Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

Summer Shoes for Professional Business Women Need Not Be Boring

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

Summer is the time to freshen up your wardrobe and what better means than by selecting shoes with color, pattern, or an unusual element. Footwear has come a long way from the conservative basics of the past and transformed into an important fashion accessory for today.

A great statement shoe has a pop of color and detail such as perforated leather or an airy strap. Yellow is popular this season, but anything bright will work. For more toned down shades, a light neutral or skin tone will visually lengthen the leg.

As a professional, you want to avoid strappy sandals or even open-toe options in many work environments. Look for a simple pump with a classic silhouette, but with some color, texture, or pattern.

If all your business attire is neutral, find a bright pump to add a touch of spring. In addition, a summer shoe can have an interesting contrast of materials such as perforated leather or mesh. A flower or ruffle treatment will also add lightness to the shoe. Below are some suggestions on how to refresh your wardrobe with shoes.

• Liven up a black suit with an orange sling back pump or a black and white spectator flat.

• Add pattern to a simple, dark neutral sheath dress with a peep toe pump or a sling back with a detailed toe.

• Pair a striking sling back or a perforated peep toe flat with a patterned dress by matching a color from the pattern.

• Try combining ankle-length pants in a solid color with a patterned flat or an orange flat or wedge.

• Neutral spectator shoes are elegant when worn with an outfit of similar hue.

For the summer months, find shoes that are lighter, brighter, and airier. Have a bit of fun with an unexpected detail or a pop of color. There is the right shoe for you, no matter what your style is!

What is your favorite shoe for the summer?

How to Select the Right Printed Skirt for You?

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

Feminine

The printed skirt is very popular now and is a wonderful ways to freshen up a tired wardrobe, making basic pieces look current. The right printed skirt can brighten up your ensemble when paired with a smart jacket or blouse; it’s perfect for the office or an afternoon garden party.

Picking the right printed skirt for your spring wardrobe begins with knowing the type of print that suits your style. The same skirt in different prints can create completely different statements.

Dramatic

• Floral is a very big motif this spring. Typically, floras are considered feminine or elegant. This season, however, we see the floral motif used in rather unconventional ways and can be quite vivid, and even a bit edgy, appealing to sporty or dramatic personalities.
• Animal prints are still big and always a favorite with the alluring personality type.
• Painterly motifs and ethnic prints, which are also popular now, are mostly creative in flavor but can also work for a dramatic look if they have bold lines and high contrast.
• Both nautical and traditional graphics, such as stripes, plaid, and polka dots, tend to appeal to the more traditional or sporty styles.

When considering prints, it is also important to keep in mind the scale of the graphic because it can strongly influence how the proportions of the entire outfit will appear. A petite person should work with smaller prints and a person of grander size will want something larger. A print can actually be a useful tool for creating illusion and

Elegant

tweaking disproportions. The way the design lies across the skirt will also influence how the eye follows the pattern, thus affecting proportions: horizontal lines will widen, vertical lines lengthen, and diagonal lines add movement. An easy way to change the appearance of your lower half is to find a print that is closer to the scale you want and moves the eye in the desired direction. The nice thing about having a print on the bottom half of an outfit is that you don’t have to be so concerned about how it works with your facial features, but rather the proportion of your entire body, which allows more flexibility. So go ahead — find a great printed skirt that you love and don’t be afraid to wear it!

Now let’s talk about the silhouette of the skirt.

Alluring

Two popular silhouettes right now are the pencil skirt, which can create a chic business look when paired with an attractive sweater or blouse, and the pleated skirt, which can soften and punch up a stuffy suit jacket. The tiered skirt is also another popular style in prints. Although generally used for more formal occasions, it can be stunning with the right business look and works well when you go from business to an evening function. A skirt length below or just above the knee is recommended for business. A shorter skirt is too revealing for business, appropriate only for personal events, while a skirt that falls past the mid-calf can look heavy and matronly unless combined with a fitted top and heels.

A great printed skirt can add pizzazz to your existing wardrobe for this spring and summer! If you are having trouble finding the right skirt to match you style, you might consider getting some professional advice.

What types of printed skirts have you seen this season that really caught your eye?

Traditional

Sporty

Creative

What is the Right Blazer for you?

No matter which style you choose, a great blazer can make all the difference to a diverse and versatile wardrobe. Do not let the label of blazer fool you into thinking that they are all the same. Though by definition a blazer requires certain consistent standards to its inherent design, there are many subtle variables that can alter the style and fit of each individual blazer design.

The fit of a blazer can range from a tailored look to something almost slouchy. Some are now even made of knits! The more seaming and structure found in the construction, the more body conscious the fit will be. Because the fabrics are sturdy, a fitted blazer can create elegant lines on the body, hide a multitude of sins, and be very figure flattering. On the opposite end, a blazer with minimal seaming and construction, will hang comfortably on the body without betraying what lies underneath. When it comes to fit, pay close attention to the blazer’s material, which can include everything from sweater knits to stretchy blend fabrics.

In terms of fit, the standard blazer usually has a classic shape, which means it follows the lines of the body loosely, without bringing attention to or away from any one part. On the other hand, the shrunken blazer generally has a much more tailored fit, emphasizing your curves, and can be figure flattering. The shrunken blazer is probably the most diverse in character of these three popular styles, but with its shorter hemline and fitted quality, it does not work for everyone. The boyfriend blazer is the opposite, with a loose or boxy look. The boyfriend blazer creates an attractive silhouette for someone wishing to move attention away from the midsection or waist.

All three of these blazer styles can be found in a business suit quality made of refined fabrics, to a casual knit piece that works great with jeans. Besides the obvious variations in color and materials used, there are many different design elements that will affect both the fit and the character of the garment:

• The length of lapel and the number of buttons on the blazer will also affect fit. A one-button blazer is going to lengthen the neckline, revealing more bust, and create a defined waistline. A four-button blazer will have a wider, shorter collar and very little neckline. Four buttons will cover up the bust and torso completely. Two- and three-button blazers will create effects between the extremes.
• The length of sleeve and hem will affect the style, as will the handling in the shoulder. The length of a hem will affect body proportions as well as cover up or show off the hips and rear. Other influential design elements include pockets, peplums, and variations in seam lines.
• Collar treatment, including its length and width, is another important element of blazer design. These days, the collar can be anything from the classic notched style, to a softer shawl style. Collars can be small in scale, to dramatic and oversized.

If you find the idea of selecting a blazer daunting, you may want to ask a professional to help you choose the one that will work best for you.

How do you select your blazer?