STYLEnosh

HOW DO YOU LOOK WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE?

Last week, Oprah did a show on dating over 35. (Apparently no matter what city you live in, women over 35 swear there are no men available to date and mate.) An interesting point in the show occurred when the male dating expert suggested that when women leave the house, they should be “done” every time. That’s right, he said every, single time. (His logic is that men are visual creatures and right or wrong, men care about looks.) Most women would consider this guy crazy and a little bit unrealistic. Personally, I think he has a valid point.

Let me clarify something. I don’t think you need to look like you’re getting ready to hit the red carpet. But throwing on a pair of baggy sweatpants and a hoodie can’t possibly send the message, “Hey, I’m cute, smart, and fun. Ask me out.” How much trouble is it to put on a nice-fitting pair of jeans and a decent shirt?

The way I see it, whenever you leave the house you represent yourself. And you’re showing the world what you think about yourself when you schlep in and out of Target. Or worse, work!

So, how do you look when you leave the house? Would you be fine if you met your next potential business partner or great love? Maybe you really don’t care. But remember this, it takes just as much time to put on something ugly as it does to put on something cute.

SOMETIMES, YOU NEED TO SAVE MONEY

Ah, spending money you don’t have. Sound familiar? Maybe this issue doesn’t apply to you, but I can definitely relate. You don’t usually set out to spend money but somehow your current state of being causes you to spend needlessly. You’re bored, sad, or happy. You can insert any number of emotions to describe your state of being. Whatever you call it, it motivates you to you spend money that you know you shouldn’t.

So how do you avoid this common dilemma? Check out Frugalglam’s Money Saving Tips posts for some great ideas on how to keep a little money in your pocket. All of the suggestions are useful but I particularly like #5 because I never thought of it before. This tip states that you don’t buy something on sale that you wouldn’t buy at full price. Genius! This idea should prevent most of you from buying that faded, stonewashed pair of jeans because they’re $15 on the clearance rack.

STYLE TIPS: WORK & PLAY

In a previous post, I talked about taking an item of clothing and turning it into something you actually wear and not a space holder in your closet. So here's an example of taking an article of clothing and creating a complete look (or two) from it.

The Work look pairs a white tank under the lace top with a pleated black skirt. Add black pumps and pink bag, and you're ready for work.

The Play look places a navy tank under the lace with a pair of basic, white pants. Navy sandals and a green bag make you chic and perfect for brunch.

SHOPPING TIPS: THINK OUTFITS, NOT ITEMS

I was watching TLC’s What Not to Wear, as I often do partly for inspiration but mainly for sheer amazement. I never tire of watching what people wear in public and then balk at the idea of a fashion expert telling them that they look crazy. And just about every time I watch the show, I discover a nugget of fashion knowledge. In this particular episode, Stacy and Clinton were assisting a young lady named Delia from New York. And in an effort to help their latest cohort transition her fashion thinking, Clinton suggested this notion, “Think outfits, not items.” Exactly!

That little phrase is really the key to building a wearable wardrobe. You know, clothes you actually wear and not items that just decorate your closet. Here’s what happens to a lot of people when they go shopping. They don’t know what they want or need to enhance their current wardrobe so they typically just buy what’s on sale. Then they get home, place the newly purchased item in their closet, where it will remain until someone like me tells them to get rid of it because it’s been unused for the last two years.

But you can update your clothes in a more efficient manner. One tip I often recommend is to ask yourself how can you wear the item you’re thinking of buying in three different ways, not including jeans. (I eliminate jeans because they just about go with everything and that’s kind of like cheating don’t ya think?) At the very least, you should consider how the item you’re thinking of purchasing will fit with one thing you already own. If you can’t think of ways to wear the item now, with the clothes currently hanging in your closet, buying it will not help you build your wardrobe. Which is the point, right?

YOUR FEEDBACK IS REQUESTED

Thanks to all of you for submitting comments to STYLEnosh. The foundation of any great blog is the dialogue between the readers and the writer. So this blog doesn't work without your input.

So now I'm imploring all of you to help me out once again. I'm working on making my blog better and any feedback you can provide will be greatly appreciated! I've heard from several sources that you'd like to see more pictures and I'm going to make that happen.

Please let me know if there's anything else you'd like for me to discuss regarding fashion and updating your personal style. Remember, all suggestions are welcome! Please send your feedback to stylenosh@gmail.com or simply comment on this post.

Thanks in advance!!!
STYLEnosh

NOSH ON THIS...CRAZY FASHION FACTS

Just when you thought you did some crazy things in the name of looking good, consider the following tidbits from a Britain.tv.com article.

Strange, Fashion Facts:

• In the 18th century, it was considered the height of fashion to wear false eyebrows made out of mouse skin.

• At the end of the 15th century, men’s shoes had a square toe. The fashion was promoted by Charles VIII of France to hide the fact that one of his feet had six toes.

• Most lipsticks contains fish scales.

• Men didn’t wear underwear until the 16th century.

• In their quest for an hour-glass figure, some Victorian women wore corsets so tight that they suffered broken ribs.

Click this link to read all the strange, fashion facts.

STYLE TIPS: WHAT EXACTLY IS BUSINESS CASUAL?

For years, companies have been relaxing the office dress code to what’s commonly referred to as “business casual”. But somewhere between wearing suits everyday and moving towards less formal work attire, people have landed closer to just plain casual. So what the heck is business casual anyway?

Defining business casual in concrete terms is practically impossible since this popular term can mean something different with each new workplace. Some companies include jeans in their definition of business casual but this policy never includes heavily worn or ripped jeans. Wikipedia gives a good basis for the meaning of business casual. I define business casual as dressing for a work in attire that’s neat and well put together without formal parameters like a suit or a tie.

If you find this informal style of dress to be difficult or cumbersome to figure out, consider the following ideas to help you out:

Know your company’s dress code policy – Since the meaning of business casual various so greatly from one organization to the next, it is critical that you understand the do’s and don’ts of your workplace dress code. Confirm that it’s okay to wear jeans on Friday, go sans hosiery, or wear open—toe shoes.

Take inventory of your closet – Now that you know what’s acceptable for work, does your current wardrobe measure up? If you always wear the same pair of stained khaki pants, it may be time to invest in a new pair. It’s important to check your closet before you buy so that you can minimize redundant and often unnecessary purchases. Own an extensive selection of button down shirts that are in good condition? Then you probably don’t need another one.

Step it up a notch – No one is going to look at your tousled, just rolled out of bed look and think, “Now that person has potential.” Look at fashion magazines, read blogs on style, or emulate someone’s fashion sense that you admire. In other words, put some effort into dressing well.

For suggestions and pictures of business casual, check out Northern Michigan University’s JobSearch Center and the University of Washington’s Dress to Impress examples.

Remember, the work you do is always important. But it may be hard for others to see your work if it’s overshadowed by your tacky attire.

SHOPPING TIPS: ARE YOU BEING TRICKED INTO BUYING?

One of my friends e-mailed this article to me about the ways stores trick you into buying more than plan to. Ha! I laugh at the thought because I know these tactics have worked on me. I often comment that if I can get out of Target without spending at least $50, I’m doing really well. Ha! Ha! I double laugh at that thought because I didn’t do so well the other day.

I went to Target to get a few things. And like the article suggests, I had a list of the items I planned to purchase. By the time I finished, I had spent $89! The bill was so high, I went home and re-calculated my bill (yes, I actually took my calculator and added each item to see if the total came anywhere near $89) because there was no way I spent that much money with no major items to show for it. I’m sad to report that the Target receipt was correct. (I guess you can trust computers.) Which really bites since I didn’t buy those super cute, Isaac Mizrahi blue peep toe flats that were definitely calling my name. Oh well, there's always next week.

CHECK OUT THESE FASHION BLOGS

In a previous post I talked about the benefits of fashion blogs. I’m always looking for new sites that target fashion and style and I thought I’d make you aware of my latest discoveries.

WOMEN
Frugal Glam – I recently added this blog to my blogroll. (See bottom right corner.) This blog is all about uncovering fashion and beauty products that are actually affordable.

Cheap Chica – This blogger has graciously created a site that gives us printable coupons and discount codes for online shopping. Who couldn’t use 20% off? Thank you very much!

High Fashion Girl - I found a wonderful post on this site about fashion related charities. Check it out and do some good while looking good!

MEN
Men’s Flair – Since I’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response from all of my male readers, I’m constantly looking for sites that they might find beneficial. Men’s Flair is an on-line magazine that gives information on men’s clothing trends, accessories, grooming products, and a great Q&A section.

Wordpress – Wordpress is blogging tool that’s used to create blogs. If you visit the site and do a search on men’s fashion, you’ll get all the recent posts related to that topic on Wordpress blogs. I personally found this post on the 10 Rules of Style for men to be quite helpful.

Don’t forget to check out the blogs I have listed along the right side of the STYLEnosh site. These are my favorite fashion, beauty, and style blogs and I think you’ll find them useful in updating your look too.

THE BENEFITS OF FASHION BLOGS VS. TRADITIONAL MAGAZINES

I was surfing the internet looking for interesting fodder about fashion (in between researching plastic surgeons for one of my friends – you know who you are :) and I stumbled across this article from the Sydney Morning Herald. The article was discussing the impact fashion blogs were having on the fashion scene. And while one popular blogger, known for her absolutely hilarious blog, Go Fug Yourself, (which is listed below on my blog roll), commented that she didn’t think the fashion blogs were destined to replace traditional fashion magazines. And then a fashion writer added, “I wouldn’t use them (blogs) as my primary source of information.” And you may agree. But I offer a different perspective. Many people are looking to blogs as their primary source of unbiased information because they know that the majority of bloggers aren’t connected to big conglomerates that are pushing agendas.

Those who know me personally know that I am borderline obsessed with magazines. Fashion mags in particular. So I definitely would not propose that the traditional fashion glossies are irrelevant. But blogs and other non-traditional forms of obtaining information, like podcasts and vlogs, often produce benefits that aren’t readily available from magazines.

Fashion Blogs:
• Offer information, opinions, and trends with an almost daily frequency (Magazines only come once a month and you’re often left feeling like a stalker while your waiting for the next issue to hit your mailbox.)
• Make topics like fashion seem more readily accessible to the average person and not just fashion insiders
• Inspire people like us to improve our wardrobes, personal style, and overall self-esteem. (Do fashion magazines make you feel better about yourself when you’re glancing at size 2 women in ridiculously expensive clothing? I seriously doubt it.)
• Create a forum for discussion and dialogue between the writer and the readers (The only time there’s dialogue between you and your favorite mag is when you email them and hope that your note makes the editor’s cut for the reader opinion section. And something tells me that they probably don’t write you back. However, this notion is changing since many magazines now have their own blogs.)
• Are free! (Hello, in today’s world anything of value that’s free is a huge bonus. And while they’re not a costly indulgence, magazines still average $3 to $5 a pop.)

So while some may argue that fashion blogs aren't their primary source of information, my guess is that these types of blogs are their main source of stylish motivation.

MONDAY MORNING MATTERS

For most people, Sunday night brings sorrow, frustration, and trepidation. Are they sad because they missed the Sunday night movie? Not likely. The usual reason for Sunday night sorrow is dreading work on Monday morning.

You’ve just spent two days doing everything but think about work. And now, the new workweek looms ahead like a dental appointment. You don’t want to go but you know you have to. And to make the situation worse, you have no idea what to wear! When I had to wake up and head to the cubicle, I used a trick I learned in high school to help make getting dressed for the week a lot easier.

Back in the day my friends, Netta and Monica, had to pick out their outfits every Sunday for the upcoming week. Their mom required them to pick their week’s wardrobe and iron everything in advance. Then when the Monday morning alarm rang, they would be prepared and they wouldn’t lose precious time trying to find something wear. I thought the idea was genius! My friends thought it was torture.

You don’t have to choose an entire week of work wear on Sunday. But it couldn’t hurt to think about your clothing choices in advance. And it might just lesson a little bit of that Sunday night sorrow.

TOP 5 QUICK WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LOOK

You don’t have time to dump your closet out on the bed and reorganize it. And you have even less money to spend. So how exactly do you update your personal look when you’re short on time and money?

Here are 5 quick ways to make a change:

Add color – Headbands are big this season so try one in a color other than black and brown. If you have the extra money to spare, buy a new handbag in a fun color. (Note: Your handbag doesn’t have to “match” your outfit; it just needs to complement it.)

Shop your closet – There’s good stuff in your closet that you haven’t worn in a while. Wear those shoes you love but you’ve been neglecting over the past year or so. Or carry an old handbag instead of purchasing a new one.

Try a new lipstick – Ladies, choosing a new lipstick or lipgloss is the easiest, cheapest way to get a new look that makes you feel fresh and pretty.

Accessorize – Tie a silk scarf around your handbag handle. Or wear a belt on top of your shirt at your natural waist. And don’t forget the perfect accessory for men and women: sunglasses.

Shoes! – Ah, my little pretties. Of course, these work for both sexes too. Nothing perks up your look like a new pair of shoes. Ladies should think silver, wedges, and flats. Guys should look at sleek loafers in black or brown.