June 25, 2010 - Hot Summer Essentials
Your summer wardrobe should be just as versatile and long lasting as your fall and winter staples. What really differentiates you summer look from your fall look is the light feel, color and style of everything. As the temperature heats up, you want to lighten up. Choose colors that are brighter, like yellow and lighter like peach. Breathable fabrics like cotton versus our heavy fall fabrics like wool and corduroy will lighten your look. The style of each piece should also lighten up. For example, tops should have open necklines and shorter sleeves. Shoes should be open toe and have less volume overall.
Creating the perfect summer wardrobe is easy if you have some of summer’s most versatile basics. Remember, embellishments and details like beads, sea shells, straw, floral prints and fruity colors will give each piece that light, signature summer feel!
White T-Shirt or Tank Throw a lightweight scarf or a fun dramatic necklace with this all-American staple. Opt for higher quality t-shirts since they often are more substantial to hide any imperfection and to keep this look polished.
Camisole Perfect layered under a jacket or layered with other camis. Try it paired with dark skinny jeans and a long necklace.
Sundress My favorite summer piece! A dress is always feminine and so easy to wear. A cotton sundress can be paired with flip flops for a casual beach day or glammed up with heals and a fun necklace for a night out.
Swimsuit Probably not your favorite piece to shop for, but finding one that works is key to making a splash this year. Check out the article How to Not Look Fat in a Swimsuit for great tips on finding the most flattering suit.
Jackets I love jackets any time of the year. Wear them as an outfit or as a jacket, they are so versatile! A nicely contoured jacket can also enhance any figure. A shrunken leather motorcycle jacket can be sassy or a simple cotton jacket can be easy to wear for cool evenings.
Handbag Your summer handbag can also lighten up with materials like straw or canvas for a great day bag. Pick bags with neutral tones to keep them more wearable from year to year. If you are a leather lover, like me, try a fun color like papaya or a neutral cream.
Sandals Finally your toes can breath and you can show off your pedicure! Sandals with narrow straps and heals look best in the summer. Espadrilles or wedges are great for adding height to a pretty skirt or dress. Embellishments on flats can make up for any loss of height. Peep toes are perfect for a business casual office.
April 8, 2010 - 21 Signs Your Wardrobe Expired in the 90's!
We are ripe on 2010, but closer to embarking on the next decade. If your clothes are still living in the 90's, wake-up and realize they are expired!It's not just about being stylish either. When your clothes are out of date, people's perception of you is that your ideas, thoughts and knowledge are out of date. Whether you are a financial analyst, marketing guru, or self-employed start up...you want to portray the image that you are current and up-to-date on what's happening in your industry!
Here are some signs that you are stuck in the 90's:
1. You have a fleece on big enough to fit you plus one inside
2. You wear overalls or shortalls
3. You wear body suits with those bibs
4. You have baby t's instead of t-shirts
5. You wear midriff shirts to show off your belly button ring
6. You wear Hawaiian shirts or shirts that say "Aloha"
7. Your skirts have an angled hem that comes to a point
8. Your jeans are baggy or have a flare leg
9. You are still trying desperately to fit into low rise jeans
10. You wear bike shorts for purposes other than biking
11. You have chunky heals or square toed shoes (aka pilgrim shoes)
12. You wear Doc Martins
13. You are still sporting "The Rachel" haircut
14. You accent your hair with butterfly clips
15. You wear a fishing hat when you are not fishing
16. The tags are still attached to your favorite baseball cap
17. You workout in noisy wind pants that you can tear away
18. You support your sports team by wearing your starter jacket
19. More than 10% of your wardrobe is Guess or Tommy Hilfiger
20. You still carry your work in a rectangle, hard-sided brief case
21. Your purse is actually a backpack
February 10, 2010 - Statement Bracelets - Bold, Chunky and Stacked!
Bracelets are hot for spring 2010! They are stacked, chunky and making a statement! While you might be inclined to pull out your set of bangles from the 80's, today's bracelets are not plastic and bright. The most sought after bracelets are done in soft metallics made from metal, woods and leather.
Neutrals, metallics and turquoise are the in colors this season. Take advantage of these colors in your bracelet. I particularly love the mix on the bottom right (above) because they've mixed ivory with a soft gold. They've also used texture to really make these bracelets stand out. Play with different prints too, like the bracelets on the top left.
The less is more rule still applies here. Because this season's bracelets are heavy, you'll want to go easy on your other accessories. Let the bracelets take the lead and let your other accessories play supporting roles. You will want to pay special attention to what rings you wear because you do not want them to outshine your bracelet. I would suggest only wearing one or two rings that are simple and sleek. Do not make the mistake of wearing a lot of little rings - your look will become cluttered.
While buying some of these pre-designed stacked bracelet sets can be expensive, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Go through your jewelry box at home and see if you can't come up with some of your own combinations. Or invest in one or two bold bracelets and then pair them with some of your own. This is a great way to make something old new again. Then, mix and match the combinations for fresh new looks each and every time!
Neutrals, metallics and turquoise are the in colors this season. Take advantage of these colors in your bracelet. I particularly love the mix on the bottom right (above) because they've mixed ivory with a soft gold. They've also used texture to really make these bracelets stand out. Play with different prints too, like the bracelets on the top left.
The less is more rule still applies here. Because this season's bracelets are heavy, you'll want to go easy on your other accessories. Let the bracelets take the lead and let your other accessories play supporting roles. You will want to pay special attention to what rings you wear because you do not want them to outshine your bracelet. I would suggest only wearing one or two rings that are simple and sleek. Do not make the mistake of wearing a lot of little rings - your look will become cluttered.
While buying some of these pre-designed stacked bracelet sets can be expensive, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Go through your jewelry box at home and see if you can't come up with some of your own combinations. Or invest in one or two bold bracelets and then pair them with some of your own. This is a great way to make something old new again. Then, mix and match the combinations for fresh new looks each and every time!
January 13, 2010 - Look Good While You Lose Weight!
By far the most common New Year's resolution this year was to lose weight and exercise more...but did you know that less than half of American's actually achieve their New Year's resolution? In fact, most have abandoned their resolution by the third week in January! Why? Not only do we not always believe in them, but we aren't taking the extra steps to fully engage ourselves in our goals. While I can't give you advice on how to exercise or eat right - I'll leave that to my expert trainer Emilee Jones, I can give you style advice that is often overlooked in weight loss plans, but is crucial to your self-esteem and ultimately reaching your weight loss goals.
It's simple: Look Successful. Feel Successful. Be Successful.
I use this tag line to describe the importance of a professional and social wardrobe to help you achieve your goals. It applies to your workout life too! If you are hitting the gym in your husband's shirt or the t-shirt from college that is too tight or unflattering...what do you think you will see in the mirror as you're lifting those weights or participating in a group exercise class? Someone who is overweight and looks ill fit in his/her clothes, that's who!
On the other hand, if you put on a workout outfit that actually contours your body and compliments your curves, you'll see the potential of a slimmer or more cut you! You'll also be able to see the progress you make as you begin to shed pounds. This will encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. Most people need to see some noticeable difference in order to keep up their stamina over a long period of time. When you wear clothes that are too big - you can't see the 5lbs you worked so hard to lose. You deserve it, so put on something that is more flattering to your body!
Don't know where or what to look for in your workout clothes? Here are a few brands that I recommend. Contact Milena at www.milenaconsulting.comif you need help finding the perfect workout wardrobe!
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Lululemon www.lululemon.com Available for both men and women. The most stylish and flattering - you'll want to wear them even when you're not working out (but don't!)
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Zella www.nordstrom.comAvailable for women. Good for yoga and lighter activities. Notice the contoured seaming which is very flattering!
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Prana www.prana.com Perfect for the outdoorsy types. Who knew you could look so good climbing a mountain? (pictured above)
(from lululemon.com)
December 9, 2009 - Your Winter Coat: Pick the Perfect Wrapping!
Keep warm this winter by wrapping yourself in a stylish jacket. Just like wrapping paper on a present, the jacket you wear says a lot about what is inside! Make sure these messages are in sync. You wouldn't put Happy Birthday paper on a holiday present. A gift wrapped in newspaper looks like the giver either ran out of paper (not prepared) or the gift isn't quite that special.
Take a look around you and you will soon notice a miss-match of coats with outfits and people that don't work together. Are you wearing your nice skirt suit with your puffy parka? That's a mis-match. Is your jacket dirty or ready to fall apart at the seams? It could be making you look dated and disorganized.
The good news is that jackets will go on sale right after the holidays so be sure to take inventory of what you need and get yourself prepared for the rest of the season. Here are a few good types of coats that will get you through most of winter's cool occasions.
Wool Coat: This is the staple that goes with your suits and dresses. A 3/4 length version is most versitile because you can easily dress it up or down. If you are blessed with long legs then a floor length one can be fun and dramatic for your dressier occasions. Most people gravitate towards neutral colors like black, grey and tan. This is a safe bet, but if you want to spice it up, try rich dark colors like eggplant. Light colors like baby blue or pink aren't professional looking, so avoid these colors for your work wear. If you are on a budget and can't afford more than one coat this year, this is the one for you!
The Puffer or Parka: There aren't many people in cold weather states that don't own one of these. While these coats will definitely keep you warm in the coolest of conditions, they are meant for those more casual occasions. They are perfect for a day in the park, watching a football game or running errands, not for professional wear or special occasions.
The Jacket: A jacket is simply a shorter version of a coat. Almost all jackets are meant for more casual occasions. Made out of everything from cordoroy to wool to leather, your jacket is a great staple for most all your casual occasions. Cropped versions expose more of your outfit and can really add to it. Think of your jacket as an accessory and it can be a lot of fun!
Special Occasion Coat: A coat that perhaps has a finer fabric like the one in the picture above. I have one that has a timeless lace overlay that seems to work with most dresses. Many of these coats have fun details that almost make them an outfit on their own. These coats are fun and can really make you stand out in a crowd when everyone is wearing something more traditional. The downside is that they may not always keep you the warmest.
Faux Fur Jackets & Wraps: A fun additon for the person who wants to change it up! Faux fur can make you feel glamourous and work well with eveything from a pair of jeans to an evening dress. Wraps are a great option if you only need to hop from the valet to the the door.
November 18, 2009 - The Holiday Look: Affordable and Effortlessly Fabulous!
This holiday season you may have an assortment of different holiday parties to attend including office parties, get togethers with friends, charity events and the list goes on. In the past, many of us would go out and buy a whole new outfit from shoes to jewelry. However in today's economy, even those of us who can afford it, are cutting back. Money or not, I believe the best looks are the ones that look fabulous, yet effortless. Here's some tips for you to start putting together those holiday outfits without spending a whole lot or looking like you just spent your entire bonus in an effort to impress.Keep It Classic This is a universal rule, no matter what the occasion. You can never go wrong with classic pieces. They are appealing to most people and you never risk being a fashion victim. No matter if you are headed to a conservative office party or a funky art gallery charity event, you'll fit in and be approachable. Men should wear dark ties in rich colors with a suit jacket for more formal events. A nice sport jacket in a solid color, subtle pattern or texture. Women should wear a tailored skirt and jacket or pretty blouse. Use jewelry like diamonds and pearls to add a little sparkle.
Rework What You Have Save your green for gifts and after holiday sales. It never makes sense to spend money on clothes that you are only going to wear a few times a year. Instead, shop in your closet. Men can do this pretty easily. Just use the same sport jacket and change the shirt and tie up. Contrary to our social belief, it's ok to wear the same dress twice. Take the dress you wore to the office party last week and wear it to the benefit party this week. Change up the accessories to make it feel new and different. I love black stone jewelry; it's different from your typical diamonds and still conveys a sleek elegance. It can also look edgy if done in the right way. Put the necklace from White House Black Market (above), with a simple black sheath dress (which you probably have in your closet) and you're instantly styled!
Keep It Simple Skip the Swarovski drenched dress and accessories. Use warm rich colors but keep it simple with the bling. I'm always a fan of a fun cocktail ring. It makes a good conversation piece and stands out without being obvious. Go for one standout piece. It could be a cool detail in your dress, bold earrings or a statement necklace. Limit yourself to one, otherwise you look like your trying too hard and your pieces start to compete for attention.
All men look more "manly" with a nice metal band watch. Skip the leather bands. A simple chain necklace works for men who naturally accessorize. If you do not normally wear a necklace, this is not the time to try it. You'll look uncomfortable.
Prioritize: Clothes, Shoes, Accessories If you feel like you have nothing in your closet that will work, then head to the stores. Based on your budget, spend the bulk of your money on the clothing, then the shoes, then the accessories. The clothing is going to be the largest, most noticeable piece on you. You not only want to have a quality piece that you can wear again and again, but you don't want to waste money on something that you don't love. Hopefully you can find shoes at home, but if not, then get a pair of shoes that will work for several special occasion outfits. Do not be matchy-matchy and get unique shoes that will only work with that particular outfit. You'll be wasting money.
Lastly, if you still have money left over in your budget, buy some accessories. If not, these are easy to borrow from a friend. You can pair inexpensive jewelry with a nice outfit. Some of the best jewelry I have is $10 from the B.P. department in Nordstrom. Target is a great source for some modern and fun pieces too!
Most importantly have fun and know that it isn't a fashion contest. It's about feeling good about the way you look and enjoying yourself at the party!
October 25, 2009 - Shine Like a Diamond!
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 Editwith 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!
October 6, 2009 - Dress Like "You" for Halloween...Scary Thought?
Have you ever thought about being yourself for Halloween? If “you��? were hanging on the rack of a costume shop would you want to be “you��?? What would “you��? look like?
Halloween is a time for us to experiment, have fun and even try out an alter ego! Think of the time and thought you put into a costume for one night, compared to the ones you wear every day. It could be scary. Like it or not, we live in a world where we are constantly judged on appearance. Even without being discriminating we have certain assumptions that we make about an individual. If you see someone who has a wrinkly shirt on you may assume that they are lazy or messy. If you see someone at an event wearing khakis when everyone else is wearing a suit, you might think they are at the wrong place or that they're part of the staff.
Think about the “costume��? that you wear everyday. What does it say about you? If you are intelligent, organized, and creative on the inside then you want your clothes to say those same things on the outside. Take those words that you want people to associate with you and find ways to visualize them through your clothes. Here are a few tips and examples using men's shirts and women's suits:
Powerful/Ambitious – use striped patterns, angled or straight cut styles and dark colors to convey authority. Keep clothing tailored to fit your body and wear crisp and smooth fabrics.
Friendly/Caring – use rounded patterns, curved styles and soft, muted colors like mauve or brown to convey friendliness. Clothing can be a little looser and full of texture.
Creative/Modern – mix patterns, combine styles and use splashes of bold color over neutral colors like grey and black. Blend loose and tight clothing together in one outfit.
The key is to truly look like “you��?, whatever that is. We use the word "costume" in place of "outfit", only because of the holiday. Your outfit should never feel like a costume! For example, some women may feel like they are wearing a costume if they were outfitted in some of the clothes we’ve seen on Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City. While many of these are amazing couture pieces, for some women it would feel like they were playing dress up.
Your costume should be desirable. First ask yourself how you feel about it and then ask a close friend. Have them give you three things they like about your style and any constructive criticism on what they dislike. You can even be as direct to ask them if they would want to wear your costume. Finding out why or why not will let you if you need a little tweaking or a whole new fitting. If you have been wearing the wrong costume for years, you may just seek the expert advice of a stylist, like Milena. She’ll help you create a costume that represents you on the inside and fits just right on the outside!
September 10, 2009 - Give Fall the Boot!
Boots are this season’s must have and you wouldn’t dare live without! Not only do boots keep your tootsies warm into winter, men can look stylish without trying too hard and women can easily create an eye catching look by pairing them with everything from t-shirts to dresses!
Boots are so big this fall that I had to narrow down the styles that I could cover in this little blog. The truth is, you can wear almost any style and be right in sync! Regardless of the style, you'll see a lot of boots with buckles, suede and roll-over tops, just a few details to make them unique! Here a few worth trying for both women & men!
Women's
Ankle Booties: A trend we saw last fall is here to stay! This is one of those shoes that may not be for everyone. Pair these with skinny jeans or a dress with tights. It plays out best on people with little feet and proportionate bodies. Done incorrectly and you can wind up looking like a holiday elf! (Not Rated)
Over the Knee Boots: I’m still a little nervous to see how these play out in realty! On the runway with models who have 10 inch round legs that are 10 feet long, they can be quite appealing. The key is to create a sleek legging-like look. If you are worried that you’ll look more trampy than trendy – avoid a lot of embellishments like studs or any sort of bling. These leggy fashion boots are showy enough, so keep them simple. (Joie)
Cowboy Boots/Biker Boots: Although these aren’t at all the same type of boot, I paired them together because both are boots that require a certain personality or attitude to look right. Wear either boot with confidence and only if they feel like you. Opt for ones that are lighter in appearance and weight to keep them from looking overwhelming or making you feel like you gained a few. Choose a style that has some feminine flair to it. If you want to try either out for style and don’t see yourself as a biker or a cowboy in the future, buy these boots on sale or at a discount store. (Steve Madden)
Slouchy Boots: With all the 80’s hype in clothing and accessories, these boots easily stroll right into the mix! Wear your slouchy boots with skinny jeans, tights or even a full skirt! You need contrast to make them stand out. I love slouchy boots in grey suede or any soft neutral color. These are flats so you'd almost imagine them to feel like modern-day super-hero slippers! (Steve Madden)Men's
Rugged & Casual: Just how women like to see their men! Men’s boots have that tough, no messing around look! Pair with a t-shirt or a soft casual button-up and wear these boots just about everywhere you go this fall! (Bed Stu Romel)
Western/Biker Boots: Guys have been wearing cowboy boots and biker boots forever. This fall’s look is a little more styled out for that guy who wants to add some edge. Mark Nason shoes are known for their stylish detail. Be careful to watch the proportion on the toe bed. While every guy wants to have big feet, if you are on the shorter side, a pair of Nason's with a large toe-bed may make you lose a couple inches off the top (aka-you'll look even shorter)! (Mark Nason)
Dress Boots: Boots aren’t just for casual wear. You can really make an impression and still feel comfortable in the winter months with a pair of dressy ankle boots. Keep the style simple, sleek and smooth. No extra frills with these! (Mezlan)
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