styling tips Archives | Page 4 of 5 | Blueprint for Style

Dear Blueprint …. Need Help!

Mystery: What does a 38-year-old, married mother of 3 wear to an evening wedding?” Solved: The options are numerous but the rules are few. While there are additional considerations of which assets to highlight and which liabilities to hide, here are the key rules to remember: (1) unless you are attending a formal affair (Head-of-State, televised affair, etc), skip the full-length gown; (2) to ensure you’re not confused with ‘clubbing’, steer clear of all black outfit; and (3) metallics are always your friend! Below

2011/02/04

Make the Most of Your Clothes: Expensive Dresses

Don’t wash/dry clean after each wear For small stains, use instant stain remover

2011/01/11

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

2011/01/05

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

2011/01/04

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.

2010/12/16

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

2010/12/13

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

2010/11/26

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!

2010/11/24

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.

2010/11/23

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.

2010/11/23

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

2010/11/15

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

2010/11/11

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

2010/10/08

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

2010/09/17

Fall Style Tip

What do you want to keep in mind when shopping for fall items? Click and find out!

2010/08/24

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

2010/07/12

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!!

2010/06/30

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

2010/06/29

Style Tip #13: Highlight Your Legs

To highlight your legs: cover your top half to avoid competition, and knee-length pencil skirts with sheer or textured tights. Avoid capris and midcalf skirts that shorten your legs!

2010/06/12

Style Tip #12: Highlight Your Arms

To highlight your arms: use decorative necklines, multistrand necklaces, and moisturizing lotion to hightlight sleek biceps and triceps. Avoid tops that cover your assets!

2010/06/11

Style Tip #11: Highlight Your Butt

To highlight your butt: use butt ruching, pocket designs, and tops that hit above the waist. Avoid pants/jeans with flap pockets because they increase volume but not shape!

2010/06/10

Style Tip #10: Highlight Your Chest

To highlight your chest: use deep v-necks, unbuttoned collared shirts, and a well-fitted, seamless bra. Avoid turtlenecks and shirts that hide your collarbone…

2010/06/09

Style Tip #9: To Highlight Your Waist

To highlight your waist: use sharp color contrasts (instead of muted combos), waistline details or a great belt cinched at the midriff! Avoid unstructured dresses, chunky knits and baggy blouses…

2010/06/08

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,

2010/05/10

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News, Articles & More

Dear Blueprint …. Need Help!

Make the Most of Your Clothes: Expensive Dresses

Manly Tshirt Tip

Suits Me Just Fine…

It’s a Cinch!

Monday Morning Power List

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

Stick It In!

Black Friday BIG Money-Saving Tip

Brown Shoes, Navy Suit, Black Shoes?

Monday (Late) Morning Power List

Tokyo Fashion: Lesson Learned….

Can You Dress for Success?

Are You Event-Appropriate?!

Fall Style Tip

Monday Morning Power List

Morning Quickie

Styling Tip to Stand Out

Style Tip #13: Highlight Your Legs

Style Tip #12: Highlight Your Arms

Style Tip #11: Highlight Your Butt

Style Tip #10: Highlight Your Chest

Style Tip #9: To Highlight Your Waist

Suit Up Men!!

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