Friday, November 29, 2013

Four common ladies suit bloopers

On the way to the city yesterday, I shared a bus with a lady in a dark skirt suit. It was the middle of the day, the bus was almost empty & everyone had lots of room to relax.

The lady looked around mid 30s and she was petite. I'd estimate she was a size 10. 

The suit was high street it could have been Basque (Myer) or Country Road for example. It was a wool blend but it would have stood up to an interview in a conservative office. 

I especially liked that the jacket and skirt fit her nicely through the body. No pulling, no smiling skirt lines, knee length. Totally conservative office appropriate. So far, so good.

Then I got bored. It was a bus trip after all. I looked at the rest of her. That's where the love stopped.

The shoes

Here is a photo of her shoes.



Not only are they scuffed, they are ripped & torn in many places. The heels are worn completely. They look like she doesnt care about her image. 

Note also when I looked at these from a distance the issues werent as visible. That doesnt make them OK. When you interact with people, unless its on the telephone, they will notice. 

Next - the cuffs

When you are sitting at a desk, in a meeting (or an interview!), your cuffs are super visible. 
Look at this lady's cuffs. 




The cuffs have been turned back about 5 cm to reveal a pale pink lining. 

Firstly, in an interview situation, I wouldnt want to reveal any contrast lining. Turned back or otherwise. All the contrast does is bring attention to the clothes. Bringing attention to the clothes distracts from the message you are sending that you are competent & capable. 

In a day to day job situation, this looks says: "I have short arms and I cant be bothered to shorten my sleeves professionally." Even if the lining is ironed, is this the impression you want to give?

The scrunched rolled sleeves we see the bloggers wearing is a casual look. Totally OK in that context. In the office when its not casual Friday, no. 

The boobage

Next......notice the boobage?




At some angles, the boobage wasnt apparent. But from where I was sitting, it was all I could see. If its all I can see, its going to be all your colleagues can see. Is this the impression you want to give?

Even if you work in a casual or creative office, this will detract from your level of professionalism, credibility & respect. 

Plus, dont forget to bend over in the change room to make sure you see all potential boobage in addition to the front-on views. 

At this point, I realised I was getting close inappropriate behaviour. So I stopped taking photos. 

But there was one more thing to mention. 

Jewellery

The lady was wearing a pierced earring with a couple of adjacent diamonds sitting on her ear. They were set in white gold. She was also wearing a fine chain with a pearl pendant. The chain was matt gold, the pearl was set in matt gold and the pearl was creamy, not white. This may not appear to be a hanging offence, but it detracted from a harmonious look. 

Why?

The ears were in the cool tones & the neck was in the warm tones. 

I know some of you will yell at me about it being 2013 and it being OK to mix metals. I agree. Its OK - as long as you are dressing casually AND its appropriate.  

In this case, where business attire meets fine jewellery - keep your metals harmonious not clashing. 

I hope this post has given you something to think about. 
By all means, if you disagree, I'd love to have a chat about it. 
  


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

10 Ways with PINK

1. Add denim





2. Add a suit

A tweed Chanel style. Short suit!


A 90s style man style suit with 2013 short pant legs.

3. Tone it



4. Contrast it

Orange & pink are close to each other on the colour wheel.

Pink & turquoise are opposite each other on the colour wheel.

Animal works with contrast colours.
For best result, ensure one of the contrast colours has more fabric surface area than the other. 

5. Oversize on oversize 

Very hard for most of us to wear.
Normally if you have a full top, keep the bottom fitted & vica versa.


6. Accessory pop








7. Brave bold print





8. One everyday piece 



9. Soft & romantic





A flowy onesie

Lace, nude & soft pink


10. Leather



The black & the shoes tone this down

Minimalist


Pink TIPS:

1. If its near your face, wear the right shade.
    If you suit peachy pink, it's highly unlikely you will suit fuchsia or baby pink.
    If your colouring is light, be careful of intense shades & try mid shades instead.

2. Toughen it up with leather, metal & black; soften it with lace & white.

3. Even one piece can add interest to your outfit. An accessory or a garment. 











Tuesday, November 26, 2013

10 Ways with a Shirt Around your Waist

1. Add a kick ass jacket



2. Add a bomber jacket



- or tie the bomber on your waist



3. Add a sweatshirt

Note the camo shirt with the graphic sweat. Totally modern.



4. Turn it girly

-add a pastel



- add broderie



- add flowers

See how easy it is to mix prints?

5. Go sheer in heels



6. A dark base with small touches of colour 
flatters most shapes



7. Add a skirt or a dress







8. Add a onesie



9. Add leather

A leather jacket around your hips is only for the small hipped.

Add colour to liven it up. 
  
Nod to the 90s grunge look. 


10. Add a white tee





A couple of TIPS:
Big hips? 

1. Keep the clothes around the waist/hips fine not bulky
2. Reduce the contrast levels around your hips
3. Tie the shirt so its slightly off centre
4. Wear heels




Thursday, November 14, 2013

Veronika Maine v Target - cocoon dress

You know how normally your eye zooms in on the most expensive stuff?

Well this time, I stepped back & realised the more expensive item wasnt quite right. 

Here it is - the cocoon dress on the left, at Veronika Maine. 






Only the city stores received it but it wasnt made clear up front...the deliveries were received on Monday....so waiting, waiting, waiting...by the time I did the ringaround on Thursday, to be told its almost sold out, I squeezed my size 14 butt into a size 6. LOL. There was plenty of room around the butt - it was the shoulders that were too tight. 

I decided it wasnt right, even if I had my size.
It was a poly viscose microfibre but it was somewhat thin & the seams were very narrow. It just didnt fall as fabulously as i wanted. I think it was $199.

Two days later, I was strolling through Target. As you do. Love that place. I saw this baby. 





Its a black jersey singlet style dress underneath, with a light poly black later over the top with massive armholes that fall in ripples at your sides. Its all sewn as one piece. It was $49.
Sold. 





It is the first cousin of the blue & white number that I bought from Target previously.....very similar styling, its just that a girl can always use a black version of anything she buys in a colour. 



I am not saying the Target & The Veronica are identical - but their styling is similar.......

Veronika Maine realised they were onto a winner (just not with me) and have recut the cocoon dress in citrine....



Its $199. The interesting thing is that its 100% viscose (read: cheap fabric). While I havent felt the fabric, if I thought the microfibre black lacked body, then this one will be softer still. 

This is how the high street makes money folks. They re-cut popular designs using more affordable components, then they sell on volume. Sometimes they even reduce the price. Not in this case. 

Turns out that they are re-cutting it again for a January drop, in black & in a print. I asked about the fabric for the upcoming black one and the reply was "a soft viscose much like the earlier black one"... I am not sure whether that means more like the yellow viscose or more like the black poly-viscose....

So what body types do these dresses suit?

Apples
Large hips 
The Target version has a lower neckline which can work better with larger busts. 
& of course, the hourglass.

Definitely worth trying on.