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Undergarments that Help You Look Fabulous! Ladies – it’s time to give shapewear a second look! Shapewear is nothing like the constricting girdle of yesterday. Thank goodness, right? However, even though we’ve come a long way with improved and even “comfortable” shapewear, we still need some education on how to choose it. Advice From Your Favorite Certified Image Consultant I, your Certified Image Consultant, am going to talk about shapewear in general and what I have found to be useful in my own lingerie wardrobe as well as what I often recommend for my personal clients. One main tip is that when you try on clothing such as dresses or even ballgowns, you need to wear your shapewear since it will affect how the garment hangs on your body. One of your most important pieces of undergarments, ladies is the bra. You should be fitted every 1-2 years because our size changes. I am trained to fit bras, and hands down, I almost always find that women wear too big a band size. Also, they often don’t change bra sizes when they gain weight. That is a mistake – you should never spill out of your bra. This is a good time to buy and get fitted for a bra since it’s winter, and stores are having many sales. I like Nordstrom and Von Maur for bra fittings. It’s free, and the advice you get is invaluable. Now back to other important thoughts...Shapewear is made of Elastane, known for being stretchy, breathable and adjustable. One option is a piece by Olikeme. I admit I have not worn this type of shapewear, but it does get the job done basically because of the amount of area it covers: [...]

In our last blog, we discussed some basics of self-care and personal style. We didn't even talk about clothing -- the reason is -- your Indianapolis Personal Stylist believes clothing is only part of the equation. Grooming, caring for clothing and yourself is also very important to your personal style. More Recommendations from Your Certified Image Consultant Getting into more details, I often discuss hairstyles with men and women in my consultation -- I, your Certified Image Consultant,  have often recommended a new hairstyle, and set the appointment and accompanied the client to the haircut. I wanted to make sure the stylist agreed with and carried out my direction. One client, in particular, was in the C Suite, in his mid-40 with a nice head of hair--yet it was cut strangely almost like a child's haircut. First of all, he was happy he still had a great head of hair. So true. His hair was thin and fine, however, so it required a certain type of haircut. We went to a salon that was not a barbershop, yet they styled men's hair. I thought that was a good, in-between vendor to use. The results were mind-boggling. He looked completely different: more professional, looked his age and sophisticated in an effortless way. Keep in mind: with style, the goal is not always to start out. For men, it's to blend in and then purposely stand out for a reason. Many men have told me this: I want to fit but be memorable. It's a little different with women. They often want to stand out. The way I, your Certified Image Consultant,  would approach a style to consult about hair and makeup with a female client is to first do [...]

As a style and Image Consultant, I am often brought into people's lives during a point of change: it might be the first job, going back to work after a lapse, trying to improve appearance or just dress better to help secure a promotion. Sometimes, it can be more personal such as a divorce, widowhood or a life change such as retirement. In all these times, our clothes and appearance say something about us. There is not a doubt in my mind that the clothing we wear is our "walking billboard." And our appearance such as grooming, hairstyle, makeup, etc, speaks just as loudly. What does your appearance say about you? Sad, late, too busy, dated, trying too hard or not trying at all? Recommendations from Your Image Consultant It's funny that when I do a company presentation I always start with the basics, and that means not your clothing, but your hygiene. Talking to an employee about grooming is probably the most dreaded thing a supervisor has to do. Not to mention the possible legal ramifications. Anyway, I can certainly have that employee talk to you. I, your Image Consultant,  do it in a professional and non-personal way via a checklist. Then it seems the person is just one of many people I work with on these issues -- I am not targeting just one person. Beyond hygiene, the next big issue is how we take care of our clothing. Are they wrinkled, dirty, worn out, and ill-fitting? These issues can make even more expensive, high-quality clothing look cheaper. These issues are important, too. I often mention this is a Dress for Success presentation since I can't assume everyone knows how to care for clothing, etc. [...]

Hello Fashionistas! For some reason, in December, I look around at my home and think about ways to make it more attractive and appealing. It may seem strange, but I focus so much on Personal Styling and brand, I don't give much thought to how my house looks. It is what it is! However, as I decorate for the holidays I do tend to think about it more. We drag out the holiday decorations, and like my closet, I pare them down. If something looks worn, hopelessly old, I toss it. I don't, however, toss out Christmas ornaments and cherished gifts, even if they have tarnished since they have a special meaning. For instance, believe it or not, I still have a little elf my first-grade teacher from North Liberty Elementary School, Mrs. Mobley, gave me for Christmas. It was such a sweet gesture, and I sometimes think of her when I hang it. Sometimes I see an ornament that brings back a less than happy feeling -- such as an ornament from my brother's first wife. It says 1976!! That's a long time ago. It's still a nice ornament, and we've all moved on since then. It still goes on the tree. Making Your Home Reflect Your Personal Styling Beyond the holidays, when you look at your home and consider your Personal Styling, I do think there is a connection. What colors we like, what colors we wear and what colors look good on us, in part are internal to us. I have always loved spring and summer and bright, happy colors. Dark, moody colors and neutrals are not my favorite. Similarly, when I had my "Wow Colors" analyzed, I was a spring. This [...]