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      Oh, the beauty of walking into the mall. You have every type of store at your disposal. Once you go inside a store, you are met with dozens and dozens of clothing options. After shifting through the store for what seems like forever, you finally find the perfect piece. As delightful as this scenario sounds, could shopping as a whole be made easier? And, no I’m not talking about online shopping. Inventory-less stores are becoming the next big thing in the retail world. Inventory-less stores have so many positive qualities to them. The smaller inventory levels make the store that much easier to organize. Therefore, when you're looking through clothes you won’t be overwhelmed with the high quantity of items. In addition, due to the fact that there is less inventory there is so much more space in the store. This makes shopping much more relaxing. Often times inventory-less stores will provide its customers with complimentary beverages, because let's face it shopping is hard. Not only are inventory-less stores beneficial to shoppers, but retailers benefit as well. For example, retailers face less holding cost, because of their low inventory they don’t require high labour costs. In addition, retailer will find they are provided with more usable cash. Retailers are maintaining lower levels of inventory, and only replacing this inventory as needed, therefore the retailer can free up cash in order to meet other expenses. Stores like, Bonobos are making it that much easier to shop. Beginning in 2013, Bonobos began opening Guideshops throughout the United States. Essentially, Guideshops act as Bonobos.com in real life, so this ensures you get the exact look and fit you need. ​The Guideshops are a curated showroom [...]

Which Pants are Most Flattering for Me? As Told By Your Image Consultant This question is one I get quite often as a stylist and Image Consultant. And, it’s certainly an excellent question to ask. We know that not all shapes look great on everyone, so a little knowledge about what works for us is information to help us as we shop. If you need some coaching or a color analysis, along with the best shapes for you, consider my Color/Style Analysis. Send me a text for more information at 317-416-2782. Ann Taylor made my day when I saw this chart outlining the pant shapes they sell. I often buy pants at Ann because they fit me. And, I am not an easy fit! I am slightly petite in height, just over 5”4”; I have a short rise (short waisted); and I am a bigger on the bottom shape with a smaller waist and curvy shape. I like Ann Taylor’s curvy option many times; sometimes I buy petites but not always. However, I have a short rise and am short-waisted, but ironically, I am long-legged for my shape. Image Consultant Principles on Buying Pants Curvy/Bigger on the Bottom shapes (plus, petites, and average sizing): Buy a straight cut pant, a flared Trouser pant or a straight cut ankle pant. Beware of cropped. Wide leg might work, but you should make sure they are below the widest part of your calf and in a dark color. Pair with detailed top that draws the eye up. Hourglass or Proportionate shape: The sky’s the limit. You can wear nearly every shape pant, but you should avoid extremely skinny pants because they might make your shape look off-balanced. Cropped, [...]

Everywhere you look this season – in men’s as well as women’s clothing you see stripes. They are big, bold in horizontal (across); vertical (up and down); and even diagonal (one corner to the other). They are wide, and they are tiny; they are some of both. When I talk to clients about wearing stripes, I always get a negative reaction. “Stripes always make you look bigger,” they tell me. I am here to say – not always. That’s why I am writing this blog. I want you to give stripes another chance. See a good example of a vertical stripe here: in a dark stripe https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/vince-mens-multi-stripe-short-sleeve-shirt-prod218660043   Monochromatic stripe in a vertical pattern are even more slimming: https://www.qvc.com/Isaac-Mizrahi-Live%21-TRUE-DENIM-Vertical-Stripe-Shirt-Dress.product.A292085.html?clickid=ydRRk-ydOxyJUTgwUx0Mo3cwUkl3b0VoKXVRzk0&irgwc=1&cm_ven=impactradius&cm_cat=57486-ShopStyle%20Inc.&cm_pla=565130-Online%20Tracking%20Link-&cm_ite=ydRRk-ydOxyJUTgwUx0Mo3cwUkl3b0VoKXVRzk0 This dress is a possibility for some women…The stripes are bold and not too wide and certainly slimming in the up and down visual pattern.   https://www.macys.com/shop/product/eci-striped-tie-waist-dress?ID=8854283&pla_country=US&CAGPSN=pla&cm_mmc=MSN_Bing_Womens_RTW_PLA-_-RTW_Womens_Women%27s_Dresses_-_BS_Eci-_-11620705882-_-pg2234288_c_kclickid_3615e0f3-f50f-4fa8-8b9a-7d39dc2dd791_KID_macys.kenshoo@outlook.com_28880756_4168763765_11620705882_pla-4584894768793622_887368611235USA__c_KID_&trackingid=424x2234288&m_sc=sem&m_sb=Bing&m_tp=PLA&m_ac=MSN_Bing_Womens_RTW_PLA&m_ag=Eci&m_cn=RTW_Womens_Women%27s_Dresses_-_BS&m_pi=bi_cmp-28880756_adg-4168763765_ad-11620705882_pla-4584894768793622_dev-c_ext-_prd-887368611235USA     And, an example that makes you look wider. The shape and the pattern are not slimming. But it would work for a slim woman. Now – there is an exception. If you’re very thin, you can wear this – and you can really rock it!    https://www.thecompanystore.com/striped-linen-high-low-sleeveless-dress/62057.html?cgid=clearance-clothing&cm_mmc=BingPLA-_-[ADL][Bing][PLA][Adult][NQ]-_-c-_-62057-XS-BLUE&msclkid=c72fa157576d1ac56eecfdb1e37f2cfe&adlclid=ADL-159dde0b-87e8-4991-924c-50b3c1f59171     Now on to more stripes… What about horizontal stripe clothing? This is the pattern we all approach with caution—as we should. This white dress has narrow stripes but is probably not slimming for most women.             https://www.gapfactory.com/browse/product.do?pid=463832021&CAWELAID=120296850000448815&tid=gfpl000005&kwid=1&ap=7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GAFA_NB_US_Women%27s_X_DCM_Conversion_X_X&utm_term=4582558309704971&utm_content=GAFA_NB_US_Women%27s_Clothing_Outfits&gclid=COb55IH1seICFVSBxQIdVpsCCw&gclsrc=ds   Another example: It’s great for really thin, straight women but not for curvy women.                   https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/1901-tie-back-stripe-knit-dress/4803065?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=navy-%20white%20mini%20rugby%20stripe   Men: This would be more difficult to wear... https://www.amazon.com/FRTCV-Stripe-Shirts-Short-Sleeve/dp/B07NN4YSP3/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=men+stripe+polo+shirts&qid=1558623636&s=gateway&sr=8-11           While this shirt actually may not make [...]

This blog is an interview with Edwards Buice, one of my Association of Image Consultant International Chicago Midwest Chapter colleagues! Edwards is founder and creative director for a clothing line called David Edwards Clothier -- go to his website to look up his sassy clothes: that have subtle (a) pattern Baker floral or a Paul Smith color block tie From His Collection This photo (to the right) illustrates a date look from the Jaime Hemsani Summer Collection, modeled by Cory Emberton. Today, with so many trends in menswear, selecting the right image for a date can be complex.  Below is some consultant advice Edwards provides to his clients, starting with an image from the top down to the shoes. Image Consultant Advice for Date Night One of the first pieces of advice he gives in dressing for a date is to follow the advice of Hardies Armies, "A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care and then forgotten all about them."  The first step of organizing a date look is to ensure the following: Clothes fit well Clothes are expertly tailored Clothes are clean and pressed Clothes have the correct look for the social setting (casual/business casual/formal) Edward's first step in organizing an image is selecting a jacket; he recommends wearing jackets because he believes it gives an ensemble a finished look.  Additionally, he thinks a jacket is an excellent accent piece.  "However, I would not advise wearing a jacket if it’s is a very causal occasion (pub, picnic, coffee shop, etc.)," said Edwards. "I advise wearing a jacket that is going to communicate to your date I am a confident man in personal and professional settings." If the client [...]

With today's ever-changing fashion trends, it is unlikely to see a style that will stay current for longer than a season. Take it from your Personal Stylist. It almost seems that within fast fashion you need to buy a whole new personal wardrobe twice a year, just to look up to date. It is extremely rare for a silhouette to stand the test of time, especially in today’s contemporary world. However, every now and then there are iconic stylist pieces that truly stand the test of time. For example, a leather jacket, or a white blouse always seem to be in style. But perhaps, a specifically iconic piece for women would be the wrap dress. ​It's nearly impossible to deny the wrap dress' icon status. In the past 40 years, it has ​become a staple in nearly every woman's wardrobe. From Your Personal Stylist, The Wrap Dress is Universal The beauty of it is virtually all women can wear some form of this pretty dress! The wrap dress originated in Belgium by the now infamous fashion designer and stylist--Diane von Furstenberg. In 1974, the designer created the wrap dress. It became a symbol for women to establish their power yet feel feminine at the same time. The dress is extremely flattering on all personal body silhouettes. As well as the fact that it is versatile, easy to wear, and stylish. Von Furstenberg’s version was a collared, long-sleeved shirt-dress that wrapped around the waist. The design complemented a woman's personal curves, while at the same time hid any undesirable bulge. In the 70’s, the dress was made with a printed jersey that hugged the body, a V-neck, and a sash that tied at the waist​. Due [...]