How to Dress for the Oscars - by Charlize Theron

It's been over a week since the Oscars and people have been asking me why I didn't blog about the fashion from the night.  So I'm here to tell you why...  Charlize Theron.  I am very dismayed by the lack of glitz & glamour on the red carpet these days.  So many ladies lack sparkle in terms of jewelry or interesting up dos and I wasn't really blown away by anyone this year.  Except Charlize Theron.  Everything is perfection - the hair, the jewelry and the gown with major wow factor.  So I am singling her out this year as "How to Dress for the Oscars."  Everyone else, please take notes. 

Charlie Theron in Dior Haute Couture at 2016 Academy Awards

Crazy Winter Weather = You Gotta Have the Gear!

I moved back to NYC  after living in California for many years and during my first winter back, there were record low temperatures that I never experienced growing up here.  It was shocking, but life must go on and I realized something:  It’s not so bad if you have the gear.  But – you gotta have the gear!  This winter so far has presented us with a different season every day.  With this unpredictable weather, you must be prepared for anything – and your wardrobe must represent that too. 

Me in all my warmest gear!

A few tips on gearing up for the cold: 

• When it’s REALLY cold – like in the teens or single digits – the only way to stay truly warm is with down, shearling or fur.  There really is no substitute and even when they are 100% cashmere, cloth coats do not do the job.  (Sorry if you are a strict vegetarian or vegan).  But it’s great to have a smart cloth coat on hand for dress wear and “warmer” cold days.   
• Cold weather gear can be pricey but it doesn’t have to be. Heattech by Uniqlo is a great example of an affordable heat-retentive line that comes in every form from t-shirts to socks and leggings for both men & women.  Heattech items are mostly thin and great for layering.  
• The end of the season (as in right now) is a great time to get bargains on cold weather gear.  Even furriers are offering major deals in order to move their inventory.
• I said this in a previous post but it bears repeating.  It is essential to check the forecast every single day and plan your ensemble for the day accordingly.

Other suggestions to help brave the winter:

• Waterproof/insulated "weather" boots
• A good sturdy umbrella – like a golf umbrella or plastic “bubble” umbrella (because the wind can demolish a cheap fabric one)
• Water repellent jacket/coat
• Don't go out if you don't have to (one of the benefits of being self-employed!)

Although I am preaching how to dress for a polar vortex, I myself am over the winter already and looking forward to Spring as soon as possible.  Who's with me?

Break the Fashion Rules!

I was consulting a comedic actress last week and suggested she wear her hair longer because it makes her look younger.  She said she thought she had to have short hair in order to be funny.  I pointed out that actresses like Kathryn Hahn, Jennifer Coolidge, Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon are all hilarious with long flowing hair.

I want to take this opportunity to dispel some other misconceptions about women & image.  There are so many “rules” and I am here to say poppycock to all of them.  I hate sweeping generalizations that don’t actually do anyone any good. 

The one & only Goldie Hawn

Some examples:

• No short skirts/bare arms after age 40
• Women over 50 must have short hair
• You should always match your shoes, belt and bag
• Red lipstick is only for evening
• Tall women shouldn’t wear heels

My clients are all unique and I consult each based upon her individual goals, occupations, personalities and bodies.  My motto is "whatever works."  If you are empowered by something, go for it and don’t worry about what the world says you “should” do.   Goldie Hawn, a major inspiration of mine, recently turned 70 and still wears dresses with spaghetti straps and plunging necklines and she still has long hair.  She feels good about herself and her body, so more power to her. 

        

Here are some new guidelines:

• Dress how you feel, not your age
• If you are comfortable in it, work it!
• Accentuate the positive (décolletage, great arms/legs…). If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
• All fashion trends are not for everyone {This is a whole other blogpost!}
• There is only one you - so just Do You!

Dress for the Weather (NOT the Season)!

It’s Fall and I say - so what?  I’ve never been a big fan.  People tend to romanticize the Fall and I don’t really get all the fuss about it.  Shorter days, more darkness and the onset of colder weather…  Yippee!!  Sounds like a party!   I’m an extremist in every sense of the word and always have been.  Give me hot or cold – I don’t like the in between.   

But let’s get real – there really is no Fall or Spring anymore.  There is just a modified, short-lived Winter and Summer.  In New York, the weather has been unseasonably warmer than usual so far.  It was 75 degrees on November 9^th!  And people were ice skating on ice that was rapidly melting!  Why?  And I have also seen people in down coats and fur boots.  Relax – It’s not that cold yet.  So here’s my rule of thumb for unpredictable weather: Dress for the weather, NOT the season.

It’s simple. When you get up in the morning, check the weather report online and dress for whatever that is, not for what November 17^th should be.  Times have changed and many of the rules of fashion no longer apply. The season doesn’t dictate what we can and cannot wear.  It is totally okay to wear white pants after Labor Day and it is also okay to dress lightly if it’s 75 degrees in November.

 

Here are 3 tips for dressing for the changeable weather:

1. Moto jackets are super on trend and great for moderate temps and windy Fall days.
2. Booties are literally mini boots and go with everything and there are tons of styles available right now – for both men and women.
3. Dressing in layers gives you the opportunity to unwrap if the temps fluctuate throughout the day.  Scarves, tanks & cardigans are great for this.  I realize this may sound obvious but it is easier said than done

                   

                   

Image is Everything for Growing Your Business!

Writing a book is in my game plan so I recently went to a seminar called “Marketing with a Book & Speech” and heard a compelling speaker who is a past president of National Speakers’ Association.  His name is Mark LeBlanc and as a speaker, he had the perfect balance of intelligence and heart.  Another striking thing about Mark was his appearance.  Unique eyeglass frames, great shirt & sport jacket and fantastic shoes.  After the talk I said to him, “You have great style for a straight man.”  He laughed and thanked me and I told him how I think business casual is the worst thing to ever happen to fashion.  He emphatically agreed. 

I just started reading Mark’s book Growing Your Business! and the old adage about not judging a book by its cover totally applies to this tiny little book.  It is 1/4” thick and retails for $7.95.  How great could it be?  And what could it possibly say that I haven’t read before in other business coaching books?  Well, actually – A LOT.  It has blown my mind completely and I am still only halfway through.  (It’s only 77 pages but I am savoring it – and implementing the principles slowly.) I am not going to outline the first 3 chapters for you, but I am going to tell you about one intriguing principle in it. 

In Chapter 2, LeBlanc outlines 10 ways to “Position Yourself for More Prospects” and 2 out of the 10 are about image!  They are…

Your appearance

The clothes you wear

Even I was floored that LeBlanc included not 1, but 2 principles here.  2 out of 10!  That’s 20% of the key to success!  I was amazed by this and it was major validation for what I do as an image consultant.  So - for anyone who thinks that fashion is superfluous and paying attention to grooming is a waste of time & money, you can argue with the highly successful speaker & business coach who literally wrote the book on success.

Mark LeBlanc

For anyone who is an entrepreneur, I highly recommend getting your hands on Growing Your Business! and reading it.  I promise that it will rock your world!  I’ve already decided that it is my holiday gift to all my self-employed colleagues and clients.

For more about Mark LeBlanc and to get a copy of Growing Your Business! visit his website here.

     

New Strategic Partner Stella & Dot Jewelry!

Jessica Sigler of Stella & Dot

Stella & Dot stylist Jessica Sigler and I teamed up to create some looks to showcase this amazing jewelry line. I chose the clothes and Jessica styled the looks with S&D jewelry. Although I am NOT a model, it was fun for me to be styled for a change!

I must admit that jewelry is not my strongest suit. I cannot leave the house without earrings - but necklaces and bracelets are tougher for me to put together, especially for myself. I also almost always wear silver. So I challenged Jessica with some diverse wardrobe pieces to see what she would do – and the result is pretty amazing…

Another reason to team up with Stella & Dot is their mission statement:

To Give Every Woman The Means To Style Her Own Life

Here are 4 looks we created, with comments from Jessica and links to see the jewels in more detail.

To shop all the beautiful pieces I am rocking below and much more from S&D, please visit my online trunk show here

Red Carpet/Hot Date Look

 
Chantilly Lace Earrings

Chantilly Lace Cuff

"Both pieces are gold plated filigree inspired by a piece of vintage lace. Because of the peplum and bright nature of the dress, I chose the matching lace earrings and cuff. The pieces book end the peplum and are neutral enough to compliment the dress as well as hold their own. From a distance, the pieces brighten up the skin tone and hair of Antonia, and the detail is a lovely surprise close up."



 

      

Uptown Dinner Look  

Casablanca Pendant Necklace

Deju Vu Studs

Arrison Stretch Bracelet

City Slim Clutch

"The darker nature of this dress called for pops of sparkle & silver but still maintaining a relaxed and elegant look. The art deco-inspired, pave-encrusted geometric pendant has a cool vintage feel. It can be worn long or short and with or without the stunning bottom two drops for 4 total looks in one piece! We paired the statement pendant with smaller studs that have a bit of sparkle and a simple stretch bracelet. We finished our look with a clutch from the newest collection to add a neutral pop."

Saturday Brunch Look

Bianca Earrings
 

Becker Cuff

"Because there is a LOT going on with the neckline of this top, I decided to accessorize around the detail. For a more laid back look and to make Antonia step outside of her comfort zone, we went gold! The earrings are a simple every day earring with a bit of pave detail for sparkle. The cuff is also a more everyday piece - it is a thick cuff, but the cut outs tone it down as well as make it very movable. "

Downtown NYC Look

Natalie Necklace

Bracelet Stack: 
Artisan Stretch Bracelet Artisan Disc Cuff Remy Wrap Bracelet 

City Slim Clutch

"This look is totally rocker and edgy! The amazing statement necklace is mixed metal to excite even a simple tee as Antonia wore it! The genuine leather collar and pave detail give it extra punch as well. We spiced up the look with a mixed medium bracelet stack and then threw in a clutch with a bold pattern. Black and White can be a neutral!"

As part of our collaboration Jessica & I discussed how Stella & Dot raises money for breast cancer research and doing a fundraiser in the future. Then my cousin Robin lost her 10 year battle with breast cancer on the same day of our shoot. So in Robin's honor, I invite you to Shop for a Cause to support breast cancer research.

From September 10th, 2015 until October 31st, 2015, 20% of purchases of the Resilience Cuff and Inspire Bracelet will be donated by Stella & Dot to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. The Noreen Fraser Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for breakthrough research that advances precision medicine for the prevention and treatment of women’s cancers.

We put together the bracelet stack below to highlight the Resilience Cuff and Inspire Bracelet. Click below for more about each bracelet in our stack.

Beauty and heart.  Another thing to like about Stella & Dot.
I'd love to hear what you think about my new strategic partner and feel free to get in touch with questions about how to style your wardrobe with Stella & Dot or how to pair your Stella & Dot purchases with your wardrobe...

Inspire Bracelet

Tribute Bracelet

Pave Triangle Cuff - Rose Gold

Inspiration Bangle - Always

Resilience Cuff
(Co-designed by actress Cobie Smulders)