Archive for the ‘Frugal Fashion’ Category

Shopping Tips for Fall: Using High & Low Tech Assistance

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

I was recently talking to a client who had taken her ” Wardrobe Wizard Color Chart,” and her line drawings with her when she went shopping.  She showed these to a sales person who knew the store stock well.  The sales lady helped her pick out lots of separate  pieces that really looked “cute together.”  Unfortunately, by the time she got home she did not remember what went with what.  The solution I suggested to her was to use her camera phone or digital camera next time she goes shopping.  Here are some shopping tips that will make it easier for you to shop for clothes.

Tips when shopping for new items for your wardrobe:

Before you go shopping, shop your closet. Use your camera phone or a digital camera to take pictures of the clothing you wear most often.  If you do not have another person to photograph you in your clothing, lay the pieces on your bed and take a picture of the different ways you mix and match your separates.

Load these picture on your computer, save them and print them out. Take these pictures with you when you go shopping.  The process of shopping your closet and photographing what you wear should help you be more aware of the gaps in your wardrobe. Every time you buy something new photograph it and add it to your saved file.  Eliminate photos of any clothing you eliminate from your wardrobe.

1.  When you actually go shopping ask the sales person to take pictures of you ( with your camera phone or digital camera) wearing pieces you are considering purchasing.

This is especially helpful if you are unsure about purchasing the items.    A picture will let you know if the clothing is really flattering.

2.  Bring items from your closet that are “orphans.”  ” A closet orphan,” is anything you are unable to wear because you have nothing to wear it with.

3. Bring some straight pins shopping so you can see how the clothing you like will look when it is hemmed or altered in strategic places.

4. Bring the shoes that look good with pants if you are shopping for pants or shoes that look good with skirts if you are looking for skirts or dresses.


Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a Personal Image Consultant trained by Color 1 Associates.  She specializes in working with midlife women whose shape or size has changed.  She is available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore, Md and surrounding areas. Her website is WWW.WardrobeWiz.com/

She hopes to soon be able to do “virtual image consulting.”  This will mean she can work with individuals anywhere in the world.   Watch this blog for more information to follow soon!

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Secrets of Smart Clothes Shopping

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

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Four Tips for Choosing A Flattering Purse © 2010

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

  1. 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

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How to Choose Shoes that Fit & Flatter

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Do you have trouble finding comfortable, flattering shoes? Here are a few tips that may make your hunt for the right shoes easier.

Shape:  Make an outline of the shape of your foot on a piece of paper.  Cut out the shape and take it with you when you shop for shoes.  Hold the shape up to shoes you like.  If the shoe widens where your foot shape widens and narrows and curves where your foot shape narrows and curves its worth trying on.  Be sure to try both shoes on and walk around to see how the shoes feel.  If they feel tight, or pinch  do not purchase them.  They will never feel comfortable.  Also, its a good idea to try shoes on at the end of the day, because our feet tend to swell at the end of the day.

Style: If you have a short or broad foot and are wearing a skirt or dress  a low vamp will be more flattering than a high vamp.  If you have a long narrow foot a higher vamp can shorten the look of your foot.

Heel height: The shorter you are the lower your heel should be.  You didn’t read that last sentence wrong.  Its about proportion.  In my twenties I tried to wear very high heels.  Unfortunately, I am short and I looked like “Minnie Mouse,” in those heels.   Also, the higher your heel height the more it throws you off balance.  A two inch heel should look good and not throw your balance off too much.

Color:   Choose shoes that are a shade of your hair color. You will be able to wear these shoes everyday and with everything you own.  By choosing shoes that are a shade of your hair color you will automatically be pulling yourself together visually because our eye automatically searches for repeated colors.  Many shoes now come in metallic colors.  These are especially nice looking in sandals.

Do you have a favorite tip about choosing shoes?  Feel free to comment and share your tips about shoes.


Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained Color 1, personal image consultant.  She specializes in helping women whose size or shape has changed and who  have lots of clothes and nothing to wear go from “Sad to Fab.”  She teaches how to go shopping in your own closet first.  After a client works with the Wardrobe Wizard she will have line drawings of her best styles, a wallet of her best colors, and the ability to mix and match and shop with ease.  Say goodbye to the panic of “nothing to wear.”

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Paula Begoun, “Cosmetics Cop,” comes to Baltimore

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

When Paula Begoun aka ‘The Cosmetics Cop,” came to Baltimore Thursday, Dec 4th and spoke at Barnes & Noble in Pikesville, Md., she stated, “For centuries women have wanted to look pretty, and wasting money is not pretty.”

Paula came to promote  version eight of her book  “Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me.”   I have been a fan of hers since she wrote “Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Made Illegal.” in 1986.   I currently subscribe to her  on-line  “Beautypedia.”  It costs  $24.95 a  year to subscribe  and new products are reviewed every two weeks.

I find it saves me money because it prevents me from impulsively buying new products.  Paula said her goal has always been to help women save money. She has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Before  I buy a new product I go  online to “Beautypedia,” to check  “the Cosmetic Cops” review.  Cosmetic & skin care reviews include both drugsstore, department store and other retail brands. I am still unsure about the product and  it’s a drugstore cosmetic, I buy it at CVS or Rite Aid because even if it has been opened  or used it can be returned or exchanged.  Paula emphasizes in her reviews that expensive products are not necessarily better than less expensive products.

Paula now wears two hats. She is still “The Cosmetics Cop.”  She and her staff evaluate thousands of brands of makeup, and skin care products.  She gives a smiley face with a check mark for outstanding products and a frowning face for products that aren’t well formulated and do not do what they promise.   She also has her own line of makeup and skin care products called “Paula’s Choice.”

I especially like her exfoliating AHA  and her BHA  products. I have  very dry skin  but in the summer time I get oily around the T zone.  I break out with pimples under the skin and even have had a few blackheads.  Nothing helped me until I used her 2% BHA product.  It cleared up my pimples without overly drying my skin out.   “Yeah, Paula’s Choice.”

If you like Internet research and want to get reviews of new products coming out, its worthwhile subscribing to Beautypedia’s online reviews or  if you prefer buying a book, get her latest version of  “Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me,” available in paperback from Amazon for $19.77.

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The Trouble With Bargains

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.

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How to Choose Earrings That Flatter Your Face © 2009

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

“Flattering earrings can give you a polished, finished appearance.” Another nice thing about earrings is that no matter how much weight you gain or lose they will always fit. If you are a woman with very short hair,  it is especially important to wear earrings because earrings will give your face a more feminine appearance. If your hair is short, earrings that have some  dimension ( are not flat) will look best.  I like to think of earrings as a finishing touch or a frame for the face and hair.

Here are some  guidelines for choosing earrings in flattering sizes, shapes and colors.

Earrings to wear in the workplace

Consider choosing an earring that is the size of your eye when it is open. This is considered “classic size.” Look at either the height or the width of your eye.   The earring does not have to be the same shape as your eye  but if your  earring is smaller or larger than your open eye it’s no longer a classic size .    If you work  in a very casual environment you may be able to wear earrings that are  larger or smaller than classic size depending on your face and body size and “color type.” You can  go  smaller, but I do not recommend any smaller than your iris,  (The  iris is the part of your eye that has color )   (See JoAnna Nicholson’s book,  Dressing Smart for Women, to find out about color type.)

Choosing the scale of a hanging earring

Measure  the distance from the bottom of your nose to the top of your upper lip to find a flattering length for a hanging earring. You can also measure from the bottom of your lip  to your  chin.   For a longer earring, you can measure the length of your nose.  Yes, that’s  right, I said nose.  Don’t laugh.  When we repeat colors and proportion of our body its visually pleasing.  If  you do not like the length of your nose or if you have a short neck avoid this longer hanging earring because  it can emphasize your nose  and or your neck.

Choosing a shape to flatter your face

If you want to look visually balanced choose an earring that is similar to your face shape. I realize that most books say the opposite.   In previous articles I have talked about creating visual harmony by repeating shapes and proportions.   Therefore,  if you have a predominantly angular face (more straightness than curves) a more geometric shape earring will be pleasing on you.  If you have a more curved face, a more oval earring will be flattering.

How do you decide if your face is more angular or more curved? Look not only at the outside shape of your face but the shape of your lips, eyebrows, nose and chin.  Your face may be a combination of curves and angles.  Look at yourself smiling and unsmiling.  Have a friend look at your profile.  Count how many curved elements and how many straight elements or lines you see.

You are more likely to have an angular face. I say this because after analyzing hundreds of  faces, I have found most (but not all) women have angular faces.   As you shop for earrings you may find that many earrings, especially the  hanging ones with beads, are predominantly rounded.  This will make it more of a challenge to find earrings that have predominantly angular or geometric shapes.   I began making earrings for my clients when I realized this and I am always on the lookout for softened geometric shaped earrings for my clients who have more angular faces.

Choosing flattering colors

If you choose earrings that repeat your  natural body colors, particularly your eye color or a naturally occurring highlight in your hair you will be able to wear them with everything you own. For example  I have very dark brown, almost black hair.  I have hazel green eyes and I look my best in very clear bright colors and shiny metals.  As I have gotten older my hair is less dark as silver has started to appear.   I have found that I can wear shiny silver earrings with everything I own because it repeats a highlighted color of my hair.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” was trained by Color 1 Associates, as a “personal image consultant,” in 1990.   She is available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.    She is also available for talks, workshops and fundraisers.  Contact her at 410-235-5325 or nrgoldblatt@gmail.com.

This article is copyrighted, it  may be copied or printed elsewhere only if credits and contact information is included or a link is provided to the original post.

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What is the Sassy Sewer Lounge?

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

I just came from my first “meet-up group,”  at The Sassy Sewer Sewing Lounge and I am looking forward to going again next month. I consider myself a beginning sewer, but I am hoping to get more proficient with my skills and the Sassy Sewer Lounge is the perfect place to do it.   I previously had gone several times for individual sewing lessons with Blondelle Howard the owner and founder of the Sassy Sewer.

The Sassy Sewer Lounge offers sewing lessons, fabrics, notions, patterns, and sewing machine rentals. Sewing Lounges are popping up all over the United States.   The people attracted to these lounges are looking for a comfortable place to learn or improve sewing skills and or connect with like minded people.  My motivation to sew and learn to alter my clothing comes from budget concerns, as well as the fact that it feels like the fashion industry has “written off,” us “baby boomers,” and is making clothes mostly for people under 30.

The Sassy Sewing Lounge is located at 9008 Harford Road, Parkville, Md. 21234, and the phone is 410-882-7277. The space is “roomy,” and well lighted and there are lots of sewing machines.   Tonight there were 3 others signed up for the meet up but one person never made it.  Blondelle shared the SWAP concept which is basically how to make a “mix and match wardrobe of 10 pieces.  I really liked the “meet-up,” because it was not a class but mutual sharing of information.  We will be using a few items from our existing wardrobes and adding to these items as we meet once a month to brainstorm, share and sew.

Blondelle discussed the possibility of having a fabric swap and there is a trip to New York planned for Nov. as well as some other classes scheduled.

Sassy Sewer has a face-book page as well as a blog.  If you live in the Baltimore or surrounding areas and have any interest in sewing or altering your clothing you should check out the offerings.  I just missed a series on fashion illustration.  Blondelle says she plans on offering it again.  Blondelle does most of the teaching but she has guest teachers as well..  I hope to be a guest teacher in the future.  I will probably be presenting something on “The Color 1″ approach to looking visually balanced.

See the calendar on the website, WWW.SassySewer.com/ and be sure to sign up for the mailing list if you want to know what classes will be offered in the future.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.  She works with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.  She offers an initial complimentary telephone consult to help you decide if her services can solve your challenges.  Reach her at nrgoldblatt ATgmailDOT com or 410-235-5325

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Why Is It Important To Know Which Shade of White Is Right for You?

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.

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Get Instant Credibility by Using A Few Visual Tricks

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Earlier this  year I went to a women’s networking event.    I joined a conversation of two other women and ended up talking to a ” 20 something woman,” who was a graphic artist.   The only thing I can remember about this young graphic artist besides her profession was the  blouse she was wearing.     She apparently had gained some weight and her blouse was too tight.  Horizontal creases had formed where her blouse was especially tight and the buttons down the front of her blouse were so strained they looked like they were about to pop open.

My eyes kept being drawn back to those “about to pop buttons.” She had unknowingly created a focus point with the strained buttons and the horizontal creases of her shirt.   I was looking for a graphics artist at the time but this young woman’s  appearnce kept me from trusting her and I never told her I was looking for a graphics  person.   My automatic thought was ” If she isn’t willing to take the time to put on clothing that fits her, she is not going to take the time to do good  graphic arts work.”   She had managed to “instantly discredit herself,” by weariung clothing that was was too tight.

Wondering what will give you instant credibility?

  1. Create visual harmony by repeating hair, eye and shades of your skin color in your clothing
  2. Wear three layers.  This means a jacket or vest over a shirt or blouse.  (This will make you look more authoritative and if the jacket or vest follows your body line it can hide figure challenges.)    If you have a defined waistline choose a jacket or vest with vertical darts.  If you do not have a defined waistline choose a jacket without darts that is not fitted.  For a more ”relaxed,” jacket look, use a cardigan or an unbuttoned blouse over a shell top.
  3. Before you leave  the house look in a full length mirror and make sure your face and eyes are the focus point.
  4. Wear clothing that fits you, not too tight and not too loose.

Do you have any tips to share on how you create ” visual credibility?”

Nancy Goldblatt, the “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,”was professionally trained by Color 1 Associates as a “Personal Image Consultant.”  She specializes in teaching people how to shop in their own closets first before they purchase new clothing.  She uses color analysis, as well as face and body shape analysis to teach her clients how to create “their own best looks.”  She can be reached at nrgoldblatt at gmail dot com/ Her website is www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She works with both individuals and groups.

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