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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Although the FAT question is all too familiar, when it comes to image and creating an individual sense of style, my guiding principle is body proportion. What most people don’t realize is that while ten pounds makes the difference between one size and the next, those same ten pounds don’t alter the basic proportions of a body. Short neck or short legs? The right necklines and skirt silhouettes will play magical tricks. Same story for sloping shoulders or thick thighs. My strategy is to enhance the body’s framework with confidence-building clothing.

I know size doesn’t really matter because ten pounds here or there won’t make a difference to the body’s intrinsic shape, but sometimes it’s a challenge to make a perfectly proportioned client accept the fact that her Size 10 or 12 frame is not overweight. There is something wrong when educated, successful women have Size 0 as a goal. Last fall I mentioned Countess Filippa, the Ralph Lauren model fired for weighing in at 120 pounds. To add insult to injury, scary Photoshopping for a Japanese advertisement turned her body into a Barbie doll.

There’s no question that the fashion industry is the source of this Size 0 fixation and now, with the annual release of the mega-sized fashion magazines and their fall coverage, I’m inclined to think there’s extra pressure brought to bear. I was intrigued to read in a recent New York Times article, that German magazine Brigitte has decided, instead of rail thin models, to photograph real women, despite hostile criticism from designer Karl Lagerfeld. Incidentally, when Herr Lagerfeld designed a condensed collection for retailer H&M a few years ago, he insisted that production be restricted to small sizes.

Closer to home, Glamour magazine has made headlines for featuring so-called plus-size models on several occasions. (Most would argue that these women are healthy and normal, not overweight.) Although the intent is noble — to discourage women from aspiring to wafer thinness — the overwhelming trend for fashion shows and photography continues to be Size 0 models.

But there is progress, of a different sort. Typically fashion magazines worship youth but three of this fall’s gigantic issues feature 40-plus cover girls. Something of a milestone, although admittedly, all three are movie stars: Julia Roberts (Elle), Halle Berry (Vogue), Jennifer Aniston (Harper’s Bazaar).

Read more from Glamour, “Who says supermodels have to be thin?”

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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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I was reminded of the importance of this much needed, self-assurance component in everyone’s life when last week two emails, one from my colleague Catherine Bell and one from a client’s mother, reached my inbox almost simultaneously. Catherine sent me a recent article of hers entitled Look Beyond the Disability that touches upon the difference between how she’s treated when she uses a cane — necessitated by the late effects of childhood polio —and when she doesn’t. As I scrolled through Catherine’s article, my thoughts turned to my client Melissa Vassallo and coincidentally, an email arrived from her mother with news about an upcoming celebration.

Four years after her accident, Melissa arrived at my office using a walker. She was lovely looking, her face untouched by the accident, and she had a sincere, winning smile. During our first encounter I detected a note of sadness as Melissa expressed the daily frustrations of trying to look and feel her most attractive. She wanted, and needed, to feel better about herself.

Over time, we worked together and as you can see, Melissa is justifiably proud of her journey. What was a winning smile has blossomed into a beaming smile! Bravo Melissa.

TV interview
Meet this self-assured young woman with her infectious enthusiasm as she outlines her efforts to bring “Accessible Sailing,” in partnership with the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Foundation, to Oakville, Ontario. http://vimeo.com/10492683 (password: sailing)

Mobility devices
Today, Melissa dashes around town on her Sidewalk-SUV and when she parks the sporty red scooter for a night out with friends, she’ll grab one of the many canes from her stylish collection. People often ask if she’s tripped, or “something” — they have no idea of the extent of her injuries. Melissa has truly mastered her very own sense of style!

Although Melissa and Catherine both use mobility devices/canes, what they really have in common is a highly developed sense of personal style. Catherine is a professional Image Consultant with a background in fashion, but what many people don’t realize is that she is also an advocate for people with disabilities. (In June 2009, Catherine was Ontario March of Dimes’ delegate at the Canadian Government Roundtable: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.)

Catherine writes persuasively in Look Beyond the Disability:  “People who use a wheelchair or other assistive devices for mobility can still make their own decisions, speak for themselves and contribute fully in the workplace and society. Often people assume that someone who can’t hear is unable to communicate; they may even question their competency. People who have a visual impairment may appear confused when someone abruptly leaves them standing alone in the middle of a room without telling them where the furniture is located. But this doesn’t mean that they’ll be confused when it comes to doing business, living alone in their home, or navigating new territory.”

Sadly, many well meaning individuals lack the know-how or etiquette to interact with people with disabilities:

• Ask before you help: never presume a person needs help
• Ask how before you act: a wheelchair or scooter is considered personal space
• Never touch unless help is requested and specific instructions are given about where to place your hands
• Offer assistance only when there appears to be a need
• Say “person with a disability,” not disabled person
• Not sure what to say? Ask — most people with disabilities avoid the term “challenged”

And finally, among friends humour has a role to play. My sister-in-law, on my late husband’s side, was born with spina bifida and is a wheelchair user. I often joke with her; “You always get the best seat in the house,” or “I see you’ve got new snow tires.”  Remember, etiquette is all about putting people at ease.

Perhaps you have a related story to tell or a question about the protocols of sensitivity training in the workplace? Let us know and post a comment or email directly.

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As Liz candidly shared her Personal Journey, we watched her evolve from the strained stance of the Before image to her effortless sense of poise in the After picture. She embarked on her journey as an attractive, clever young woman but emerged transformed by self-assurance; I also want to point out the wonderful gift of self-esteem bestowed on Liz as she discovered her own style. When you present yourself well dressed, well accessorized, well groomed, it’s pleasing to the eye, displays harmony, demonstrates respect for others — and causes people to be more receptive. 

Today, we enthusiastically embrace professional help on a vast range of subjects. With this series I wanted to make the point that to look our best, we can all use some help. We all have a unique look and physical assets. What we do with what we have often conceals the real beauty; our liabilities govern, not our assets.

During the past few years, we’ve been inundated with extreme, some would say excessive makeovers and in the parlance of the reality shows, reveal after reveal. We’ve watched as medical wizards reconfigured every part of a woman’s anatomy and the equally bizarre effects of media doctors retouching a young model’s torso.

Here, in this series — the reality show called life — what you see is what you get. No retouching — no slimming nor trimming, no eye brightening nor teeth whitening, no fine-tuning — simply put, no photoshopping. Just pure Liz!

Liz has some final thoughts:
“I told Diane, at the end of our final session, that I feel like an entirely different person, more confident  — and it shows.  My look has been transformed dramatically and now I look like a young professional. Throughout the process, I’ve received compliments from my friends and coworkers and both my manager and director commented on my new image.  My director feels very strongly about the importance of image and presentation. His positive comments confirm that I’ve achieved my goal to project a capable and confident image. I’m fortunate that I met Diane and had the opportunity to go through her Image Enhancement Programme at this early stage in my career.  It will undoubtedly have a profound effect on my career development.  I highly recommend this programme. Thank you so much Diane!”

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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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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

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Experience has taught me that when I address the idea of a professional makeup artist for this last step, clients frequently call upon the same mental roadblock; it’s called The Natural Look. At some point iconic American designer, Calvin Klein, obviously encountered this kind of resistance because he coined the perfect phrase: “The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural”.  How right you are Mr. Klein!

Happily, Liz was enthusiastic about her planned makeup application and lesson with makeup artist Genny at The School of Pro Makeup Art. Together, we discussed Liz’s lifestyle, the new demands of her career and her comfort level with makeup and its application.

Liz had brought along her makeup bag and we began the elimination process. In comparison to some “collections” I’ve seen, Liz had a bare minimum. I was delighted. (So often over the years, I’ve seen makeup bags that were potential breeding grounds of bacteria: bits and pieces from cosmetic promotional gifts, hastily purchased lipsticks and shadows, old sponges, dried-up mascara wands, ancient pencils and worn-out brushes. Please, don’t hang on to tired, old products. There are very specific guidelines for how long a product is safe to use, e.g. no longer than 3 months for mascara.)

Once the editing process was complete, Genny began applying makeup to the right side of Liz’s face — explaining her product choices and techniques. Then, it was Liz’s turn to match the left side. While Genny guided her step-by-step, Liz learned to hold a brush, to gauge the amount pressure to apply and new techniques of stippling, feathering and the art of blending. True to form, Liz was a stellar student and was well on her way to applying makeup like a pro.

Here are 5 quick tips for finessing your makeup application:

1. Apply bronzer with a large fluffy brush on the forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, jaw line — all places the sun would hit — using large, circular strokes.  Add more to the area just below the cheekbones to create a chiseled contoured look.  Next, apply a pink shade of blush on the “apples” of cheeks for a healthy glow.
2. Line lips with a lip-coloured lip pencil and blend well to avoid a conspicuous, telltale line.
3. Fill in eyebrows with taupe eye shadow powder and a small, angled brush. Use short, hair-like strokes in sparse areas.
4. 4. Curl eyelashes using a rounded rubber eyelash curler to really open up the eyes, before applying mascara. Shu Uemura’s eyelash curlers are internationally praised — they were even mentioned in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada.
5. Apply 4 clusters of individual false eyelashes to outer corners of the eyes to add volume and look natural. Perfect for New Year’s Eve!

Here’s Liz with a recap of her session with Genny:
“I usually don’t wear very much makeup, probably because I’ve never been exceptional at applying it — but Genny from The School of Pro Makeup was an excellent teacher.  She went over the techniques at each step then she would let me try and provide feedback. Applying cake eyeliner was especially challenging — I actually got it in my eye! Over the last few days I’ve improved and now the process is pain free. I really wanted to learn the techniques for a good reason – the end result of my makeup lesson was transformational.  I was amazed by how Genny was able to balance my features using tiny touch ups. Between the makeup and the hair I feel gorgeous. My new look is very polished.  Thank you Diane, I’m thrilled. And just in time for the holidays!“      

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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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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

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The precise timing of when a “bad hair day” became universally known as a bad day, period, is difficult to pinpoint. We all understand the implications though, all too clearly. Unruly, unmanageable hair can be measured on the same scale as a day that falls apart— in a word, stressful.

Great outfit, new shoes, impeccable makeup — nothing can suppress a bad hair day vibe. I always tell my clients that when hair is “wrong” it’s impossible to feel poised and confident. “Wrong” is not a case of bed-head or wake-up-hair — both usually remedied with a quick shampoo and blow-dry — but a cut and colour calamity. Sometimes, the nightmare is confined to one or the other but they seem to go hand in hand. The dreaded “black beret,” the dried out thatch of straw, the weird greenish tinge  — these are all too familiar hair catastrophes. Sadly, they’re often the result of poor communication between the hair professional and customer. A word of caution: always make sure the people you work with have your hair condition as their main consideration.

When you’re thinking of making changes it’s important to explain to both your colourist and stylist what your goals are. When in doubt about their plans — remember it’s your hair — ask to see pictures. Having said that, you have to be realistic, too. You may have worked out a promising style for your face shape, but lacked the expertise to know if it’s right for your hair — its texture, structure and weight. A good hairstylist will be able to tell you right away.

I accompanied Liz to Salon Solis for her colour and cut. At this stage, Liz understood her personal style, or clothing personality, along with the most flattering colours for her eyes and skin tone.

As an image consultant, my job is to tell the colourist and hairstylist what we want but not how to do it – that’s their job. I rely on their expertise to assure me that the hair is in good condition and that the texture and weight will support the style I’m suggesting.  If not then we negotiate and settle on a style and colour that will work for my client. 

I am very happy to report that for Liz, it was “all systems go!”

By texturizing and softening the interior of the haircut, Ernesto Domanico created a versatile, classic style that can be easily transformed from everyday wash and wear to a glamorous evening look.

Lindsey Bober coloured Liz’s hair using one level darker than her natural colour to deepen the overall appearance and enhance the natural shine.  Highlights were applied in a shade three levels lighter to add interest and dimension through the layers.

Ernesto and Lindsey are all about making their clients happy.  At Salon Solis, it’s not just any other hair affair. There are no over-priced services; there are no rush jobs and there’s no attitude.  They thrive on hospitality and great hair! I encourage you to visit Salon Solis www.salonsolis.com if you live nearby or are visiting Toronto.

Liz has some thoughts to share, too:
“I’ve been going to Salon Solis for just over a year now.  I found the salon online after receiving a haircut that I was ‘not so fond of’ and ever since Ernesto cut my hair I won’t go anywhere else.  He always has wanted to colour my hair but I was afraid of the maintenance.  I hate the ‘roots look’ but I’m not inclined to visit the salon every month for a touch up.  On Diane’s advice, I finally gave in and agreed to try something not too extreme. The goal was to add some shine and a few highlights— they really bring out my eyes.  Lindsey made sure the colour would require minimal maintenance.  I love it!  While my hair dye was being coloured Dina gave me a French manicure and we discussed eyebrow shaping.  In the end my nails looked great and I agreed to come in and see Dina over the next couple of months for reshaping.   I left the salon feeling pampered.  Next step, makeup to complete my new look!” 

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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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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

Register Now!

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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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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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

Register Now!

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It was going to be a long day. Extensive editing left Liz with a minimal wardrobe; we were starting from scratch. Experience told me that Liz — like many clients — could be overwhelmed by the great number of choices. I reassured her that I did, indeed, have a plan.

More than a shopping spree, this was going to be a hands-on learning experience. Liz would make endless changes as she tried on all the various colours and styles we had discussed. Her budget was limited so my first stop at Freda’s was the sale rack— just in case a hidden treasure lurked there, waiting to be discovered. I reminded Liz that regardless of how tempting the price was; a bargain didn’t qualify for consideration unless it met all the criteria:
• Item on the wardrobe plan
• Right style and colour
• Quality fabric and workmanship

Liz remained calm throughout the entire process and changed from one outfit to another as we discussed the finer points of tailoring, fit, mixing and matching. I stressed the importance of good accessories — sacrifice quality and the art of accessorizing is lost.

When the day was finally over and the shopping bags filled, I was delighted to realize — Liz discovered she loves to shop!

“I usually find business attire uncomfortable (I don’t think I’m alone on this!) and although everything I tried on at Freda’s wasn’t as comfortable as my ‘lululemons’ — most things paired fashion and comfort brilliantly.

I immediately saw the difference in quality between what I typically wore in the past, and the new standards Diane has instilled in me. She had me try on some things that weren’t particularly flattering — not my favourite part of the day, but a necessary evil and terrific learning experience.

Each outfit Diane developed was finished with accessories.  She found an amazing suit and paired it with a large silver necklace for a gorgeous, classic look. Then she gave the suit a dramatic edge that I love, with a tortoise shell belt and a pair of industrial earrings — what a transformation! This exercise showed me how important it is to use accessories to set the tone of my outfit and achieve my desired look. Before I wore belts for practical reasons but now they’re my new favourite accessories!

Although I’m far more confident about shopping, I’ll take along the Personal Style Guide Diane prepared. In the meantime, I can’t wait to show off the new me.”

A final note: I’m always looking for the optimum suppliers for my clients. I need to feel confident that when my consultations are over, they’re in good hands as they continue to build their wardrobes. My standards are high:  I look for knowledgeable staff, impeccable service, tremendous variety, excellent fitting and alteration capabilities. Freda’s is the perfect problem-solver! All the must-have elements are there. This remarkable store carries designs by Freda, manufactured on site, and numerous other designers. Every category is covered from fun casual wear to business attire — even cocktail clothes and evening gowns. There’s a wonderful, varied selection.

One of Freda’s unique features is the large and sophisticated in-house manufacturing facility. Imagine you’ve spotted the perfect suit, but want a special colour — or great dress but want a lighter fabric. No worries! Because all the designing, sewing and finishing are completed upstairs. This makes shopping a dream come true for anyone with “challenging” body proportions. At Freda’s, the possibilities are endless.  www.fredas.com

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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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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

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And this is where Melmira, North Toronto’s wonderful bra boutique comes into play. It was time to take Liz on her first shopping trip: destination Melmira, www.melmira.com. 

I explained our mission was to find the right pieces to enhance her figure and ultimately, form a base for her wardrobe. Undergarments play a key role in improving both the look and fit of clothing. Equally important is the psychology of lingerie — almost like a secret security blanket. A woman’s confidence increases when her underclothing holds everything in place and feels superb next to her skin.

I had made an appointment with Holly, one of Melmira’s owners, for a custom fitting. There is no substitute for expertise and experience when it comes to fitting bras; everyone on staff is a trained professional at fitting undergarments and swimwear. After a warm welcome, Holly ushered Liz into a large, private fitting room. We discussed Liz’s lifestyle, colour palette and wardrobe plan before Holly left to select a range of bras. Our goal was to address Liz’s basic undergarment needs and help her become more discerning about fit. As Holly showed Liz the difference between bras to avoid and flattering choices, it was a true “before and after” experience. The entire process took about an hour and included some tips from Holly on fit, quality and care. Liz made a final selection of two bras that are ideal for her immediate needs — both flattering and supremely comfortable!

Liz has the last word:
“The staff at Melmira is phenomenal. I’ve never experienced such amazing customer service. I don’t have a large bust and was skeptical that I’d see any difference between a new bra and what I owned. I walked out with two!

The bras are so comfortable I feel as though I could go for a run and they aren’t even sports bras. I tried on a jacket in an old bra, and then changed into a new one. The jacket looked so much better — I was pleasantly surprised.”

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.)

———————————————————————————————

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 FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

Register Now!

Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter