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The
Clothing Chronicles
September 21,
2006, #244
FashionForRealWomen.com
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In This Issue:
Message
From Diana
Feature
Article: Your Best Bets for Fall 2006
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MESSAGE FROM DIANA
Dear {!firstname},
I always enjoy
hearing success stories from my readers.
Here's one I
got last week from Kathleen Shortt, a mom and physiotherapist in
Toronto, who joined the ezine list about a year ago, invested in a
couple of my ebooks, TOOK ACTION, and is now reaping the rewards of a
more polished image.
Here's the note:
"Wonders
never cease! After radically overhauling my wardrobe, with your
advice, several interesting things have happened. You may remember
that back in June I was given the opportunity to be interviewed on TV
about my profession, physiotherapy. This week I was offered tickets,
out of the blue, to the closing gala of the Toronto International
Film Festival and to the after party! My prior 'crunchy granola' look
never got me these kinds of opportunities. Thanks for the advice, it
really seems to be making a huge difference!"
Here's the
follow-up note she sent on Sunday:
"Just
checking in to let you know how the Gala went. We had a GREAT time.
The movie we saw was 'Amazing Grace' by Michael Apted.
"The
after party was even better, we snagged passes to the VIP section and
got to say hello to the director. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher were
there but off in another area. I ended up renting a beautiful
full-length beaded navy blue dress with a low back. I'm glad I did as
it was quite the swanky affair and I got lots of compliments!
"Thanks
again for all the great advice."
Kathleen Shortt
Toronto, Canada
You're
welcome, Kathleen.
So,
{!firstname}, don't think anything like that could ever happen to
you? Neither did Kathleen a year ago. So stop wishing good things
will happen to you and start dressing for when they do. To quote
Oprah, "I don't believe in luck. Good things happen when
opportunity meets preparation."
So prepare for
those opportunities by consistently dressing appropriately. You never
know what may come your way ...
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Speaking of
how taking action can reap big rewards, I've come across a nifty
resource for all of those image consultants and fashion professionals
who email me on a regular basis, seeking my advice on how to build
and market their businesses. I've got something on tap for all those
folks that I'll be unveiling a little later this fall, but I wanted
to go ahead and share with you a "no-holds-barred" report
that could make a VERY big difference to your bottom line.
Heck, it's a
terrific resource for ANY business, because it allows you to see
what's possible in your marketplace and prof.it from it quickly. I
think you'll like it. I know I did.
In fact, just
to show you how important I think this is, I've got a special offer
for the first 150 folks (from this list of 10,000+) who are smart
enough to grab it. The offer expires September 30th.
Here's the link:
http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/bigbiz.htm
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* * * * * * *
* * * *
So what's on
tap for today's article?
A look at my
top picks for Fall, 2006.
For those of
you south of the equator just heading into Spring, be sure to check
out my picks for Spring 2006 at:
http://www.theclothingchronicles.com/archives/222-04132006.htm
And the Spring
2007 runway report at:
http://www.style.com
Enjoy!
Diana
diana@fashionforrealwomen.com
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FEATURE ARTICLE
The Best
Bets for Fall 2006
A new fashion
season is upon us with trends that will allow us to shine - or look
ridiculous, depending on how we partake of them. Some are like a
breath of fresh air, making us wish cooler weather was already upon
us, while others are about as ripe for disastrous interpretations as
they come (can you say leggings?).
Since NO ONE
looks fabulous in EVERY style regardless of her height, weight, or
bank account, I advise you to proceed with caution. Opt for
flattering styles that fit you correctly and that mix well you're
your existing pieces. As always, invest in classics and go cheap on
trends. It's the only way to justify the expense.
With that in
mind, here are the most figure-flattering picks of the season:
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Red Accents
You'll be
seeing red this fall because Lipstick Red accents are all the rage -
with "accents" being the key word here. Instead of dressing head-to-toe
in red, opt for red shoes, a red coat, or a red handbag. You'll get
to wear them more and be right on trend. Just remember that all reds
are not created equal. Opt for blue-based reds if you have blue
(cool) undertones, orange-red if you have yellow (warm) undertones.
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Menswear Touches
Pinstripes,
vests, matching suits - they're all very popular this season and can
give you added authority for those times when you need it most, like
presentations, important meetings, and the like. Want to come off as
a powerful woman? Then contradict the severity of the menswear with a
ruffled blouse, cascading curls, or bright red lipstick.
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Feminine Touches
Hand-in-hand
with the menswear look are soft, feminine embellishments that are as
"girlie" as they come. Ruffles, bows, and lace offer a nice
polish to simple staples like pants, cardigans, and the like. Just
don't go overboard, particularly at the office.
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Suede
Suede has
always been a popular cool-weather fabric, but you'll find it in
abundance this year. Jackets, skirt, pants, accessories - you're sure
to find something you like. Just remember that suede requires special
care and soils easily, so be sure to keep maintenance in mind when
you buy.
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Textured Knits
Sweaters and
cool weather go hand-in-hand, and this fall you'll find lots of great
looks you'll love. Ruffles, fringe, embroidery and lace embellish
cardigans, sweater coats, and sweater dresses. Just be mindful of the
bulk: textured fabrics will make you look bigger, so be careful where
you put it.
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Gauchos
With cropped
pants so popular these last few years, it was only inevitable that
designers would bring back gauchos. You'll see them in many
interpretations this year, from casual wear to business attire. Pair
them with a boot for a chic fall look, or a slim shoe like a pump.
Nothing clunky or chunky, please, or you'll visually shorter and
widen your leg.
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Embroidery
This trend
continues from spring, when "Boho Luxe" was so popular.
You'll find intricate patterns on everything from coats to skirts to
shoes, and some of the artistry is quite lovely. If you like to
embroider yourself, pull out your threads and get creative. Whether
you buy or do-it-yourself, just remember the rules of proportion:
keep embellishments in proportion to your body size.
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Velvet touches
This former
holiday/evening fabric continues its transition into day as you'll
find plenty of velvet touches to choose from this fall. Blazer,
belts, skirts - you name it - you'll find it in lots of
interpretations this year. Just be mindful that velvet is a delicate
fabric that shows wear quickly, particularly at stress points like
elbows and knees.
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Crocodile Accents
Crocodile has
long been a luxury favorite because of its distinctive pattern. These
days, both real and faux crocodile accents are popular, and you can
find them in belts, handbags, and shoes. If you choose simple styles,
you can wear them years to come.
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Wide Belts
"It's all
about the waist," a fashionista told me recently, and if you
flip through a few fashion magazines and look at a few fashion sites,
you'll see that's true. Wide belts can look fabulous, but let me be
frank: they can also be tricky. If you're high-waisted, have no
discernible waist, or tend to carry excess weight in your tummy, a
wide belt can further emphasize these challenges. So look around, try
some things, and even look for belts that offer sleight-of-hand
tricks, like those that have unusual curves, that fall
asymmetrically, or that sit below the waistline. |
NeimanMarcus.com
Bluefly.com |
So take a
look, see what makes sense to add to your wardrobe this year, and hop
to it. You'll find the best selections in the stores right now, so
don't delay. If you like to shop online and need a list of retailers
to get you started, head on over to:
http://fashionforrealwomen.com/Image_Resources.html
**************
Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
diana@fashionforrealwomen.com
FashionForRealWomen.com
AccessoryMagic.com
BusinessWearMagic.com
OccasionMagic.com
WardrobeMagic.com
TheClothingChronicles.com
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Published by:
Top Drawer
Publications, LLC
256 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE
19711 USA
Copyright
© 2006 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. |
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