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Ladies (and men),
It can be very easy to make tiny mistakes on a daily basis that lead up to a colossal mistake: making yourself look much older (and bigger) than you actually are.
I see tons of people on the street everyday that have made small mistakes with their hair, makeup or dress that have led to them looking 5, 10, or sometimes 15 years older. I feel for these people as I'm sure they are aware they don't look great but they may not know why or how to fix it. That's why I wanted to open my business The Closet Coach; I am passionate about teaching people the how and the why of style so that they are clued-in and can start looking their best tomorrow - life is too short to not feel great about yourself, and looking your best plays a big part.
The old adage, "beauty only matters on the inside" doesn't hold water with me. Of course we should all strive to be as kind and loving as we can, but looking our best and taking good care of ourselves on the outside can greatly improve our mood and our self-worth, not to mention improving our image to the outside world brings opportunities our way! I remember my Nana always saying, "your body is your temple" and so I try to take good care of, and respect, my temple. Thanks Nana!
These photos were featured in Good Housekeeping magazine about a year ago and I snapped them with my phone because they are so impactful I knew I'd use them to show clients what a difference clothing can make (I still have the clippings from the magazine as well!)
These women are identical twins - identical - same height, same weight and same body structure, and obviously, are also the exact same age. Good Housekeeping photographed one in a frumpy, out-dated outfit and one in a well-tailored, modern outfit. They also messed with their hair and makeup in some photos to show how much of a difference that can make too. The results are astounding.
I broke down each and every look so you can learn the how and why of what makes these looks differ.
Remember, life is too short to look older! And, all women are incredibly beautiful, we just need to know how to best bring out our beauty.
Here's to Your Style Simplified!
Photo 1:
The big differences here are size and shape of the clothing.
The Pants:
The twin to the right has on pleated pants (never a good look as they add bulk to the hip and lower abdomen area) and they are a tapered leg (meaning they are shaped like a cone starting wide and slimming as they go down the leg). With pleated front pants, your body will resemble the shape of the pant: thick on the top, narrow on the bottom, with puffiness in your lower abdomen area (who wants that?). Even if your legs are shaped this way, or you have a little weight in your lower abdomen, you want to off-set those facts as much as possible by choosing a straight leg, flat-front fitted pant, like the pink ones (but in a dark color to disguise the weight). Just look how much slimmer Twin #1's leg looks, and how much longer -- and they both have flats on (OK, the one is standing on her toes).
The Shoes:
Yes masculine shoes are in right now but you can't wear a masculine shoe when the rest of your outfit is very masculine (and un-sexy). You'll end up -- well -- looking like this lady! A ballet flat (preferably with a slightly pointed toe) will elongate the leg and end your outfit with a pretty touch! Details like bows or jewels are cute and playful. How much more sexy is the first foot then the other? Exactly.
The Shirt:
Twin #2 has a boxy, masculine shirt on that does nothing for her shape -- she is lost in all that blousy, stiff fabric! If you are going to wear an oxford button-up style shirt, great! -- but it must be nipped in at the waist with darts or you will lose your feminine shape. Don't give me, "but, I don't have a feminine shape, Rachel," yes, you do, every woman is flattered by a nip-in at the waist, it doesn't matter what body type or weight you are. Just say no to rectangular shaped tops, you aren't hiding anything!
Photo 2:
Oh my goodness gracious.
Let's start at the top:
The Shirt:
Twin on the left is sporting a very frump-tastic top. The color does nothing, the shape does nothing, the definition of frumpy. It is too big, and doesn't nip-in anywhere to give her some much-needed shape. The only thing working for this top is the boat-neck, but who noticed the boat neck when we are all so distracted by the rest of it that isn't working. Twin on the right is wearing a beautiful and fun color in a more fitted silhouette! (They both have good bras on in this picture, but in reality, twin on the left would likely have droop-boob to match her droopy shirt -- remember, your boobs should be exactly in between your shoulder and elbow when your arms are at your sides. Yup, that's where they are supposed to be!)
The Jacket:
More blah, blah, blah. Twin on the left took hers off she's so bored with her look. Beiges, mushroom-y colors and browns are boring when worn without pops of color. Splashed in with other colors YES, but all in one outfit by themselves they are no-good, and they are no fun! Twin on the right has a very fun, punchy - albeit classic - jacket that she is excited about!
Jewelry:
Wear it!! Look at how the necklace adds so much to the look on the right! Accessories are your friends, wear them. If you don't know how, then choose one body part to accentuate. Choose your neck, your ears (collarbone, really), your wrist, or your hands and put a big ol' statement piece of jewelry there. Then, put smaller, more basic pieces elsewhere and don't worry - mixing metals doesn't matter anymore, rock gold with silver and rose gold with yellow gold, it looks fresh and modern! Tip: Go to Anne Taylor Loft or J.Crew if you are unsure about jewelry, and anything in either of those stores is a sure fire winner. Then, you don't have to worry if you made the right choice or bought "the right" piece.
The Bag:
The cross-body bag is not doing anything for her. In fact, when a bag hits you on your hip and slaps against your thigh every step, it is very unflattering. Pack mules aren't sexy. Get yourself a nice structured, ladylike bag to hold in the crook of your arm and you will be instantly more polished. Get one with a shoulder strap that is tucked in the bag if you are one of those ladies who can't stand not having two arms free. There really is no excuse - you can find structured, chic bags at every price point. Try Target, Marshall's or T.J.Maxx for good deals on fashion-y styles. Tip: Think cost-per-wear. If buying a leather bag you want to last through the years, buy something classic and durable, not something trendy. For bags that are trendy and you'll only want to carry for a season or two, go ahead and get the trendy bag, but only if it's $50 or less (maybe $75 or $100 if you have a lot of discretionary income). Something so throw-away isn't worth any more than that.
The Skirt:
See how much of a difference fit and length can make? Especially length: it is incredibly important to get length right. A few inches up or down and BOOM, you're a hooker or you're a frumpy Granny. Twin on the left has a gathered pleated skirt (which adds bulk around her waist), with heavy fabric (adds more bulk), and the length is too long by at least 4 inches (just below the knee (1 inch) is as far down as a knee-length skirt should ever go). When you wear a skirt to the knee or just below the knee (meaning 1 or 2 inches) you must wear a heel, even if just a small wedge or a kitten heel but if not, you will look frumpy. Tip: Yes, yes, "midi" skirts are in (the hemline falls in the 'middle' of your knee and ankle). Everything in fashion is very 1940s for fall. But if you are not shaped like Dita Von Teese, or if you do not commit yourself to wearing 4-6 inch heels with your midi, don't try to do the trend, it will only make your butt look bigger, and your calves look thick. Kapeesh?
The Shoes:
We cannot see what twin on the right has on her feet but the flats on the left are boring and dowdy because of their rounded toes and drab color. Flats are wrong for this look, but had she sprung for a flat in a brighter color, or with a pretty detail like the bow flats from the first picture, she'd have looked a lot better.
Photo 3:
The Hair:
Twin on the left's hair is too "done" and bangs blown out with a round brush are old-fashioned and dated looking (if you have this bang style still, you should consider a piecey side bang shape instead of straight across, ask you stylist, and you should stop blow drying your bangs with a round brush, instead blast the dryer facing downward on them and style with your fingers, so much more modern and sexy). Twin on the right blew out her hair and bangs loosely and it is a much more youthful, flattering and sexy look.
The Makeup:
Twin on the left's lipstick is too dark and harshly drawn on. Dark brown-based lipstick is matronly and ages your face and skin, not to mention it brings out the yellow in your teeth and the brown and yellow spots on your face. Twin on the right looks much better with a pinkish slick of gloss on her lips: so much lighter, sexier, and younger!
The Dress:
I personally think the dress on the right is too young-looking, but I get the idea here. The dress on the left is out-dated looking, because of the poufy sleeves and heavy, gathered fabric. For formal events, a more formal dress is of course appropriate, but heavy, gathered fabric dresses are best left for 18-year-olds going to the prom. A pretty shift with an elegant jacket will do the trick, as will a flirty party dress similar to the one on the right. After all, looking fresh means never looking like you're trying to hard! Let your natural beauty shine through!
The Shoes:
The heavy T-straps are too much on top of too much. A simple sling-back or peep toe would have looked much better with such a formal dress. I personally think a shoe that shows a lot of skin on your foot is the most sexy, especially in nude (not to mention it makes your legs look super long). But a pedicure is an absolute must if you're going to wear that kind of shoe. Twin on the right stuck with a classic black pump, which is fine, but I would have put her in a strappy nude shoe.
Photo 4:
The Sweater:
These two sweaters are like day and night. Admit it, I bet many of you have the sweater on the left lurking in your closet. I've gotten rid of so many of these frumptastic sweaters from women's closets, so you can't lie to me!! Get rid of it!!!!! Please, for the sake of your womanhood toss it! Give it to the homeless shelter where it can provide warmth for someone in need -- it is doing nothing for you! Even if you aren't as slim as these ladies, a well-cut cardigan is your friend. So long as your boobs are in the right place (middle of shoulder and elbow, don't forget!) then a well-cut and nipped at the waist cardigan will be womanly and therefore sexy on you my dear. If you are petite, or have a big bust go for a V neck cardigan, which will elongate the neck and torso, same for plus-size women or women who'd like to 'lose a few'. It will be extra flattering on you, trust me. Pick a punchy color that looks good with your hair and skin (just try them on - you will know!) and you're set. Say 'No' to frumpy, dumpy, lumpy sweaters and stay away from the Dress Barn -- they are depressing!
The Skirt:
Just as in the photo above, the skirt on the left does nothing, like the caption on the photo says, it may as well be a potato sack. The accordion pleat skirt on the right is beautiful and so flattering. Just avoid a pleated skirt if you aren't happy with your hips, butt or thighs, as it does add a tad bit of bulk there (even an accordion pleat does).
The Shoes:
Here is menswear shoes done right. With a nipped in waist, a flowy, feminine skirt above the knee, and pretty accessories, she could have worn masculine combat boots and she still would have looked sexy. It's all about balancing your outfit. The ballet flats on the left are a snore, and do nothing for style or to elongate her leg. Note that the masculine loafers are slightly pointed, and how much more flattering that looks.
The Bag:
If you weren't convinced before, hopefully you are now: a big, sloppy bag that hits you at the hip does nothing for your figure. A beautiful structured bag carried int he crook of your arm is ever-so-chic and so femininely sexy. Get one.
Last photo:
The Hair:
On the right, we have the round rush blown bangs again and the hair pulled back severely: not flattering. On the left, a modern cut, and a modern blow out equals carefree and sexy.
The Outerwear:
The cardi on the left works because it fits well, is nipped at the waist and the color block breaks it up so it doesn't look too long. The jacket on the right is out-dated and boxy -- remember -- rectangles = not young or sexy. And, yes, you are young, it's all about perspective.
The Pants:
Ah, the Dreaded Mom Jean lures its ugly head: Just say no! The twin on the left has on a dark wash boot-cut jean that look amazingly more flattering than the mom jeans. Mom jeans are the devil. Throw them away, use them as rags, whatever, just get them off your body. Everyone can spot a Mom Jean, and everyone sighs a sigh of sympathy when they see a woman in them. No excuses. Get yourself to the mall, go to a nice department store and ask for Not Your Daughters brand jeans, then splurge on a pair or two -- they'll go the distance because you keep your jeans for 20 years apparently!! Haha, I'm kidding, but really there is no excuse for Mom jeans. None. Call me, I will help you if you really can't get yourself out of them. 302.598.6607.
The Shoes:
Sneakers and jeans NOOOOO!!! Your New Balances should never ever be paired with anything other than your workout gear, especially not jeans. If you have feet issues and need to wear sneaks for more than work out then I would suggest going and buying a pair of black (or mostly dark) sneakers and wearing them with dark jeans or black pants. White sneakers scream 1980s secretary that doesn't know how to dress for 2013. You are better than that! The flats on the left are so fun and sexy! Leopard print why not! You can wear leopard in small doses, even a cute leopard cardi if you're feeling frisky. Take risks with fashion, it's meant to be fun.
The Bag:
This is a good example of two very similar work bags, one out-dated and one modern and sleek. If you have bags that are as beat up as the one on the right then invest in a newer bag, you'll feel better and you can lay that tired old bag to rest.
Well, that's it! I hope this was helpful and I hope that you don't take me too seriously! I like to have a sense of humor when it comes to advising people on style and fashion. If you've made any of these mistakes it's OK!! Tomorrow is another day and now you know, knowledge is power! Now get out there, get rid of the old frumpy stuff and respect your temple! Good luck, and here's to Your Style Simplified!
For more advice or to schedule a consultation to see if my services are right for you please email rachel@theclosetcoach.com or call (302) 598-6607.
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