This week, I've been co-hosting Living Today, the afternoon show on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius XM (and having a great time!). And one of the topics we covered this week was where personal style runs up against fashion faux pas. I'm no fashionista, but, like you, I want to look good and appropriate for my age, whatever that means...and at the same time as young and pulled together as I can.
Now, my rule of thumb when it comes to what you wear is always if YOU question it, then so will everyone else. Confidence and carriage have a lot to do with what you can pull off. At the same time, however, sometimes it helps to get a second opinion.
So I got mine from Ginger Burr, of Total Image Consultants--because she's been helping people look their best for a long time. Here are some bits of advice that, though you may have heard them before, are well worth repeating.
What (and What Not) to Wear
Highlight the good stuff. First, says Ginger, don’t focus on what you hate when dressing yourself; focus on what works. This isn't easy for women to do, but we must. Not to do this means a missed opportunity or major wardrobe mishap. For instance, if you'll do anything to hide your waist, you may end up hiding the rest of you under mounds of clothing that do your good parts little good indeed.
Say you've got great legs--that doesn't mean you have to wear a micro minnie (in fact, says Ginger, leave that to the kids). You can flatter them without showing a ton of skin--simply because it's not how MUCH you show of your fab legs, but HOW you show them that matters. Try different hem lengths to see which one flatters you most--and you might be surprised that your legs look even better in an A-line that hits you just so than in a too-tight, too-short number.
Do up the trends--but maybe not head to toe. Love animal print? Go for it. But what you might have worn 10 or 20 years ago may not work now. Canvassing yourself in leopard print may just not be a good idea, period. But a leopard scarf or handbag? Perfect. “Pick a trend you know suits your personality, lifestyle, your body size," says Ginger.
Careful with...low necklines. This is a hot trend, but isn't great for all times or places, so consider the environment you'll be in and who you want and don't want eyeballing you. Often, says Ginger, a low low neckline just says "hey I have cleavage--and then some!" and is that the one thing you want to broadcast?
SUMMER ATTIRE: GINGER’S PET PEEVES
- No peeking bra straps! (Need we say more?)
- Plastic flip flops are not footwear. They're beachwear.
- Get a pedi. It's not just about the paint, which you can go without...but watch for dry heels...and check the bottoms of your feet. "You wouldn't believe how many ladies I see having lunch at an outdoor cafe and what do we see besides her outfit? Her black feet under her slip-on sandals."
Eeew.
Tune in to Living Today on Martha Radio for more!
Terri Trespicio is senior features editor at Whole Living magazine and the host of "Whole Living" on Martha Stewart Living Radio, which airs every day at 10a East / 7a West on Sirius 112 / XM 157. Follow her on twitter @TerriT or subscribe to her videos on youtube at TerriT73.
From: zehra ahmed | 4/28/11 at 8:20 pm
You are absoultly right about those dry heel of the feet but I would like to know how to get rid of them?
Can you suggest something for it please.
Thank you
Zehra
From: Terri Trespicio | 4/28/11 at 8:26 pm
Hi Zehra! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well, as I said, a pedicure is the best thing, and if you can spare $25 or so to get one even once a month, it provides a nice foundation for clean feet. But what you can do in between is slough off the dead skin every few days (or about once a week). There are tons of products out there in pharmacies that sell products specifically for getting rid of that dead skin (PedEgg is one of the most popular--just google it). And also: When you get out of a bath or shower, while your feet are still damp, massage in some oil or lotion right away--and reapply often!
One more tip: Carry baby wipes with you so that if you're out and your feet get dusty, you're just a few swipes away from clean feet.