A New Year...A New look
A New Year, A New You! Six Top Fashion Tips for 2006 By Virginia
Alexander
Hey, all you fantastic fashionistas! A recent trip to Fashion
week proves that this year is just incredible when it comes to
fashion and style! "Less is more" is the rule for 2006. The
color pallet is warm or cool, but always romantic, glamorous,
bold and totally inviting! As a stylist for film and television,
it's my job to create styles for my clients that make them look
good, have proper fit for their body shape and are in fashion.
My client list varies from media personalities to individuals
who need to build an entire new wardrobe because of weight loss.
Redesigning your image is a real treat after weight loss. You
have been actively working from the inside out. Now is the time
to reap the rewards of your labor! You may not have your own
personal stylist, but that should not keep you from looking
fabulous. Looking your best is really quite simple if you follow
what I call Virginia's Rule of 3: Accent the positive, detract
from the negative, and create the illusion of what you don't
have. How do you follow this rule? By following these 6 tips:
1. Prepare to shop! Shopping for clothes requires preparation?
Believe it or not, it does! Before you shop, start with proper,
well-fitting undergarments and comfortable clothes that come off
and on easily so that you won't get tired while trying things
on. Wear shoes that slip off and on easily--wear flats, but
bring heels. You have to have shoes of the right height to
properly see what any garment will look like on you. Plus, here
is the kicker ... a 2-inch heel or platform will make any
garment hang & look different; it raises your bottom too!
Finally, wear your makeup and do your hair before stepping out
the door. That will make everything you put on look better;
after all, you will be coifed and looking your best when you
wear these new clothes in public! 2. Choose styles that work
for your body type and shape. Do you know what works for you
specific body shape? There are 3 basic body shapes or
proportions: hourglass, bigger on top, and bigger on bottom. We
can all identify with one of them. Certain styles compliment
certain body types. For instance, high waists and flowing skirts
can disguise a larger bottom half. Look for styles that make the
most of your shape. While every person's body is different, one
sure-fire way to make your body look balanced is to wear one
solid color top to bottom. This ensures a sleek head-to-toe
look. Just make sure you pick a color that looks great on you!
3. Choose Colors that Make Your Complexion Look Great. To figure
out what colors make your complexion glow, pick out about 10
shirts--all in different colors--and hold them up in front of
yourself. Now, look in the mirror holding one up at a time!
Notice what the color does for your complexion. Does it make
your complexion and eyes look bright? Does it make you look flat
and dull? Does it create dark circles around your eyes? Most of
all, how do you feel in this color? If it makes you glow and
feel great, then it is a good color for you. Colors fall mainly
into 3 categories, Cool, Warm and Mid-tone. You will probably
look best in colors from one of these palettes: * Cool tones
Wear bright colors, such as bright emerald green, turquoise, a
blue-toned red, pink, navy, dark gray and a bright purple. Avoid
beige, olive green, brick red and apricot. * Warm tones Wear
olive greens, burgundy, mustard, ambers, tomato red, and
russets. Avoid hot pink, sky blue, navy, dark gray, and black. *
Mid-tones Wear muted colors like clear red, hot pink, lemon
yellow, aqua, periwinkle and sage green. Avoid rust, salmon
pink, icy blue, charcoal and black. Still not sure? Ask a
stranger: they are usually more honest than a friend!
4. Choose Bold Accessories to Dress up Your Whole Wardrobe.
Accessories for 2006 are big and bold. The colors I love are
pink, ambers, sage greens, turquoise, and dark brown and black.
So, when it came time to accessorize for the year, I went
through my jewelry box to see what pieces would work with my
favorite hues. I already had some long amber earrings, big
silver hoop earrings, silver bangle bracelets and turquoise and
silver Indian jewelry. So, I only bought a chunky and very long
amber glass bead necklace ($42) and big multi-tiered turquoise
and amber earrings ($20). I am now totally accessorized for 2006!
5. Focus on Essentials! I like separates because I can create a
lot of outfits with just a few basic pieces of clothing: a pair
of faded jeans, a flowing black skirt, and black pants.
Supplement and create new looks by pairing these three
must-haves with clothes you already have! Look through your
closet before you shop, and get rid of what you won't or don't
wear. Make a list of what you need or want. I tear pictures out
of magazines, and get as close as I can to the look I love!
Remember to make sure you feel good in the clothes when you try
them on! Ask yourself these questions: Can I bend over without
flashing the universe? Can I breathe? Does it pull or pinch?
Does it gape or gap anywhere? Can you see through it? (Look in
the light!) Does it hang well on me? Is the fabric rough or
irritating? If it is not comfortable in the store, it's never
going to be! You will not wear it, so don't buy it. I always buy
clothes that have an element of stretch to them for two reasons.
First, I can move and breathe in them. Second, pants with
stretch always make my butt look better!
6. Know What's Hot and What's Not!
What's "In" for 2006: * Soft, feminine fabrics * Color,
magnificent color * Empire-waist blouses * Embellishments on
fabrics--around the neckline or cuffs or on pockets, just a
little * Jeans--all colors, faded, distressed or slightly
embellished (embellished pockets) * Embellished belt buckles *
Western looks--jeans, cowboy hats & western style boots with
heels * Soft gauzy peasant tops--that seventies hippy look *
Ponchos, wraps, shrugs and soft scarves. * Jean jackets--can be
worn with almost everything! * Lace up high boots--boots are big
this year! * Sexy platform shoes * Belts * Button up sweater
with jeans--kind of a retro fifties look. Add pearls for a chic
classy look!
What's "in," but not flattering for most of us: * Gaucho
pants--unless you're 6 feet tall and 120 pounds, you should
reconsider wearing them! * Drop waist short dresses--It looks so
cute on kids, not adults! * Short shorts--The daisy duke's, just
what were they thinking? * Embellished over-priced designer
sweat suits--okay for exercise, but not to be worn in public! *
Bikini Jeans--need I say more? * Dresses and blouses cut to the
navel--interesting, but not appropriate on anyone!
What's out: * Straight-legged slacks * Leggings * Extremely
low-waisted jeans and slacks * Oversized shirts--oversized
anything really! * Same print skirts and tops--just break them
up! * Lots of jewelry, or "Bling" Exception: If you are a Rap
Star, can you still get away with this.
What's "in" for Hair and Makeup: No look is complete without
beautiful hair and make-up. Hair this year shows dimensional
color and highlights. Lowlights and length are both back as
well. Hair that is colored a few shades deeper underneath is a
super look. Longer hair is in, worn straight and flat-ironed
with a wispy cut or big and curled. Remember when you get your
hair restyled to look at all of you, not just your face. You
need to focus on a total look to be balanced. A short hair cut
on an ample body will make you look out of proportion! Makeup is
soft and subtle or fully glamorous for evening. Daytime colors
are soft neutral tones on the eyes (browns, taupes) and light
colors on the lips (Coppers, pinks, peaches), loads of mascara
and subtle, blended eyeliner. Lip-gloss is still in. For
evening, Evening Don't be afraid to use a lot of color on the
eyes and to provide strong definition. Eyeliners are perfect in
showdown and bright mineral hues. Use loads of mascara to
achieve long, thick lashes. Go for soft blush and hot lips
defined in neutral colors, then glossed.
Follow these tips, and you will be ready to kick off the New
Year looking and feeling your best! It's a New Year, and It's
all about You!