Some folks have a natural smile and it comes easily. Then, there are folks like yours truly who needs to be made aware of smiling. You can pretty much tell by my eye and head movements that I am engaged. But for many, it’s the facial expressions that reveal all.

Today, we had a situation where one person kept pushing on a subject and other person responded that the topic was not negotiable. At first, the dialog was conversational. It turned when senior person’s dead pan facial expression and stiffness in the body language became visible.

The other person kept the subject alive until the senior person said, “Note my facial expression and body language. You should be aware that you are not reading my message.”

The other facial expression is the poker face. Most folks perceive this means that the person does not want to be engaged and/or is bored.

The key to successful engagement is based on what your eyes and facial expressions say.

The rule of thumb for men is that the last button on a jacket should be left unbuttoned. A jacket should be buttoned when standing and unbuttoned when sitting. In casual settings, a blazer or jacket can be left unbuttoned when standing. The double breasted jacket is always buttoned when standing up.

The rule of thumb for women is for the one button (if a one button jacket) to be buttoned when standing and unbuttoned when sitting. When there is more than one, which should be unbuttoned or buttoned depends on the body type of the person wearing the jacket.

For women:

A critical detail that determines if a look will be smart is how an individual wears their clothing. Short jackets will always look smarter with longer skirts. Longer jackets will look smarter with shorter skirts. Tops should always be at the narrowest width just before the hips.

For men:

Shirts and Ties: Small size prints can be worn with larger prints. You use colors to tie them together. For example, a shirt with a smaller print worn with a larger pattern tie will look smart. Never wear the same size print for both and ties. The preference is for the smaller print on the larger item and larger print on the smaller item.

I apologize if I sound like a broken record but from head to toe, the really coordinated folks have all the details of their appearance in order. The hair needs to be well groomed (long hair only works if it is well managed) and complemented by top quality, well maintained accessories; sleeves, jackets and bottom lengths all should lay nicely at the proper spot.

Often, the excuse for a disheveled appearance is a lack of time. However, if you make the time in the beginning when you purchase the items good habits will be there, too. You will then always look your stylish best.

1. Do you find that you have things in your closet that you have not worn because you don’t have anything to wear with them? Never purchase anything unless you have three clothing items in the closet to go with it or buy at least two items to wear that work with the garment.

2. Purchase items in three colors only. Most folks have black pants or skirts so the key to purchase shirts, jackets, sweaters in three colors in addition to black.

3. Last, but not least, only purchase items that fit in the shoulders, chest and jacket/sweater length. It is easy to shorten sleeves but tailoring in these other areas can be very expensive and tough to pull off properly.

When does too much skin show? Cleavage for women can be challenging as can tops that are too tight.

Men who wear an open shirt collar may have their chest hair show. Shirt sleeves that bunch up and cap sleeves on blouses that are cut too short on fleshy arms also show too much skin.

Here are some rules to help you ensure you are not showing too much skin:

For women:

– Cleavage: The rule of thumb for cleavage is to make sure your top starts no more than four inches from your chin.

– Arms: Sleeveless tops can be attractive if your arms are toned.

For men:

-For men who prefer not to wear a tee shirt, be conscious of chest hair

– Buttoned shirts should not have gaps. Otherwise too much skin may be revealed. Wear a shirt cut larger around the stomach.

A glimpse of skin is a good thing; too much is best left for private moments and on the weekends.

Full rimmed black and colored glasses have replaced the rimless glasses. The key is finding the right frame size and shape. Your eyes should pop in the frames.

The thickness of the frames looks best when they balance the shape of your face and hair. If your face and hair have a lot of texture, then narrow frames would be best. The opposite is true if your face and hair are very sleek. Then a heavier frame would add character to your face.

Rimless glasses look okay on wide faces because the side pieces will narrow the face.

Be sure to take your time in picking out your frames. They must feel comfortable and you want to feel confident in them. You also should consider having more than one pair.

The face is our main attention getter. Our hair is a frame around it so it should look as good as possible. Here are some dos and don’ts for both men and women:

Men:

Do: Think balance. Your hair style looks best when it is age appropriate and balances your face with the rest of your body.

Do: Clean it up. If you are bald (bald is beautiful) make sure it is completely clean – no fuzz on the back of your neck.

Don’t: Wear a hairstyle meant for an age 10 years younger than you are.

Don’t: Over spray. Your hair should not glisten.

Women:

Do: Wear a contemporary hair style. You can do that just by updating the style you have worn for the last three years.

Do: Have movement in your hair style – it will give it a modern feel.

Don’t: Wear a spiked hairstyle unless you are in the arts and/or advertising field.

Don’t: Over hairspray your hair so that it is as hard as a football helmet.

Follow these do’s and don’ts and your hair will not be a distraction but your crowning glory.

Give it to the fashion industry for always wanting to revolutionize how men and women wear jeans. Here are some guidelines:

Straight leg jeans are the modified skinny jean and easier to wear. To pull off the skinny leg jeans you must have very slender legs and the pant leg should not bunch up. The traditional style where the leg is wider but still straight will work well for women with larger legs. Also, the boot cut is coming back. If you were to purchase a new pair today stay with the straight leg one and you will be contemporary.

When it is better not to alter:

– When the garment is too tight

– When the seams are less than ½ inch

– When the garment has a lining (It will cost double.)

– When the garment is chiffon, silk or lace- (It will leave marks.)

– When the garment has a zipper that needs to moved

When it is best to alter:

– When the garment fits well and only needs either the sleeves or hems altered

– When the garment alteration cost is less than the sale price reduction

Follow these guidelines you will not be disappointed in the alteration results and the related expenses.