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...)

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!)

Strands of pearls and long necklaces are ever so stylish right now. However as an image, wardrobe and style consultant, I’ve consulted with a few bigger busted women who just aren’t sure if these necklaces will complement them. Without a doubt, you can wear necklaces…use the following tips to wear necklaces to add to not only your personal style, but your professionalism to boot! When it comes to long necklaces, you need chunky styles and those with multiple strands. Single strands and delicate chains with pendants will just fall into your cleavage-not where you want attention for business. If your preference is for shorter necklaces, chunky is still the way to go. Be sure it sits well below your collar bone. (In pearls, this length is often called opera length.) Your goal with this necklace is to balance your proportions and create a V or U shape, which brings attention to the middle of your body. The eye then naturally goes up to your gorgeous face. I urge you to try these tips. Accessories are truly magical!

In my chapter from “Image Power,” How to Shop Like a Pro and Look Like a Million Bucks, I am adamant about buying complete outfits; however, today I’m going to talk about breaking that rule with accessories. It is perfectly fine to buy an accessory in your favorite color without having something to wear with it. If it’s a color you’re absolutely drawn to, chances are good you have it in your wardrobe or you’ll buy it in the future. For example, I am crazy for purple, usually a dark shade versus one that is light or muted. I once saw a pair of shoes in DSW in kind of a berry tone. They were very cool and a fantastic price. I couldn’t think of one thing I could wear them with, but I thought, “What the heck,” and took the plunge. I wear them all of the time! (Right now as a matter of fact!) I originally wore them with a printed, silk dress that had various shades of purple. The other day, I wore them with a charcoal gray dress with a border print of mauves and berries. Today, they’re sassing up a charcoal gray skirt and plaid trench (Read more...)

The fall trends have shown themselves, but it will be a couple of more months before we look at spring's trends. What does that leave? Accessories! In particular this month--scarves. Before you declare yourself "not a scarf person," read on. We're not talking about your grandma's scarves. Today's scarves have a more modern, casual vibe great for business, business casual and casual wear. If your wardrobe is devoid scarves, I encourage you to take a trip to the accessories department or your favorite boutique with this tip in hand and do a little experimenting. If you like scarves, follow these tips, and you may just learn to love scarves. The Hardest Working Accessory Scarves are the ultimate multi-tasking accessory. Here are just a few reasons to love them. * Camouflage If you've put on a couple of extra pounds over the holidays, (like me,) you'll love this quick fix. A long scarf not only covers your tummy, but it also creates a strong, center front vertical line creating the illusion that you're taller an thinner. * Color Even though most of us own a lot of it, black is rarely our best color. By adding a colorful scarf to a black jacket or sweater, (Read more...)

While sometimes we think business casual is especially hard in the summer, it doesn’t have to be. The other day, I was meeting a client for lunch. It was a warm sunny day, and I wanted to be cool, comfortable, and stylish, professional without looking too dressed up. I chose a white 3Dots t-shirt and a tan, pencil skirt. Alone this would have been a pretty bland outfit, so I added a heavy, chain necklace, gold hoops and my gold watch. Then I slipped on my brown high heeled “gladiator” sandals. Ah, and because you can never tell what the weather is going to do, I grabbed my Beth Bowley, lightweight, brown cardigan. Here’s why this outfit works— First, the colors are neutral and the shapes are basic, so they're super easy to combine. Secondly, instead of choosing any old white t-shirt, I picked one in a high quality. While you might not always want to sink a lot of money into your everyday summer tops, a few nice quality t-shirts in your wardrobe lend themselves to a business casual look. They also wash better and last longer. Next, the weight of the skirt is a little heavier than your typical cotton skirt. (Read more...)

Let's face it. Winter is a long season in Colorado. You probably have some great clothes in your closet, but you are most likely sick of your outfits. Versus going out and buying for the sake of buying, my solution is for you to shop in your closet, making totally new outfits from your existing clothes. Here are a few tips: 1. Break up your suits. Many suits that are bought together are not meant to be separated, but most are easily separated. For example, pair your pinstriped pants with a solid jacket. Wear your glen plaid jacket with a solid skirt. Play with layering in new ways. Instead of your usual shell under a jacket, try a belted cardigan. 2. Mix Prints. If you fell like your ensembles are bland, mix it up! Combine that pinstripe suit with a geometric print blouse. For a more subtle look, combine your tweeds with prints. The trick to mixing prints and patterns is to make sure one print is dominant and the other is subordinate. Next, there should be at least one common color in all pieces of your outfit. 3. Soften (Read more...)

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