Elements of Image

When you have to get dressed for work day after day, and especially when it’s hot weather, it may be tempting to slip on a simple cotton blouse with a pair of slacks and call it good. Unfortunately, it’s simply not enough! Specifically I’m talking about an un-accessorized outfit consisting of a fitted cotton, puffed short sleeved blouse worn on the outside of a pair of neutral colored slacks and neutral shoes. Why is it not enough? There are several reasons. First, one of the cornerstones of professional dress is layering. Instead of the blouse alone, layer it with a jacket or if it’s quite hot, a summer weight cardigan. (Seriously, everyone I ever talk to tells me their office is freezing with air conditioning.) Next, cotton combined with puffed, short sleeves spells extremely young. I’m not meaning to offend or to squelch anyone’s personal style; however, there are many other options that will serve you better. If you love puffed sleeves, look to more sophisticated fabrications such as silk. In many cases, even polished cotton or a print will elevate your look. Lastly, if you work in a very casual office or your job requires you to be able to move around (Read more...)

Recently I asked my followers for blog post suggestions. My friend, Lida Citroen, asked for tips for tall gals, so to Lida and all other members of the “tall girl club,” here you go! While it’s still important to dress for your body type, most of the following tips are fairly universal for tall women. As you read, you will see that just like all other women, alterations make a huge difference in your clothing. 1.  Be proud of your tall model-like height! And to that I add, if you want to wear heels, don’t hesitate! (A small caveat might be if you are looking to make partner in your firm, and most of the partners are short men… I’m just saying.) 2. Pant length is crucial! Your pants should only be ¼” to ½” off of the floor. Otherwise, unless you’re wearing capris or cropped pants, you risk looking like your pants shrunk or you outgrew them. This might mean buying “Talls” or letting the hems out of your existing pants. If there isn’t much hem to let down, your tailor can add seam tape to give you the most length possible. And don’t forget the option of skinny pants tucked into (Read more...)

As an addendum to How to Dress in an Arctic Office, I’d like to talk about layering when you’re not working in an office, but you’d still like to maintain a great presence when the temperatures vary vastly throughout the day. For example, how do you dress when you start your day starts at a cool 60°, then the temperatures swell to desert highs? Again, layering! If you haven’t had the chance to read the last post on this topic, I’d mentioned that “layering” is such a buzz word, but it seems to leave us a little baffled unless we’re heading to the mountains, and yes, we all know how to layer with long johns! To make layering in the city easiest, be sure that you have a few basic, neutral camisoles/tanks and long sleeved t-shirts in your closet. Tissue weight t-shirts are the ultimate; you know, the ones you look at and think, “I can’t wear this. It’s see through!” You’ll also need a couple of jackets that aren’t from Lucy or REI. (This is where it gets a little tricky for us Colorado girls!) And if they’re (Read more...)

Recently several clients and friends have asked me how to deal with dressing in the summer with the vastly varying temperatures either going from: -Arctic office conditions to sweltering desert heat outside or -Starting the day off at a cool 65°F in the morning with the mercury rising to 95°F in the afternoon. While we’ve all heard that layering is crucial especially in Colorado, it can often be a bit of a nebulous concept that usually brings winter sports to mind versus dressing for an office day, out and about seeing clients, or even keeping up with the kids. In this post I’ll give you a few ideas for layering in the office. In my next post, we’ll talk about layering for business casual and casual environments. If your office is extremely frigid due to air conditioning that just won’t quit, (why they can’t get a handle on this in 2010 I’ll never know,) start each day with either a camisole or tank top. These aren’t your weekend/work out pieces, because depending on how insanely hot it is outside you may be stripping down to this layer at some point. (Keeping this in mind, always be conscious of your bra straps.) Next add a cotton or (Read more...)

I have been touting white all season now, and I absolutely love the "Little White Dress." On the right is the picture of mine--I've had it four years and have worn it several times. Just like a little black dress, one can truly do almost anything with a white dress. I did silver and crystal with it in this picture, but for my High School Reunion this weekend, I am pairing it with gold leather platform sandals and gold jewelry. I'm off to find a handbag. Gold might seem the natural choice, but that is just a bit too "matchy matchy" for  me. I'm thinking of a bright patent clutch. Just like a little black dress, this white one can be dressed up, down or somewhere in between. It can be worn with metallics or brights. (I could definitely do red patent platforms!) And it can be worn to almost any summer soiree---except a wedding!

I just returned from Chicago late last week after a week’s vacation. And yes, I can affirm--it’s hot there! I knew I’d be doing a lot of shopping, so I took along some casual dresses. I know this might sound dressy for vacation, but truly my dresses were the coolest items I wore. I’ve said it before, skirts and dresses are far cooler than pants. (I was baffled by women wearing jeans and maxi dresses!) Other pluses for these cotton knit sundresses: - They don’t wrinkle. I wore one of mine the last day of the trip and it didn’t need ironing. -They can be casual with thongs or dressed up in a pinch with a heel and jewelry.

Okay, it’s 2010. There’s just one thing I want to know. Why, with all of our technology, can’t the shoe industry make a really cute walking shoe? I’m getting ready for a trip to Chicago for shopping and sight-seeing later this week. Just last week I realized I haven’t made any improvements in my walking shoe wardrobe since I battled with it for Europe 2 years ago. To add insult to injury, not only do I need something for lots of walking, but I am also battling tendinitis in my ankle, so that cuts out certain styles as well. So I headed out to Dardanos on Colorado Blvd. Two of my clients have had great luck there-why not me, right? I was truly amazed at the number of  shoes they had, but equally amazed at how many ugly shoes they carry. I understand that for some, the comfort shoe, i.e. Birkenstocks, Danskos, etc, is a look-their style. I’m perfectly fine with that, but that isn’t everyone's style. Again, it seems as though we have the technology! I also don’t understand why these comfort brands make such unfashionable colors? I thought found a shoe that was great, but when the salesman brought (Read more...)

Even when the heat is oppressive like today, it’s still important to your image to accessorize. I personally find that necklaces, especially statement pieces can be hot in the warmer months, (although mostly on really hot days when I'm out and about a lot.) Rather than foregoing jewelry altogether, why not go for an earring-bracelet combination. Stacks of thin bangles and other light weight bracelets are perfect when the mercury rises. For “off-work” times, leaving your neck bare with an open/low cut or strapless top or dress can be an almost surprising look, leaving you refreshed and cool! If you feel absolutely naked without a necklace, look to your lighter weight chains and pendants. Consider combining them for a little more of a statement being careful not to make the end effect heavy looking or hot. Another option is to wear longer necklaces on the outside of your blouses instead of against your skin. The earrings and bracelet pictured are from Rhoda Designs. Rhoda is a local jewelry designer, and whether you're looking for earrings, bracelets or that special statement necklace, Rhoda’s are absolutely amaaaazing!! (Be sure to tell her Dana Lynch sent you!)

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I got an e-mail the other day from Anthropologie and even after going to the web site haven’t been able to delete it. I absolutely love this look!  With this next statement, you'll think I'm crazy, but I could never wear the sweater (wrong green-wrong pattern-too bulky,) and I’m not crazy about plaid. What I like is the color combination, black/white/green. (I typically wear more of a lime or apple green over the grass green.) It’s a classic color combo and can be worn year round; And it’s perfectly professional (business casual) to boot!

The skirt? While I don’t love plaid, I again like the color combo—on the bottom. We so often see prints on the upper body-more difficult for us inverted triangles, (bigger on top than on bottom.) The other aspect of the whole look that I love is that it’s a touch retro. We’re going to be seeing a lot more skirt silhouettes for fall. This skirt is a cross between an A-Line and a Full

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Although I usually limit my blog to wardrobe topics, I have to share my favorite product with you! Jergens Natural Glow is an amazing way to "get a tan" without exposing your skin to harmful rays. It's a combination moisturizer and self tanner. It's light and works gradually, so if you're not applying it evenly you can correct it more easily than with  normal self tanners. My skin tone is medium, and I naturally tan quickly, so I use the Firming formula for Medium to Tan skin tones. While cellulite isn't a big concern for me, I have noticed that the "firming," seems to work, and my cellulite is virtually invisible. Another plus of the product is that it helps hide spider veins--important if you're skipping nylons with skirts. Also, the bottles says it takes a week to work, but I get pretty good color in about three days. Lastly, Natural Glow doesn't have that overpowering "self tanner smell!" (You know what I'm talking about if you've ever used self tanner!) I don't notice a scent at all, but my husband thinks it smells like Chicken in a Biscuit (crackers)??