Spring Style “Must Haves” Debunked

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

Spring is a great time to update your wardrobe.  Adding whites and bright colors is a great way to create the look and feel of Spring.  Choose pieces that match your lifestyle, personal style, coloring and figure.  Beware of articles and advertisements that list those things you “must have” this season.   No matter how trendy the style may be, there are no “must haves.”    Why?  Because we each have our own, unique lifestyle, personal style, coloring, and figure.  What may be a harmonious look for one person, can be completely awful for another.  Here are a few examples of “must haves” that relatively few can wear well, and many can just plain do without.  The photo above shows a popular trend right now, short shorts, pastels and polka-dots.  All of these characteristic reflect a personal style that is very Yin oriented.   If your coloring is fair, your figure is just right, and your personal style is playful and whimsical, then this look may work for you.  If not, you may end up looking like you’re trying to be someone else.  More trend tips:

The big bold print in the red shirt would completely drown out a petite woman or someone with lighter hair and skin.

Jumpsuits can be fun, but not if you are looking to minimize larger shoulders and arms. Not to mention that the mid-section must be the same size as the garment, not too long or too short.

A short, wrap style dress would only attract attention to larger legs.  If you’re going strapless, get rid of the tan lines.  (This model has a distracting line on her right shoulder.)

Nude heals blend in with the color of the legs, giving the illusion of no shoes. The look can be unbalanced. With a heavy black sweater, this model looks very top heavy.

Next time you see a list of “must haves”, ask yourself, “Does this print / color enhance my own coloring, or does it fight with it?  What is the first thing others see when they look at me?  Is their attention going where I want it to go?”  Remember that you can pick and choose the trends you want to adopt this season.  Choose those that will enhance your wonderful features, if the “must have” look doesn’t do that, then let someone else have it.

Want to know exactly what your personal style is?  Your coloring, lifestyle, or body type?  Conselle has the right person to get you focused.

Call us at (801) 224-1207 to set up an a free discover call.  

We also have the right materials! Get them at http://www.conselle.com/fashion-consulting-books.php

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Buy well, wear longer, & love your planet on Earth Day

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

What’s your contribution to earth day?  Do you feel like you are doing your best to

recycle?  Many of us have gotten the hang of recycling our food containers and

newspapers.  But what about clothing?  Here are 3 very different ways you can

focus on earth friendly attire for Earth Day.

 

Option 1. Wear clothing made entirely of recycled materials.  (Not gonna

happen.)  Although dresses made from laundry bags, food wrappers and cardboard

have made the news, I doubt you will see your neighbors wearing them in the

grocery store any time soon.  Aside from being itchy and smelling like Cheetos, this

type of clothing is just plain uncomfortable.

 

Option 2. Wear clothing made of fabric containing some recycled material. 

(Now this is possible.) Some clothing manufacturers, such as Levi Strauss, have

found a way to incorporate plastic bottles into their denim.  On October 31, 2012,

Levi Strauss & Co.  “announced a new collection of denim apparel, including jeans,

that will be comprised of a minimum 20 percent of plastics recycled from drinks

bottles and food trays.” (gizmag.com)

 

 

Option 3. Wear good quality classic clothing that will outwear and out

trend fast fashion.  (This one is doable!)

Fast fashion clutters your closet, your mind and your land fill.

What is fast fashion?  These are stores that introduce new styles every month, every

week, and two or three times per week for some.  That’s why it’s called fast fashion.

The low prices are largely due to low quality-cheap chic. Forever 21, Charlotte Russe,

Buckle, H&M, Zara, and American Eagle Outfitters are applying fast fashion’s

here-today-gone-tomorrow mindset with prices consumers can’t resist.   For real-life

wardrobe needs, fast fashion is not something to indulge in or depend on. Disposable

is part of the fast fashion process.  With low prices and low quality, fast fashions

have to be tossed after a few wearings or washings because they are either worn out

or out of style.  To avoid getting sucked in, make classic pieces the bulk of your

wardrobe, with a few trendy items to update and add some fun.

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Plan the trip of a lifetime… and find your Style for Life

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

1. Experience an energizing self-discovery. 2. Gain information you’ll want to teach your family. 3. Never be a fashion victim again! 4. Save time, money, space, and simplify your life! 5. Have fun with fashion and make it work for you! Learn more about our Style for Life Retreat here:  http://conselle.com/image-enhancement-retreat.php or call 801.224.1207 Take an empowering journey that makes you stop and think seriously about your values, attitudes, interests, roles, and goals as they relate to the way you present yourself – the way you think, feel, act or behave, and the way others react or respond to you. The result? Old attitudes an inhibitors will give way to new attitudes and strategies for personal image management and family wardrobe management. The sooner you learn the valuable concepts, strategies, and skills, the more effective and efficient you will become.  When Monday, May 6, 2013 to Saturday, May 11, 2013 Where Little America Hotel 500 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84101 RSVP by Friday, April 26, 2013 (Early Bird Discount before April 12, 2013) Book your Style For Life adventure by calling 801.224.1207 and learn enough about how to dress, care for, and carry yourself to last a lifetime & simplify your life in the process.

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Women’s History Week – Be a Part of It!

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

March is Women’s History Month.  President Ronald Regan proclaimed the week of March 7th,1982 as Women’s History Week.  The commemoration expanded to Women’s History Month in 1987 to honor and celebrate the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. Filling a vital role in the history of America, women struggled for and won their right to vote.   In the 1970s women claimed their right to work with equal pay and to be treated as more than a sex object.  

Women of generation X and Y are too young to remember this and today, some purposely objectify themselves in sleazy dress and grooming.  National media, intent on shock value, continues to picture women in an inferior, less capable, subjective manner.  Consider Disel ad photos that label women as “STUPID.”

Notice the increasing number of fashion models positioned pigeon-toed, intended to make women appear childish, off-balance, and incapable of taking care of ourselves.

Begin now, this Women’s History Week, to stand tall with weight positioned solidly on both feet.  Choose to wear clothes that are well fitted with ease, that do not distract attention to the body and thoughts of casual sex.  Choose to wear a shirt with a collar to lift attention and frame your face for better communication.  Wear a jacket to slightly expand your body image boundaries causing you to appear more authoritative, in charge of yourself and the situation.  There are literally hundreds of jackets to choose from, according to your personal style.  Look at people straight in the eye with a smile, making obvious contact that says, “Hello. I’m worth knowing.”

 

Make your place in history as you choose to make the world a better place. 

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Let the SuperBowl Party Begin!

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

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New Year’s Tip No. 1 – not all “fashion experts” know what they’re talking about

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

The holidays may be over, but this holiday fashion clip from the Today Show on December 12, 2012 keeps coming back to mind.  The segment is titled, Holiday Fashion for full-figured women.  I truly believe that women everywhere can look and feel terrific, regardless of size.   But I would not be taking advise from this segment’s “expert”, who is not a good example herself.  Our well-meaning “expert”, seen on the far left, is wearing a small scale spotty black and white print dress, that emphasizes her size by extreme contrast.  She is also wearing black stockings stuffed into nude colored pumps.   Just because nude shoes are in style right now, doesn’t mean that they work with weighty black stockings.  In fact, nude colored shoes don’t really work well with any dark colored skirts or dresses.  Instead of elongating the look, we appear to have no shoes on at all. I continue to be amazed by what passes for an expert these days! And her sitting position?  NOT PROFESSIONAL.  Somebody, please teach her how to sit.  Our experts really need to be more refined.

Add to that…the models are stuffed into their clothes.  A little ease, please.  Horizontal stress lines, crossing this model’s thighs, are just screaming for a better fit.  The rolled up pants add visual weight and provide another horizontal line making her look both shorter and wider.  The short little boot shoes add more weight yet.

In this new year, consider what you read and see before buying into it.  Instead of buying every trend the next “expert” says is a great look, think about it.  Consider whether the look fits you….your figure type, your personal coloring, your values, your personality and your roles.  Learn to recognize when that hot new style just doesn’t work.

To view the entire segment for yourself about Holiday Fashion for full-figured women, click on this link:   http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50198973#50198973

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World Image Day December 7th – How Will You Celebrate? We Give You 3 Simple Ways

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

It’s official, World Image Day is today!  Join people all over the world in celebrating the joy of looking and feeling great.  Send positive messages to yourself and others when you:

• Walk tall – it’s not always what you wear but how you wear it!
• Compliment someone who is looking terrific today.
• Greet others with a smile.

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More Than Just a Number – Your Personal Style

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

You can’t be a fake or phony and don’t have to create a facade or pretend to be someone you’re not. You’ve got to be yourself and project or reflect the “real you.” You may simply have to be yourself more consciously, purposefully, positively, and continuously than you have been in the past. A successful image is an invitation to become acquainted with the person inside. The person who knows their own style, the best clothing for their figure type, their favorite colors and how to wear them. This person knows how to dress to impress regardless of the trends, regardless of their age. Your personal style is unique to you! There is no one on earth exactly like you, so don’t allow others to categorize you or tell you that you are a number. Educating yourself on the power of appearance is invaluable.  We have listed some different personal style photos below and invite you to take a look….then take a moment to reflect on what your appearance is saying about you.

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1984 – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

Has anyone else noticed that fashion repeats itself every 30 years?   An article from Seventeen magazine dated August 1984 explained to its readers, in detail, what’s “in”. See below:

“Yes, Big Brother’s watching you – and wondering why you’re wearing his clothes!  Undershirts, boxer sorts, oversize jackets, crisp white shirts, vests, black loafers, and men’s neckties all look great right now.  To maintain some femininity, though you’re also raiding Mom’s jewelry cache for sparkly rhinestone earrings, bracelets, and pins.  You may end up looking like a cross between a flapper and a bag lady, but as everyone agrees these days, girls just wanna have fun. “

1984 Fashion – What’s IN

• Copper jewelry
• Navy blue
• Baggy ankle-length pants
• Lizard-print loafers
• “Alligator” belts

The Seventeen list may have been for teens only, but it isn’t representative of what was really worn.  This often happens, as the current fashion reporters latch onto the extreme few looks, missing out on what was really happening. We thought it would be interesting to compare Seventeen’s list to what people WERE wearing.  The 80s was really all about the return of serious suit dressing for men AND women.  There were few suits worn in the 60s or 70s.  Remember, the Dress For Success best-seller ruled what was really selling and being worn in the 80s.  There were wonderful menswear fabrics made into women’s suits.  Women polled in the 80s said their favorite garment was their blazer jacket.  Women bought into four-piece gabardine suits that included jacket, skirt, pant, and vest. They came in navy, yes, but also black, burgundy, brown, and tan or taupe.   We are now seeing a resurgence in this trend.  Jackets and suits are making a real come back and we are seeing them in more colors than just black!  The vests may be more difficult to find, but they’re out there.  This is one trend we are happy to have back…..an empowering look for women that has been rediscovered.  Get out there and look around.  Discover what “suits” you this season.

Below are some of Ralph Lauren’s jackets and suits for the Fall.

Our next few blog posts are going to be dedicated to the 80s throw backs that we are happy to see coming back.  We would love to have your input!  In your opinion, what was the good, the bad and the ugly from 1984?  Which trends from the 80s are you welcoming back and which ones do you think should stay locked up the time capsule forever?

Just for fun, here are some other things Seventeen said were “in” in 1984.  There are quite a few “ins” that are making their way back, others that never left (i.e. cookies-n-cream ice cream), and then there are the heartthrobs that we want to remember just the way they were in 1984.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Heartthrobs with talent
• Sean Penn
• David Lee Roth
• KevinBacon
• Tom Hanks
• Rob Lowe
• Sting
• Alfred Hitchcock movies
• Adventure films
• Heavy metal

FADS

• Break dancing
• Mystery novels, thrillers
• Trivia games
• Formal dances

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD

• Muffins
• Pasta topped with seafood or veggies
• Japanese food; Tex-Mex
• Chocolate-chip cookies; fancy chocolates
• Ice cream with cookie pieces mixed in

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What do you see when you look in the mirror?

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

• Do you have trouble getting your ideas accepted by others?
• Do you often justify or make excuses for the way you look?
• Do you dislike what you see when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror or window glass?
• Do you feel inadequate in knowing how to dress to communicate different moods or messages?
• Do you limit the places you go because of the clothes you have to wear?
• Do you feel uncomfortable or intimidated with others who are dressed well?
• Do you feel frustrated or overwhelmed when shopping for clothes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, attention to dress can help you.

Most people want to be attractive, but all too often they assume appearance just happens.  Some view it as a matter of luck, or an inherent trait.  Others continually wish, watch and wait for some sort of magic that will make them instantly attractive….turn them into a lion. However, it just doesn’t work that way.  It takes knowledge, thought, and effort.  For those who really want to create an attractive appearance, a personal stylist or image consultant holds the most hope and help.

At Conselle, we have three levels of support to help you reach your full potential.

1.  For individual private services with a qualified personal stylist or image management consultant,

CLICK HERE:  www.conselle.com

2.  For a week long retreat where we teach you the life-long skills to know and grow your image,

CLICK HERE:  http://www.conselle.com/image-enhancement-retreat.php

3.  To become an image consultant, learn from one of only nine certified image masters in the country,

CLICK HERE:  http://www.conselle.com/become-an-image-consultant-certification.php

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