Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

What are the different styles?

The white shirt is not only a classic piece for your wardrobe, it is an anchor that many looks can be built around, plus it has the versatility to work with almost anything else in the closet.  The right white blouse can also be incredibly flattering to your silhouette.  It’s just a matter of finding the white shirt that is right for you.

There are many different styles out there and each one is going to work for a different body and style personality.  But nothing says style like a great White Shirt.  Be sure to watch for three upcoming chapters on “The White Shirt – a Staple.”

Crisp  Clean Classic  Chic

Theory	T Tahari
Kenneth Cole New York	Ravel Wrap
Splendid Pullover Tunic	Finely “Laurent”
XCVI Wearables	ECI Ruffle

The white shirt has become such an important garment that there are now many styles to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for you!

• There is the classic menswear-inspired shirt; which can go from something very fitted with well-placed darts and seams, to something more relaxed. This blouse is structured and collared. It suits a person with a more conventional style, but is also the most diverse type of white shirt. The range of fit and design varies greatly with this classic shirt, so you still must be selective to find the right one for you. There are some beautiful classic white shirts out there now, so well designed and constructed that they can be worn as a jacket (a welcome alternative in warmer weather).
• The tunic is longer at the hem and designed to be worn out so it flows. It can still look tailored, but is generally more casual in feel and works well for someone with a dramatic or creative style. The tunic may be constructed with a variety of fabrics, including jersey and lace, and is often used as an easy throw-over-anything piece. It is considered a comfortable and stylish garment. The tunic travels well, especially if it is made of low-maintenance material. A structured tunic also works well as a jacket alternative over a colorful tank or T.
• The wrap is another popular style of white shirt. It is body conscious and usually very flattering. Sometimes this style can be a bit too revealing, so make sure it falls across your bust line appropriately. The wrap appeals to the woman with an alluring or elegant style. The wrap style is often found in dressier materials that are appropriate for evening wear and creates a sophisticated cocktail look when paired with dress slacks or an evening skirt. The wrap blouse can also create a business impression when properly fastened or worn with a camisole underneath, and is terrific with the right suit. Another take on the wrap-style white shirt is the cinched blouse, which emphasizes the waist with a belt and is a great addition to the professional wardrobe.

Keep in mind that all three of these styles vary tremendously with different collars, sleeve lengths, cuffs, hem details, and closures.  This is a lot to think about, so if you feel overwhelmed, you may want to get a professional to help you.

The Dress is a wonderful, easy piece to add to your winter wardrobe, especially for the Holiday season.

The dress is so easy! It is the core of a pulled together look. The right dress will make a woman look great and feel terrific every time she puts the dress on.

The dress is also amazingly diverse. It can be dressed up with evening accessories, turned business under a suit Jacket and pumps and play on the weekend with boots and a boyfriend sweater. A great dress will stand alone for a great look or work with other pieces as part of an ensemble.

Use the dress in a look that suits your style best to create a great style.

• For a classic look, try a structured dress with a patent leather belt and shoes!
• Layers are a very fashion forward and great to keep the chill off. Try layering luxurious pieces over luxurious pieces like a beaded cashmere cardigan over a velvet or satin dress.

To create a festive feel with your Holiday Dress, Look for details that have a Special quality to them:

• Sparkle is a fun way to create a holiday feel to your clothing. The trick is to not over do the sparkle Rich fabrics like velvet, satin, or or even paten and metallic leather have a “special” air to them.
• A bit of lace is feminine and has a dressy look that works well with black satin or a metallic, and can be easily winterized with opaque tights and knits.
• Nothing says the winter holiday traditions more than red plaid or candy cane stripes. But beware, these are bold looks, so treat them with care and use these festive prints in moderation. For a more updated look try this year’s winter florals in red.

Trends for this Season:

Winter Florals, Purple, Brights, Black & White, metallic, velvet, brocade, Embellished Necklines, Bubble Hemlines

Please visit my website for top tips and style recommendations that will help you select the best outfits for this holiday season.

Social Functions
By Diane Parente, AICI CIP

Every professional attends a variety of social business functions during the year, whether an office party, conference dinner dance, or cocktail reception for important clients. What you wear to these events can be challenging. You want to look special, but also have an air of professionalism.

Your professional image always needs to reflect you and your company. The mistake many women make is to have two different personalities, conservative business and daring evening. You want to avoid garments that are too outrageous or alluring, staying instead with tasteful dinner dresses, dressier suits, and pantsuits. Many businesses continue to discuss business even during a social function.

Generally, after-five refers to business attire slightly altered for evening by adding higher heeled shoes, drop earrings and freshening your makeup and hair. Occasionally you may prefer to wear dressier clothing, substituting a colorful dressier top and a distinct belt and shoes. Dinner dresses, suits or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for most formal occasions that are labeled black tie. One suggestion is a basic black dinner dress in wool crepe with a modest scoop neckline worn with a slightly fitted jacket and expensive looking jewelry. You can substitute any darker color for black. Hemlines can be longer for more formal occasions. If in doubt as to what is appropriate, contact the hostess to ask what she will be wearing and take your cue from her.