| Tip of the Month Archives |
Ten Tips for Successful Summer Casual Dressing
Here at Organization By Design, Inc, May is one of the busiest months of the year. We speak at a variety of industry conferences, work with companies to get their summer dress codes up to par and help many of our private clients get ready for graduations, weddings, reunions and the like. We welcome the opportunity to help you celebrate the power of looking good at work and at play this season.
Our Own May Celebration
After 13 years of wonderful service to our firm, fashion consultant June Tarter is retiring from working with our private clients. She will remain on staff to help with special projects. She will also continue on as our resident jewelry designer, creating one-of-a kind pieces for our clientele. Pictured here with me is June at the surprise "Salute to June" celebration we hosted in her honor. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for June's commitment to our clients over the years. Thank you, June!
Facebook Thank You (& Chance to win a $25 American Express Gift Card!)
Last month we launched our new Dressing Well page on Facebook. Thanks to all of you who visited our page and signed up to be part of this community. To keep our launch period going strong, we invite you to post your best story about how dressing well in your own life has helped you achieve a personal or professional goal. Post your stories in the "discussions" section of our page. The person with the most compelling post by mid-night on May 31st will be contacted and then sent a $25 American Express Gift Card. Janine Gerade, our office manager who has been instrumental in getting us up on Facebook, will be the judge. Thanks Janine!
Finally, my May message would be incomplete without a special shout out to all the Moms in our midst. Some of our most special client service moments center around helping busy moms get out the door faster looking their personal best. We hope this Mother's Day finds you happy, healthy and in touch with the people you love.
From all of us at Organization By Design, Inc., here's to dressing well!
Mary Lou Andre
Editor, dressingwell.com
President & Founder
Organization By Design, Inc.
Ten Tips for Successful Summer Casual Dressing
If you are interested in building an affordable and practical casual wardrobe this season, read on! These ten tips are designed to be your road map. Use them to bring focus to your shopping and organization to your closet:
#1 Think About Lifestyle.
Before you shop, jot down the casual activities you like doing and the clothes that make you feel your best doing them. Getting focused ahead of time about the types of clothes and accessories you actually need to build a functional casual wardrobe will keep you on track at the store.
#2 Determine Your Retail Sizing.
Many women settle for less than a perfect fit, especially with their casual clothing. Taking the time to know your correct size — petite, missy, plus or some combination — will make creating a look that fits and flatters easier. Yes, even sweat suits can fit you well and make you feel good!
#3 Pick Your Base Neutrals.
Black, white, khaki, navy and stone are good warm weather neutrals and mix and match well with a variety of brighter colors and prints.
#4 Bottoms Up.
Focus on bottoms first — pants, shorts, Capris, skirts and jeans. Once you are happy with these selections, add a minimum of three tops for each.
#5 Pick a Signature Color.
To further simplify your wardrobe, consider accenting base neutrals with one hue that you love. Stock up on tops, bags, shoes and other accessories in the same shade of this color and you will get many looks with fewer pieces than you ever imagined — promise!
#6 Know Your Fabrics.
For extra ease and comfort in the warmer weather, opt for machine washable, non-iron looks so you can grab, pack and go.
#7 Layer Effectively.
Tees, camisoles, shirts, sweaters and jackets can be combined in a myriad of ways to give you climate control and a polished appearance.
#8 Connect the Dots.
Pay attention to buttons, zippers, stitching and other details on clothes and accessories as you assemble your outfits. Typically, it takes a minimum of three similar metals, colors or other details to pull a look together.
#9 Tie It All Together With Casual Outerwear.
Wraps and rain & shine coats are a necessity for challenging weather and chilly nights, even in the summer. You enjoy all your clothes more when you take the time to think through your outerwear options. Make sure casual outfits are included in this thought process.
#10 Check Out At the Store, Check In With Your Closet.
Before you snip the tags, be sure what you buy complements what you already own. Promptly return anything that is an extra or doesn't make you feel your personal best.
Last Word
Casual clothes help you celebrate everyday moments and should be treated with as much thought and attention as the rest of your wardrobe. There is nothing casual about planning ahead so that you look and feel your personal best no matter the dress code for the days ahead this season!
Editor's Note: Mary Lou Andre will be on hand at Appleseed's in Hanover, MA from 11-2 on Thursday, May 6th to share these tips with customers and help them shop for new items. There will be refreshments and all merchandise will be 25% off that day. We welcome the opportunity to help you select some new things for yourself and/or help you select Mother's Day presents for all the special moms in your life. This store is located at 2053 Washington Street in Hanover – 781-878-1417. Hope to see you there!
Your Visual Resume: 5 Interview Dress Mantras to Adopt Now
This month marks the 18th anniversary of my company, Organization By Design, Inc. I officially started my business in April 1992 with no clients, no revenue and very little personal money to put into starting my dream company. I sold my wedding dress to pay for business cards, stationary and a used computer and even more clothes out of my closet to pay for memberships to women's organizations where I could meet clients who needed my services. Thanks for your continued support of all that we do. It has been an amazing journey and some of you have been in our midst since the early days!
Belle of the Ball
This month we celebrate another milestone that centers on a dress. Not a wedding dress but a prom dress. We are thrilled to be participating in Belle of the Ball for the 6th consecutive year. Sponsored by Anton's Cleaners, this year's event will be held at Simmons College on Saturday, April 17th. Pictured here with me at last year's event is Arthur Anton, President of Anton's. Congratulations to Arthur and his family for receiving a 2009 Massachusetts Family Business Award in recognition of Anton's multi-generational success and philanthropic efforts. It is always nice to partner with civic-minded companies. For more information about how you can get involved in this year's event, see our "What's New Now" mentions below.
Give the Gift of Confidence
Finally, with May graduations just around the corner, consider giving the special college graduates in your life one of our gift certificates. There are several to choose from, including "Professional Jump Start." This month's featured article is "Your Visual Resume: 5 Interview Dress Tips." Please share it with a young person in your life (and/or use it to give yourself a dressing well refresher course!) Wherever you are in your life, we hope some of these tips resonate with you.
April Showers do bring May flowers — our consultants are ready and available to help get your closets in tiptop shape so that you can enjoy the beautiful weather that lies ahead with style and confidence!
From all of us at Organization By Design Inc. — here's to dressing well!
Mary Lou Andre
Editor, dressingwell.com
President & Founder
Organization By Design, Inc.
Your Visual Resume: 5 Interview Dress Mantras to Adopt Now
How you choose to dress each day shapes both your own mindset (how you feel about yourself) as well as the reaction of others to you. In a job interview, how you package yourself is extra important. You want to instantly be perceived as competent and confident. Here are a few of our best wardrobe tips to help land (and keep!) the job of your dreams:
#1 Suit Up. With today's more casual workplace rules, many people want to know if they still should wear a suit to the interview. In most fields, the answer is yes, especially for that all-important first interview. When you show up suited, it tells people that you understand job interview etiquette and want to be taken seriously right away.
#2 Relax with Thought. If you are told that you don't need to wear a suit for the second interview, listen and adopt your dress code carefully. For men, we suggest a blazer with well-coordinated dress slacks along with a dress shirt with or without a tie — your call. For women, we also often suggest a blazer with coordinated business separates — pants, skirts and tops with conservative necklines — you get the idea!
#3 Add Color Appropriately. While dark suiting is the standard for job interviews (it projects more authority and can be price neutral if you are on a budget), don't be afraid to add color to your interview ensemble — especially when interviewing in creative and less formal industries. Dress shirts, blouses and other professional tops are the easiest and least risky way to do this. Pick hues that complement your skin tone and personality and make you feel your personal best.
#4 The Details Matter. How you coordinate belts, shoes, socks, hosiery and totes is significant. And don't skimp on alterations. Sleeves and hems should be the correct length. Be aware that less is often more in terms of accessorizing — you don't want to create unnecessary distractions. These types of details send subtle yet very significant messages about your attention to the small things that matter a lot in today's competitive business arena.
#5 Don't Let Outerwear be an Afterthought. You are often wearing outerwear when you first meet someone. Make sure yours stands out in only the best way. A trench coat and a well-maintained tote are essential finishing pieces for most business outfits, especially when interviewing.
Last word
We all have a tremendous amount of control about how first impressions are formed about us. Like a resume, your interview attire should be part of your overall game plan and not neglected or ignored. Carve out the time early in the job interview process to be sure you have the right look for the job you want. When you invest in yourself, you invite others to invest back in you.
Top Ten Fashion Picks: Spring 2010
After a long and relentless winter here in the Northeast, it is finally time to start packing winter away while getting your closet ready for spring’s softer and easier looks. This month, we feature our popular Top Ten Picks for Spring 2010 to give you some inspiration about what you might like to add to your wardrobe this season. No matter where you live, we hope many of these ideas resonate with you!
Dressing Well Video Tips
We are grateful to our friends in the media who continue to call upon us to bring our tips and strategies alive for their viewers. We have parked these "video tips" in the "In the News" section of our website for you to view. Last spring, I appeared on Fox News Boston to share tips for packing winter way. Pictured here with me is anchor Kim Carrigan who always brings her own great insights to the topics we present. Our March Q&A posted below covers many of the tips captured on this Fox segment. Whether you read or view these tips, they offer tried and true advice for transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring. On March 16, I will join Kim again at 8:45 am to showcase our top ten picks for spring. Do tune in if you live in Boston. We’ll get them posted on our site promptly for all to enjoy.
From all of us at Dressing Well, here’s to spring 2010!
Mary Lou Andre
Editor, dressingwell.com
President & Founder
Organization By Design, Inc.
Top Ten Fashion Picks: Spring 2010
You don't need a whole lot of clothes to get out the door each day feeling your personal best. Shop in your closet first, make a list of what you need based on your lifestyle and personal preferences, and then visit stores and websites that complement your budget and personality.
Here’s our top ten list for the season ahead. We hope it helps bring some focus to your shopping this season!
#1 Not so Boring Beige
Pair it with pale yellow or crisp coral for a fresh look.
#2 Animal Prints
Trench coats, shoes, bags and belts come alive with what has emerged as a classic print.
#3 The Little White Dress
A fresh twist on a perennial classic. Pair it with a jacket or cardigan for work — glam it up for a night out on the town.
#4 A Big, Bright Floral Blouse
Belt it over a skinny pant or wear it as a soft, flowing jacket over a simple dress.
#5 Pencil Skirts
High-waisted silhouettes, below the knee hems and stiletto heels give them modern appeal.
#6 Colorful, Oversized Handbags
Pick a hue you love and wear it with everything!
#7 Denim Galore
Classic jeans, of course, but also jackets, vests and skirts too. White and black denim provide a fashion-forward contrast with colorful tops and accessories.
#8 Ballet Flats
Choose those with a slight heel & snipped toes for a fresh look.
#9 The Boyfriend Jacket
Mid-thigh lengths, strong shoulders and rolled up sleeves give it signature style
#10 High Impact Jewelry
Think big. Think bold. Think bargain. Scout out tony boutiques, garage sales and your grandmother's jewelry chest for one-of-kind pieces you'll love to wear!
© 2010 Organization By Design, Inc. / Wardrobe Management & Fashion Consulting
No portion of this article can be used without permission.
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