Looking your best isn’t hard if you follow a few simple guidelines. The man of today is concerned about his appearance - many people judge you by the image you present to the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Advice,

Hello, I am writing because I am an actor and am gearing up for some new headshots. I don’t want to wear anything that detracts from my face, as the face is the focus of the headshot, however, I need help picking colors that work well with my fair skin (including completely bald head) and that bring out my green eyes. Can you help? Read the rest of this entry »

Blue in all hues
Everyone can wear blue
Choose the hue that works for you: bright blue, clear blue, turquoise blue, and dark blue.

Purple – all shades are hot but the deeper shades are more current.

Green – jewel tone emerald is this season’s pick.

Red - tomato red this fall, perfect for summer complexions
For other season colorings: Strong warm colors of orange and yellow will also be available.
The hue of red you select is key. If you look best in cool colors, try one of the pink reds or a purple red, instead of an orangey red.

Romance: soft florals, ruffles and velvets.
It’s all about ruffles and pleating and bows. Wear it well by adding structure—straight-leg pants, a pencil skirt or a coat with clean lines.

Military Coats – Try to keep them classic and with no more than 5-6 pockets.

Belts: include skinny belt again!
1 or 2 inches wide for a more figure-friendly look.
Skinny belt Is great for larger frames, wear on the skinniest part of your torso.

Large Bags: Against a backdrop of soft, romantic clothing, the best new handbags add structure and texture to the mix without losing their femininity.

Hats: Try one of the shaped wool hats in face-flattering shapes like the fedora and wide-brimmed looks.

Plaids: Bold plaids and checks work great for wraps, coats, jackets and scarves when paired with a solid, dark color bottom. You won’t need to accessorize a big plaid — the print takes center stage.

Vests: The menswear vest — whether worn open over a floral print– or buttoned up is a great layered look that anyone can wear.

Monochromatic vests and shirts are chic and slimming; hip-length vests or shorter can be worn unbuttoned over everything from floaty prints to sweaters. For a very chic new look, try an unbuttoned vest belted with a skinny belt.

Statement Necklace: Go long and bold over chunky knits, scale the pendant down to wear in open necklines. Look for everything from bold plastic shapes (chain, oval, etc.) to metal pieces to classic pearls.

Bows: Soft bow blouses are one of fall’s biggest trends and you’ll love how they work under jackets, cardigans and vests.

Long skirts: They’re an option that’s possibly warmer—and definitely more flattering—than leggings.

Metallic: All metals are celebrated—gold, silver, bronze, hematite, copper and mercury too. They’re even combined. Take your pick.

Have fun this fall and remember: if you are a spring or a summer complexion, take this opportunity to pick up a new navy suit! You don’t have to wait until January this year.

If you would like some help finding that perfect fall or special occasion dress, feel free to call me at 760.840.9997.
There really is a perfect little black dress for every figure!

Dear Kathi,

I have attached a picture of me, please tell me what color would look best with my skin tone. I want to go lighter, maybe honey blonde or a lighter brown with highlights, what do you think would look best?
Erika J. Rivera
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Major Crimes Section

Erika,

It would help to see your hair down in natural lighting in order to be certain about my reccomendation. With this photo as the example, I would suggest keeping your hair dark black or dark brown. If you want to weave in highlights, use a caramel or wheat highlight color. Both of these look great on darker hair.

If you decide to go light brown or blonde, you will not find any consumer mix light enough so don’t even think about trying to do it on your own. My makeover hairstylist, Lisa Knight of Orange Salon, says that you will end up with an unpleasant ginger color. If you do go blonde, you will absolutely have to step up your makeup routine and wear (at the minimum) eyeliner and mascara all of the time to pull it off.

Have fun and send me your ‘after’ photo!

Our style of dressing at work and elsewhere becomes our trademark. We get used to wearing certain types of clothes and if there’s a change in dress policy at work, which forces us to change, we get kind of lost, and wonder what to do. For example, take the case of Diane. Diane is 46 years old, and has been wearing jeans to work for the longest time ever. A new rule has made it compulsory to dress casual, and no denims. Diane seems to be quite perplexed. She can’t imagine what she’ll do without her comfy jeans. Well, right now she has no choice, but to follow the rules. One of Diane’s problems is that in their office, the heat and cool are not really controlled. Thus in Winter, it ends up being too hot, to the extent that they have to turn on the fan. And in Summer it’s icy cool. What’s confusing her is that she has no idea what to wear, so that she doesn’t end up being too hot or too cold throughout the day. In a way, that’s understandable, since we always want to be comfortable on the job.

Kathi Burns, a Professional Image Consultant and Board Certified Organizer, gives sound advice to Diane. Kathi says, that the best thing to do is go in for layers!

She explains that there are a variety of different lightweight sweater fabrics that are available in the market. You can wear a couple, then as the temperature in the office raises or lowers, you can either remove some layers, or put on extras. The trick is to buy different sleeve lengths, and it’s best that the last layer, that is the first you put on, is a sleeveless shell.

Another thing to watch out for when layering, are the necklines. Your tops should not compete with each other. Strong colors are easy to mix and match. If your going in for a printed top, it’s best to keep it simple and basic. It’s also preferable that you use the same color family as the other layers, and restrict the print to one layer only.

Yet another thing that you can use to your advantage is a ’shirt jacket’. These shirt jackets are essentially shirts that you put over sweaters or other shirts. Most often these shirts have button fronts, shirt tail hems and long sleeves. These are handy to keep at the office, in case you find it getting too chilly for comfort. You can then throw it on, and it’ll help keep you warm.

True, it’s hard to replace jeans. But you could try a sleek pair of tweed slacks or a classy corduroy. In fact, if you get something that you’re comfortable with, you won’t miss your jeans. A good thing about tweed is that it does not wrinkle easily and it won’t go out of style. It’s important, that you take time to find the perfect fit and invest in the best fabric. You should note that there are different types of tweeds, go in for the heavier tweeds with lining if it’s too cold. The lightweight tweeds are best for hot climate.

Another useful tip that costs nothing, is keeping a pair of socks at work. So that way, whenever your toes are feeling the chill, just slip on a pair to feel warm. Though it’ll be a little tricky finding the shoes that you can wear with or without socks. While flat mules may be comfy, it’s best to wear them without socks and slacks only!

Hopefully these tips will give you a strong head start. Over time, you’ll be able to explore and hone in on your style and most importantly find out what you are comfortable wearing. Spend the time to buy the right clothes for your body and lifestyle, It is solid investment for career advancement and increased self-esteem.

by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

The era of the three piece suit is over for the time being, except perhaps in the fields of banking and high finance. Tuxedos are also in less demand, and are readily available to rent for occasions that demand black tie attire.

That being said, at least one nice suit should still be an essential part of your wardrobe, and this is definitely an item worth spending a little extra on. There are several things to consider when buying, so don’t wait until you absolutely have to wear one tomorrow to select a suit.

Pick your basic color. Men with black hair and a pale complexion look striking in black. Blue eyed blondes or redheads look great in navy; dark-eyed men with red or brown hair generally favor brown. Try on several shades and styles to find the color that suits you best.

Look for quality both in the material used and the workmanship involved. The seams should be smooth, and securely sewn. The pants should fit comfortably and fall straight - they should be no shorter than the top of the heel of your shoe in back. The jacket should hang naturally; it shouldn’t bunch or pull when buttoned. An unlined jacket is a good choice for warmer climates, and may often show superior quality; there is no lining to cover up substandard work.

While having a tailor alter an off the rack suit for a perfect fit may add to your initial outlay, the resulting impression is well worth the additional cost. Ask the salesman to recommend a master tailor if possible. Once your suit is perfectly tailored, you can select the rest of your wardrobe.

Try on a selection of shirts in different shades and patterns. You will probably want at least one white dress shirt for more formal occasions, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Casual business attire trends have made it acceptable to wear a high quality t-shirt under a suit in many cases.

This is a good time to pick out a tie, too. Make sure the length of your tie fits you; your height and weight can affect how a tie looks. It shouldn’t be too garish; leave the cartoon characters to those with less discerning taste. The safe tie width these days measures about three inches across at the widest point.

The right shoes and matching belt help finish your look. These are investment items; buy the best you can afford for maximum quality! You might need a pair of black dress shoes if your suit is black or navy, but every man should have a pair of stylish brown shoes as well. Dark brown is preferable to light. Make sure your socks match; they should be the same color as the suit, but a shade or two darker.

Buy a nice watch and a money clip. These will go well with anything, and it is safer to keep your money in your jacket or front pants pocket anyway. Get rid of your bulky wallet and use a flat credit card holder instead. This will cut down on nonessential junk in your pockets that could ruin the line of your suit.

Once you have acquired the perfectly tailored suit and matching accouterments, you will be ready for any occasion!
by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

The era of the three piece suit is over for the time being, except perhaps in the fields of banking and high finance. Tuxedos are also in less demand, and are readily available to rent for occasions that demand black tie attire.

That being said, at least one nice suit should still be an essential part of your wardrobe, and this is definitely an item worth spending a little extra on. There are several things to consider when buying, so don’t wait until you absolutely have to wear one tomorrow to select a suit.

Pick your basic color. Men with black hair and a pale complexion look striking in black. Blue eyed blonds or redheads look great in navy; dark-eyed men with red or brown hair generally favor brown. Try on several shades and styles to find the color that suits you best.

Look for quality both in the material used and the workmanship involved. The seams should be smooth, and securely sewn. The pants should fit comfortably and fall straight - they should be no shorter than the top of the heel of your shoe in back. The jacket should hang naturally; it shouldn’t bunch or pull when buttoned. An unlined jacket is a good choice for warmer climates, and may often show superior quality; there is no lining to cover up substandard work.

While having a tailor alter an off the rack suit for a perfect fit may add to your initial outlay, the resulting impression is well worth the additional cost. Ask the salesman to recommend a master tailor if possible. Once your suit is perfectly tailored, you can select the rest of your wardrobe.

Try on a selection of shirts in different shades and patterns. You will probably want at least one white dress shirt for more formal occasions, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Casual business attire trends have made it acceptable to wear a high quality t-shirt under a suit in many cases.

This is a good time to pick out a tie, too. Make sure the length of your tie fits you; your height and weight can affect how a tie looks. It shouldn’t be too garish; leave the cartoon characters to those with less discerning taste. The safe tie width these days measures about three inches across at the widest point.

The right shoes and matching belt help finish your look. These are investment items; buy the best you can afford for maximum quality! You might need a pair of black dress shoes if your suit is black or navy, but every man should have a pair of stylish brown shoes as well. Dark brown is preferable to light. Make sure your socks match; they should be the same color as the suit, but a shade or two darker.

Buy a nice watch and a money clip. These will go well with anything, and it is safer to keep your money in your jacket or front pants pocket anyway. Get rid of your bulky wallet and use a flat credit card holder instead. This will cut down on nonessential junk in your pockets that could ruin the line of your suit.

Once you have acquired the perfectly tailored suit and matching accoutrements, you will be ready for any occasion!
by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

So you invested in a personal trainer to get your body in top condition. Now it’s time for the next step. Once your body has been given a makeover, it’s time to do the same for your image, and the person who can do that for you is a professional image consultant.

A top-flight image consultant can work her magic to make you look and feel your very best. She’ll upgrade your wardrobe and make sure that your clothes, hair and make-up all work together to create an image that will stop people in their tracks. When it comes to your wardrobe, the key is to find what clothes best fit your body size, shape and coloring. Everybody has some aspects of their body that they’re in love with, and others that they’re not on speaking terms with. A good image consultant will help you find ways to show off the things you love about your body and hide those things that you’re not so crazy about.

Did you know that most people only wear 20% of the clothes in their closet? That’s a pretty big waste of money. Your consultant will start by going through your closet and selecting those items that will make the folks at the Goodwill store very happy. She’ll also help you rehabilitate those clothes in your closet that will fit your new image, but have been neglected because they are in disrepair. It’s amazing what a good tailor or dry cleaner can do to bring your clothes back to life!

Then, after meeting with you and evaluating what kind of clothes are needed to create your new image, she’ll design a color palette best suited to you. Then it’s time for the fun part. It’s time to go shopping! She’ll help you choose pieces that you can mix-and-match to make an endless variety of stunning outfits for the new you. Once you’ve got the new wardrobe, she’ll guide you to other specialists who will make sure that your hair and make-up complete your new image. If need be, she’ll even help you with your optical needs.

Once armed with all your new knowledge, you’ll be ready to make much better decisions when shopping in the future. You’ll actually save money in the long run by getting your money’s worth out of each article of clothing, each accessory, and your make-up collection. An image consultant will not only help create a new stunning version of you, but she’ll prove to be one of the best investments you ever made in yourself.
by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

Dear Advice,

Hello, I am writing because I am an actor and am gearing up for some new headshots. I don’t want to wear anything that detracts from my face, as the face is the focus of the headshot, however, I need help picking colors that work well with my fair skin (including completely bald head) and that bring out my green eyes. Can you help?

Glen A, Jr.

Glen,

I highly recommend that you wear a solid green shirt. If your background will be white, choose a darker shade of green, it is a dark background for your headshot, wear a lighter solid green.

When you choose your shade of green, make sure that the green you buy brings out the color of your eyes and creates a healthy tone to your skin. To do this, ask your in-store helper if it is complimentary. Also, look for the shade that most closely aligns with your eye color. If your eyes have green/blue tint, choose a blue/green shirt. If green/hazel, look for a browner or more earthy green. If your eyes are golden green, choose a warmer green with golden tones.

To determine the color that will also work for your facial skin tone, hold it up to your face and see if your face recedes or moves forward in the mirror. You want your face to visually move closer when you bring the shirt up to it. If your face recedes, it is not a great color for you. This is tricky process, and where the skills of a professional image consultant are valuable.

To improve this skill on your own, choose two bold colors that are on opposite ends of the color spectrum. Hold each individually up to your face and watch what happens to your skin. The wrong color will make you look pale and emphasize the dark spots and imperfections on your face. The right color will make you look rested and healthy.

Your headshot is an important sales tool that will represent you in advance of your in-person meetings. There are many other variables to consider with your shirt other than the color. For instance, if the shirt you choose has a collar, does the collar work with your face shape? There are many collar styles, long and pointed, short and wide etc. You want to choose collars and necklines that compliment the structure of your face. The same applies to suit lapels.

If you are going with an athletic style headshot and you wear a collarless shirt, does the neckline flatter? What about make-up? As an actor, I am sure that you are aware of skin color correction techniques and eye enhancement tricks. If not, bring in a stylist for the session. Remember to have powder on hand during the shoot to reduce potential glare on your face and head.

Pay attention to your total look and make sure it highlights your best assets. Ask someone to help you as you make these decisions. A professional is always your best bet but if you are on a tight budget, enlist the help of an in-store sales associate as you select the perfect shirt.

Please email a copy of your new headshot when it is completed. I would love to see your finished product. Best of luck!

by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

Dear Advice,

Enjoyed your web article (http://addspacetoyourlife.com/advice08_04_06.html)

and am wondering how the “trendy” part that you mentioned in your article works for a woman close to 50. I adore some of the banana republic and j crew jacket styles, but the trendy baby doll and spaghetti strapped tops I would never wear. I have to get up the nerve to wear the proper jean style even though I have nothing to worry about figure wise. I am 5′ 8″, size 6, and medium to light brown color. I have light skin and hazel eyes. I just feel in a “traditional” time warp and am having trouble getting out. Although I think my daughter really does dress very stylish, I would like to try some upbeat things but not be accused of looking like my daughter. Any advice?

Thanks so much,
Cattea

Hi Cattea,

I am excited that you are ready to explore breaking out of your current comfort zone. It takes courage and enthusiasm to try on new fabrics and styles. Here are the steps that I would recommend for you:

Enlist the Help of a Friend or Professional

Find a friend whose style you admire to become your second opinion and guiding light

* Tip* This person does not have to be a woman, my personal stylist is a man!

If you want to find the perfect pieces quickly, hire an Image Consultant

* Image Consultants are trained to find the perfect clothing items for your body and coloring.
* They know where to shop, how to show off your best assets and what items you should invest in to remain current for years to come!

Purge and Take Inventory

* Go through your closet with your friend/consultant and get rid of the old, tired and outdated items
* Your friend will help with this process to provide moral support and offer honest opinions

If in doubt, try it on. Be prepared to try on the majority of your clothes.

* Aspire to get rid of at least one third of your current collection.
* You probably only wear 20% of your clothes, so don’t hesitate to go for it!
* Your daughter can also help you decide what to purge. She knows instinctively if something is “mommy material”.

As you purge, make a list of the classic elements that are missing from your wardrobe

* Request the addSpace Women’s 18 Essential Clothing Elementstm to help track what you need.

Shopping Tips

Create a wardrobe that includes the classic Women’s 18 Essential Wardrobe Elements tm
Even though you are a size 6, do not go to the Junior Department

* Many clients try to get hip by shopping in the junior section
* Tip* If you are looking at odd size labels i.e. 5, 7, 9 etc, you are shopping in the wrong department. Make sure your label is an even size - these are for women!

Search and find the classic clothing items that fit you perfectly

* Try on and try on again until you find the perfect cut for your body
* Invest in the best fabric and tailoring that you can afford
* Nice fabrics last longer and pay off in spades for the classic wardrobe elements.

Get Trendy with Accessories

* Mimic the current trends with your accessories, not with your core classic clothing elements.
o Update your look each season inexpensively by adding a few new blouses, shoes and jewelry items to your existing wardrobe. Pair these with your existing classic pieces.
+ Blouses in the latest hip color, shape and style will give your existing
+ classic wardrobe an immediate current edge
+ Choose jewelry knock-offs that are featured in fashion magazines:
+ chandelier earrings or whatever is currently in vogue
+ Shoes will keep a classic wardrobe up to date: wear platforms, peep toes or whatever feels fun and current!
# AddSpace tip* If you are over 30, please do not ever wear platform flipflops!
by Kathi Burns - addSpace To Your Life!^TM,
a Professional Organizing and Image Consulting Agency
Want to get better organized and look your best?
Get more quick tips by visiting the addSpace To Your Life!^TM website.
Request Free addSpace eTips by clicking on the top right button.
http://www.addSpaceToYourLife.com

Please direct a courtesy copy of your publication to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com or snail mail it to:
Kathi Burns
AddSpace To Your Life!^TM
259 B Hillcrest Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024