As an image consultant, wardrobe consultant, personal stylist and personal shopper, I know that taking the plunge and making the call might be intimidating. Check out my video to learn all about my personal style philosophies and how I can help you with closet audits or edits, style assessments, personal shopping and more. I'd love to meet you! Just click on the link to watch.  Dana on You Tube

Do you have a friend, mother, sister, daughter or other special female in your life who is tough to shop for? Or perhaps you’ve just run out of gift ideas for her over the years. An elements of image gift certificate is the perfect gift! It’s easy!  Simply choose the amount you’d like to spend or the service you’d like her to have. Then contact me at 303-463-4839,  303-868-8925 or fill in the form on the right.  We’ll discuss her needs and your budget, and I’ll put the perfect package together to fit them both! A suggestion?  A Princess Day:  Treat your mom, best friend or any other special female in your life to a Princess Day.  I’ll take you both shopping at her favorite stores. Yes, you get to come along, but this day is all about the princess! (She not only gets pampering and expert advice, she gets to spend time with you, too!)  Since every wish is her command, we’ll do exactly what she wants…maybe a new outfit or two,  learning what styles look the best on her,  or even finding the perfect shoes for every outfit. (Read more...)

The famous Cherry Creek North sidewalk sale starts this Thursday, July 21, 2011 and goes through Sunday, July 24th. Just like it sounds, all of the merchants put their deeply discounted merchandise out on the sidewalks giving it a fun, bazaar-like atmosphere. Because this is such an exciting sale, and it’s easy to get carried away and make mistakes, I’d like to offer up some of my best shopping tips. As an image and wardrobe consultant, I’d be remiss to let you hit the sale without your shopping list. You may be thinking that shopping lists are just for groceries, but having an apparel and accessories shopping list is equally important for avoiding poor purchases. Your shopping list doesn’t have to “needs” only. “Wants” are fine, too. Now is the perfect time to buy a new trend you’ve been anxious to try, but not at full price.

• Look for items in your favorite colors. For example, my color this summer is coral, and I’ve bought several coral pieces to jazz up my summer neutrals.

• Try things on! And then walk around in them, sit down, and move around. Next analyze how it will fit into your wardrobe. It’s easy

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Hoop earrings are one of my go-to accessories. Personal style aside, as an image consultant, I recommend them as one of my “top 10 essential wardrobe items.” Like most of the other items I endorse when building a core wardrobe, hoops are basic. They can be worn with dressy or casual clothing. Mostly I love said hoops because they don’t detract from my interesting, statement necklaces. There was a time when the fashion of the day called for matching earrings and necklace set, but currently the matching look is passé. Instead of searching my jewelry wardrobe for a pair of earrings that coordinate with a necklace, but don’t match, I’ll wear hoops in a complementing metal. Take note, the hoops must always be a bit smaller or subordinate to the necklace for it to work. As I mentioned earlier, I do advise coordinating metals. For example, you want to choose silver hoops if your necklace is silver based. I will admit, however; this is a guideline that can be broken from time to time, especially when you’re dressed more casually…but it can be tricky! Lastly, a couple of more points about choosing hoop earring size. For business, (Read more...)

TLC’s What Not to Wear hosts, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, insist you should always be able to button your jackets. While I love Stacy and Clinton, I completely disagree! I never button my jackets…ever! It’s not my personal style, nor do I like the uber-constricting way it feels. Typically a size 8 jacket fits me well. Because I have a wide torso and back, if I wanted to button my jacket, I would need to purchase a size 10 and have many costly alterations made. It just doesn’t make sense to do this, as I’m just not a buttoner. Are you a buttoner or a non-buttoner? As an image consultant, I  always like to find out if my clients prefer to button their jackets or leave them open, as it will many times determine our choices. Whether you’re a buttoner, a part time buttoner, or a non-buttoner, here are a few considerations:

• If you button your jackets, even part time, you should never have any pulling across your back or at the buttons. When pulling occurs, you will need to buy a size larger and have the jacket tailored

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My favorite thing about skirts is that I’m not limited to one heel height. If you know me, are a client or have been reading my e-Style Tip or Blog for very long, you know I’m a real stickler for pant length. If you want your pants to be long enough, you can vary your heel height minimally at best. On the other hand,  a basic skirt can be worn with the highest of heels for an edgy look and with flats for a more casual feel. While skirt length isn’t nearly as precarious as pant length, exploring  what skirt lengths work best for you can help you look and feel your best at all times.

Tips to help you determine your best skirt lengths:

(Oh, and these tips mostly refer to professional dress, so mini skirts and maxi’s aren’t addressed. ) The most popular skirt lengths right now are from just above the knee to just below the knee. Your best length will depend on your legs, your knees,  and your comfort level. To find the length you prefer best, start by trying on the skirts you love most. Look at yourself from the side and rear. Take note of where they hit on (Read more...)

As an image consultant, I often get asked in regard to professional dress, “how much jewelry is too much.” The amount of jewelry you wear at any one time can be different for professional dress and every day dress. The main goal of professional dress is to create a memorable image without any distractions. The following are some tips to help you decide what to wear and what not to wear:

• Earrings, necklaces, pins and scarves help draw attention to your face, where you always want it for business. When your face is the focal point, your message is much stronger!

• Metals, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, and crystal jewelry present an elegant look without being audacious. Examine each piece for a look of quality.  Avoid plastic or enamel, or anything that looks cheap.

• Medium-sized jewelry will be eye-catching and sharp, yet not distracting in business. Delicate jewelry is beautiful, but it doesn’t have the drawing power of a more substantial piece. Overly large pieces can be distracting.

• One piece of jewelry should be dominant, larger or more attention getting, and the other pieces should be subordinate. For example, if you’re wearing a substantial necklace, your earrings should be

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We love our jeans. Whether you wear jeans for work, weekend or going out on the town, the following tips are sure to help you find a fabulous fit and love your jeans (and the way you look in them!)

• For the apple shaped woman (slim legs with weight in tummy and chest,) look for a higher rise with straight legs or wide legs, such as trouser jeans.
• For the triangle figure type: look for a contoured waist to prevent gaping. Straight legs or boot cut jeans with a dark wash are best.
• For the rectangular body type: lots of details such as fading on the thighs and whiskering will help give you curves. Low rise straight legs or skinny legs are best for you.
• For the hourglass body type: Flared legs or boot cut jeans are best. See Triangular for more tips.
• For the inverted triangle body type, wide legs or boot cut jeans will give you more volume on your bottom half. Add curves with fading and whiskering.

No matter what, be sure to check yourself in a 3 way  mirror when trying on jeans. As Clinton Kelly from What Not to Wear, said when he was in town, "the only reason to wear (Read more...)