Where’s Your Style?
by Devon Ellington

The magazines and store consultants and everyone who wants to part you from your money by claiming they know how to make you a style icon IF YOU JUST BUY THEIR STUFF talk out of both sides of their mouths: the importance of individual style, but you have to buy their stuff to get it.

What is individual style? Some celebrities or artists have it, even before they can afford stylists. They can swan around wearing fiber art none of the rest of us could get away with it on our best days.

But daily personal style is something different and something much simpler: it’s picking pieces, colors, styles, fabrics that look good on you AND make you feel great. When you feel great, it radiates from you.

Some of my favorite pieces were picked up for about five bucks at a thrift shop, and some of my biggest mistakes were items I was talked into on a boutique’s sales floor.

One of the things you have to learn when putting together a “style” — which evolves as you grow and change — is that you have to learn to look at yourself in the mirror without the type of self-critique you usually use. Instead of looking at the mirror and saying, “I need to lose 20 pounds” or “I hate my thighs” — start looking at the overall picture, as though the garment was on a mannequin — with you being the mannequin. Really, that’s all models are — walking clothes hangers meant to show off the designers’ work, so all this fuss about models never made any sense to me.

When you look at the mirror, start with color. Does the color suit you? It’s often hard to tell under dressing room lights, but hopefully, you picked the garment in a color because you’re drawn to it, not because someone else wore it. If you’re trying a new color, you can always try a smaller, less expensive piece like a tee shirt or a scarf to see if you can live with the color on your person before getting a larger piece. Does the color flatter your skin tone, bring out your eyes, maximize or minimize bits you want to point up or to hide?

What about the cut of a garment? If it hangs off you like a potato sack, and you’re not out shopping for a potato sack, put it back. Yes, you can pay to have it altered (heaven forbid the gender discrimination be eliminated and women’s alterations come with the garment the way men’s do). My yardstick is this: The more I pay for a garment, the less I’m willing to mess with it. If I can find a brilliant piece in a wonderful color and style that needs a few tweaks at 90% off, maybe. If I’m paying full price, it better be perfect to the last stitch. And yes, I turn it inside out and check the stitching. If it’s poorly stitched, I put it back.

The garment should flatter your shape, enhancing your strengths and skimming over the bits on which you’re still working. It shouldn’t be either too tight or too loose — far too many women I know are obsessed with the size number and will stuff themselves into a smaller size just so they can say they fit into that number. And look as though they’re wearing sausage casing. You also don’t want to look like a walking tent. You want to look neat and comfortable.

How does the fabric wear? Natural fabrics, even those that require special care, will last longer and wear better than many synthetics. They’re coming up with some pretty great new synthetics, but naturals will wear better in the long run.

How many different shoes can you wear with it? Yes, we all love the excuse to buy new shoes, but if helps if you can make the piece work with at least one pair of flats and one pair of heels.

Can you dress it up or down? Can you ONLY wear it during the day or ONLY at night? Does it work with a variety of accessories to tweak the look?

And sometimes, you can only answer a single question with: I love this piece and it makes me feel fabulous And then you get it. Because feeling fabulous is the ultimate style choice.

Remember that the spreads in fashion magazines are fantasies. They’re a type of wearable art. They’re flights of imagination between designer and art director and photographer. It’s up to you to have a depth of self-knowledge and the IMAGINATION to pick and choose bits of fantasy and pull it together to form your own reality.

This is my last column for SOLE STRUCK FASHIONS. It’s been a pleasure to spend the 13th of every month with you. Go out there and be FABULOUS!

–Devon Ellington publishes under a half a dozen names in both fiction and non-fiction. She spent over 20 years working in the wardrobe department of theatre, film, and television. Visit her writing blog, Ink in My Coffee.

Quick, Fun Holiday Gifts:

by Devon Ellington

‘Tis the season for running around frantically to find just the right gift for not only those close to you, but those with whom you are obliged to exchange gifts for business or other reasons.  “Obligation gifts” can be fun.  Some of my favorite gift-giving times consists of Secret Santa exchanges.

And remember — add some sparkly lip gloss, a bright scarf, and a great pair of shoes, and you’ll look fabulous at the holiday party!

Here are some ideas:

Godiva Chocolates.  Godiva always says “luxury”, and they’ve got some lovely small packages at reasonable prices.  Of course, you have to know for sure that the recipient isn’t allergic or diabetic.

Scented Candles or bath salts.  Again, you have to know if the recipient has any allergies, or an aversion to a particular scents.  But even a small votive in a delicious scent brings a smile.  There are literally dozens of suppliers; however, I often go to stores that sell herbs, spices, teas, and bath paraphernalia in bulk,  where they make their own blends and candles — the scents are usually clearer and stronger.

Burt’s Bees lip balm or hand cream. Their products are natural and great for year-round, and work for both men and women.

Ornament. If the person puts up a tree/likes  holiday trees, an ornament is often a lovely gift.  National Wildlife Federation has a collection of wonderful pewter ornaments, and for every one purchased, it plants a tree.  (They also have Plant-a-Tree jewelry and bookmarks).  Pier 1 also has some lovely and unique pieces, as do most museum stores (The Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are two of my favorites).

Bookmarks.  Readers ALWAYS need bookmarks.  Most bookstores and gift stores carry an amusing variety.

Scratch-off Lottery Tickets.  This was always one of the favorite Secret Santa or stocking stuffer gifts.  I usually buy three of the $1 scratch-off tickets and tuck them into a card.  And no, you don’t get a card when your recipient wins! 

Wine or Coffee.  If the person likes either one, you can find high quality, reasonably priced products in each line at a variety of venues. Add a sparkly bag and a glitzy ribbon, and you’re good to go.

iTunes Gift Card.  You can get a variety of price points on this one, and, if the person has an iPod, it’s a great way to let them pick their favorites!

Holidays are about enjoyment.  They’re about telling people, “You matter”.  Even people with whom you have a casual contact on a regular basis are woven more tightly into your life than you realize.

Enjoy, and smell the warm cider and gingerbread!

Fast Fashion Tip for December: Remember what’s important and enjoy the holidays. Rosy cheeks and a big smile will up your fashion quotient tremendously (and won’t cost a cent).

Santa? Oh, Santa? This time of year, I dream big. IF I had a money tree and oodles of time to shop, here is my Christmas Lust List. What’s on yours???

UGGs, how do I love thee….let me count the ways.  When I first saw you, I thought “How UGG-ly” and resisted the call of your sheepskin-lined warmth. 

Then one day, Winter fell upon the world and the coldness descended.  I for one, could not find a way to keep my delicate little feet from feeling the frigid bite…until you came into my life.

Forgive me for I did not realize what I was missing….

Yes, you are hearing from a former UGG hater, now an UGG  convert.  After years of looking for warm footwear to wear during the Winter, I finally broke down and bought a pair of UGG slippers (Coquette). 

(pic taken from uggaustralia.com)

The moment I slipped my foot into them, it was love.  I quickly followed by purchasing a pair of boots, which are equally as heavenly.  The fleece never flattens and after a hard day of work I look forward to coming home and putting on my UGGs.  Fuzzy goodness in my opinion.  Perfect for lounging around at home or running out to the supermarket with.  They are so comfortable that sometimes I don’t want to even take them off (have thought about climbing into bed with them on but that would be wrong!). 

In my experience, UGG footwear tends to be true to size.   I am a size 7 and wear a size 7 in UGGs.  Being a shorty (5′1ish) I tend to prefer the classic  Short boots which come to mid-calf on me.

(pic taken from uggaustralia.com)

So if you are looking for a warm place to put your feet this winter, try a pair of UGGs.  Yeah, they are still UGG-ly but worth the $100+ price (some models are up to $200).  I say look for deals.  Shop around on the internet for sales.  I recently bought a grey pair from The Walking Company (thewalkingcompany.com) and used ebates.com for a 10% cashback.  I was later appalled to find out that Lori’s Shoes (lorisshoes.com) was having a 25% off sale which included UGG.  Zappos carries the brand or you can buy directly via uggaustralia.com.

Happy UGG shopping!

-Kris

by Devon Ellington

The holidays are upon us, which means no time and dozens of commitments. It’s imperative for both your time and your sanity to put aside an afternoon or evening, scroll through your closet, and figure out some outfits for holiday events.

Pull out some mix-and-match pieces and put them to one side. Figure out how to dress these items up and down. Pull some of the dressy shoes. Line up the dressier purses on your bureau, and take a quick inventory of your jewelry. Wash or dry clean anything that needs it. Mend anything that needs it. Keep it all together on one side of your closet, and you’ll cut your dress time and your stress time by about 85%.

Sweaters pack easily and shake out well. If you have to work all day, but have an event at night, wear your regular work blouse during the day with a black or navy blue skirt or pair of trousers. Before you leave work, switch to a cashmere, silk blend, or metallic sweater, add a bit of shimmer to your eye make up and lip gloss, and you’re ready to step into any party.

In general, if you stick to a plain, dark-colored skirt or pair of trousers, you can have a bit more fun with the top — something in brighter colors, embellished, or metallic. If you’re going to wear something patterned, make sure the pattern doesn’t overwhelm you. Every other wardrobe pro insists on having a white shirt in the wardrobe — simple cotton for the warmer half of the year, something silky and slinky for the second. I think that’s a good idea, but I don’t personally wear white, so I have very little white in my wardrobe.

The little black dress is a go-to for any time of year. I am at a point where I’m looking for a replacement for my little black dress — I’ve worn it out! Usually, though, I have my little black dress and my little blue dress — a dark blue sheath that can dress up or down depending on the occasion. Black can wash you out if you’re not careful — if you wear black, you may have to boost the cheek color and lip color a bit. And, of course, the correct undergarments are important so that the lines of the dress flatter YOUR lines. (You can go back to my article a few months ago, “Let’s Talk Lingerie” for more on undergarments).

Something to think about as you choose your holiday wear is flammability. It’s harder to find sparkly holiday wear in natural fabrics. And many people use candles more during the holidays. Make sure you know the fiber content of anything you wear and how it reacts to flame. A tunic with wide, draping sleeves may look gorgeous, but if you’re going to reach across a buffet table with candles, you’re setting yourself up for a serious accident. If you’re going to wear something with flow and drape, whether it’s a sleeve or a scarf or a very full skirt, be aware of flame and keep your distance. Some of these fabrics go up like accelerant.

Sparkly jewelry adds a holiday lift. Plenty of manufacturers put out holiday-themed jewelry that’s also pretty. A silver or gold pin with a little sparkle can dress up a usually demure sweater or top. Just make sure that the pin isn’t too heavy for the garment. You don’t want to tear it or leave a large hole from the sharp point of the pin. I try to keep fabric scraps in different weights handy and test the pin before I put it on the garment. If you don’t do that, you can test it on material from one of the inside seam allowances — just remember that, unless the seam is pressed flat, the garment is half the weight.

Brighten up your make-up for the holidays. Add a more shimmery shadow, or, at the very least, a shimmery highlight. Lorac makes a fabulous “Gold” eyeshadow that I only wear during the holiday season, usually paired with their “Garnet” shadow. Many companies bring out a shimmery gloss in either a transparent, a neutral, or a very pale pink. You can layer that over your regular matte lipstick to add a bit of punch. Or you can pick up a shimmer gloss and keep it in your purse to just use it for parties. A “lipstick wardrobe” is an inexpensive way to change your look. Benefit has a great shimmer gloss in a shade called “Charge It!” And Kiehl’s “Tawny” can be worn alone or layered over other shades. All of these colors have worked with whatever my hair color of the moment is!

Speaking of hair color, this is a great time to touch up your color, add highlights, or even change it. Are you happy with the way your hair looks? Maybe it’s time for a cut and color. I’ve been doing my own color for about thirty years now — the only time I went to a pricy salon, they screwed it up. If you need to do both, get your cut first and wait about two or three days before the color, so the cut can settle. And then the color coverage is more thorough.

What about shoes? The temptation is to go for the highest heels possible. If you can change on the way and know you’re only going to be there for a little while, and can soak your feet when you get home, go for it. Otherwise, a pair of metallic flats are your best friend. Get a cushioned pair with a bit of arch support. That will serve you better, especially at a company party, than stilettos. If you’re going with boots, a block heel will serve you better than a stiletto heel, especially if you’re going to tramp through snow.

And, if you do have to go through bad weather, but you plan to wear cute shoes –especially a silk or a satin — wear an all-weather shoe or boot to get there and change ONCE YOU’RE INSIDE. There’s no reason to ruin a perfectly good pair of shoes in order to make an entrance that no one will really see anyway. Enter the foyer, step aside, switch shoes. Not a big deal.

You can dress up any coat by adding a pin. Since it’s a coat, you can get away with something larger and more elaborate than you can on a top. You don’t have to coordinate your hat, scarf, and gloves — each can be unique with individual meaning, as long as they go well together — in other words, try not to wear too many competing patterns at once.

Go forth and enjoy the holidays!

–Devon Ellington publishes under a half a dozen names in both fiction and non-fiction. She worked the wardrobe department on Broadway shows, and on film and television sets for over twenty years. Visit Ink in My Coffee to keep up with her.