My Image Expert

Do Denim Right

With the recent surge of denim back into our closets I though it only fit to explore the many ways in which to do denim right:

The denim dress. The nature of this garment is southern because of the material, it’s best to style the garment in different ways. Throw in a little edge, and to clarify, frill does not read as edgy. Pair frill and denim and you’ll have Laura Ingalls knocking at your front door asking for her clothes back. Stick with a fitted, possibly corseted top and a flowy bottom or if you really want to make some noise, try a full-fledged denim pencil dress.

The denim vest. I may be a little biased with this one because vests are one of my favorite pieces of clothing. So it stands to reason that I would put this on the list. The fun thing about vests is that it is a masculine garment. It’s sort of empowering to be able to pull something off like that and make it your own by adding feminine style! It shows you’re not scared to take ownership of your style and make it look good in the process. And if you join a biker gang in the meanwhile, more power to you! Only kidding, please don’t join any biker gangs and while we are the subject; avoid black leather vests.

The denim jacket.  Two words. Staple piece. Make sure it’s tailored properly for your body. Two darts in the back tend to be the best fit to show of your womanly curves.

The denim pants. The reason I chose to do pants instead of shorts is because denim shorts, immediately casualize an outfit. I completely understand that it’s something that most of us have in our closet; I myself have a few pair. But when thinking about putting together a chic and sophisticated look, jean shorts should never be put into the equation. Most importantly, NEVER where shorts and heels at the same time. It looks trashy. Denim pants can be a beautiful thing because if you get the right pair for your body type, which let’s face it, can take some effort, it can hold you in, in all the right places. I’m a big fan of Levi’s. I’ve had a thick and sturdy pair for four or five years now and they’re still going strong. Whether you’re in Texas riding a horse or in New York, out on the town, they work for every occasion. (See “Jegging” rant below)

The denim shoe. This is a little bit of a different take on denim. Again, because the material itself is meant to be more casual, when choosing a denim shoe it should be a dress shoe. No denim flats or sandals, unless of course you are a twelve years old going to the beach for the day, in which case, make sure to wear your life vest!

Denim Leggings: “Jeggings”: If you take nothing else away from this please remember to never ever wear “jeggings.” They’re not flattering and they remind me of the 80’s, one of the few decades who clothes I can truly say “changed” me. Feel free to interchange the words ‘change’ and ‘traumatize’ as you will.

Enjoy your denim but do it right!

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A Shoe for Every Size

Here we go ladies! The answer to all of your fabulous shoe doubts. Meet Miss Jessica Pritchett. Having worked in the music industry for the past decade, Jessica found that the music world just wasn’t cutting it for all of her creative needs. She found that finding a pair of fabulous shoes in her natural size 12W was near to impossible. The shoes in anything above a ten became matronly and boring, lacking any form of personal style. To fix this, she dreamt up a line of incredible shoes based off of the New Wave Era and the inspiration of films in 70’s.  As a self proclaimed Pop Culture junkie, Pritchett named each shoe after a Pop Culture Icon that defined her era with style and class. The shoe collection also includes sizes for the small-footed gals. The shoe collection will be available in sizes 6-13 an of course includes wide sizes.

As a New York Image Consultant, I have the lovely job of discovering brands that can stand the test of time but have relevant style to today’s culture. All of Pritchett’s shoes are made out of Northern Portugal, boasting a 400-year-old legacy. They are made from Buffalo patent leather and calf insoles. Just like many legendary shoe designer before her, Pritchett defines her individual shoes with a unique pink sole. The heels are stacked and wooden giving us a nice departure from the usual stiletto heel.

My personal favorite is the Edie Pump($125.00), named after the famous, or shall we say infamous style icon Edie Sedgwick of Andy Warhol’s Factory. It is a beautiful wine red in a muted metallic (a trend she runs throughout this collection) and comes in the simplest form of a sexy shoe. It is mod in both the vintage and fashion forward sense and still manages to do something new.  /the collection ranges from $125.00 – $300.00 and you can easily keep this style for years upon end.

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White Summer

White has made a huge comeback this season! In both men and women’s fashion trends we’re seeing so many clothing pieces in such a snowy color. For years it has been a tabooed occurrence to wear such things but finally we are freeing this lovely color from its trendy imprisonment. A plus side to wearing white is that it deflects the sun, unlike black which absorbs the heat. It’s a youthful color full of nostalgic summer moments and eternal summer love.

As an image consultant, I have to research trends. In menswear we are seeing a lot of white slacks being paired with navy blue blazers, not appealing if your living in a place experiencing a heat wave like the one on the east coast. Luckily for us women, we have many more options when it comes to color picking. Here are five wonderful ways to wear white this season:

1. The white bathing suit: With all of this ‘Mad Men’ phenomena going on, the vintage white bathing suit seems to be making quite a comeback. Though we may no longer pin curl our hair and slap on the red lipstick before running to the beach, a well-lined white suit paired with a nice tan can do just the trick to give you that sun paralleled burst of energy!

2. The white bermuda shorts: The bermuda short is very reminiscent of a day on the yacht with Mr. Ralph Lauren himself. Sipping Pina Colada’s and feeling the soft breeze in your hair as you contemplate the wonders of the world. I’m sorry, what were we talking about?…

3. The all white ensemble: More and more I’m seeing women pairing slim fit white bottoms with a white tunic, embracing a very indulgent italian look. It’s quite breathtaking when done properly. It gives almost a look of relaxed royalty.

4. The white blazer: This comes in hand for both a night on the town and a day at work recovering from said night. It’s chic, classy and gives a nice new summer spin on the dreary black blazer.

5. The white dress: This is a classic. You can do it in a flattering wrap dress, a formal sweetheart strapless or even a free flowing cotton dress. I know many women worry about white making them look bigger than they are which isn’t the case. If you get a well tailored dress that is right for your body this white wonder should make you look slimmer than ever!

By: Brooke Brazil Assistant NYC personal stylist for My Image Expert

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Timeless Trinket

The famed Sartorialist, Scott Schuman once said that there is a “great difference between fashion and style” and in order to notice the difference, one must master the ‘refinement of detail.’”  For instance, if you work in a corporate office and have to  wear a pant suit every day – think about what makes it different from all of the other people wearing pant suits in the building?  What can you do to add a slight hint of authenticity?

I recently went to see the new movie “Inception”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie, the characters must keep with them a totem or trinket of some sort to remind them what is dream and what is reality. In a dream, the trinket would never fall, yet in reality, gravity would require it to fall. Wouldn’t it be great to have a trinket that would allow your wardrobe a taste of realistic style?  Jewelry pieces work great to add signature style elements to any outfit. It can be a locket,  a bracelet and even a trinket.  A great place to start looking are vintage and/or thrift stores. Your more likely to find something that is one of a kind, just like you. So whenever your having a mundane day (which we all have),  you can look down at a little piece of individuality. It’s a good reminder that you choose what defines you. If the piece you choose to wear is not “work-appropriate” consider a necklace with a long chain so you can drop it behind your blouse only showing what needs to be shown.

By: Brooke Brazil – Assistant Image Consultant for My Image Expert, fashion and image consulting firm.

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My Image Expert: Bathing Suits for your Body Type

If you’re like me, and grew up in a place where Brazilian Bikini’s were the only acceptable form of swimwear, than you know how hard it can be to find a bathing suit that flatters your body type!  As a fashion consultant and personal stylist, I can’t stress how important it is to feel comfortable in your body and wearing next to nothing isn’t something most of us would call their comfort zone. I recently went to see the Metropolitan’s Museum of Arts new exhibit entitled, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” The premise of the exhibit shows the progression of what we now see as the ultimate American beauty: athletic, strong, lean, and tall. The reality is, this isn’t the ultimate beauty and is only a small percentage of our populace. Most women do have curves and those curves come in  all different shapes and sizes.  So here is a basic layout of good bathing suits for your body type:

High-waisted bottoms: This is a life saver for those of us who have a little more love in the bottom half of our body like the apple and pear shaped body types.

Boy shorts: This style tends to flatter a mass majority of body types. It has the most coverage while still allowing you to get a nice summer glow.

Hip Hugging bottoms: This is a great choice for those who have the much envied hourglass shape. It both smoothes and accentuates those natural slopes.

Halters: These tend to give women the most support up top and is generally a good choice. Especially for those who have wider shoulders; because the line of the bathing suit points in, instead of out, de-accentuating the wider shoulders.

Bra top: This is one of my all time favorites because it works just like a good bra, with wire and all, but made in fun and flirty swimsuit materials!

The Tankini: This tends to be a favorite for apple shaped bodies who hold most of their weight in the midsection. Tankini’s are a definite plus, if you happened to start your summer workout regimen a little late; but remember that a tankini can be well fitted and tailored just like a top. Sometimes the loose, flowy tankinis can make you look larger than you actually are.

Bandeau: These should be reserved for those who don’t need much to any support on top and I would keep it as a purely stylistic choice, not if you’re thinking of running and jumping in the water.

String Bikini: These, like the bandeau tops, work well on ruler shaped bodies and fit  hourglass shapes. But again, the not the best for beach volleyball or other summer beach sports.

Monokini: This has become popular in the recent summer seasons and I’m not quite sure why. Who wants a white strip running down their stomach?

One-peice: Don’t count these out! They are definitely not out of date and can be one of the most flattering bathing suits. Keep in mind that a one piece will have different cuts on the bottom and top just like a two piece. For some ideas on how great a one piece can look, take a gander at a brand called Lover Swimwear.

By: Brooke Brazil, assistant fashion consultant and image consultant for My image Expert.com

My Image Expert: Summmer Hairstyles

The change of seasons will directly affect how your hair looks. Whether it is summer humidity or the brisk breeze in the fall; with the change of season, should come a much needed change of hairstyle. Throwing something new into the groove can give your life that added twist of fun that it’s been lacking. It doesn’t have to be extreme! Just a simple decision to wear bangs or not, can make a world of difference. As much as I love bangs because of the immediate focus it adds to the face, summer time may not be the best season to wear this particular statement style. Remember the hot, sticky yesterdays of, well…yesterday? Who wants to deal with a big mop of hair on your forehead while out on the town or at the beach? This is certainly not an attractive or comfortable style in the least. Summer is the perfect time to have grown out bangs. Ideally, spring is when the growing process should begin, giving you ample time to take advantage of a side swept bang. A longer bang style tends to be the easiest to handle during the growing process and if they get too irritating, a small simple bobby pin should do the trick. By the time summer rolls around you’ll have something to pull back and out of your face! Fall is a great time to try heavier bangs like a blunt bang. The air is cooler and after a hot summer, this style is easier to maintain. Winter can be your wild card! Have fun with it and when spring comes around you’ll know what to do!

By: Brooke Brazil, assistant fashion consultant for My Image Expert New York

My Image Expert: Summer Skin Care 101

The most important tip for summer skin care is to moisturize!  It gives the skin a natural and healthy glow and helps protect the fave from free radicals and sun spots. For the face, our beauty experts and woman’s makeover technicians  recommend Aveeno’s Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer, which also entails an SPF 15. Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your natural beauty. Choosing a moisturizer with sun protection is one of the few ways you can choose to protect it. Have you ever put a regular lotion on your face and within minutes your face becomes a waterworks attraction? That’s because body lotion clogs the pores of your face; as a result your face will sweat out the lotion that is clogging those pores. So remember to keep your face moisturizer for your face and your body lotion for you body.  When choosing a moisturizer for your body, keep in mind that there are generally two types of lotions out there: oil-based and water-based lotions. Depending on your skin type, whether naturally oily or dry, the right lotion can make a world of difference.

One thing I would highly recommend all women to do is go and have your eyebrows professionally shaped. It’s one of the best investments a woman can make because it changes the entire layout of your face. You’ll notice after your eyebrows are shaped how much easier it is to get away with less makeup. Each pore on your face houses only three hairs in a lifetime, so eventually your hair will no longer need to be shaped and waxed. It will naturally stay wonderfully coiffed. Beware of waxing above your eyebrow too much (every other waxing should suffice) because it can reduce the elasticity in your brow area, when done too often. Once you get your eyebrows done all you really need to have a fresh and summery pop is some cover up to even out any blotchy skin tones. It is preferable to use a powdered cover-up to avoid the melting problem that liquid foundation can have, similar to body lotion on the face; it can clog the pores and set you up as the next water park side show. Throw on a little mascara and your set! If you’re out in the sun at all you will most likely have a slight sun kiss on your nose and cheekbone area, but if you want to amplify this girl-next-door effect, try throwing on a little blush; bronze if you have olive based skin and pink if you have lighter skin. Feel fresh, and enjoy the summer!

By: Brooke Brazil, assistant Fashion Consultant and Personal Stylist for My image Expert New York

My Image Expert: Fashionable Fabrics for Summer

The sun is out, the horns are blaring and every step you take feels like a bikram yoga position. You may feel like the only one on the planet that is sweating this profusely but believe me when I tell you that we’re all in the same soggy boat. Despite the summer heat, it’s always important to dress and feel your best; possibly even more when Mother Nature turns up the temperature. Your appearance and first impression are two of the few things that you can personally control. You can’t control the weather; you can’t control the amount of sweat that builds up on your body during the morning commute into work. As appealing as gym shorts and tank tops may be under such conditions, physical comfort does not have to come at the cost of your personal and professional appearance.

Choice of fabric is a key factor into choosing the most comfortable and fashionable outfit for your everyday weather-faring situations. One thing can be said of gym shorts and tank tops, cotton is one of the most comfortable and heat releasing fabrics you can easily get your hands on. There are many other choices when it comes to cotton, for instance – a basic cotton summer dress from American Apparel can work wonders when cinched at the waist line. Another thing to remember when wearing summer dresses on windy days; you can never go wrong with slip. Just because Marilyn Monroe was able to pull off the skirt-over-head look, doesn’t mean you can. Linen is also a good alternative to other heavier fabrics. Linen is a very breathable fabric allowing your skin to feel whatever little breeze is going on around you. On a last note, bras are not optional just because it’s summer; always consider the fit and fabric of your clothing. Undergarments are meant to stay “under” your garments.

Written by: Brooke Brazil

Brooke Brazil is the assistant fashion consultant for My Image Expert, New York.

My Image Expert – Summer Skirt Styles

There comes a point in every woman’s life, when she must decide on what type of skirt to wear.  Whether to the office or for weekend activities, it is important to understand how short is too short.  As the warmer weather springs upon us, dress and skirt length becomes an increasingly airy issue.  Although miniskirts may be an issue lassoed around a younger demographic, many women still wonder, what is the right skirt length? The answer to this question can be determined by the shape of your legs (body structure analysis) and the skirt/ dress style you are considering.  Two great styles worn throughout summer include the pencil skirt and A-line skirt, both can be translated into a dress style as well.  The pencil skirt is a great option for business and the A-line skirt is a great choice for weekend leisure. Whatever you choose, both styles should end about an 1” above the knee.

When selecting a skirt/dress style, make sure that the waist falls just on the belly button or slightly below. This will help to accentuate your waist line while minimizing the “muffin top” effect.  Following this simple rule will help balance the body into classically flattering proportions.  The A-line skirt is a magnificent choice for summer because it accentuates the smallest part of the body (waist) and minimizes larger hips. The pencil skirt shares similar qualities but instead accentuates the outline of the female body.  This is a good choice for woman as well.  It hides many imperfections in the hip area and also flatters the waistline.  For most women, the largest part of the body is the width from the inner thigh to the outer thigh.  Being able to pair these garments with different colored shirts makes them the perfect investment for summer.

By: Brooke Brazil

Brooke Brazil is the assistant fashion consultant for My Image Expert, New York.

My Image Expert~ Accentuate your shape.

What to Wear: How to accentuate your shape.

Women come in all different shapes and sizes, however there is one common dominator that all female body shapes share; a waist.  The waistline is the most important part of any women’s body and defines the female outline which can easily create an hourglass shape for any body structure.  In order to transform your figure, one must give the illusion of a smaller waist.  For most women, the smallest part of the body is the high waistline which falls just below the bust line across the rib cage.  If you accentuate the high waist line correctly, you can easily create a smooth curve in the waist and mid section that will seamlessly connect to your hips.  This will create the illusion of an hour glass shape no matter what body type you have.  The first step is to find garments that are fitted properly and don’t have a lot of texture.  Every woman should have a little black dress, so this may be a great garment to start with.  Second, find a belt that fits the high waist proportionately.  If you are a petite size; you’re better off with a thicker belt.  For larger or bustier women, opt for a thicker belt that will hug your waist.  Make sure the belt is placed in the right area (just under the bust line).  The trick is to accent your shape while creating an optical illusion in your silhouette. Try this trick at home, by belting some of your garments and see how your shape will instantly transform.

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