Education

Dressing for Zoom!

New York City

The one thing we have left to dress for right now is our Zoom calls.Dressing for Zoom is slightly different than dressing for a normal work day.

 

What are the differences?

1.Offices tend to be a little more formal,it would be strange to be taking a Zoom call in a tailored suit from home.

2.Your outfit has to multitask as between calls you may be a cook, a teacher ,a referee or even a PE instructor.

3.The focus is on the top half but wearing something on the bottom does help.

4.Your look has to be professional and casual at the same time.

With a little planning and some last minute effort you can look sensational on your call

 

Here is how you do it.
  • Start with a great base outfit that embodies your shape and style.Make sure you Zoom outfit reflects how you normally dress for work
  •  Keep it Simple-no fussy detail or lines
  •  Make it Streamlined-great fabric that does not wrinkle
  • Monochromatic-dark colors in rich tones of blue, red, pink, grey and black look best
  • Comfortable- fits your body, elastic waistbands and styles that drape without cling

 

What to avoid at all costs
  • Busy prints-they can pixelate on camera and are distracting
  • Stiff fabrics-can wrinkle and pull
  • Green and Yellow-unless you have a great tan they can wash you out
  • Ill-fitting and Tight clothing-If you are uncomfortable people can sense it

 

Once you have your outfit on look in the mirror and make sure it meets the following criteria

It should do the following

  • Make you feel Confident
  • Look Beautiful
  • Be Pulled Together
  • Read Chic
  • Flattering to you on camera,do a quick check on your computer or phone

 

Just before your call-set an alarm 5 minutes before start time and do the following

CHANGE OUT OR ADD ONE ITEM-this elevates your all day look a notch

  • Replace a tee shirt with soft dressy top
  • Add a jacket or a cardigan for instant polish

ADD AN ACCESSORY–this gives your look a little more polish,never add sunglasses or hair accessories they can be distracting

  • Put on a flattering necklace
  • Add some interesting earrings
  • Add a scarf close to your neck

TIP-you can balance your face shape and complement it by adding a necklace that hits your flattering neck point here is how.

 

APPLY A TOUCH OF COLOR-it is unrealistic to be walking around you house with a full face of makeup so..

Apply a touch of muted eyeshadow

Add a sharp lipstick in an appropriate color(stay away from red)

Dust your cheeks with a soft blush

or just add a filter to your camera

 

BEFORE YOU HIT CONNECT

Check your background or create one on Zoom

Make sure your lighting is right,it should be to the side of you or in front never behind YOU

Check your microphone

Smile

 

Happy Zooming

 

 

 

Dress like it is Easter Sunday!

There are valuable fashion lessons we can learn from how we dress for Easter Sunday and apply them to our daily life especially right now.

1.Putting on your Sunday Best

When it comes to this holiday we go through our closet and pick out an outfit that makes us feel and look our best.This is very important right now because we can easily go into a downward spiral where our entire wardrobe is sweat pants and pj’s.I saw this sign in a store window and it captured the role of clothing in our life,

It is more important that at this time that we do good and it starts with looking good.

2.Planning your Outfit

Many of us start a couple of weeks ahead look in our closet and pull a few options together.If something needs to be mended,cleaned or pressed we take care of it.Taking a few minutes the night before or the first thing in the morning can helps us look good and not feel stressed about what to wear.

3.Do not be afraid of Color

Nature at this time of year gives us a bounty of color,here are some pictures that I took one Easter I spent in San Diego with my fabulous friend Marijane Relth(Who is never afraid of Color).So take this time of year to add some color to your life and to your wardrobe.

4.Embrace Print

It is all around us right now so say come on in.Print is a great way to make you feel good.

5.And Finally Dress for Joy…

Easter Sunday is about JOY so make your wardrobe a source of  joy in your life and not a source of stress.I have created a coloring book for you to download and print so you can have some fun with the little fashionistas in your life playing with color and print.

The Perfect Fall Wardrobe in 5 Easy Steps!

New York City

As we head to the Fall and dream about having that perfect wardrobe.The one that is fully integrated  and well edited that epitomizes your style and fully covers all your needs yet manages to look fresh and exciting every time you step out.

Some swear it is just an urban myth and is impossible but with these 5 easy steps you can attain  wardrobe nirvana.The biggest mistake people make is buying one offs,a cute top or a great outfit or some divine shoes and when you bring it home and add it to your closet it just does not give you a cohesive wardrobe.My definition of a dream wardrobe is one that you can get dressed completely in the dark and when you step out into the light you look like a million bucks.

This is the perfect time to do a little planning,Fall is not quite here but we pretty much know what is coming in the next two weeks.Here is what you need to do.

Step 1-Be honest about your body and lifestyle.

As we age our body shape often changes so does it if you have lost or gained more that 15 pounds your shape changes.It is important to dress the body you have,not the body you have or the body you plan to have.Take a few minutes to measure yourself and confirm your body type.Here is a cheat sheet to help you.

Be honest about your lifestyle,if you work from home buying a whole lot of dresses and suits is not going to help.Take stock of what you wear 80% of the time.Do not buy something because you friend is wearing it and loves it.

Step 2-Stick to a Color Story

For the majority of what you wear stick to 4 complimentary shades and work with them.This allows for optimal mixing and matching.For the Fall I like mixing two dark tones with a mid tone and an accent.If you are a print person do add one great print.You can have a color story for work and another for casual if you like.Here are some on trend color stories for Fall 2019.

Step 3- Go for Quality and Fit over Quantity

As Americans we love variety but here is where we should take a lesson from our European sisters.French women tend to have less but it fits them perfectly and is the very best quality they can afford.This is very important when it comes to Outerwear,Bags and Shoes.Quality pieces tend to last longer so in the long run they actually cost less.

Step 4-Create your Core or Foundation

Just like a great house begins with a foundation your wardrobe is built on core pieces or essentials.These are the work horses of you wardrobe that multi task in many outfits.Depending on your lifestyle you may have different core pieces.Make a list of what your items are and make sure you have them,that they fit and are in good condition.Create a checklist and if you do not have it make sure you acquire these pieces first.Here is an example for a professional who works in a casual office.

You should add some on trend fashion tops to balance out your selection.The general rule is that you should have 3 top options for every bottom.Make sure these pieces flatter you really well,if not go out and get a piece that does,here are some guidelines.

Step 5-Work with your Budget

The best way to do it is to follow the 80/20 Rule. 80% of your funds go to carefully planned items to fill your wardrobe gaps.The balance 20% goes towards impulse buys,whims and sales.Here are 10 wardrobe basics that are always in style and give you the best bang for your buck.

 

So with these five simple steps,a little planning and some smart shopping with a dose of self control you can have an amazing wardrobe.

Love,Sunil

 

 

 

 

Scarves and the Summer-Seen all over NYC

New York

Just like Sex and the City,Scarves and Summer is an integral part of the New York style scene. Make them a key part of your Summer Style.They are extremely versatile and can be used as a headwrap, a top, a skirt or even a dress

The windows at Bergdorf Goodman featured a stunning array of Hermes scarves worn in all kinds of ways.I used this as inspiration to create 6 different ways you can transform a scarf in a quick jiffy.

SCARF

Remember your scarf is your Lifesaver and can elevate a simple outfit in an instant.Keep a couple handy in your bag at all times.

Here are some options with easy instructions. I have taken some of the guesswork out for you.

Summer Scarves

Choose one or two in a light weight cotton or poly chiffon,usually a 36″ square works really well.Since this summer is about print matching you can use two contrasting scarves to create a wow look.

Have a Stylish Summer
♥ Sunil

 

In honor of Women of Strength,Substance and Style

New York City

On this month celebrating amazing women and on this day honoring  their achievements I have to talk about all the wonderful things I have have been blessed to learn from great women,I consider myself lucky to be always surrounded by strong women of substance and great style.I have spent a lot of time soaking in their awesome presence and here are some things they do consistently,that sets them apart and make them very special.

1.They OWN it

They know their strengths,make the most of them and work the gifts that God gave them.Their philosophy is “It’s not what you have but what you do with it.”They do wonderful things with the talents they have.

2.They STEP IT UP

They step up to meet every challenge head on,They also constantly elevate the women around them.

and ROCK IT

They wear the clothes the clothes never wear them.They make clothing a frame to showcase who they are.

3.They are TRUE to who they are

Never a “cookie cutter”their personality shines thru.They are never ever pretend to be something they are not.

with a “SIGNATURE”

They make every look their own with a twist that belongs to them.

4.The picture they paint is “POLISHED”

A woman of great style always has elevates herself to the next level.Her words and actions are always considerate, kind and caring.

and makes a STATEMENT

With outfits,accessories,gestures and specially her presence.She lingers in your heart and mind long after.

5.They are DONE

They invest in haircuts and makeup that compliments their person.They always look gorgeous even in the grocery store or the gym with the simplest hair and face.

9.Have  strong CHARACTER

Women of both substance and style they are.Their true beauty shines from within.They always walk tall and proud.

10.and exude CONFIDENCE

There is nothing more powerful than a confident woman.It is the best finishing touch to any outfit from a black dress to jeans and tee shirt.

♥ Sunil