New Year’s Resolution #3: Take a r...

Are you a cautious person?

I know I am. Someone I used to work with often teased me for being risk- and change-averse. And it’s true.

In matters of personal style, though, I often think it makes sense to throw caution to the wind. Here’s how I look at it. What if you were to try something different — two colors (or three!) together. Or the addition of a jacket with an outfit you’ve never worn that way. Or, say, a shoe that doesn’t “match” the rest of your outfit but that pleases you nonetheless in that combination.

Really — what’s the worst that could happen? Will people line up in the street to jeer you? Will you lose your job, your dignity ….? Of course not!

So why are we so afraid to take risks? What’s the worst that could happen? We all make mistakes — it’s just that in this arena, our mistakes only last as long as it takes to get back home and change our clothes.

But on the up side — when we take those risks, we sometimes discover things about ourselves we never knew before.

Like, for instance, that we look awesome in that particular shade of green. That our red shoe looks amazing with our purple dress — and everyone seems to agree. Or we look good in that kind of hat, something we’ve never worn. I often hear a complaint from my clients that they have no style — and my standard response is that they simply need to be a little less careful, to add that something extra to their outfit — even if they’re a littl unsure about it.

So next year, let’s all resolve to take a few more risks.

Try a new hairstyle (it will grow back!) or highlights. Go crazy with nail color. Add a layer or an accessory to your outfit before walking out the door. Buy a handbag in a … gasp! … color! And please, let me know how your risk-taking works!

(Note: Images are, from top, from B. Jones Style, Style & Pepper, and Fashion for Nerds — personal style blogs by three fantastically creative women.)

New Year’s Resolution #2: Embrace ...

I am a huge fan of color — bright colors, muted colors, and colors put together in unexpected ways.

Most of all, I’m a big fan of color that suits a person’s coloring.

Do you know what your best colors are? If not, make 2012 the year you resolve (more…)

Andean Collection: Great jewelry for now...

I had the great pleasure of attending a fun trunk show event at the Anthropologie accessories and shoe store in Chevy Chase, MD. It was a perfect thing for a Sunday early afternoon. The best part was the jewelry in the trunk show, though — by New York-based Andean Collection.

Those who know me know I adore jewelry, and clients know I am always on the lookout for cute jewelry that makes a big impact at a low price point. These pieces fit the bill. I quickly found what I wanted for myself (in Eucalyptus). (Very, very unfortunately, I was unable to find any pictures I could upload here.) Even though I liked it right away, I wasn’t sure it would look great with a lot of stuff I own, but it turns out that because it’s in the right colors (for me), and so are most my clothes, it looks great with a lot. I also splurged on this (in coral). It’s got a great hippie vibe, which I love.

A few other favorites are here and here.

The best part of the jewelry is that it is made in Ecuador by women artisans from renewable resources, namely, tagua and acai nuts. As the company’s owner described it, the tagua nuts are harvested twice a year, shaken down by men who climb the trees for that purpose. Everything about the nuts that aren’t used for jewelry are used for something else, either fertilizer or other things. The jewelry has empowered the women artisans to buy things for their families they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford. All this, and the jewelry looks great, too!

What’s your favorite looks-great clothing or accessories that also has a great story behind it?

(Ketura Persellin is a DC-based image consultant and personal stylist. Contact her for a complimentary session designed to identify that strategy that will most easily get you the style you’ve always wanted.)

All About Color, or What I Learned in Or...

This woman's colors flatter rather than overwhelm her

A reader asked me yesterday about color, and the timing is perfect, because I thought a lot about color during the Association of Image Consultants International conference last week, in Orlando.

She wrote:

Why image matters: 3 takeaways from the ...

I’m a new person! Well, not quite, but almost. I’m feeling refreshed and newly inspired about everything to do with personal style, having just returned last night from the Association of Image Consultants International annual conference, in Orlando, FL. (No, I did not have time to visit Disneyworld, I’m afraid.)

At the conference were a few hundred women, all beautifully turned out, whether in their 20s or their 60s (or older). There were fashion show producers (including the woman who produces the Kentucky Derby fashion show every year), accomplished public speakers, dating coaches, and many others. I learned so much that I hope to share with you over the next few weeks and months. For the moment, I’ll share these three thoughts for the moment.

1. Color is everything. Okay, it’s not everything, but it matters — a LOT. You’ve heard me say it before but it bears repeating: When you wear your most favorable colors, you like more lively, energized, young, pretty, and well-rested. When you don’t — at least for most of us — you don’t. (There are the lucky few who can wear most colors and still look great.) This includes handbags, shawls and scarves, eyeglass frames, nail polish, and jewelry. It doesn’t mean being a slave to your color palette but it does mean knowing the consequences of choosing unfavorable colors.

Don’t know what colors are your best? I’m expanding my basic color consultation to include more advice about how to use what you learn in the session, so it’s even more useful and actionable. (Find out more here.)

2. Functionality is pretty important, too. The women at the conference — image consultants like me — mostly looked phenomenal. There were a few missteps, though. I’m thinking in particular of those who wore shoes they couldn’t walk in and consequently ended each day grimacing in pain or wearing no shoes. So I have to say my favorite ensembles featured functionality … either a knee-length full skirt worn with ballet flats (a look that worked well for this conference — stylish but wearable) or crazy-high heels switched out for cute, flat sandals as the day wore on.

3. A smile is most important of all. The women I met at this conference were almost to a person kind and generous, not just to me but to everyone. Whether it was asking someone dining along to join a large group on the other side of the restaurant to going out of their way to facilitate introductions, this group of women showed a spirit that was incredibly gracious. It reminded me that personal style is important but how we treat each other is even more so.

As I ease back into my regular life at home, I am trying to shift my focus so I remember these three things — and the many other important things I learned, and which I look forward to sharing with you.