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| Q: What is "in" for Fall? |
| M.C. - Corpus Christi |
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| A: The big concepts and must haves for Fall are: 1. Gray Suiting with rich bold colored accessories (shoes, belts and handbags)
2. Mini Dresses
3. Matchy Matchy Accessories = handbags and shoes
4. Gloves = worn indoor and outdoor
5. Platform Shoes
6. Wearable Seperates = easy pieces that can mix and match
7. Shape Shifting Your Body Back to an Hourglass Shape
8. Waist Watcher = Clothes and accessories (belts) focusing on your waistline
9. Show Some Leg = colored and patterned tights
10. Techno-Color Dream Coats = wool coats
11. Reaching New Heights = heels as high as 3”
12. Retro Prints 13. Exotic Skins = Crocodile and Python handbags 14. Knits-a-plenty = knit dresses |
| Katie |
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| Q: What color pants and shirt goes with a camel colored jacket? |
| Rick - Glassboro |
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| A: Hey Rick…There are any number of color combinations you can pair with a camel colored jacket. Depending on what you fancy you could don a black turtleneck with black pants or pale blue shirt with charcoal colored pants. |
| Katie |
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| Q: THE ART OF CELEBRITY STYLING - Hi Katie, I was in your "Celebrity Styling" workshop on Sunday. I loved it but I stayed wondering.. "should you pay the celebrities for wearing your clothes and how much should you pay them?" If you can answer me that would be great. Also soon I will be designing a collection and would it be okay if I stay in contact with you? |
| Cynthia - San Francisco |
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| A: Answer is two fold:
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If you want a celebrity just to wear your clothes…you send the clothes to their publicist. You can use the celebrity's name and likeness to promote your own line ONLY after their publicist verbally gives you the "OKAY…Yes she/he liked the clothes you sent."
2. If you want a celebrity to be the “mouth piece” or spokesperson for your line than you pay them in dollars and clothes for their service to you.
Hope that makes sense?
P.S. Please keep in touch! |
| Katie |
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| Q: PAGEANT DRESSING - My daughter is in a pageant in California this November. We have 4 beautiful dresses in mind but not sure which one would compliment her best.
I hope to get your advice on which color is best based on her coloring.
She has light brown hair w/ gold tones, fair skin w/ freckles, and light blue eyes (so clear they look like glass).
The dresses she likes are mint green, a
multi-colored pink, turquoise and sherbet orange in color. Can you give me some input? What do you think would look best on her and at the pageant?
Your help is so needed. Thank you! |
| Mrs. Christensen - Anytown |
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| A: Well...without seeing a photo of your daugther or the dresses...this would
be my best guess...Turquoise. Color is a powerful tool so selecting the right color can mean the difference between a positive and negative outcome. Turquoise is an impactful, beautiful, rarely worn color. Oranges and pinks (esp. if they are bright) might not work well with her skin tone...unless she has a tan. While mint green is a beautiful color it will have little impact on stage. May I also suggest red. Red is a power color, it creates drama and along with her pretty coloring, it gives off an "All American" appeal.
Consider these things when helping her choose her color of dress:
1. Skin tone and overall coloring
2. Impact dress or blend-in dress
3. Venue appropriateness (i.e. wearing white to a friend's wedding not such a good idea)
4. On stage (lighting) or off stage
Just for fun, check out what color could be secretly saying about her:
- Red is considered an intense, color that creates feelings of
excitement or intensity.
- Orange calls to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth.
- Pink is thought to have a calming effect.
- Green represents tranquility, good luck, health. - Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described
as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.
Please wish your daughter good luck for me! |
| Katie |
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| Q: DRESSING FOR SON'S GRADUATION - What should I wear to my son's high school graduation? He goes to a private school and he graduates in late may. I am 47, 5'8", blonde and weigh about 135. Thanks for your help as I have no clue. |
| Jennifer Sovick - Dunbar |
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A: Go classic. Consider wearing a elegant dress (Idea 1, Idea 2) or fitted pant suit (Idea 3). Looks like these are event appropriate and will not date. Just remember, if you forgo a classic look for a more trendy outfit, you are taking a big risk with his graduation photos. The last thing you want is to look back at his photos and cringe at what you are wearing.
Note to Style Self: I don't know what your budget is but you should be able to find looks similar to these ideas at all price points.
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| Katie |
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| Q: THE "RIGHT" SHADE OF BLONDE? - Hi! My name is Yanet. I want to go blonde, but I am having trouble with finding the “right” blonde for me. I have attached my picture, so that you can see my skin tone, etc (I am the one in the middle). From your experience, can you tell me what would be the “right" shade of blonde? |
| Yanet - |
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| A: I understand the whole blonde drama thing…I suffer from shade confusion too. Looking at your picture I would suggest an all-over light brown tint to get your base color lighter then ask your hair stylist to apply a heavy dose of "honey" blonde highlights. Focus the highlights on framing your face. Just remember the darker your natural hair color is, the less pale blonde you should go. If you go too blonde (think Jessica Simpson blonde), your color could look artificial. Good luck! |
| Katie |
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| Q: MIXING AND MATCHING COLOR - Hi Katie! I have purchased a skirt which is "latte" colour, a colour I don't normally purchase. I am wondering what other colours (in tops and accessories) would work well with this latte skirt? Also I could use some advice on what shoe colour(s) to pair it with.
As an FYI - I have fair skin with brown hair and blue eyes. |
| Deborah - Australia |
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| A: Hey Deborah…
If your latte color seems more tan or beige consider this advice…
The great thing about the latte color is that it is fairly neutral. This means your can pair your skirt with many different colored tops and shoes. For instance, red shoes with the latte shirt could be a good choice if you accessorize with a signature red beaded necklace. The red shoes and necklace balance and validate each other. Make sense? In other words build a fashion story off your neutral skirt don’t let it solely determine the fashion story you are telling.
However…below are a few choices for shoes that will work with your skirt regardless of your top or accessories:
First Best – Chocolate brown crocodile (faux) shoes
* Second Best - Dark brown shoes with latte top stitching
* Third Best - Black shoes |
| Katie |
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| Q: ARE UGGS UGLY? -I live in the frozen tundra and in need of new, chic boots. Are Uggs still cool? |
| Jenny Hacker Olsen - Minneapolis |
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| A: I say "ugh!" on the Uggs classic suede and sherling short boot. You know, the boots that Lindsay and Paris made famous? Sure, everyone is still wearing them but just because everyone's doing "it"…should you? But…if you are stuck on Uggs consider their newer versions like: classic crochet short boot, fringe tall boot or ridge wrap boot. This way you can be in-step with the trends without dressing like the masses. For even more orginal and cool (warm) winter boots consider: any Bjorn boots, Dior's sherling boot, Maxine of Canada's pescara wedge boot, Tapeet's sueded wedge boot or Aquatalia by Marvin K. suede wedge boot. |
| Katie |
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| Q: LEGGINGS -What do you think about the leggings trend? |
| Kim Ligman - Mill Valley |
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| A: Leggings and I have what I call a love/hate relationship. On the one hand, I adore the helpful panteloons. They are comfortable, slimming (especially the black ones), hide cellulite, and give you a license to wear a super short mini. On the other hand, they are terribly trendy. If you don't want to feel that you were a fashion victim in 2006/2007, wear them sparingly. Remember Kim, fashion is fleeting while style remains. |
| Katie |
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| Q: I bought a knee length blush dress from Neiman Marcus and am not sure of what color of shoes to buy. The dress has a black strap, but I am attending an outdoor wedding. So, I am not sure I want to wear black shoes. I am 5'2" if that matters. Here is a link to the dress. Thank you.
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/productImagesPopup.jhtml?selected=mg&item=prod50960033&pageProductId=prod50960033&yB=mg_prod50960033 |
| cindy - pendleton |
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| A: First off…nice taste...what a beautiful dress.
Here’s my thoughts on shoe color for your blush dress...
Try patent leather strappy sandals or patent leather pointy toe heels http://www.shoebuy.com/ak-anne-klein-christa/240372/514777
Steer clear of -
1. Super high, narrow heeled shoes unless you want to aerate the wedding site's lawn.
2. Clunky looking shoes…as they will drag down the ethereal nature of your dress
If you can locate them...you could also try rose-tone metallic sandals. Rose-tone metallics will be all the rage this fall.
Lots of Luck! |
| Katie |
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| Q: MENSWEAR ADVICE - Could you tell me what color slacks would go with a camel hair sport jacket? And shirts as well. Thanks in advance for your help? |
| Glenn - Salt Lake City |
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| A: I would suggest a dark gray pant. As for the shirt…choose a multi-colored windowpane shirt that helps coordinate the camel jacket and gray pant. Black pants would also work well if you are intending on wearing…let’s say…a black turtle under the jacket. |
| Katie |
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| Q: MID-CALF BOOT TREND - What about this trend towards mid calf boots with high heels? |
| Anne Sweet - Paris |
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| A: This trend harkens back to the 1970's and is a especially chic look when the boots are paired with skinny jeans. But…be warned this look is hard to pull off unless your have a "boyish" figure. If you like the calf-high boots consider wearing them with a skirt. Remember...trendy looks are your friends only for the moment, next season they will turn on you. |
| Katie |
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| Q: DATING DUDS VS. DATING DUD - Is it okay to wear flip flops with a sport coat for a dinner date? |
| Daniel - Austin |
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| A: Sure…if you don't want a second date! I have attached an article I wrote on the matter here (sorry, Daniel, it is from a girl point of view) - Dating can be, at the very least, perplexing but getting dressed for a date doesn’t have to be! To get “dressed for dating success”, consider these four things:
1. WHERE ARE YOU ON THE “DATING AND TIME CONTINUUM?”
• blind date? First off, kudos to you for taking a chance with romance! You, go girl! However, don’t take a chance with what you wear. Whether you “hear” he is a good match or not, dress as if he is your Prince Charming-to-be.
• first date? A first date can be super exciting so take all your pent up energy and put it into getting dress. Let your style help you express your inner and outer beauty. Consider wearing a pretty top, your most butt friendly dark denim jeans and a pair of sassy heels.
• 121st date? Okay, so at this point you are fairly tight with you man but that is no excuse to let your style slide. Sure it is fun to hang out in your “couch pants” but girl, you got to ditch those formless pantaloons when the two of you hit the town. Dress-up for him and YOU.
2. DO YOU WANT TO “GET DOWN?” If so, wear something a tad more seductive but not overly revealing. Showing a little something-something is far sexier than showing too much of something. A little mystery can go a long way.
3. DO YOU WANT TO “CALL IT OFF?” If this will be your last date, think pink. The color pink is known to subdue rowdy inmates and should do the same to pacify your soon-to-be jilted lover.
4. WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON THE DATE? Where you go, has a lot to say about what you should wear. For instance, you don’t want to look under-dressed at a fancy restaurant and over-dressed at the ballpark.
Check out my video on what to wear at different date venues (the ball park, a concert, a movie , an art gallery and a restaurant)
at www.tentoe.tv. Here is to happy shopping and dating! |
| Katie |
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| Q: BOOTS AND SKIRTS - Hi Katie,
I have this wonderful, swingy knee-length chocolate brown skirt that I'd love to pair with some tall boots. I know best bet is dark chocolate brown boots but would a lighter, slightly contrasting shade also work? |
| Carmen - Far City |
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| A: Absolutely! A pair of camel-colored boots would look fabulous and retro “to boot”. As a note to Style Self: For the Fall/Winter season the “powers that be” are calling for handbags and boots to match in color and style (opposed to seasons past). If you go with camel-colored boots, try to coordinate your handbag tonally back to the boots. |
| Katie |
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| Q: EXPLAIN YOUR CONCEPT OF "BODY BALANCING" - I saw your "body balancing" article at YourLifeMagazine.com and immediately new I had to e-mail you.
I am 34 years of age, and for as long as I can remember, I have always had a pear shaped body. During my twenties, I managed to conceal the extra weight on my hips and thighs, (although I was not overweight for my height) but now after the birth of my daughter almost 3 years ago, I have not been able to loose the extra kilos gained during my pregnancy (16.5 kg´s) and so concealing the weight now has become more of a challenge.
Please can you advise me on what is the best technique to adopt.
Anxiously awaiting you earliest possible response. |
| Maria - Sussex, England |
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| A: So you figured out what delicious piece of fruit your body resembles – the pear-shape (hips fuller than chest and shoulders with a narrow waist), but the question remains are you "body balanced?" To figure this out compare your fruit shape to that of an hourglass. An hourglass is a balanced form with its top half the same volume as its bottom half and both top and bottom are wider than its center. When you compare your pear-shape to the hourglass-shape, you can see that in contrast you are bottom-heavy and for these purposes out-of-balance. To look less bottom-heavy and more balanced, you must choose clothes that “counter-balance” of your shape. For instance, as a pear, you would want to buy clothes that narrow your hips and rump and broaden your chest and shoulders while they also accentuate your narrow waist. I have provided you a short list of cuts and styles “pears” should look for when shopping.
• BROADEN YOUR SHOULDERS AND CHEST WITH THESE –
• Shirt jackets
• Light colors
• Tunics
• Padded bra
• Pockets
• Ruffles!
• Horizontal stripes
• Jackets fall after widest point of your hips
• Blazers open
• Small to medium shoulder pads
• NARROW YOUR HIPS AND DIMINISH YOUR BOTTOM WITH THESE –
• Solid, dark colors
• Avoid patterns
• Vertical stripes
• Skirts at the knee
• Avoid anything too tight
• A-line skirts!
• Avoid miniskirts
• Pants start below natural waistline
• No big cargo pockets
To read the article Maria is referring to click here… http://www.yourlifemagazine.com/style0505.html |
| Katie |
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| Q: MAID OF HONOR DRESS - My wedding gown is ivory silk charmeuse with hand beading and a train. What color dress should my maid of honor wear to compliment her coloring and her body shape, and my dress? She is fair skinned (pink skin tones), blonde hair and hazel eyes; height about 4'11" and a little overweight?
Thank you. |
| Lydia - Anytown |
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| A: Well...I could answer your question two ways...
1. While any pastel color will do a great job complimenting (rather than overpowering) your beautiful ivory dress, I think a blush pink colored dress (3 shades lighter than a Johnson & Johnson baby lotion bottle)would be the best choice for your maid of honor's coloring.
2. With that said, a light pink dress will not assist her in appearing taller or slimmer. If you want to accomplish this, you could try a richer darker color like navy blue. To my mind a navy blue dress it is sophisticated, classic, less serve than black, polished and uber slimming. Note to Style Self: For additional lengthening and slimming ticks choose a dress for your maid that is fitted, falls to the knee or below and doesn't have a slash.
Best Wishes! |
| Katie |
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| Q: WHAT TO WEAR AT THE RACES? - Greetings Katie from sunny downunder. I have a question and needs some advice form you. Its coming into spring summer over here and I just bought the most gorgeous mint green (with blue tones)Hugo Boss suit to wear for the upcoming Melbounre Cup Spring Racing carnival. My dilemma is what colour shoes do I wear with it? I look forward to your advice.
Thanks & Kind Regards, |
| Jonathan Martin - Melbourne Australia |
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| A: Hey Jonnie…
Without seeing your mint green suit, my best guess would be to wear a tawny or camel colored leather shoe. A light brown shoe would be a nice compliment to your mint green suit and to my mind, feels more summer-time than a heavy, dark brown or black colored shoe. Have a great time at the races!! |
| Katie |
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| Q: BOOTS, SKIRTS AND INTERVIEWING -I have an interview this week and am trying to decide on what to wear. Would a brownish-rose colored skirt work well with camel colored boots? I can't decide if it looks right or not! |
| Amy - Las Vegas |
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| A: Sounds like a perfect match to me! To make the camel boots really tie in to your look also wear a belt (if appropriate) or handbag of the same camel color. On the other hand, if you want your outfit to feel more Fall-ish you could wear a pair of chocolate brown shoes (faux crocodile) or suede boots. Good luck with your interview! |
| Katie |
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| Q: WHAT TO WEAR? WARM VS. COOL COLORS -I have very dark brown hair (almost black), and dark brown eyes (but not black-brown). People say I look good in black, red, blue, white, burgundy, silver ,mostly cool, deep, icy, vibrant colors .However some people say I look good in rich dark browns, which are warm colors. Can this type of coloring wear some warm colors, and if so, can you provide some examples of warm colors that this skin type can wear? |
| LAUCHANT - USA |
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| A:
First off, you sound like a “cool-tone” therefore wearing cool, clean and crisp colors are the way to go if you want to illuminate your skin, eyes and hair. However, with that said, I don’t believe that those cool colors are the only colors you should/could wear. Frankly…if you want to wear warmer colors go for it! Just note that warm colors will not illuminate your skin to same way cool colors can but your delight in wearing them may illuminate your soul!
For more information on specific colors you should wear, please visit my journal blog at and scroll down to the piece written on February 1, 2007. |
| Katie |
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| Q: FAMILY PHOTOS - I am having my first family picture taken. I bought matching outfits for my girls that are pale pink satin w/black velvet rose designs on it with a little black velvet 1/2 sweater. I am 5'5 blonde hair blue eyes and fair skinned. I am attempting to put together an outfit that will compliment them as well as make myself look nice. Any suggestions? |
| Sherry - Pennsylvania |
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| A: I would consider wearing an all black outfit like a Diane vonFurstenberg black wrap dress (find it at Bloomingdale’s) or fitted black turtleneck with black wide leg pants (find it at Banana Repulic). Black is sophisticated, slimming and timeless. Accessorize with a chic pale pink pashmina to coordinate your girls' outfits with yours. |
| Katie |
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| Q: Can I wear a camel coat and a blue suit or grey suit? |
| Keith Jagger - London |
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| A: Yes…if your suit is "navy" blue or charcoal grey. This would be a smashing color combination! |
| Katie |
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