Spring 2009 Top trends Part 1 of 2

Black on white prints are big this Spring. Any combination of black and white can work for the more conservative woman, even something as simple as mixing black and white beads.

Not pictured are zipper details, which can be found on jackets, pant legs and even handbags this season. Oversize necklaces are also continuing into the Spring, and I feel that they make great investment pieces for their enduring quality.

The look of pants this Spring will be decidedly relaxed and ethereal, being loose on the hips and tapering slightly at the ankles. Either fitted tops or loose ones belted in keep the look sharp and fresh.

The accessories report indicates that big, exotic bangles when layered will be big, as well as oversized pattern handbags. How fun!

Last but not least, we have the sophisticated trench coat, which is longer and has a more luxe look because of the shimmer. It easily transitions from day to night. And.....hot pink! I am so excited because this is such a brilliant and attractive color on lots of skin tones. This information comes compliments of Glamour magazine, so I cannot take credit :)

Live in color!

Lauren

Own Your Age

It is time to own your age, ladies! I want to see what 40 really looks like, and 50 and 60 and 70 and 80 without going under the knife or being injected with substances to plump up the skin. I want to see more women who own their age and are utterly unapologetic about it. Can you help me?

If you have decided to age gracefully with only the help of good topical products and innovative beauty tricks, then I would love to have you submit a good photo of yourself to display on this blog.

Own your age--that is going to be my mantra moving forward, ladies. This is not to criticize those women who have opted for injections or cosmetic surgery. In fact, direct relatives of mine have gone under the knife in the name of beauty. This is not about judgement. I just want to see for myself how good 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 can look without medical intervention.

I look forward to your photos, ladies. Own your age!

Lauren

How do you feel in your clothes?

It doesn't matter if you wear the latest trend or most expensive garment--if you don't feel comfortable in the outfit, then you'll be fidgety and won't wear it well or look your best. It will have been a wasted purchase--perhaps one that just hangs in your closet for years.



When you feel comfortable in a garment, you exude confidence and appear more attractive. You 'wear' the clothing instead of having it 'wear' you. Let's look at 3 simple steps to making sure you feel comfortable in your wardrobe:



1) Do you love it? If you would wear the garment over and over again, and find yourself grabbing for it routinely, then you love it. If you hesitate before putting it on, then you don't love it and should get rid of it.



2) Does it fit properly? This seems rather obvious, but I see so many women pulling up their pants or fidgeting with a dress collar because of ill fit. Be sure that your garment skims (not clings to) the right places, and that you have it altered for your body type.



3) Does the fabric feel good on my body? Fabric makes a difference on so many levels. Most importantly, the right fabric feels like a second skin, and you don't feel itchy or uncomfortable when wearing it. If anything about a fabric bothers you, then ditch the garment in favor of one that feels nicer to wear.



Live in color!

Lauren

Pantone's 2009 Color of the Year

I love the website of http://www.pantone.com/ because they are the quintessential predictors of color for home, beauty and fashion. According to Panton, the 2009 color of the year is Mimosa.



According to Pantone--and this is a direct quote:

In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow. "The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

What I love about the color yellow is how appealing it is to everyone, even if everyone doesn't like wearing it next to the face. This shade of Mimosa can appeal to both men and women. For men it can be incorporated into a striped or patterned tie. For women it can be incorporated very well into accessories, handbags and patterned tops.

Yellows in general coordinate with virtually every other color, and my favorite neutral to pair it with is actually grey. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Live in color,
Lauren

That one special outfit!

Just came from a fab wardrobe consultation in which we got rid of 80% of my client's wardrobe, and she didn't whine, whimper, cry or throw a tantrum. In fact, she felt relieved and looked happier and happier as we dwindled her wardrobe down to next to nothing!

Here's the thing, though.....we were able to create around 10 new outfit ensembles with 4 simple garments and a few tops we held onto because of their color, embellishment or flair. We had soooooo much fun, because it's always better to have a few great pieces than a whole lot of nothing great.

The truth is that we could have kept going, creating even more ensembles. There was enough left in my client's wardrobe to play with and create many more fun, unique looks.

Stay posted because I'm going to ask my client if we can post a couple of 'before' and 'after' photos. My fave piece we kept is her pant suit. It fits perfectly and is just the right shade of white.

For my client, the white pants suit is that one special outfit! She can wear it for job interviews, date nights, girls' nights out, and on the job.

Live in color!
Lauren

Support Color My Closet in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

Support Color My Closet in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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The power of color analysis

Recently a new client drove over 4 hours to see me for a color analysis. Not everyone is willing to do this, of course, but this lady understands the value in what we do at Color My Closet. She understands the difference that the right colors can make for her personally and professionally. Here below I've pasted the contents of an email she sent following our color analysis:

Dear Lauren,

You know I have had my colors analyzed 3 times previously in my life, and none of those even compares to my experience with you on Saturday. You were so warm & set both my sister and me at complete ease. You explained things so well, so that we could see what you were seeing in the mirror when you analyzed the colors. Finally, the way you analyzed my coloring left no doubt at all in my mind or my sister's as to my season so that I feel completely confident now regarding choosing the best colors for myclothes & makeup - two areas where I always felt rather overwhelmed with the choices & always felt like I was choosing the wrong things. I'm truly excited to build my wardrobe now, rather than dreading it.

Color analysis is a tool we use to make women look rejuvenated, slenderized by 10-15 pounds, more put together, professional, and just downright awesome!

Live in color!
Lauren

What's your wedding white?

Every day women all across the country walk down the aisle in the wedding gown of their dreams. The only problem is that their gown is often the wrong color--the wrong shade of white. After spending thousands of dollars on the materials, cut and style of the dress, many brides simply don't concern themselves with the color of the gown itself.

Where color is often an afterthought in the dress selection process, it should be the first thing considered. The right wedding white illuminates a bride's skin and makes her photograph more beautifully. The right white visually slenderizes her and gives her a healthy glow.

Conversely, the wrong wedding white can make a bride's skin look dull. It can visually draw out imperfections and make skintone look very uneven--and even accentuate fine lines or wrinkles. The wrong color of wedding gown visually packs on pounds and yellows both eyes and teeth.

This is where a color analysis makes the difference between looking okay and looking dazzling on the big day. A certified analyst determines how you should color your hair, what makeup hues work best, the precise jewelry accents, and of course the color of wedding gown. She can even determine the best bridesmaid gown colors that complement all skin tones!

If you are planning your wedding and get stuck on color, please do give me a call. I'm here to help you shine on your big day.

Live in color!

Lauren

Winter coats and boots

Now is the time of year to great deals on winter coats and boots. Department stores and retailers like Burlington Coat Factory have begun to deeply discount these items. You may wonder what kind of coats and boots are worth buying right now.

Check out your coat closet first. Ideally, you should have 2 trench coats (one neutral and one a color or print), a casual short coat, a versatile mid length, and a dressy coat for special occasions.

As for boots, it's good to have 3 pairs: ankle boots in a neutral like brown or black, tall black boots and tall nude colored boots. The nude color may be harder to find.

Live in color!

Lauren

Using wardrobe to boost self-esteem

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and said, "Hey, I love what I see here!"? Probably hasn't happened in awhile. Many grown-up women focus solely on their perceived flaws and have an unbalanced self-esteem, a product of the teenage years I suppose. I see this all the time as a wardrobe consultant. So many women lament over heavy bottoms, flabby arms, or poochy stomachs. They complain about droopy eyes and large foreheads, all the while missing out on their fascinating beauty. And, yes, I see fascinating beauty in all women every day!

What if women shifted their thinking by shifting their wardrobe? Instead of buying pants to minimize the look of their derriere, what if they bought those great new earrings to highlight their cheekbones and eye color? What if they busied themselves with shopping for their assets instead of shopping around their perceived flaws?

This is all fine and dandy, but many women are so self-deprecating that they haven't taken time to assess their beauty and best features. I encourage you ladies to list your top 5 best features, and even more for that matter. If you have trouble, ask your spouse, significant other, best friend, sister, or mother. They all see your beauty daily and can attest to it!

Live in color!
Lauren

International style inspiration

Looking for style inspiration is the same as looking for inspiration when decorating a home. We often look to other parts of the world--exotic architecture, colors, foods, and landscapes. It helps to create that eclectic style so many of us like to incorporate into our home decor.

On a style note, think about the patterns and textures of clothing that you enjoy wearing. For me, it has always been oriental patterns with flowers or butterflies. I enjoy silky fabrics and kimono sleeves--always have and always will. This clothing inspires me and makes me feel comfortable. This season I'm ready to incorporate something a bit different, though.

Color has always inspired me, but nowhere have I seen more beautiful motifs and color contrasts than in Greece. White combines with all variations of bright blue and metallics. Incorporating white as my principal neutral, I'm going completely Greek this spring and summer.

Live in color!

Lauren

White jeans now....get 'em while they're hot!

I used to have the same problem with white jeans every year until now..... I used to wait until April or May to get my summer whites, but found that the selection was quite low. You see, all the good styles are available now, and they won't be around for long. Savvy shoppers (like me finally) will buy them up in triples, so do not wait. Check out The Gap, Banana Republic, J.Crew, Etcetera www.etcetera.com, Macy's or Dillard's.

White jeans are so flattering, even for those women who have more ample hips and bottoms. There is a sleekness to them, and I even believe they can be worn well during wintertime!

Live in color!
Lauren

What's your fashion personality?

Your fashion personality is all about clothing styles, makeup, hair, and accessories. It dictates where you shop and how you mix and match clothing. It has to do with texture, color, and what you naturally gravitate towards.

There are 4 basic fashion personalities, though infinite variations exist due to our uniqueness. Each of us also has a primary and secondary fashion personality, so we tend to blend elements of at least 2 basic fashion styles.

The Natural

Naturals prefer minimal makeup and jewelry with basic, no-fuss hairstyles. They do not tend to embrace trends but prefer basic, easy-to-wear pieces that lend a casual air. The natural woman values comfort and simplicity, and she will often buy the same garment in a few basic colors. As for color, the natural woman opts for neutrals and one or two colors in her palette.

Jennifer Aniston the Natural

The Classic

Classics dress in pieces that are well-tailored and can stand the test of time. They are not slaves to trends but incorporate new looks and colors sparingly. A Classic's hair and makeup will be timeless with a bit of edginess to express individuality. What sets the Classic apart, though, is her ability to build a wardrobe that looks stylish for years to come.

Kristin Davis the Classic

The Romantic


The Romantic is a woman who showcases her femininity with soft, flowing hair, shimmery makeup, and clothing that has embellishments, texture and a bohemian flair. That Romantic flair can be expressed in a frilly way with bows and lace embellishments, or in a bohemian chic way with vintage shirts, vests, and flowing skirts. What distinguishes the Romantic is how she wears things that feel good and bring out her femininity.

Kate Hudson the Romantic

The Dramatic


Many celebrities and rock stars fall into this category. The Bold or Dramatic woman embraces virtually every trend. Many women have elements of Dramatic in their wardrobe but have another primary fashion personality. The Dramatic is all about fashion evolution with her edgy haircuts, bold makeup, and uber-trendy looks. She dresses fearlessly and wants to stand out in a crowd.

Rihanna the Dramatic

Again, there are so many variations on these basic four fashion personalities due to the complexity of women. If you would like to take an online quiz from Color My Closet to determine your primary and secondary fashion personality, then please email lauren@colormycloset.com.

For a nominal fee, we can discuss the results to determine where you should shop and what looks are right for you this season!

Live in color!

Lauren

Ode to denim

Denim rocks! That's all there is to it. Denim is a wardrobe staple, and all women should have 3 pairs minimum.

Casual style for flats

Dark wash bootcut to wear with boots and heels

Funky, stylish denim fit--here are trouser jeans, or you could pick skinny, high waisted, or embellished styles

Denim fit is most important, though, and allow me to share a secret with you: http://www.zafu.com/. If you haven't already heard, this free website asks a few short questions then outputs dozens of denim styles and brands based on your body type. Think of all the time you can save in the stores thanks to this great tool!

Live in color!
Lauren

Fashion Fit Formula

How does off-the-rack clothing fit you? Do you have to hem pants, adjust sleeves, nip fabric in at the waist, or not buy some pieces because they fall at the wrong places on you? Take heart--you are not alone. Less than 1% of all women fit properly into store bought apparel.

Why don't clothes fit us right? The answer is simple: The retail industry mass produces clothing, manufacturing it to a perfectly proportionate standard of 8 equal head lengths. The good news is that we have access to all kinds of clothing thanks to mass production. The bad news is that no one measures up to that perfectly proportionate ideal due to our unique bone structure.

Speaking of bone structure, I'd like to introduce you to a revolutionary tool called the Fashion Fit Formula http://www.fashionfitformula.com/. It is an indispensable tool in my wardrobe business, one which teaches women their ideal clothing and accessory lengths down to 1/8 of an inch in accuracy.

1/8 of an inch in accuracy--can you imagine? The Fashion Fit Formula provides your ideal necklines, sleeve lengths, and short, skirt, Capris, dress, and even coat and jacket lengths. The beauty of this tool is that you can apply it to clothing hanging right now in your closet. In fact, when the formula is applied to new and existing clothing, you appear perfectly proportionate lengthwise and 10 to 15 pounds slimmer!!

You read me right--10 to 15 pounds slimmer with just a nip and tuck of fabric. See some before and after pics for proof:

Our client here was covering her plus-sized frame with loose and long garments. You see that by hemming both the skirt and jacket, she appears at least 20 pounds more slenderized. We also brought the sleeves up to an ideal length and added a soft scarf at her ideal neckline point. Immediately slenderized!

On this model, the scarf on the left was adding bulk and cutting her off at the neckline. The scarf was then tucked in and placed at her ideal neckline point, opening up that area and visually slenderizing her face. The skirt was hemmed up to create more proportion for her, and the jacket pockets were folded inside to slenderize the hip area.

The Fashion Fit Formula is such a fantastic tool that wardrobe consultants like myself here in the U.S. and Canada offer this directly to clients. It lasts a lifetime because your bone structure remains constant throughout life--even when weight fluctuates.

Live in color!

Lauren

The fashion highway

Just as our tastes in music, food, friends, and hobbies change as we mature and evolve, so do our tastes in fashion. Traveling along the fashion highway should be an enjoyable--not tedious--journey for us. How DO we travel life's fashion highway, though? It's simpler than you think.

The first step is to determine your wardrobe constants. Your fashion constants are those items that you always enjoy wearing, feel most like you, and are consistently on your 'need to replace' list. Some of my fashion constants are denim, form fitting T-shirts, hoop earrings, and summer sandals. Year after year I replenish my stock of these constants, and they make my ride along the fashion highway much smoother!


The second and final step is to freshen up your look as you evolve. Inject fun and interest with new patterns, textures, colors, and/or accessories that inspire and reflect the new, ever changing you!

Live in color,

Lauren

Got color? Got job security

Job security is on everyone's minds these days, and the thought of losing one's job, revamping a resume, and going back out on job interviews distresses most people. Have you ever thought about how to ensure job security, though? It extends far beyond technical abilities, continuing education coursework, reaching quota, meeting deadlines, working well under pressure, and dealing with interoffice politics.

One crucial way to safeguard your job is to pay close attention to your external appearance. This involves not only dressing the part, but also dressing in the right colors. Color accounts for up to 90% of that vital first impression, and it evokes an immediate response from others--be it positive or negative.

Why is color so vital to your job security?

You look competent in the part--When you wear your correct colors, you look more polished, professional, and put together. You look like you belong in the position you currently hold or--better yet--are poised to land that great promotion.

You set yourself apart from the competition--Very few people pay attention to their color choices because they don't understand how integral color is to their look. You can immediately gain a competitive edge over coworkers or other job applicants by wearing your best colors always.

You garner more respect and trust in the workplace--Studies have shown that when people wear the wrong colors, others are put off and find it difficult to listen to or trust them. The opposite is true for those who wear their right colors, as others both listen more intently and are more drawn to them.

You control your image rather than have it control you--When you wear your best colors, you can better control how others perceive you. You can also begin to understand how to use color to evoke certain emotions and send clearer messages in the workplace.

You exude more confidence--Wearing your colors not only impacts others positively, but it also makes you feel more confident and put together. We all know that a confident employee or job applicant fares better than a person who is insecure about his or her appearance.

Got COLOR? Then you got JOB SECURITY!

Live in color,
Lauren

My emerging love affair with hats

I have found a new love--hats! What a great solution as my short curly hair grows out into a bob! So far I bought a tres chic red beret and a funky page-boy gray cap.

Why do I love hats so much? For starters, they are a fun way to express fashion personality. They also express my creative side, and they are ageless. Lastly, only women with confidence and swagger can truly wear hats well......

Since I'm in an experimental phase here, I'm only buying inexpensive hats from Target and Forever 21. In time hopefully I'll have a collection of cool hats to show off!

Live in color,
Lauren

Take a cue from Coco Chanel

In the words of Coco Chanel, "I don't do fashion--I am fashion."

It is said that when Coco Chanel passed away, she only possessed 5 or 6 pieces of clothing in her wardrobe. She understood how to make every piece do double, triple, even quadruple duty, and she epitomized fashion and class until the very end.

Why is it, then, that we feel the need to keep buying piece after piece after piece of clothing for our wardrobe? We only wear 20% of it anyway. Did you also know that we waste 9 years of our lives shopping only to toss or return 80% of what we purchase?

I encourage each and every one of you ladies to keep your wardrobes simple. Make sure that the few pieces you love are of good quality, flattering cuts, and of course in your color palette!

Live in color,
Lauren

New Year New You

Happy New Year 2009! Let's chat about New Year's resolutions. Most of us set them but falter and lose hope after just 30 days. Scores of articles are written about why we don't keep resolutions or how we can better follow through on them.

Here is my month-by-month, easy-to-follow guide to improving your appearance in 2009. This is one resolution you'll want to keep!

January--Sift through your wardrobe and get rid of things that are old, tattered, ill fitting, or that you haven't worn in over 2 years.

February--Pull out 5 favorite pieces from your closet and make a list of pieces that you can add to them--i.e. accessories, jackets, new shoes, etc.

March--Focus on color. Think back to the colors you've always enjoyed wearing or gotten compliments on.....buy more of these colors!

April--Consider a new hair style, even if it's just getting highlights or creating new bangs.

May--Revamp your cosmetics palette. Summer is around the corner and our skin color generally bronzes slightly.

June--Buy 2 pairs of white jeans--one for heels and another for flats. This is by far the most versatile and figure flattering item in your summer wardrobe.

July--Try some of the great self-tanners out there, or even go to the salon for a spray-on tan. They can look very natural!

August--Save your dollars for cashmere this winter.......set a goal to buy 1 cashmere piece each season in a fun new color.

September--Time to change cosmetics again. Pick some new lipstick and nail shades.

October--Buy some fun accessories for winter--funky hats, scarves, and gloves.

November--Shop early for holiday party attire. Get yourself a fab pair of evening heels, sparkly earrings and/or necklace, fab handbag, and coat or throw.

December--Buy that cashmere you've been wanting--on sale!

Live in color!
Lauren