Today's Tip: Label removal, etc.

Gents and ladies when you purchase new clothes sometimes designers tack their name label on the outside sleeve. Most often found on sport coats, coats, and suit jackets. These should always be removed prior to wearing. Also, many forget to untack pocket seams and the cross stich on back vents prior to wearing. 

Today's Tip: The Watch

Ladies and gents your watch is a fashion accessory and makes a statement. The watch should compliment your attire. Have a watch for casual wear, one for business attire, and one for dressy occasions. Invest the time.

Today's Tip: Hose & Shoes

Ladies, the purpose of hosiery is to tie the outfit together, so the rule sort of changes depending on what you're wearing. To help you figure out just how to wear your hose (if at all!), I’ve answered some stocking questions:
Are hose with open-toed shoes ever okay? No. Hose with open-toed shoes simply not the look!
Should I match my hose to my shoes or to my clothes? Match your hose to your shoes. For most women, looking leaner and taller is top priority. By picking hose and shoes in a similar color, you give the illusion of one long line, from skirt hem to toes. Breaking up that line with different colored shoes and hose actually makes legs look shorter and stockier. For the ultimate in length and leanness, match your skin. Today, hose are considered optional and work only if they go with the rest of your outfit.
When are hose a good idea? There are some occasions where you may want to wear your hose. They include a job interview, a funeral, a formal tea, and a serious religious event or holiday. In these cases, choose either a whisper-weight nude stocking, or abide by the rule of matching your hose to your shoes. Or skip it, and wear trousers.
Can hose help make my legs look slimmer? Yes! Sticking to the rule of matching your hose to your shoes will help elongate and slim your legs. If you are looking to dress thin, avoid bulk-building bright or patterned hose, and stay in the darker family of browns, blacks, charcoals, and wines.
Can hose help make my legs look more shapely? Certainly, to give legs the look of more curve and substance, try out today's patterned, textured tights. These styles actually are thicker than most standard tights and their textures are bold, both of which give shape to the leg.
Are there any hose that are off-limits, all the time, for everyone? Yes. Sheer hose are for nurses only, holiday-theme hose not the move, One-shade-fits-all, leave in the drugstore. Invest in a great pair of sheer hose that are barely noticeable on your leg.

Today's Tip: Socks & Slacks

When selecting dress socks , the basic rule is to consider the suit or slacks instead of the shoe. You can add a splash of color with a bold patterned or colored dress sock with any type of slacks.

Today's Tip: Belt & Shoes

Ladies and gents, general rule of thumb: Belt matches the shoes. Be well dressed. Get the belts you need to bring it all together.

Today's Tip: The Seersucker Suit

Gents and ladies summer is approaching, a great time to wear seersucker. Did you know Gregory Peck famously wore a seersucker suit in the movie To Kill a Mockingbird. The seersucker suit is a light weight, typically  pale blue and white striped rumbled cotton fabric that can be washed. Today can be brown and white or gray and white, etc... Ladies can rock a pant or skirt suit. A great fabric and look for the summer.

Today's Tip: The FAB Oxford shoe

Ladies and gents the OXFORD is a style of laced shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp, sometimes referred to as "closed lacing". Oxfords are traditionally constructed of leather and were historically plain, formal shoes but now are available in a range of styles and materials for casual and formal forms of dress. Cap toe, or brogues are very stylish. Oxfords are versatile, can be worn all year long. A shoe must.  Happy shopping!

Today's Tip: The Pocket Square

Gents and ladies the pocket square is the exclamation point. It can announce "well dressed man or women".
It is an added touch that sets you apart from everyone else. There are several ways to wear a pocket square, as well as several kinds. The pocket square should compliment the outfit, stick to the same color scheme. Ladies when wearing, twist it so it looks like a flower, never wear a scarf and pocket square together, too much. It is one of the easiest ways to add spark to your outfit.

Today's Tip: Get in the Trenches

The trench coat is another wardrobe must. One with a removable lining can you worn all year long. Black and khaki are the basics. Light colors are great for the spring/summer. Long and/or short are options. When the weather is harsh wear your trench coat.

Today's Tip: Do you have a turtle neck?

Turtleneck sweater, top and/or dress that is! The turtleneck  is a wardrobe must.  It can be dressed up or down, can go from dressy to casual. The turtleneck can be worn all year long. It comes in many different colors and fabrics. In spring/summer can be cotton or silk/silk knit, spandex, etc... Ladies, can also be a sleeveless top or dress. In fall/winter, wool/wool blends or cotton. Ladies and gents a turtleneck is versatile, and urbane. Looks great all year long.  Happy Shopping!!!

Today's Tip: Make Time for Change

Gents do you tend to throw loose change/coins in your pants or jacket pocket? Ladies do you keep loose change/coins in the bottom of your purse? Simply solution: Use a change/coin purse. They come in different styles/fabrics and range in price. Find one that is
right for you.

Today's Tip: Be a Hat Gal/Guy

I am affectionately known as " Hat Lady of Wall Street". People on the train on my way to work as well as those that see me walking in route way to the train, and to the office the same time M-F look forward to seeing the hat I am wearing. It has become my signature. Everyday without fail someone will say to me "Nice hat lady", making my day. Hats are a fabulous fashion accessory, for ladies and gents. Be it no brim, short brim or wide brim, go to a hat store and see what flatters you. Do not let hat hair hold you back. The secret to a great hat is one the frames your face, compliments the outfit, and is the fabric/material for the season. Happy shopping!!!

Today's Tip: Unsightly Feet - Cover Up

Ladies spring/summer is fast approaching. If you have corns, bunions, or unsightly imperfections strappy sandals, flip-flops, etc. are simply not the move. Consider wearing mules, slingbacks, or peep toe shoes. You will have limited shoe choices, a necessary evil. Unattractive feet are simply not attractive.

Today's Tip: GET YOUR PINK ON!

Ladies and gents pink is a wardrobe must. Spring/summer is approaching think pretty/dashing in pink! Gents the pink dress shirt is a must have, as the classic white. You want a pale shade of pink, wear it with a dark tie and suit or sport coat, to bring out the pink. Ladies have the basics: a blouse/shirt, dress, skirt, sweater and blazer to mix and match. Light fabrics - cotton and linen. Ladies and gents pink also looks fab in the fall/winter months. THINK PINK!

Today's Tip: Steppin' Out, Get Your SHINE On

Gents and ladies, your shoes are an investment, and a reflection of you and should be treated as such. The days of the shoe shine guy on the corner are few and far between, some still exist in shoe repair shops. You can leave it to a professional or simply do it yourself. All you need is some shoe polish, the basics: Black, brown and neutral. For other shoes, use the correct color of shoe polish. Another must is a high quality horse hair shoe brush, and some rags - like an old cotton t-shirt or flannel shirt, which makes for good cleaning and buffing. Unsightly scuffs and worn heel back are a no-no. SHINE!!! Also while on the subject go a step further: If your heels, and soles are worn down, get them resoled. Ladies that tapping noise from worn down heels, when you strut is a no-no. If your shoes are tore up from the floor up, meaning nicks/splits, discoloration for weather/age, and badly scuffed, out with the old in with the new. Take care of your shoes and they will take care of you!

Today's Tip: Tie it Differently - The Ascot and Bow Tie

Gents switch it up. Try wearing ascots and bow ties. Both look very dapper for the younger or older guy. Both can be worn dressy or casual. Remember ties are seasonal, fall/winter fabrics such as wool, and corduroy, in the spring/summer cotton or linen. Silk of course can be worn all year long. Change your look, you may like the new dashing, dapper you, not to mention the ladies will love it. Happy Shopping!!!

Today's Tip: Ditch the Tacky Backpack

If you are a professional, your work bag does make a statement about you. Ladies and gents, school days are over, get rid of the backpack. It wrinkles your garment, not to mention it can cause back problems, and it is simply not a professional look. Invest in a hand held briefcase, a less stodgy look, one that is supple, stylish, and functional, in either leather or canvas. Backpacks are for play, not work. Step it up! Look smart!

Today's Tip: Lose the Overstuffed Wallet

Gents, if you want to look like money know how to carry it. Quit collecting all those random receipts, useless business cards, phone numbers on a pieces of paper, etc., and lose the bulging wallet. Sitting on a thick chunk of leather can not be good for the spin, nor does it look good, and not to mention it can wear holes in the back pocket. Get yourself a slim wallet, elegant card case and then buy a simple silver money clip. If you wear a blazer 99% of the time a breast pocket wallet is another option.
Ladies although we tend to carry our wallet in our purse, a bulging wallet is unsightly, a sign of clutter and disorganization, clean it out!!!Money,Money, Money.

Today's Tip: The Almighty Button

A great way to transform a garment is by simply swapping the buttons. If you do not care for brass or gold tone buttons, or the buttons make the garment look less chic, or if you want to add a touch of bling, swap the buttons. This can be easily done by a tailor or you can do it yourself. When replacing buttons be sure they are the same size. If you have been saving all the buttons attached to garments as I have, you can have the buttons made into a necklace, bracelet, and/or earrings. You can also make cuff links, add them to a tie bar,  jeans, a fabric purse, and/or hat, etc. Buttons Matter!!!

Today's Tip: Don't Get Taken to the Cleaners

Dry cleaning can be harsh on fabric. Your clothes are an investment; you want to preserve them. Dry clean infrequently. If stains are not an issue, and wrinkles are, take the garment and have it steam-pressed, or better yet, hang it up in the bathroom, blast a hot shower, and close the door for ten minutes. If wearing a silk blouse/shirt wear a cotton scarf, or ascot at the neck to prevent collar grime, ladies wear underarm shields to keep perspiration stains/odor away. Some fabrics that say dry clean only can be hand/machined washed or spotted, and hung to dry.

Today's Tip: To Cuff or Not to Cuff

If you are going to cuff your slacks/pants make it at least and inch and a quarter deep. 90% of men keep it classic, where the front of your pants hits the top bit of your shoes and the back touches the tops of your heels. You can go shorter to show a little bit of ankle. Gents and ladies bring a pair of shoes to the tailor's to get the length just right and always follow the rule "Measure twice, cut once". Don't sweep the streets!!

Today's Tip: The Pearl

The pearl is a beautiful natural creation that stands the test of time. Pearls are very often an overlooked fashion accessory. Pearls are simple, yet elegant, classy and add a sophisticated look. Weather a single strand or multiple strands, pearls are glamorous. Add a touch of glamorous elegance to your outfit. Real or faux, the necklace could be long and knotted, short, one strand or multiple, it is a must. Do not forget the pearl earrings and bracelet to complete the look. Pearls rock!!! Happy shopping!!!

Today's Tip: Valentine's Day Gift What to Buy

Ladies and gents Valentine's Day is a two way street if you are romantically involved. A gift is a nice way to let someone know they are special to you. Red roses and candy are typical gifts, this year do something different. Women love the color red, as do men. The key to a great gift is knowing the persons taste that you are buying for. Go from there, buy something RED. Some great gift ideas for him or her are jeans, sweater, vest, dress, slacks, shirt, blouse, shirt, hat, gloves, scarf, ascot, nectie, blazer, jacket, coat, t-shirt, shoes, purse, wallet, cufflinks, hair accesory, jewelry, belt, pocket square, shoes, and pj's. Wrap the gift and do not forget the card. If you have a date wear red. Happy shopping!!!

Today's Tip: Jewelry Makes the Outfit

Ladies & gents some of us wear the same jewelry no matter what!!! The sentimental value or it's your favorite is all well and good, however NOT the move. Jewelry is an accessory, which compliments your outfit, and should not detract from it. Real or faux a variety of pieces, earrings, rings, pins, bracelets, necklaces, eyeglasses, and watches, will bring it all together for a fabulous look. You can never have too much jewelry on hand to wear when it's appropriate.

Today's Tip: Always Shop Off Season

Now is the time to buy winter fashion for next season. Stores will be slashing prices to get rid of stock for the spring line. Generally as much as 75% off! Purchase coats, gloves, boots, handbags, sweaters, hats, dresses, slacks, pantsuits, etc., as much as your wallet will allow. Never pay retail, always shop off season and sale racks. Great buys! Happy shopping!

Today's Tip: Vintage is in!!!

Ladies and gents do not underestimate vintage items. A lot of high end designers today do not make quality items, and charge too much!!! Remember bound button holes? 100% wool? made in the USA? the impeccable detailing? just to name of few. You can find high end designer quality clothing at thrift stores, online auction sites like ebay, consignment shops, and vintage shops. However, beware some shops overcharge, also look for holes, stains, and odor. If the store, or item has an old musty odor do not buy, shop elsewhere. Below is an example of a bound button hole. Happy shopping!!!