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Fashion Stylist Q&A
Q: How old do you think you should to start being a
makeup artist, because I'm very interested in that.
(Posted Oct, 2006)
A: Start as soon as you are old enough to hold a make-up brush. Play
with makeup on your friends and relatives. Don’t worry if you make a mistake
because you can always wash it off. Go to town on Halloween, and other
opportunities to explore the article make up. Read all the books you can on
the topic, learn about holistic products, and take a few courses in how to
make your own salves, cosmetics, and balms. Study aromatherapy. Take a
summer job at a store in the cosmetics department. Make it a lifetime
journey with so many possibilities. Good luck!
Q: Hi, I'm a high school student in NY and I'm
really interested in becoming a fashion stylist, where should I begin?? Like
what courses should i be looking at? Also, I'm 5''6" and really skinny, 90
lbs, I can never find jeans that fit me, most size 0''s are even too loose,
do you happen to know of any companies/brands that carry slimmer jeans, I
like boot cut ones not the new skinny jeans which make me look skinnier than
I already am. Thanks
A: Learn how to construct a basic garment. Then you will have a much
broader understanding of what fashion is made of and how to tailor a garment
for each specific client. Learn to sew; purchase fabric, cut it out using a
pattern, and sew it on a machine not just by hand. Then learn how to
construct a few more items such as an envelope bag and other accessories
such as a necklace. Read books to learn the history of costume so you have a
wide base to draw from.
Lose the jeans look altogether. Why be a clone, especially when jeans have
been so frustrating for you? Wear the looser stovepipe trousers that you
make yourself that are a custom fit and make you look amazing.
Q: I am always dressing in business clothing; I
bought a sweet GAP "A" Line Light Grey skirt, and can't think of anything to
wear with it! I have a white button up blouse and a lavender one as well
that I thought I could wear with it, but I have no idea what shoes to pick!
Please help.
A: Gray heels would be nice.
Q: My husband's friend just died. Is it appropriate
to wear a denim skirt to his visitation?
A: Please wear a piece that is a little more conservative and classy.
Q: I lost my tweezers to pluck my eyebrows so
lately I have been trying to keep them trimmed w/ little scissors...well
that went great...(not!) This morning I cut part of my eyelashes off...not
all of my eyelashes but they are a little bit shorter:-( I almost started
balling my eyes out...I have beautiful eye lashes...especially when I put my
mascara on them...I went to put it on to try to cover the shortness up and
make them look longer but it didn't look that much better...now this may
sound stupid but...
PLEASE TELL ME THAT EYELASHES GROW BACK LIKE NORMAL
HAIR!!! If not I'm gonna be devastated! So just please let me know if they
will grow back to normal length...at least I learned my lesson...I am going
out to buy my tweezers TODAY!
A: I am so sorry to say that eyebrows grow back in time, but lash
loss is forever. I know because my mother singed her gorgeous lush long
black lashes (on both eyes) when she opened a hot stove, and her lashes
never grew back. So experiment with false lashes that you can cut up to fill
in the negative space -- unless you are sensitive to adhesive lash glue.
Then just fake it as best you can with mascara.
Q: I have just purchased an evening dress that is
cream with gold accent pieces. What color of hosery is going to look good. I
have a gold and cream shoe(looks great with the dress and a small gold hand
bag) The dress is double lined and cream is the main color with a touch of
gold in the dress (like glitter) and a gold band around the bust area. So
that's my question color of hosery.
A: Without seeing the garment and seeing you in it, I say go with
nude hosiery. Maybe nude with just a touch of shimmer if you are young
enough or have the gams to pull it off without looking to goldy.
Q: I was wondering what bikinis look good on
someone with a small bust? I've always heard halter or triangle top styles,
but does it have to have padding? Would any top with an under wire be ok on
someone with a small bust?
(Posted June, 2006)
A: Yes! Underwire is the way to go. Forget that triangular scrap of
fabric for a top. Get an underwire with a bit of padding, like the old
Wonderbra, to lift you up and fill you in. You can get this underwire with
padding in a triangular or halter style. And with the padding you won't have
to worry that hard nipples will show if you catch a chill or a breeze blows
at the beach. Is this false advertising? So what! Have fun this summer and
don't worry about bust size.
Q: I bought a beautiful silk dress last summer
however when I wore it to a wedding, I noticed that every time there was the
slightest breeze the dress would move with the wind. I felt like I had to
hold it down the whole time to keep it from revealing everything under the
dress. How can I still wear this beautiful dress without overexposing? Would
a slip hold it down? Please advise, thank you!
A: Glad you found a beautiful summer dress that works for you --
which is not easy to do! Of course keep wearing this fashion find. No need
to wear this lovely dress with a slip that you don't really need. A few
options are to wear it at indoor parties and events only, or to wear it
outdoors at events with limited weather exposure, or to buy a thin chain
that you sew into the hem of the dress, like a necklace chain. This is an
old couture trick to add weight. Good luck!
Q: I am tall and thin but have bulges on the outer
parts of my thighs. I think they are called saddle bags! What kind of pants
should I wear? I used to love narrow trousers but they accentuate my
saddlebags! HELP!!!
A: Yes, the are called saddlebags. The best pant cut for you is a
boot-cut trouser that with a waistband that is not too low slung. Forget the
narrow trousers; you need a pant with a bit more looseness in the leg so go
for a looser fit boot-cut pant. The French manufacturer Bernard Zim makes
excellent pants that hide saddlebags. If you need to buy pants that fit over
the saddlebags but then are too big in the waist, that's OK. Have a tailor
take in the waistband. And start doing some pilates or spot exercises (like
leg lifts) to reduce the bags. Know that it is healthier to be a pear
(weight gain in the bottom) than an apple (weight gain in the waist) because
it is not heart healthy to carry weight in the stomach area.
Q: Hello, I am planning on going to New York with
my daughter's senior class this year. We will attending a very ritzy party,
what shall I bring to look chic, casual and on top of things to wear while
we tour the first few days of the convention?
(Posted April, 2006)
A: For the ritzy party, do you have the classic little black cocktail
dress to wear with pearls or diamonds? I'm serous. Unless it is VERY formal
and you need a floor-length gown, wear the little black dress. Wear black
heels and carry a little black evening bag. If you do not have a little
black dress, wear a black suit with a white blouse, and black heels and a
little black bag. (But if you are a redhead or a have a fair complexion
whereby you look better in chocolate brown instead of black, substitute
brown for black.) Classic fine jewelry will strongly enhance this pared-down
classic look. If possible, stop at a salon and get your hair blown out, or
bring the electric rollers, because you do not want to look like a tourist
with a bad hair day at this ritzy event.
For the touring, stick with the classics in solid colors. Do not bring
prints and plaids that scream "tourist" to New Yorkers. Make sure that your
boot-cut black pants are long enough that they break mid-shoe, not too short
that they stop at your ankles. A white meanswear-style blouse works on top,
as does a black sweater. You can substitute navy blue for black with your
white blouse. Wear flat black leather shoes for walking. Don't you dare even
bring white running shoes! Carry a leather tote bag in black or navy. No
logos, no prints. Stick with the basics while in Manhattan, and have a great
time. Be sure to check out the Guggenheim Museum.
Q: I am a 21 year old student-teacher. While
wanting to distinguish myself from the listless older teachers, I would also
like to set myself apart from the students and exude a persona of a young
exuberant teacher. Currently I avoid clothes from Hollister and A&F because
I believe it conveys a wrong image to the students. Right now, I mostly buy
bright-colored long-sleeve button shirts with un-pleated dress pants,
although I occasionally wear pleated pants. I never wear jeans or tennis
shoes--only dress clothes. I am only 5'8" and I am fairly muscular--I hardly
have any fat (less than 10%) but I am not slim, I'm tone. I have Native
American descent so I have black hair and a tan tone. What other fashion
tips do you suggest so that I do not cross the lines? What colors?
A: You look great in black, navy blue, wine red, snow white, amethyst
purple, and emerald green. Keep up ithe good work! Just lose the pleated
pants altogether. Stay with fitted clothing, especially jackets, so you
don't look like your frumpy colleagues. At 5'8" you can wear flats or a
small heel so take advantage of that. And try some knits for tops for
variety instead of always wearing shirts.
Q: I am 32, 5'3", 125 lbs. I bought a pair of dark
boots, mid-calf, round toe, 3 inch average heel, not spiky, not chunky. I am
planning on wearing them with jeans and a chocolate colored cord blazer. Do
I wear the boots over or under? Light jeans or dark? Flare, straight,
skinny? I recently started college again and feel so out of the loop with
all these younger students--I don't want to look like I am trying to hard,
but I want to look "Hip", any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
A: Good luck at college! Fashion wise, you will have a better line if
you don't tuck in your pants. Dark jeans will make your bottom look smaller,
so pick dark denim. Wear lighter colors near your face. You want boot cut
jeans and pants because you don't have the height for flares or skinny.
Boot-cut is most flattering for your sillouette. As for what is hip; hip
differs depending on where you are. So observe everyone when you get to
class. Look and see what is hot and what is not at your location.
Q: I am 29 and love to be right in style with
fashion trends, I just was told I look like I am trying too hard to look
young, but I thought 29 was young, anyways, what are things to wear and NOT
to wear at age 29, I want to look sexy, not trashy, I NEED HELP, in regards
to all fashion, hairstyles, skirts, boots, what is in and age appropriate
for me and am I too old to be wearing some stuff now. i am female, 5 foot 9
and 134 pounds. Am I too old to wear some things and hair styles and WHAT
ARE THEY, someone tell me please. (Posted July, 2005)
A: 29 is young! But not teen-age young. So avoid pants or jeans that
are so low rise that they show your belly button and lower stomach, and
don't wear tops that are so short that we see your belly. Even if you have
the tightest six-pack abs in the world, cover your midriff and you'll be on
your way to not looking like you are trying too hard to be young. Also
remove any articles of clothing that are more appropriate on a teenager such
as Hello Kitty accessories, plastic shoes and plastic handbags, and hair add
ons such as faux braids and faux dreadlocks. Just think, "Could this work on
a teen?" and if it does, pass on it.
Q: I recently purchased a pair of BCBG white sling
backs and I have not clue what to wear them with! I was afraid of buying
shoes that looked like wedding shoes so the style is "street" enough but I
don’t know if I can wear them with jeans or any other pant. Any advice?
A: They could be fun with any type of white pants, especially 3/4
length Capri pants -- if your butt isn't too big for white pants and you
have trim ankles for Capris. Wear a pastel or light-colored top, or a halter
top, for summer and you will look crisp and cool. Since you already have
white shoes, I say go all the way and get a small white bag and a white sun
hat to complete the look. But after Labor Day, save the white pieces for
resort if you vacation in winter, or save them for the next spring/summer
season. "No white after Labor Day" is a fashion rule and rules are made to
be broken, but in this case store the white accessories after Labor Day. If
you find that you enjoy wearing white, get a few pieces of winter white in a
great wool fabric such as cashmere. White is an outstanding fashion color
and is too often overlooked, especially the classic white blouse. So
congrats on braving those nice white BCBG shoes!
Q: I am 32 119 lbs 5' 2 /1/2 " tall (I do not look
my age at all) I am a single mom of 2 boys 15 and 13 I have a pretty good
figure. This is my problem all my past jobs I have always had to dress and I
have always had a flair for fashion and since I started my new job a year
ago and they told me I can wear jeans but I have forgotten how to dress. I
have the clothes just can't seem to throw them together anymore. Help this
chick out of my rut where do I start.
A: Welcome to the purgatory called corporate casual. Yes, it's OK to
wear jeans, but should you? I say follow the old saying that you should
dress for the job that you want, not the job you have. So if you were
promoted to the job directly above where you are now, how are they dressed?
Copy that. Fashion or no fashion, you want to advance in your career and
take care of those boys more than you need to be a fashionista at the day
job. Save that for evenings and weekends where you can be free to experiment
and regain your original fashion flair.
But if copying your higher-ups
doesn't offer clues and you need help right away, try a bootcut dark-rinse
jean that has a higher rise so we don't see your belly, wear a closed-toe
shoe (heel OK, slingback OK, just no toes on the loose), and a cashmere
sweater to put on if the office is air conditioned. Try a solid-colored silk
top or white blouse. Make sure the solid color flatters for your skin tone,
and that the white is either a snow white or an off white depending again on
skin tone. Keep jewelry clean and earrings minimal such as a pair of small
hanging pearls, diamond studs, or small gold hoops. But, basically, being a
copy cat is the way to go in this instance. Good luck.
Q: I
know that ponchos are the latest style, and a really hip accessory for
spring ?but I have no clue as to what I can wear them with. Any ideas?
(Posted June, 2005)
A: Don't wear it. Pass it
on to a friend who has a flare for such an usual garment. Instead, wear a
second layer that you like and are comfortable wearing such as a
light-weight jacket or a soft sweater. Life is too short to try and
assimilate into your wardrobe any garment if you have absolutely NO CLUE as
to how to wear it. Besides, ponchos were a fad last fall 2004 and are out
now.
I experienced a similar problem
when pashmina shawls were fashionable. Too many clients did not know how to
wear them, when to wear them, and were not comfortable draping them over
their shoulders. The shawls fell off, or were not balanced and looked
sloppy. So take a pass on this style and stick with what works best for you.
But if you must wear it, it is a
casual second layer and would go well over jeans and a simple top such as a
T-shirt (long sleeve or short sleeve is fine) or a spring/summer camisole.
Q: My
school has indicated that high heels with an open toe are not allowed on my
Graduation Day. I already bought the dress and I have no idea what kind of
shoes would go well with my dress. My dress is hot pink and it has a slanted
bottom with slight ruffle. The length stops to about 3 or 4 inches below in
the knee. I need some advice!
A: Try silver shoes with
the hot pink! Make sure they have a heel that you are comfortable wearing,
but do get a heel not a flat. Open in back would be sexy and fun, even it
your toes must be hidden. And congratulations on your graduation. Have a
great time.
Q: My
mother-in-law recently visited Italy. She bought me a very expensive leather
jacket and short skirt, both black. I love the jacket, but when I add the
skirt, it's too much black leather. The biker-chic look is cool, but it's
just not me. I've been wearing the jacket with jeans, but what do I put with
the skirt?
A: I agree that the two
together can be overwhelming. You are on the right track by separating the
two garments. Since the skirt is a bit more elegant and classy than jeans,
wear it with a cashmere sweater or a silk blouse. Save this as a fall/winter
garment. Depending on the cut, you might also be able to dress it up for the
holidays with a silver or gold camisole with black trim, depending on
whether you look better in silver or in gold. And white on top could be very
elegant with this skirt too.
Next time your mother-in-law
visits Italy, ask her bring back even more great Italian leather goodies
such as wallets and purses!
Five
Fashion Steps (Posted May, 2005)
Follow these five steps and you'll be on your way to organizing your
wardrobe - and your life!
- COLOR - You look and feel best in colors that flatter your skin tone,
and all the garments in your wardrobe will match. For example, I have fair
olive skin (a "winter") and look best in white, black, navy, wine red, and
the jewel tones of amethyst purple and emerald green. Even though I love
celadon green, I look washed out if I wear it. So I wear the richly
saturated colors that look best on me. I even wear jewelry that flatters
my skin tone.
During a fashion and wardrobe consultation, I can easily determine which
colors are best on you. Once you see the difference, you won't want to
wear colors that do not flatter your complexion.
- FABRIC - Gorgeous luxurious fabrics have been treasured for centuries
on the silk routes. If you were a Roman senator wearing a toga made from
Chinese silk, or an Empress wearing a cashmere stole made of wool from
Kashmir, you were the epitome of fashion and taste. Not much has changed
during the past 3,000 years.
I can teach you how to feel the difference between natural fabrics and
polyester or petroleum-based synthetics. Once you sense the difference in
quality, you'll chose pure fine fabrics every time. You look better in
pure fabrics and your skin can breathe in silk, cotton, and other fine
materials. I have a connection for organic cotton for those who are
chemically sensitive. I can also show you how to care for fine fabrics and
not always need to dry clean your clothing.
- SILHOUETTE - Clothing must be tailored to suit your frame and flatter
your silhouette. No matter what size you are, dress in styles that flatter
your body type. For example, I look best in classic tailored sportive
clothing. Anything too big, such as an A-line shape or a circle skirt,
looks strange on me, as do most prints and anything too busy. A navy-blue
pencil skirt is perfect, but a patterned skirt that flares out in a 50's
style is all wrong for my shape.
But that might be right on you, depending on your shape and style. One of
my clients is 5'2" and a size 2 on the top and size 8 on the bottom. So I
dress her for her executive job in impeccably tailored solid-colored
Armani suits that cover her bottom and drape to give her height. She no
longer wears boxy suits that cut her silhouette across her bottom. Another
client is tall but quite thin and needs ruffles and brighter prints to
fill her out. I dress her in fun dresses and skirts from Betsey Johnson.
Yet another client is overweight and cannot purchase clothing unless she
wears plus sizes, which she refuses to do, so we purchase thin cotton
material at Brittex Fabric, which she then brings to her tailor to make
into full circle skirts that flatter her shape. Each of these three women
have very different silhouettes, but dress their best to make the most of
what they have.
- APPROPRIATENESS - While organizing and clearing out closets, clients
often ask me if specific garments are O.K. for casual Friday. No one seems
to be sure about what to wear and when to wear it, which is a question of
appropriateness. You will feel most comfortable in clothes that
appropriate for the occasion and appropriate for your age. I can help you
organize your wardrobe from casual to formal so that you know what to wear
to work, what to wear on a date, and what to wear when around the house or
running errands. Too often professional women who do not have a casual
wardrobe. They look great at work, but wear a suit jacket as outerwear on
weekends, or wear their work-out sweats, just because they don't know
where to begin to build a stylish casual wardrobe.
If you have problems with appropriateness; such as lack of casual
clothing, no swimwear, are overly sexy or not sensual enough, dressing too
young or too old, have out-dated evening wear, or feel too sloppy, I can
offer practical advice about what works when and where.
- JE NE SAIS QUOI - When a garment has that
certain je ne ce quoi, (French for "I don't know what") it just
works, is your favorite piece, and has special magic, but you can't really
articulate why. You just put it on and it's amazing. One client calls
these clothes "home runs" and wants a wardrobe full of only je ne sais
quois garments. Here is where you find your personal style.
My favorite je ne se quoi garment is a slim-cut black leather trench coat
I purchased in Italy a few years ago. The color is right for my
complexion, the fabric is rich, the cut flatters my silhouette ("dress
Italian, don't eat Italian"), the coat is appropriate for almost every
occasion from very casual to quite formal, and the second I put it on I
felt like I was channeling Charlotte Rampling. Very je ne se quoi.
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