Spring and Summer Events, What to Wear? ….. Weddings, Graduations, Outdoor Parties?
By Image Development & Management, Inc.

Is there a big event coming up in the next couple of months that you want to look great for? How do you choose what to wear? Well, here are some considerations to begin with:

• Time of day: Does it take place during the afternoon or in the evening ? An afternoon event can be a bit more casual than an evening affair, which is almost always a dressy occasion.
• Location: Will it be held inside or outside, at the beach, on a lawn, or in a marble hall? This will affect your shoe choice and the kind of cover-up you’ll need to coordinate your ensemble.
• Weather: Will it be chilly or will you be in direct sun for an extended time? Will you need a wrap, or perhaps a fabulous wide-brimmed hat?
• Your body: What should you cover; what should you expose? This is the hardest part for most people. Do you need something with long sleeves, covered legs, or a high neckline?
• Comfort: Should your outfit allow for movement or provide structure?

What challenges have you had in finding the best look for you?

Do you have any suggestions for our readers?

WEDDINGS:

Weddings are generally a dressier affair, but depending on the particularities, it could mean the difference between taffeta or a knit jersey. Think in terms of color, or light or dark neutrals.

J Renee Show	Pearl Necklace	Adrianna Papell

• The traditional style can wear a tafetta shirtdress for a wedding. It’s classic, stylish, and doesn’t reveal too much body. It is also VERY flattering. The shirtdress has so much style that a simple strand of pearls and pumps will complete the look.
• If you have a sporty style, you probably want to focus on comfort and ease. Color is great, then, think in jersey. There are some wonderful dresses out there now that are easily dressed up with mid-heel metallic sandals and a playful necklace. You will not only be appropriately attired for the occasion, but comfortable too!

Donna Ricco Jersey Dress	Naturalizer Sandal	Drop Necklace

• It’s easy for an alluring style to dress up, but remember that this day is all about the bride, so tone down the glamour. Go for a one-shoulder dress instead of the plunging neckline, metallic shoes, and perhaps chandelier earrings instead of a necklace.

Joshua Sandal	Chandelier Earrings	Tadashi

GRADUATIONS:

Graduations are academic occasions and almost always take place during the day. Color is in for any springtime event, but your dress should also reflect respect for the institution. The level of dressiness should fall somewhere between cocktail and business.

Ralph Lauren Skirt	Eileen Fisher	Low Sandal

• It is easy for the feminine style to go overboard with pinks and florals, but this may not work for the academic environment of a graduation. Tone it down a bit with solids or subtle prints in a fabric that moves. You might consider a sweater set with a tiered skirt and classic shoes with a bow or flower detail.
• The dramatic style should keep the graduation look simple but soft. Try a chic sheath dress with some pattern, black pumps, and a statement necklace. If the event is outdoors, a statement hat may also be appropriate.

Stripe Dress	Big Hats and Black Shoes	Statement Necklace

• Staying conservative enough for a graduation may also be tough on the creative style. Think suit with a twist. A really unusual jacket paired with dress trousers and a simple shirt may be perfect. Then the creativity can be expressed in the accessories!

Nanette Lepore	Christian Louboutin	Akris Punto

OUTDOOR PARTIES:

Think florals and separates. The garden party is a more casual, but an occasion still worthy of giving some thought about what to wear. Generally outdoors, some consideration should be put into protection from the elements, and if heels should be avoided because of the lawn?

• A person with an elegant style may have some trouble dressing down for the outdoor party. Try a simple cotton/spandex sheath dress in a light neutral. Pair it with some espadrilles; they are casual enough for an outdoor party, but still look put together. For the sun, add a hat; for a breeze, wear a matching cardigan.

Beige Dress	Jimmy Cho	Woven Hat

• The outdoor party is a relaxed, fun affair. The traditional style needs to stay true to your comfort level without being too stuffy. Traditional styles might consider wearing a color or a floral pattern. A floral patterned top with tan Capri pants, or a colorful cardigan over a simple T-shirt with a khaki skirt and ballet flats are a perfect look for the traditional style at a garden party.

Corsage Cardigan	Nick and Zoe	Adrienne Vittadini
	Prada

• A high-contrast color scheme such as black and white is the right choice for the dramatic style, especially if you use floral or a pop of surprise color somewhere else like the shoe. Be careful not to come off as too severe and over-the-top with a dramatic flair. An oversized top with Capri leggings is a fun, current look.

Embroidered Cardigan	Waterfall Cardigan	Skinny Capri
	Red Bow Shoe

What challenges do you have in finding the best look for you?

Do you have any suggestions for our readers

How Do You Select the Right Jeans For You?

By Diane Parente, Professional Image and Wardrobe Consultant

Jeans have become an essential staple for women of all ages and sizes; however, the unlimited choices available often make it difficult to select the right pair. You have a variety of leg widths, colors, back pocket shapes, waistband fit, and decorations.

Once you understand the impression you make when wearing these different types of jeans, you will become a savvy shopper.

Bootcut Jeans

You are feminine and not afraid to show your curves. This is a figure-flattering style for most women, accentuating their waist and balancing the hips with a slight flare from the calf to the hemline. In a black washed color, this style can be dressed up or down with a black leather or suede jacket, snazzy belt, fitted shirt, and high-heeled pumps. Dress down by wearing a turtleneck or V-neck sweater with a pair of boots.

Baggy, Home-Girl Jeans

You choose to wear bagging jeans when you have gained weight and don’t want anyone to notice. “Don’t look at me; I feel fat.” If you decide to wear the baggy jeans, you should wear a more fitted top tucked inside the waistband. Baggy jeans are best worn when you garden, wash the car, or clean out the garage. Otherwise, do not wear this look in public, please!

Tapered Down to the Ankle

You are hip and fashion-forward. You love the Italian and French looks. Dress up your appearance by wearing high heels, paired with an off-the-shoulder, dark top that is fitted snuggly around the hips with silver drop earrings. Dress down the jeans with a comfy, long sweater and high-heeled, tall boots worn over the jeans, or select a pair of animal- print flats and toss a shawl around the shoulders.

Those who work in retail or the arts prefer this look, as do women who go clubbing, but don’t want to wear a dress. These slim-cut jeans require a slender figure, or you can wear a body shaper underneath that will take off 10-20 pounds around the hips.

Stonewashed Faded Jeans

This high school and college student’s uniform is very practical and goes with everything. You are a conformist and want to blend in with the crowd. Soccer moms, when not wearing their athletic gear, are wearing stonewashed, faded jeans ? like their daughters.

To dress up this casual look, remove your flip-flops or tennis shoes and slip into a boot. Tuck a white shirt into the waistband, top with a black blazer, and accessorize with a studded belt and loop earrings.

Distressed, Ripped Jeans

Nearly all pop entertainers sport the rock-star look. They want to say, “Hey, I’m one of you guys, not some pretentious person.” “I’m wealthy, but I don’t want to show it.” The only people who can wear ripped jeans effectively are the very young; an adult dressed like this looks like she should be playing a guitar.

Colored Jeans

You are from Florida and living in a retirement community. This style should not be worn by anyone who wants to look more youthful and stylish. If you already own a pair of colorful jeans, take them to someone who does alterations and have them made into cropped pants. This will give you a more contemporary look. Wear with a fun T-shirt and sandals and off you go for a day of shopping and lunch with friends in the suburbs, not the city. Cities are sophisticated and people wear more neutral colors there.
Bell Bottom/Wide-Leg Jeans

You are a nonconformist and enjoy going to thrift and consignment stores to find vintage clothing. You like to stand out and be noticed for your individuality. For the layperson that wants to try something new, pair bell bottoms with a fitted white, scoop neck T-shirt tucked into the waistband and topped with a bolero jacket and short, flat boots.

Low-Rise Skinny Jeans

You work out seven days a week and enjoy showing off your body. You want to attract male attention, and you do. This is for slender and fit bodies only; otherwise you will look ridiculous with extra flesh draping over the waistband. Wear a long top either tucked in or worn on the outside to avoid showing your thong underwear. Not a pretty sight!

Boyfriend Jeans

Biking, hiking, and mountain climbing are for you. You love jeans and want to wear them all the time; however, the warmer weather keeps you from doing so unless you wear rolled-up boyfriend jeans. You are active and dislike fussing with clothes, so you live in jeans worn with a variety of tops.

Mom Jeans

You are communicating the big “M” word ? “I am matronly.” Give those mom jeans an edge by wearing a pair of metallic, Euro, lace-up tennis shoes and topping them with a good looking, semi-fitted, crisp shirt worn on the outside of the pants to cover up the baggy backside. Lift the collar and roll the shirt cuffs. Make sure you have a great hairstyle to complement your face. This will keep attention on your upper body.

White Jeans

You are an elegant woman who wears everything perfectly pressed and clean.

You amaze your friends because you can wear white and never get a spot on the jeans. Your home is the same, with everything neat and tidy like a house that has been staged and is ready to sell. For a dressier look, wear an asymmetrical black top and black, buckled flats. Accessorize with dangly earrings and silver bracelets. For a more casual look, wear a colorful top in yellow or orange, throw over a light denim jacket, and finish with flip-flops or sandals.

Final Tips to make sure your have a great pair of jeans to complement your figure.

1. Fabric: Select fabric with enough Lycra to give you comfort and prevent bagging at the knees and backside.
2. Color: The darker the color, the dressier the jeans.
3. Pockets: Make sure the backside pockets hit the middle or slightly lower; avoid pockets that hit the upper thigh. If your pockets are too low, they will make your derriere look droopy and flat. This is where a three-way mirror is essential.
4. Waistline: The best waistband sits slightly lower than your natural waist. If you have excess weight around your belly, the flesh will spill over, creating an unattractive look known as the Muffin Top.
5. Pant width: Wider widths will balance wide hips.

By Diane Parente, Professional Image and Wardrobe Consultant

Maintain a Professional Image while traveling
By Diane Parente, AICI CIP

The professional image secret to stress-free traveling is to stay light and unencumbered. You can do this with proper planning and careful consideration. Make sure you write down credit card numbers and keep them in a safe place, so you can cancel them if they are lost or stolen.

How To Pack

Put each hanging item in a plastic cleaning bag to avoid hard wrinkles. Then you can either fold it in accordion-fashion in a standard suitcase or hang it in a garment bag. If you use the accordion style, layer clothing to prevent wrinkling.

Carry an itemized list of what is in each of your bags for insurance purposes, in case your luggage is lost or stolen.

Cover shoes with shoe mitts or socks to prevent them from getting scratched or from soiling other garments.

Roll belts, hosiery, and scarves. Accessories should be packed in jewelry bags or similar bags to prevent them from snagging garments. Expensive or fine pieces should be carried on your person or in your handbag for added safety. However, you may feel more comfortable leaving good jewelry at home and taking better imitations or costume jewelry.