My previous post showcased some of the best and worst fashions at the Met Institute Gala. But I don’t want you mistaken into thinking that looking fabulous  on the red carpet is only the domain of the 40 and under crowd. Not at all! As an image consultant, many of my clients are over 40 and all have the potential, latent or apparent to look amazing once armed with the tools. So many of my clients have had a complete 180 degree transformation after a 5 hour marathon consulting session –not just externally but internally as well. Because we all know it’s that inner confidence, poise, self assuredness and dare that truly makes a woman a knockout.

The more ‘seasoned’ women who graced the carpet of the Met Gala are proof positive. First Iman. If I’m not mistaken she is in her early 60’s and the woman does not look a day over 40. She is radiant, statuesque and downright gorgeous. Honestly it is my belief that age is just a number anyway, and I personally live by that principle. Iman is proof that rocking the carpet has everything to do with confidence, grace, inner and outer beauty and knowing what works for your body.  She ‘glows’ and by ANY standard is an image of beauty. Truly an inspiration.

The definitely over 60  and still iconic and beautiful Diane Von Furstenberg is another perfect example of this point. Here she is literally outshining Eva Longoria Parker (a stunner in her own right) by the ease and subtle magnetism she projects from her look. Her dress is simple yet elegant and perfect for her. She embodies feminine allure, no, she owns it.  Go Ms Diane!

There are more examples from the Met Gala, but let’s segue for a second back to the original point about 40+ woman looking fab. We have to look no further than the First Lady  to prove this point –whose style, by the way, is being refined and tweaked with every new appearance. At Tuesday’s Time 100 awards where she was a recipient she looks sublime. One of her best yet in my opinion. The sleek long black Azzedine Alaia  dress appropriately corseted to highlight her waist and the wide set spaghetti straps to anchor her strong shoulders and balance her hips—talk about a slam dunk? And the perfectly coiffed hair and impeccable makeup. My oh my. Mrs Obama continues to raise the bar.

The Image Diva, www.ElanImageManagement.com

Image Consulting, wardrobe plannning, personal shopper, Fashion Styling

Readers,

Check out the sale items at www.dvf.com (and of course you know that stands for Diane Von Furstenburg!). Like the Peyton Wrap Dress in Black:a classic black wrap dress with short sleeves in a clean and crisp poplin. Perfect silhouette to create that hour glass figure. And for those days when you don’t need to even think about what to wear. Just add accessories and go! On sale for $262.

This is also cute. The Alondra dress in navy and white chevron print with hip pockets:

 Now $297

Grab the designer steals when they’re on sale!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Dear Readers,

In these tough economic times it helps to have some guidance on the type of clothing items that make sense to invest in for the long haul versus those that can be bargain bought. Additionally, where can you find bargains period! Read on for three fashion saving tips for the savvy shopper.

1. Get your labels for less online. I typically advise my clients not to get stuck on designer labels, just for the sake of the label. Buy what fits and flatters your figure and proportions. But if you’ll really hell bent on nabbing a Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress then at least try to get it at a bargain. There are many online sites dedicated o letting you know when your favorite items go on sale. One I use is shopittome.com. Another is Hautelook.com. Some sites like bluefly.com have designer labels at 40% off or more everyday! Great for looking for that special cocktail dress you always wanted. For designer bags you can rent them at bagborrowsteal.com or buy ‘gently’ carried ones. Prada or Gucci anyone?
2. Skimp on some accessories. What other things can you skimp on? Accessories including jewelry, scarves, some belts and hair accessories. It is often a  waste of money to buy an expensive accessories ‘set’ to complete a  trendy look. When the look is out of fashion can you still get mileage from that accessory? I am a big proponent of the importance of accessories in  polishing off a look, but you really need to examine which accessories to splurge on. Good bets are shoes and handbags and fine or vintage jewelry.  All the cool funky stuff is great but don’t blow your budget on these.
3. Consider consignment shopping. Even more creative though is checking out your local upscale consignment store. There are amazing designer garments and accessories to be found, many that have never been worn or only ‘gently’ worn, that you can buy at a FRACTION of the original cost. There is a great consignment boutique in the DC metro area (Second Chance Boutique) that I recently worked with that stocked labels  from Chanel, Christian Loubatin, Bagley Mischa, Dolce & Gabanna, Lanvin, St Johns and new break out designer Maria Pinto (Michelle Obama’s fav) among many others. Love labels but feeling the credit crunch? Run, don’t walk to your local consignment boutique, for a great score.

More tips to come!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Dear Readers,

Fall fashion is in full swing even as Bryant Park is all astir with Spring 2009 fashions from uber designers for NY fashion week! I can’t focus on Spring right now because I’m getting excited about some of the new fall trends and looks. What is interesting though is that many of the Spring/Summer 2008 trends have carried over into fall! Florals, ruffles, prints, and bold color all are en vogue. I’m thrilled with the explosion of color in fall fashion as it is so aligned with my own personal love of color year round. Who says grey, black and brown are de rigeur for this time of year? Purple, pink and plaid are very much on trend this season.

I’ll save my trend report for another time but I wanted to share a few of my favorite ‘accessible’ fashions of the season (and by accessible I mean affordable to the average Jane.)

Color

Love bold color? This season is for you! From emerald greens, to saturated purples, to sapphire blues, to toasty oranges there is a bold color choice for every taste. Like this emerald green wrap blouse from Ms Von Furstenberg. A lady can never have too many wrap blouses and as I tell my clients, this design flatters almost every body type. The slight balloon in the sleeve and large cuff is an updated twist. And in a color like this, buying it is a no brainer.

DVF Green wrap blouse @ Nordstrom for $198

One of my personal favorites is this fit and flare, paprika suede skirt from Boston Proper. This is so me, especially paired with those brown boots? Don’t be surprised if you see me rocking this skirt some time soon!

Paprika Suede skirt @ Bostonproper.com @ $99

Purple is the reining color of the season and so befitting this regal hue isn’t it. Purple is unconventional, fashionable, and still conservative for work. I really love this color for a cocktail dress or a after work social. This twist front design is very figure flattering and the deep V neck adds allure. Really nice!

Jones NY Twist front dress @ Nordstrom @ $125

This belted ‘trench style’ taffeta dress from OC by Oleg Cassini is classic and oh so chic. Puff sleeves echo the waist detail with belted cuffs. Crisp, polished and pulled together. The deep navy is a great hue and very apropo for after hour business events.

Oleg Cassini taffeta dress @ Nordstrom @ $158

Print

Diane Von Furstenberg is a master craftswoman when it comes to print and this season she does not disappoint. I am loving this Finola dress– the silhouette, the muted tones and of course the graphic print itself. The dress, in yummy chiffon,  is detailed with pintucked pleats to create a streamlined silhouette through the body. The waist is cinched and the skirt full creating the illusion of a perfect hourglass figure.   rAs an added bonus,  a scallop lace-trimmed slip peeks out from the hem. Gorg!!

DVF Finola dress @ Nordstrom @ $375

I’m lovin the new A line print dresses as well. This one from Nicole Miller is so easy to wear–pair with black tights and black boots or pumps and you’re set! The A line is forgiving on most figures as is the ivory and black graphic print. And the bateau neckline gives small shoulders  added breadth. I also love the contrast border at the hem and sleeve. You might see me in this dress too

Nicole Miller print dress @ Bloomingdales @ $275

I’ve got to put a plug in for coats. Happy to see the fab color choices this season,. Even more jazzed about the menswear inspired tweeds and prints. I love this Ellen Tracy wrap coat in a brown herringbone with leather piping. The updated design comes with a brown leather sash and amazingly large wing collars. Awesome for the woman who wants to commit to her style savvy baby!

Ellen Tracy Wrap coat @ Bloomingdales @ $325

 Long cardigans

A look I always wear in fall is the long tunic cardigan, skinny jeans/leggings and boots. With my 6 foot frame its a look that is a slam dunk for me every time. So how happy am I that it is a big trend for fall! More options, a variety of colors and cool silhouettes. An added twist this season is the skinny belt at the waist. Someone say, ‘Oh yeah!’ Check out this ombre patterned cape (fashionable coined the ‘ruana’ for its dolman sleeve cape/tunic design). Ideal for the tall slender gal like me, this look is banging from head to toe. The cinched waist is an update to keep on trend this season. Love it!

Ombre Ruana @ Bloomingdales @ $85

Check out this funky take on the hoodie by Free People. Two wooden buttons secure the front flap and its cut long so you can pair with fitted jeans.  I love the short capped  dolman-style sleeves and a kangaroo pocket. A great casual look that is sharp and edgy too!

Free People Tunic hoodie @ Nordstrom @ $118

If you want to splurge on a tunic cardigan this one might be it. With variegated striping and woolly trim detail on the cuffs this cardigan is sophisticated and dramatic.

M Missoni Stripe Cardigan @ Nordstrom @ $745

 The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Dear Readers,

The maxi dress is en vogue but the jury is out on whether this dress trend has legs (pun intended). The style has been fully embraced by expectant celebs including Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stephanie and Jessica Alba which makes sense as it is an easy breezy summer style that pretty much covers and camouflages the body. One feature in the trend this season is that the maxis are usually in some type of print fabric whether floral, ikat or abstract which makes it all the better to camouflage a baby bump. But this benefit is the exact reason why I don’t think the trend will be popular by the majority of women. It simply isn’t cute enough, sexy enough or chic enough to draw throngs of shoppers. And unless you are of average height or taller and on the slim side, this design in a dress is quite unflattering.

I visited my local Bebe store lately and they were pushing the print maxi dress hard—it was prominently displayed in the store front and in the front real estate in the store. What was interesting is that as soon as I stepped in, a saleswoman pretty much pounced on me and said, ‘wow you’re so tall you’ll look great in one of these dresses.” I quickly dismissed the idea saying I really wasn’t lovin it and she still prodded, ‘what about this one or that one..’ until she pretty much pointed at every maxi dress in the window after my repeated protests that it was just not a style I liked. I must admit, it really got annoying.  Here are a couple of the ones I saw and picture this dress on the average size 10-12 woman.

My guess is that sales of the dresses are poor so they see a 6 foot, seemingly slim woman and they try to pawn it off knowing that it won’t flatter the average Jill. So I get it. But as much as I do like dresses, even long ones (and of course gowns!), and I totally rock a bohemian vibe when the mood strikes, I cannot get on board with  this fashion trend. If it is anything, it is bohemian and I’ll go so far as saying it is effortless. But maybe it’s the fact that it can easily look like more schlepy bohemian than sexy bohemian that bugs me. Or maybe it is seeing all the pregnant celebs in the dress—and while they look great—they’re pregnant, so minimizing any weight gain or a growing belly is always the order of the day. I am not dressing with this goal in mine and neither are my non-pregnant peers. I mean its summer and I don’t want to hide my legs I want to show them off! Why would I wear a floor sweeping dress during the day when I’m trying to be chic and pulled together as I go about my business of the day. It’s just not an intuitive choice nor really practical quite frankly. And unless it looks more like a gown than a day dress, (like this selection below) it really doesn’t quite work for evening wear.

Cyrus in a Roberto Cavalli dress that straddles evening gown and maxi dress

So my prediction? They will be grabbed by the trendy fashionistas (who must have EVERY trend of course), those who are  pregnant or  soon to be pregnant and completely ignored by the rest. Pregnant or not though, the best way to wear this look is the way the celebs do—with great accessories (bangles or earrings) and cute sandals so that you underscore the bohemian energy. And it won’t hurt to cinch the waist if you’re not pregnant to enhance your silhoutte like this ensemble from Bebe.

Here are some great maxi dress looks from the A listers.

Jolie in Nicole Miller and Richie in Diane Von Furstenburg

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management