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The
Clothing Chronicles ================================================
In This Issue: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The entertainment award season has started and over the next few months, we'll be inundated with critique after critique of who wore what where. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of all the beautiful clothes, jewels, and accessories, but are there lessons to be learned from watching the red carpet divas that you can apply to your own life? Today's article ponders that question. Enjoy!
Diana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Are You Ready For Your Red Carpet Moments? If you've been following the fashion frenzy that ensued after the Golden Globe Awards™ earlier this week, you no doubt have your own opinions about Nicole's sequins, J. Lo's bangs, and Charlize's yellow Valentino. But if you take a step back from the fashion fray and look beyond the labels and colors, you'll soon see the dynamics of psychology at play that show just how large a role appearance plays in one's success. It's no coincidence that many of your red carpet favorites also happen to be some of the busiest actors around. If you look at the matter from a different perspective, you'll soon see that a polished appearance and career opportunities often go hand-in-hand -- regardless of the industry. And if you're smart, you'll take those observations back to your own closet and put them to work for YOUR Red Carpet moments, like first dates, job interviews, important presentations, and the like. You don't need a personal stylist or a million-dollar budget. All you need is a glimpse at what's working for others that will probably work for you - even if the closest you'll ever get to a red carpet is when one of your kids squirts ketchup on the rug. So let's look at this from the eyes of a red carpet critic - which is pretty much the same perspective your own critics take any time you step into the spotlight in YOUR life: 1. Is It Appropriate? If what you're wearing is appropriate for the situation, you'll immediately pass through to the next round. If it's not, you won't. While most of the celebrities who attended the Golden Globes were appropriately dressed, the ones who were not - most notably Johnny Depp - were singled out and ridiculed. Now while you may not face open ridicule if you show up somewhere inappropriately dressed, I can guarantee you one thing: you jeopardize your credibility. It's like submitting a resume to a prospective employer that's riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors: it indicates that you haven't grasped the basics. So if the basics are beyond you, why look any further? You immediately eliminate yourself from further consideration. Don't let this happen to you. While we all tend to feel comfortable in our everyday lives, the situations that are bound to trip us up the most are those we encounter only on occasion: the big interview, a formal dance, meeting the parents, etc. NEVER assume anything, particularly if you'll be traveling elsewhere. Find out what's expected before you go so you don't look like you just wandered in off the street. 2. Is It Right For The Wearer? Once you've passed the appropriateness test, things get a little tougher. If you wear clothes that suit your coloring, body shape, and clothing personality, you'll be regarded as stylish and well-dressed. If you don't, people will immediately be drawn to what doesn't work. Think about the perennial red carpet favorites like Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. They almost always look great because each knows her coloring, body shape, and clothing personality and sticks with attire that compliments her assets. Even thirty pounds heavier for her "Bridget Jones" reprise, Renée Zellweger continues to draw raves because she knows what she's doing. Now contrast these "golden girls" with the fashion faux pas that hit the red carpet last Sunday: Gwen Stefani's hair, Holly Hunter's fur collar, and Sarah Ferguson's Goth look. Every one of them had something good working for them, yet their critics - like yours - fixated on the bad. What was the most commonly used phrase to describe the situation? "It just doesn't work for her." Again, don't let this happen to you. Take an honest look at your coloring, body shape, and clothing personality and find the colors and styles that work best for you. Don't mindlessly follow trends because they look great on someone else. Find what looks best on YOU - the best hair color, hairstyle, makeup, and clothing shapes. So you're not 5'8" and a perfect size 6. So what? Don't use that as an excuse not to dress well. Instead, "show 'em how it's done" by finding "what works" for you and your situation. 3. Is It Quality? Does It Fit? Once they've determined that it's appropriate and works for you, people will then focus on the make-it or break-it details like fabric and fit. Is it a good quality material? Does it fit? In the red carpet world, this usually means custom-made designer apparel. Designer brands are synonymous with quality goods and construction, and those celebrities who enjoy personal attention from their favorite designers are often beautifully dressed. Those who are lesser connected and have to get stuff off the rack often suffer from poor fit - too loose, too tight, too long, or too short. You don't have to suffer a similar fate. If you can't find clothing that fits right off the rack, consider having items altered or even custom made for you - especially if you have a high income or will be in front of an audience of high-income earners. People who can afford to buy beautiful clothes can also afford to have them customized. So find a good seamstress and visit her often. It can mean to very difference between being perceived as being pulled together or just missing the mark. 4. Is It Easy To Wear? If you're constantly adjusting your clothing, it will detract from your look. There was one actress at the Golden Globes (unfortunately I don't remember her name) whose loose-fitting halter top had a mind of its own, flopping to and fro instead of covering her breasts like it was supposed to. She spent the entire time tugging it back into place, earning lots of on-camera time as every man (including cameraman) at the show kept hoping for a peek. The lesson? ALWAYS test drive your clothing BEFORE the big event, don't just look at it in the mirror. Sit, stand, dance, walk around, wave your arms - whatever you expect to be doing when you're wearing it for real. If it doesn't work for you then, it won't work for you later, so don't go into denial because it's pretty and you want to wear it. Switch it for something that stays in place, doesn't bind, and remains comfortable for the entire time you're going to wear it. If you're uncomfortable, you'll unnerve everyone around you. 5. Does It Help or Hinder Your Goals? Perennial red carpet favorites get to be favorites because they know how to please a crowd. While some artists stick to their guns by insisting that their talent gives them artistic license to wear whatever they want, the ones with the biggest paychecks consistently present a polished image that the public adores. So what can dressing well in Hollywood get you? Photographed, a lot. Which leads to more interviews and magazine covers. Which leads to product endorsements. Which leads to working consistently. Which leads to money in the bank. Which all started because the celebrity took the time to dress appropriately right from the start. Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Sararh Jessica Parker, Selma Hayek, Liv Tyler, Catherine Zeta-Jones - all fall into this category. They're savvy businesswomen, every one of them, making hay while the sun shines. So how can you put this to work in your life? By being picture-perfect at YOUR OWN red carpet events. It can lead to write ups in your company newsletter or local paper, interviews for local or regional publications, invitations to speak or appear in TV news stories - you name it! You'll be amazed at how quickly the ball gets rolling once you take a little time to groom yourself for success. Watching the red carpet is a fun past time for many, particularly during award season. But if you take the time to look beyond the superficial part that so many people dwell on, you'll discover just how powerful a role image plays in our society. Dress appropriately, and you'll be able to bask in the spotlight. Get it wrong, and people will discount you immediately. NEVER underestimate the power of a polished image. It can mean the very difference between enjoying an A-list life or scratching around for a B-list existence. Need some help pulling your image together? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC to see how easy looking good can be. ************** Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com ------------------------ Published by:
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