By Nancy Hogan, Wordsmith & Marketing Assistant

Last week I blogged about the DRES System’s 12 Color Codes, which classify and simplify selecting the colors that bring out any woman’s brilliance.

The DRES System’s 12 Color Codes are just one part of the powerful tool that is the DRES Club, available free of charge at DRESsystem.com. Once you’ve created your free account at DRESsystem.com, you’ll be briefly quizzed on your lifestyle. For instance, whether you work in a corporate office or work from home will determine your core wardrobe needs.

The next step is determining that Color Code I mentioned, and this is where a DRES System Certified Personal Stylist comes in handy. She is trained, tested and certified to help find your Ultimate Colors.

After taking a fun quiz, you’ll then find out what your DRES Style is: Classic, Chic, Romantic, Ethnic or Dramatic. You may even find yourself dressing in more than one style. And that’s OK!

The last step is entering your body measurements, another area where a DRES System Stylist can really help: http://dressystem.com/about/find-a-stylist.html. Then you’ll be shown your DRES Shape: Diamond, Ruby, Emerald or Sapphire, which is your ultimate guide to what works for you.

Then the real magic begins! You’ll be able to upload photos of you, in your key outfits, for everything from casual to formal and outerwear. There’s simply no better way to see if what you think is a great outfit truly does bring out your brilliance.

You’ll be able to create a personalized shopping list, and even see items in your own personal DRES System Showroom that have been selected for you based on your DRES System Profile. Brilliant!

By Nancy Hogan Neill, wordsmith and marketing assistant

This week, the annual fund-raising ball for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art was all about “PUNK: Chaos to Couture.” Celebrity attendees certainly wore some creative theme interpretations! Nevertheless it gives us (as women who need evening wear of a slightly more sedate variety) some of our own creative ideas for the all-too-rare red carpet event:

I give you Taylor Swift in J.Mendel, as seen on Huffington Post:

Can’t you picture this dress as evening wear for a Sapphire by using a similar jeweled collar, with extended jeweled shoulder lines, on a simple sheath dress? Perfection!

And this Tory Burch dress worn by Ginnifer Goodwin, also from the Huffington Post site, would look wonderful worn by an Emerald.

And for anyone else, both looks would benefit from more standard evening makeup applications.

You can find many more ideas to crib from this year's Met Gala just by searching on 2013 Met Gala. 

 By Nancy Hogan Neill, Wordsmith and Marketing Assistant

Let’s face it, ladies. We’ve all seen other women who have chosen to leave their homes dressed in clothing that’s just too young. I call this phenomenon, “mutton dressed as lamb.” And it’s never happened to you, right? Especially since there are many examples to be had from 30-ish or 40-ish actors and celebrities like Amy Adams and Tina Fey to more mature icons: Jacqueline Bisset, Peggy Lipton or Helen Mirren. Here are some specific examples of age-appropriate dressing:

30's

40's

50's

Ms. Mirren is an outstanding example of an agelessly stylish woman, and she’s 67. She appeared on the Today Show recently wearing a simple dress with sheer, dark tights and booties. Again, she looked chic, contemporary, stylish and entirely age appropriate. If her booties had been gold lamé? Probably not so much.

An article from a U.K.-based newspaper’s online site writes that nine out of ten women like to dress themselves younger than their actual age. What’s more, the same women intend to keep doing so until they reach 70. But why stop there? As long it’s done with ageless style.

Whether you’re 31 or 81, dressing your age doesn’t have to be difficult. As you mature, think of your choices in terms of slightly less arm and leg, less sheer/drapey fabric, slightly more subdued colors, simpler clothing cuts and more classic styles. Remember, if you’re asking yourself, “Does this look too young on me?” Then it is.

It’s easy to see which clothing styles work for any body shape simply using the DRES System. And your DRES System Certified Stylist can easily guide you in making age-appropriate choices: http://www.dressystem.com/about/find-a-stylist.html

By Amy Zentz, DRES Marketing Assistant

If you've been through a clothing store at all recently during the past six months, you might have noticed the abundance of different color-saturated denim inhabiting Women’s Casualwear. In various shades of green ranging from lime to mint, and every hue of the rainbow in between, colored denim may seem like a trend only for young 20-something's, but that is simply not the case, they have proven to be appropriate for all. There is no age limit for these brightly colored bottoms; just be aware of the style. Steer clear of the slim legging style jean and flared styles, and opt for a more flattering straight leg, which works with nearly all shapes.
Lastly be mindful of shoe style with the denim selection. If a flat shoe is your selection, make sure the denim stops just above or at the ankle. If you are pairing your colorful pair of summer denim with heels, make sure they cut off an inch above the ground, and no shorter.

By Corey Urbina, Certified DRES Stylist

The buzz of an alarm clock signals the start of a ritual that is repeated each morning by everyone who belongs to the world of work. All over the planet, people start their day by asking themselves this burning question: “What in the heck should I wear today?” In the grand scheme of things, deciding what to put on seems insignificant until you are the one staring bleary eyed at the contents of your closet. If the truth be told, people want to look presentable when they leave for the office because they intuitively understand that image matters. What they may not know is that individuals who project a positive appearance are taken more seriously and are seen as more persuasive than their less attractive counterparts. They also enjoy an enhanced ability to enlarge their personal and professional circles. Believe it or not, individuals who look good also receive a fatter paycheck than those who don’t. So, if this news’ flash plants a seed to start dressing for success, then here are some pointers to help you rev up your working wardrobe and put your most stylish foot forward:

Know your industry’s standard - Workers today have more dress options than those in previous generations. Dress codes run the gamut from formal business all the way to very casual. As an example, dress requirements for the banking profession differ dramatically from those in the creative arts and internet marketing areas. It pays to find out from your supervisor what the expectations are for your work culture, and pay close attention to your co-workers’ dress. If you believe that “form follows function”, then think about how your clothing can represent not only what you do but the organization that employs you.

Stick to the B.E.S.T (basic, elegant, simple, and tasteful) – Following my win-win style formula will polish your image and keep it appropriate. As a first step in this process, one should build a solid work wardrobe foundation by purchasing high quality, essential pieces. Sticking to neutrals in streamlined designs will make it easy to mix and match separates. Consider purchasing a few classic dresses as well. I sing the praises of these one piece wonders to all my clients because of their versatility and figure flattering benefits. Slip on a dress and you’ve got an instant outfit; wear it with a cardigan or jacket to give it that extra panache. Infuse your core wardrobe with elegance by selecting a variety of standout tops and accessories in a variety of colors, textures and subtle but distinctive patterns. One can elevate a charcoal gray suit to a whole new fashion level by pairing it with a heather gray silk blouse, a cobalt blue and fuchsia color blocked necklace, and a silver metallic wedge heel. The adage “keep it simple” definitely applies to your work attire. Too many adornments create sensory overload and distract others. The” less is more” concept especially pertains to jewelry. A sleek cuff bracelet and handsome watch pack much more punch than wrists laden with bangles. In a word, tasteful sums up the b.e.s.t. approach. If your style runs on the flamboyantly dramatic side, I suggest that you repeat the mantra “understated” again and again before dressing.

Grooming Matters – If your hair is unkempt or your fingernails need cleaning, not even an Armani suit can redeem your image. Grooming is a key player in image management. Before you leave the house each day, run through the litany of positive grooming points as you take that last glance in a full length mirror. These include neatness, clean and pressed clothing, manicured nails, shined shoes, well styled hair, and white teeth. People notice these details.

Do you desire a fool proof approach to dressing for the office that will power up your image? The team of independent HOLOBI stylist consultants will “suit” you for excellence and help you realize your true style potential.