Dress the way you want to feel

Hello my fashionistas! A very key tip I've learned in dressing for success is: Dress the way you want to feel. You want to feel rich, happy, powerful, successful, important? Then dress like you take yourself seriously. You want to feel tired, moody, hopeless? Then don't bother even getting dressed in the morning.

There's so much psychological effects that clothing has on our psyche. Fashion affects the way people perceive us. For example: A woman walks into an interview to be a secretary. She'll be the first person that everyone sees when they walk into the company. She's dressed in jeans that are hopelessly frayed on the bottom, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Her hair is pulled into a messy pony tail and she has very little makeup on. Now the interviewer is going to take one look at her and realize that she's not a serious worker. The interview sees this girl as too casual and will take her work casually too. She's afraid nothing will get done on time, and as the face of the company people will think that the business is a casual work environment and deadlines are a thing of the past.

Now a different woman is applying for the same interview. She's wearing a clean cut button down shirt tucked into a pencil skirt. High heeled pumps (not too tall) adorn her feet, and her hair and makeup are clean and simple. The interview sees someone who pays attention to detail, is clean on the outside so she must be able to keep her station clean, and someone who takes herself seriously. This girl dressed like she already had the job. The interviewer isn't worried about deadlines with her.

Two women dressed two different ways for the same event. Which one would you hire? So many girls come to me saying...I wish I had a boyfriend who looked liked such and such. They want someone who dressed nicely all the time, or wears their hair a certain way, and they are baffled as to why they cannot find this certain someone. They look like they're trying too hard. Makeup is non-existent, and sweatpants are their evening wear. I say to these girls "dress as if you had that boyfriend." Would you want to stand next to an Abercrombie model looking like you shop at Hot Topic?

Fashion has more importance than we think. If you want a certain job, dress for it. You want a promotion? Dress for it. You want a boyfriend? Dress for it. You want happiness and inner peace? Dress for it. There's something about dressing for an occasion that puts your mindset there. So my dearest readers...dress the way you want to feel. But, always remember rule number one...

Be your own beautiful.

Liz

The MAGIC continues!

These are the Spring/Summer 2011 forecasted trends. Like I said in the previous blog, the nineties influence is in vogue with the grunge look in full swing. Yet they also predict a lot of femininity put into it that the nineties missed. Historic Interpretations from the Edwardian times, bohemian/artistic esthetics, and digital distortion are just some of the things you'll see hit the stores come spring. Now all we need is the giant bangs and we'll be in business.

Have fun using your own interpretation on these trends! Fashion is fun! Keep that in mind the next time you go shopping. It should never be a horrifying experience. Just remember to not take it so seriously. Bring your friends and have a laugh at the most ridiculous things there. And most importantly remember...

Be your own beautiful.

Liz

Photos courtesy of WGSN

The MAGIC of clothing

Hello my dear readers! I'm coming to you from Las Vegas, Nevada at the MAGIC trade show. Now, I've had to explain this at least 12,000 times so I will explain now for all of you. The MAGIC convention is not a place where the next Harry Houdini and David Copperfield flock to learn how to do magic, it is a fashion trade show where buyers and vendors can meet in one place and buy, trade, and sell their wares. There's also seminars and classes that you can attend when you are registered for the trade show.

Well, today I got to sit in and hear the fall/winter forecasts for 2011 and 2012. That's right folks, I will let you in on the secret! I"m going to tell you what you will see in 6-12 months from now....ready?...are you sure?....ok, here it goes...remember about 10 years ago when you were wearing velvet dresses, with your Mary Jane's? Remember the ugly christmas sweaters that your mom always gave you with the big reindeer dancing across the front? Remember fur shorts? Ok that last one never happened, but that ladies and gentlemen is exactly what you are going to be seeing on the racks of your favorite retail stores shortly....your entire childhood is going to come back and haunt you once again. Wasn't the first time bad enough???

There are a few trends coming around that I can get on board with. Coming back into play is the boarding school, preppy, geek chic look! Since I am a big fan of appearing on the outside to how you feel on the inside, I'm a big supporter of this look. Finally my geeky bottle-coke glasses will be back in style. Let me just put my knee socks on now and save myself the wait.

Well dear readers, here you are! An exclusive look at trends soon to come. The best part about fashion is you take what they give you and you put your own spin on it. No one can make you conform to fashion trends. No one can force you to wear something that you don't like (unless you wear a uniform to work then I pity you beyond belief...yes hot dog on a stick, I'm looking at you). The greatest part about fashion is creating a work of art, everyday, and you're the canvas. You get to express how you feel, think, and believe with the clothes you put on your back. You get to warn the world of your emotional day you're having before they even talk to you. And, you get to present your values, your views, and the way you feel about yourself to the world with one, quick, fleeting glance. YOU are a walking billboard. Enjoy it! Embrace it! But, most of all, don't abuse it. Learn to take yourself seriously by putting some dignity back into your clothing. Take pride in your beautiful body by treating it nicely, that includes dressing appropriately. And always, always, always remember...

Be Your Own Beautiful!

Liz