Situation:

Everyone needs one perfect little black dress. It is one of my 18 Essential Wardrobe Elements. This client wanted to reinvent her style. Many of my clients request the same shift after they have been out of school and in the work force for a few years.

Challenge:

Amazingly, this job was not a challenge at all! I was searching specifically for 40’s inspired pieces and was lucky enough to find several with little effort. That will probably never so easily again, but sometimes the stars align perfectly with my desires!

Solution:

This client looks and feels great in classic vintage inspired clothes. The lines are a perfect fit for her body and her personality. As you can see with this dress, it is ultra feminine and very flattering. It is so unique and form-fitting, it should be couture! We also found beautiful cardigans with interesting beadwork, lacy camisoles and peep-toe pumps to reinforce her new style throughout her entire wardrobe.

We even found this simple and stunning ivory satin dress below which later became her wedding gown!

My phone rang one day and the lady on the line waged a challenge to me. She had recently found my article online about the little black dress and desperately needed a to find a new one for her formal affairs. She was frequently invited and often  celebrated for her work at black tie affairs and with her physical challenges had nothing to wear. She said that finding a little black dress for her shape and size was impossible! I knew with enough searching, I could find the perfect little black dress for anyone. I have never been foiled yet!

This was her current day wear:

Her challenges were that she was a plus size woman and had back and foot problems which normally prevented her from wearing off the rack clothes. I decided that the best route was to find her separates so that we could acomodate her back and still provide coverage for her arms. The black dress that I found was perfect because it fit her in all of the right places and had see-through sleeves and back so it did not appear overly heavy on her frame.

The fabric was light so she was not uncomfortably hot throughout the evening. I found a silver pashmina to keep her warm and  add a bit of glam to her outfit during the holiday months.

Here is another outfit that we found that day for every day wear:

Once the wider leg on the trousers are hemmed properly, they will help to balance her top half. BTW – the v-neck is good for almost every body!

A colleague, Leigh Ernst, is collecting gowns, shoes, jewelry and clutches for women to attend the 5^th annual Marine Corp Ball in style.

Leigh is not involved in the military in any way, but at church it touched her heart about how grateful the girls were who received dresses to wear last year that could not afford to buy a dress or go to the ball….Kind of a Cinderella story.

They were literally in tears as they “shopped “among the donated items. Many girls were shocked that there were actually dresses in their size.

It is an easy thing to do to clear these items from your closet and ADD SPACE!! (a gift to yourself!)

If you can help out…please bring or mail your items to Leigh and she will make sure they get to the girls in time for the Ball scheduled for October 3rd. She said that dresses are arriving daily from all across the US. This is the perfect opportunity for you to dig into your closet and pass on your good to others but you need to do it this week!

Mail or drop off your evening gowns and accessories before September 27th to:

Leigh Ernst

4659 Telescope Ave. Carlsbad, CA  92008

760-720-1218

leighjava@roadrunner.com

Join me for a night of fun ~ girls night out. We will mingle, shop, sip champagne and nibble on fabulous hors d’oevres. Bring a handbag to donate to women who are re-entering the work place.

You will also learn how to Take Your Little Black Dress From the Beach to a Black Tie Affair during my mini-presentation at 7 pm. Be there or be square! (OK, so I am dating myself just a little!)

See our brochure below. This event is a benefit for Dress For Success.

Make Sure You Have A Perfect Silhouette

Use undergarments to enhance your shape and reel in the problem areas. Forgo the panty lines with a body smoother. Pay attention to your bra. Make sure it lifts and the straps are not visible. If you haven’t been fitted for a bra in over a year, it is time to reevaluate how gravity is working for you.

Invest In A Pair Of Elegant Party Shoes

Everyday shoes are not a suitable accompaniment to an evening dress. Buy a pair of neutral high-heeled evening shoes in the best quality you can afford. Keep them stored with a show tree to ward off wrinkles and creases. They will serve you at a moment’s notice and last for years. Make sure to wear them around the house before your first outing to make certain that your feet will not suffer during a long evening.

Purchase A Wrap That Coordinates With Your Dress

There is nothing worse than having the perfect dress and not being able to wear it because it is too cold outside or even inside in the air-conditioning. Choose a wrap that compliments your dress. Satin combines nicely with matte finished dresses, velvet works well with organza. You can also go festive with gold or silver wrap and shoes for the holidays. A large black cashmere shawl is super warm and always very elegant on crisp evenings.

Choose Hose That Compliment Your Outfit

The most sophisticated palette for hose is neutral. Choose un-patterned, skin-toned pantyhose in a sheer fabric with a low denier count. Denier demarks the fineness of the thread count. Although more fragile, wearing the finest possible thread count will help you look elegant and refined. Hose in your skin-tone are the perfect match with high heels and will help you become effortlessly elegant. If you feel you must wear black hose, buy them with a denier number that is less than 20.

Black Head To Toe?

Just because your dress is black, you are not required to wear black shoes and carry a black handbag. Experiment with colored accessories. Navy blue paired with black is extremely sophisticated. Gold or copper will add festivity to your overall image while silver requires a very discerning eye to remain elegant.

Keep Jewelry Simple And Elegant To Compliment Your Dress

Skip the wristwatch for your evening out. Instead choose rhinestone bangles or chandelier earrings. Remember to keep yourself classic by accessorizing only one area with bling. Don’t get carried away with glitz on shoes, arms, and neckline!

P.S. Have Your Dress Dry-cleaned After Each Use

If possible, store your dress flat in a large chest rather than hanging it on a hangar in your closet. Your drycleaner can wrap it flat upon request. Store it in a fabric sheath, not the plastic wrap from the drycleaners. Add a small sachet of potpourri so the garment smells fresh the next time you wear it.
Kathi is a Professional Organizer, image Consultant based in San Diego California.

Please submit your questions to: advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
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San Diego Professional Organizer