office and a daytime event. Since it isn’t the usual gray or black that’s typically reserved for the office, it won’t be seen as drab workwear. Use this J. Crew pencil (that’s under $100!) to dress up a fitted t-shirt for a luncheon or picnic.

Celebrities rocking mint:

The FLOTUS looks vibrant and confident in a mint pencil paired with gold accents and pastel pumps.

Kim K brightens up an otherwise all-black ensemble with a structured mint blazer.

Be Fabulous!

3 Ways to Style Shift Dresses

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Natalie & Carina

Shift dresses have been in vogue since Twiggy rocked them in 1960s London, but many women today seem to avoid them. It’s easy to choose the wrong accents to go with a boxy silhouette (say no to ankle boots and shifts!) and end up looking frumpy. Shift dresses are flattering to most figures on the spectrum, from petites to curvy ladies, so don’t be afraid! Check out Elan’s 3 favorite ways to style a shift:

1. Day (wedding, afternoon party, corporate luncheon)

This rose-colored shift from Phillip Lim proves that pink can be for grown-ups, too. Keep your accessories classic and timeless to draw focus to the vibrant dress. Beige pumps and nail polish, which usually look matronly when worn together, are chic and keep the bright pink from looking childish. Add nude lace tights if you’re looking for more texture.

2. Night (Cocktail party, birthday dinner, dancing)

A boxy silhouette can give your LBD a fresh makeover for the new year. Sheer sleeves and a short hemline add sexiness to this ($55!) Dorothy Perkins shift without showing loads of skin. Make sure you slick on some scarlet lipstick to avoid getting washed out by this all-black ensemble.

3. The office (Presentation, work trip, interview)

Boxy shift dresses are great for the office, because you don’t have to think twice about form-fitting silhouettes or looking office-appropriate. Grab one in a smart fabric like tweed (we found this one at Kohl’s for less than $30!), add a watch and your red power bag, and voila! You’ve got a boardroom-ready outfit in seconds.

For more styling tips, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Flaunting It with The Image Diva

A Style, Image & Fashion Blog by Image Consultant & Author Natalie Jobity

Category Archives: Wardrobe/What To Wear

Polished-casual Outfits for the Holiday Weekend

Personal Style Focus: Rainboots

Figure Flattering Ensembles for Spring

5 Ways to Add the Color Mint Green to Your Spring Wardrobe

3 Ways to Style Shift Dresses