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    Should You or Shouldn’t You

    80s-shoulder-padsshoulder-pads

    Just say NO!                                               Give it a GO!

    Style Solution reader Laura asks:

    Q: I have a beautiful suit (jacket and pants) by Perry Ellis. I bought it about six years ago. However, the jacket has shoulder pads. This is bad right? I don’t think they are really noticeable though. Also the pant has a high waist and a somewhat tapered leg. I could send you a picture if you wish. I would like your feedback!

    A: Thank you for your question. Shoulder pads in and of themselves are not necessarily bad. They can really help give shape to certain body types. However, if they are large and can’t be removed, or are out of proporation to your body, they will look out of date. My main concern is the pants which sound severely out of date. We can do high waist, or tapered, but not both. It is hard to say without seeing you in the suit, but just based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like it may be time to donate this suit to your favorite charity (mine is Women Helpig Women in Costa Mesa) and finding a new one.

    Join me for a Special Shape Event on September 17th

    perfect-shape1

    Your Perfect Shape

    Thursday evening, September 17, 2009

    6pm-8pm

    16300 Sand Canyon Ave, Suite 911, Irvine

     

    Every woman wants that perfect shape, with just enough curves in just the right places.  

     

    Learn how Dr. Andrew Smith can help you sculpt those enviable curves, while Image Consultant Erin Stafford teaches you how to look both thinner & taller by defining your personal style and accentuating all your best assets.

    Dressing stylishly isn’t the only key to looking good! Knowing how to dress your shape is just as important as knowing what’s in fashion, and if you find the right pieces, they can make you look 10-20 pounds thinner! Every woman wants the perfect silhouette, and Erin Stafford can help you create a wardrobe that makes the best of every curve your have – diminishing your problem areas and accentuating your best assets.

     

    I look forward to seeing you there!

     

    Style Solution Question - “Is it ok to wear a skirt to a business function without nylons?”

    Q: Style Solution reader, Barbara, asks “Is it OK to wear skirts to a business function without any leg covering like nylons?”

    NylonsNylons 2

    A: The short answer is yes.  The general rule of thumb is that if your skirt is above your knees, you should wear nylons/tights/etc like the ladies above.

      No Nylons

    If the skirt is below your knees, it is not usually necessary.  Obviously this all depends on the dress code of your company.  The good news is that women’s business clothing has evolved and relaxed a bit over the years.  It is not absolutely necessary to wear nylons in the work place.  However, nylons are always dressier and give you more authority than going without.  Nylons will help your overall image to appear more polished and put together.

    Get Your Special Reports Today

    If you are looking for style and image advice that won’t cost you a fortune, you’re in luck.  I am now offering my Special Reports for a fraction of their printed price.  They regularly sell for $24, but you can download them today for $9.99.  Simply click the links below to order yours today.  I know you will find the information very useful and that it will help you look and feel your best.  Enjoy!

    55 Ways to Slim Your Silhouette with Ease
    This 32 page book gives you 55 easy ways to slim your silhouette today.  It includes tips on foundation garments, tailoring, fabrics, diverting attention, body types, proportion and balance, color, swimwear and more.  It is a great place to start if you want to look slimmer without surgery or fad diets.  It’s amazing how implementing these easy tips can instantly help create a slimmer silhouette.


     

    Polishing Your Professional Image

    By implementing the proven tips and guidelines in this book, women will feel more self confident, up to date, and put together.  The straightforward style, practical tips, and advice in these pages are easy to grasp and can be used immediately.  Every woman, regardless of size, shape, or age will be able to look more polished and professional.   


    From Work to Play - Reorganize Your Mind and Closet

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    Most women wear many hats each day.  They have their mom hat, wife hat, work hat, play hat, chef hat, chauffeur hat, and countless others.  They muddle through each hat change with limited success and have problems crossing the wardrobe boarders between hats.   It is possible to develop a wardrobe that easily crosses between the many different roles that we play each day. There’s no need for a full costume change, simply adding or subtracting a few key pieces is all that’s needed.                   

    Reorganize Your Mind and Your Closet
    Stop thinking that just because it’s a suit that you have to wear it together and that it has to be worn to work.  Organize your closest so your work and play clothes are mixed together.  You want all your jackets together…from jean jackets to suit jackets…all hanging together.  This will help ensure that you get the most possible use out of them.    This is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself.  Often times you don’t even need to go shopping.  You just need to reorganize your mind and closet and create new outfits that cross pollinate your wardrobe with work and casual clothes. 

    Financial Crisis! Don’t Let Your Image Go Under Too!

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    Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, IndyMac, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and Washington Mutual are just a few of the financial institutions that have gone under or are on the verge of bankruptcy.  It is no secret that the United States housing and mortgage crisis is having a significant impact on the lives of millions of people.  As a professional in this ever changing, competitive financial world, your image is more important than ever.  The slightest increase in your credibility, intelligence, success, and confidence can often be the deciding factor in landing a new client.  With the training and help of an AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) certified image consultant, it is possible to take your image to the next level, to ensure that you have every advantage in this do or die market.       

    The recent government buyouts, bankruptcies, and overall downward spiral of some of the world’s largest banks, have left consumers feeling unsure of their investments and skeptical about where they should invest.  For financial professionals, your image is one of the few things that you can control, and now is the perfect time to make sure it is not letting you down.  It is essential that you and your team are sending the right message to your existing and potential clients.  Investors need to feel confident that you and your team are professional, experienced, successful, and knowledgeable about the changing market.  They want to know that you will pay attention to every detail of their account to make sure their money is invested wisely.  The current market leaves no room for error. Thus, your image is a key part of your success.  

    Enlisting the help of an AICI certified image consultant will help ensure that your image is immaculate and reflects your overall experience and expertise.  An image consultant can help you understand: 

    ·         How your image can improve your company brand, increase your career advancement, credibility, and energy levels;  ·         How to create visual authority to achieve better business results;·         Understand your unique body type and coloring to find clothing that fits perfectly and establishes you as an expert;·         How to look more credible and professional in any situation through body language and business etiquette;·         How to identify the most common image blunders that financial professionals make and how to avoid them;·         What your dress code actually means and how to dress with ease and confidence every day. 

    By enlisting the help of a professional image consultant that offers individual or group instruction,  you will receive proven tips, guidelines, and practical examples to ensure that any financial professional will feel more self confident, up to date, put together, polished, and professional.  In this imploding financial market, ignoring your image and letting it slip with your company will ultimately lead to your failure.  Consumers need confidence and if your image does not project confidence and credibility, they will take their money elsewhere.  More than any other time in recent years, this market requires a confident, credible image.  An AICI certified image consultant can help you weather this financial storm with ease.  Visit www.aici.org to find a certified image professional in your area. 

    The Color of Business

    In today’s competitive corporate world, your image is more important than ever.  An increase in your perceived credibility, intelligence, success and confidence can often be the deciding factor in an agreement or sale.   I’ve included a brief breakdown of business color psychology for you below.  Keep this in mind when you get dressed in the morning.  Make sure you are sending the right message in your color choices.  

    The Color of Business 

    Our eyes see and remember color much quicker and better than anything that we say or do.  It makes sense that color plays an important role in the first impressions of our professional presence.  

    Dark colors have the most authority, and when accented with lighter or brighter colors, they can be even more powerful.  Middle shades are best for creating a feeling of approachability.

     

    Black

    A power color, especially for women.  It gives a sense of authority, control, and leadership.

     

    Gray

    A timeless color that evokes a feeling of participation rather than leadership.

     

    Blues

    Navy is less harsh than black, giving a feeling of approachable authority. 

     

    Reds

    This family exudes confidence.  In a conservative environment it is considered too flashy.  Burgundy, however, is authoritative and a nice alternative.

     

    Browns

    Chocolate, taupe, tan or camel are the most acceptable browns for conservative, formal business attire.  They are approachable colors, neutral, and can be worn with a variety of colors. 

     

    Whites

    Great for accents, and adds authority when paired with dark suits. 

     

    The Style Solution Tele-Class - All Your Style Questions Answered - Starts March 7th

    The Style Solution Tele-Class – Starts March 7th!

    Now is your chance to get tangible style solutions to all of your fashion woes. My new tele-class is starting March 7th and I can’t wait for you to be a part of it.

    For 50 minutes each week you will have fabulous tips, tricks, information, answers, and style solutions to all your fashion woes. A few of the topics we will cover are:

    Finding that Perfect Pair of Jeans – what to look for and what to avoid to look fabulous every day

    Finding the Right Bra - to look 10 pounds thinner and younger instantly

    Building a Basic Wardrobe - to get dressed with ease every day

    How to Accessorize - for every age and shape

    Tailoring Tips and Tricks - to make every piece work for you

    10 Classic Wardrobe Pieces Every Woman Needs – to look eternally pulled together and updated

    And many many more!

    Sign up today, as space is limited! Each class will be recorded and available to listen to again and again. So don’t worry if you miss a class.

    Regularly $275 a month, I am offering my blog readers a reduced rate of $225 x 3 months. If you sign up today you will also receive my two special reports: 55 Ways to Slim Your Silhouette with Ease and Polishing Your Professional Image absolutely FREE! Call or email me today to take advantage of this special offer. Visa, Master Card, Amex, and Discover accepted.

    I look forward to having you on this call.

    Erin Stafford, AICI
    714 351 3849
    erin@erinstafford.com
    www.erinstafford.com
    blog - www.erinstafford.com/blog

    The Style Solution Tele-Class

    Now is your chance to get tangible style solutions to all of your fashion woes.  My new tele-class is starting March 7th and I can’t wait for you to be a part of it.   For 50 minutes each week you will have fabulous tips, tricks, information, answers, and style solutions to all your fashion woes.  A few of the topics we will cover are: 

    Finding that Perfect Pair of Jeans – what to look for and what to avoid to look fabulous every day 

    Finding the Right Bra - to look 10 pounds thinner and younger instantly 

    Building a Basic Wardrobe - to get dressed with ease every day 

    How to Accessorize - for every age and shape  Tailoring Tips and Tricks - to make every piece work for you 

    10 Classic Wardrobe Pieces Every Woman Needs – to look eternally pulled together and updated 

    And many many more! Sign up today, as space is limited!  Each class will be recorded and available to listen to again and again.  So don’t worry if you miss a class. Regularly $275 a month, I am offering my blog readers a reduced rate of $225 x 3 months.  If you sign up today you will also receive my two special reports: 55 Ways to Slim Your Silhouette with Ease and Polishing Your Professional Image absolutely FREE!  Call or email me today to take advantage of this special offer.  Visa, Master Card, Amex, and Discover accepted.

    Keep Your Professional Image In Tact

    A few more things to avoid to make sure you look your most polished and professional at all times.

    • Uncoordinated outfits
    • Strange colored contact lenses
    • Dirty or scuffed shoes
    • See through or gaping clothes
    • Too much or out of date make up
    • Bra straps showing
    • Body odor
    • Coffee or smokers breath
    • Dark hair roots showing
    • Talking with your mouth full
    • Sitting with knees apart
    • Chewing gum


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