Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style

Beauty & Wardrobe by Nancy Goldblatt, Color 1, Personal Image Consultant

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Baltimore Wardrobe Wizard

How to Choose Earrings That Flatter Your Face © 2009

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Flattering earrings can give you a polished, finished appearance.

clip on earrings with dimension and hanging ethnic earrings
clip on earrings with dimension and hanging ethnic earrings

Think of earrings as a finishing touch or a frame for your face and hair.

No matter how much weight you gain or lose, your earrings will always fit.  Earrings are an inexpensive way to freshen your look.  They bring the viewers eye up to your face.  Depending on the earring you choose, you can look professional in a work setting or creative and carefree when you visit friends or go on a vacation.

It’s  especially important to wear earrings, if you are a woman with very short hair, because earrings will give your face a more feminine appearance.

Also, when you have very short hair, earrings that have some  dimension (are not flat) will look best on you.

Here are some  guidelines for choosing earrings in flattering sizes, shapes and colors.

Earrings to wear in the workplace

Consider choosing an earring that is the size of your eye when it is open.  This is considered “classic size.”

Look at either the height or the width of your eye.   The earring does not have to be the same shape as your eye.

If your  earring is smaller or larger than your open eye, it’s no longer a classic size.

If you work in a very casual environment, you may be able to wear earrings that are  larger or smaller than classic size depending on your face and body size and “color type.”

If you wear earring smaller than the iris of your eye they hardly show.  (The  iris is the part of your eye that has color )

If you are a male who wears an earring, it may be better to wear a small earring.  Too large an earring or the wrong shape can take away from your credibility or look too feminine.

Choosing the scale or size of a hanging earring

Measure  the distance from the bottom of your nose to the top of your upper lip to find a flattering length for a hanging earring.

  • You can also measure from the bottom of your lip  to your  chin.
  • For a longer earring, you can measure the length of your nose.  Yes, that’s  right, I said, “the nose.”  Don’t laugh.  When we repeat shapes and proportion of our body and face this creates visual balance.
  •  If  you do not like the length of your nose or if you have a short neck avoid this longer hanging earring because  it can emphasize your nose  and or your neck.

Choosing a shape to flatter your face

Another way to create visual balanced is to choose an earring that is similar to your face shape.

I realize that most books say the opposite.   In other posts I have talked about creating visual harmony by repeating shapes and proportions.

  • If you have a predominantly angular face (more straightness than curves) a more geometric shape earring will be pleasing on you.
  • If you have a more curved face, a more oval earring will be flattering.

How do you decide if your face is more angular or more curved?

Your face may be a combination of curves and angles. 

  1. Look not only at the outside shape of your face, but the shape of your lips, eyebrows, nose and chin.
  2. Look at yourself smiling and unsmiling.
  3. Have a friend look at your profile.  Count how many curved elements and how many straight elements or lines you see.

You are more likely to have an angular face.

I say this because after analyzing hundreds of  faces, I have found most (but not all) women have angular faces.

  As you shop for earrings you may find that many earrings, especially the  hanging ones with beads, are predominantly rounded.  This will make it more of a challenge to find earrings that have predominantly angular or geometric shapes.

  I began making earrings for my clients when I realized this and I am always on the lookout for softened geometric shaped earrings for my clients who have more angular faces.

Choosing flattering colors

If you choose earrings that repeat your  natural body colors, particularly your eye color or a naturally occurring highlight in your hair you will be able to wear them with everything you own.

 (See JoAnna Nicholson’s book, ‘ Dressing Smart for Women,’ to find out more about color types.)

For example  I have very dark brown, almost black hair and very light olive skin.   I have hazel green eyes and I look my best in very clear bright colors and shiny metals.

Nancy wearing a classic sized, silver earring
Nancy wearing a classic sized, silver earring

As I have gotten older, my hair is less dark as silver has started to appear.   I have found that I can wear shiny silver earrings with everything I own, because it repeats a highlighted color of my hair.

If you still are unsure what earring shape, size, color and metals will look best on you I am available to work with you online at a very reasonable price.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” was trained by Color 1, as a “personal image consultant,” in 1990.   She is available to work with you no matter where you live because she can work on-line as well as in person. 

   She is also available for talks, workshops and fundraisers in Baltimore, Maryland and surroundings areas.  Contact her at 410-235-5325 or Nancy@Wardrobewiz.com

This article is copyrighted, it  may be copied or printed elsewhere only if credits and contact information is included or a link is provided to the original post.

What is the Sassy Sewer Lounge?

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I just came from my first “meet-up group,”  at The Sassy Sewer Sewing Lounge and I am looking forward to going again next month. I consider myself a beginning sewer, but I am hoping to get more proficient with my skills and the Sassy Sewer Lounge is the perfect place to do it.   I previously had gone several times for individual sewing lessons with Blondelle Howard the owner and founder of the Sassy Sewer.

The Sassy Sewer Lounge offers sewing lessons, fabrics, notions, patterns, and sewing machine rentals. Sewing Lounges are popping up all over the United States.   The people attracted to these lounges are looking for a comfortable place to learn or improve sewing skills and or connect with like minded people.  My motivation to sew and learn to alter my clothing comes from budget concerns, as well as the fact that it feels like the fashion industry has “written off,” us “baby boomers,” and is making clothes mostly for people under 30.

The Sassy Sewing Lounge is located at 9008 Harford Road, Parkville, Md. 21234, and the phone is 410-882-7277. The space is “roomy,” and well lighted and there are lots of sewing machines.   Tonight there were 3 others signed up for the meet up but one person never made it.  Blondelle shared the SWAP concept which is basically how to make a “mix and match wardrobe of 10 pieces.  I really liked the “meet-up,” because it was not a class but mutual sharing of information.  We will be using a few items from our existing wardrobes and adding to these items as we meet once a month to brainstorm, share and sew.

Blondelle discussed the possibility of having a fabric swap and there is a trip to New York planned for Nov. as well as some other classes scheduled.

Sassy Sewer has a face-book page as well as a blog.  If you live in the Baltimore or surrounding areas and have any interest in sewing or altering your clothing you should check out the offerings.  I just missed a series on fashion illustration.  Blondelle says she plans on offering it again.  Blondelle does most of the teaching but she has guest teachers as well..  I hope to be a guest teacher in the future.  I will probably be presenting something on “The Color 1” approach to looking visually balanced.

See the calendar on the website, WWW.SassySewer.com/ and be sure to sign up for the mailing list if you want to know what classes will be offered in the future.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.  She works with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.  She offers an initial complimentary telephone consult to help you decide if her services can solve your challenges.  Reach her at nrgoldblatt ATgmailDOT com or 410-235-5325

Does Latisse really make lashes longer

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In May 2009 I started using Latisse, a new product that is supposed to make eyelashes grow longer.    I had some concerns when I first started using it because of the warnings that it could make eye color darker as well as darken the lid.  I like my hazel green eye color and I did not want brown eyes.  It’s now August and I am starting on my 2nd bottle of Latisse.   I am pleased with my longer, darker lashes, and I still have hazel green eyes!

Latisse costs about $99 to$120 for a tiny bottle with applicators. I admit  I did not use it everynight as directed.   Some nights I was too tired to  apply it to my lashes and carefully wipe off the excess with a q-tip so my lids do not darken.    Because I did not use it every night, the tiny bottle lasted me 3 months.  If I had used it every night, my lashes might be slightly longer and it would have lasted about 60 days.

Is Latisse worth the price and the effort? Maybe

You may be able to buy Latisse on-line for $99. Hopefully the price will come down.  The way I used the Latisse, it cost me a little over $33 a month.  I wanted longer lashes because my eyes are begining to disappear underneath the weight of my eyelids.   Years ago I  wore false eyelashes, but these days, I don’t have the eyesight, time or patience for false eyelashes.  I have noticed that I seem to need to use my reading glasses more lately.  I asked the Dr. if there was a connection between the Latisse and my worsening eye sight and she said she thought it was a coincidence.   I want to believe that it’s a coincidence.  I could not find anything online about Latisse making eyesight worse.   For now, I plan to use it another few months because I like having longer, darker lashes.

Why Is It Important To Know Which Shade of White Is Right for You?

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Nancy Goldblatt, "The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,"

 

 

Because only 50% of people look good in “pure bright white.”    For the other 50%  of you, “bright white,” will look harsh and or wash you out.  Everyone can wear “winter white,” which is a less intense white. When wearing “winter white,” be careful not to pick a white that has yellow in it.

Can you guess which shade of white is most flattering to Michelle Obama? Take a look at recent pictures of her in a pure white top.  Do you look at her or the top first?    Can you guess what shade of white Oprah looks the best in?  What about Jessica Simpson and Hillary Clinton?

Find the answers at the end of this post.

How can you determine which white is your best white?

Use the “blink test.” Stand 5 feet from a mirror in good light , put on or drape a pure white item over your top half and close your eyes and then quickly open them.  Where does your eye go first?  If it goes to the white before your face, the white is too bright for you.  If you look at your face and the white at the same time and your eyes sparkle and your skin looks fresh and radiant you may be able to wear bright white.

You need to take something else into consideration when you are choosing the right shade of white. What color are your teeth?  Even if the pure white works with your skin, if it makes your teeth look yellow or grey you may be better off wearing “winter white,” at least near your face.  Speaking of teeth, if pure white does not flatter your skin, if you ” over whiten.” your teeth this can make your teeth look like they are false teeth.    I am not against whitening teeth, I am just cautioning against over-whitening them.

(Answer to questions)  Michelle Obama looks better in “winter white.”  Bright white is too bright on her  because she has “muted.” coloring.   Oprah also looks her best in “winter white.”   Jessica Simpson and Hillary Clinton both look great in ” bright white.”

*For more information on choosing colors get Joanna Nicholson’s books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.”

Nancy Goldblatt is a professionally trained, personal image consultant.  She was trained by Color 1 Associates.  She specializes in working with women in Baltimore and surrounding  areas whose weight or shape has changed and or who have lots of clothes and “nothing to wear.”  Reach her at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com or 410-235-5325.  She offers a complimentary initial telephone consult to help you determine if her services are right for you.  She also works with men, and groups in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

Baltimore Artscape 2009, Product Trends Observed

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Artscape, known as America’s largest “free arts festival was held the  weekend of  July 17-19, 2009 .    The weather was great and there were lots of people of all shapes, sizes and colors to watch.   I   have always loved “people watching,” and this weekend was no different, except I had my new  camera with me and I wanted to take pictures to post to show some of the trends I spotted.   Unfortunately some of the vendors had posted signs saying<“No photos, Please.”

I have just begun using a digital camera and I am still shy about asking people if I can take their picture and seeing the “no photos please,”  posted with some of the vendors made me even more hesitant to ask to take photos .   I did take a few pictures of things I found interesting and I actually asked one young woman if I could take her picture.   In the future , I hope to post more pictures showing examples of flattering fashion as well as examples of what not to wear.

The product trend I spotted at Artscape this year was recycled or re purposed items made into costume jewelry, including earrings, over sized rings, cuffed bracelets , and totes.

Some of the recycled items included vintage soda bottle caps made into earrings and other jewelry.   Debby Caplan-Ziman stated she  has been making bottle cap earrings for the past 3 years as part of her therapy in recovering from Colon Cancer. poptopearrings@yahoo.com

Clever Cat Bags are totes and bags made from recycled  woven coffee bean containers imported from Brazil.   Another vendor of recycled fabrics is Jen Athanas.  Her company is Jenafusion.   Jen  makes totes, change purses, and makeup cases out of recycled fabric.   She says she got started recycling fabrics when she was a child making clothing for her dolls.  Her contact info is :  Jenafusion.etsy.com/

Another vendor at Artscape was , “I Wanna Be Made Over.”  (I love the name).  This company  makes wrist cuffs and ties out of used inner tubes.

During the fashion shows ( I only saw 5 of the 15 shows) there seemed to be a trend toward more feminine, girly and romantic styles.   Teronce Styyles, Baltimore fashion producer extraordinaire kept audiences entertained in between the fashion shows.

This year  I  bought a cosmetic case from Jenafusion, a guatemalian shawl from Corpus Cristy Church which I plan to make into two pillow covers and a wall hanging and a piece of silk that used to be a sari from “A People United.”    I’m not sure how I will use the silk  yet.  I might make it into a wall hanging or a scarf.


Have you recently been inspired to re purpose or remodel something you already own or something you just bought.?   I would love to hear from you,  you can share in comments section of this blog.

Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore is a professionally trained personal image consultant.   She specializes in working with women whose size or shape has changed and or who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear.  Reach her at  nrgoldblatt at gmail. com/ her website is www.Wardrobewiz.com

Does The Color Black Really Flatter You? If Not, How Can You Wear All Those Black Clothes

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When you look in your closet how much black clothing do you see?

Is black really that flattering for your unique body colors?

Keep reading to find out what to do about all that black clothing you own.

Here’s my black clothing story.

My mother wore a lot of black and she told me it was slenderizing, so for many years I  wore mostly black clothes.

In my sophomore year of college, my roommate Leslie , who was a good friend, told me if I bought one more piece of black clothing, she was going to strangle me.

She was sick of looking at me in black.   At that time I didn’t know what colors looked good on me and black clothes were so easy to find and  mix & match.

I bought  a few items with color, so Leslie wouldn’t be upset but I continued to wear lots of black.

In 1990, when I had my “color chart done,” by a ” Color 1 Associate” and got a wallet containing 40-50 of my best shades, magic happened for me and  I was able to begin adding lots more color into my wardrobe.

I have said in previous blogs that by repeating body colors you can create visual harmony because our  eyes automatically search for colors that are repeated.   My hair is very dark brown but gives the illusion of looking almost black.    Because the color black repeats my hair color it creates visual balance.    Now I combine black with my best shades of other colors.

Is black one of your body colors ?

If not, then black is not a dark neutral for you.   You may still be able to wear black in small amounts  but in large amounts it may drain the color from your face,  and it can emphasize your lines and shadows.

What to do with all those black clothes, if black is not your best dark neutral

For my image clients  that  don’t look their best in black,  but aren’t ready to part with their black clothing , I tell them to shows some  skin  when they wear black.   This means v neck lines or scoop neck lines.   Or wear a scarf near your face that is a flattering color.

Wondering what your best dark or light neutrals are?

I recommend getting JoAnna Nicholson’s books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.”   These paperback books explain  the Color 1 approach to color, which I believe is the most accurate system of color analysis around.

If you are interested in having your colors done and you are located in Baltimore or surrounding areas including Washington, D.C.,  I am available to work with you in-person.  I can do a color analysis on-line if you live in other parts of the country or the world.

 I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation to help you determine if my services are right for you. Contact me at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a Color 1, professionally trained personal image consultant.

How To Instantly Lose Credibility

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Nancy Goldblatt, "The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,"

Earlier this  year I went to a women’s networking event.  I joined a conversation of two other women and ended up talking to a “20 something woman,”who was a graphic artist. The only thing I can remember about this young graphic artist besides her profession was the blouse she was wearing.    She apparently had gained some weight and her blouse was too tight.  Horizontal creases had formed where her blouse was especially tight over her bust area and the buttons down the front of her blouse were so strained they looked like they were about to pop open.

My eyes kept being drawn back to those “about to pop buttons.” She had unknowingly created a focal point with the strained buttons and the horizontal creases of her shirt.   I was looking for a graphics artist at the time but this young woman’s appearance kept me from trusting her.  I never told her I was looking for a graphics  person.

My automatic thought was “If she isn’t willing to take the time to put on clothing that fits her, she is not going to take the time to do good art work.”   She had managed to “instantly discredit herself,” by wearing clothing that was was too tight.

Wondering what will give you instant credibility? Here are four suggestions.

  1. Create visual harmony by repeating hair, eye and shades of your skin color in your clothing
  2. Wear three layers.  This means a jacket or vest over a shirt or blouse.  (This will make you look more authoritative and if the jacket or vest follows your body line it can hide figure challenges.)    If you have a defined waistline choose a jacket or vest with vertical darts.  If you do not have a defined waistline choose a jacket without darts that is not fitted.  For a more “relaxed,” jacket look, use a cardigan or an unbuttoned blouse over a shell top.
  3. Before you leave  the house look in a full length mirror and make sure your face and eyes are the focus point.
  4. Wear clothing that fits you, not too tight and not too loose.

Do you have any tips to share on how you create ” visual credibility?”

Nancy Goldblatt, the “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,”was professionally trained by Color 1 Associates as a “Personal Image Consultant.”  She specializes in teaching people how to shop in their own closets first before they purchase new clothing.  She uses color analysis, as well as face and body shape analysis to teach her clients how to create “their own best looks.”  She can be reached at Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com/ 410-513-9496, Her website is www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She works with both individuals and groups.  She is now offering “Online Makeovers.”

Does This Make Me Look Fat?

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How many times have you stood in front of the mirror and asked yourself, “Does this make me look fat?”    Have you asked your significant other this question  too many times? 

 I suggest you stop torturing yourself and others by asking a different question and start to look at yourself in a new way.  Ask instead  ” Where does my eye go first?”   This is called a focus point.   This is the place people look at first and the place their eye will be drawn back to.  

When I first became a personal image consultant I took a woman client  shopping who  was very short and about 100 pounds overweight.   She put on a navy pant outfit that looked really nice on her.   I commented, “: You look thin in that outfit.”  She responded,  “At this weight, I will never look thin, no matter what I put on.”  She was right.  What I should have said was, “The outfit is flattering.”   The color and style of the pant suit caused me to look at her face first.  I did look at her body, but the neckline and color of the outfit kept drawing me back to her face.  The outfit skimmed over her bumps and bulges and as a result my eyes did not stop at her body parts but instead went back to her face.

   Where do your eyes go when a  woman has a very low neckline and the top of her breasts are showing?      When  you are talking to someone and they have a piece of spinach in their teeth, where do your eyes go?  These are examples of  focus points.  Where do you want your focus point to be?  If you want to look your most confident and competent, you will want your face and eyes to be your focus points.

Here are 4 easy steps  to  determine where your focus  points are :

1. Stand 5 feet from a full length mirror

2. Make sure you have good lighting, either daylight or full spectrum bulbs

3. Close your eyes and quickly open them.

4. Ask yourself, “Where  does my eye go first?”

If your eye goes to your face  first or to your face and the color you are wearing simultaniously  and your  eyes sparkle and your skin looks radiant this means you are wearing a flattering color and  probably a good neckline shape.     Avoid clothing that is too tight,  because not only will you be uncomfortable but the horizontal creases will cause the tight places to become focus points.   You can change your focus points by changing how high or low your neckline is, by adding a scarf or pin and by adding earrings, changing the length of your hair and by repeating colors.

Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, ” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.  Contact her at    nrgoldblatt@gmail.com www.WardrobeWiz.com/

Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style

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Nancy, Wardrobe Wizard

Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style

“The more you know, the less you need to buy”

Welcome to  The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore’s blog, Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style.  Nancy Goldblatt is “The Wardrobe Wizard”  of Baltimore. She is a certified Color 1 Associate with advanced training as a personal image consultant.

She specializes in working with women who have lots of clothing and nothing to wear.

Now is a great time to go shopping in your own closet.  Start with good lighting, a full length mirror (Target has full length mirrors you can hook over a door)   You will also need a cleared off bed where you can lay clothing.

Weed out clothing that feels uncomfortable or is itchy for the “give away box.”   Try on clothing you have not worn recently to make sure it still fits.  Most women have 2 to 3 sizes of clothing in their closets.  Store items you love but are currently too tight.

Now its time for “Paperdoll Magic.”  Lay outfits on your bed and  pull them together visually by bringing the bottom color up to the top.  For example If you have dark brown or black hair you can wear black or dark brown denim pants.  Or you could also wear a black or dark brown cotton bandana around you neck, loop it thru your jeans belt holders or around the rim of a gardening hat.

Stay tuned for lots more tips.   Nancy Goldblatt, The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore is available to work with individuals as well as groups.  She is also available for fund raisers.

WWW.WardrobeWiz.com/ 410-235-5325