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?

Weekend Chic in the Summer

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

With the arrival of summer comes the promise of warm weather and delightful days of casual weekend fun. But summer also brings the dilemma of what to wear on the weekends. You still want to look stylish, while staying casual, comfortable, and cool. We have some stylish suggestions that will satisfy all three demands.

Macy’s

Garments:

Choosing the right garments can make dressing for hot weather on a weekend afternoon easy.

• Instead of full-length pants, look for knit capris with an unusual design element; they can be fitted like leggings, or full like trousers. A pair of Bermuda-length shorts is also another alternative.

Tina Turk	NY Collection	Ralph Lauren

• We love skirts in the summer. They are cool, easy to find in light, summer-weight fabrics, and will easily dress up a simple tank or T-shirt.

Hologen Skirt with Embellished Cardigan	M Missoni	Rebecca Taylor

• Dresses are great for warmer weather. The style selection is boundless. Dresses eliminate the hassle of figuring out how to coordinate separates. They create a complete look with just one piece.

Talbots	Donna Morgan	Ali Rio

• Blousy tops are very popular. This is an alternative to the plain cotton T-shirts. A blousy top makes a statement and has style. This is a way to dress up any pant or skirt.

DKNY	Michael Kors	Etro

• Consider embellished cardigans for the summer instead of jackets. You can be comfortable without being too exposed.

Talbots	Alice Olivia	Tory Burch

Fabrics:

Staying comfortable in hot weather is all about the right fabric choices.

• Linen is often overlooked because it wrinkles so easily, but it really is a wonderful fiber to wear. The fabric is cool and comfortable. This season there are many linen options in a variety of pants and tops. It is more sophisticated looking as well.

Talbots	Nanette Lepore	Lafayette Linen Shorts	J Jones NY

• Tissue-weight knits are another alternative to being cool in summer heat. These fabrics are comfortable, soft, and cool but allow you to be covered up from the sun or any other unwelcome exposure.

Splendid Wrap Cardigan	Eileen Fisher	Michael Kors

• Microfibers are the best thing to have happened to clothing in decades. Today microfibers are breathable, comfortable, and can be amazingly weather resistant!

MicroFiber Leggings	Hanro Tank Top

Accessories:

Finishing an outfit with the right accessory choices is the secret to having a chic look in hot weather.

• Hats will protect you from the sun and can be fabulously stylish. Find a hat that flatters your face and you are set for the summer.
• Jewelry is the easiest way to dress up your look without adding unwanted layers. For casual weekend wear chose light, fun, playful pieces like acrylic bangles and fabric necklaces.

• Shoes, like jewelry, can really make an outfit pop! The secret is to find a pair of shoes that you not only love, but are comfortable, and whenever you put them on, your outfit looks great! This season, we are loving skin tones, the ultimate neutral.

Via Spiga	Von Furstenberg
Cole Haan	Cole Haan

• The final piece to complete any outfit is a handbag. Clutches are very chic, but not as practical as a great tote. No matter what, your summer bag should have style, perhaps some color, and be durable.

• Don’t forget the sunglasses. A summer look would not be complete without a great pair of shades, of course!

• Looking stylish on the weekend can be effortless and fun if you update your wardrobe each season with color, fabric, or accessories.

What is your favorite weekend look?
What summer piece could you not live without?

Contributed by Bianca Stark-Falcone

With the return of summer and sunny weather also comes the return of one of our favorite accessories, the Sunglasses! This is an accessory that can make a real statement or polish off a stylish look. Sunglasses have become synonymous with some of the most iconic looks and famous images in Hollywood. Sunglasses not only make a style statement but can greatly compliment the face.

The history of sunglasses dates back to ancient China and Rome.

In these ancient cultures elite wore spectacles with polished gems in them. It was not until 1929 that glasses were first designed to protect people’s eyes from the sun. Soon famous movie stars and musicians also began to wear sunglasses. This “new” accessory started to become not only a way to protect against sun glare, but also a way to be “cool.” By the 1960’s Sunglasses were a cultural phenomenon. Suddenly sunglasses defined a look that many popular fashion icons became known for.

Choosing the right sunglass style that is just right for you is easy. The end result will add a strong and powerful dimension to your sunny weather look.

Tom Fords

Choose the sunglasses with the right shape for your face:
First think about the lines that make up your face.

If your face is made of soft lines, the frames of the sunglasses should have soft lines and curves, if your face is more angular, the frames should have strong lines and sharper angles.

Please visit my website for top tips and style recommendations that will help you select the sunglasses that are just right for you.