There are a few things that came up time and again when I worked with style consult clients. Shirt length was one of them. Closet orphans were another. But the one that consistently surprised me? So many of these stylish, enthusiastic, creative women who are keen to transform their sartorial lives lack one of the most important tools in a stylish woman’s arsenal: A full-length mirror.
Most of them have mirrors in their bathrooms or atop their dressers that show everything from the hips upward. Some undergo potentially dangerous contortions to perch on the bathtub edge. Some check the top half and then clamber onto the bed for the bottom view.read more
Recently at an airport I noticed a woman walking toward me from some distance away wearing what appeared to be an odd combination of colors. But when she got closer I could see her dress was not actually a solid color but rather had a very detailed print that wasn’t evident from far away. There were colors in the print that actually matched other parts of her outfit, so up close she seemed very put together. So: I was wondering if you had any thoughts about how to dress if you’re going to be seen from a distance – for example, anyone who gives presentations in a large room. (And also how to “test” how you will look from a distance, since most of us stand fairly close to our mirrors when we get dressed in the morning.)read more
Layering is a BIIIIIG concept. Group of concepts even. And there’s certainly no right or wrong way to do it. But I wanted to talk about some layering fundamentals because for absolute ages I feared layering. Truly. It was one of those dressing techniques that others appeared to execute effortlessly and I could never seem to nail.
Growing up, I envied the girls who could throw on long-sleeved thermal shirts and then layer their cute little graphic tees on top. Because when I tried this, I looked like an outhouse with legs. It wasn’t until much later that I realized I was doing two things wrong: Trying a layered look that fought with my natural figure AND utilizing pieces that weren’t meant to be layered.read more
Originally posted 2012-11-05 06:16:31.
About Sally
Sally McGraw is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer, blogger, and editor.
