Outta Sight Summer Sunnies

Already two long-weekends in and another shortly on the way (for Ontario folks anyway!), it's in the dog days of summer that most of us lose at least one pair of sunglasses. Unlike replacing summer clothes mid-season when you might wonder if it's worthwhile, sunglasses are an investment that will far outlast the sunny season both in style and in vision health.

For readers who know me, you'll know that I wear my sunnies nearly every day, all year long. I consider them amongst my primary accessories. My Optometrist, Dr. Shirley Blanc, gave me more perspective on why sun-specs are key throughout the year. Her tips:

1. Price, colour, or lens darkness aren't guaranteed indicators of how much UV protection a pair of sunglasses will provide.
2. Generally, the tint should be dark enough to reduce glare and improve visual comfort, grey or brown tints are generally recommended to prevent colour distortion,
3. While plastic lenses are lighter than glass, make sure there's scratch-resistant coating on plastic lenses as even small nicks can decrease UV protection.

But are all sunglasses appropriate for all occasions? Turns out, the type of protection from different lenses might be best for different activities. The Canadian Standards association complies with guidelines known as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards for sunglass protection.

1. Cosmetic sunglasses: Block at least 70% UVB and up to 60% UVA. They provide only mild UV protection and aren't usually recommended for daylight driving. They're perfect for an after-work patio though.
2. General-purpose sunglasses: Block 95%-99% UVB and 60%-92% UVA. Good for driving, and are recommended whenever sunlight is harsh enough to make you squint. Going out for lunch with the gang? Planned an afternoon in the sun? This is the sort of protection you'll need.
3. Special-purpose sunglasses: Block at least 99% UVB and up to 98.5% UVA. Suitable for extended periods of sun exposure - not recommended for driving. Since these lenses also block up to 97% of visible light, they are very dark. They'd be great for outdoor sports, a day at the beach or on the water.

AH HA! So THAT'S why you should have different pairs for different occasions. To help you decide, here are my favourite top trends this season.

Gucci Web Frames. Oversized rounded square frames are perennially chic and ideal for 9 -5.

Dolce & Gabbana two-tone frames. Cat's Eye are the next big retro trend. Watch and see!

Karen Walker Eyewear Helter Skelter frames. An ideal combination of sporty and urbane. A little 'Wayfarer' and a little 'John Lennon', very unisex.

Super People frames. The classic Wayfarer with a twist. Sporty and sophisticated, for men and women.

Carrera City Folding frames. This Aviator Visor folds up! Perfect for busy days and travel.

All photos courtesy of Polyvore.

Hats ON to Headgear!

What's the single easiest way to:

1. Beat summer heat
2. Avoid burnt noses, cheeks and scalps
3. Prevent crow's feet and
4. Amp up style?

With a hat! They are a key trend this summer for both men and women, but it can be tough to find one that suits. Knowing the trends is one way, but using your face shape as a guide can also help you narrow down what will work for you in any season.

Trademark Tips:

Round: Choose a hat with sharper lines, and medium - high crown height with a slight taper. Medium brims that are turned up or that can be angled are great, especially if the hat is positioned forward or asymmetrically to lengthen your face.

Try This: Fedoras, Panamas, Stetsons, or Sunhats (for my ladies).

Square: This shape needs curvier lines to offset its angular strength. Look for a medium - high crown height that appear full and round. A turned up brim helps soften features, especially if worn with a side tilt or high on your head to break up 'squariness.'

Try This: Homburgs (like a Fedora with permanently turned up sides), Fedoras, Berets or Newsboys worn high and slanted and big floppy Sunhats (for my ladies).

Long: Sharp, straight styles with a lower crown and a medium - wide brim are best. Wear it straight or forward with the brim kept straight to balance out the length of your face beautifully.

Try This: Western/Stetson styles, Fedoras, Baseball & Newsboy caps

Heart/Diamond: Look for a medium height crown in a square or round shape, and give it a tilt to one side. Small brims and curved brims will soften the point of your chin.

Try This: Fedoras, Cloches and Profile brim hats (for my ladies)

Oval: Considered the 'ideal' face shape, an oval face can wear almost any style of hat well! (Lucky!)

The Fedora fits so nicely into just about every category.It's not only a versatile pick but it also happens to be The Hat of the season for both guys and girls.

Want to try a hat but not sure it's for you? I love the reasonable prices and variety of styles at Big It Up. For a custom look, there's no better gem than Lilliput Hats. See what kind of personality a hat can add to your accessories wardrobe!

Shades of Red

Did you read my blog on why wearing red on dates is a great tip? Great to know, but red can feel a bit tricky. A little can go a long way with this dynamic colour, while a lot can either excite or intimidate. Striking the right balance means knowing how to wear it and knowing what red is right for you.

How to Wear Red

Red can evoke excitement, power, attraction, mystery, and desirability. Here's a few tips on how to evoke the right emotion in the right context:

First Date?

My Ladies: Try a red top or red accessories to bring attention up to your face. While a matte red lip can be sexy and attention-grabbing, it can also be intimidating and untouchable. Save this for another time. For a first date go with a naturally-glossy, transparent red lip instead.

My Guys: A solid red button-down is too much of a good thing. Choose a button-down with a red stripe or pattern for the best effect. A patterned shirt with a deep red cashmere sweater over it? This could be a great choice. The key is to break up the block of color for interest. It's all in the details!

Big Presentation?

My Ladies: Red accents, like a silk scarf, brooch, work bag, belt and/or shoe are all great choices to bring subtle power to your presentation. More red works too: a solid or patterned sheath dress are great choices especially when paired with grounding neutrals like black, grey or tan. A more intense red lip can work too, bringing attention to the delivery of your message!

My Guys: Strong red accents are great for you too. A solid or patterned red silk tie is always a winner, especially combined with a coordinating patterned dress shirt. Oxblood leather accessories (belt and shoes) are another subtle detail that create a sophisticated work look, and they're a fun change with black, grey and navy dress pants.

Formal Event?

My Ladies: Remember Julia Roberts in that quintessential scene in Pretty Woman? How about Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face? Now is the best time for head-to-toe red!

My Guys: Now is the time for subtlety. A red patterned pocket square and/or tie are the most appropriate uses for this bold colour.

Which red is right?

From true red, to vermillion, carnelian, carmine, sangria, burgundy and persimmon, there are lots of varieties of this challenging colour to tempt your palette and one will be great for you!

Experiment with different shades to see which reds make your skin pop, your teeth appear whiter, and your cheeks glow from within. Does the colour make YOU stand out? Or do you see the colour first? We definitely want to see more of YOU!

Just like all colours, there is a shade for you and a way to wear it that will make you look and feel your very best. Not sure what shade of red is best for you? A Colour Analysis will determine your best palette.

Gonna Dress You Up in My Love...

Love is in the air...everywhere you look around....

In fact, while I was shopping at Holt Renfrew on the weekend I was gifted with a red foil wrapped heart shaped chocolate by a cupid-patterned boxer short and red feather wing wearing model and his red bodysuited & tutued assistant. It may not have been love, but it was lovely none-the-less.

It got my brain whirring....After all, as Holt's red clad staff subtly pointed out: Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Whether you're in a relationship or committing yourself to new dates and new love, what you wear on a date can increase your success in holding, or increasing, the interest of the apple of your eye.

Chris DeBurg was on to something with his song 'Lady in Red'. If you're asking yourself "Tamara, are you serious?" Oh yes, I am! And so are Andrew Elliot and Daniela Niesta, of the University of Rochester. Their studies show that in the context of dating women who wear red:

1. Effortlessly draw their male companion to sit closer to them and ask them more intimate questions
2. Are seen as more attractive and and desirable
3. Are Treated to a higher quality/more expensive date

The best part is that the 'red factor,' in the context of dating, works both ways! Other findings by Elliot and Niesta conclude that women find men who wear red to be:

1. More powerful
2. More high-status

Really! Take a look at this clip of Prof. Elliot talking about their study findings.

As I always say: the more strings on your bow, the better! With this positive start, you can feel confident in letting your personality shine even brighter when you're out on that date.

So if you're looking for love, instead of giving a cynical snort, respond with a resounding "YES!" the next time someone asks you if you'll be donning red for Valentine's Day!

I'm glad we got that covered because with the right colour, we're part of the way there. Want to know how to wear red or what to wear on a date? Contact me! I'd love to help you get confidence boosting looks ready for your next date!

Moustaches for a Cause - It's Movember!

In October, many of us are focused on raising funds and awareness about Breast Cancer and Children's Charities, but in November there is another opportunity to come together and this time it's all about the men.

Since 2003, November has also been celebrated as Movember! A month during which men change their physical features by growing a moustache and accepting donations for men's health, specifically prostate cancer research. What a fun way not only to raise funds for an important cause, but to also have an opportunity to experiment with your personal image!

What can facial hair do for you? I couldn't agree more with eHow on this one:

1. A moustache can reduce the look of a receding hairline by directing attention toward the lower half of your face

2. A beard or goatee can add strength to a weaker jawline

3. A short beard or nicely trimmed moustache can add definition and shape to a round face

4. Narrower moustaches plus a small patch of hair under the lower lip (aka a soul patch) balances thin lips, high foreheads and/or large noses

5. A narrow, closely trimmed moustache that follows the natural curves of your lips can emphasize a well shaped mouth.

5. A goatee can provide a softening counterpoint to sharp facial features like a sharp nose or small mouth

6. A closely clipped beard or 5 o'clock shadow can make more mature facial shapes look refreshed and current! They add softness and can give the illusion of taughtness to the skin!

Wearing facial hair with style:

1. Make sure that wearing facial hair is ok at work. If it takes you a long time to grow your facial hair, you may with to start with a full beard and shave down to the moustache when you've reached your desired length.

2. Understand that just as in clothing, each face shape can support different shapes of facial hair

3. Research different facial hair designs and plan to groom in that direction for the month

4. Keep your facial hair neat and tidy with the right tools (like your razor of choice, a moustache comb and trimmer)

For more information on how to participate in Movember, visit Movember Canada.

With so many famous attractive moustachioed men out there like Jamie Foxx, Jude Law, and the timeless Tom Selleck, I would certainly suggest having fun with this one.

For Men: The Waxed Jacket

OK Guys,

So many of you have written and called me about that FANTASTIC jacket I spotted on the street in my demo reel.

That jacket is a waxed cotton field jacket, and the style is reminiscent of the typical outerwear of the British countryside. According to the Barbour website, the main function of the treated fabric was to keep sailors, riverworkers, navymen, and the dock and shipyard workers who were wearing them dry in the damp weather.

While this highly functional fabric has been brought back in a more tailored, urban capacity, you can find a number of similar renditions in variations on the theme. Part utility, part woodsy, part urban-guy-about-town, here are some of my faves:

This is the one from the video! By Rag & Bone, get it at Uncle Otis

The Woodland from JCrew...and they ship to Canada

Not waxed but a nice slim utility style jacket from The Gap

Happy Hunting!