Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a United States Supreme Court Justice from 1933 until her recent death. She was the second women to serve. Ginsburg was a small woman in stature. Her statement collar necklace became famous. It served in many ways as a tie for the men in the court. A necklace collar is one that surrounds and lays on the collarbone like a collar. It can be of cloth or metal and have stones or jewels on it. In a recent Brother to Brother episode (Drew and Jonathan Scott Show on HGTV), the judge wore a collared necklace of metal, bones, and a pendant. It was a statement piece. The necklace drew the attention to her face. A word of caution, the statement collars adds to one’s image. It is not the only image.

Statement necklaces are coming back into style. In virtual meetings, the statement necklace draws the eye to the face and gives a brand statement. A statement necklace is a necklace that represents the person wearing it. It is a piece of jewelry that has versatility. It can be worn time and again with many different shirts and tops. A statement necklace can be made of gold or silver metal or semi-precious stones or gems. It never looks cheap and it has a way of catching the eye. A statement necklace is elegant and timeless.

Leggings are making their way into the world of professional dress. Legging-style pants provide a very slim pant that does not hug the calf and falls easy around the ankle. Business casual leggings do slightly hug the calf. Dress leggings don’t have a seam running the length of the leg. Tight leggings are strictly for casual wear and workouts. Athletic leggings have several seams in order to withstand high stress workouts. Being aware of the different styles of leggings, and legging style pants, is critical to properly dress for casual, business casual, and professional situations.

Gym shoes, tennis shoes, athletic shoes . . . they go by many names. The athletic shoe trend for women started years ago with women wearing them to work and then changing into work shoes (professional styles). At that time, white was the mainstream color and was considered to be the most practical. Shoes didn’t come in the variety of colors they do now. Now, 20 years later, athletic shoes come in a wide variety of colors and patterns—from neon green to white, which is currently very popular. We even see fancy athletic shoe designs for brides. What is the right style and color to wear? There are no hard and fast rules for sneakers. Keep in mind these guidelines: comfort, fit, and feel. Also consider the appropriateness of athletic shoes in the situation and the shoe’s appearance. Some people like slim, lightweight styles. Others like bigger, clunkier styles. If the shoe fits (the time and place), wear it.

Shoes should be the finishing touch to one’s appearance. They should complement the whole, pulled-together look. To the observer, shoes can indicate a person cares about details. When shoes are noticeable on a person, it can be distracting or call attention to the fact that the shoes are the wrong style or just a glaring mistake. Observers should notice a person’s face first—not his or her shoes. If the shoes are more memorable than the face of the wearer, it is time to tone down and reconsider the shoes or to pay more caretaking attention to the face.

Do’s:

·         Shoes should complement the outfit style—they add the final touch.

·         Wear colors that blend in with the total look.

·         Always wear well-maintained shoes that are clean and not scuffed – even when sporting athletic shoes.

Don’ts:

·         Avoid wearing shoes that are too casual or too formal for the outfit.

·         Be sure not to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable (everyone can tell by the way you walk).

·         Avoid wearing shoes that look battered and scruffy.

Ballet Slipper has been my go-to nail polish color for more than 20 years. It is reported to be the number one-color choice—and that’s saying something with the hundreds of colors of nail polish on the market. Ballet slipper pink is a color that looks good on everyone. It also hides any wear and tear on the cuticles. However, it can highlight any red roughness around the cuticles. Gray, a color that started as a trend, continues to be popular. In 2008, Michele Obama wore it during a speech. Gray nail polish is neutral but can have a dead look on certain skin tones because it can make the skin look blue and bruised.

Have you noticed that the higher the heel, the higher level of confidence is projected? A notable woman was recently in the press for a controversial interview. She wore a black outfit and six-plus inch heels because the high heel is now a symbol of power.

A key to having the same look without the height of heels is in the slender toe shape of the shoe. Jimmy Choo has a wonderful kitty pump made famous by Michele Obama.  This pump saves wear and tear on the calves (as well as visits to and expenses for a foot doctor!)

I have two pair of heels, one in black and tan calf leather and the other in black silk. The black calf is great with a power suit or silk one for evening wear.

Leggings are back in full force. I love them because they feel comfortable for workouts and just running around in and out of the house. Jennifer Lopez has taken the look to the extreme by wearing lounging or bedroom clothes as street wear.

They are too casual for business or workplace casual. Skinny jeans and pants can be like leggings when they are too tight. If they bunch up around the knees and hip areas, you might as well wear leggings!

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.

The first yellow introduced was the primary yellow, then it became a golden yellow. In 2019, the new shade is lime (chartreuse)  yellow. It has become a neutral color depending on what it is paired with. This color can be worn with grays, navy and even black but it’s not an easy color to wear. It is bright, so before adding it to your wardrobe, try it with as a small accent other clothing items.