Personal Style Archives | ConfettiStyle

Favorite Design Details

January 28, 2016

We all have them? Favorite design details that we want in our existing home or in our dream home. Those special touches and design elements that speak to us and creates the personal retreat that makes a house a home.

A few months ago I shared with you that my dream home is a Cape Code style home on the water. I’m constantly dreaming about what that home would look like on the outside and how I’d decorate it on the inside. My approach to decorating would be to include all the elements that consistently appeal to me, many of which exist in my current decor, details I’m constantly drawn to on Pinterest or rooms that spot me when I’m flipping through design magazines. My favorite design details are all elements that are classic and timeless but would still let me infuse my own personality and style into the decor.

Want to know what decor and design details I love? Here they are…

…

Read the Post

Define Your Design Style

January 25, 2016

I taught a design workshop right before Christmas that focused on seasonal décor and fashion. During the workshop I presented decorating tips and design ideas to inspire those in attendance with their design and personal style. As I look back on the workshop I recognize that the ideas presented ran the gamment from casual and country to chic and traditional. It’s always my goal to present a range of ideas that anyone can identify with, since everyone’s style is different.

The workshop also got me thinking about people who don’t have a clear vision of what their style is and in-turn find it challenging to decorate their homes. If you fall into that category, this blog post is for you. I’m outlining the steps you can take to analyze and define your design style so decorating becomes a joy and not a job.

…

Read the Post

Fashion Meets Decor

August 3, 2015

Good Morning everyone (or should I say afternoon)! I hope you all had a great weekend.

Today I wanted to share a little bit about the design workshop I conducted on Saturday. I’ve been partnering with a local retail store called Smith’s for several years now and have conducted seasonal design workshops for their customers. Smith’s is located in Duluth, GA on Main Street which has lots gift and decor stores, restaurants and art galleries.

Over the years my workshop topic centered around home decor since that was the primary product focus of the store. However, Smith’s recently made a change to their product mix and in addition to carrying decorative accessories and gifts, they now sell clothing, accessories and footwear. They have also co-branded their store as Smith’s and BoCo Girl which is the fashion side of the business.

So, what’s a designing girl like me to do when it’s time to come up with a workshop theme and it has to include fashion? Well, I tapped into my fashion experience and created a workshop that focused on how your fashion style can influence and define your home decor style.

I thought you’d enjoy the presentation here on the blog so here’s my cliff note version of the fashion and design tips I shared with the group.

♦♦♦

♥ Fashion and home decor and directly related since many of the trends you see in home decor as spun from the colors, patterns, textures and materials you see in clothing.

♥ A great way to define your design style is to look in the closet and identify the colors and patterns you wear most. Use what you love in fashion to help build a design theme for your home.

♥ Sometime fashion only inspires and design trend and in some cases home decor patterns and colors are a direct interpretation of a fashion statement.

♥ Understanding your clothing style (loose and layered or streamline and structured) can relate to how you’d like to style your home and how each room needs to function for you.

♥ Fun patterns in clothing can add personality to your wardrobe just like patterns in your decor can help define the personality of your home.

♥ Your fashion style should play up your best physical assets and the way you decorate your home should highlight the best features of your home (tall ceilings, windows, trim etc)

♥ A favorite wardrobe piece like a classic denim jacket can be the inspiration for the decor in your home.

♥ And if you have a signature look when it comes to fashion like Diane Keaton, use that to determine your design formula.

via style at home

via my domaine

♥ The style of jewelry and accessories you wear can inspire the types of items and the way your accessorize around your house.

necklace available from Smith’s

via the teacher diva

shoes available from Smith’s

♥ Because fashion is such a personal statement that ties into our emotions, it’s very likely that the elements you like in fashion are also elements you’ll like as decor in your home.

♥ Create a style identity that reflected in your wardrobe and in your home.

Ralph Lauren via Macy’s

via from the right bank

♥ Fashion and decor are so inter-connected, it’s a great idea to use use fashion accessories to decorate your home.

Bracelets as napkin rings via cocokelley

So you see, #fashion and #design really are one in the same. You should dress in clothing that makes you feel good and the best version of yourself and the way you decorate your home should bring you that same joy.

Style Yourself, Style Your Home!

5 Ways to Jump Start Your New Year with Fashion

January 16, 2015

It’s about this time of year that I am sick of wearing winter closets and dream about warmer days and spring fashions. I know many of you probably feel the same way. Unfortunately we have a few more months of cold weather ahead so it’s time to refresh your wardrobe to give you a lift as we wait for spring to arrive.

Those of you who have read my blog for a while might know that I have a degree in fashion. I spent 20 years working in the fashion industry and ever since I was a little girl, I have been passionate about fashion. Today I’m going to share a few tips to help you refresh your winter/transition wardrobe and a few items that are worth investing in right now. As you refresh your wardrobe, it’s also a great time to give some thought to your fashion style and whether or not you’re presenting the fashion statement you want to the world.

…

Read the Post

Fashion Focus: Creating a Signature Style

July 8, 2014

I like to think that over the years I’ve developed somewhat of a signature fashion style–a fashion sense that speaks to who I am and what I’m about. My signature style revolves around the silhouettes, style details and colors that I like to wear and that make me feel good, comfortable and my best self. My signature style conveys a lot about my personality and influences the way that I carry myself and interact to others.

…

Read the Post

32 Fashion Tips That Will Never Go Out of Style

June 24, 2014

Build your wardrobe to break down like this–70% classics, 20% novelty and 10% trend. The classic pieces in your wardrobe should include items like solid colored cardigans, pencil skirts, black pants, dark denim and white shirts. These classics will serve as your fashion foundation and easily allow you to mix and match with the other items in your wardrobe. The 20% novelty should be represented by items like patterned blouses, print skirts and fashion blazers. And the 10% trend are styles, silhouettes and colors that are hot for the season–items like patterned pants, novelty sweaters and print dresses.

Know what styles look best on you. Try on the things you have at home to get a feel for the styles and silhouettes that look best on you and accentuate the parts of your body you like most. Then head to the store and try on more clothes. The more time you spend getting comfortable with your personal style the more confident you’ll feel when shopping and wearing the pieces you buy.

Buy quality fibers and materials and AVOID ACRYLIC. Cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, silk and flannel are always good fabric choices and will stand up to long-term wear and care. Fabrics like acrylic and polyester usually show their wear within a season through pilling and surface shine. When buying cashmere, buy the best quality you can (if you pull the fabric and is doesn’t spring back its a lesser quality).

When buying novelty or trend pieces, buy complete outfits. Novelty and trend clothing is usually designed to represent a hot color or pattern of the season, so it’s important to buy different pieces in that color family so that you have items that work together long term.

Buy key pieces at the end of each season to build your fashion foundation and save money. The end of the spring and summer season is a great time to buy tanks, cami’s and layering tees. At the end of the fall and winter season look for light weight cardigans, blazers and denim. One of your best sources for clothing pre-season is outlet malls which typically have items 3 months before the season begins.

Organize the clothes in your closet by category and then by color within each category. This will help you see what you have, identify core items you need to purchase and help you stay organized.

If you are wearing a loose fitting top pair it with a slimmer fitting pant. Likewise, if you are wearing a wide leg pant, pair it with a slimmer top. Wear clothing that gives you a balanced appearance and avoid an all-over baggy look.

Don’t buy over-sized clothing thinking it will make you look smaller. The area just under the bust is a woman’s smallest torso measurement, so emphasizing it with a structured waistband that hits higher than your natural waist will make you look a size smaller.

The most slimming fashion statement you can create is wearing one color head to toe.

Know your neckline. The neck and decolletage area can make or break how you look in a top. Figure out if you look best in a v-neck, crew-neck or other neckline. You want to accent this area to draw the eye to the face and help give you an overall leaner look.

Invest in an accessory wardrobe so you can add personality to your wardrobe. Scarves, belts, necklaces and earrings can turn a classic fashion piece into a fashion statement. When buying necklaces, buy pieces in different lengths so that you have pieces to work with a variety of neckline styles.

Save money on footwear by creating your own fancy flats. Buy flats in basic colors and then use inexpensive but stylish clip-on earrings to Up-Style them. Yard sales and thrift stores are a great source for cheap clip-on earrings.

To make your legs appear longer, wear shoes in the same color family as your skin-tone. Your legs and foot will create a seamless line and your legs will appear longer.

When buying denim, buy a pair that has a snug fit. Denim always stretches and buying a relaxed fit from the start will result in a baggy fit when the jeans stretch.

Wear jeans at least two times before washing. I’ve heard fashion experts say jeans should be worn 3 to 4 times between washes to maintain the fit and the color. To help with fading, turn jeans inside out when washing.

Never dry your bras in the dryer. Dryers will breakdown the elastic and underwire quickly and result in ill fitting bras. Wash bras on delicate in cold water and then hang them to dry.

If you spill something on your clothes, don’t rub the stain instead blot the stain. Rubbing can break down the fibers and actually embed the stain further into the fibers. p.s. this also goes for carpet stains–blot, don’t rub!

Alterations can be your best friend when it comes to fashion. Always buy clothing to fit the largest part of your body and then have the garment altered to fit where it is too big. Well fitting clothes actually make your clothes look more expensive and higher quality.

When packing for a trip, roll your clothing pieces instead of folding which will help cut down on wrinkles. It will also save space in your luggage.

A basic white tee is one the best fashion buys you can make. A white tee can be dressed up or down, worn with any color and can be layered under just about anything. When you find a tee that fits, buy 3 to 4 so you’ll have a fresh one when one wears out. Same goes for a well fitting pair of jeans.

Wear a t-shirt bra when you wear a t-shirts to keep your bust area smooth. It’s not a flattering look to see lace details or bra seams under a tee.

Wear the right color lingerie. Don’t wear a black bra if you are wearing a white blouse or top. Wear nude or natural lingerie with white, cream and lighter colors and wear black with darker tones.

Have several black pairs of pants in your closet that work with different heel heights. Hem a pair to work with flats and a pair to work with heels. An ‘all-purpose’ length will end up looking OK with some shoes and bad with others.

Always look at yourself in a black tee under light to make sure the fibers aren’t see-through. In many cases light-weight black fabrics have a see-through nature to them which may show up under light. If you are attending an event where photos will be taken, try on your outfit at home and have a couple of pictures taken of you. Check the photos to make sure you’re not exposing something you weren’t aware of.

Always check your rear view before leaving the house. Most of the time people look in the mirror before they leave the house to see how they look from the front but don’t always check the back. Make sure your clothes fit from all angles.

An inexpensive way to Up-Style an inexpensive blouse or blazer is by changing out the buttons. Pearlized, tone-on-tone and leather buttons are always a good option.

Wider belts are typically more flattering then thin belts. Wider belts pull your waist in and help define it.

Always keep an emergency kit in your handbag or car. The kits should include safety pins, double stick tape, a lint brush and a stain remover stick.

When in doubt, Overdress. In today’s world, jeans can be worn to just about any occasion but there’s nothing worse than showing up at an event under-dressed. If you don’t know what the dress code is, overdress. There’s no harm in looking too pulled together, but you’ll feel uncomfortable if you think you look out of place.

If you feel uncomfortable, you probably look uncomfortable! Your confidence is affected by what you’re wearing, as sad of a thought as that might be. So if you’re feeling self-conscious about your outfit, you’re likely to be tugging at it or double-checking that everything is in place all day and night. For instant confidence and a feel-good attitude, always opt to wear your favorite color…mine is red or something bright!

Take care of your footwear. I don’t know how many times I’ve been somewhere are seen someone dressed to the nines only to look down and see scuffed shoes or even worse, a heel with a missing cap.

Take photos of your favorite outfits (including jewelry) and hang them in your closet for easy reference. It’s always good to remember outfits that made you feel like a million bucks, especially if you’re trying to get dressed in a hurry.

Dress you age! Enough said.

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE?

March 23, 2011

About a week ago, I had lunch with a friend and one of the topics of conversation was about developing a personal style.

Since I have a fashion background, Saleema asked me how I’ve developed my personal style, and what exactly defines ones personal style. The conversation got me thinking and I wanted to share my insights with you.

1. How do I define my personal style and am I happy with it?

I truly believe that my personal style began developing itself at a very young age. I was one of those girls that loved to create unique outfits, play dress up with my friends (boys and girls) and rummaged through my mom’s closet (which I still do to this day). I was voted best dressed in high school and majored in fashion in college–fashion was and is in my blood.

Way back when, I identified elements of fashion that spoke to me, made me feel pretty, comfortable and stylish. Those same elements define my style today and give me that same sense of self-confidence and personal identity it did when I was 5.

Classic with an artistic flair–I follow fashion trends very closely but know that classic styles, silhouettes and details work best for me. I love combining a pair of jeans with a stylish blazer or long sweater coat. Or, dressing up a pair of black pants with a bright cardigan or menswear inspired shirt.

Color–Bright, bold colors are one of my signature touches. I know that color, versus neutrals look good on me and more importantly bold colors make me feel good, which is reflected in how I carry myself and interact with other. A great way to identify a fashion statement that works for you is to listen to what other have to say. It never fails that when I wear red, coral, kelly green or canary yellow, I get compliments from others.

Jewelry–My outfit does not feel complete without jewelry. For me, jewelry is the icing on the cake and is the way that I bring a look together. I use jewelry to make a statement and gravitate towards classic silver pieces, big earrings, bold necklaces and diamonds (it’s my birthstone after all). If you see me without any jewelry on, chances are I’m not feeling well.

Handbags–A girl can never have too many. As with jewelry, a handbag to me completes an outfit. While handbags are functional, I don’t look at them that way. To me, a handbag it a true style statement and should compliment an outfit first and be a storage vehicle second. On those occasions when I am wearing black or neutrals, I carry a handbag with color or shimmer to convey my personality.

2. What are the components of great personal style?

To me, great personal style is all about knowing yourself.

Knowing who you are–knowing what you like and don’t like is key to defining your personal style. It’s not about trying to look like someone else, but about creating your own style, one that allows you to look your best, always.

* Knowing and loving your body–Whenever I’m at the mall I see loads of people wearing things that just aren’t right for them. Wearing clothes that don’t fit or flatter your body is the quickest way to downgrade your personal style. Take a day at the mall and try on lots of clothes. Recognize what cuts and styles enhance your body and make you feel good. These are the elements that will help you create your personal style.

Knowing how to play up your best attributes–It’s true, shorter people (me) really should not wear cropped pants, and those of us with a well endowed chest should gravitate towards scoop necks and v-necks because they are more flattering on our neckline. As you try on clothes, recognize which styles make you look taller, enhance your arms or legs and camouflage the areas you don’t like. Clothes that look good on you, do make you feel good.

Creating a signature look–Audrey, Michelle, Hillary, Jackie and my design idol Sarah Richardson all have signature looks. It could be a classic white shirt, a pattern or a brand that helps you define your personal style. Pick and item or two, and make it apart of fashion identity.

3. How does one go about creating a personal style for themselves?

Find a role model–Look around… TV, magazines, friends and identify people whose fashion style you admire. Your goal is not to copy them, but be inspired by their personal style.

Shop and Try on–If you ever watch What Not To Wear on tv, Clinton and Staci spend countless hours with the client trying things on. This really is the best way to find and understand what fashions look best on you. If you’re afraid of going it alone, most of the major department stores have a personal shopper department where someone will work with you, to create your wardrobe.

Mix high-end with low-end–When it comes to shopping, I am not a brand snob. I buy items because they work for me, not because of the label or the price. I love to invest in classic pieces and then round out my wardrobe with inexpensive stylish finds. Some of my favorite pieces have come from Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Koh’s and the Nordstrom sale rack. Your really dont’ have to invest a lot of money to create a great wardrobe.

Invest in basics–Just about every fashion personality out there has a list of wardrobe basics every girl needs. My list of basics includes the following:

Black Pants–When I find a great fitting pair of black pants, I sometimes by two pair. I also try to have several silhouettes of pants: wider leg, slimmer fit.

Cardigans–As an essential wardrobe element, cardigans are great because they can be worn year round, can be dressed up or down, and are figure flattering on just about everyone. Plus, I’m always cold.

Jeans–Ok, I admit shopping for jeans is not fun, but when it comes to jeans, finding a great fit is critical. I vote for darker washes and straight legs. And, I think you should own a “tall” pair for heels, and a “short” pair for flats.

Classic White Shirt–Nothing is more versatile than a white shirt. Try building a wardrobe with several different styles.

Your Favorite Colors–Your wardrobe should definitely include pieces in the colors you love. Guaranteed to make you feel good.

Black Pumps–Every girl needs a great pair of go-to black pumps–kitten heel and a higher heel. I have a very narrow foot and slip-on shoes rarely fit me, so I tend to go for a black shoe with a slingback.

Black Pencil Skirt–While every girl needs a LBD in their closet, I think a black pencil skirts is another essential. It’s versatile, figure flattering and never goes out of style.

Personalize with accessories–Think of accessories as the ribbon on the package. If you love gold jewelry, then make it apart of every outfit you wear. If you love scarves, then build a great collection of scarves. If shoes are your thing, then wear a killer pair every time your step out.

Become Known for something-One of my old sales reps loved patterned ballet flats. Every time you’d see her, your eyes would gravitate towards the floor to check out her shoes. Find a fashion element that you can become known for and make it apart of your signature style.

Tailor Your Clothing–I don’t like spending money on tailoring, but it really is the best way to get the best fit from your clothes. And, at 5″2 I really don’t have a choice!

Create a Look Book–Fashion stylist Lloyd Boston is known for creating look books for his clients. Once he creates a wardrobe for someone, he takes photos of the pieces and outfit combinations and puts them in a book. The book becomes a reference tool when you find yourself saying “I have nothing to wear”. Try making a look book for yourself, not only a styling tool, but also as a guide to help you shop and build your wardrobe.

Organize and prettify your closet–Nothing is more daunting than walking into a unorganized and not-so pretty closet. I have all my shoes in bins with photos on the outside and I recently switched all my clear plastic hangers to those slimline black hangers. They made my closet look better and gave me more room. Spend an afternoon getting your closet together, making it someplace you enjoy to visit.