Shine Like a Diamond!

October 25, 2009

Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat - the 4 C's for finding the perfect diamond. If you want to shine like a diamond apply the same principles to your wardrobe!

Color Color is powerful! Some colors will enhance your best features like your eyes and soften any flaws like circles under your eyes. If you are wearing the wrong colors you could unintentionally be accentuating an uneven skin tone or making yourself appear paler. With the right colors you can camouflage those flaws and brighten your complexion, making you appear even younger! First, find out if you have a warm or cool undertone. If you have a warm undertone you'll look better in orange/yellow based colors. If you have a cool undertone, you'll look better in green/blue based colors. Don't know if you are warm or cool? Schedule a Style Assessment ($25 off to milenablog readers). Once you know what colors work for you, try and keep those colors close to your face. Either avoid the colors that don't or wear them in other places such as a skirt or a handbag.

Cut How a garment fits you depends largely upon how it is cut. You will find that higher quality fabrics and designs not only cost more, but fit better. Nothing beats a custom made shirt or suit that fits you precisely. However, if you don't have a budget for custom clothing, then it's even more important that you pay attention to cut. You are only as small as your body is, so wearing clothing that contours your body closely will be most flattering. Wearing boxy clothing or clothes that are too big or too tight are only going to add unneeded volume to your figure. Use cut to create clean lines and accentuate or camouflage where necessary.

Clarity Create a wardrobe strategy by having a clear idea of what your style is now and where you would like it to be. Many of us buy the same things out of habit or buy foolishly because of a lack of time or planning. Know that your lifestyle and budget change throughout your life so if you are still shopping in the teen section and you have your own teen that is a sign you need to re-evaluate your wardrobe strategy. The best way to determine what you need is to first figure out what you have. Evaluate your wardrobe and clean out the things that you don't wear, don't fit or are worn out. Make a list of items that you are missing or need replacing. This will give you the direction you need to start building your wardrobe. If you are overwhelmed at the thought of this, schedule a Wardrobe Edit with your favorite personal stylist and your closet will be cleaned out and you'll have a shopping list in less than 4 hours!

Carat Measure the value of your wardrobe to you based on how it affects you emotionally and physically. "Look Successful. Feel Successful. Be Successful." When you have on an outfit that you know makes you look good, your confidence peaks and you feel empowered! It's not about having the latest styles and trends-I actually tell most of my clients to limit their trendy clothes to only 10% of their wardrobe-it's about feeling put together and viewing yourself positively! Knowing that you deserve to look and feel good is the first step to creating a wardrobe that is rich in carats!

posted by: Milena Joy