At a recent program for women. I was the keynote speaker. A question came up around whether it’s appropriate to use leggings for everyday wear. Many women today like leggings because they are popular, comfortable and easy to wear. However, they are not pants.  Maybe when wearing a longer, three-quarter length jacket that hangs to the calf, leggings could squeak by but skinny pants add more polish and style and provide a very smooth finish. They are a much better choice than leggings. Spanx has leggings, that when worn, look like pants.

For those on the road more than three times a month for business or pleasure, here’s a refresher on what to pack. Always have a quick-start kit of toiletries, packed and to ready to go. Every third trip, refresh the see through bag  with items, such as certain hair or grooming products (women– makeup) (men- shaving and colognes), that may need substituting or replacing.

Keep some zip lock plastic bags in different sizes around. They are very useful to pack items that may leak (The Container Store also carries leak proof bottles.) or food/beverages you could not finish in the airport. Try to pack items in clear cases. I find Travel Smith is a great tool to pick up some new ideas on practical packing. http://www.travelsmith.com/travelcenter/tools/packing-guide/

The earth is about minimizing footprints, using natural resources and recycling. My mom was a saver to a fault. So, I learned one way of putting this in practice is about how you can save your clothing and at the same time reduce the wear and tear that occurs in over-cleaning.

Hang your clothing up once you get home to air it out, use spot remover to take out stains and save on cleaning and washing items. Recycle clothing by getting more wear out of them by sprucing them up. For example, new buttons can energize clothing and dresses can be made into blouses. Taking the sleeves off a jacket and turning the jacket into a coat vest is very popular now.

These are a few tips to help conserve your clothing while at the same time, saving the earth.

Why are we surprised when we see actresses and actors who look short in real life? That’s because on the screen, their clothing has been tailored to scale to give an impression of greater height.

I like to stretch accessory guidelines. I have been told many times that only certain items should be worn on tall folks and short people. For instance, the rule is that a short person should never have cuffs on their slacks. Also, a tie on a shorter man should be worn slightly longer than appear too short. However, I feel that if the proportions are working and the accessories look good, that usually works no matter what the person is wearing.

Stretching the guidelines on accessories can make an outfit truly stand out.

Recently, I was with a client and her staff. The question came up about professional dress: Is it a requirement to wear a tie or can a sport jacket or suit be acceptable without a tie? Sometimes, clients are dressed without a jacket but always in a shirt and tie. What should they wear to always be acceptable and not under or overdressed?

In a first time meeting, always wear a full suit with a tie. If it is a very casual environment, a gray suit or a navy blazer with gray dress slacks can be worn instead. When making a first time presentation, it is suggested to always wear a blazer in very casual settings without a tie. You can always remove your tie or take off your jacket if the environment is very casual.

Walking in the first time in full dress sets the stage that you are the expert. It is more difficult to appear to be the professional if you come in with just a shirt and dress slacks because jackets always project the leader and subject matter expert look.

I was just at the Oakbrook Center and everything was on sale. I find it can be difficult not to buy an item just because it is on sale. I was proud of myself because the only item I purchased was a top that I had been looking for. (Although, I touched several items and even seriously contemplated purchasing them!)

This is what I asked myself when browsing sales, do I have an item in my closet like it? If not, do I have three items to go with it? Also, if I purchase it, what will I remove from my current wardrobe?

The top I did end up purchasing replaced an old one that will be donated to the Good Will.

A true custom made suit is tailored to your body and has enhanced features to strengthen some of your body’s features. For example, Cary Grant’s suit jackets always had extra pads in the shoulder area to give him better posture.

Following are some characteristics of a classic, trim and extra trim fit:

Classic Cut  Hart Shaffner Marx) See my father pictured. He was always a classic cut.

• Cut wider through the shoulders

• Extra room through the chest and back for ease of movement

• Slightly lower button stance

• Fuller trousers (may have pleats)

• Trousers (have a break)

Trim Cut (Calvin Klein)

• Cut narrower across the shoulders

• Higher armhole

• Trimmer through the chest and waist, with room for movement

• Slim trousers

• No break in the trousers

Extra Trim (Ted Baker)

• Cut slim through the shoulders

• High armhole and narrow sleeves

• Slightly higher button stance

• Extra-slim trouser

To tailor a suit to a trim style:

– Slim the arms of the jacket

– Slim the legs on the pants

– Ensure pants have no break

The following is a top 7 critical list on how to maintain a functional master closet:

1. Remember that less is more. (How many pairs of black pants should be hanging in your closet? Just 7.)

2. Arrange items by color, then by similar pieces.

3. Allow no empty hangers in the closet.

4. Only keep items that you love and wear on a regular basis.

5. Have all items visible. (I just did away with a closet behind another closet.)

6. If you are an outfit person, then group your items together.

7. Review your closet and purge items twice a year around these months- September to February; February to September.

Be diligent and you can create a serviceable master closet.

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Cox, the wardrobe assistant to Andy Williams. Barbara handled all of Andy’s wardrobe needs when he performed in Branson, Missouri at The Andy Williams Theater and for his Christmas and other special television performances.

Her stories were amazing. Here are some of her fixes for unexpected wardrobe problems:

Before Febreze…there was vodka. Vodka removes odors from clothing. When clothing smelled, especially when smells originated from sweat (being under hot lights) or Andy wearing layers of clothing and there was no time for the cleaners, they used vodka. So, if you don’t have Febreze, spraying vodka will work in a pinch

To eliminate the yellow ring around the collar, take cheese cloth with Fels Naptha Soap on it, wet it and rub it on the yellow ring on the collar. Then dry the collar with a hair dryer until completely dry.

Rescue tape will fix anything. Use it for a gap on a blouse, to temporarily hem a pair of pants or to fix a last minute tear on a garment.

These were only a few of her secrets. Another came from Phyllis Diller. Phyllis asked her to bring two bottles of wine to her room after the show. She placed her wigs on them because it helped them dry out from the sweat that accumulated when they were worn. (Putting them on the wig’s heads after use keeps them damp, which is not good for the wig.)

See the picture of Barbara and I. She is holding a gown given to her by an actress who hated wearing the dress because it was too heavy.