The classic cardigan has a slightly new look and is super popular since spring, Either slightly cropped,  tunic length or asymmetrical, this is not like the Chanel cardigan that was once the rage. What I love is the variety in color. Not just in neutrals you can now find cardigans in fuchsia, orange, gecko green and a myriad of hues. And the silhouettes are more figure flattering as opposed to boxy. Drape over a dress, wear over a tank and jeans, or belt over slacks. Either way, the cardigan is likely going to be your one go-to basic all season long and into fall. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

The Asymmetrical Cardigan

From urban minx

This has been a popular silhouette since last fall and I sense it will be hot again this coming season. Works with many figure types.

 The long vest

  Robert Rodriguz vest @ couturezappos

This tunic length cardi is an interesting silhouette. I would belt it with a widish belt or add long layered necklaces.

 The Short Fitted Cardi

Fitted cardigan from French Connections

A great look for ensemble dressing and definitely a popular style for fall. Wear open with a longer layer, layer over a dress, buttoned up over slacks or skirts, or belted with a thin belt with your favorite jean. A must have piece for your wardrobe.

The Belted Hoodie

Anthroplogie cardigan with hoodie

A funkier vibe–here with edgy details at the waist and a hoodie. Definitely to pair with jeans and boots.

 The Feminine Cardigan

Ruffled cardigan from Victoria’s Secret

 Ruffles create a softer effect and a little unexpectedness. Wear with sleeves ‘juged’ (pushed up).

Animal print

  Animal print cardi from urban outfitters

Share your wild side with an animal print cardi. Pair with solids so the focus is on the print, like the model in the photo. 3/4 length sleeve cardigans very fashionable now too.

Shawl Collar Wrap Cardigan

Wrap cardigan from Anthroplogie

Classic and Timeless. I love this look. Cozy yet stylish and definitely figure flattering (creates that hourglass effect). Because of the length, best on taller frames.

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Contrary to popular belief one does not have to sacrifice comfort for style especially when it comes to footwear. Women complain  about the challenge of finding comfortable shoes that look cute too. And as a result, they end up wearing (OMG) running shoes, flip flops, and other very casual and often inappropriate alternatives for the sake of being comfortable. Come on ladies! We can do better than that! Especially if you remember that studies show that people see us from the feet up, but remember us from the face down. In other words, yes, your footwear matters and can ruin an otherwise perfectly attractive ensemble.

But there is hope for feet comfort first lovers out there. Designers have been catching on and are more conscious about making comfort one of their priorities when they design shoes. At a high price point, Cole Haan has differentiated his brand on this very premise! Most of his shoes are designed with Nike Air technology embedded in  the foot bed. So you can imagine what that should feel like—you’re wearing pumps but they feel like running shoes! What could be better than that? Check these out!

For the working Girl

Cole Haan’s Geneveive woven peep toe

Sexy, sophisticated and definitely stylish

Cole Haans Scarlette Air Sandal

A sensible peeptoe slingback for the sensible gal

Cole Haan’s Air Eliana

All the above have Nike Air Technology ESPECIALLY to make the shoes comfortable to walk in in the foot bed and sometimes the heel.

Stuart Weitzman is also a designer you need to be aware of with many attractive, comfortable shoes in a range of sizes Other brands like Munroe, Naturalizer and Aerosoles also need to be on your radar if you’re looking for comfort and particularly if you want to spend around $100 or less.

Naturalizer Jumana

I have a surprise for you Crocs lovers. Yes I have gone on record maligning Crocs  because I was aware of their one design—you know the colorful, cutesy, plastic looking, that should only be meant for kids that suddenly grown adults found for some crazy reason to be attractive or cutesy (or whatever!), so much so that it became a trend for the not so fashion savvy? Rue the day, rue the day! But I am here to give Crocs some props (thanks to my pal George from Crocs). Not for that design, but for their expanded designs that include really sensible and stylish wedges and other comfortable alternatives. Clearly they are rebranding, this time, keeping stylish in mind in addition to comfort. Go Crocs!

Cupcake from Crocs!

As a 6 foot tall gal with a size 11AAAA shoe size, I have mini skis for feet. And as one who never quite mastered the art of balancing her long frame on heels (not that I need to) I have always struggled finding flatter heels in my size and width that are also stylish yet comfortable. I order most of my shoes online and most of them are Van Eli’s because quite honestly that designer caters to everything I need in a shoe and at my price point. So I’m here to testify ladies that even for a shoe challenged woman like myself, there are decent alternatives. I’ll admit, most folks won’t remember me for my shoes—its likely to be the least interesting thing about my look, but I can rest assured they are doing their job so that at the end of the day, I’m still fab.

A shoe Natalie is likely to wear in summer

Stuart Weitzman shell sandal in salmon

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

We’re in the dog days of August! The last of the summer vacays are in play. To make sure you pack and travel with ease here is a list of key essentials you want to keep top of mind!

To ensure you travel comfortably make sure to consider these 30 essentials as part of your travel must-haves in your carry on and purse:
1.    Bean bag neck pillow
2.    Hand sanitizer
3.    Water bottle
4.    Shawl/pashmina/cardigan
5.    Change of Underwear
6.    Toiletries
7.    Travel docs
8.    Camera
9.    Cell phone
10.    Contact lens supplies/ Eye-glasses
11.    Ear plugs
12.    Eye mask
13.    Socks
14.    Breath mints or Listerine Strips
15.    I-Pod or equivalent
16.    A great paperback book or magazine
17.    Laptop
18.    Sunglasses
19.    Makeup
20.    Snacks
21.    Jewelry you will use on your trip
22.    Medicines you must take daily
23.    Swimsuit (if tropical destination)
24.    Coat (if cold destination)
25.    Suit (if business trip)
26.    Anything breakable
27.    Your personal docs (insurance, credit card etc)
28.    Anything precious that you must take with you
29.    Emergency contact numbers/addresses
30.    Pen

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Dear Readers,

I keep stumbling upon these great finds to help women make better choices about clothing, makeup and hair. This is great! And what is an image consultant to do but keep sharing these little nuggets.  The latest ‘find’ is a virtual hair makeover that InStyle magazine has introduced called "Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeovers." Essentially, the site allows women to try on the latest celebrity styles to see how they would look . You can try different hair colors, lengths, styles or textures from Jessica Simpson’s platinum blonde locks, Scarlett Johansson’s sexy updo to Beyonce’s sandy curly waves. How cool is that? All you need to do is upload your own head shot or choose a model’s with a similar complexion and face shape to get started. Click on this link: to try it out for yourself–if anything it is a fun way to kill some down time at work: http://www.instyle.com/instyle/makeover/

OK so I gave it a try. It’s not perfect, because I could not get rid of my own hairdo, but these are some of the looks I tried: Kate Hudon, Halle Berry, Mischa Barton,  Jessica Biel and Beyonce. I changed my hair color to brown and added highlights. My favorite was surprisingly  Kate Hudson’s flippy soft curls. Who knew? I tried to copy the images but InStyle is very smart so I could not get it to work. But I can forward them via e-mail which of course is useless in this forum. You just have to trust me that I make a great brown Kate Hudson.

Go ahead and give it a try. It’s a risk free way to experiment with color, styles and texture. And if I ever got extensions, I know who my hair heroine is.

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Ok folks I must admit it. I’m not a huge fan of Jennifer Aniston. Her acting is average at best. And honestly her roles are just different platforms for her to play ‘Rachel’. So never been too impressed with her movies which in truth, have not been the box office hits most will like them to be. And there’s her style. Its pretty basic–lots of black, jeans galore, a crisp white shirt, maybe a scarf nowadays, same hairstyle for years–straight blow out. Don’t get me wrong. It works. She always looks pulled together and effortlessly casual. And I can’t tell you how many of my clients consider her to be their fashion icon. But to me it’s just always been so predictable. Red Carpet–guess what Jen will be wearing? A simple classic black gown. Out and about and you’ll find her in a great fitting pair of jeans. Maybe a blazer, black of course. Predictable.

I like that Jen is down to earth, no frills and classic with her style, but I’ve always felt with her she was just playing it safe. I mean the same hair ALL the time? To me, it was just her ‘uniform’ and uniforms are boring.

So imagine my surprise to see a peek at her in the September cover of Elle, looking all…sultry and sexy. Yes, quite! Hair is curly and she instantly transforms into a sassier version of herself. Her makeup –a tad more than usual on the eyes (pretty!) and although she is rocking her signature black, its a leather BUSTIER! Wow! Jen has rarely flaunted her sexy /alluring side and she unquestionably has one of the best bods in the business.  On this cover and shoot she is flaunting it and I sure hope its the beginning of more surprises from her. Being close to 40 can bring that out in a woman–suddenly they realize ‘if not now when?’ and then they really start to rock it out. On the September Elle cover  I love her attitude and that mischievous twinkle in her eye. She is smokin’.

But that isn’t all! Check out these inside photos where she amps up the sexy quotient:

Yes we are seeing more of her breast than usual. Men the world over are going to swoon over this picture.

I want to high five her–for embracing her fabulousness and sexiness in a very tasteful way. You got it girl! Flaunt it.

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management