Conselle’s ode to Levi Strauss….and the growing denim uniform

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

Little did young Levi Strauss know when he came west during the California gold rush, that he would be responsible for creating one of the longest-lasting and most distinctive American contributions to the world of fashion.  He brought with him a wagonload of denim fabric to be made into tents for the miners, but he met with little success at tent making.  A very clever fellow, he then decided to make pants for the miners out of his very sturdy cotton material.  Copper rivets were added at points of stress to strengthen the pockets and enable miners to carry ore samples.  The so-called “Levis” were an immediate success and caught on elsewhere because of their durability and suitability to the rugged lifestyle of the Western United States.

A new name was needed to identify the pant style when made by manufacturers other than the Levi Strauss Co.  And so they became known as “jeans,” a logical adaptation for the name of the cloth from which they are made.  According to Webster, “Jeans” is a durable cotton cloth in a twill weave, used for work clothes.  The fabric was first made in Genoa (Genes), Italy and used for trousers or overalls in solid colors and stripes.  It was similar to Levi’s denim, a serge or twill seave cloth, made in Nimes, France – hence, deNimes, or denim.

Today, jeans may be seen not only in the mines, but in the backyard, in the classroom, the shopping malls, in restaurants and in theaters.  They are worn by people all over the world.  And last time I checked, most of those people are not wearing them to work hard labor.  No, we’re not panning for gold in the river, so why do we want to look like we are?   Jeans were great for their original purpose, but now that we have cleaner living conditions, it may be time to reconsider the jeans uniform that we all wear.  So many of us would benefit from more variety in our wardrobes. In reality, jeans fit few bodies, get stuck in the crotch, and bag in the bottom.  Our closets are full of enough unwearable jeans that most of us could make our own tent.  Maybe it’s time to consider the fashion statement we’re really making.  Read our June Newsletter for a young woman’s take on jeans in the closet.

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Working your image – making your appearance pay!

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

We are judged and labeled within the first few seconds of meeting others.  Seize that moment! Judith Rasband, AICI, will not only give you a style boost, but will enable you to make those first few seconds provide a life long pay-off. 

Get enrolled now for an enlightening retreat to the majestic mountains of Utah where you will learn to look and act like a leader.  There are only 6 spots left for the May 7-12th retreat.   

conselle.com/image-enhancement-retreat.php

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Image for Work-at-Home Moms

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM with Sarah Ward, Conselle Affiliate

Let’s face it — stay-at-home moms don’t just sit around — they work!  If you are a work-at-home mom, you know how busy life can get juggling all your different roles and responsibilities on a daily basis.  Between making lunches and shuttling kids across town, you may have found that how the way you look often takes back burner.

It’s common for stay-at-home moms to get stuck in the routine of wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt.  On a regular basis, however, this attire can unconsciously contribute to feelings of depression and get you feeling down.  Think about it.  When you’re feeling relaxed to the point of sloppy, you don’t feel charged up and ready to go.

The remedy?  Make a habit of looking nice at home.  Set aside some time for yourself and dress in comfortable, good-looking clothes with a little makeup.  This will improve your self-confidence and help you to be more productive during the day.  Looking nice is one of the fastest and most effective ways to feel good about yourself as a work-at-home mom.

Remember: The way you dress affects the way you think, feel, act and then the way others respond to you — including your children.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to help you assemble your work-at-home mom wardrobe!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Tips to Improve Your Image in 2010

Improve Your Image in 2010! Photo c/o family-vacation-getaways.com

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

Happy New Year!  As you resolve to dress in a more authentic manner in 2010, here are some tips to improve your image in 2010! 

• Tip to Improve Your Image #1: Wear clothes that fit well — you’ll look slimmer and smarter in clothes that fit with a little extra ease around the body.
• Tip to Improve Your Image #2: Rather than limiting yourself to a narrow range of clothing styles, colors or fabrics, remain open.  Become more aware of creative combinations in line, shape, color and texture as shown in magazine pictures and store displays.
• Tip to Improve Your Image #3: Don’t overdo the accessories and decorative detail in your outfit.  Create one major point of emphasis with decoration or accessories, usually near your face.  All other areas and accessories should be less important in the amount of attention they claim.
• Tip to Improve Your Image #4: Clothing worn dancing on Saturday night isn’t appropriate for the office.  Save the glitter and glitz for after dark. 
• Tip to Improve Your Image #5: Don’t be afraid to try out a new look for fear of making a mistake.  Experiment with looks you like.  If you make an occasional mistake, it’s a good indication that you’re learning.  And when you resolve not to make that same mistake again, you come closer to your goal of creating the look you like.

Resolutions give purpose, structure and control to our lives — goals to work toward as you begin the new year.  Set yourself small, realistic goals with immediate results. 

If you have questions about how to begin and reach your image-improvement goals, send them to judith [at] conselle[dot] com. 

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to work with you!  2010 is a great time to turn the page and welcome in a more authentic version of you.  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Discover You Own Personal Style

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

Snoop shopping in our local malls, you can find classic clothes and sporty clothes, trendy clothes and snazzy clothes, leather jackets and sweat knit hoodies, tailored styles and cutesy styles.  We’ve got a lot to choose from, yet few are choosing.

Fashion books and experts continually advise us to discover, develop and stick to a personal style.  They point out that the most memorable, secure and successful people can be identified by a consistent style of dress and grooming.  This is generally true.  And next thing you know, they’re telling you what the latest “must have” is.

So how does one go about figuring out their own personal style?  Personal style is usually defined as the way we take an existing fashion or fad and make it uniquely personal.  It’s not just the clothes that count, it’s the way you wear them—your way.

Personal style is an acquired quality that develops from within.  As we observe, imitate, and learn from the styles of others, we edit those observations and ideas to fit our personal needs.  We, in essence, become a visual composite of many people and many styles, ultimately projecting a unique image of ourselves.

Discovering your personal style comes right down to the nitty-gritty of deciding what specific characteristics of dress and design you are most comfortable wearing most of the time–and feel you could wear for the rest of your life.  Personal style implies a consistency in the selection of lines, shapes, colors, patterns and textures.

The specific degrees of each of these details of dress communicate your personality traits and reflect your values, attitudes, interests and lifestyle as they project to self and others an image of the person within.  This is personal style.

Personal style may reflect a woman as daringly dramatic, daintily demure or a delightful blend in between;  as super sportive, radiantly romantic or a surprising and complementary combination of both;   as a traditionally classic conservative, a trendsetting free spirit, or a marvelous mix in between.

And again, if you think this applies to women only, think again.  A man’s personal style may project him as being macho or mellow, traditional or trendy, shabby or sharp.

For some, the discovery and decisions about dress come almost intuitively.  They seem to have an inherent sense of what feels and looks “right” for them.  For others, it takes conscious effort to become more aware, to study and to experiment.

Personal style is not something you are born with, can borrow or buy.  Regardless of how you acquire yours, it takes years of living, learning and experience to develop a style of your own.

And in the final analysis, I must admit that personal style is often more easily felt than explained.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to help you discover your own personal style!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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