| REMEDY PAGE |
| BEAUTY HINTS |
| CLOTHING |
| FACE |
| BODY |
| HAIR |
| HANDS AND FEET |
| LINKS (Add yours!) |
| rani's Home Page |
| The Royal Carpet |
| Email us! |
| FASHION CENTS |
Click on a topic:
- accessories
- an organized closet
- classic clothes
- lingerie
- matching
- money and trends
- outerwear
- pants
- right colors
- shoes
- skirts
- swimwear
- tops
- what to wear
- Stick to one major accessory at a time. A flashy bangle doesn't need to be worn with a boa AND big dangly earrings. Less is more.
- Your accessories should complement, not overpower, your clothing. Avoid chunky somethings with delicate garments - be aware of weight.
- Earrings: a simple, classic pair in a durable gold or silver will last you years. If you MUST have variety, buy inexpensive ones and coat them with clear nailpolish to prevent wearing off the coating. You can find many earrings at yard sales and thrift stores. To sterilize them: boil in salted water (if they are only metal), or clean with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol (for those with enamel and stones). Silver earrings can be cleaned in hot water with salt and a square of aluminum foil.
- Watches: make your watch a thing of style. Again, delicate goes with delicate and chunky with chunky clothes. Pick a color that will be neutral and can hide when you want it to. Avoid watches with too many stones and details that might require frequent and expensive repair. Keep on hand a supply of batteries. One with an LED light will help you check the time in the dark. Or if you are always surrounded by clocks anyway (computer, wall clocks, friends), try going without a watch for a while. It's liberating!
- Belts: really skinny belts are for really skinny people. Your belt should be proportionate to your size. Pretty details like chains, embroidery, etc. should be worn with simple, solid-color clothes. A classic belt with a slip buckle can be adjusted no matter how you grow or shrink. The right size? Make sure the middle hole of the belt fits you comfortably (not the very last or first one!). For a twist, wear a ribbon or scarf as a belt!
- Bags: These days, almost every bag goes. To make it last, choose a classic. An initial bag (Louis Vuitton) will go with anything (or nothing), but try a daring color like dark red. You should have one that can be slung over your shoulder to keep your hands free. For night, pick an elegant wrist bag or clutch that will allow you to eat and dance and hold hands worry-free.
- Hair-things: see Hair
- Scarves: scarves are multipurpose. Add a dash of color to a neutral or all-black outfit. Tie it in your hair, around your shoulders or neck, over your coat, around your hips, draped across your arms, as a belt, or anything else you can imagine!
- Organizing your closet can be tricky. Start by purging and starting over here.
- Keep your closet organized by using clear plastic bins, dividers, and boxes for storage. Sort by color or type of clothing, and make a conscious effort to put everything back. Use hooks for frequently used items (robes, pjs).
- Think about how you use your clothes. Do you have trouble choosing outfits? Then put clothes into outfits you like in advance. Are you the kind who likes to see everything at once and experiment? Then separate into tops and bottoms on hangers. Do you just want to get out of the door? Set aside a week's worth of clothes on one day of the week. Trying to remember to wear everything? Make a checklist of what you have. Make copies and mark off what you've worn.
- If your clothes don't fit in a closet, think about alternatives: under the bed for winter clothes, drawers for lingerie, a front-door closet for shoes. You can use the space. OR, give things away!
- Make more room by putting away half your clothes. Rotate after 6 months and you'll have a fresh set to work with.
- We all need some classic pieces. To choose them, look for 1) good stitching, 2) a style you could wear now, 10 years ago, and 10 years from now, 3) a solid, color, 4) good fall and fit (no pinching and gathering, no holes and gaudy details, a flattering fit), and 5) something you enjoy wearing.
- Some classic pieces you should own if you don't already: a white button-down shirt, black pants, a fitted denim jacket, a pencil skirt, a blouse, a sheath (or shift or wrap) dress, boots, a go-with-anything bag.
- When it comes to nightwear, think both comfort and sexiness. Don't wear that stretchy sequined thing that's going to leave dents in your skin, but don't sleep in baggy sweats either! A shorts and tank top jersey set will be nice, as are those flannel pjs.
- When choosing underwear, make sure you have the right kind that won't show through - seamless, bikini, thong, whatever you need. Wear easy-wash fabrics.
- Ensure that you have a strapless bra for those tank tops and strapless dresses. A good test: jump up and down while wearing it - if it slips down even a little, it's no good. Use a bit of heavy-duty double-stick tape or hem tape to hold even a test-worthy bra in place, just to be sure.
- Extend the life of a tight bra by stretching a rubberband through the loop and over the hook.
- Don't be afraid to try different sizes of bras - it should fit comfortably, not too low or high, should move with you, and never dig in at the shoulders. Adjust the straps to see how they fit. Everything should be right - the cup size, the width around your chest, and the straps. Get removable padding if you wish.
- Get an inexpensive robe, or make a quick coverup out of an old tshirt and keep it handy, in case your parents or neighbors decide to stop by, if there's a fire at 3am, or any other emergency.
- We tend to make too much of matching. Do your lipstick and clothing and nailpolish have to match? Should your shoes be the exact color of your underwear? NO. Don't be ridiculous! Relax a little.
- Try to complement styles. Wear heavy shoes and cargo pants together. Wear strappy sandals and a lace blouse with a silk skirt. The weight of the fabric and the style of it should go together, not necessarily the color.
- DO NOT match your hair accessory or watch or shoes or anything exactly to your clothes. Hair stuff should match your hair, a watch should be in a metal color that complements, and shoes should be in the same style and range. A navy dress would work just as well with black shoes (or even brown or dark red) as with exactly navy colored shoes. Don't be afraid to experiment.
- Tops and bottoms should be of the same style as well. A corduroy shirt can seldom be worn with satin pants, but it might go well with fake leather. Similarly, a lace camisole will better suit the ruffled skirt than the vinyl one.
- Avoid mixing patterns. Try a solid with a striped bottom, or a patterned top with a plain bottom. Don't make the mistake of wearing a polka dot tie with a plaid shirt and striped pants!
- Every spring, summer, fall, and winter, the fashion industry comes out with new trends. The new must-have scarf costs $100 and the amazing new boots are $500. Most of us don't have that much money to lavish on ourselves every season. So stick with one thing each year, or season at most.
- Often, a knock-off will do. Can't get EXACTLY the same shoes? Try one with a similar style at a discount store. If it's something so trendy everyone knows exactly what it is, you may think about waiting until the trend dies.
- Do YOU like it? Don't wear something you really don't enjoy just because everyone else is wearing it. Mom was right.
- Try vintage stores. "Flares" are pretty much bell-bottoms, after all. And you might just find a beautiful something that's just coming back.
- When choosing a coat, remember that your coat should be no longer than what you are wearing. A really really long coat can go only with a LONG dress or pants. Knee length styles are for skirts that hit at the knee. Wear a mini with a short jacket (or you'll look like you're not wearing anything under there!).
- Please avoid fur and fur trims. There are so many fake fur coats out there that are beautiful and humane. Things with details are nice but remember that the trends may not last.
- Classic coats: the trench coat, raincoat, peacoat. Get a good quality one that can be worn during the day and carry over into night, in case you need to stay out late. One with a removable belt will allow you to change styles according to your clothes.
- Don't underestimate the often-neglected shawl. It makes a great sudden cover-up, keeps you warm AND elegant in the nicest dress. It's also easy to carry. A simple black one will do, but even if you go all-out, make sure it's not more fancy than what you're wearing.
- The lining of a coat should be tight and close-fitting. Inspect all stitches, check for extra buttons (in case one falls off), no loose threads, no bunching. Sleeves should come to just past your wrist so that they don't bunch and become short with something underneath.
- Pants should fit so that they fall straight down halfway from your rear end. The waist should be snug and not sagging, and the zipper/front shouldn't roll over when you sit down or bend over. Make sure there's enough on the bottom to let out an inch or so.
- If the pants gape at the pockets, simply sew the pockets shut!
- Pants should fall at the top of your foot. Try them on with the height of shoe you'll wear with them. Shorter, ankle pants can be worn with loafers.
- If you never wear belts with pants, remove the belt loops, or buy pants without them. An alternative is to try a scarf or ribbon as a belt.
- As with matching, color is not an exact science. You don't have to wear the exact shade of pink in your bag and your belt. Instead, try complementary colors.
- Tops and bottoms with the same exact color are these days restricted to jogging suits and sweats. When it comes to daily clothing, colors should have some contrast. Try pairing a neutral with a color (think: red with khaki, black and lavender, orange and olive, white and green, gray and blue). Try a color with a color (think: mustard with navy, red with blue, fuschia and purple). Try neutrals together, with an accessory for punch (think: white and black, with red shoes).
- Shoes come in so many styles that you need a few basics: sneakers, dress shoes, daily shoes, boots, flip flops, and slippers. Beyond this is all fun.
- Shoe height should match your clothes. Short pants with loafers. Knee length and long skirts with boots or sandals. Long pants with heels.
- A pair of good black shoes is always a keeper, but try out colors like chocolate, camel and dark red, which go well with many types of clothing. Save white for weddings.
- If your shoes are falling apart, get them repaired. It may cost you less than a whole new pair.
- Get some good insoles in your shoes - they can also tighten too-loose shoes. They will save your feet.
- Deodorize your shoes with balls of newspaper stuffed into them. They also help them keep their shape.
- The skirt is what distinguishes a woman. It can make you feel empowered (leather mini) or delicate (chiffon). And the length can be attention-getting.
- Small skirts make legs look longer. So go short!
- Take out the waistband from skirts that are high on the waist. Let them sit at your hips for flattering fit.
- Hem up skirts that are mid-calf so that they hit at or below your knees.
- Long skirts should be worn with delicate tops so that they aren't too heavy.
- Swimwear is a matter of dread for so many. Can I wear two pieces? Does this make me look fat? Don't be afraid, be confident.
- If you are afraid of a two-piece, try one with cut-outs that show some skin, or a flattering one piece that has vertical ribbing.
- Make sure that all strings and ties and other things are secure. Pin or sew them if you wish.
- Try a tank top with a short bottom, or a bikini top with a pair of short shorts on the bottom. It will give you coverage.
- A cotton scarf can be used like a sarong, or bring a long shirt or capris or wrap dress as a coverup on the beach.
- Tops come in so many styles you'll never know what to wear first. Keep a few classics: white shirt, white tee, black tee, black turtleneck, and a fitted sweater. The twinset is also invaluable.
- Look for interesting details that aren't trendy. Not this year's cap sleeve with the tie at the ends but somehting with pretty beads or nice stitching.
- Recycle your tops by cutting off sleeves, switching them, or changing the length. Mix and match.
- How often have you said, "I have nothing to wear!" ? It's the daily dread. But you can learn to love everything you own. To do that, you have to own only things you love!
- Do the closet purge. See here. Only things you really love should stay.
- Fill in with missing stuff. Does this top not have a bottom to be worn with it? Get one. No shoes to match? Get them. If these are things you truly love, you'll love wearing them only when they look good with everything else.
- Keep in mind your tastes will change. If, after 6 months, you start disliking a top, put it away. Come back to it 6 more months later, you might like it again.