Fashion For Dummies E-Book

Jill Martin

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 459

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2009

Beschreibung

Your full-color guide to building a fun, functional wardrobe Fashion For Dummies takes the guess out of dress, giving you the confidence and know-how you need to dress for every occasion. This full-color guide is packed with tips on creating a confusion-free wardrobe that works with your body type and personal style, as well as navigating the worlds of color, pattern, and texture. * Reveals how to put together outfits that work without overextending your budget * Features a section dedicated to menswear * Packed with helpful illustrations presented in full color The perfect guide for novice fashion-hunters, Fashion For Dummies is your key to always dressing your best!

Leseprobe

Fashion For Dummies®

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Part I: Fashion, Style and You

Part II: Mastering the Basics of Garment Construction, Fabrics, and Color

Part III: Stocking Your Closet without Going Crazy or Broke

Part IV: Dressing for Any Occasion

Part V: Finishing Touches

Part VI: The Part of Tens

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I: Fashion, Style, and You

1: Fashion 101

The Real Trendsetters

Designers

Buyers

Fashion houses and their ads

Fashion media

The other players

You

Getting Your Personal Style Started

Decide which trends can work for you

Know your body

Make educated purchases

Determine where you want to fit in

Figure out how you want the world to see you

Go for diversity

Build your wardrobe to include both basics and trendy stuff

Fitting Your Style to Your Budget

Spend more on the basics, less on the trendier things

Take stock of your wardrobe

Invest only in 10s

Prolong that new clothes feel

A Last Important Point

2: Impression Management: Developing Your Personal Style

What You Wear: The Key to Confidence and a Window to Your Personality

What to Aim for When Creating Your Own Personal Style

Accentuating your personality

Using clothing to complement your personality

Using clothing to project the image you want

Showing you’re in control

Reflecting different moods

Fitting perfectly — literally and figuratively

Defining Your Personal Style

Getting familiar with fabrics and styles

Considering your characteristics

Figuring out your current style

Building Your Stylish Wardrobe

Using my 10 System to create the perfect closet

In with the new: A-shopping you will go

Getting help from the pros

3: Dressing to Flatter Your Body

Golden Rules and Good Advice for Finding Clothing that Compliments You

Getting key measurements

The fruit basket: Determining your shape

Where’s your waistline?

Tackling other problem areas

Getting Your Size Right

Petites

The taller woman

Plus sizes

Evens and Odds: Understanding Clothes Sizing

The Beauty of Altering

Part II: Mastering the Basics of Garment Construction, Fabrics, and Color

4: Fundamentals on Fabrics and Garment Construction

Fabric Basics Everyone Should Know

Common fibers

Fabrics and fabric blends

How fabrics are made

From smooth to rough: Texture

Transparent versus opaque

Key Features of a Garment

Stitching

Seams

Making the cut

Mixing and Matching Fabrics

A word about weight

Pairing patterns

5: The Art of Color

Color Wheel Basics

Color designations: Primary, secondary, and tertiary

Analogous and complimentary colors

Black and white: The noncolors

Color Categories: Jewels, Neutrals, and More

Jewel tones

Neutrals

Pastels

Earth tones

Choosing the right colors for you

Making Your Color Choices Work for You

Pairing colors

Combining colorful patterns

Using color to impact your mood

Camouflaging with color

6: From the Runway to a Store Near You

From Designer to Mass Market

Creating the design

Introducing the design

Moving the design toward a wider audience

Ranking Clothing: From Haute Couture to Mass Market

Haute couture

Prêt-a-porter: The designer’s ready-to-wear line

Contemporary

Mass market

Building Your Fashion Awareness

Part III: Stocking Your Closet without Going Crazy or Broke

7: Building Your Wardrobe: Your What- and Where-to-Buy Guide

Wardrobe Staples

Little black dress (LBD)

Black blazer

Crisp, white button-down shirt

Black trousers

Knee-length black skirt

Classic beige trench coat

Black leather bag

Quality blue jeans

Pair of black pumps

White and black cardigan sweaters

Set of pearls

Diamond studs, or shall we say cubics!

Making the Most of Your Shopping Excursions

Budgeting for your fashion wardrobe

Focusing on quality

Shopping to look, not to buy

Choosing your wingman (or woman)

Keeping up the pace: Shopping tempo

Checking out the details

Knowing Where to Shop

Department stores

Inexpensive and trendy stores

Fashion boutiques

Catalogues

The Internet

Vintage and consignment stores

Sample sales

Controlling Your Inner Shopaholic

Making a list and checking it twice

Spur-of-the-moment shopping without busting the bank

Electronic aids

8: Eliminating Fashion Confusion

Calling In the Pros

Using a professional consultant

Using a department store’s personal shopper

Fashion Media: Where to Look for Fashion and Style Help

Print and online media

TV goes high fashion

Part IV: Dressing for Any Occasion

9: Dressing for Every Day

Tops First: Blouses and Sweaters

A fitting start: Getting a good fit

Paying attention to cut

Style elements

Shapes

A word about sweaters

Skirts and Dresses

Dress styles

Skirts

Slacks

Length

Pant rise

Pant legs

Pant material

10: Dressing for Success

Deciphering Office Dress Codes

Business casual

Casual

Business conservative

Universal rules for all kinds of business dress

Dressing for Off-site Work Events

Looking stylish en route

Daytime casual

Daytime conservative

Evening casual

Evening fancy

Packing for a Business Trip

11: Très Chic: Threads for Special Occasions

Evening Wear

Dressing for a cocktail party

Attending a black-tie affair

White-tie affairs: The most formal of all

Dressing for the Holidays

Wearing holiday colors

Holiday dress styles

Choosing materials that give a holiday vibe

Accessorizing holiday style

What to Wear to a Wedding

Type of attire specified on the invitation

Time of day

The setting

General rules for all weddings

Shopping for Evening Attire and Clothing for Other Special Events

12: The Four Seasons: Dressing for Comfort and Style

Winter: Staying Warm and Stylish

Layering for winter

Choosing coats and jackets

Adding a shot of color

Summer: Looking Good When You’re Wearing Less

Summer fabrics

Cool colors for summer

Summer styles

By the sea

Spring and Fall: The Transition Seasons

Slipping from season to season

Transitional outerwear

13: Dressing for the Bedroom

Sleepwear 101

Pajamas

Nightgowns: Naughty or nice

Teddies and other things

Robes

Bath robes

Silk robes

Kimonos

Housecoats

Part V: Finishing Touches

14: It’s What’s Inside That Counts: Undergarments

Hosiery

Different types of hosiery styles

Hosiery rules

Bras

Types of bras

Getting fitted by a pro

Shopping for bras

Bra care

Panties

Shapers

15: Accessories

Scarves and Shawls

Winter scarves

Summer scarves

Tying a scarf: A quick how-to

Jewelry

Fine jewelry

Costume or fashion jewelry

Making your bangles and beads work

Hats

Bags

Types of bags

Picking a handbag

For Eyes: Spectacles

Matching frames to face

16: Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Shoes

Crash Course in Shoe Shopping

First steps: Getting ready

Paying attention to fit

It’s a shoe-in! Shoe care tips

Shoe Styles

Pumps

Mules

Flats and sandals

Sneakers and sport shoes

Boots

Honing In on Heel Heights

Part VI: The Part of Tens

17: Ten Fashion Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them

Over-Accessorizing

Problematic Panties

Wearing White to a Wedding

Baring Your Stomach

Wearing Hose with Open-Toe Shoes

Wearing High Waters

Wearing White Underwear under Anything Sheer

Wearing All Denim

Showing Your Bra Straps

Wearing Clothing That’s Too Tight

18: Ten Ways to Go From Day to Night in a Flash

From Simple to Sizzling

A Silky Transformation

Cubicle to Cocktails

A Shirt to Take You Anywhere

Tote to Clutch

Accessorize, Accessorize!

Shoulder Bag to Clutch

Day Casual to Dinner Chic

It’s a Wrap!

Best Foot Forward

19: Ten Great Fashion Web Sites

www.style.com

www.usmagazine.com

www.hautelook.com

www.gilt.com

www.priorities.com

www.jennifermillerjewelry.com

www.michellejonas.com

www.25park.com

www.dailycandy.com

www.fordmodels.com/fordartists

Fashion For Dummies®

by Jill Martin and Pierre A. Lehu, with Dana Ravich

Fashion For Dummies®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Jill Martin: Jill Martin is a fashion expert and three-time Emmy-Nominated television personality. Jill appears regularly on NBC’s Today discussing everything from the latest trends to how to shop on a budget. She is well-known for the wildly-popular “Ambush Makeovers.” Jill has done in-depth coverage from the Golden Globes and Oscars, conducting celebrity interviews and discussing red-carpet fashions. A contributor to US Weekly magazine, the Long Island native can also be seen frequently on Access Hollywood, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider. A diehard sports fan, Jill is also a broadcaster for the New York Knicks, reporting during pregame and postgame shows and doing celebrity interviews at halftime. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is currently living in New York City developing her own clothing line. To learn more about Jill, check out her Web site (www.jillmartin.com).

Pierre A. Lehu: Pierre Lehu began as a publicist, working with a wide variety of celebrities, and over time broadened his working repertoire to include the roles of lecture agent, literary agent, manager, and writer. Having been instrumental in launching the meteoric rise of Dr. Ruth Westheimer as a celebrated sex therapist, he soon became her “Minister of Communications” and in that capacity was co-author on many of her books, including two For Dummies titles, Sex For Dummies and Rekindling Romance For Dummies as well as more than ten others. He also acted as co-author for Rocky Aoki, the founder of the Benihana chain of restaurants, on Sake: Water From Heaven. A double graduate of NYU (BA and MBA), he resides in Brooklyn with his wife and is the father of two.

Dana Ravich: Dana is a fashion stylist and works in the fashion and entertainment industry styling models and celebrities for editorial shoots, catalog, advertising, and television. She got her start at Mademoiselle magazine in New York and then moved on to E! Entertainment TV and the Style Network in Los Angeles, styling the networks’ hosts for everything from E! News Daily to red-carpet Oscar coverage. During her time in Los Angeles and then Miami, Dana styled shoots for Glamour; O, The Oprah Magazine; In Touch; Us Weekly; People; Fitness; Shape; GQ; and Vanity Fair. Her advertising clients have included Coppertone, L’Oreal, Olay, Perry Ellis, and MTV. She has also worked closely with and advised designers and buyers. A graduate of Columbia University, she is now back in New York and continues to work in fashion.

Dedication

We would like to dedicate this book to all the women out there who want to look as good as they feel.

Authors’ Acknowledgments

From Jill: I would like to thank Pierre Lehu for asking me to be his partner-in-crime on this amazing project. It has been quite a journey, and I cannot thank you enough for your expertise and kindness . . . you are the consummate professional.

I would also like to thank Dana Ravich, my collaborator and friend, for your invaluable contribution and support. You made this process fun and exciting, and your expertise was a perfect fit to sculpting this book.

To my fabulous mother, father, and brother Jonathan, who always put up with my craziness. Thank you for all of your support and for always believing in me. I have the best family in the world. I am so, so lucky. And now, I will make every family function, I promise! And to Dan Le Batard for teaching me the importance of perfect punctuation.

There are so many other people who contributed to the book who we all cannot thank enough: Designer Betsey Johnson and Agatha Szczepaniak for letting us shoot our cover at the fabulous Bestey Johnson boutique; Photographer George Kalinsky for his expertise and dedication; Rebecca Taylor, Angela Cranford, and Avi Gerver for all of their hard work on the shoot; Stylist (and co-author) Dana Ravich along with Makeup artist Bella Sirugo; Jennifer and Mark Miller for letting us use their amazing jewelry; The celebrities and designers who shared their fashion wisdom: Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Tory Burch, Nancy O’Dell, Sara Blakely, Tracy Reese, Liz Lange, Cynthia Rowley, Lisa Rinna, Tori Spelling, Tommy Hilfiger, Shoshanna Gruss, Selita Ebanks, Beth Stern, Tyson Beckford, and Michelle Smith; Allison Ross Levitan, Andrew Waranch, Jill Fritzo, Alison Brod, Steve Herz, and Jeff Feldman for their help; Lindsay Sobel for the great introduction to Pierre; Maury Rogoff for her support; and Amy Rosenblum for always being my biggest fan.

From Pierre: This book was born as a result of holding our class reunion at Vera Wang’s, so thanks to my Friends Seminary classmates one and all. And if it weren’t for Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I wouldn’t have gone to the Today set where I saw Jill Martin reporting on fashion, so thank you Dr. Ruth for that connection and for everything else we’ve shared during our 28-year long adventure. And without Jill’s expertise, dedication, and persistence, this book would never have blossomed the way it did, so Jill, thank you, thank you, thank you. And one more thanks to Jill for bringing Dana Ravich along for the ride as her contributions have been invaluable . . . and, of course, thanks to Dana for her hard work.

To my wife, Joanne Seminara, it’s been thirty plus years of counting our blessings, and I can’t thank you enough. And our two most important blessings are our children, Peter and Gabrielle — thanks for all the joy you’ve brought us. And Pete, an extra thanks for bringing Melissa on board. And to our family members, mine who are gone and whom I miss so much, and to all the Seminaras, an extended thanks.

Others who also deserve my thanks for their help and support include Merle Frimark, Teresa Jusino, Lindsay Sobel, and Lindsay Weiner.

And all three of us want to thank everyone at Wiley who’ve made this project possible and who’ve been so helpful in pulling the many, many details together to make this fabulous book, including Lindsay Lefevere, Tracy Barr (we put you through a lot, but it was worth it!), Diane Steele, Alicia South, Lauren Bishop (you’re such a talented artist!), PJ Campbell, Melisa Duffy, Kathy Nebenhaus, and Stephen Kippur.

From Dana: Thank you to my most inspirational friend and biggest supporter, Jill Martin. I am so glad you asked me to be a part of this most incredible experience. And, of course, to Pierre Lehu, thank you for letting me join you. It has been truly a joy working with you. I would also like to thank my family for their love and unwavering support — Robert, Lucy, Rachel, Lyle, Helen, Lou Lou, and Leo. And to Sarah Hamilton-Bailey, Michelle Jonas, Amy Hall Browne, Renannah Weinstein, Jennifer Smith, and Adam Glassman: Thank you for all of your support and everything that you have taught me.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at http://dummies.custhelp.com. For other comments, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax [phone].

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Tracy Barr

Acquisitions Editor: Lindsay Sandman Lefevere

Assistant Editor: Erin Calligan Mooney

Editorial Program Coordinator: Joe Niesen

Technical Editor: Danielle L. Smith

Illustrator: Lauren Bishop

Senior Editorial Manager: Jennifer Ehrlich

Editorial Supervisor and Reprint Editor: Carmen Krikorian

Editorial Assistants: Jennette ElNaggar, David Lutton

Art Coordinator: Alicia B. South

Cover Photos: © George Kalinsky

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Patrick Redmond

Layout and Graphics: Laura Campbell, Carrie A. Cesavice, Joyce Haughey, Brent Savage, Erin Zeltner

Proofreaders: Laura Albert, Linda Seifert

Indexer: Potomac Indexing, LLC

Special Help: Elizabeth Staton

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Kristin Ferguson-Wagstaffe, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

Ensley Eikenburg, Associate Publisher, Travel

Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User

Composition Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Introduction

“I don’t know what to wear!” “Do these pants make my butt look big?” “Is this outfit too boring for my big date?” Chances are you have had one (or all) of these thoughts at some point in your life. (I know I have!)

Fashion is a topic so many women need help with and don’t know where to turn. Many women find navigating through the fashion world difficult. Your budget, body type, and personality all play a part in the choices you make every morning when you get dressed. But whatever your style, knowing a few basic rules can help you whenever you bounce back to that annoying question, “What am I going to wear today?”

Now trust me, I am not going to preach that you should be dressed up, looking like you are heading to a black-tie affair everyday. (I am well aware of how hard it is to carry on a full life and try to look good doing it.) So as you read through this book, understand that it is not just about what you wear, but how you wear it.

Getting dressed in the morning should be fun. You should open your (soon-to-be-if-not-already) organized closet and enjoy putting together different combinations. I know, I know . . . figuring out what to wear can be exhausting. But after reading this book, you’ll have the tools you need to look stylish for any occasion. I want you to learn what works for you and your body type and what makes you feel most confident. I truly believe that confidence is your best accessory.

On NBC’s Today show, Colorist to the Stars Louis Licari and I pluck two lucky ladies out of the crowd and give them a complete makeover. These women come down to the plaza wanting a change (many of them have either looked the same for years or have never developed a style of their own.). In just a few hours, hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb bring these women out totally transformed. Now, I am not saying that the second you finish reading this book, you’ll become a whole new person. What I can promise is that you’ll have a better understanding of what works for you and your body type. My mother read this book and called me saying, “I am donating anything that is not a 10!” You’ll soon discover what that means, but trust me: To get my mother to give anything away takes a small army.

We have all been through mini-makeovers in our lifetime. Now it’s your turn!

About This Book

When I was approached to write a ForDummies book, I said what many of you would probably say: “Oh those yellow and black books — I love them!” But then I thought, “How could there not be one on fashion?” They have Dummies books for just about everything. I read one on golf and my best friend’s husband read one on how to use a BlackBerry. But sure enough, no Fashion For Dummies existed then. And I was glad, because I really feel that I can help many of you who are tired of waking up in the morning and thinking, “I have nothing to wear!”

On NBC’s Today, I appear on fashion segments that cover everything from trends to budget shopping. My main goal in every segment is to teach women how to look and feel their best. I believe there is a formula to looking and feeling good every day when you leave the house, and over the years, I’ve developed a few tricks to help you get through your busy day while always looking your best. In this book I give you the tools you need to develop your own style. I also show you exactly how to orchestrate some of these ideas, so as you go through the book, take a close look at the illustrations.

I know how overwhelming a book like this can be, but here’s the story: You don’t have to read this book all in one sitting, and you never have to read it all the way through if you don’t need or want to. The great thing about For Dummies books is that everything is segmented. Look at the Table of Contents and decide what you want to focus on. The only thing I ask is that, if you’re not going to read this cover to cover, go to Chapter 2 before reading anything else and take my style quiz and read about my 10 System to be able to really understand how you should approach building your own style.

Conventions Used in This Book

I am a person who understands everything in numbers. If a friend calls and says she’s depressed, I immediately say, “How depressed, 1 to 10?” (10 being the most you can be). This is how I communicate, and I use this system in every aspect of my life, including what makes it into my closet. Every single piece I own, from a sizzling dress to a pair of sweatpants, is a 10. What I mean by that is that particular piece of clothing is the best it can be. My gray sweatpants are cozy, fit me properly, and look cute on me. My black dress hugs me in all the right places, does not look faded in any way, and is a classic style that can take me to almost any occasion. For a piece of clothing to get into my closet, it needs to meet certain requirements, and I want you to adopt this process as well. After reading this book, there should not be anything hanging around that does not make you feel your most fabulous. For that reason, the most important convention in this book is my reference to this system. You’ll see that I refer to it often.

As you read this book, you’ll see I suggest things you should splurge on and those you can save on. Price doesn’t interfere with my 10 System. (I have an H&M dress that’s a 10 and was under $30 — it’s fab!) In addition, don’t get overwhelmed thinking you need to go buy everything new. Revamping your closet is a process, and the items that are must-haves, most of you already have in your closet.

Other than these things, there are a couple other conventions you need to know about:

Italic is used for emphasis and to highlight words or terms that I define.

The action part of numbered steps appears in boldfaced text.

Web addresses appear in monofont.

What You’re Not to Read

Again, For Dummies books are great because you don’t have to read one chapter to understand the next. So if you are very interested in accessories, but not in pajamas, you can skip the PJs chapter and focus only on the accessories chapter. (Use the Table of Contents to find the chapters you want; you may even discover a different topic you want to explore!)

As you read, watch for the Technical Stuff icon. This appears beside extra information for those who like to delve that much further into a topic. You can read these paragraphs if you’re interested but skip if you’re not. Even without reading these bits, you can still get all the info you need to understand the topic being discussed. Same goes for the sidebars, the shaded boxes. If you see one that doesn’t pique your interest, skip it and move on.

Foolish Assumptions

I am laughing as I write this because I do not think any of my assumptions are foolish! But I have made some assumptions about you:

You want your style to reflect your personality, and you want to look your best each and every day, but you just don’t know how to do it.

You know what you love about your body and what you dislike about it and you want to find out how to accentuate your best parts and camouflage the ones you would rather downplay.

You’ve got a ton of clothing sitting in the back of your closet that you’ve never worn. Many of the pieces still have the tags on them and others are in sizes too big or too small, and while you had every intention of wearing them when you bought them, now don’t know what to do with them.

If any of these assumptions fit, you’ve definitely got the right book in your hands.

How This Book Is Organized

This book is very organized. Believe me, I’ve gone through it over a million times! But even more than this book being organized, you have to be. The beginning of your makeover does not start at your favorite boutique with you buying out the entire store. Before you whip out that credit card, you need to develop your personal style, figure out your body type, and decide what styles work for you. After doing this and seeing what you already have in your closet, you can then assess what you need. To help you accomplish all of these tasks, I’ve arranged this book into parts so that you can easily find the information you need.

Part I: Fashion, Style and You

If you’re like most women, you’re searching every morning looking for that perfect outfit. In order to confidently decide what you should and shouldn’t wear, you need to know the basics. Trends, developing your own style, and figuring out what looks good on you helps you develop the skills you need to make getting dressed easier. Sounds good, right? Before you hit your favorite store though, read (and reread) this part.

Part II: Mastering the Basics of Garment Construction, Fabrics, and Color

Even after you read Part I, it’s not time to go shopping. You still have to learn about the clothing you are about to buy. Before you start filling up your closet, you need to know what goes into making a quality item. This part explains how to recognize a well-made garment, how to pair patterns and colors, and how a particular piece of clothing goes from being a designer’s vision to a must-have in a store near you.

Part III: Stocking Your Closet without Going Crazy or Broke

This book may not come with a winning lottery ticket, but in this part, I explain how you can manage your clothing budget so that you’ll come out a winner after every shopping expedition.

In addition to managing your budget, I also offer various ways to help you begin to build your new, fabulous wardrobe. Should you hire someone to help you or would you rather do the research all on your own? This section is filled with information that will help you make the best decision for you.

Part IV: Dressing for Any Occasion

“What am I going to wear to that?” How many times have you gotten an invitation and asked yourself that question? Without the right information, getting ready for a big night out (or big night in) can be stressful. Speaking of stress, are you in the camp of never knowing what to wear on those in-between days when the seasons change? In this part, I go over how to get ready for anything and everything from a day at the office, to a formal event, to a cozy night in.

Part V: Finishing Touches

Getting dressed in the morning isn’t just about the clothing you choose. A perfectly wrapped present is nothing without the bow . . . and that is how I feel about accessories. One necklace can take your outfit from frumpy to fabulous. In this section, we go through all the different options you can use to spice up an otherwise simple look and what works best for your body type.

Speaking of what works best, what you wear underneath your clothing is just as important as what you are actually wearing. Underwear, bra straps, or pantyhose gone wrong is never a good look. In this section, I give you the tricks and tips you need before you even put on a stitch of clothing.

Here’s another essential for all women: fabulous shoes. The heel or flat you choose to put on with your favorite outfit can make or break a look, so choose wisely!

Part VI: The Part of Tens

We’ve all been fashion victims at one point or another, but there is a way to avoid fashion faux pas. In this part, I go over the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. I also show you how you can go from day to night in a flash. Most days of the week, I leave the house at 7 a.m. and don’t return until after dinnertime. I’ve perfected a number of ways to make your day outfit turn into something that works come evening and share ten of them so that you’re ready when a spontaneous plan comes your way. This part ends with a list of my favorite Web sites where you can get many of your must-haves and find helpful fashion information without ever leaving the house.

Icons Used in This Book

As you read through this book, you’ll see icons popping up. Obviously, different ones mean different things. I wanted to familiarize you with them so you can know what to stop for. Here are the icons you’ll be seeing throughout:

When you see this pop up, check out the accompanying paragraph. You’ll find shortcuts, bits of advice, and answers to many questions you may have asked yourself while reading that particular topic.

Some of what I have to tell you really needs to be absorbed because I refer to it many times throughout the book. If you see this icon, you’ll know to pay extra attention.

The text accompanying the Fashion Fix icons helps you get out of any fashion emergency. These are great tips that you will (and should) remember every time you leave the house. Fashion Fixes can save you a lot of headaches and help you make it through common fashion disasters.

I use this icon to highlight inexpensive alternatives to pricier items. Even if you don’t love exactly what I am suggesting, you can still find helpful suggestions for saving money while building a fabulous wardrobe.

Pantyhose with open-toe shoes! Need I say more? Everyone should read the text that appears next to the Fashion Faux Pas icons because I saved these for those fashion no-nos I feel very strongly about. These are mistakes that you should avoid no matter your age, body type, or personality.

Not everybody cares about the technical stuff, but others find it fascinating. For those of you who eat up details like how dresses were made in the 19th century and why a woman’s shirt-buttons are opposite a man’s, keep a look out for this icon.

Where to Go from Here

So where do you start? If you’re not planning to read this book cover to cover (no offense taken), then start with Chapter 2. That chapter gives you information you cannot be without when moving on to other chapters. Also, if you feel you need a little guidance, the Table of Contents and Index point you in the direction you are looking to go.

Finding your personal style and building a great wardrobe isn’t brain surgery. So have fun! I promise: The new you is only a few pages away!

Part I

Fashion, Style, and You

In this part . . .

You learned to dress yourself by the time you were, say, 5 years old, right? Eventually, you became a teen, and shopping for the trends was a must. Now you’re all grown up and, as an adult, you’re an expert on what does and doesn’t look good, right?

Not necessarily. Before you can confidently judge what you should and shouldn’t wear, you need to know the basics about fashion, about developing your own style, and about your body. You’ll find that information in this section. Don’t buy one more stitch of clothing until you finish reading this key information.

1

Fashion 101

In This Chapter

Who’s who in the fashion industry

Taking important steps toward developing your own style

Fitting your wardrobe needs into your budget

Making the impression you want

True elegance and style comes from being confident and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

Tory Burch, Fashion Designer

You may have been born naked, but minutes later a nurse wrapped you in swaddling (how chic an outfit is that!), and you’ve been wearing clothes ever since. While some women have mastered the art of fashion and look fabulous all the time, many still struggle to figure it all out. If you are one of the women still searching for what exactly to wear every day, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re going to the grocery store or heading to a gala, I want you to feel your best at all times, no exceptions.

As children, most of us were dressed by our parents. As teenagers, you likely just followed the trend du jour. But as adults, the options are endless. Because the choices are so vast, how can you possibly arrive at your very own style? After all, while you may find your one true love after dating less than a dozen people, you can fall in love with a dozen pairs of shoes in one store alone. Now, the ideal solution for many people would be to hire a personal shopper and leave the decision-making to expert hands. Unfortunately, few people can afford that route. So the next best plan is to gain a better understanding of how to develop your personal style. This chapter gives you all the info you need to begin that journey.

The Real Trendsetters

Literally thousands of fashion designers around the world are busily turning out mountains of clothing, and as the media continues to focus more and more attention on the fashion industry, hundreds of new designers are trying to make their way into the field every year. With so many working fashion designers, it’s not surprising that you, the fashion consumer, have a flood of new clothing to choose from. If you feel like you’re swimming upstream in this tide of satin, leather, and beading, try to take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

While each new fashion season brings out a variety of new styles that make you feel like everything in your closet is dated, not every designer has an impact on the latest trends. There’s a filtering process between the designers’ creations and the hottest trends that land in your closet. Figure 1-1 shows a designer outfit and a mass market outfit based on that design.

You may wonder how all those who make the cut seem to know that it’s time to raise hemlines or douse the world in plum. You may also wonder what role, if any, the buying public has in this process. Getting the answers to these questions helps you figure out what you need to wear day and night.

Although fashion may seem like a one-way street, with all the clothes streaming out of Seventh Avenue and into the malls and boutiques nearest you, the truth is far different. Quite a number of people actually set the trends: designers, buyers, fashion houses, the fashion media, and, believe it or not, you. You have a much greater influence on what designs actually end up in the stores than you may think. The following sections outline the key players.

Designers

Designers are people with creative vision. They have an idea about the way clothing should look, and they take this idea all the way from an initial sketch to an actual sample to, hopefully, a store near you. Top designers display their latest creations at shows held in New York, Paris, and Milan (see Figure 1-2).

Figure 1-1: From the runway to real life.

Naturally the big name designers have more clout than those that are lesser known, but even they aren’t operating in a vacuum. Everyone in the fashion industry has his or her finger in the wind, trying to decipher what the next trend may be. And the fashion designers aren’t the only ones navigating public taste. The buyers (who pick and choose from the designers’ collections, determining what makes it from the runway to you) also have a huge impact.

Figure 1-2: A design on a runway.

Buyers

Buyers are the people who decide, for every upcoming season, what will be hanging on the clothing racks in a store near you. Every store — from large department stores to small boutiques — has a buyer (or buyers). The buyers for the major retail outlets are one of the most important filters of the fashion trade. They have to be sure about what they’re buying, because if the general consumer has different tastes, the stores end up with a ton of extra merchandise that will just end up on the sale rack.

Back in 1919, an attempt was made to artificially change the course of fashion. Pressure was put on the fashion industry to stop raising hemlines because showing so much leg was thought to be damaging America’s morals. Designers responded and agreed to send hemlines back downward. The only problem was that women weren’t fans of the new fad, and so the longer skirts and dresses bombed, and American women roared into the 1920s wearing flapper dresses.

Fashion houses and their ads

Fashion houses are the companies behind the bigger name designers. They’re considered houses because the company bears the designer’s name, even after the designer has retired and someone else has taken over designing the label. The fashion houses influence trends and, consequently, sales through the use of advertising. If you look through a fashion magazine, you see that most of the pages are ads. These ads, which are just as visually interesting and informative as the editorial pages, can have quite an impact. For example, department stores didn’t want to stock designer jeans back in the 1980s, but the ads placed by the jeans companies created the public demand, and it wasn’t long before those jeans were in every store.

Fashion media

Another important set of players is the fashion media, which is led by the major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. The fashion media decode what’s happening on the runways and download all the information to you. Anyone interested in fashion looks to these trend-setting publications (or their Web sites) to see what’s in style and what is the next “must have.”

Long before the designs hit the stores, the magazines’ editors choose what to feature in their magazines from the hundreds of looks on the runway. Because the fashion shows are about six months ahead of the next fashion season, and the fashion magazines are sent to the printer two to three months ahead of when they hit the newsstand, the editors, who consult closely with the fashion designers, try to look ahead and anticipate what will be popular. Because of their position as a fashion authority, their decisions exert a considerable amount of influence.

The other players

Other prognosticators also have a role to play. One example is the Color Marketing Group, a non-profit organization made up of design professionals from all sorts of fields, from fashion to interior design, who get together every year and decide that, say, powder blue will be “the” color for the next year. That sets off the fabric and yarn manufacturers to stock up on material for the fashion designers in this color.

Trend forecasters also play a role. Most of the big design houses have either in-house staff whose job it is to know what trends are coming around the corner, or they hire firms (yes, there are firms that do this) that specialize in predicting trends. These people are well versed in what’s cool in the celebrity world, with teenagers, and pretty much everything going on in pop culture. They also have to keep abreast of what all the other designers are doing. Not only do they know what’s going on now, but they are also steps ahead. Remember, the designers are designing their collections way ahead of when the trends will be “in.” They show their lines six months ahead of when they will be in stores and are designing even further ahead than that.

And stylists like Dana Ravich, who along with Pierre co-authored this book, dress stars for big red carpet events and for appearances on television shows or in print. If a celebrity is wearing a dress from an up-and-coming designer, that could be his or her ticket to fame, too.

You

The designers, buyers, and magazines can tell you what’s in style and guide you toward what to buy, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you. What makes the most sense for you, your lifestyle, and your body type determines what you purchase. After you develop your personal style, you can take cues from all these outside influences in order to navigate through all this information and make the choices that are right for you.

Getting Your Personal Style Started

Some of the factors that go into deciding what to wear include where you live, what your interests are, where you work, what you like to do when socializing, and what colors and styles suit your body type. By weaving all these factors together (as Chapter 2 does), you can create your own personal style. To find out what belongs in your personal wardrobe, see Chapter 7.

Decide which trends can work for you

If you pick up a fashion magazine and look at the outfits the beautiful models are wearing, you may think, “What does this have to do with how I dress?” But even though you may not buy one of those designer outfits, it can give you clues on how to dress fashionably.

To begin with, when flipping the pages of a fashion magazine, stop and take a good look at those outfits that attract you. Decide what you find appealing about that particular look. You should even take notes. If you see a dress with an off-the-shoulder style showing off the model’s collarbones and that’s a body part you like, take note. If, while flipping the pages, you see that several other designers are also making off-the-shoulder styles, you’ve spotted a trend that you’ll want to make yours.

Because magazines usually show photos of clothes for coming seasons, these designs may not yet be in stores. So tear out the pictures that you like. They can help when you’re shopping because you’ll know exactly what to look for. And if you’re tempted to buy a random dress at the end of the current season just because it’s on sale, the pictures you’re carrying around will inspire you to wait for the style you’re seeking. This is especially important if your budget only allows you to buy a few pieces.

Know your body

Of course clothing comes in all different sizes, but just because an outfit comes in your size doesn’t mean that it suits you. Some designers know how to make creations that can be adapted to women who don’t fit the runway mold. Other designers have a great eye for color and fabric, but when it comes to cut, they’re more the one-size-better-fit-all types. Your job is to learn what your body shape is and find out what types of clothes flatter your figure. If you find a designer whose fit works for your body, check out the rest of his or her line. Chances are good that all the pieces will fit you well. (Go to Chapter 3 for help in identifying your body shape and developing a better understanding of what clothes can make you look your best. Go to Part IV for advice on how to dress fashionably for any occasion.)

Many women buy clothes that don’t fit, using the excuse that this gives them the incentive to get into shape or lose ten pounds. Some brides are able to meet such goals because they’re aiming for one particular and very important day in their lives, but most women don’t end up ever wearing those clothes. Of course, if you are aiming to lose weight (great!); I’m not trying to discourage you. But a more practical (and successful) strategy is to invest in pieces you can wear as the beautiful you that you are right now.

Make educated purchases

To make educated purchases, you have to understand a few fashion basics, like what styles look best on you, what fabrics are appropriate for certain seasons, and what colors are you. If you are not equipped with all the information you need, shopping efficiently can be challenging.

When you shop, look at the short term (“I just love the way this looks on me”) and the long term (“Is this something I must have in my closet?”). If you see a pair of trendy gladiator sandals, ask yourself, “Is this something I need, or should I use this money toward a great black cashmere cardigan?” Buying trendier, less expensive items is fine, but buying quality pieces that can last you many seasons is essential. The decision-making process isn’t just about the way an article of clothing looks, but also how it was made. Head to Chapters 4 and 5 to pick up the required basics.

Determine where you want to fit in

A key to building your wardrobe is to decide what you want your overall personal style to be. If you’re a mother of three and spend most of your days playing with your children and carpooling, a good portion of your wardrobe will be geared to that. But you are also a woman with a personality of your own, and your wardrobe should have pieces of clothing that work off the playground as well.

So what should determine your style? Would you prefer to look like you’d fit right in walking down the streets of a fashion capital like New York, Milan, or Paris? Or are you more comfortable adopting the style more popular to the area where you live? (Figure 1-3 shows two outfits, one that would look good in a fashion center and another that is more mainstream.) Or do you want to identify with a particular group? If you work in an office, you need to understand the dress code of that environment, and when socializing among your friends, you want to dress appropriately for the occasion, all the while being true to your personal sense of style.

Figure 1-3: Your personal style is defined by many different aspects of your life.

During the course of a week, or maybe even a very hectic day, you could change your outfit over and over again, depending on where you are and where you’re going. But rather than consider playing clothes chameleon a chore, look at it as an endless series of opportunities to look gorgeous and express your personal style. To do that, you need to build up confidence in your ability to dress in the right attire no matter what the setting.

Figure out how you want the world to see you

What you choose to put on your body when you wake up in the morning says a lot about how you feel on any particular day. Even the most basic outfit can say so much. Take jeans and a T-shirt, for example — an ensemble most women can relate to. The number of combinations you can put together with these two items is endless, but each look sends out a very different message. If you’re going for cute, you can pair a T-shirt with boyfriend jeans (a baggy jean that’s often cuffed and distressed) and flip-flops (see Figure 1-4). If you’re going for “hot and sexy,” add jewelry and stilettos to your basic look, and you’ve gone from simple to sexy in a flash (see Figure 1-5). For a more sophisticated look, try a blazer over your T-shirt with a trouser jean and black pump (see Figure 1-6). And a cute sweatshirt with a pair of ripped jeans that you’ve had forever can show that even on a casual Sunday, you put effort into looking cozy yet adorable (see Figure 1-7).

Figure 1-4: A casual, cute look.

Figure 1-5: A great pair of jeans and high heels is a sexy look.

Figure 1-6: Jeans can be very sophisticated.

Figure 1-7: Even cozy can be stylish.

Now I understand that after a long work week, the last thing you want to do is try to look hot while running to get the newspapers. What I am saying is that, in the split-second of choosing what to wear for the day, make an effort to go the more flattering, put-together route. Doing so not only gives you more confidence to start the day, but it also prepares you for anything (or anyone) that comes your way! You may think of jeans and a T-shirt as only one kind of look, but even the most basic outfit can represent many different aspects of your personality, as Figures 1-4 through 1-7 show.

Most of the time, you pay attention to what you’re wearing because you’re going out of the house. When you’re home relaxing, you’re likely to throw on any old thing or your favorite sweats. (And, of course, that’s okay.) However, sexiness and personal style develop only with confidence. My point? You should feel your best at all times. If you’re sitting at home, do it in your favorite sweats and your coziest T-shirt. If you’re heading to the market in sweats, make them look casual but sexy (yes, there is a way to make sweats look cute!).

To motivate yourself to abandon the “it doesn’t matter how I look” mentality, try this: Remind yourself that you may run into someone you haven’t seen in years. Nine times out of ten you won’t, but you may. I want you to look great and feel fabulous at all times because then you’ll impress the person who is most important to you: you.

Go for diversity

A spice rack with 25 herbs lets you express yourself so much better than a spice rack with only salt and pepper. The same is true of your wardrobe. The more variety you have to choose from, the more you can express your personal style, which is only possible when your wardrobe has the depth to match all sorts of moods.

When shopping, look at each purchase to see whether it expands your repertoire or is just another item like most of the others in your closet. Sure, you may love wearing gray, but if you already have numerous tops in your favorite color, try grabbing a top that highlights a different part of your personality. But always remember to buy only items that you’ll wear. Don’t buy a green top just because you don’t have one, if green isn’t a good color for you. The goal is to expand your wardrobe and express your style, all while staying in your color palette and wearing clothes that suit your body type.

If you’re not sure of the vibes you want to give off when you’re getting dressed in the morning, pick an outfit that allows you to add some variations. If you choose a monochromatic blouse, for example, stick a scarf (or a pair of fabulous chandelier earrings) in your purse, so that you can jazz it up if you end up going out for a drink after work. Try to think ahead. If your outfit is one that can be livened up, you’ll be able to say, “Let’s go” when someone suggests doing something fun.

Build your wardrobe to include both basics and trendy stuff

For most photo shoots, the person being photographed hires a stylist who brings various outfits to choose from to achieve the perfect look. When Dana and I were choosing what to wear for the front and back covers of this book, we just went shopping in my closet. We were laughing, saying, “We really do practice what we preach!” I had every basic item we needed to convey to you exactly what we wanted to. My point? Having basics in your wardrobe is a must. (The black dress on the back of the book is one I’ve had for eight years.) Now, I am not saying I don’t have trendy items in my closet — I do. But I’m careful when buying something that I know will be out next season, and I don’t spend as much money on it as I do on something I know will be around for a while. Your closet, too, should include the basics and a few trendy things.

Fitting Your Style to Your Budget