One of my favorite trends this season is the color cherry red.  So bold, feminine and SEXY!  Consider a red shoe, like this one or maybe dip your toes into a cherry red polish..

Personally, until the temperatures here in Houston get below the triple digits I’ll be dipping in the polish then the pool!   (Man!  It’s hot here!!!)

Another update, for those that don’t know, I’m due to have my second kiddo in a few weeks so I’ll be on maternity leave for a while.  That being said, I’m always available on email so send me your fashion faux pas and conundrums and I’ll do my best to steer you in the right direction.  I will also be posting my full Fall 2011 fashion forecast on my website soon, so keep an eye out.  Most of all, remember that the most important style accessory is to be your genuine self.  Go forth and conquer!

Jodi

You might be familiar with “Dress for Success”, an organization that helps women get back on their feet by assisting them with professional attire that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.  Well during the month of September, Men’s Warehouse is hoping to do the same for men by funding “The National Suit Drive”.

If you haven’t already, you’re probably thinking about going through your wardrobe and moving the cool weather items to the front.  Now is the perfect time to go through your/your husband/boyfriend’s suits and finally pull out those that are never worn anymore.  Your donation could be the difference to another man’s confidence.  So if it’s something you had in mind but have been putting off, please take the time to go through your men’s suits now and donate at your nearest Men’s Warehouse before September 30th.  While you’re at it, go ahead and pull out some women’s suits to donate to “Dress for Success”.

For more information and to find the locations nearest you click on this link and visit the Men’s Warehouse website.

Have a wonderful week!

Jodi

The outfit in question

Ironically, the day before I had been interviewed for an article in the Detroit Free Press about appropriate dating attire (“Get date wardrobe right from the start“, Kristin Bull, Detroit Free Press, 15 August 2010). In my conversation with the author I stressed the importance for women of feminine dressing that shows curves and the significance of an overall air of confidence and ease. For men we discussed the value of making an effort: wearing a casual blazer, shining shoes, etc. Basically both sides want to know that they were considered and worth the effort. 

Fast forward to yesterday when in a conversation with a friend’s family member I was told, “I saw the article but since I’m not dating I didn’t bother to read it.”  

This all left me thinking and reminded about the importance of considering who you want to impress while choosing your attire. Whether it’s a date with a stranger, your long-time significant other, or a potential business relationship, similar rules apply. While it’s important to stay true to your own sense of style, you should also know your audience and dress accordingly. And if your husband doesn’t like your outfit for a “girl’s night out” you can just say, “that’s okay, honey. I wasn’t dressing for you anyway.” 

Have a wonderful week! 

Jodi

The Blazer
The supreme layering piece: looks good as a suit, with a skirt, over dresses, with jeans… shall I go on? A great fitting blazer is a piece worth spending more on. Look for cottons, lightweight wools, poly/rayon/spandex or other medium weight fabrics to start the season.

The Cardigan

Less serious than the blazer, the cardigan has become a major staple in every woman’s wardrobe. It’s the perfect piece to layer over your sleevless tops and take them from summer to early fall. Like the blazer, no need to bulk up yet, look for lightweight cardigans, made from super fine-gauge cashmere, silk, cotton and blends thereof. Since they’re lightweight, later in the season you can even layer these under jackets.

Got some style questions? You’ve come the right place, I’m just the person to answer them.

By the way, if you haven’t become a fan on my Facebook Fan Page yet (shame on you! click the Facebook link to the right immediately!) you might have missed the link to the recent article in the Flint Journal and mlive.com all about shorts. You might know one of the stylists quoted in the article.

Have a wonderful week!
Jodi

I’ll start by saying that, with the exception of bootie shorts (i.e. shorts so short you can see one’s tushie), it’s my personal belief that the length of your shorts should be dictated more by your height and shape of your legs than by your age.  

Short-shorts, 4″ – 6″ Inseam 

Marc Jacobs, Bluefly.com, $59.49 (4" rise)

Really over the age of 25 you should not wear shorts with an inseam shorter than 4″.  Any shorter and you’ll be dangerously close to the aforementioned “bootie shorts”.  That being said, if you have short legs then a 4″ inseam is your best friend.  By showing more of your leg, they will appear longer.  Add a wedge sandal with some heel height to it and you’ll look downright tall! 

Walking Shorts, 8″ – 10″ Inseam 

If your upper thigh is not among your favorite parts of your body, then a longer inseam is the way to go.  An 8″ – 10″ inseam is great because it hits a few inches of the knee and still shows the curve of your leg above your knee.  This length of short is definitely appropriate for all ages and sizes, it’s just about finding the right cut for you.  

Old Navy, $24.50, 9 1/2" Inseam

Caslon Twill Shorts (Plus Size), Nordstrom.com, $27.90, 8" Inseam

 Bermuda Shorts, 11″ – 12″ Inseam 

Style & Co. denim Bermuda short, Macys.com, $19.99, 11" Inseam

Banana Republic Bermuda Short, BananaRepublic.com, $49.50, 12" Inseam

A few of other points to consider: 1. Like trousers, if your shoulders are wider than your hips then shorts with a slight a-line cut opening will be more flattering to your figure.

2. If you have narrow hips but athletic thighs then look for a straight cut.  Banana Republic shorts are especially good. 

3. If you find a pair of shorts you like but the pockets are slash pockets that pop out when you wear them, then take them to an alterations shop to have the pockets sewn shut and the pocket bags cut out. 

Girls, I hope I answered your questions. 

If you live in Southeast Michigan and are looking for a wardrobe stylist to help you find the styles best for you, then Style Success is for you!  http://www.stylesuccess.net 

Have a great week! 

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and there is still time to get some nifty gifts.  There are plenty of sites out there that will tell you all about the latest gadgets, but I’m gonna stick with what I know.  Here are some Stylin’ Father’s Day gift ideas for your special man.

20′s – Fedora  

Harking back to the days when men didn’t leave home without their hats, the Fedora style is still a sexy male accessory, but modernized to suit today’s casual style.   

Tre Vero Fedora, Dillards.com, $29.50

30′s - the Details 

Do you ever look back at pictures of your grandfather when he was young and think, “wow, he looks so sharp in that suit?!”  Back in the day (which was a Wednesday, by the way) men’s suits were accented with details like cufflinks and tie clips.  Give your man something with a special detail this Father’s Day with an engraved tie clip or personal cuff links.  (*Note: he’ll need a French cuff shirt to utilize cuff links.)  For example, is he a baseball fan?  Check these out…  

Penny Black 'Babe Ruth' cuff links, Nordstrom.com, $85

Full Size Kit, TheArtofShaving.com, $100

70′s and up - some sheen

Get him something that he’ll actually use, and maybe wouldn’t get for himself otherwise.  I love this polo style shirt from Brooks Brothers for its impeccable quality and the gorgeous sheen of the double mercerized cotton.

Brooks Brothers Polo, BrooksBrothers.com, $79.50

One more gift idea, perfect for men of every age.  A gift certificate to a personal style consultation with me!    http://www.stylesuccess.net

Happy Father’s Day to all the men that make our lives so wonderful (and sometimes drive us to the brink of insanity).

Have a wonderful week!

Jodi

  

Me in my "Curvy" jeans

I’m not even going to beat around the bush.  I’ve put on a few (read 10) pounds lately.  It’s not like I’m surprised or anything.  It’s not my son finishing all the french fries on his plate, or the cake part of the cupcake that he only licks the icing off of, then discards to the side as if it were trash (a crime!).  I would like to blame being raised to believe that you shouldn’t waste food.  I would love nothing more than to blame my father (he’s so easy to blame) for making me eat everything on my plate because he had paid good money for it.  But I’m not going to lie to you or myself.  I ate because the food was delicious and because I exhibited zero self-control.  Now I’m back on the watching-what-I-eat and exercise wagon.  But in the interim I needed to address some very self-destructive behavior.

I’ve gotten to a point where my “go to” jeans are a little too snug.  They still look okay on, but they feel tight.  I’ve noticed that I’m loathe to put them on because in my head I hear “you’re so fat you can’t even get these on”.  And that’s just not a healthy dialogue to have in my head!  My initial inclination was to buy shoes.  But that doesn’t solve the issue, so I decided to practice what I preach to my clients.  I bought the ”Curvy” fit jeans from the Gap ($69.50), along with a new tee-shirt in a shade of red that’s flattering to me and brings out the pink tones in my skin.  (PS, I also got a pair of shoes… hee, hee.)  Although I’m still a little upset with myself for acting like a human garbage can, I have at least staved off the evil voices in my head a little bit.  And an added bonus… when I was trying on the jeans I stepped out of the dressing room to ask the twenty-something boy… um, man?…. for another style of jeans they carry.  He responded with, “but I really like these jeans on you.  They look great on your curves.”  Let me just say, I don’t care if he was lying.  I don’t care if they pay him extra to say those things.  Lie to me baby!

The point is, if you feel like the clothes you wear are bringing you down, don’t settle.  Forgive yourself and get a size that fits.  If you lose weight and end up fitting back into the previous pair… then great.  But don’t feel the need to punish yourself in the meantime.  Ultimately you will feel much better about yourself, believe me, I know what I’m talking about.

If you, or someone you know, are not living up to your style potential, consider finding your Style Success!  http://www.stylesuccess.net

Have a phenomenal week!!

Jodi

Shop Like a GQ Editor: Spring 2010 Edition, GQ.com

of GQ.com… plaid shirts for men.  

I can hear it now… Michigan men everywhere calling their wives, “See!  I told you plaid was sexy!” 

Before you start with the “I told you so”s, let me clarify.  If you would wear it hunting, that’s NOT what I mean.  The trend for spring is a cotton WELL-FITTING plaid shirt.  The shoulder seams should be at your actual shoulders (not two inches down the arm) and the sides of the shirt should be close to the sides of your body, not billowing out.  Another tip to keep the shirt looking stylish is to roll up the sleeves about two-thirds the way up the forearm, then push them the rest of the way up to the elbow. 

 Here are some styles to try:

Gap "Brandon" plaid shirt, $49.50

Kenneth Cole plaid shirt, $79.50

Brooks Brothers Slim Fit Madras Plaid Shirt, $59.50

Wear it ironed and tucked in to FLAT FRONT khakis, or just tumbled dry and out over jeans.  Also looks great with boat shoes. 

Your personal style is meant to be an outer expression of who you are on the inside.  If you’re in southeast Michigan and in need of a little assistance finding the styles that are right for you, please consider finding Style Success. Wherever you are, I hope that the weather for you is better than here!  But most of all I just hope that you have a wonderful week!!

… of Marie Claire magazine, June 2010 edition, one of my favorite trends for spring and summer… layered bracelets and necklaces.  Okay, let’s just be honest, shall we, I’m not ever… never ever… going to look like the girl in this picture (whimper, sigh).  But that’s what I love about this trend.  It can flatter all body types and ages and doesn’t require losing weight to look good in it.  Though, to judge by this magazine, you would think it requires a second mortgage to afford it.  The jewelry on this page totals $5,869, not including the earrings and the petal necklace.  But do not despair!  There are plenty of ways to achieve this look at a much more affordable price.  Here are some ideas. 

3 locket charm necklace, Lana0Crystal, Etsy.com, $22

Dot Disc Necklace, StellaDot.com, $89

chenbeads, etsy.com, $15.90

Max and Chloe bangles, maxandchloe.com, $39

 This is a great opportunity also to mix different metals and materials: silver, gold, brass, leather, etc.  Incorporate layered rings, but keep the earrings simple. 

Thank you for reading and please, let me know your questions or opinions by leaving a comment. 

Wishing you a wonderful week!! 

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th.  Do you know what gift you’re giving your mother?  Here are a few tips on how to buy your mom a gift she’ll love… or at least be able to exchange. 

If you want to buy your mom a garment, here are some good rules to follow:

1. I recommend purchasing a top or a skirt, as opposed to pants.  Your chances of buying a top or a skirt that fits your mama well are much greater than finding well-fitting pants.

2. Check her closet to determine the size.  If that’s not a possibility and you’re unsure of the size, always err on the side of the smaller size.  It’s better to be wrong than insulting!

3. If you’re unsure what color looks good on your mom bring of picture of her with you to the store.  This way you can put the picture next to the item and get a visual idea of her wearing it.  Otherwise you can show the picture to a salesperson to ask for their recommendation.

4. If your mother lives in a different city than you be sure to purchase her gift at a national chain that is located in her city.  This way she can easily exchange the gift if she needs to.

5. Always include the gift receipt.  This not only takes out the hassle of exchanging, but also lets your mom know that it’s okay if she wants to exchange for something else.

If you feel that your mother’s wardrobe is not doing her beauty justice, you might want to consider a gift certificate with a personal wardrobe stylist.  Another option would be to hire a stylist or personal shopper to purchase a gift on your behalf.  She’ll never have to know!

If your mom lives in southeast Michigan, I hope you’ll consider Style Success!

Have a wonderful week!!

Jodi