Reader Question

With all the winter ‘drapey’ type sweaters, how do you wear one with with a coat? Also can you speak to the need for multi layers that we need up here in the cold frozen north east and still make it look like we’re not a marshmallow and/or make sure that what we are wearing underneath isn’t smooshed when we arrive.

A Wardrobe 911 Personal Stylist Answers

Where I am from, layering is a must. Our weather goes from extreme cold to near spring-like all winter long. I love the look of drapey sweaters and dress many clients in them.

Thin knits are key here if you want to still be able to move once you have put your winter coat on. Be sure to be mindful that your sweater doesn’t hang lower than your coat as that would appear sloppy. For example, with the sweater shown, be sure to tie the ends up rather than let them hang down past the coat if it’s shorter.

If your body type suits thicker knits, just take the drapey sweater off and bring it with you. Once your coat is off, back on goes the sweater. I give the same advice to clients concerned about blazers under their winter coats.

As for the smoosh factor, be mindful to wear knits with a bit of a pattern in them. Knits aren’t much of an issue anyway but the pattern will certainly help. Avoid wearing silk blouses or cotton tunics or button-downs that are not wrinkle resistant. I prepare for the worst and usually have a basic black blazer in my car for times like that.

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Kelli Harker is a Calgary, Alberta based stylist and image coach. Her mission is to empower women through image. Join her “Got the Denim Blues?” Webinar on Feb. 12!!

Welcome color! I couldn’t resist posting about this recent fun trend that I’m starting to see in stores.  What a great way to update your wardrobe for Spring. Just wear one of the colors in the shoe – or wear solid neutrals – either way, you can’t go wrong with these fun shoes.

Here are some great styles with more being added daily, from left to right.

• ONE by Ebony Colorblock pumps in Rust, Berry + Blue, $190
• Calvin Klein Gracie in Fuchsia, Coral + Violet, $98
• Nine West Pitera in Turquoise, Green + Blue , $89
• Nine West PlayItCool in Black, Purple + Pink, $85
• Kate Spade Cheree Peeptoes in Red, Violet, Blue + Black, $225
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Espadrille in Navy, Beige + Turquoise, $195

Reader Question

There’s a real trend towards women of all ages going gray, whether they have never colored their hair or have stopped coloring their hair.  But those of us with silver locks can’t wear the same colors in makeup or clothing that might have worked when our hair had color, and there’s very little guidance for colors that work with gray hair.  I would love to see an article on changing makeup and clothing to bring out the best of our gray!  (I’m a newbie to the gray world, having colored my hair for over 30 years since my hair started to gray at age 18.)

Wardrobe 911 Answers

Welcome to the Silver Sister’s club! Having studied color extensively, it’s important to remember that everyone has unique coloring (regardless if they are gray!) based on the colors, saturation and values in their hair, skin and eyes. So knowing this, I’ll try and keep it simple and provide you with some general guidelines.

Every gray is different. If you look at a ‘gray’ hair, you’ll notice that it has no pigment – it is clear and white. How much gray you have will alter your hair color values and the actual color. For example, if you have naturally warm brown or auburn hair, you could be considered platinum if 80% of your hair is gray, warm gray if 50% of your hair is gray, and auburn with white “highlights” if 10% of your hair is gray. You also will go from being medium-dark valued (auburn) to light valued (platinum) over time. So as more gray grows in, your colors and color temperature will change.

But, it doesn’t stop with just hair color! Your skintone and the colors in your eyes also indicate what colors would work best on you.

One of the first things you want to do is build a core wardrobe of easy to mix and match classic pieces based on warm or cool neutrals. How much gray you have and the undertones to your skin and your eye colors determine if you are warm or cool. You can determine this by using our Core Wardrobe Planner, hiring a personal stylist for a color consultation, or by taking a good look at your hair, skin and eye colors to determine a dominant temperature. Since gray hair is a cool temperature, the more you have (length of hair and amount of gray), the more dominantly cool you will be. Cool core wardrobes consist of blacks, grays, whites and blues with the values working with your own personal color values. Since even 10% of gray tends to soften even the warmest of palettes, warm neutrals for someone gray would consist of taupes, soft whites, heather grays and olives.

What I have discovered is that once a woman (or man) hits 50% of gray, and if their hair is the dominant attribute, then their core wardrobe will always be dominantly cool. Meaning your basics will be based on cool neutrals with some exceptions of course. With regards to colors, your colors will depend on your personality and color saturation. I really can’t generalize here since everyone is so different but above is a chart of various gray hair colors – some with warm undertones (on the top) and some with cool undertones (on the bottom.) Assuming that warm brown eyes and warm skin are dominant above and cool blue eyes and pink skin are below, the sweaters represent the best colors for each color and value with the best neutral in the middle. For example, my skin and eyes are warm but my hair is platinum white so heathered grays, taupes, olives, soft white and persimmon work best. Of course wearing the same gray as your hair color is always a great thing to do!

As our hair naturally lightens, the shadows cast on our face lighten and we can tend towards looking colorless. So it’s important to always make up your eyes with soft charcoal or navy eyeliner (or other complementary shades) and dark mascara. Blush and lip colors should be clear and slightly bright like the warm and cool coral lip colors shown in the picture. You never want to do bronzer or clay colors anymore. It’s all about berries, corals and pinks. Regardless, if you have warm skin, blue-pinks will never look good on you; stick with the warm corals and pinks.

Hopefully this has been somewhat helpful! Again, nothing beats working with a personal stylist in getting a professional color analysis to determine the right colors, saturations and contrasts for you. And if you do, I would highly recommend you stay away from the seasonal color approach as it doesn’t look at your coloring utilizing color theory principles – it simply puts you in a box of pre-made colors, some which can be quite bad for you.

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Have a passion for dressing individuals to bring out their best? Our Personal Stylist Certification Program (PSCP) is starting it’s Spring session on February 6. Learn more and register today!

Happy New Year everyone! As I’m sure you’ve noticed, my posts here have really dropped off. It’s partly due to all the many life changes that have been thrown my way. Plus, I’ve been wonderfully occupied with the Style Institute, mentoring and training some amazing women who are launching their own personal styling businesses. Change comes in unexpected ways but if we embrace it, it opens up our world to new opportunities.  That’s why for 2012 I’m going to do things just a tad differently here.

My whole philosophy for personal styling is based on three core concepts that get to the heart of who we are: mind, body and spirit. Those of you who know me, know my work, or have trained with me, know this is what I base everything around. Sometimes having a name such as Wardrobe 911 negates the spirit of that. But at the same time, I find the name refreshing because when we are feeling a little lost about who we are and what we want to be saying to the world, we certainly wish we could dial 911 and get some answers.

I also feel I’ve been doing most of you a disservice because you only see one side of personal styling: the wardrobe and fashion.  It’s really much more than that — at least at Wardrobe 911, that is! Yes, we can certainly tell you which jean will look great on you and which brands/designers work for your body type. But, we can also guide you in discovering YOUR style using methods that get to the core of who you are as a person — it’s that whole spirit thing.  And, color plays a big part of that too! In fact, I’m often told that when I do color analysis it’s like watching me tell their future — it’s pretty powerful stuff.

So, this year I am not going to just write to write. This year I want it to be about you! Every week I’d like to take a reader question and answer it – or have one of our amazing stylists answer it. Of course it can be about what to wear but I want to delve a little deeper if you will allow me. Perhaps friends have told you that you seemed mean when they first met you — even if you’re the nicest person you know!  Or perhaps you’re wondering why you’re getting overlooked at work. (93% of the message we send is in what is NOT said.) Or perhaps you’ve just finished going through a big life transition and you don’t know where to start when it comes to launching your new style.  Ask a question in our Emergency Room and make sure to tell me about yourself a bit and include a picture of you. I won’t post your picture if you don’t want me to.

The answers will not be all-encompassing because that work is reserved for our private clients, but we’ll at least get you pointed in the right direction and provide some recommends to get you thinking. So, there it is. One article a week focused on answering your questions. And if I have time, I promise to do more ’15 items’ posts because, well….heck, I like them too! Have a wonderful and inspiring 2012!

P.S. If you’re interested in becoming a personal stylist and training with me this Spring, join me for a complimentary telecall on Jan 18th at 2pm Pacific. You’ll need to register here to attend.

There’s certainly a right way and a wrong way to dress sexy.  Unfortunately, I see many women – usually younger – doing it the wrong way.  My first job out of college was for a large financial services firm where conservative dress was de rigueur. But there was one gal who was the VP’s assistant who always dressed too provocatively: tight skirts, low-cut blouses, heavy eye makeup, and stiletto heels.  Yup.  She was really good at her job – super organized and on top of things – yet feared by everyone because she looked so fierce. Her attire made the men (and women) in the office nervous around her.

If there is one rule on how to dress sexy (and when I mean dress sexy, I mean for a date or night out — not work, okay??) it’s this: show only one part of your body and hide the rest.

For example, show off your cleavage but keep the legs covered (Outfit #1) or show off your legs and keep the top covered (Ouftit #2.)  It leaves much more to the imagination and doesn’t come across as vapid.

What not to wear? Mixing cleavage with mini skirts such as items #1 + 4.  What do you think is the best way to dress sexy yet not over the top?

1. Bailey 44 “Trophy Wife” top, $144. Perfect name with just the right amount of skin showing on top.
2. 7 For All Mankind straight leg jean, $169.  This style, Kimmie, is for curvier gals and is sleek and sexy.
3. French Connection black cowl neck, $98. Fitted turtlenecks can be quite sexy and leave everything to the imagination.  Pair it with a mini and tights for a night out.
4. Splendid Layers Miniskirt, $50.  Great price and fabric that shows your curves.  This is short so unless you have rocking legs, wear tights. Especially if you’re over 40.
5. The zippered black ankle boots are by Vigotti ($139) and look great with jeans or skirts.

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Looking for some virtual style help where you receive expert advice for what works specifically for you? Book a  virtual style consultation with me.

I’ve written about plus-size and petite style but never tall.  Today, I figure, this is for the tall girls — but even if you’re not, there is something for everyone here.  Many folks think that being tall is easy but finding things long enough is always a challenge.  I am really thankful that Gap Inc offers tall sized clothing!  I also like it when denim designers do the 36″ inseam versus the “average”  32″ inseam which can only be worn with flats when you are tall (AG Jeans!!)

Today’s look is perfect for the weekend and provides just the right length and proportion to make a tall gal feel stylish for those impromptu gatherings with friends.

• DKNY Scoop Neck Pullover, $195.  Since the sleeves are 3/4, you don’t have to worry about length and the pullover is long enough to wear with a skirt (shown) or skinny jeans.
• Velvet Luella Fur Vest, $165.  This cropped faux fur vest plays with the proportions nicely by balancing the long tunic and bringing the eye up to your beautiful face.
• Fold-over jersey skirt, $15. Gotta love the price.  Old Navy carries this popular skirt in tall and the skirt hem hits just right.  To get the midi skirt look, instead of wearing the top waistband folded over, wear it unfolded and pull it down a bit so it goes just past the knee.
• Linea Pelle single wrap leather bracelet, $46.  I’m always on the lookout for a cool leather cuff bracelet and this is my fall fave.  It comes in tons of colors but the one shown is in bronze.
• Sam Edelman Maddie bootie, $110.  As a tall gal, I’m always looking for a stylish heeled shoe that isn’t too high nor too low to be frumpy.  This one is a winner!  Not to be worn with tights (the jersey skirt will cling), these boots look cute as is with some simple ankle socks.  They also look great with tights for heftier fabric skirts and jeans.

Skinny jeans and leggings are here to stay for another season. And of course we love our boots with them in the fall but even more in style this season is to pair them with the shorter boot.  Another equally cool item to try with them is the new midi skirt that’s out this season – short boots look great with them too!  Here’s a quick round up of some of my favorite short boots that work perfectly to create the right look.

• Cuffed short boot: The cuff detail creates a wide opening which really balances hips and thighs.  Pair them with thick tights or socks.
• Mid-calf sleek boot: these are perfect without tights when you pair them with the midi-skirts because the shaft is taller – it hits below the mid calf. They also can work with ruched socks and skinny jeans.
• The hiking (aka granny) boot: Turn the sides of the shaft down and wear some thick socks with these. They really do look good with the midi and longer skirts as well! This is a trendy look so don’t spend too much on these.
• Platform bootie: These just kick ass. I love the look of these as they convey a sense of sophistication. However, they are not for the faint of heart as the heels are usually at 4″ with a 3/4″-1″ platform.

Vince Camuto, $139

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $420

Steve Madden, $100

Dolce Vita, $255

We all know leather jackets go with jeans. But there are certainly more ways to wear this popular fall item!  To provide some inspiration I show two different ways to wear a black cropped leather jacket.

1. With a below-the-knee dress. 

The longer floral button-down dresses can be rather boring and ‘old-lady’ worn alone with a heel.  Instead, add some edge with a cropped leather jacket and hiking style boots.

• Presley Skye long button-down floral dress, $168.
• Sam Edelman Karla laceup boot, $150.

2.  With a tunic sweater and twill pants.

Creating balance and proportion is easy with a cropped jacket. Simply wear something longer underneath like a tunic sweater. If you tend to be short waisted, you may want to try wearing the same color in top and pants.

• Sanctuary Chealsea wide-leg pant, $99. These cotton twill pants come in a great gray color and work well for rectangle silhouettes.
• Theory ‘Calvana – Galaxy’ tunic sweater, $200. This sheer tunic comes in an ivory metal color with some interesting draping.  Wear a simple stretch tank ($10) underneath.
• For more hiking style boot options, check out the New Military Boot ($299)  at Allsaints.
• Michael Kors leather cuff, $95

This season, you can’t go far without spotting a cute cropped leather jacket.  From drapey in front to more biker mama, there is a color and style for everyone.

Here I show my top five. In the next few posts, I’ll show you how to wear them so you can get the most for your investment. From left to right, clockwise:

• AllSaints Alcona Jacket $650.  This cool, two-tone lambskin jacket is in a pretty gray color. I love AllSaints for their hip vibe – this jacket looks great buttoned up to create a funnel neck or can be worn draped open. Remember, lambskin is super soft so this should be buttery.

• Sanctuary Leather Jacket, $378. This fitted cropped jacket comes in a deep cognac and has an asymmetrical front zipper. It’s a hot color for all you warm lovelies — you can’t go wrong. At Piperlime.

• Hinge Waterfall Leather Jacket, $298. Cropped in back with the perfect draping in front, this taupe leather jacket has sweater detailing under the arm. I think this is the perfect jacket for the hip over 40 set.  If you’re dying for one in black, there is an Elie Tahari draped leather jacket in lambskin that is very similar for $425.

• Rachel Rachel Roy Cropped leather  jacket, $289.  In a beautiful orange-y cognac, this short sleeve jacket works for Fall and year-round for those of you who live in warmer climates.  It has an asymmetrical front zipper and drapes when left open. (notice another trend??)

• Andrew Marc Burnished Leather Jacket, $495.  For the rebel, here’s a cute take on the motorcycle jacket – fitted and cropped. The sleeves are 3/4 and it has an asymmetric front zip. I think this one’s my favorite.

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Next Tuesday, 9/6, is the deadline to get your application in for our Fall Personal Stylist Certification online training program which starts 9/12.  Get your app in as there are limited seats! Get your application and learn more at our training site.

Skin Tone shades can look incredible on you as long as the color selected picks up the cool or warm undertones of your skin. Some undertones include pink, beige, peach, brown and gold.

A skin tone color brings out your femininity and natural beauty, making you more approachable.

Some women don’t feel confident wearing their skin tone color because they feel washed out and too “nude”. If that is the case, you may not be wearing the right shade or perhaps the fabric doesn’t suit you.

Another skin tone trend is wearing shoes that come in shades that match your legs. Some of the common shades include blush, taupe or brown. You can also incorporate natural looks in your make-up such as a nude lip.

Do you want to find out which colors match your skin tone? Book a personal style and color consultation.

This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at Maria S. Nelson, Personal Stylist.

It’s time to start thinking about a new pair of jeans. Here are a few to consider for style, length and budget.

For Sleek Jean Lovers: J. Brand has the market cornered when it comes to minimal details. And these dark wash straight leg jeans are perfect for daytime and going out.

For Petite Gals: Citizens of Humanity Dita Petite Bootcut Jeans, $158. Other petite jeans have a 32″ inseam – um…that is the average length for non-petite jeans.  So it’s nice that this comes in at a 31″ inseam so you can wear heels if you have shorter legs.  If you have a 30″ inseam (as some petites do!), then it’s flats for you.

For Long-Legged Gals: MiH Marrakesh Jeans, $189. MiH stands for Made In Heaven and these are definitely heaven for tall girls with their 36″ inseam – yay! These are LONG jeans ladies so if you are under 5’8″ you may not like. LOL 9.5″ rise – yay!

For Budget Conscious Gals: Gap 1969 Jeans. For 70 bucks, you can get them in Tall (37″ inseam!), Petite (30″ inseam), or the Average 33″ inseam. I like the real straight style but they come in all variations.

You have an August wedding to attend and you’re sick of your current stand-by dress for such occasions. What to wear when fall is around the corner but you still need to dress for the summer weather?  Here’s a great ensemble that works now and later.

Stretch cotton dress in a vibrant blue.  Sure, it comes in black but this blue is perfect for warm days and the style looks good on small-busted hourglasses, rectangles, or triangle silhouettes. If you have broad shoulders and a larger bust, I’d stay away.

Pair the dress in an analogous harmony with these gi-normous peacock feather earrings from Betsey Johnson and this cute green wicker clutch that is now half off.

For shoes, check out these Reese heels by the new line, Dana Davis, which was made specifically for women with bad feet.  Her shoes are outrageously comfortable — and you certainly pay for it — but, most of the styles are hip so it makes it worth the expense. (So much cuter than Taryn Rose in my opinion.)

And, if you’re looking for the perfect summery eyeshadow that is easy to apply and works for any skintone, check out the Glimmer Boomstick by Cindy Joseph. It is this great champagne-y color that isn’t over the top sparkly – super neutral and lovely.  It’s been my go-to for the last year so I thought I’d share the love.

Can you really create over 20 looks with just 15 items, sans shoes? You bet!  Part 1 of this series covered the first 4 items, part 2 showed an additional 5, and today I’m adding 3 more.  Here they are:

10. A Shirtdress. The shirtdress helps to bridge the gap between work and weekend.  You can even make it more casual by wearing flat sandals with it.  Here I show a J.Crew shirtdress in navy that looks great with the light jacket from Part 1, alone with a fun necklace for the weekend, or layered under the aqua cardi and belted for a more business casual vibe.

11. A Short-sleeve Top. You can easily add a button-down short-sleeve shirt but to shake things up, why not add a striped tee? (Apparently the one shown just sold out so the link goes to an alternative.) It can work for work paired under a blazer, with a pencil or aline skirt, or the white jeans shown in part 2.

12. A Light Neutral Skirt. The mocha a-line skirt can be dressed up or down and is a great item to have as your “Top 15.” You can add a tank top and flip flops for the weekend, or a black jacket for an important client meeting, or add the tan sleeveless top for a polished, monochromatic look.

Also shown:

• Anthropologie almond necklace
• Black sandals

Total Outfits = 13 : 10+6, 10+4, 10+2+4; 12+11, 12+3+4, 12+7+4; 12+7+6, 12+9, 12+1+6; 11+5, 11+3, 11+3+2, 11+5+6

PS. I’m not dead.

What 15 items should you have in your closet to create a multitude of outfits with?  Well, part 1 of this series covered the first 4 items and today I’m adding 5 more.  Here they are:

5.  White jeans. White jeans aren’t as sheer as other white pants and can easily work for business casual or the weekend – just make sure to still wear a nude thong underneath! (oh, the things I’ve seen!)  These James Jeans slim bootcuts ($163) are known to make your butt look good due to their pocket placement.  Plus, they have an 8.5″ rise.

6.  Lightweight cardigan. This seafoam-colored draped linen cardigan ($69.50) is 100% soft linen and it’s perfect for work or play. It’s pretty gorgeous in person and if you’re near a Banana Republic store it’s worth checking out.  You can wear this with the khaki pants from the 1st post, the white jeans, and much more — it’s that versatile. It also comes in a nice soft white.

7. A neutral-colored knit. Anything goes here as far as style but here I show a crochet sleeveless top in a stretch cotton by Maggie Ward ($198). The crochet detail is a big trend right now and can be worn sheer for a hot date out but probably best with a nude or white tank underneath.

8.  Hat. A cool, straw fedora hat ($45) looks good on a lot of women and this one is the best I’ve seen and tried on.  It’s perfect for those bad hair days or for channeling your inner hipness.  The color shown looks great on cool skin and cool-eyed gals.  The olive color is fantastic on those with warm skin and eyes.

9.  Print top. You just can’t go through the warm months without wearing some prints! From stripes to graphical prints to florals, there is a print for everyone.  This silk striped top ($195) shown is by Cynthia Steffe (pronounced STEF-EE) and works great alone or underneath that cardigan.  If you’re petite, Nordstroms has a Halogen floral top ($58) that works really well with this set.

Total Outfits = 10:  5+7+8; 5+6+7+8; 5+8+9; 5+6+9; 5+9+2; 5+7+4; 3+9; 3+7+4; 3+1+6+8; 3+6+7

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With the 3 eclipses happening this month, realignment is in the air! To take advantage of this energy, I’ve decided to launch a 21-day makeover challenge! Join me for $125 and you’ll receive daily emails directly from me that will guide you in refocusing your style.

Back by popular demand! For the next few weeks I’ll be featuring 15 items that create a multitude of summer outfits – for both work and play.  As in the past, the 15 items don’t include shoes because that is a whole ‘nother wardrobe! So here is some inspiration to help you think about what 15 items you have (or need) to create a multitude of outfits from. For the next few days I’ll share my picks and then show the various looks thereafter. Here’s the first four items:

1. A neutral colored cowl neck tee: Flattering for all body types, get a neutral sleeveless cowl in ivory or white (shown, $54) or gray (not shown, $55). Three Dots also has a plus-size line called Red Dot which also makes the same cowl neck tee in larger sizes.

2. A draped jacket: This nude washed-silk jacket by Kain ($198) is perfect for the warm summer months since it can be worn open or closed with a belt.  The other cool thing is that it can work with casual items such as khakis or jeans, to more dressier items such as a summer wedding outfit, which you’ll see in upcoming posts.

3. A neutral colored cropped cotton pant: Yup, cropped khakis. Never out of style, khakis are a perfect neutral to have in your spring/summer wardrobe since they can go with about everything.  This cropped version comes in sizes 00-20, and goes for $49.50. And just a note about length:  if it looks like you’re wearing high-watered pants, hem them! Ready-to-wear is never really ready-to-wear and at this price, you can either roll them up to hit at the right place (that is the trend right now) on you can hem them.  For cropped pants, if you don’t have long legs, I recommend to always add some height with your shoe to balance your proportions.

4. A colorful wrap belt: This skinny red wrap tassel belt ($121) works perfectly over the cowl top, paired with pants or even over the jacket.  If you want a simple red skinny belt ($32.50), you’ll want to go up a size to layer effectively as they’re typically sized to be at the waist.

For shoes, natural espadrille wedges make your wardrobe current. The ones shown come in sizes 5.5 – 11 and are by Steve Madden, $79.50. They come in in khaki (shown), black, and white.

Total Looks = 4: 1+3+4; 1+3; 1+2+3+4; 1 + 2 (open) +3

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Are you looking for some style help but don’t live nearby? I now offer virtual style consultations.

I’ve never really written solely about the big white lie here and decided it was time to let you all in on a little secret:

Bright white doesn’t look good on the majority of consumers, yet the most popularly used white in fashion is bright white.

Why is that, you wonder?  Knowing that most people don’t look good in it, why do the retailers and fashion brands continue to make tops, jackets and dresses in bright white?  Well, it’s truly a vicious cycle. Here are a five possible reasons:

1) There’s a slight misunderstanding that there is only one white available to us.

A brief glance at a paint deck will certainly tell us otherwise (as shown from Benjamin Moore.)  How many of you have tried to touch up your “landlord white” walls with a white paint and discover it didn’t match at all?  There are many whites:  gray/whites, green/whites, bluish-gray/whites and yellow/cream whites. Bright white is just too bright for most of us – it reflects off the walls and can cause eye strain. We can’t live in it and we certainly can’t wear it.

2) The myth that “every person needs a white shirt” is somehow now a fashion rule that cannot be broken.

Unfortunately, this way of thinking leads fashion houses and retailers to think (and to perpetuate the myth!) that their customers want crisp whites.  They don’t, but most don’t know it. (see below)

3) Most of us don’t really know what colors look best on us.

We want it to be easy and painless so we listen to the fashion industry because they must know better. We are then led to believe that crisp whites are all there is, and it’s partially true!  If you’ve ever searched for an nice off-white tank or shirt or top, you know how difficult it is. It can take a few years of searching until one finally comes out — and then when it does, it sells out in nanoseconds! You’d think the retailers and designers would catch on.

4) Most fashion designers and retailers have no clue what colors look great on their customers.

Of course, the smarter designers and retailers do conduct research and rely on color forecasts (you’ve heard that this season is all about white, right?)  But again, most of the companies that offer the forecasting are the ones trying to sell their specific colors!  I don’t know any who really go full-out in knowing what main colors look good on the majority of their customers.  If they did, we wouldn’t see the same whites, blacks and blues over and over and over again in stores.  Which leads me to believe that perhaps the real reason we are spoon-fed the bright white lie is because…

5) Bright white is cheap.

Bleaching is easy. Getting an off-white or a nice ‘white dove’ or ‘linen white’ is a little pricey with all that color mixing going on for the dyes. So thus, the bright white shirts tend to be inexpensive and the must-have for your next interview. Because there is money in the bright white.

If you’re like me, you might be a little disheartened. It’s all about the money! Well…maybe. Again, I think it has to do with the fact that many of us (designers included) don’t know that there are a variety of whites that would look better on us, just like there are a variety of whites other than landlord white that look better on our walls. We want to look and feel great, not just okay. The right colors support us.

So, what whites should you wear?

Match your white to the whites of your eyes and/or pearly whites.  You’ll discover that most people don’t have bright whites but they have grey/white, off-white, eggshell, etc. And if you have white hair, then you should  match your hair.  My best white is a greenish-white. Bright white makes my hair look dingey and cream white makes me look like a Q-Tip. Here are a couple of great whites that are wonderful options to check out:

• “Just right” porecelain cardi, $118
• Linen white muslin top, $118

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4 more days until the Wardrobe 911 Personal Color Event in downtown SF! Receive a private 1-hr color consultation and your own palette of over 70 colors that bring out the best in you! Registration closes tomorrow! Learn more and register here.

The dress code in business environments has evolved over the years and “Casual Friday” has been extended to weekly in some companies.  Employees have different interpretations of business casual and my recommendation is that you don’t take casual too literally. Appearance and non-verbal cues actually communicate what type of person you are so it is important to pay attention to details and look put together.

This business casual outfit shows confidence and style. During the spring and summer months, spice up a pair of neutral pants with a colorful top.  Also, learn which colors enhance your personal features, such as your hair and eye colors, by getting a personal color analysis.

This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at Maria S. Nelson, Personal Stylist.

With the hot sun beating down, a summery dress is the perfect way to stay cool. But how do you look cute and still pay the rent? Here’s a boho-vibe look that’s perfect for the weekend as well as super wallet-friendly.

• Tie-dye maxi dress by Calypso for Target, $40
• Jellypop cork wedges in chocolate brown, $25
• 5-strand earthtone necklace, $25
• Oversized sunglassess, $9.50

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11 more days until the Wardrobe 911 Personal Color Event in downtown SF! Receive a private 1-hr color consultation and your own palette of over 70 colors that bring out the best in you!  Learn more and register here.

Getting ready for a funeral seems like a slam-dunk. Pull out your black dress or black skirt and top and slip out the door. Right?  That’s what most people do.  But why? Why is black so significant to North Americans when it comes to death?

Well, it started with Queen Victoria.  She started wearing black as a sign of mourning and others followed. People typically wore dull black and then moved to other darker and then muted colors as the mourning time passed — typically 2 years. That’s a long time.  Nowadays, with black signifying “sophisticated” and “sleek”, the other meanings attributed to black such as “darkness” and “death” don’t seem to hold  as much weight — except for at funerals.

And yet, to me, it doesn’t seem to be the most appropriate color to wear to every single funeral. The person we are memorializing for the day could have been the most dynamic person we have ever met, full of life and energy. Why would we want to commemorate them in black? It is quite appropriate to wear a different darker color such as navy, charcoal or dark brown.  Most Asian countries wear white to funerals since white signifies spirituality and peace.  I like that.

Why can’t we remember our loved ones and honor them by wearing their favorite color? Or wearing a color that signifies to us what they meant? I mean, when I die, I don’t want people to wear black to my funeral.  I want them to wear white. I want to see my loved ones and friends in full, head-to-toe white – beautiful and peaceful. Uplifting and spiritual.  Or my favorite color green…full of life and vitality.  No black please — well, you could certainly add some cute black accessories and shoes and I wouldn’t mind!

I don’t think wearing color to a funeral is bad. What do you think? What color would you want people to wear to your funeral?

And, in case you need to attend a funeral, here’s some black-alternative dress ideas:

• Brown ruched faux wrap dress, $98. Also comes in navy, black, and a variety of other colors!
• Reversible navy wrap dress, $195. This is such a versatile dress with a faux wrap on one side and a crew neck and ruching detail on the other (shown.)
• Elliott Lucca Snakeskin satchel, $178.  Multi-snakeskin is a workhorse as a bag color.
• J Crew Black suede sandals, $198.  J.Crew has an amazing assortment of stylish shoes and these have a low enough heel that make standing for hours bearable.
• House of Harlow round sunglasses, $125.  Clearly, the bigger and darker the better.

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As the weather gets warmer, light colors start to creep into our wardrobe to keep us comfortable and stylish.  Here’s a weekend outfit that would look amazing on warm-skinned honeys. For a casual chic look, I’d push the sleeves up a bit more on the cardi and leave it unbuttoned along with adding a great long necklace from your jewelry box.  And, if you don’t have an off-white or ivory tank, the one shown is more for layering since it’s form fitting.

• J.Crew Cafe Capri (in petite and Tall), $79.50
• Featherweight Cotton Cardi in Agate, $62
• AK Anne Klein – Basic scoop tank (Sugar), $26
• Calvin Klein Camel Wedge Sandal, $118
• Roxy cross-body fabric bag in Sunkissed Pink, $46
• Echo Design – Ribbon Striped Fedora (Brown), $38

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Are you in SF May 23? Get your colors done at Wardrobe 911′s Color Party! Sign up here.