It’s finally here! I am now offering image consulting services and workshops to women in the Edmonton, Canada area.

I have created a special workbook for you that outlines key concepts and provides space for you to capture your unique profile. In October, I will be offering Saturday workshops to groups of four or less – for personalized service – to help you identify, and make the most of, your style.

Click on “Style on Purpose Image Consulting” (in blue) above for more information.

I look forward to working with you.

Regards,

Sue

There are five basic body types:

Rectangle

Your shoulders, waist and hips are in alignment.  Celeb match: Kate Middleton

Job #1 – create the illusion of a waist. This can be done with colour, belts, prints and diagonal patterns.

Triangle (also known as pear)

Your shoulders are narrower than your hips. Celeb match: Beyonce

Job #1 – Play up the top half of your body. This can be done by adding interest to your neckline with vibrant shades or interesting jewelry and scarves. You can minimize your bottom with dark colours and straight tailored lines in pants and skirts. Go with light colours on top, dark on the bottom.

Inverted Triangle

Your shoulders and bust are larger than your hips. Celeb match: Pamela Anderson

Job #1 – Play up your bottom half. Pleats and flowing skirts are a great way to draw attention to your lower half. Avoid boatneck or off-the-shoulder tops which will accentuate your wide shoulders. Go with dark colours on top, lighter on the bottom.

Hourglass

Your hips and shoulders are proportional, with a defined waist. Celeb match: Christina Hendricks

Job #1 – Showcase your waist and highlight your curves. Edith Head (costumer designer) once said: “Your dresses should be tight enough to know you’re a woman and loose enough to show you’re a lady.” Look for fabrics that drape or stretch: jerseys, silk, light knits and fabrics mixed with Spandex.

 Diamond

Your hips and shoulders are proportionate; your waist is the widest part of your frame. Celeb match: Melissa McCarthy.

Job #1 – Play up your arms and legs. V-necks, vertical panels and slim scarves can create a long look. Halter, boat and scoop necklines draw attention. Pencil skirts and a-lines create vertical interest.

How many women wander the mall or shops…aimlessly… hoping in vain that something amazing (that matches other pieces in their wardrobes) is magically going to pop out at them?  It’s sad, really.

Face it, we’ve all done it. For many women, they don’t know any other way to shop.

I want to introduce you to shopping on purpose.

There are some real tips to help you shop with confidence so that you don’t arrive home with a new purple sweater to suddenly realize you don’t own anything to go with it!

Here we go:

• DON’T spend a lot of money on trends and fads. DO spend money on quality classic pieces that will wear well from season to season.
• Invest in trousers and skirts in basic neutrals (black, navy, brown), suit jackets with medium lapels and modest trims (nothing that will date the jacket), a wrap dress, a good trench coat, a good winter coat, and a crisp white blouse.

Armani pencil skirt in black is a classic!

• Know what’s currently in your closet. Take an inventory and note any gaps. Find ‘matches’ to the blouses or pants you have bought on previous shopping trips that didn’t go with anything you own.
• Know your fit, not your size. For example, if you have a dress that fits you beautifully, try it on before you go shopping. Note the tailoring details that work well on your body. THEN go a find something with similar lines. Don’t pay attention to sizing tags – they vary dramatically from label to label. If you’re bothered by purchasing a “bigger” size, cut the tag off when you get home!

Not this! Too tight is just as bad as baggy.

• Think in terms of complete outfits. We most often go astray when we shop for just a top or just pants – unless of course you’re trying to fill a known gap in your wardrobe. If you love a new blouse, what will you wear with it? If there isn’t a mate in your existing closet, you’ll need to pick something up, or leave the blouse behind.
• Similarly, what pieces can you buy to extend your current wardrobe? If you have several pairs of black pants, for example, do you need blouses, sweaters or jackets to increase the wear of your pants?
• Invest in proper foundation garments… aka bras and undies. A good, supportive bra can be slimming and very comfortable. Find undies that won’t give you VPL (visible panty line) – nothing is more aging!
• Imagine the finished look – what’s missing? Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, shoes, scarves, handbags… these complete your look. Again, if you’ve just bought a great brown suit but you only own black shoes, now you’ve got a problem!

And, although it’s counterintuitive, less is more. If your closet is too packed with clothes you never wear, you will struggle to pull outfits together. Surprisingly, fewer carefully selected clothes can actually create more complete looks than a stuffed closet of random pieces ever will. See my previous post on clearing out your closet.

Firstly, decide for which aspect of your lifestyle you’re shopping. Work clothes are very different from casual clothes, and there are stores that specialize in each. Formal wear is a whole other category!

Here are some suggestions for you to consider for in-person shopping in Edmonton:

Casual Wear:

• My Filosophy – great selection of denim, wraps, shoes and more.
• Banana Republic – many women find casual wear here, reasonably priced.
• J Crew – Interesting separates and of-the-moment trends.

Work:

• TK Clothing* – great selection of pants, tops, suits, dresses and more from European designers.
• Blu’s – many well-known labels are offered; great sales.
• Sonia’s Runway – great mix of well-known designers and merchandise.

Both:

• Hudson’s Bay (Southgate) – fashion in a range of price points to fit any occasion. Try Not Your Daughter’s Jeans – they’re amazing.
• Simons – selections are divided by target audience. Twik is for women in their 20s, Icone is for 30-40 year old professionals, while Contemporaine is geared toward 40+. Also features high-end designer fashion.

Special Occasion:

• Melanie Lyne – Beautiful fashions for a range of occasions.
• Liliana’s Boutique – great selection of formal wear, Mother of the Bride and special occasion attire.

Of course, many people choose to shop online. I have personally found that Nordstrom makes the process very easy, with all-in pricing in Canadian dollars (merchandise, taxes, duty and delivery) at checkout so there are no surprises when your item is delivered.

I haven’t purchased from Saks online, but it appears their offering is very similar to Nordstrom. I do like to shop Saks whenever I’m in the US and find they carry quality merchandise from all my favourite designers.

There are options, but more importantly, you need a plan when you go shopping. Just wandering the mall won’t be helpful. In my next post, I’ll offer some effective shopping tips.

*Disclosure: TK Clothing is a client at my public relations firm.