Today’s retailers are pushing bright colors like corals, greens and yellows. It can be very overwhelming but at the same time we can be seduced by it. Color is critical because it sets us apart from the folks in dark colors. Plus, certain colors can make us look and feel better.

• Men have an easier time handling colors in either a shirt or tie. (Neutral slacks are always best.) There are some shirts for men with unique designs and an abundance of color. The key is to make sure the shirt does not wear you. You wear the shirt.

• For women, the pop of color can be shown off in a jacket, shirt or shoes. But do not wear more than three colors at once and be careful on how you situate them.

When color is used wisely it can lift one’s mood, make inexpensive items look expensive and make a person appear younger.

Summer time is great for stylish sandals. However, there can be a problem for women who cannot wear sandals because they lack support. This especially affects those have to insert orthotic insoles which take an extra size shoe.

Just recently I was with a client who experienced this issue. To cope with it, she wore clunky, wide, comfort shoes. But they looked like black work shoes. I recommended she buy colorful shoes because they would look funky but fun. Dansko is a wonderful brand with fun styles that turn what may be unattractive shoes into a pair of stylish footwear.

I have always hesitated to wear eyeliner because most of the time it ends up smearing and running down to the lower eye lash lids. But, the correct thickness of eyeliner on your eyelids will make your eyes pop and fresh looking. The challenging part is finding a liner that is easy to use and that does not have a tendency to run. Eye liner like that will always enhance your eyes.

On this topic, congratulations are in order for Bobby Brown! She has come up with a wonderful gel eyeliner pencil. I have used it for a week now and it does not run or smear.

Last weeks’ Time magazine’s has Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, on the cover. She is wearing a burgundy dress. The dress indicates femininity and burgundy is color of royalty and power (from the Power of Color by Dr. Morton.) Sheryl’s pose is one of low key strength.

The look is a critical element in a leader. It encompasses clothing, body language, eye contact and how people perceive you. Is it perfect all the time? No, but it must be consistent and people around you must get it. A signature visual is what will help you stand out among the crowd. It supports your body of work and constantly replenishes your confidence capital.

Retailers are beginning to realize how important it is to offer alterations for women. Major stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks understand this. Now, Talbots, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor have made it easier for women to get their sleeves and hems taken up or down. There is also a National Association of Tailors that can help you find a tailor in your area: http://www.ctda.com/find_a_tailor.htm.

I am always asked how much should be spent on alterations for items that need updating. The recommendation is that for one item, a maximum alterations amount is $50.00. Also, it should be an item you could not replace for 4 times the cost, in this case $200.00.

Recently, I took an older Dana Buchman jacket crafted in a beautiful blueberry color and fine wool material to my master tailor. She is going to take the cut down the shoulder. Typically, the shoulder is the last item I would encourage altering unless the price is right and you have a master tailor doing the work. Fit is so critical because it speaks loudly about your presence.

Jewelry styles change rapidly. This can cause classic pieces to appear a bit dated and matronly looking at times. However, fashion, business social and lifestyle trends are also so fast moving that I don’t recommend throwing anything out. Temporarily retiring the jewelry might make the most sense.

Balance and shape, referring to hair and clothing, dramatically impact accessory choices also. We have moved from the Dynasty look (big statement pieces) to the understated where people cannot tell you are even wearing any earrings.

Necklaces have moved from, big, shiny, even gaudy pieces to natural stones and delicate gold chains. My recommendation is to be very aware of the statement you want to make and enhance it with a contemporary look.

At the Academy Awards, many of the actresses wore full sequined gowns. Barbra Streisand and Halle Berry wore them. Adele even performed in one. Ms. Berry was the only one who looked slender. For Barbara and Adele it added weight to their appearance.

If you are shopping for a gown, you will notice that many of them contain various colored sequins. My suggestion is not to purchase one. A gown made of shiny or sequined material will only add pounds on you. Besides that, they are very heavy to wear.

If you want sparkle on your dress, look for those that feature sequin trim that’s around the neck or lightly woven through the grown. You want to focus on your face and not the extra pounds a dress might add to your appearance. You can always wear a sparkly necklace for glamour.

A great example of a traditional piece of clothing for men has been the pleated dress slacks with cuffs. However, the current fashion trend has shifted toward a very modern look with a slimmer leg and no pleats or cuffs.

The challenge for men today is that not everyone can wear these pants and not everyone should. A man will always look elegant if he wears what looks good on him. Wearing the right cut and fit will always appear elegant. Cary Grant always looked good because he shunned current fads and stayed with classic lines that flattered his body.

Heels have been reinvented these last few years shifting from the classic look to many different toe shapes and heel heights. In addition, we are seeing women wearing different color heels. Colors are moving away from blacks/reds to greens and other interesting hues and tones.

What are the colors we can wear that will compliment an outfit with an elegant look while avoiding a cheap appearance? A quick tip is to ask: Does the shoe add to the outfit and look rich while doing so?

Choose the shoes closest to the impact you want with the overall look which might mean different heels for a serious versus a casual appearance.

The power suit for women has changed dramatically from two to three button blazers to various lapel shapes and different styles, especially when it comes to how the jacket wraps around the body.

Color has shifted from traditional blacks to shades of gray, brown and taupe. Patterns are on the rise – mirroring men’s suit designs.

Kerry Washington talks about style and the suits she dons in her starring role in ABC’s hit TV show, Scandal. (See this at: You Tube Bluefly Closet confessions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsFhfFB7ipo&feature=player_embedded.)

The reality is that most of us do not have an unlimited budget for Armani, Valentino and Escada (a brand which I absolutely love.). Instead, look for these critical jacket elements that tend to emanate a stylish power look.

• Statement collars (Mandarin or modified standup)

• Close fitting body

• Pattern on the jacket similar to men’s suits

• Textured fabric

• Shorter jacket length

Look at these critical points for your next jacket purchase and you will exude power with a feminine touch.