Archive for the ‘choosing flattering colors’ Category
Friday, August 6th, 2010
How do you make a decision about what clothing items to buy? Besides the clothing fitting you and flattering your shape and body colors, what else should you consider?
Here are 9 secrets of smart clothes shopping from personal image consultant, Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.”
1. Look at care tags, if it says “DRY CLEAN ONLY,” the item will be more costly to maintain. If item says dry clean without the word ONLY you can probably hand wash it or even machine wash on gentle cycle.
2. Squeeze fabric in your hand for 10 seconds to see how likely it is to wrinkle. If it bounces back with few or no wrinkles you probably will not have to spend time ironing it.
3. Can you wear it with 2 or 3 items you already own or can you wear it 2 or 3 different ways?
4. Try it on and sit down in it, raise your arms above you head, raise your arms to your chest with your fists together and elbows out. Then bend over and touch your toes. Does the clothing item move with you or restrict your movement?
5. Don’t expect items to fit perfectly. They will probably need to be altered. So bring some straight pins with you. The pins will enable you to see how the item will look after alterations.
6. If you have had “your colors done,” keep your color chart in your purse so you won’t be wasting your time trying on unflattering colors.
7. If you have had a face and body shape analysis and have line drawings of your best styles bring your line drawings with you.
8. If there is a two or three piece matching outfit get all of the pieces, if they are flattering.
9. If you are on a tight budget, get items that are solids and do not have decorative designs or embellishments. These will be easier to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.
Before I became an image consultant in 1990, I did not know what colors or styles looked good on me and I would spend many hours shopping and trying on things that looked awful on me. The more things I tried on that looked bad, the worse I felt about myself.
Now that I know my best colors and styles, when I go shopping, I can quickly skim over the aisles. I usually only have to try on items to see if they fit. This saves me lots of time and my self esteem remains intact.
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” of Baltimore is a professionally trained, personal image consultant. She specializes in working with women who have lots of clothes and “nothing to wear.” (After you get a wallet of your best colors, and line drawings of your best styles, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” will teach you how to shop your own closet.) Nancy is available to work with groups as well as individuals. Contact her at www.WardrobeWiz.com
Popularity: 5% [?]
Tags: Smart Clothes Shopping
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Makeover, Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Frugal Fashion, Image Consultant, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Looking younger, Visual harmony, Wardrobe, WardrobeWizard, beauty, buying criteria, choosing flattering clothes, choosing flattering colors, fashion, fashion tips, feeling beautiful, get hired now, how to get the job, instant visual credibility, job hunting, shopping, style | No Comments »
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
+Here are four tips for choosing a purse that will flatter you. You will need to consider color, scale, shape and where the purse sits on your body.
COLOR
- Because our eyes automatically search for colors to be repeated, when you carry a purse that repeats one of your natural body colors (hair, skin or eyes) you will look visually pleasing and be able to wear this purse with everything you own.
SCALE
- 2. Here is a way to determine a good size purse that will be in proportion to your body. Spread your fingers apart with your thumbs touching and measure horizontally from little finger to little finger. This measurement is the widest or tallest your purse should be to be in proportion to your body. Measure your hand from your wrist crease to the end of your longest finger. This could be the depth, height or width of your purse. (If you hands are in proportion to your body this suggestion will work for you.)
STRAP LENGTH
- 3. If you can adjust strap length, adjust your purse to end at a place on your body that is the narrowest. For example if you carry your weight in the lower half of your body, and have a defined waistline, shorten the straps so your purse stops at your waist. If you are top heavy, lengthen straps so your purse stops at your lower hip or thigh.
SHAPE
- 4. A purse that has some softness and some straightness is best for most bodies. If you have a very angular (straight body) and angular face, you can choose a purse with sharp angles.
TRENDS
- . Recent purse trends include super sized handbags, clutch bags, vintage, brightly colored and metallic bags. If you are petite, a very large handbag may dwarf you and if you are a plus size an over sized bag may emphasize parts you don’t want emphasized.
If you do choose a brightly colored purse, try to repeat the color in your outfit at least once or twice. This repetition of color can be done with a scarf, shoes, or belt. As stated previously our eyes unconsciously search for repetition of color and this will help you to look more pulled together.
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Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained Personal Image Consultant. She came to image consulting as part of her own journey to look and feel good in her own short, plump body. Since 1990 she has been dispelling “The Barbie Doll Myth,” that the media promotes. This myth tells us that to be considered beautiful, a woman must be tall, thin, perfectly proportioned and forever young. Nancy counters this myth by teaching women of all sizes, shapes and ages that “real beauty,” is about looking visually balanced. She is available to work with individuals and groups in the Baltimore-Washington area. She plans to soon begin working virtually with clients in other geographic areas.
www.WardrobeWiz.com
Popularity: 10% [?]
Tags: choosing flattering colors, Dressing Smart, flattering purses, handbag shopping, How to Choose A Flattering Purse, Learning to Like Your Looks, purse shopping, Smart Dress for women, WardrobeWiz
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Makeover, Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Frugal Fashion, Image Consultant, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Trends, Visual harmony, beauty, buying criteria, choosing flattering colors, fashion, fashion tips, feeling beautiful, instant visual credibility, real beauty, shopping, style | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Have you whitened your teeth or are you thinking about whitening your teeth? Do you wonder how white your teeth should be? As we get older our teeth darken or yellow from the foods we eat and the things we drink and smoke. Whiter teeth can help us to look more youthful. However, if you overdo the teeth bleaching, your teeth may end up looking like they are false.
An easy way to determine how white your teeth should be is to look at the whites of your eyes. Do this when you aren’t tired or sick. If you bleach your teeth a whiter color than the whites of your eyes, this color will cause your teeth to become your focal point (the place people eyes go to first and keep being drawn back to). If the color of your teeth is a brighter white than the whites of your eye this will not only cause your teeth to look fake, but it may make your skin look dull or washed out next to the very bright white of your teeth. By repeating the same or simialr shade of the whites of your eyes in your teeth you can create visual harmony.
Our eyes find visual harmony relaxing and pleasing. When you look visually harmonious you will look your most attractive and you will communicate instant confidence and intelligence.
Popularity: 53% [?]
Tags: bleaching teeth, choosing flattering colors, choosing tooth color, focus point, Learning to Like Your Looks, Learning to Love Yourself, real beauty
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Makeover, Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Image Consultant, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Looking in the Mirror, Looking younger, Ping.fm, Uncategorized, Visual harmony, Wardrobe, WardrobeWizard, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, feeling beautiful, get hired now, how to get the job, instant visual credibility, job hunting, real beauty, using the right white | 1 Comment »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
I recently helped Theresa pare down her wardrobe. She had many things in her closet that still had the tags on, but no longer fit . Theresa realized that she had too many clothes but couldn’t resist buying more clothes because they were on sale. How many of you have bought something just because it was on sale?
What other criteria do you need to consider besides the fact an item is on sale for it to be a bargain? Here are some questions to ask yourself.
- Can you wear it with three things you already own or can you wear it three different ways?
- Is it comfortable, does the fabric breathe?
- Does it fit properly?
- What kind of care does it need? Grab the fabric and squeeze and hold for 10 seconds. Does it wrinkle easily? Can it be washed? ( If it needs dry cleaning it will cost you more long term.) Also, most dry cleaning uses carcinogenic chemicals and some of these chemicals may remain in the fabric.
- Don’t forget color. Does the color make your eyes sparkle, do your shadows and lines disappear?
- Do you really need it?
When I go shopping, I have my helper, my “Wardrobe Wizard Pocket Pal.” This includes my wallet of 50 of my best colors and line drawings of my best styles. I still have trouble making decisions, at times , because sometimes “my wants and my needs,” are in conflict. So I carry a pendulum and I ask my pendulum for help in making my final buying decisions. I believe my unconscious mind knows the right answer and projects this on the pendulum. (yes, even “The Wardrobe Wizard ” needs a second opinion at times.)
How do you make your buying decisions? How many so called “bargains,” do you have hanging in your closet that you rarely or never wear? Wondering what to do with those unworn bargains? If you live in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” can work with you in person. Currently I am exploring ways I can work with clients long distance but I have not worked out the details yet.
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She specializes in working with women whose shape or size has changed. Contact her at 410-235-5325. or nrgoldblat@gmail.com.
Popularity: 32% [?]
Tags: mix and match clothing, paring down your wardrobe, real bargain, wardrobe bargain
Posted in Earrings, Frugal Fashion, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Looking in the Mirror, Trends, Unworn Bargains, Visual harmony, Wardrobe, WardrobeWizard, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, how to get the job, style | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Because only 50% of people look good in “pure bright white.” For the other 50% of you, “bright white,” will look harsh and or wash you out. Everyone can wear “winter white,” which is a less intense white. When wearing “winter white,” be careful not to pick a white that has yellow in it.
Can you guess which shade of white is most flattering to Michelle Obama? Take a look at recent pictures of her in a pure white top. Do you look at her or the top first? Can you guess what shade of white Oprah looks the best in? What about Jessica Simpson and Hillary Clinton?
Find the answers at the end of this post.
How can you determine which white is your best white?
Use the “blink test.” Stand 5 feet from a mirror in good light , put on or drape a pure white item over your top half and close your eyes and then quickly open them. Where does your eye go first? If it goes to the white before your face, the white is too bright for you. If you look at your face and the white at the same time and your eyes sparkle and your skin looks fresh and radiant you may be able to wear bright white.
You need to take something else into consideration when you are choosing the right shade of white. What color are your teeth? Even if the pure white works with your skin, if it makes your teeth look yellow or grey you may be better off wearing “winter white,” at least near your face. Speaking of teeth, if pure white does not flatter your skin, if you ” over whiten.” your teeth this can make your teeth look like they are false teeth. I am not against whitening teeth, I am just cautioning against over-whitening them.
(Answer to questions) Michelle Obama looks better in “winter white.” Bright white is too bright on her because she has “muted.” coloring. Oprah also looks her best in “winter white.” Jessica Simpson and Hillary Clinton both look great in ” bright white.”
*For more information on choosing colors get Joanna Nicholson’s books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.”
Nancy Goldblatt is a professionally trained, personal image consultant. She was trained by Color 1 Associates. She specializes in working with women in Baltimore and surrounding areas whose weight or shape has changed and or who have lots of clothes and “nothing to wear.” Reach her at nrgoldblatt At g-mail DOT com/ or 410-235-5325. She offers a complimentary initial telephone consult to help you determine if her services are right for you. She also works with men, and groups in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Tags: choosing flattering colors, Hillary Clinton, Jessica Simpson, Michelle Obama's best shade of white, must have lists, Oprah, pure white, Wardrobe, wardrobe makeover, winter white
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Frugal Fashion, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Looking in the Mirror, Trends, Visual harmony, Wardrobe, WardrobeWizard, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion, fashion tips, instant visual credibility, real beauty, shopping, style, using the right white, younger looking skin | 1 Comment »
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
When you look in your closet how much black clothing do you see? Before I got trained as a ” Color 1 Personal Image Consultant,” I did not know my best colors. My mother wore a lot of black and she told me it was slenderizing, so for many years I wore mostly black clothes.
In my sophomore year of college my roommate , who was a good friend, announced that if I bought one more piece of black clothing, she was going to strangle me. She was sick of looking at me in black. Because l did not know what colors looked good on me and black was so easy to find, I bought a few items with color, but I continued to wear lots of black.
In 1990, when I had my “color chart done,” by a ” Color 1 Associate” and got a wallet of my best shades, I was able to add lots more color to my wardrobe. I have said in previous blogs that by repeating body colors we can create visual harmony because our eyes automatically search for colors that are repeated. My hair is very dark brown but gives the illusion of looking almost black. Because the color black repeats my hair color it creates visual balance. Now I combine black with my best shades of other colors.
Is black one of your body colors ? If not, then black is not a dark neutral for you. You may still be able to wear black in small amounts but in large amounts it may drain the color from your face, and it can emphasize your lines and shadows. For my clients that don’t look their best in black, but aren’t ready to part with their black clothing , I tell them to shows some skin when they wear black. This means v neck lines or scoop neck lines. Or wear a scarf near your face that is a flattering color.
Wondering what your best dark or light neutrals are? I recommend getting JoAnna Nicholson’s books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.” These paperback books explain the Color 1 approach to color which I believe is the most accurate system of color analysis around.
There are Color 1 Associates located all over the USA. Unfortunately, the Color1 website, listing the Associates and their contact information has been down since May and I do not know when it will be back up. If you are interested in having your colors done and you are located in Baltimore or surrounding areas including Washington, D.C., I am available to work with you. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation to help you determine if my services are right for you. If you are located elsewhere feel free to e-mail me and I will give you the name and number of the closest Color 1 Associate in your area.
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She can be reached at nrgoldblatt at gmail dot com. Her website is WWW.WardrobeWiz.com/
Popularity: 51% [?]
Tags: About Nancy Goldblatt Wardrobe Wizard, Black clothes, choosing flattering colors, Color 1 Associates, color analysis, JoAnna Nicholson, looking good, Smart dressing for men, Smart Dressing for women
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Ping.fm, Visual harmony, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, get hired now, how to get the job, instant visual credibility, job hunting | 3 Comments »
Friday, June 26th, 2009
For those of you who need new glasses or plan to buy sunglasses here are a few tips for choosing flattering styles.
I learned about choosing flattering styles of glasses from JoAnna Nicholson, my teacher and co-founder of Color 1 Associates an International Image and Style Company.
When choosing glasses or sunglasses, choose shapes that repeat your eyebrow shape. If you have a rather straight eyebrow, choose glasses that have a softened rectangular shape. If you have a more naturally curved eyebrow choose glasses that are more curved. This is especially important if the glasses are small and your eyebrows show. JoAnna says if you choose glasses that have a different shape than your eyebrow, it will look like you have a double eyebrow.
As we get older our eyes lose their definite shape. When you put glasses on, its like putting on eyeliner or mascara because glasses can give our eyes definition. This is another reason that its helpful to choose a shape that compliments your face.
I know some people wear glasses to make a statement. One trend that may be dying is the “Buddy Holly,” black eyeglass frame nerd look. However, if you want people to look at you, instead of your eyeglasses, I suggest choosing glasses that look like they are a part of you. A very thin frame in a flattering color will show off your eyes and is more likely to to look like it is part of you.
In choosing frame color consider choosing your natural hair color or the natural highlights in your hair or a combination of hair and skin color. Our eyes automatically search for color repetition. When you repeat your body colors in your apparel and accessories you create visual harmony and a pleasing appearance.
For example, if your hair has copper highlights, a copper frame would probably look good on you. My friend Judy used to have copper frames when her hair was reddish brown but now that her hair is white, a non shiny silver frame is more flattering on her. If you have no hair, think about the color your hair used to be. If you can’t remember what color your hair used to be, look at your natural eyebrow color or if you have a child or relative who has the same color hair you used to have ask for a lock of their hair. Keep the piece of hair in a ziplock bag in a dark place for future purchases.
A tip for trying on sunglasses.
I have noticed that frequently the mirrors on sunglass displays is up high. This may be done because its a convienient place to put the mirror but it can be deceiving. When looking up at a mirror that is higher than eye level you will always look better. When you look up some of your face and neck wrinkles disappear. On the other hand, if the mirror is lower than eye level you will always look worse because your wrinkles and any sagging skin will be exaggerated. I suggest you bring your own mirror and hold it at eye level to get a more accurate impression of how you look in the eyeglasses or sunglasses.
What is your biggest challenge in choosing glasses or sunglasses? Feel free to ask questions on this blog. If I can’t solve your problem, perhaps someone reading the blog can.
Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She works with both individuals and groups. She can be reached at nrgoldblatt at gmail dot .com/ WWW.WardrobeWiz.com
Popularity: 100% [?]
Tags: Add new tag, Buddy Holly, choosing flattering eyeglasses, choosing flattering sunglasses, Color 1 Associates, dollar store, eyeglasses, eyes, Harry Potters, How to choose flattering glasses, JoAnna Nicholson, Looking in the Mirror, Reading glasses, sunglasses, Tips for trying on glasses
Posted in Choosing flattering glasses, Frugal Fashion, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Looking in the Mirror, Trends, Visual harmony, Wardrobe, WardrobeWizard, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, feeling beautiful, real beauty | 8 Comments »
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
How many times have you stood in front of the mirror and asked yourself, “Does this make me look fat?” Have you asked your significant other this question too many times?
I suggest you stop torturing yourself and others by asking a different question and start to look at yourself in a new way. Ask instead ” Where does my eye go first?” This is called a focus point. This is the place people look at first and the place their eye will be drawn back to.
When I first became a personal image consultant I took a woman client shopping who was very short and about 100 pounds overweight. She put on a navy pant outfit that looked really nice on her. I commented, “: You look thin in that outfit.” She responded, “At this weight, I will never look thin, no matter what I put on.” She was right. What I should have said was, “The outfit is flattering.” The color and style of the pant suit caused me to look at her face first. I did look at her body, but the neckline and color of the outfit kept drawing me back to her face. The outfit skimmed over her bumps and bulges and as a result my eyes did not stop at her body parts but instead went back to her face.
Where do your eyes go when a woman has a very low neckline and the top of her breasts are showing? When you are talking to someone and they have a piece of spinach in their teeth, where do your eyes go? These are examples of focus points. Where do you want your focus point to be? If you want to look your most confident and competent, you will want your face and eyes to be your focus points.
Here are 4 easy steps to determine where your focus points are :
1. Stand 5 feet from a full length mirror
2. Make sure you have good lighting, either daylight or full spectrum bulbs
3. Close your eyes and quickly open them.
4. Ask yourself, “Where does my eye go first?”
If your eye goes to your face first or to your face and the color you are wearing simultaniously and your eyes sparkle and your skin looks radiant this means you are wearing a flattering color and probably a good neckline shape. Avoid clothing that is too tight, because not only will you be uncomfortable but the horizontal creases will cause the tight places to become focus points. You can change your focus points by changing how high or low your neckline is, by adding a scarf or pin and by adding earrings, changing the length of your hair and by repeating colors.
Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, ” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. Contact her at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com www.WardrobeWiz.com/
Popularity: 33% [?]
Tags: Add new tag, Baltimore Wardrobe Makeover, choosing flattering colors, color, focus point, Looking fat, Looking visually harmonious, redefining beauty, Wardrobe
Posted in Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard, Learning to Love The Way You Look, Uncategorized, Visual harmony, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, real beauty | 1 Comment »
Friday, June 5th, 2009
What is real beauty? Do you have to be 19 years old, tall, perfectly proportioned with perfect skin and a great head of hair to be considered beautiful.
The media would like us to believe this. The truth is that “real beauty” is what’s pleasing to the eye. Our eye automatically searches for repetition of color, line and proportion. You can check this out by looking at a painting you enjoy looking at. Why do you like looking at it?
Think of yourself as an unfinished canvas. Your clothing, makeup and hair are the frame and finishing touches for your canvas. By repeating your eye color, skin color, and shades of your naturalhair color you can look “visually harmonious.” This visual harmony translates as “real beauty.” In addition to your body colors, most people can wear 40 to 90 other shades of color.
The colors you wear should not overpower you (be brighter than your natural body colors) and they should not be duller than your natural body colors. When you stand 5 feet from a full length mirror in natural light (sunlight or full spectrum light) if you see your face and the color you are wearing at the same time and the color makes your eyes sparkle and your skin glow then its a flattering shade for you.
My teacher and mentor Joanna Nicholson has written a number of really excellent books on looking good and her books give more details about choosing flattering shades of color. Her 2 most recent books are Dressing Smart for Women and Dressing Smart for Men. These books are available at Amazon.com and as well as your local library.
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained “Color 1, personal image consultant.” Her website is www.WardrobeWiz.com/
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tags: Add new tag, choosing flattering colors, fashion, looking good, real beauty, Smart dressing for men, Smart Dressing for women, Wardrobe
Posted in Uncategorized, Visual harmony, beauty, choosing flattering colors, fashion tips, real beauty | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
Welcome to Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style, a brand new blog from Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.”
Nancy is a professionally trained personal image consult. She was trained by Color 1 Associates in 1991. Her passion to help other women learn to love themselves and be less self critical came out of our own struggles to feel good in her short, plump body. One day in 1990 she discover a book by Mary Duffy called, “How to Make The Body You Have Look Like The Body You Want.”
After reading the book she realized that this is not possible but you can still look good no matter what shape or size you are. The way to do this is to understand your shape and choose clothing that flatters your shape. Looking good is not about wearing the latest trends or being skinny and tall. Its about understanding your face and body shape, knowing your most flattering shades of color (most people can wear 40 -90 shades) and understanding how to combine colors so you can look your best and feel confident wearever you go.
Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” can be reached at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com/ or 410-235-5325/ Her website is www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She is available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Tags: About Nancy Goldblatt Wardrobe Wizard, Baltimore Wardrobe Makeover, dressing for comfort, Dressing for confidence, Learning to Like Your Looks, Learning to Love Yourself, style, Wardrobe
Posted in Learning to Love The Way You Look, Uncategorized, Visual harmony, beauty, choosing flattering colors, real beauty | 2 Comments »
