Eye wear says many things including authority, playfulness, drama, and creativeness. The shape and color also helps set the stage for the face. In addition, today’s eyewear evolves in style daily causing more and more folks to own multiple sets.

Years ago, a well-known host of a cable show set her brand with the style of her glasses just as heavy frames were coming into vogue. Now, depending on the person’s routine and special occasions, eyewear can project many looks for different situations. Just be sensitive to a style your audience will understand.

In a recent television interview, a well-known international actor, politician, and respected activist did not appear to be aging well. The reason was that his hair color was very flat and unnatural looking. His facial hair was as gray as some sections of his hair.

He would have looked much sharper with just letting his hair go gray. Coloring hair becomes very difficult when it has been done for many years. Gray on men always looks better than a dye job.

The challenge with working virtually is how it easy it is to slide into a very casual look! The rule of thumb, especially if you are alone in your office, is to make sure you are dressed appropriately if someone drops in unexpectedly.

The fashion and retail sectors have discovered business casual workout clothes. Uniqlo, Gap, and Crew, to name a few, have made clothing polished with a knit fabric with body shape. Soft jeans in multi-colors besides denim also create a professional look.

Fit on a garment is critical to visually adding or taking pounds off of your look. On shows or movies, the actors always appear slender. Some folks we know are naturally skinny. Others make sure they have just the right length on the shirt around the waist and sleeve.

How do we ensure our clothes fit right? If you have a tailor’s eye, use a full-length mirror to take a quick picture of yourself. Does your first impression put smile on your face? If not, take your items to a tailor for a professional opinion of the fit. This will provide a guideline on what works and what needs alterations. Begin with a few items a time.

One more tip is that the clothing must make you feel good, or as Marie Kondo suggests, ask:  Does it give you joy? if not, donate the items.

However, It is amazing when clothing fits properly!

Fashion today breaks all the rules of traditional color and fit guidelines. From mixing colors on opposite ends of the color wheel to wide shoulders and pants legs for women and very narrow pants for men, how do you stay current and not look dated or matronly?

Chose a middle ground. Find a style that works for you in business and socially by following these five guidelines:

1. Feel comfortable
2. Find professional and social role models close to your age range
3. Review current garments you own that work within the first two guidelines
4. Experiment by shopping but not buying
5. Buy a complete outfit to mix, match, and work into your existing wardrobe

The last two years have trended toward lightly unshaven men’s faces. It began with actors, and then moved to younger men in the fashion and art field. In professional settings, beards and goatees are trending.

For years, Larry Ellison, now, the Chairman of Oracle, has worn a goatee. Facial hair kept neat and cut close to the face can look attractive. If you’re not sure how it looks on you, take a selfie and ask yourself – is this the look for me? Also, solicit an opinion from your partner.

The most common fit mistake in a garment is the sleeve length. It’s either too short or too long. It can be time consuming to find a tailor or you might need to wear the piece before you can get it altered.

Using self-adhesive tape for a sleeve or pant length can work as a temporary fix. The best option is to purchase clothing where tailoring is offered or find a tailor who will alter while you wait.

Recently while out with a client, I noticed her straight full leg pants were short and not short enough to look fashionable. They looked like a fashion snafu. This is a challenge because many new pants shorter while the pant could be wide or narrow. The problem is that the look is dumpy if not worn correctly.

The issue is also based on the color and style of the pant especially around how it falls on the ankle with shoes on. For women, the hem should just lay on the ankle of the leg. The only time you can play with this guideline is by wearing a boot or hose that matches the pant and shoe. With men, the slacks with suits tend to be very narrow and do not break, so they never touch the shoe.

Another trend is that opposite patterns are being introduced in dresses, shirts, and blazers. This fad is an attention getter where the clothes become the statement. My number one motto is that the person wears the clothes, not the other way around. The clothes need to reflect you and complement the body, enhancing the positive impact you want to project.

The suit is back. It began last year with the blazer worn with skirts, dresses, and companion pants. In 2018, we see the suit surging. Fabrics and colors have become bolder. Shoulders for women look much more pronounced. For men the move is away from the soft shoulder.

In recent fashion magazine and red-carpet show openings, suits are being shown more often with women wearing them. The cuts of jackets appear closer to the waist for men and women.