This is my 19th post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. And I am really excited to share with you all, “The International Style Scale” which was introduced by Judith Rasband . It shows the art and science of dress with style and integrity. This style scale helps to know that there are differing degrees on a continuum or scale between dressing up and dressing down, between formal and casual dress in work place.
We need to become aware of the factors or variables that account for difference in dress and the statement or message that clothes communicate to you and to others. These factors are the elements of design, lines, shape, colors, texture and patterns.
It is a fact of life. We have expectations about people’s clothing and appearance for specific times and occasions based on what is socially and culturally acceptable for the time and place, or upon experience alone. For example, you would interpret a man dressed in tuxedo seen on the occasion of wedding differently than if your see the man wearing a tuxedo on the occasion of an informal backyard barbeque, and still differently if you saw him in a tuxedo and mask on the occasion of Halloween party.
Value conflicts between people, such as parents and child or employer and employee can occur because the individual disagree on their expectation of appropriate dress. The workplace is known for attention to professional appearance. Not all people want to comply, and yet by dressing to meet the expectations of those you work for and with, you can create a more positive first and lasting impression about yourself and your abilities. You can establish or maintain your credibility and exert a more significant influence.
Now here I am with my 18th post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. Today I will give you tips to get that perfect fit that you are looking for in dressing.
Where there is a will there is an “Attitude”!
Learn to accept yourself as you are, never let your weight get in your way.
Learn to dress the body you are living in now – today.
Learn that you don’t have figure flaws nor figure faults. You have figure variations, variations from that so called ideal that doesn’t really exist.
Learn to sit, stand and walk tall
Learn that it’s not just to look slimmer, but to look well proportioned and balanced.
Learn that it’s a matter of emphasis, how to counter and camouflage.
Learn that it’s not just the clothing style lines and shapes but fabric, and patterns as they interact to influence your goals.
Learn that it is not just the piece of clothing you choose, but how you put them together.
It is not what you wear, it’s how you wear it-it’s all in the wearing!
Here is my 14th post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. This is something which every Image Consultant has to do before he/she recommend anything to his/her client. And that is “Need Analysis of client’s Personal style and Lifestyle”.
Long before you begin planning a cluster, go shopping, or evaluate your wardrobe, you need to identify the factors contributing to your own lifestyle and personal style. We have more clothing options today than ever before. The time is right to choose what works for you, for the way you live and the way you need or want to look and be seen. To guide you in your choices, examine your lifestyle and personal style.
This this my 13th post for #BlogChattetA2Z Challenge and I am half way done. Three cheers for all the challengers and Blogchatter.
Let me tell you an instance that made me realize little makeup is not bad if that can uplift the way you feel, act and others response towards you.
I have always maintained that without a bit of makeup, I am at plain as a “mud fence”. I was in a hurry one Saturday and decides I couldn’t take time to put on my face. I was feeling good about life in general, so I headed out on errands add my very plain, unpainted self. Minutes later, in a local department store, I was confronted by a former student. “Swati ma’am, she loudly exclaimed for the whole store to hear. “It really you! How marvelous. You really are as plain as you said you were! “
I smiled at smug looking shoppers, thought beautiful thoughts, reminding myself that beauty comes from within and bear a hasty retreat.
This is my 12th post for #BlogChattetA2Z challenge. Fashion therapy is another conceptual reference to image management, a master of static dressing with as much attention directed to the effects of clothing on the wearer as on the response of others. Clothing functions to provide you with needed change, variety, interest and zest in daily living, a welcome relief from what might otherwise become the sameness of everyday. A range of clothing from casual to relatively dressy, allows you to use your clothes effectively in this manner.
For example “Shikha experiences a release from her everyday take as a homemaker and mother by dressing up in the evening a couple of times a week. Sometimes it is only to share the evening meal with her family. But wearing a soft skirt, casual dress or nice slacks and top, makes the ordinary occasion suddenly special. Her family senses it to and behaves accordingly. It works. Come the weekend, she plans something to make Saturday night special, and wears something equal to the evening.
People often get so caught up, however, on fashion for the sake of fashion and fads they forget about function. In fashion therapy clothing is used as a resource that literally empowers you with a better ability to think, feel and do the things you want to. Looking better always helps to solve problems related in some way to personal appearance.
For example, “Riya is a graduate student who lives with rheumatoid arthritis a progressively disabling disease. Due to limited arm movement, she requires easy on and off clothing with front openings. She is conscious of the weight of her clothes as heavy clothes make her shoulders ache. Because her elbows will no longer straighten, she prefers to wear long sleeves blouses and dresses, which make the problem unnoticeable to others. She wear very little jewelry, particularly rings, because they draw attention to her hands. She looks for shoes with lower heels to afford her balance and to provide support and comfort.
From all this one of the most important thing which I have learned is when not feeling well is to keep yourself looking well.“if you feel like a cabbage, but look like a rose, I don’t think of myself as a cabbage”.
Parents can effectively manage the appearance of young children with far reaching results.
For example one young mother shared a surprising discovery she made regarding her attitude towards her two youngsters. She discovered when they were left with food on their faces and were sent to play in dirty T-shirt and messy, mismatched pants or diapers, she almost expected them to get into mischief and misbehave. She frequently found fault where there was none, and she was less apt to cuddle and kiss them. She was also less tolerant and more short tempered. However, when she took care and managed to clean and dress them up, she found she had a more positive attitude about their behavior. She was more apt to bestow a hug and a kiss. She was also more tolerant and even tempered. She noticed the same reaction from visitors to the home and from the children’s father at the end of the work day. This is what she has to say -“If the appearance of my children can make that much difference in unconscious response to them”, she chuckled, “it’s well worth a time and attention to keep them looking a little nicer”.
Somewhere in the course of history people got the mistaken idea that the subject of dress and grooming applies only to a women and teenage girls. Not so.
For example, one of my client (My student now working with MNC) who was a young mind came to me disturbed over his difficulty in adjusting to a new job. He claimed he was being treated like an errand boy. As I looked at him and his clothing it was apparent why this could be happening. He was small in stature and had a narrow jaw. His hair was parted in the middle and he wore round, gold rimmed glasses. Basically inappropriately dressed. Considering his professional ambition, some changes were in order. We moved the part in his hair to one side. New glasses were ordered which sits his face shape, new suit was ordered which can give him a more assertive look. He not only looked more mature, confident and capable, he felt that way. Men should not underestimate the influence of their appearance upon their success, both personally and professionally. A little attention to appearance will go a long way toward helping them to achieve their goals. This, too is fashion therapy.
In all cases, learn to manage your clothing as a resource, a tool to help you think, feel and act your personal and professional best, to create a positive First and lasting impression about yourself. While their is no great mystery surrounding clothing and image management, some people seems to have more natural talent or ability. They always seem to look attractive, appropriate and absolutely terrific. Others have to work at it a bit. Thegood news is that clothing management skills can be learned then practiced to become almost automatic. Resolve now to take charge and make your clothes work for you in all situations.
Here is my 10th post for #BlogChattetA2Z challenge. Deciding what to wear each day is a real challenge for many people. And too many people think they need a lot of clothes to dress well. Not so. You don’t need a large quantity of clothing to have a very workable wardrobe. Too many clothes become confusing, time and space consuming and expensive. What you need to do is a simple clustering strategy.
A cluster is simply a small group,in this case a small group of clothes that works well together-harmoniously. A cluster is open ended, allowing you to add on and adapt as you need to.
Clustering allows you buy and replace your clothes a piece, or a few at a time, as fast or slow your budget allows. With cluster you get more outfits from the fewer clothes, because you coordinate the clothing lines, shapes, colors, fabrics and patterns. Clustering saves you shopping time because you know what you are looking for and whether or not it will work into your existing wardrobe. It stretches your clothing dollar because you get more outfits from fewer clothes ready for the occasion in your life.
This is my 6th post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge . As I have already talked aboutBody Shapeand Different Garment Shapes, now it’s the right time to recommend style lines and shapes for different figure or body type. As I have already mentioned earlier every body is unique and few ideal figures existing. Virtually every figure has some figure variations , variations from that so called ideal figure used as a standard for comparison. It does not matter how many people have a particular figure variation. You need to recognize the variation and know how to dress or alter to camouflage or minimize it.
To determine your general figure type or body build, try the time tested “Blink test”. Dress in form- fitting clothing, in possibly a t-shirt and tights. In this attire your attention will be generally drawn to the largest area of your body shape. Then compare that area to other areas of your body and to the body type description I have mentioned in my previous posthere.
Now lets discuss the figure type, their characteristic figure variations and how to cover, camouflage, counter, create the illusion of the ideal figure by selecting appropriate clothing.
Triangular Body Shape : They have narrower shoulders, wider hips, average to smaller bust, narrow back and smaller waist. They have low hip curve, rounded buttocks. Possibly low waist and average to shorter legs.
Fit and Fashion Strategy : They should focus on minimizing lower torso and give more emphasize to upper torso, this will lead the attention upward toward their face. Try filling out shoulder and upper torso with soft fullness and design details. Try wearing smooth, loose fit below the waist.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape : They have Wider shoulders, narrower hips & thighs , average to larger bust, wider back, larger waist , high hip curve, flatter buttocks, slim legs. Possibly high waist, average to longer legs.
Fit and Fashion Strategy : They should focus on minimizing upper torso and give more emphasize on center-front at neckline or anywhere below waist. Lead attention inward at shoulders toward neck. Try filling out area below waist with soft fullness or design detail. Try wearing smooth loose fit above the waist.
Hormones that cause skin changes may also cause changes in your hair during pregnancy. For some women , hair is longer, thicker, softer and shinier and normal hair loss decreases but for some hair becomes oily, dry, dull and brittle. Whether you have problems or a beautiful hair, practice good hair care while you go through the change of pregnancy. A regular routine includes: Brushing, brush in moderation with a good bristle brush preferably natural or nylon. Bristle should be widely spaces which can reduce breaking of hair. Washing, select a clear, mild shampoo with as few additives as possible. Wash your hair with warm water as with cold water hair doesn’t clean well and too hot water removes natural oil and weakens hair. Conditioning, Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your hair dry and dull. Conditioner coat the hair to protect it from excess drying, to reduce tangles and to restore shine and makes it manageable.
This is my third post on the seriesHow to look and Feel Good During Pregnancy. As I mentioned in my first post of this series .that during pregnancy there are innumerable hormonal and chemical changes takes place which causes changes in your skin too. Changes like stretch marks , complexion colour change and spider vein, diminishes or disappear after delivery. However , neglecting these changes may infuriate skin problems during pregnancy. Therefore it becomes even more important to take good care and maintain regular care routine of your skin during pregnancy which includes cleansing, thinning, toning and moisturizing. Lets discuss Skin Care process in detail:
Cleansing : Your skin needs special attention while you are pregnant. Cleanse skin once or twice a day. A complete cleansing removes surface oil, stale oil, perspiration and bacteria that accumulate during the day. A good cleansing agent is gentle, non irritating, easily removed and economical. A pure mild soap is the best cleanser. It is easily rinsed away and inexpensive. Problem result when you use harsh soap, scrub too vigorously, don’y rinse thoroughly or fail to use moisturizing lotion after washing.
Perfume, deodorant, antibacterial agents and medications added to cleanser may cause irritation and allergic reactions. Exotic oils, herbs, fruits and vegetables may also be irritating. These are included for advertising effect and add nothing to the cleansing value of the product.
When cleansing, moisten your face and apply lathered soap or rinsable lotion to your face and neck. Wash with gentle, circular motions. Rinse several time with clear, warm water and pat nearly dry with a soft, clean towel. Come morning, a warm to comfortable hot water wash may be all that’s required to remove away oil accumulated during the night.
This is my second post on the series How to look and Feel Good During Pregnancy. Multiple studies have shown that dressing good adds to confidence. The symbolism behind what you wear has more of an impact on your behaviour and self confidence than clothes themselves. The good news about having a pregnant bump is that you can get away with a lot during pregnancy, such as body-clinging tops (remember for once your body is firm not flabby). Experiment with styles, colours and clothes you’d usually avoid. Dressing the right way during pregnancy will definitely enhance your pregnancy glow.
Allowances for an expanding figure are usually incorporated into ready-to-wear maternity clothing and sew-at-home patterns so you can wear your usual size. Sweat glads and oil glands become more active during pregnancy. They contribute to increased perspiration and may cause chilling or overheating. Select fabrics in weights that maintain comfortable body temperature as they absorb and release body perspiration. On personal note I have seen people buying maternity clothes much before it is actually needed. This makes them feel foolish and disappointed as it might not fit. So my advise to all the newbie momies is – it is wiser to wait for a maternity wardrobe until you really need it.
Imagemakeover 