LISTEN TO YOUR WARDROBE

 

A quarter of respondents said the clothes were unworn because they were waiting to lose weight to fit into them.

When opening your closet you see rows and rows of clothes patiently and seemingly silently waiting for attention. Yes, you show preference for some of these items by picking them again and again, but if you stopped for just a moment you would hear the cry for recognition, the plea to be chosen by the rest of your clothes, but your mind shuts down as quickly as you close the wardrobe doors. You don’t want to hear the green jacket asking you ‘why have you ignored me for the last 2 years?’ You don’t want to feel guilty for always choosing your favorites things, those which make you feel and look good. And even if you acknowledge that you have too many clothes you don’t want to admit that your bulging wardrobe is your doing. You make-believe you don’t know how this happened? Your closet just becomes fuller and fuller.
But if you took a moment to listen to what your wardrobe has to tell you, you would be happier with your clothes and your clothes would be happier with you. What is really happening is that when you open your wardrobe there is a voice in your mind that makes them speak – and here is what they say:

 –  why do you never wear me?
–  why do you keep me if I don’t fit you anymore?
– why did you buy me? red is not your color?
– when will you ever go dancing again or need a cocktail dress?
– why do you keep me – I am 10 years old and look worn?
– why do you keep something that is out of fashion?
– why did I get into your closet – I am not your style?
– why did you buy me – because I was on sale – I was a good deal?
– why don’t you remove the tags from me – will you never wear me?
– why can’t you control your impulse buying?

If you answer these questions honestly – especially this one – was it on sale – and take action you will silence these voices and have a slimmer wardrobe you love and which loves you back.

And Never Forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Beauty Over 60: Torn Jeans – Really?

 

Holes and more holes are all over the  most popular garment in the world – our jeans. And the way things are going, one day  there will only be little bits of fabric holding the holes together.

Years ago this look caught on and then faded away but now it is back with a vengeance. From designers to mass market brands, jeans are full of tears and holes and the biggest rips get the highest prices – which makes me wonder – if I wanted to wear ripped jeans why could I not rip them myself and save some money?

 

But being over 60 ripped jeans won’t do anything for me. The appeal the young find in the holes – I think it is sex appeal – might give the wrong image for us more mature women.

While my friend Marie, well over 60,  was visiting me, she wore a pair of ripped and torn jeans. At one moment during the evening Betty,  another friend took me aside and asked with empathy in her voice, “Doesn’t Marie  own a decent pair of jeans? These look so sloppy.”

Jeans are here to stay. If you are a child or 100 years old. but the fads applied to them might not be something to follow after 60.

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And Never forget – A Smile changes Everything!

Brigitte

 

 

 

 

 

A Personal Shopper Living in Your Wardrobe

There are apps to help us walk, eat, play, shop – and they even talk to us, like Alexa. If you are in doubt about the weather, a place, or whatever else you might like to know, she can help you out. It is a  like a live-in help.

Now she is joined by Amazon’s Echo Look with a Style Check feature. You will never have to be in doubt again what to wear when, and you will be sure to look good – but let me get out-of-the-way – read the article below that appeared in  Town & Country ‘s March issue.

Personally I like the challenge of putting myself together, but then I don’t belong to the millenniums who have jobs and children and very little time for  themselves. This could be their answer to Dress to  Impress!

And Never Forget  – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

Harper’s Bazaar On Line – An Eye Opener

 

Do you subscribe to Harper’s Bazaar? No! Are you missing out on seeing what the latest trends are, what people are buying, what people are wearing – not to worry.

Harper’s Bazaar has a website called  wwwShopBAZAAR.com where every week new items are shown – clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry – which you can buy on line – but if the prices shock you – they surprise me too – it will at least show you what people buy and what is out there – it will keep you in the loop. Have fun browsing.

And Never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

 

http://www.ShopBAZAAR.com

 

Dress to Impress – Find Out How – 2. Installment

Every Sunday I look forward to connecting with you, today it’s about

TELLING THE TRUTH

To see what you like about yourself, you need—besides an open mind—a full-length mirror. Stand in front of it and try to imagine that the person reflected there is someone else. This way your good points become more apparent. Being more objective will make you more generous. You will give yourself credit for what you have instead of being over-critical.

Start with your hair. Does it frame your face the right way? Is it too short to do so? Or, if your hair is long, would a shorter style make it appear thicker and more sensual? Would more frequent brushing add the life that is missing? When looking at your face, it might occur to you that make-up could improve it. If you are not used to wearing any, or if you don’t want to look made-up, relax: having good make-up that enhances your face does not mean a heavy, painted look. It can be very subtle and still create the effect you want.

Now to your body. In order to know what to do about a large bust or thin arms, you must first be aware of your assets and liabilities. And to help you to get to know yourself well, I would like you to fill out the chart below. Standing in front of your full-length mirror, pull in your stomach and stand straight. Start with your shoulders; don’t accuse them of sloping when bad posture is the culprit. Examine yourself carefully and circle the appropriate adjectives.

HEIGHT: WEIGHT:HAIR COLOUR:  DRESS SIZE:
SHOULDERS: Broad Narrow Sloping Just right
NECK: Long Short Fair Just right
BUS Big Small Fair Just right
ARMS: Heavy Thin Fair Just right
WAIST: TORSO: STOMACH: BigLong-waisted Protruding SmallShort-waisted Fair 

Fair

Just right 

Just right

HIPS:, Wide Narrow Fair Just right
DERRIERE: Big Flat Fair Just right
LEGS (length): Long Short Fair Just right
THIGHS: Heavy Thin Fair Just right
LEGS (below knees): Heavy Thin Fair Just right
HANDS: Small Large Fair Just right
My best features (s):

 What I don’t like about myself:                                                       

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Now that you have completed the list, check it thoroughly. You will find that you have more assets than defects. And don’t feel depressed about something like heavy thighs; most defects (or what appear to be defects) can be corrected or minimized through diet, exercise, better posture, better care, or more attention to detail. There are very few things that are impossible to correct, and even those are easier to live with once you know them . Being aware of your body will help you buy the clothes that will make you feel and look more attractive and confident.

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Until next Sunday when we start to look at  The Importance of Colour, Prints and Fit

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte

 

Beauty Over 60: Are Pantyhose Out of Style?

Nylons, stockings, hosiery – whatever we called them, pantyhose were essentials of a woman’s wardrobe. However, you might have noticed that with each passing year, the essential pantyhose that we wore with skirts and dresses (even shorts) has dwindled. Bare legs are popular now and pantyhose sales have dropped by more than half in the past decades. Tights, the thicker cousin of pantyhose, are still popular in the colder months, but summertime nylons are seen less and less. Our dependable friend to cover blemishes, bruises, and veins is being phased out.

What about those of us whose gams need a little coverage and support? Are pantyhose a total fashion taboo? Can we still wear them without dating ourselves?

How to wear pantyhose

The best way to wear pantyhose is to not draw attention to them. Here are a few guidelines to go by.

  1. Don’t wear pantyhose with open-toed shoes, or worse, flip-flops. Even sheer-toe pantyhose have the tell-tale seam at the tip of the toes.
  2. Don’t wear “suntan” or very shimmery shades. For example, it’s very obvious if you’re a fair-skinned person and your bronzed legs don’t match your arms.
  3. Glossy, shimmering pantyhose are also attention-grabbing in an undesirable way. Choose a matte color that is closest to your skin tone.
  4. Avoid wearing pantyhose with casual shorts.

Do you still wear pantyhose? What’s your favorite outfit to wear them with? Leave your comments below.

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything!

Brigitte