Dear Readers,

Working with women I often get asked what advice I can share to get them out of some type of fashion rut. A ‘rut’ in this case can be wearing a default or what I like to call a ‘uniform’—you know that ensemble you wear day in and out because it’s safe and you’re comfortable with it. But you know it’s boring and you’re tired of your look but don’t know how to improve it? Or a ‘rut’ can be that woman who is stuck (fashion wise) in a decade or phase of her life. She is out of date and out of touch with her style and may know it, but again, it’s familiar so she sticks with it because of her fear of venturing into unknown territory.

Women can get stuck in many variations of these ruts and the only way to transcend them is to get back in touch with who they really are. If that woman is you, you need to ask yourself some honest questions: What do you like? What makes you feel good? Whose style do you admire and why? What  image would you like to project if you could? And most importantly, what is keeping you stuck? The next step would be to take an honest inventory of your clothes. Examine each item and ask yourself these questions:
 

1. Is this item of clothing serving me?
2. Is it flattering?
3. Does it fit properly?
4. Is it up to date?
5. When was the last time I wore this?
6. Do I have other items in my closet it can coordinate with?
7. Do I even like it?
8. When I wear this how do I feel?
9. Does it just need a minor alteration for it to work?
10. Is it in synch with the style I’m moving towards?

After this assessment you then need to start weeding out all the questionable items in your closet and assess what is left. You’re probably going to need to augment your wardrobe with updated pieces based on what is missing.

As an image consultant I’m here to help at any of these stages. In a subsequent post I’ll discuss the different style personalities.

The Image Diva, Élan Image Management, an image consulting firm

Dear Readers,

We’re in the midst of a sobering economic climate. The country is on the brink of a recession the likes of which has not been experienced since the infamous Great Depression decades ago. The instability of the financial markets and the thousands of executives out of work at Lehman Brothers and the layoffs to come due to mergers and acquisitions make this time very precarious for many working professionals.

No question, these are tough times across the board. We need change for sure and hopefully the new President of the United States will be a change agent. Please exercise your right to vote!

But, on the bright side, as a wardrobe/image consultant, an area I can help with is keeping you looking sharp, professional and hopefully gainfully employed! As I’ve written about before, our image is a walking business card communicating who we are as professionals. For optimal impact, you want to be sure you make very focused and conscious choices about the messages your image ‘business card’ is transmitting, noting especially if it is aligned with your professional aspirations. But image is so much more than the clothes you wear. It is your total package including your clothing, but equally as important, how you accessorize, the way you communicate, how groomed you are, your poise and posture, non verbal cues, your ability to maintain eye contact, and so much more. Do you know how are you stacking up? Take a personal inventory to ensure you are on track.

In times of job insecurity, whether you are a senior executive or a young professional on the rise, it is critical to exude an image that radiates confidence, success and command. Letting yourself go because you are stressed and worried by appearing frumpy or unkempt is the worst thing you can do even if your appearance is the last thing you’re worried about.

Women working in financial companies teetering near a crash should not feel like they have to dress more cautiously to hold onto their positions. The financial crisis can be viewed as an opportunity for them to show themselves in a favorable light as this is exactly the time to put their best foot forward.

Keep reading my blog for tips on how to polish your image during these tough times.

The Image Diva, Élan Image Management, an image consulting firm

Dear Readers,

I want to share my thoughts on two very important women in this year’s presidential election: the wives of Senator Obama and Senator McCain. Both are playing similar roles inthe campaign but it is interesting to observe their two distinct styles and the image they each convey.

Fashion guru Tim Gunn (I’m a big fan), comments on Michelle Obama, “She epitomizes class and American style…She looks approachable." I agree wholeheartedly. Michelle’s sense of style and how she expresses it is relatable, flattering, and classic yet with a bit of panache. And she is successful at wearing ensembles that look amazing on her, that suit her figure and proportions and that are always appropriate for each occasion whether she is a keynote speaker at the DNC or at a cocktail reception with Senator Obama. And she is a trend setter: The sleeveless, black-and-white dress she wore on “The View” became a must-have, off-the-rack item and White house Black Market stores nationwide.

Michelle Obama made Vanity Fair’s international best dressed list 2 years in a row and the magazine labeled her as ‘the commander in sheath’ for her love of the shift style dresses she wears often on stage. She has a clear, consistent and definable personal style: feminine with a timeless undertone and a touch of jazz in the way she accessorizes. In the photo above Michelle sports her signature silhouette —a just below the knee length sheath dress in a bold color with an embellished neckline and black pumps. Below she stands hand-in-hand with her hubby after his historic Democratic presidential nomination. She wears the same silhouette dress in a bold fuchsia with a black belt (a favorite fashion accessory) and pearls and goes sleeveless.

Michelle is a tall, striking woman and smartly chooses to opt for dresses in lieu of suits or pants to ‘soften’ what can be perceived as an intimidating image. She is smart, accomplished, physically toned and attractive and when she speaks she commands attention. She could easily have gone with the suit ‘uniform’ so typical of ‘first ladies on the make’ but she chooses to make her own statement. And she nails it. She is relevant, effortlessly stylish yet down to earth, and very polished.
When she dresses up, her personal style is still in effect as the picture below highlights. She adds more dramatic makeup, dangly earrings and wears a figure flattering long gown in a bold print. Still Michelle!

When she’s on the move she is never frumpy. In the picture below she is dressed in head to toe black. But she is not boring or predictable—her coat is edgy and stylish, her belt adds a nice touch of pizzazz as does her long necklace. She’s wearing pants here but makes it a feminine and fashion forward ensemble by the little touches. She’s a woman in command of herself and in full ‘presence’. Another slam dunk.

What I love about Michelle is that in the same way she does not dress like a typical candidate’s wife, neither does she act like one. She strikes that fine balance between esteem for her husband while maintaining her own self assuredness. When on stage by her husband’s side, there is none of that dutiful head nodding. She looks at him eye to eye  and  there is not an ounce of subservience but you see affection and fondness instead. Yet it is still clear that when they are together, he’s the one running for President.

Summarizing Michele Obama’s signature style:

• -Bold color
• -Eyes up accessories—necklaces or embellished necklines
• -Classic figure enhancing silhouettes
• -Dresses over pants
• -Cinched waist, often belted
• -Fashion forward yet appropriate
• -Mixes high and low end

Michelle’s style is clearly refreshing, and a departure from the Hillary pants suits or Laura Bush’s Oscar de la Renta ‘Easter Suits’. How does her peer Cindy Mc Cain compare? I’ll first share the esteemed Tim Gunn’s opinion: “Cindy, …with her button-down suits and blouses — looks like she’s duct-taped…her fashion is a metaphor for her personality.” Ouch! A tad harsh. Cindy has been reported to have worn in excess of $300,000 when she opened the RNC with Laura Bush in an Oscar De la Renta  yellow shirt dress, diamond earrings, four-strand pearl necklace, white Chanel watch and strappy shoes (see photo below).

I actually like her in this look. She gravitates towards bright vibrant colors which typically complement her blonde tresses. Here she is feminine and sophisticated.  The crayon colored pant suits and leather jackets of the early part of her campaign have given way to crisper, more contemporary dresses with richer colors, thank God! Cindy appreciates very well-made designer clothes that have rich, luxurious fabrics and she loves her four strand pearl necklace (valued at around $20K).
 
In the photo below she wears a lime green belted dress with her signature pearls. Also very prevalent in her ensembles are the two rhinestone pins that say Navy and USMC — representing the military branches her sons serve in and a blue star pin.

Below are the pearls again and military pins with a turquoise blue trapeze jacket skirt suit, waving to the crowd with her husband. Cindy can be a little over accessorized (she is all about the ‘bling’) and a little too ‘picture perfect’. There is something surreal about her image  and she does not convey the same command or authority as her peers in this election. Perhaps it’s because of her soft spoken voice which we really hear. Or maybe it’s in the demure and very restrained public persona that seems to say ‘I am here out of duty and I do not enjoy the spotlight.’ Or maybe it is the sharp contrast between her ‘maverick’ , overly confident husband and her dutiful, respectful and ladylike demeanor. She has great looks in her favor and an emerging signature style that mixes feminine flourishes with classic undertones. But in the realm of true ‘presence’ she falls short.

I like her best in the photo below –she looks warm, approachable and still lady like but with a more relaxed air. I love that she shows her arms here, bucking her conservative style a bit. Cindy in this red sleeveless figure flattering wrap dress and her signature pearls and pins gets my vote.

I love her embracement of color because it suggests she has some spunk in her. Her blonde hair whether pulled off her face, let loose in waves or in an updo is always perfectly pulled together (yet often too much so). And still there is a timidity in her style. She does not totally commit to it,  and this is perhaps indicative of a woman figuring out herself and her role. As lovely as she is, she is a shrinking violet. Shy and reserved compared to her loquacious spouse, Mrs. McCain’s preference is to avoid calling attention to herself. As one reporter observed: “Many know her only as the blonde standing alongside her gregarious husband, lips fixed in a practiced smile, ice-blue eyes serene and adoring, but inscrutable.” There will never be a headline with Cindy McCain as commander in anything because nothing about her image is commanding, strong or even confident. She seems almost fragile, quite frankly.

Summarizing Cindy McCain’s signature style:

• -Signature 4 strand pearls and military pins
• -Bright colors—yellows, lime greens, reds
• -Tailored dresses and skirt suits
• -Designer fashions
• -High collars
• -Styled hair

I’ve shared my perspective. What do you think?

The Image Diva, Élan Image Management

Dear Readers,

Fall is here, the weather is changing, the financial markets are in crisis and still politics are the hottest topic in most circles as the country gears up for a historic presidential election in November. While many Americans have their eyes focused on what their candidate’s promise on the key issues are; whether it is the economy, their position on the Iraq war, or healthcare, many are very curious about what the women that are front and center in this election are wearing. Hands down, this is an election where woman are front and center whether they are the two front runners wives or campaigners in their own right.

Politics and fashion seem like an oxymoron but this year’s race for the Presidency is bringing style and fashion on the campaign trail. Both at the DNC and RNC, women were in the forefront whether supporting their husband’s campaign, gracefully bowing out of a hotly contested Democratic candidacy race, or being a surprise Republican VP pick. Women have never been this much in the limelight at such a juncture and as much as it is exciting and historic on so many levels, it has been also quite intriguing to observe how these women present themselves on stage and how each of their images define them. Quite frankly ‘presentation’ , image, and appearance all play a part in clarifying for us who these women really are and what messages they are trying to evoke or reinforce with their roles in the campaign. In politics, as in other arenas, the visual is as much of an impact as the verbal. So  it’s not just what you say, it’s also what you look like saying it.

Sarah Palin is the newbie so there are few photos of her on the campaign trail. But from the little we have seen her style screams: ‘I mean business!” Her signature Tina fey-like specs and updo’s are a definitive trademark and also the very things that make her look like she could care less about how she looks. She is focused on getting to Washington and everything from her choice of boring ensemble after boring ensemble, to the way she communicates and her demeanor of self satisfaction reinforces this perception.

She knows it too and uses it to her advantage. She has said to Vogue magazine: “A reporter once asked me about it (her appearance) during the campaign, and I assured him I was trying to be as frumpy as I could by wearing my hair on top of my head and these schoolmarm glasses.” Sarah is dressing like a candidate and she is leaving no room for error. High collars on boxy jackets and below the knee length skirts in conservative colors are her style statements. Her image conveys that she does not want us to pay attention to what she looks like but what she says. Time will tell if this strategy will work for her. 

In fact, she seems to be mocking the very feminine attributes that got her the republican VP ticket in the first place. For this former beauty queen, , you’d think she’d give a slight nod to looking good. But when she gave her rafter-raising acceptance speech at the RNC she wore an eggshell boxy jacket and black skirt. She could not have looked like a plainer Jane. It’s extreme– her defiance almost of embracing her femininity. She is trying to be like one of the guys. But her supporters cared not. Her image portrays her as a fighter, as ballsy, confident and tough. And focused on the issues of the election. How does a woman with 5 children with conservative family values prove that? By looking like Sarah Palin.

Summarizing Sarah Palin signature style:

• Menswear inspired suits
• Conservative and shapeless: high collars, boxy silhouettes
• Her signature glasses
• Hair off her face in ‘soccer Mom’ updo’s
•  Neutral colors
• Very understated, no nonsense style

Hillary Clinton’s comment about “her sisterhood of the travelling pants suits”  pretty much sums up her style. She wore them in every shade of color imaginable—always the same silhouette—single breasted,  high stance longer length jacket  (to camouflage her hips presumably) and pants that tapered slightly at the feet with low heel pumps.

The fact that she ALWAYS wore a pants suit was her way of conveying authority and command. She is not a tall woman nor is she slender. So she successfully focused on ‘eyes up’ accessories using color, hair, makeup and necklaces to play up her femininity while still maintaining her tough as nails edge.

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Sometimes, Hillary would try to inject some jazz into her pants suits, like this black/white combo with a mandarin collar and ruffled edges. Note her strategic use of bright white on top where she is smaller and black pants to camouflage her fuller lower half:   Her little bit of ‘kick’ came in her effective use of accessories (especially statement making  necklaces or scarves)  and makeup to soften her look on camera. In her race for President, we saw a softer side of Hillary in her dress even if her words against her opponent were often like daggers. 

Summarizing Hillary Clinton’s signature style:

• Traditional Pantsuits
• Bold color choices
• Signature necklace in bright colors
• Conservative style
• Short well coiffed hair
• Perfectly made up

See more on my take on Hillary’s campaign style at: http://elanimagemanagement.com/html/elan-blog/?p=96 and my post on personal branding and politics at: http://elanimagemanagement.com/html/elan-blog/?p=97

Have a comment about this post? I’d love to hear about it.

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management 

Dear Readers,

This fall’s fashion definitely has a softer edge than past seasons. Ruffles and bows are everywhere, commanding their girlie, playful presence on dresses, blouses, and shoes and handbags!  The key to wearing these lady like accents is 1) not to take it too seriously and 2) not to go overboard! If you are sporting a ruffled top go easy on other romantic  details in your ensemble. You don’t want to look like you are trying too hard to be on trend. Ruffles, ribbons and bows can very easily veer into the bridesmaid /cutesy territory, not always flattering or age appropriate on a grown woman.

For those who are more sporty than girly in their tastes there are smart ways to interpret the romantic trend—a classic white shirt with ruffle detail is a great way to be fashionable while still staying classic.

Or try a small bow on a ballet flat.

By adding structure to a ruffled blouse or dress,  the look goes from lady in waiting to woman in charge! The picture below is a great example of how to rock the trend without looking silly. Pair a ruffled blouse with a tailored skirt or pant to keep it from appearing overly prissy. 

Be careful with volume and proportion. A billowy top with ruffles or bows look great with a skinny bottom like a pencil skirt or tailored slacks. The same top will be dreadful with a poufy skirt.

If you want to play it safe experiment with the trend with your accessories. Try a shoe like this one below and keep your outfit tailored and classic so the shoe is the star. This shoe is sassy and girlie at the same time. And you’ve got to love the prissy color!

I love the idea of getting on board with the romantic trend in a statement making way—as in a trench coat with a ruffled edge or bow detail. The coat below is feminine,  stylish and still very sleek.

But by far the easiest way to stick with the trend is with a pretty soft blouse like this one from Nanette Lapore.

Or in a great dress like this one from ABS. Even for the more conservative women among you, this dress is tres chic!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management