Style Therapy at Petite Fashionista Presents

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of hosting a Style Therapy session at the premier Petite Fashionista Presents event held at Proof Bar/Sky Lounge at The Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto.

The topic at hand was one very dear to me, being 5'4" (with heels) myself: Petite Tips and Tricks, or what I call 'Presto Changeos' that can make the 'ok' items in your closet ones that are infused with personal style and fitting to a petite frame. Many of you have requested a list of the tips I shared during the show, and now, here they are:

1. Blouses/button down shirts should skim your frame, rather than hang loosely from it to maintain a longer, leaner body line. To make use of 'too loose' tops, try keeping the top untucked and cinching a belt over it at your natural waistline to bring the fabric closer to your body and creating a hint of an hourglass shape
2. Petite especially benefit from bringing attention to the face and neck, helping others to see our height. To benefit from this keep necklines open, showing some collarbone and directing the attention upward, using a boat, scoop or v-neck or leaving and extra button open on your blouse (not too low please!) depending on your face and body shape. To dress up the neckline add in a statement necklace that fills some of the space but still allows skin to peek through.
3. Ensure that city or Bermuda shorts fall 1"-1.5" above the knee to benefit from the longest leg line possible. Pairing these with wedges or sandals with a small heel will maximize the effect, while flats; on the other hand, will shorten the leg. The Theory Palmer S Bermuda short to the right is from revolveclothing.com
4. Look for heel heights that are proportionate to your height and body shape. As petites we tend to look for the most height we can get! While we may feel taller, we actually look even smaller, teetering on top of overly high heels, which defeats the purpose, doesn't it? An ideal heel height for work is between 2"-3" - the Nuncio from Nine West is my favourite basic (see left) while an evening shoe could be as high as 3" before looking out of proportion. For wedges and platforms, keep to 1.5" of platform height, 3.5" or so for heel height and be mindful of avoiding super chunky platforms which look heavy and thick against small frames. Pumps with covered platforms are especially flattering, and very of the moment. Aren't these Giuseppe Zanotti's from revolveclothing.com beautiful?

A note on summer fragrances

As the temperature climbs and the flowers bloom, we are compelled towards the bright, fresh scents that mark the entrance of spring and summer!

As the scents of the seasons change, now is a great time to consider a change in the scents we choose for ourselves. I often receive questions about what makes a fragrance suitable for particular events or seasons. Here are a few guidelines for choosing your fragrance for warmer months:

1. Choose a lighter formulation than you would in winter. Warmer weather and warmer body temperatures intensify fragrance. The strength of fragrances are classified by the concentration of perfume oil present in the formulation, compared to the concentration of water and alcohol that are also present. From lightest to heaviest, fragrances are labeled:

Eau de Cologne (EDC): this has 3-5% perfume oils and is the lightest and most inexpensive perfume.

Eau de Toilette (EDT): contains 4-15% perfume oils increasing its price.

Eau de Parfum (EDP): this has 15-22% perfume oils increasing its price.

Parfum: contains 22-50% perfume oils and is the highest concentration. This makes it last a lot longer and it is
the most expensive.

Eau de Cologne and Eau de Toilette are the most appropriate concentrations for the warmer months, helping the fragrance to seem lighter, and fresher. Also, some classic fragrances now come in lighter or summery versions allowing you to enjoy the same fragrance you wear in winter, during the summer. Look for the same fragrance name but with the addition of 'Eau de', 'Eau Fraiche' or 'd'Ete' all of which will suggest a summer version of your favourite scent.

2. Choose simpler fresh or floral fragrances that reflect the fragrances that naturally occur in nature (think spring blooms, the freshness of spring rains or the bright citrus scents of summer). Fragrances are also classified by type or scent category. The basic categories of fragrance include floral, oriental, woody and fresh.

3. Use a light touch: While you might already feel that you can't smell your fragrance because you've chosen a lighter concentration than usual but remember, we often become so accustomed to fragrances and odors that we are surrounded by on a regular basis that we can no longer detect them. Use only 1-2 spritzes of fragrance on your skin so that; as one article delicately states, 'others should perceive the perfume as a continuation of your personality not as an olfactory aggression.'

With these simple guidelines in tow, I wish you happy smelling!

I always love hearing from you, so please keep those emails coming! I can't wait to hear which fragrances become your favourite fragrances for spring/sumer 2008!

Sweet Fashion Event for Toronto's Petites

Here's a fresh new way for my petite ladies get the inspiration they've been looking for to turn over a fresh new leaf!

As many of you know, I am an advocate of finding Style Inspirations to help you envision new ways of building your image. One of the resources I have recently found to provide an extra bit of fun for my petites clients is www.petitefashionista.com. Petite Fashionista is a Toronto-based website that provides fun, flirty, celebrity inspiration for we petite lasses who like to stay on the edge of the trends.

On June 22, Petite Fashionista presents the First Ever Fashion Event for Petite Fashionistas featuring designers who have the petite figure in mind! I am proud to be both behind the scenes as the 'caller' of the show, as well as a sponsor of this premiere fashion event.

Not only will this be a great show featuring styles and combinations with the small figure in mind, but there will also be opportunities to shop from a host of the featured designers - hand picked by petite specialists.

Visit www.petitefashionistapresents.com for details and to order tickets.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Fall 2007 Women's Trends

Can you believe that it's time to think about fall fashion already? Just as we get into the swing of summer the stores are about to provide us with great fall trends to swoon over.

SO! For those who have had to listen to my ranting about what's coming up next - and for those who are ready to hear it for the first time....a preview of fall's most exciting trends:

WOMEN:
The Jacket: in many permutations this season their is newness to make jackets ever more the item to spruce up your wardrobe with. Utility, Leather, Ladylike, Cropped or Swing, there's a version for every personal style and every occasion.

Dresses: The fluid dress of summer evolves into a more structured, sophisticated version of itself for fall. The Tailored Shift, Short-Sleeve Crew Neck, Shirred Bubble Minis, Swing Strapless they're all coming and they're fabulous!

High Waisted Pants: For everyone who has had to listen to me for the past six months as I lamented the lack of choice in high waisted jeans, you won't have to hear it anymore! THEY'RE HERE! The high rise is novel, and it will be fun to try as an alternative to those super lows.

Wide Leg Pants: From flared bottoms to full palazzo styles, with high, regular or low rise, we will move away from the skinny leg to something more full for fall.

Returning Trends: As we have been seeing for the past few fall seasons tartan, embellishment, leather, sweater dressing and menswear inspired looks and fabrics are all back for fall!!

While it's still a good 30 degrees in the shade, it's still nice to dream about all the fun we'll have in fall....

Guys - your trends are coming too, sit tight! ;)

See you in the stores!

Talking Closets & Style with Breakfast Television

Good Morning All!

I have just arrived back from a fabulous morning at Breakfast Television where Dina Pugliese and I delved into the closet to pull out those 'saboteurs' that really prevent us from getting up and getting dressed with ease and how to fix them.

So how do you fix the closet that's not working for you? The mantras I want you to keep in mind are: Let Go, Know Thyself, and Never Settle.

LET GO! Fixing a closet that's not working usually requires quite a bit of maintenance. We tend hold on to clothes for emotional reasons, not practical ones. Let go of the following and free yourself and your wardrobe to enjoy better days together:

1. Worn Out or Just Plain 'Out': These guys stick around too long under the guise of 'Tried andTrue'. Clothing should be cared for and used so long as they look crisp, fresh and as new. When fabrics begin to yellow or fade, hems fray to pieces and shoes scuff or break beyond your cobbler's magic, they should be let go. Items that are out of style well, some of these things won't and shouldn't come back. Let these go too (please).
   
2. It's BAAAAACK!: Even if a trend comes back into fashion there will be changes to it that will render the original rather relic-looking. Even classic pieces like the perennial black pant need updating every couple of years.
   
3. It Fit...Once/It WILL Fit: Clinging to the idea of 'size' is an exercise in pain. Keep only items that fit now, regardless of the number or letter on the tag. How will you know it fits? Because it will skim your figure, no pulling, no bagging. The best thing you'll notice about a great fit is ...YOU.
4. Out of Season: Have a 'working closet' and a separate area to store out of season items. It's hard to really see what you're working with when everything is mixed in together. Storing out of season clothing allows you to focus on the items that will work for you every day, right now.
5. Someone Else's Choices: You may not realize how many items you have that somehow, someone seemed to think would work for you but that you don't agree with. How do you know? Because they hang in your closet untouched. Understanding how your personal design (your colouring as well as your body type) and personal style work means dressing to your best advantage every time. If you haven't worn them in the past two seasons, it's safe to say: you won't start now.
   

Know Thyself
Have you let go yet?? You can do it! As you evaluate how well your current wardrobe serves you, you will begin to understand what pleases you in your clothes, what styles you dislike and which ones you admire. Gaining an understanding of this will enable you to seek out and purchase those things that fit your goals - you will begin to know thyself!

Never Settle!
To find happiness in a new closet that functions well for your life & style, remember how you got to this new, well-edited place in your wardrobe: careful evaluation of the criteria above. Use them when you re-evaluate your closet each season or each time you shop to eliminate items that just won't serve you and that will clutter up your closet again.

Stop settling for items that are just 'ok'. That's how the closet got to where it was to begin with! Commit to purchasing only items you really like, that will serve you and your lifestyle well. And remember, I'm always here if you need some help. Feel free to drop me a note or give me a ring.

Happy closet editing!

Hair Today, Hidden Tomorrow!

Ever wondered how to make a daytime 'do look sleek and sophisticated? Tired of trying to hide that nasty bright pink hair elastic/crazy bobby pins/massive scrunchy during meetings?

Part of making it happen by is using hair accessories that almost disappear into the hair, leaving the beauty of the hairdo to speak for itself. Until recently it's been difficult trying to rid your hair accessory drawer of the multi-coloured elastics and pins hasn't it? Goody(R) has finally made it easy with their new Colour Collection(TM) line of clips, elastics and headbands.

Goody(R)'s technology has been edging ever forward as they introduced new Stay-Put(TM) elastics for athletic pursuits, and narrow stretchy-fabric headbands for the fashion-forward types. They've now combined these technologies with their newest collection that gears itself uniquely to each hair colour category!

Discover how to use their subtle and grown-up looking ribbon covered hairbands to create a gently pulled back daytime look, or their stay-put hair elastics for a sleek office-ready pony. Or, be creative but still sohpisticated by using a combination of their stretchy reversable headwraps and claw grips for a fashion-forward look. They even have scrunchies if you absolutely must, but there are so many comfortable alternatives in this collection, it shouldn't be hard to find a new, more refined, replacement (please oh please).

Finally, grown-up hair accessories that let you to create sleek 'dos for work or play - hiding your tools from view and keeping YOU front and centre. In two shades for each of blonde, red, brunette, and black hair, you'll be sure to find the right combination for your lovely locks!

Wedding Gift Etiquette

Continuing on the theme of weddings, I have recently received a number of questions regarding gift etiquette. After ensuring the classic experts agree - from The Emily Post Institute to theknot.com - I have shortlisted the guidelines that will dispel the confusing etiquette around gift giving when attending, or not attending, this beautiful life event.

Time & Place
Wedding gifts may certainly be given prior to the wedding date. In fact, it is customary to send your gift just after you receive the invitation! You may bring it with you to the wedding itself, but remember that the bride and groom might be jetting off right away, and that delivering the gifts safely home could be an issue. Best to have the gift directed to their home instead of the reception if possible. Gifts are welcome even up to one year after the wedding itself, if necessary.

Gift Value
A popular myth is that a wedding gift should echo the amount the host has spend on your meal at the affair. This simply is not the case. It is appropriate to spend anywhere from $50 and up, depending on your financial ability and your relationship with the couple. At a hosted event, the host will entertain her guests according to her ability and desired manner, and the guest shall show appreciation according to her ability and desired manner. 'Paying' for one's meal at an event to which you have been invited as an honored guest is not required.

*Think of it this way: if you host a dinner party do you expect your guests to bring host(ess) gifts according to the cost of the meal you are creating? Natch. Didn't think so.

Registry vs Monetary
Often times a couple will register for gifts at a store or two at a variety of price-points to remain sensitive to the needs of their guests. If they choose this route, purchasing from the registry shows you are being attentive to their desires and needs. Only if you know the couple particularly well should you consider deviating far from the registry (particularly when it comes to artwork as this is intensely personal) - try to ensure you know their tastes and that your gift is returnable to avoid potentially uncomfortable situations for the couple.

A monetary gift is actually considered very appropriate by many cultures, do not shy away if the couple have not registered and you are unsure of their tastes!

Another very lovely gift, is to make a contribution in the honor of the couple to one of their preferred charities. If they are heavily involved with particular endeavors, you will know which to choose. If they are not, but are a patron of the arts/culture/shelters etc, a donation in their honor will touch them in a surprising and thoughtful way.

Not Attending?
Regardless of whether or not you attend the wedding, it is appropriate to send a congratulatory gift. According to the experts, not attending and additionally failing to send a gift indicates that you are terminating your relationship with the couple. Wow!