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.

Clothing choices can become a symbol and an identity. We are currently in a stay-at-home situation. It is very easy to become relaxed in our clothing choices (the apparel industry is having challenges). So why do we have to change outfits daily? After all, no one sees us. There are important reasons. Changing outfits, tops, pants, etc. every day gives us a sense of purpose. It can impact how we feel and give a sense of identity. When we don’t care how we look and what we wear, we can lose a sense of personal pride. This feeling can begin to erode our sense of identity and impact other choices we make.

The fashion industry, along with major designers, have the consumer on a merry go round. Styles change as we speak. They are dictated even before the clothes are in the stores. When the clothes make it onto the rack, another change begins. Before chasing after what is new, pause, and wait. Contemporary clothing items are not always timeless. They can quickly look dated. One example is the cut of a jacket. The trend for men has become much slimmer and tighter around the shoulder; it almost looks too small on a man. The classic style is much fuller; however, it can look dated. Move toward the middle – such as a relaxed fit, especially in shirt styles. It is important to choose a trendy item or accessory. For men it might be a shirt. For women, it might be the print on an item. Check social media, and especially the business magazines, for professional ideas.

Jackets can have very different looks and send different messages depending on the fit, fabric, and color. Some jackets send a message of authority; others send a message of approachability. Softer fabrics, more relaxed fits, and a companion piece often make you look more approachable. When choosing a new jacket, here are some tips to take into consideration:
Dos:
A jacket must fit at the shoulders. The length on the sleeve should fall to the top of the palm of the hand. The length of the jacket should cover the widest part of one’s hip.
Don’ts:
Avoid jackets with zipper closures as they tend not to be flattering around the hips. Jackets that are too tight across the chest might also be too tight around the hips.

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.

The color beige has been seen more frequently in the last few years, It was, and continues to be, the color of choice for heels for women. Now, we are seeing beige in other clothing options, such as suits, jackets, slacks, and accessories. There is one main issue with this color—not everyone can wear it. As neutral as the color beige seems, it can wash out certain skin tones. When wearing beige, unless you are a redhead, choose bold coloring around the face or choose make-up, such as lipstick, that brings color back to the face. Men, when wearing a beige shirt (a very casual look), should choose a shirt with a slight pattern with beige as the background color. I love beige slacks and I always wear my khaki suit with a very white shirt or black top to break the beige away from my face. I also add more color to my lipstick. Wearing the color beige can look crisp, neutral, and professional—when taking into account the above tips.

Weather this summer has been quite a challenge. Between the heavy rains and hot sticky weather, it can be difficult to find clothes that keep you comfortable and cool—whether for casual wear or in the work place. There are several options to consider when making clothing choices. Lightweight fabrics, such as linen, is one option. The weave of the fabric is important. For example, I purchased two pairs of linen pants. One pair was very lightweight; the other was more heavily woven. The lighter weight fabric was cooler. Sleeveless items for women will not be cooler because of the exposure to sun and heat. Additionally, sun exposure is not good for the skin. To stay cooler in this hot, muggy weather, choose clothes in lightly colored, loosely woven fabric.

Megan Markle’s designer, Clare Waight Keller, head of Givenchy, designed Megan’s wedding dress. She was quoted in NYT Styles’ Q&A on the fact that clothes convey meaningful messages. Also, Oprah says clothes connect you to the world.

What one wears should make you feel good. Clothing messages a quick assessment for the audience about how approachable or even intimidating you are as well as whether or not you possess style. While Clare doesn’t feel this way, she confirms some think fashion and clothing as frivolous. I emphatically agree with Clare. Clothing sends a statement about all of us!

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.

Recently, I decided to repurpose a white silk pantsuit that was worn fifteen years ago rather than wear a formal gown. The jacket needed alterations by taking in the sides. I wore a pair of fabulous earrings and black swede sandals.

This suggests that classic designer styles stay timeless when taken care of. This pantsuit was placed in a fabric garment bag and spot checked for stains. Necklaces were not needed since they would have dated the garment. Let me tell you humbly, the pantsuit rocked!