Although summer brings the promise of time off and travel, with the airlines charging extra for checked luggage, and our needing to manage our own bags, how does one travel light and still look great while he or she is away? Here are some packing tips for putting together outfits that will help you with your planning and packing.

Weather or Not: It is always important to get a weather report for the destination to which you are traveling. Visit www.weather.com and you can get up to a 10-day forecast to help you decide what types of clothing you may need.

Less is More: Are you traveling for business, pleasure, a special occasion, or a mix of these? Understanding the ratio of casual vs. business vs. dressy activities will help immensely in knowing what to pack, as you won’t be inclined to bring what you won’t need. Think of this exercise as a puzzle where you are using individual clothing pieces in more than one outfit to see how few pieces you actually need to carry.

Single Palette/Double Duty: Working in a single color palette and optimizing clothes and accessories that do “double duty” across various events helps keep the number of shoes and accessories to a minimum, as they’ll match everything you are taking. This saves space in your travel bag and literally lightens your load.

A lightweight suit that can act as separates with other pieces is a great staple for a business trip, as it can look different on many days by changing out the shirts & ties/blouses, a complementary pant/skirt, and other accessories that you pair with it. Women should also have a little dress that can be dressed up or down.

For more casual travel, men can take a sport coat that works with khakis, jeans, etc. and women should have that versatile little dress mentioned before. Adding dark-wash or white jeans, some shorts or a skirt and casual tops from our color palette, allows you to mix, match, and optimize the casual travel wardrobe as well.

Other items you’ll want to remember are PJs, appropriate socks and lingerie/underwear for each outfit, and any toiletries, special hair products, you may need. Some of us also like to include a light-weight fold-up tote bag (like Sporto, Longchamp, etc.), just in case we are asked to check our bag at the gate.

Get It Down and Lay It Out: As you are thinking about the specific meetings or outings that you’ll attend make an outfit list of the type of ensemble you want to wear to each. Lay clothing on your bed or somewhere where you can see the individual pieces and build the outfits for each scenario, mixing and matching within the color palette. NOTE: shoes should always be packed in shoe bags, not only to protect them, but also to keep everything else in the bag clean.

After you have laid everything out, take a short break – step away from packing for a few minutes and relax. When you return, you’ll be refreshed and ready to review the outfits you have created – then make any last necessary changes, and pack the bag!

Are you familiar with Roger Daltry, the band The Who, and the opening song to CSI Miami, “Who Are You”? It is a catchy tune and the opening line is “Who are you… who-oo, oo-oo? Well, it is playing in my head as I write. It is also what I’ll ask you to consider as you approach your wardrobe, your overall presentation, and how you want the world to experience you. What three words would you use to describe your personality and values, and do you actually project them day-to-day? Who are you and who does the world see?

Each of us is capable of being appropriate in our life roles without losing ourselves in the process. Even those of us who need a little coaching can shine through.

I was recently speaking with a client and she was surprised by my pre-consult questionnaire and how many questions I was asking about her before our initial session: her three descriptive words, who her style icons are, how does she describe her own style, what a week in her life looked like, etc. I explained that the better I knew her, the more I could help her meet her objectives. Another woman shared with me that she didn’t want to dress like I do and was shocked when I told her I didn’t want her to – that she should be herself, but be her best self. The first step in being your best self is in figuring out who you are and having that consistent thread evident through your attire, behavior, and communication.

With Spring fashion arriving in the stores, you’re most likely thinking of a closet refresh. Before you actually start the process, (it’s okay to start humming some Roger Daltry here…), think about “Who Are You?” and what makes you unique. Do you have beautiful/handsome broad shoulders, long legs, big green eyes? Think about your body shape, hair style, and other characteristics that make you special. Remember, sometimes things you may initially think are flaws can actually be fabulous – it’s all in how you approach them. Embrace yourself and have fun with this!

Once you have given some thought to your “uniqueness”, consider how to make the most of what you have and use these characteristics to your advantage. For example, someone with a tiny waist might buy beautiful wide belts to accentuate her waist – or – a custom-made silver belt buckle to draw attention to his; a man or woman with green eyes may make a particular shade of green his or her signature color and make it prominent throughout clothing and accessories; although ruffled tops may not be the best look for a woman with broad shoulders, she’ll rock a halter or V neckline, so she should forgo the ruffles and shop for
halters and V-necks. Many people have a flair with scarves or jewelry or other signature accessories that they use as their signature style. As you can see, there are many ways to shine through.

The trick is to do your homework before jumping into the latest trends . Audit your closet to see what will work and stay for this year, and edit everything else out. Make a list of what you need in order to flesh out your wardrobe for the season, and then hit the stores. Consider each purchase, and make sure it conveys your “personality and values” words and that each item works for your body type, coloring, and other signature characteristics. This may
sound like a lot, but if you take it in bite-sized pieces and you master these key skills, you’ll be genuine from head to toe and able to easily answer the ever-pressing question “Who are You?” without having to say a single word!

Although this is the time of year that finds college students interviewing, it is also a time for more light-hearted, off-hours dressing – spring is the perfect time to delve into just that! From a more casual point of view, I’m seeing even more variety in this year’s trends than last year – and I thought LAST year was pretty varied. That said, there are some common threads among the varied offerings being shown across the fashion magazines and in the stores, and I’ll touch on some of these.

A Bright Idea – Bright colors are a staple again this season, and what better way to get through the April showers and into a summer mood than through the colors of May flowers! Pantone may have told us that Honeysuckle is the color for the season, but I am invariably seeing my favorite color, bright orange, on the pages of all of the magazines and in stores. Pantone’s Fashion Report for Spring/Summer 2011 gave us many brights to choose from, and in addition to solids, they can be found in patterns like bold stripes, pretty florals, plaids and the like. For those men who may be color challenged, but want to stick their toe in the water, beautiful shirts, ties, and colorful seasonless cashmere sweaters that will serve you for seasons and years to come – they
can be found at retailers from Ralph Lauren to LL Bean and others. It is fun to play with color and build it into your wardrobe – how will you add it to yours? Clothing, accessories, jewelry, ties?

A Neutral Tone – In a total about face, there is also a trend toward subtle neutrals. An overall neutral look is very sophisticated , and head to toe neutral can serve as a great canvas on which one’s jewelry and other accessories will really pop. For summer, I absolutely love neutral-colored linen – if you can find clothing in a silk and linen blend, the garment will wrinkle less. For women, the neutral shoe is a seasonless staple, working with everything from brights and other neutrals to charcoal, navy, and black. I recommend at least one pair of neutral pumps and one pair of flats.

A Snake-y Feeling – As a departure from last fall and winter’s leopard print, faux snakeskin and snake-embossed leathers are showing up on shoes, bags, and fabrics for spring and summer.

The Long and Short of It – Shorts are being shown in a very current way, some plain and some rolled up, paired with creative jackets, long cardigans, and blazers, and they’re being worn with flats and platforms alike! Provided you are age-appropriate and have the legs for it, this can be a fun
weekend look. Remember – we don’t let the trend wear us!

Welcome Back – Vintage jeans, peasant-type blouses, longer maxi-skirts and platform sandals, are prevalent, all of them as part of a nod to the 70s with a modern twist. …and then there is denim…

Got the Blues – Denim is being used in all types of garments, from shirts and dresses to skirts and tailored jackets. The classic denim jacket and our beloved jeans are showing up in light and dark washes and in white, from trousers and straight legs to skinny jeans and jeggings. Keep in mind that it takes time to find the right jeans, so be patient and have fun with the process. No “mom jeans” or “dad jeans” allowed!

Big Bad Shoes – Platforms are huge this season (figuratively and literally) along with espadrilles, chunky heels, and clogs. Not to be outdone, the classic kitten heel is holding its own and is always a good investment as it dresses up or down depending on your mood and your outfit.

Etcetera, Etcetera – Accessories that will update your wardrobe quickly include envelope clutches, jewelry with bronze or gold tones, and vintage-inspired sunglasses. I’m a fan of mixing metals, as you don’t have to buy as many new pieces, and the look off the different metal tones together gives great visual depth. Fabulous sunglasses will have people looking at you in a different light, and if you find a clutch with a pop of color, it is sure to be noticed and admired.

With so many varied choices this season, the thing I always remind clients is to take your time and have fun with the process. First, shop your closet, then shop with a plan. Playfully stretch your comfort zone, and you may just find that you absolutely love something that you would never have tried on before.

Have a great month and stay stylish!

Open any fashion magazine, watch most TV shows, and the message is simple – sex sells – but does it really in the workplace? I have to ask… do you honestly think a genuine crime scene investigator would wear a skimpy tank top and stilettos to her job or that cargo shorts and Tevas are appropriate at any time in the office, unless of course, you work in a surf shop? These looks may make for great TV and sell
magazines, but I would caution anyone about showing up at their workplace in similar fashion.

Most of us would like to be taken seriously at work for the contributions that we make. That said, perhaps even worse than wearing ill-fitting clothing, someone who “overshares” in the workplace runs the risk of showing too much skin cramping their
credibility. I always recommend “test driving” your clothing from all angles in a full-length mirror before walking out of the house, and keeping the skin exposure to a minimum.

I was recently at a conference that required business attire. While chatting with another attendee I noticed a very attractive young woman dressed in what was obviously an expensive suit and beautiful shoes. As I looked more closely, I became totally distracted – the short cropped blouse and jacket of her outfit didn’t meet the low-rise pants, and about an inch of her skin was showing. As if this wasn’t bad enough, as she turned to walk away, I saw that she was wearing a very pretty lavender thong! Even with her amazing figure, and the beautiful, expensive clothing, I immediately questioned her business sense given the idea that she would dress so inappropriately for a day of business networking and education.

Here is a quick way for you remember four areas of your body that no one except your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, or doctor really want or need to see, especially in the workplace. I call them The Four Bs – I was presented with the concept “Three Bs” by a colleague, and I’ve added my own fourth for good measure. The Four Bs that we should keep to ourselves include…

Your Bottom – Your Back – Your Belly – and – Your Bust

Your Bottom: Skirts in the workplace should be no shorter than 4” above of the middle of the knee (not the top) and we should all “test drive” our skirts by sitting in them and being sure we’re not showing too much leg. A tip if you aren’t comfortable about what is showing when you cross your legs – skirts tend to rise less if you cross your legs at the ankles rather than one knee over the other.

Your Back: Men and women alike should test drive outfits by raising both hands above our heads to make sure there is no gap between the top and bottom. Likewise bend in different directions, and finally …S-I-T… in the outfit, making sure your back is not showing between the shirt and the pant or skirt. The proverbial plumber look isn’t fashionable and certainly isn’t appropriate anywhere. Test drive in the dressing room before you buy the garment, and again as you are matching it with other articles in your wardrobe.

Your Belly: Test drive outfits for the belly the same way as you do for the back, by bending sideways, forward, sitting, and reaching up. Even if you have the best abs in America – save them for the gym, the bedroom, and the beach.

Your Bust: If you have any question about whether your top is cut too low, it most likely is. When it comes to your shirt or blouse… button up and/or work a colorful scarf into the neckline to be sure you are covered. Once you have your top on, lean forward to be sure you are still covered. I had a painful experience where I looked fine standing up and later realized that an entire conference table of colleagues saw everything down to my waist, because as I had leaned over the top fell away from my body. Believe me – it was mortifying and you don’t want it happening to you!

I like to think of the Four Bs as a fun way to remember what to keep to yourself. These and test driving your outfits before your leave the house will have you confident as you move through your work day and any other activity where credibility matters.

When I ride the “T” or the subway, I customarily read the ads above the windows or “floor gaze,” as I call it – looking at people’s footwear, as most people don’t care to make eye contact. Winter is a tough time on shoes and boots, and yesterday I was noticing some really abused shoes between State Street and Back Bay Station.

If you’re like me, you have certain boots or shoes that you just love, and if you could find them again, you’d buy another two pair, just to have them waiting in the wings for when your favorites wear out. Meanwhile, paying attention and taking care of our current favorites can give them a longer life and allow us to enjoy them into the future.

Do you have a good cobbler and do you, in addition to regular as-needed shoe care, do systematic footwear editing and maintenance when you seasonally change your closets? If not, let me suggest that you start this practice.

I know this advice is early, but as we move into Spring I recommend that you try on each pair of shoes and boots that you haven’t worn recently, making sure that: 1) they still fit, 2) they are still current, and 3) they still work with your wardrobe. Any footwear not meeting these three criteria can be donated or discarded. As for those that do meet all three criteria – take a look at their condition – heels, soles, scuff marks, etc. and off to the cobbler with those in need of attention.

I usually do this before storing my footwear “off season,” but if you prefer to do this at the beginning of the season during which you’ll wear them, be sure to wipe off any surface grit, salt stains, etc. before putting them away. Then, get them to the cobbler early next Fall so they’ll be ready to go.

Since we all love great shoes and boots, and since they are usually investment purchases, paying attention to their care and maintenance will keep them looking good, allow you to wear them longer, and ultimately stretch your dollar – whoo hoo!

Wow!  I can’t believe we’re full-on into the Holiday Season already.  Time is flying and we are all moving fast.  I’ve been telling friends that my errand running has turned up some wonderful opportunities through what I call accidental networking — you know, when you’re on line at a check-out somewhere and you strike up a conversation with someone, etc.  I’ve been running into all kinds of friends and former colleagues, and meeting some fascinating new people as well.  My mother was right when she told me “you never know who you may meet.”

With that in mind… “tis the season,” everyone is out and about – and – we should all be taking a quick once-over in the mirror before leaving the house, no matter how small the errand or how busy we are.  I’m not saying we have to dress to the nines every time we step out the door, but think “upscale casual” when you’re putting yourself together.  This way if you meet your client, your boss, or a potential new business contact, you’ll be comfortable and confident.

For men, this means a shirt of sweater that fits – no XXL football jerseys, track suit pants, or ratty sneakers.  If you need comfortable shoes, Cole Haan has Nike Air footbeds, Puma and other manufacturers are doing great European-inspired athletic street shoes and driving mocs, and for that blast from the past, Clarks relaunched the ultra-comfortable desert boot.  As far as pants, you can be comfortable and still look and feel great.  If you prefer denim on weekends, as I do, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the way Levis 514 low-rise slim jeans fit men of many different builds.  They are flattering, reasonably priced, and come in a dark wash and black wash that can even work for casual Fridays with a sportcoat over a crisp shirt or cashmere sweater.

For women – follow the same mantra – be comfortable, look and feel great.  Are you ready to see that friend from eight years ago and feel good about it? Believe me, it is just as easy to pull on a cute top and jacket with casual pants, nice jeans, or a cute skirt, as it is to look like you’ve been out gardening.  A quick swipe of lipstick, a couple strokes of mascara, and a brush or two of blush brighten your entire face.  If you’re not a lipstick girl, try Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer – it is great for your lips and comes in soft shades that give you just enough color to know you have something on.  I also find a spritz of my favorite seasonal fragrance puts a bounce in my step and I’m out the door feeling energized.

Although it takes is a little planning, if I can do it, so can you.  Here is your Accidental Networking assignment:  go into your closet and put together at least two or three upscale casual ensembles that make you feel great.  Once you have these go-to outfits in your arsenal, weekend dressing dilemmas will be a thing of the past, and you’ll be able to get out the door, ready for anything and anyone, in no time at all!

Autumn has always been my favorite season.  As a young child I loved playing in the colorful leaves.  As I grew up, I had horses, and I loved the way they were eager to move in the brisk weather.  Perhaps the best thing about Autumn, though, was that its arrival meant shopping for school and new clothes!  Not much has changed since then, as every Fall I look forward to the crisp weather, finding new clothing in the yummy seasonal fabrics, and sporting my new treasures!

I’m sure many of you are as eager as I am to strut your new stuff, and I ‘d like to give you a few tips before you take to the streets…

Give your new article of clothing a good once-over to be sure all of the sales tags, and the safety pins and little plastic tag holders, are removed.  Some retailers use multiple tags, and you don’t want to miss one, or have that little plastic “T” hanging out there for all to see.  Likewise, check the bottoms of any new shoes or boots to ensure there is nothing on their soles that shouldn’t be there.

If your outfit needs tweaking for the perfect fit, see your tailor.  After all, you’ve made the investment in the purchase, so you should make sure it fits like it was made for you.

If you have something made of sheer fabric, gently and carefully remove any sewn in tags so that they don’t show through the garment while you are wearing it.  Likewise, remove tags on new scarves, pashminas, etc. so people’s eyes are drawn to the beauty of the piece, not to the tag.

One of the things I notice most at this time of year is the little thread or string “X” at the bottom of the pleat on a jacket, coat, or skirt.  I’m not sure if people understand that this is supposed to be removed before wearing the garment.  Stitching the pleat closed helps keep the article safe from getting snagged or otherwise damaged as it is moved from place to place before arriving on the sales floor.  The “X” needs to be removed so that the pleat can open and let the garment move freely.  As much as I find the “X”s terribly distracting (I know… I’m a type A personality) and I want to approach people and help them with removing these, I would never want to embarrass anyone – so I exercise self discipline and hope that they read my blog.

That said, its time to enjoy the crisp Autumn weather and your new purchases.  Get out there and look and feel your best by ensuring a great fit, no tags, and no strings attached!

This past Saturday I had a great opportunity – I spoke at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Intercollegiate Business Convention on the topic of networking. As I looked around the speaker ready room, and later at the session attendees, I noticed that most everyone was in a black or dark neutral suit.

Although one of the key foundation pieces for building a business wardrobe is a dark or neutral suit, I want to make a couple of suggestions:
1) don’t overlook other good business and networking clothing options like the fabulous dresses and separates that are out there this year;
2) if you opt for the dark suit, kick it up a notch and accessorize yourself with something that makes your style even more interesting; and
3) make yourself memorable.

A bright scarf over your shoulders, a bold belt, or a great necklace, bracelet, or brooch, can work in your favor and become a conversation piece during your networking. (Note: no more than one of these at a time, please!) Later when you send your follow up note to whomever you met, this “special something” may help them remember you.

Another piece of advice I gave the attendees was to know and dress appropriately for your audience and those with whom you are meeting. Obviously what you might wear to an Advertising or Fashion industry event might be more flamboyant than what you would wear to a Bar Association or Banking Industry event.

The key points I was making to these aspiring young women, and what I’m sharing with you, is to be appropriate, be memorable, and be yourself. The energy you exude when you are comfortable in your own skin and when you are confident and excited about what you are wearing will attract others to you, and the networking will take care of itself!

Welcome to my blog …

I was on the phone last night with a friend who is traveling to Las Vegas tomorrow to attend a conference. After discussing all of the outfits she is taking, we started talking about suitable travel attire. I don’t know about you, but I’m invariably cold on planes and trains, and I always wear or carry at least one DKNY cozy or other wrap with me. Over the past year the cozy has become my “go to” article of clothing.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the cozy, it is like a big scrumptious shawl with arms in it. Many manufacturers from Ralph Lauren to J.Jill to Victoria’s Secret are now offering similar items in their lines with different names like the wrap cardigan, shawl cardigan, and soft & sexy wrap, etc. For the sake of ease I’m just going to call them all cozies or shawls, just like I call all facial tissue Kleenex.

I love being all wrapped up in the fabric of these things – they make me feel sumptuous, glamorous, snuggly… cozy, and they keep me nice and warm. They come in various yarns and blends including cashmere, silk, merino, linen, and cotton. For those who may need a little assistance with how to wear them, there are booklets and web pages that show the various styles, like DKNY. Personally, when it’s chilly, my preference is to wear one wrapped around my body and another wrapped around my neck a couple of times as a yummy warm scarf. In the summer I wrap my cotton one around my neck with a tank top and have it for later in the day when the sun goes down and things get cooler. I love the volume of fabric in these shawls. If you are more petite, BCBG Max Azria makes a shorter version that doesn’t produce as much volume so you won’t be lost in it.

This piece can be worn many different ways and is versatile enough to go with your beach jeans, your evening dress, and everything in-between. I confess to ordering my fifth one last night! Autumn and sweater weather are upon us, and with so many colors, fabrics, and price points out there, I recommend adding at least one to your wardrobe.