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Manly Tshirt Tip

“Wearing a T-shirt simply makes a great suit jacket look less rigid, less uptight. I personally like to wear a white loose-fitting crewneck tee—or one of those U-necks—but you can get away with anything. Try a rock-band tee, a college tee, or just a solid-color, and wear it with a structured jacket for a nice contrast.” -Neil Barrett

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Suits Me Just Fine…

A well-cut suit is flattering and, even more than a LBD, creates instant polish! Focus on lean, not tight; expect some restriction of movement (no gymnastics but hugging yourself shouldn’t be painful) Look for a jacket that allows elbows to be placed snugly against your front without creating too much stretch across the back The collar should be flush with the neck Sleeves should graze the wrist bone (too long and you look like you borrowed the shirt from your big

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It’s a Cinch!

I am forever telling and showing my clients how you can quickly change up the look of your outfit by adding a belt…and now Vince Camuto has a few new ones in stock!  My favorite is the snake stretch belt ($55) that comes in black or brown.

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Monday Morning Power List

A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… HOLIDAY DEALS: Everyday I am updating and providing links and key information to the best deals for Holidays gifts, and items that every man or woman of style can add to their wardrobe. Simply visit my FaceBook page to catch it ALL! On Your Mark, Get Set….Go!: Every wonder why some stuff doesn’t get done or perhaps why other seem to be doing more with the same or

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It’s Finally Friday’s Fashionable Yet Quirky Q&A

Read about this week’s everyday dapper don who is a Pacific Northwestern to the core.  He keeps it simple and to-the-point, no frills and no designer wear.  A gent more comfortable in a black suit than a tuxedo, but savvy enough to love stripes and sushi.  Read a little more about our ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ compadre! Occupation:  Human Resource Manager:  Hi-tech Age: 44 City/State of Birth:  Tacoma, WA Current City/State of Residence:  Seattle, WA Status:  Single Shoes or Sneakers? Shoes Lace-ups or

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Stick It In!

You’re in your prime and physically fit, but when you tuck your shirt into your pants, you get a midsection bulge – – why?  Two options to resolve this issue: (1) Try a slimmer cut shirt (European shirts vs. American); many makers offer full or tapered. Or (2) have the shirt altered, and many specialty stores can do this for a nominal fee.  When it’s all said and done — it simply means the shirt is too big!

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Black Friday BIG Money-Saving Tip

People spend more money during the Holiday season than at any other time of the year….and retailers know this!  Save yourself some time (time is money) and extra money by creating a list of must-have items for yourself and others; and a list of nice-to-haves.  Once the ‘spirit’ of Black Friday and Holiday shopping kicks off, you’ll at least have some sense of direction.

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Brown Shoes, Navy Suit, Black Shoes?

You have a navy blue suit – do you wear brown or black shoes?  Your shoes should be at least as dark as your suit, so either color works!  BTW – black and navy blue go together….ask any Navy person.

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Monday Morning Power List

A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Social Graces: Although we are in a world of immediate gratification, social graces and etiquette still exist.  For example, when you arrive as a guest at a dinner party and you come bearing consumable goods, the host determines when that “gift” is consumed! Styling Tip: To jazz up any outfit, consider wearing patterned tights.  In a conservative or more formal work environment, keep the color neutral

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Monday (Late) Morning Power List

A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Mondays are Awesome: Choose a day of the week to be your Power Day.  For me, it’s Mondays— since everyone else hates Mondays, it’s my day to shine and ‘knock it out the park’! What is Style?: Style is not derived exclusively from the name of number of clothing items you have, but rather from a conscious selection of those pieces that create the image you

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Tokyo Fashion: Lesson Learned….

For most Americans, Tokyo is expensive.  Consider this: a tall Starbucks soy chai with flavoring (I get french vanilla) is about ¥650 which is about $8.50 using a generous conversion of ¥75.  To get into a taxi, the starting fare is ¥710 which is about $9 before you even start moving….! With that said, walking the streets of Tokyo (which is just about all I can afford to do…..LOL) you will find Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci on just about

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Can You Dress for Success?

The way you dress tells people who you are the minute you walk into a room — the average person assesses you within 20 seconds of meeting you.  So what does your work wardrobe say about you: professional and stylish or too casual and clueless?  The way you dress conveys respect to those with whom you interact, and it helps you feel confident.  Rule of thumb:  dress for the job you want, not the job you have!  Take cues from

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Are You Event-Appropriate?!

Last night I was on the invite list for this Congressional Black Caucus event that took place at B. Smith’s restaurant in Union Station in Washington, DC.  After a long week, I opted to go, but didn’t feel like getting dressed up so, I donned dark skinny jeans, flesh-colored platform peep-toe heels, a fitted white/cream blazer with a flesh-colored belt, a dark green v-neck sweater underneath, and the right accessories to make it pop. I jumped into my vehicle mentally

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Monday Morning Power List

A week’s worth of fashion, faux pas, follies, fabulosity, finds, forgettables, regrettables, and the like…… Pregnancy: Women who embrace pregnancy and the associated weight gain, inevitably look better and feel better than women who try to hide it.  Grab that full-length maxi dress, toss on a wide belt above your belly, and strut your stuff — tummy first!  Full-Figured Women: Not every woman who is larger than a size 12 wants to be draped in a sack or hide what God gave

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Morning Quickie

Shoes…with a more pointy toebox look more chic and streamline thus, more easily go from day to evening – even if they’re flats.  So look for a pair of pointy toe shoes to go from work to workin’ it!!

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Styling Tip to Stand Out

Stand out for your stylishness by using contrast!  One of the simplest ways to get noticed is to wear colors or textures that contrast….dark colors with bright red accessories, monochromatic brights, or lighter top half with darker bottoms

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Suit Up Men!!

But it’s spring (almost summer) time so, suiting up must be done with care — with cotton!  To pull off a cotton suit there are a few reminders to be aware of: • Keep It in Check — Yes, gingham. Nothing says spring in a more stylish or refined way • Stay Strong — A true dapper don pairs a busy shirt with a bold tie. A strong stripe balances the small checks • Establish a Pattern — First of all,

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Trash Your Closet for Spring!

You heard right – the best way to welcome spring is by ‘trashing your closet‘.  You’ve got tons of stuff in there that doesn’t work, is too big, a little too tight, represents the glory days (never to be regained)…and, frankly, no room to stash your new purchases. So, today Blueprint for Style is bringing out the big guns and giving you a few keep tips to prepare your closet (and your wallet) for spring: Make space on your floor (or

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