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Most women are guided by a simple shopping rule: If the shoe fits, buy it. Even when they know the tortuous work called “breaking them in” lies ahead, they’re on shoe-purchase-auto-pilot. I know. As the saying goes – been there, done that. Recently something happened to make me toss out the old adage about simply settling for a shoe that fits.

I discovered shoes so alluring, so glamorous, stylish and comfortable, my first reaction was shock. Did I mention High-Heels with a capital H? I’m talking about Ron White All Day Heels®. I know; I probably sound like an infomercial but these amazing shoes are now more than just a personal favourite. They’ve become an important part of the wardrobe mix when I’m working with private image enhancement clients. In fact, Stage Six of the process focuses on finding the right footwear for a client’s newly finessed outfits.

Earlier in the month, on exactly this kind of mission, a client and I were in Ron White’s Manulife store when I spotted the designer-magician, himself. Ron was busy. Nice to see he’s really in touch with his customers, I thought. And then I looked again – Ron was personally assisting Canada’s First Lady, Laureen Harper. The interesting part of the incident is that Mrs. Harper had gone on record saying she now only wears Ron White All Day Heels®. I understand viagraly. These shoes are essential for anyone who must stand and stand and stand – for hours at a time – while looking smartly turned out. Incredibly, the collection covers all the bases from understated pumps to edge-y, glam stilettos.

National Post dubbed Ron a “sole man” in a recent article about his ascendency to shoe royalty. Ron didn’t actually aspire to become a shoe designer. As an established shoe-retailer, he thought the so-called comfort brands he purchased for his stores underestimated the importance of the style component. He tried repeatedly to convince world-renowned footwear companies to consider the innovations he suggested. No takers. But Ron steadfastly refused to believe that “glamorous comfort” and “all-day high-heels” were oxymorons.

Finally, in frustration he started to work independently with Italian factories and experiment using cutting-edge, high-performance materials to create ultra-feminine, flattering shoes that never reveal the comfort aspect to the observer, only the wearer. The secret is in the shoe itself – to understand the mysterious, undetectable comfort factor, you must try them on. Et voilà, like stepping on a magic carpet.

Over the last three years, Canadian women have embraced these miracle shoes, until now sold exclusively at Ron White stores. What many of these followers may not know is that earlier this year, Ron successfully launched his eponymous brand at San Francisco’s preeminent shoe store, Arthur Berens. Actually, successful is an understatement. While in the company of major world-class designer brands, within one week of arrival, All Day Heels® almost sold out!

Another little known fact about Canada’s youthful, world-class shoe designer? His All Day Heels® are the new gold standard for red carpet walks everywhere. I guess we could call Ron Shoe-Whisperer to starlets! Bravo et merci beaucoup.

See the entire Ron White All Day Heel ® collection and read more about Ron:

http://lastheplace.com/2011/03/28/be-stylish-comfortable-with-ron-white-all-day-heels/

Footnotes:

• The less the dress, the less the shoe – A pump with a suit and a sandal with a sundress.
• A shoe should be either darker than the hemline, same colour, or tone on tone.
• If you want to have your shoe as your main accessory, there’s nothing wrong with a little black dress, a purple shoe and matching handbag.
• A low heel with a very short skirt is more appropriate than a high heel.
• The mood of the outfit should be reflected in the shoe.

The Kitten heels may not appear as sexy as the stilettos but they are just as flattering and versatile.  They work well with both office attire and cocktail clothes whether it is a suit, a sheath dress or straight, pleated and  A-line skirts.  Depending on the shoe, kitten heels may be paired with cropped pants.

The stacked heels are the most comfortable of thigh-heel styles and is also the most businesslike in look, making it the perfect complement to suits and trousers.

The stilettos is best when paired with slim skirts.  If you wear stilettos with trousers, you’ll get the leggiest look by wearing the hem of your pants across the top of the shoe allowing only the toe to peek out.

Loafer or oxford have high-vamped — they slip-on or lace-up and look perfect with pants – think Katharine Hepburn.  Only the very tall and thin should pair them wit skirts.

Flats look best with narrow and cropped pants.  They also look great with long or short skirts, with a knee-length skirt, however, flats can look dowdy.  When you wear them take a look at yourself in a full length mirror.

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I recently made a new discovery: a boutique that really gets it when it comes to accessorising one’s wardrobe to make the right statement when you walk into a room.  I often stress that accessories if the alternative to looking like anyone else in this ready-to-wear world.

Rue Pigalle is Canada’s home to Europe’s hottest, most sought-after jewellery and accessories designers. Exclusively representing designers identified as those at the forefront of hand-crafted luxury by Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire and Elle, Rue Pigalle is the only source for their exquisite pieces – items worn by fashion icons including Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Gwyneth Paltrow and Mary-Kate Olsen.

Fashion editors and    women in-the-know have made this jewel-like boutique in Yorkville, Toronto’s upscale shopping district, their destination for world class opulence and refined elegance.

Owner and founder Isabelle Fish knows all about dressing for Executive Presence.  Her journey spans a career as a corporate lawyer practicing in the US, UK, South Africa and Canada prior to realising her dream to become an exclusive boutiquier.

“Many of my clients are women who face the same challenge as I did for many years: dressing appropriately for their corporate environment, while also expressing their personality and having a little fun!” explains Isabelle.  “I often used unique, finely crafted jewellery as a way to add interest to my professional attire while remaining appropriate for the boardroom setting.  Used well, jewellery and accessories such as a flattering scarf or luxurious handbag are ideal tools to help you feel confident, while making the right impression on your colleagues and clients.” 

Isabelle has carefully selected artisans and craftsmen from around Europe, focusing mainly on her homeland France. Her attention to detail and a genuine appreciation of subtle elegance have brought many new and exciting designers to Canada for the first time.

One example is UK-designed jewellery line The Branch.  Singled out by Vogue as producing the finest wooden jewellery this season, its pieces made of finely polished woods with silver and gold accents are supremely sophisticated.

Similarly, jewellery-maker Nicolette Cei produces cufflinks in unexpected materials and finishes, which is another accessory that can be used to great effect with a formal suit.  Men’s as well as smaller sizes for ladies are available.

Design label Swash is another newcomer to the Canadian market, its sumptuous silk scarves printed in whimsical patterns and in a lovely range of colours to suit an array of tastes and complexions.

A stunning piece from designer Paula Bianco would bring just the right feminine touch to the boardroom.

Other designers represented at Rue Pigalle include Noritamy, Tzuri Gueta, Anna Nadal, Louis Quatorze, Philippe Ferrandis, Lena Erziak, Philippe Roucou, Dianora Salviati and Césaire.

View their collections at www.ruepigalle.ca, or visit the boutique at 104 Yorkville Avenue, 2^nd floor, where you are encouraged to explore new looks and textures under Isabelle’s tasteful eye.  Private shopping is a popular service that is available at the boutique, or in the comfort of your home or office.

“Dressing for the workplace should be fun!” insists Isabelle.  “My goal is for every woman to walk out of my boutique and into the office with the confidence of the ‘Rue Pigalle Coquette’ – an independent woman totally engaged in her professional, family and community life.  As a fashionista she values the designer’s savoir faire and the quality of the materials used – she will pass her accessories to her daughter the same way she is wearing her mother’s.”

www.ruepigalle.ca|@ruepigalle.

Isabelle Fish, founder and owner of Rue Pigalle

Rosewood bangles plated with 18ct gold by The Branch

Men’s and ladies’ cufflinks by Nicoletta Cei

Silk scarf by Swash

A feminine necklace with silk and pearls by Paula Bianco

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Life in downtown Toronto is fast-paced. Perhaps not by New York City standards, but more oil and gas companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange than any other exchange in the world. Just stand in the underground walkway beneath the financial district at lunchtime to get a taste of the energy that defines this city. My work is very much a part of this intense and exciting atmosphere. Every day I meet new people. New connections are made, new alliances formed. And although corporate associations last for years — my private consultations are usually one-offs. I work with these clients on a very intense basis for a short period of time and then poof — mission accomplished and time to move on.

Such is the case with Pamelia. I will never forget the day she walked into my office. Tall. Blonde. Great presence, tons of positive energy and a radiant smile. She was about to turn fifty and wanted to update her look. It was obvious from the first few minutes that we were going to work well together. We made a date to meet at her place for a thorough closet run-through.

The big day arrived and before we tackled the tough editing process — there are always more discards than “keepers” — Pamelia showed me her beautifully appointed home. She had high praise for her neighbour, Mel, a deft hand at constructing numerous enhancements throughout the house and explained that since retiring, his accomplished skill-set had worked many small miracles.

Then, it was time to get to work. We started with the bedroom closet and were making great progress when Pamelia opened her armoire. I stopped in my tracks. There, in front of me, on the inside door panels, all Pamelia’s jewellery was beautifully arranged and hanging from a series of hooks mounted on large boards. This was simply the most brilliant jewellery storage system I had ever seen. Courtesy, once again, of gifted Mel. Forget the usual tangle of necklaces and jumble sale of earrings. I nicknamed it “accessories central” and immediately filed away the concept for my own armoire.

But Pamelia was a step ahead of me. While I organized and sorted her clothes into groups, she quietly slipped away. Of course, at the time, I wasn’t really paying attention but about a week later the whole picture became clear. The day of our final official meeting arrived and as Pamelia welcomed me at the front door, her radiant smile was replaced with a mild-wide grin. “For you,” she said, “from Mel,” as she presented two beautiful Tiffany-blue jewellery boards. My very own accessories central!

I knew offering payment was off-limits — Pamelia had told me Mel’s projects were his pleasure — so a few days later I delivered a bottle of bubbly. Their generous gesture still has me smiling. Working with positive people is, indeed,
a blessing; they bring joy and brighten the day. It’s like a gift of sunshine. I’ve thought long and hard about how to share this sentiment with Pamelia and Mel and finally decided. I’ll send them this blog to simply say it was wonderful to meet you … Mes chers amis, merci bien pour tout.

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It’s one thing to over pack and cram the car for a cottage weekend but come fall, both business trips and holiday getaways require a new, minimalist mindset. As a professional wardrobe problem-solver, I’m on constant alert for what seems to be the unfindable: great, packable clothes. Simple to maintain, uncreasable fabrics are usually contrary to quality, fashion and style. When I learned that Ottawa retailer Marlene Shepherd had developed a “Packably Perfect” concept, a week’s wardrobe (or even two!) all packed in a carry-on, I knew help was at hand.

So last month, during my Ottawa trip, I arranged to meet with Marlene, my friend, colleague and collaborator, for a hands-on session. My mission? Problem solving for a very diverse group of clients — many shapes, sizes and careers but having in common hectic travel schedules. Marlene knows her way around the international fashion marketplace and she has a special skill when it comes to discovering hidden gems within our own borders. True to form, she pulled out all the stops and shared her latest treasures, with travel in mind. We spent the morning fine-tuning; here’s our short list.

1. Trousers, the core component of every travel wardrobe, for work and play. Start with black, charcoal or dark brown and build from this base.

Tailored boot-cut trousers with an impeccable pedigree: a hip-gliding fit in a modern stretch fabric. Cambio, $210.00
Trim, slim-leg pants in dressed-up microfibre. Perfect for arriving crease-free. Margaret M, $98.00

2.  A knit cardigan or vest instead of a traditional jacket. The point I want to make here is that professional dressing doesn’t need to be structured. As Marlene says, “Once a woman discovers comfort, there’s no turning back.”

We focused on three very different collections: Nic + Zoe, Pure & Co., Curio. I was truly intrigued to see some of Marlene’s picks could be worn back-to-front or even upside down! No kidding. Slip into a sweater-vest  “bottoms-up” and suddenly it’s a cropped version with a generous collar. Obviously, these are specially designed pieces, so please don’t try this at home!

3. Crisp 100 percent cotton shirts and NO ironing, ever. A dream come true. White and colours. Foxcroft, $95.00

4. Simpli — sensational! This collection of seasonless jersey knitwear by Vancouver’s Simpli, has more components than a jigsaw puzzle, a zillion colours and endless combinations. Enough variations to go from boardroom to cruise ship. There’s only one fabrication so it’s easy to add components from year to year. Everything is sized but there are also two different fits, snug or relaxed. A perfect 3-piece career look, we agreed, is a pant and matching vest with a contrast underpiece. Some of the combos we came up with:
Base colour         Contrast
Navy                     Peacock
Charcoal              Aubergine
Black                    Wine

5. Clean lines, simple shapes and sensual fabrics form the Eileen Fisher philosophy. Every piece is perfectly designed to skim the body with flattering shape-enhancing style. Although Marlene, a self-avowed Size 16 loves this collection, my friend Kim, a yogini and perfect Size 8, is just as enthusiastic.

6. The icing on the cake — accessories. Marlene’s start in business was with jewellery so it’s not surprising she continues to have innovative ideas. “Wardrobe pieces,” as Marlene calls them, are semi-precious, multi-strand necklaces that detach into single or double strands, often with an optional pendant, providing real versatility — every traveler’s dream. She’s proud of the group of young Canadian jewellery designers providing Shepherd’s with these one-of-a-kind bijoux.

What a morning! Client checklist completed and with time to spare for personal shopping. My own “wheelie” is now perfectly packed and ready to go. I can’t wait.

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Last week, I admit, I had an Inspector Poirot moment. Really. I couldn’t help myself because as I was having lunch outside at a local restaurant, a young woman at the table next to me was speaking so loudly it was open season on eavesdropping. I suppose I could have moved to another table but my lunch had arrived, my seat was in the shade and I was, I confess, intrigued. Quickly, I rationalized my situation as “professional field research.”

Apparently, the woman had been sent home from work to change her clothes. She was furiously bashing her boss, “Miss Perfect in her purr-fect little cardigan, linen pants and sling backs.”

How could I resist?  There I was with a ringside seat. I leaned in a little closer.

It didn’t take long to sort things out. The self-proclaimed victim showed up for Casual Friday in flip-flops and leggings, prompting her boss, the so-called Miss Perfect, to send her home to change. The tirade continued, “What’s the matter with her? Doesn’t she know Friday’s the day you let it all hang out? It’s the day that transitions you into the weekend. Doesn’t she know anything about dressing down? Doesn’t she ever relax?”

Whew! Quite an outburst and yet the friend said nothing. At the time I thought she should have backed up the boss; after all, sending someone home to change sends a pretty strong message. I guess she knew there was no point. I’ve come to realize that since the young woman in flip flops could read the signals — cardigan, linen slacks, sling backs — but didn’t get the point, she’s probably not the right person for the job.

The moral of the story? Actually, I guess there are a couple:

• Please let this be the last time I say it this summer — flip-flops are for the beach.
• Leggings are ideal for workouts, and that’s where they belong.
• Look to the top for cues about casual dress codes. Where skirt and pant suits rule, don’t even think about showing up in a sundress.
• Same goes for guys, if suits and ties are routine most days, chances are polo shirts are off-limits on Friday.
• And finally, beware of boss bashing. You never know who’s listening.

And speaking of bosses, Standford Professor and best-selling author, Bob Sutton, has a new book — Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best… and Learn from the Worst —that’s scheduled for release September 7.

I haven’t seen it yet but advance press makes it clear Dr. Sutton has directed his book at employees, not the boss! Should be an interesting read.

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A case in point is the call I received only weeks ago from journalist, TV broadcaster and host of Listen UP TV, Lorna Dueck. She had big news about the upcoming royal tour of Canada — and big questions about the protocols of meeting Queen Elizabeth. Lorna was calling on behalf of Reverend Dr. Franklin Pyles, her Chairman of the Board. He was honoured with an invitation to say Grace at the State Dinner for the Queen, to be hosted by Prime Minister Harper on July 5 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. A big night and a big occasion requiring more than a little attention to detail.

As President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Canada, Rev Dr. Pyles leads 400 churches, including Prime Minister Harper’s place of worship, and is obviously, a seasoned communicator. Both he and his wife Gay felt truly blessed by this great honour — but dinner with the Queen is far from an everyday experience and requires some coaching, along with glamorous, special-occasion clothing.

We made quick progress with the royal protocols, next step, a real evening gown for Gay. Together, Gay and I visited award winning Canadian designer Ross Mayer. For over 20 years, Ross has dressed a fiercely loyal clientele. From chic daywear to sleek eveningwear, his reputation for hitting just the right note for every occasion is justly deserved. It’s no surprise that Ross scored an A+ with Gay’s elegant gown in deep purple and silver brocade —truly fit for the Queen.

Next step? Sparkling crystal jewels to dramatize the effect. At the Swarovski flagship store on Bloor Street, we met with Maria and Store Manager Ryan for a tour of what must be the world’s biggest jewel case! So many choices and only one occasion — we finally decided on a necklace, earrings and bracelet. The final finishing touch was a perfect “bijoux” evening bag.  Little wonder Gay said she felt like Cinderella!

And Rev Dr. Pyles, perfectly turned out in his tux, had a brocade vest to match Gay’s gown. But the crowning touch, if you’ll pardon the pun, was the Monarch’s Protocol Officer complimenting Rev Dr. Pyles’ for both his saying of Grace and its appropriateness.

It was a magical evening. Congratulations Rev Dr. and Mrs. Pyles. Thank you for including us in this very special event.

We headed for our local public transit station where we encountered unexpected track and switch work. The place was hopping and as we waited for our rerouted subway train, we fell into conversation with a transit operator. We talked about the drivers, women and men, who work for the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) and their job challenges — one being the life altering, traumatizing experience tunnel operators face when a “jumper” leaps in front of a moving train.

As tragic as this is, another challenge drivers face is personal assault and it’s on the rise. Rude passengers all too frequently display discourteous, anti-social behaviour.

Coincidentally, the next morning just as I was leaving for work, I heard on the news that a TTC bus driver was attacked with fireworks after Victoria Day celebrations. According to reports, a man approached the open door of a bus and threw a Roman candle at the driver.  A senseless act of meanness.

Imagine my surprise when I arrived at work, started opening emails and the first thing that jumped off my screen was the subject line from the New York Times: When Passengers Spit, Bus Drivers Take Months Off

In the article, the journalist considers if passenger behaviour is the result of frustration with the system or reflects a general decline in urban civility. I guess after repeatedly hearing about transit drivers as targets, I tend to side with the “decline in urban civility” theory. Sad but true. That said, I remembered The Baltimore Workplace Civility Study:

“As organizations have flattened and gone ‘casual/informal,’ there are fewer norms as to what constitutes proper business behavior. Research has shown that most acts of workplace violence originate with uncivil behavior. Moreover, an uncivil work environment can have an economic impact on an organization. Employees encountering workplace incivility have reported less commitment to their company, lost productivity, and some have left their jobs.”

The study makes a strong case that incivility in the workplace is very costly.
No wonder so many job postings typically read: Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills required. I encourage you download this report and share it with your co-workers.   Download the study.

A case in point is customized corporate apparel, or so-called logo wear. Corporate golf tournaments, for example, may include polo shirts with the company’s logo, as part of the day’s package. But there’s another category of T-shirts — a far cry from Clubhouse-appropriate attire — and that’s the Promotional T-shirt. Known in the trade as “blanks,” these wholesale blank t-shirts provide an ideal canvas for presenting company logos, slogans or messages in an informal way.

Jody Steinhauer of The Bargains Group Ltd is an expert when it comes to promo T-shirts. Her firm sells literally thousands to companies in search of high quality, pristine white T’s with a full size range and I might add, a magic price of $2.00 each, before printing.   Custom T-shirts Canada

Conventions, picnics, product launches and fund-raisers, all these events are perfect for what Jody describes as her “walking billboards” and to ensure company employees stand out in a crowd. As Founding President of The Bargains Group and CBO (Chief Bargain Officer), Jody is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to printing her product. The Bargains Group will arrange for eco-friendly, water based printing at one of Canada’s largest print facilities.

The Bargains Group stocks a massive range of apparel from the $2.00 T-shirt blanks to ubiquitous golf shirts, team wear and athletic wear, all at discounted prices. Then there are the seemingly endless other categories: canvas totes, duffel bags, sport bags, water bottles, corporate gifts  — and many products can be customized.    Personalized promotional products

Jody is an interesting anomaly in the realm of discount wholesaling. For starters, she’s a fashion graduate with a keen sense of style and a high taste level. She started her business on a shoestring — with only a phone, fax machine and $1,000 — at her dining room table HQ. From these humble beginnings, Jody has grown her business dramatically and in 2001 she was selected from over 1,200 nominees in the Report On Business nationwide search for the Top 40 Under 40 Award. The same year, she received the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, in the Innovation Category.

Jody is adept at balancing her high-powered career with her marriage, children and family but there’s another chapter in this remarkable woman’s life that deserves recognition — her commitment to community and focus on “giving back.” Jody has received numerous awards for her humanitarian achievements and her innovative approach to social concerns. She is the driving force behind two very special charities, Project Water and Project Winter Survival.

In the ten years since Jody originated Project Water, her team of volunteers has distributed over 1 million bottles of water to homeless people over the course of Toronto’s extremely hot summers. Project Winter Survival offers essential items including scarves, hats and even sleeping bags to people living on the street.

Learn more about Jody’s charitable missions:
http://projectwater.ca/
http://projectwintersurvival.org/

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Every winter right about now, I start to think about our annual March ski trip to the Canadian Rockies. This year, with Vancouver’s Olympics only a heartbeat away, thoughts of “schussing” came a little earlier.

Although I now consider myself a true Torontonian, sadly, the ski locations close to home are less than ideal. Typically, the queue for a chairlift means a minimum 20-minute wait on weekends. And whoosh, the run is so short you’re back in line two minutes later.

But over the years, I’ve realized that skiers everywhere, when forced to move at a snail’s pace as they wait in lift lines, become cold and cranky folks. Sometimes, these skiers rise to the occasion with truly nice behaviour and other times they disappoint; simply put, they’re not so nice. So with skiing on my mind, here’s a shortlist of suggestions to help keep the queue moving, minimize the impatience factor and keep everyone safe. Remember ski instructors with one or more students have priority and always move to the front of the line.

Queue do’s:

• Pick up the pole — or glove dropped by someone standing in line beside you.
• Offer to help — the parent right in front of you who’s struggling with two kiddies.
• Say hello — acknowledge the single joining you and your group for the ride up.
• Smile — when another skier apologizes for inadvertently knocking your skis.
• Step aside — to let friends ride together BEFORE you reach the loading area.

Queue don’ts:

• No butting in —never cut the line, doesn’t matter how young or old you are.
• Keep the line moving — avoid pile-ups and climb aboard, even when your friend didn’t make the same chair.
• No smoking! Please don’t lineup and light up.
• Swearing and bad language — strictly verboten.
• Keep your skis on snow — don’t step on the tails of your neighbour’s skis.

Ski instructors spend all day “on snow” — or on lifts. I recently caught up with a ski instructor for a chair-side chat and some tips to ensure a safe ride:

• Line bashing or line cutting is an accident waiting to happen. Be patient.
• Respect the lift operator and always do what he asks. Remember, he’s the expert.
• When loading, always hold your poles vertically with the inside hand. At most resorts, regulations prohibit riding with straps on.
• When loading on the outside of a 4 or 6-pack, keep your eyes away from your seatmate — and turned to the outside bar so you’re ready to grab it.

And finally, as the chair starts to climb, keep these rules in mind —
Rule #1:  Remain still. Tapping your feet together to remove snow could result in a dropped ski.
Rule #2:  Keep your gloves on! It’s a long way back down the mountain with one glove. Or none.
And finally, relax; enjoy the view.

When my husband and I are at Lake Louise, the gondolas and numerous chairs keep the lines moving but when we ski the Laurentians or Camp Fortune near Ottawa, the wait is longer and I keep myself entertained with the passing fashion show. Remember that what works for kids, may be out of place on adults — funky hats come to mind. And please, no jeans on the slopes.

Here’s an article on ski fashion I really enjoyed:

Personally I always wear a helmet and underneath, a lightweight toque —when the weather’s cold. Not great for my hair, so I always have a backup cap for lunch and après-ski. Yes, that’s me at Lake Louise, Alberta.

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How Is Your Personal and Professional Image?
Is your style congruent with your brand? Are you confused about what suits YOU best, how to manage trends, dress age appropriate?

Join me for my new Image Enhancement Course for the Professional Woman – a 4-part course where I will teach you how to create your own look of success!  It all starts on Monday Feb. 1 and continues every Monday until Feb. 22.

Details and Registration!

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]]> http://www.corporateclassinc.com/blog/2010/01/29/destination-downhill-skiing/feed/ 3 http://www.corporateclassinc.com/blog/2009/12/09/the-look-of-success-%e2%84%a2-a-personal-journey-exploring-eyewear/ http://www.corporateclassinc.com/blog/2009/12/09/the-look-of-success-%e2%84%a2-a-personal-journey-exploring-eyewear/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:31:38 +0000 Diane http://www.corporateclassinc.com/blog/?p=1028 Accessories can make or break an outfit. They can update a classic, breathe new life into an old favourite and turn daywear into elegant eveningwear.  On the other hand, the wrong accessory can spoil the success of a really great look.

Simple truth #1
Eyewear is the most obvious accessory.

Simple truth #2
The right eyewear is crucial to the right look.

Simple truth #3
Eyewear is tricky.

The time had come to address this most obvious — and functional— accessory with Liz. No doubt about it, at Freda’s she received an “A” in Accessorizing, but picking the right glasses presents a real challenge. There are thousands of frames to choose from. The right choice enhances the appearance, while the wrong one becomes a costly mistake —rather like buying an expensive coat that doesn’t keep you warm.

My recommendation is to take a trusted friend to help with the selection process. It’s very difficult to be objective on your own and in my experience, many people rely on opticians. Trained to determine the right kind of lenses for your prescription, few opticians understand face shapes and the nuances of skin colouring — important factors when it comes to choosing frames.

Let me explain:

• Your face shape is the starting point — square, round, triangle or oval. Say for example, that your face is square; you’ll want to avoid square-shaped frames that mimic your face shape and choose instead oval or round glasses. In other words, try frames that contrast or “contradict” your face shape.
• The size of your face and features play a critical role. Delicate features disappear with frames that look amazing on a larger face with stronger features.
• Same story with the nose — slender and small takes a different bridge than long and prominent or short and broad.
• Moving on to the eyes — close-set versus wide-set, drooping or tipped, dark circles or crow’s feet, there are so many considerations.
• Cool or warm skin tone and eye colour can make the difference between whether to choose anodized metal, “tortoiseshell” or even gold or silver trim.
• And then there’s the entire issue of personal style. Which category do you fall into: dramatic, classic, natural, romantic, gamin or ingénue?

A final checklist:
 Replace your frames at least every four years.
 Check yourself in a full-length mirror before finalizing your frame choice — you want to be certain the proportion is right.
 When in doubt about the right frame, look for an almost universally flattering oval shape.

Liz has a few thoughts:
“My old glasses will need to be replaced this spring and although Diane approved of the shape, she showed me how to choose a colour more becoming to my eyes and complexion. She also walked me through the initial frame selection process and showed me how to avoid the wrong shapes. Thank you Diane, another mission accomplished!”

Stay tuned!   (Note that you can now have our blog posts delivered to your Inbox by clicking on the Subscribe link on the right side of this page.)

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