choosing flattering clothes

Wardrobe Clutter: Why Do You Have So Many Unworn Clothes?

May 8, 2011 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

Nancy2-Original 4 — Nancy Goldblatt, "The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,"

Why do you have so many unworn pieces of clothing? ( Part 1 of 2 parts)

When I was a little girl, I secretly believed I was a princess. I was very “sensitive,” and when the school librarian read, ‘The Princess and the Pea,’ to us, I knew I must be a princess in disguise.

When I was twenty years old, many years before I became an Image Consultant, that little girl part of me that still believed I was a princess in disguise finally found “the dress.” I was living in Chicago and I spotted the dress in Marshall Fields. I bought it thinking I would lose a few pounds and be transformed by the dress. I put it on many times, but when I looked in the mirror, I had to take it off. I was never able to wear it out of the house.

Maybe some of you can relate to this. I called it my princess dress because it reminded me of the dress Disney’s princess in the Sleeping Beauty movie wore. It was a dark blue velvet dress, with princess darts and a deep v neckline. “Princess Fiona,” from the movie Shrek wore a similar dress.

I loved that dress but it did not love me. In my “princess dress,” I looked more like the version of Princess Fiona after she kissed Shrek and turned into an Ogre.

The dress was my size, but even after I toned up with exercise, I never looked good in it. It hung in my closet for several years unworn. Finally, I gave it to a friend who was the same height and weight as me. The minute she pulled it over her head she looked fabulous in it. She looked like a ” true princess,” in the dress.

Why did it look so wonderful on her and so terrible on me?

Let me help you answer this. The answer is shape. The dress was shaped like my friend who had a small waist and wide hips. I have narrow hips and a wide rib cage. Even at my thinnest, because of the structure of my bones, my waist was never small. The dress hid my narrow parts and emphasized my wide parts. The dress complimented my friends shape because it was shaped like her.

Here is a simple but important rule to remember. Buy clothing that widens where you widen and narrows where you narrow. (This rule can also be applied to buying shoes.)

Most women wear only 20 % of what they own. So how many items do you own that you do not wear? Do you find yourself putting something on and taking it off ?

Why can’t you wear it? There are 7 reasons why you can’t wear it. to find out see part 2 “Why Do You Have So Many Unworn Clothes?” and discover some possible solutions.

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Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, is a Color 1 Associate. For over twenty years, she has been helping women whose size and shape has changed, to shop their closets.

She specializes in color analysis , and face and body shape analysis. After a client works with “The Wardrobe Wizard”, she will have a pared down closet with “mix and match pieces,” and the ability to put her own best looks together.

Nancy works with clients in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area as well as long distance customers. She can now do online consults. To find out more: Contact the Wardrobe Wizard at nancy@wardrobewiz.com/ or call 410-513-9496 for a complimentary, no obligation 20 minute telephone consultation to discover your fashion personality and find out what “The Wardrobe Wizard,” can do for you.

Personal Image Consultation,from the Wardrobe Wizard, What Happens During the Consult

February 17, 2011 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

Just out of shower, hair still wet, no makeup

Monica In Her Uniform Looking Radiant At End of Consult , (her skin is less pink in person)

What exactly does “The Wardrobe Wizard,” do during a consult?

Who do I work with, and how long does it take?

This is the first of a series explaining what I do by using real life examples.

Yesterday I met with Monica, a young woman who is in her late twenties.

Monica contacted me after seeing some u-tube videos on”color analysis”. She wanted a color analysis because she always feels she looks too pale.

As an Air-force mechanic she has to wear a uniform when she is at work.

She had been stationed in Japan and was coming to Baltimore for a few days before going to a new assignment, so we met in her hotel room.

IMG_0541-2 — Fabric Color Too Bright for Monica’s Body Color’s

After draping her with prints and solid fabrics in natural light, I was able to determine her color type.

I struggled a little to determine her color type (because she is a combination of two color types.)

I put together a “Smart Chart,” for her after draping her with various colors and prints and determining her color type.

The smart chart is a wallet of 40 to 50 best shades plus skin and hair colors. She got a written and verbal explanation on how to shop with her colors. I also did a face and body shape analysis and gave her a fashion personality test.

I usually spend 3 or more hours with clients but because Monica did not have a closet to go through and she did not need much makeup advice I spent less than 3 hours.

I would have spent more time with her, but she had invited one of her long time friends and her four year old daughter over to go swimming in the hotel pool.

Monica’s fashion personality is “romantic, timeless-classic,” and she likes to be comfortable.

Her clothes are not dramatic or trendy.

She loves to wear perfume and she wears small delicate jewelry. The perfume and jewelry are her “romantic signatures.”

I encouraged her to wear essential oils as a scent, rather than perfume because she is concerned about staying healthy and perfumes can have hundreds of chemicals in them, that may not be so safe for us.

The first thing I noticed when I met with her was she had no color in her cheeks.

When she first called me, she told me she wears nothing on her face except mascara and sunscreen.

She has beautiful full lips,but her lower lip is much darker than her upper lip. (I suggested she use a colored lip-gloss so her lips are the same color.

Monica had brown low lights put back into her hair recently because her hairdresser had made her ash brown hair too blonde. Her decision to go less blonde was the right decision, because when she went too blond, she appeared even paler than usual.

Also, a whole head of blonde hair would have not looked balanced with her strong, dark brown eye-brows.

Monica is a Light-Bright, Gentle Color type in the Color One system.

This means she has a light and bright look, but because of the pink undertones in her skin, she needs to wear colors that are slightly toned down.

The “light bright,” part of her color type indicates how she will combine her colors.

Monica needs to wear prints that are small or medium in size or if she wears a larger print it needs to have a light back ground and the print needs to look blended. Print of her uniform jacket (see above picture) fits this criteria but the color is a little too “toned down. Not quite bright enough.

Monica with right colors and better print size, she should not go any bigger than this size print

This large bright print overpowers Monica, the print is wearing her.

(Note in some pictures her skin looks pinker than it did in-person.)

The most important color you wear is the color nearest your face.

If you have to wear a uniform, and it’s not your best color, you can open up a few buttons and by showing a little skin, you are giving yourself a “color break.”

I gave Monica line drawings of some of her best styles.

Monica has an angular face and a curvy body, so she looks best in necklines, and jewelry and glasses that have more straightness than curves.

She has a defined waistline, so she can wear belts and clothing with defined waistlines.

I showed her examples of angular earrings and lapel pins. She was wearing a delicate silver necklace with an angular motif that stopped at her short balance point. This piece of jewelry was perfect for her

She also had a wonderful pair of angular sunglasses that covered her eyebrows and were the perfect size for her face.

Monica does own some scarves, but like lots of women she did not know how to wear them.

I showed her three ways to tie a scarf that flattered her angular face. She especially liked the “banditto,” style scarf tie.

Makeup

I only did a few things, since Monica is not used to wearing makeup and does not really need much makeup.

I showed Monica how to choose lipstick and blush colors with her color chart.

Then I showed her a good blush color, a toned down pink, and where to apply it. I had her blend the blush with a loose translucent powder and I had her put lipstick on her upper lip, to match her bottom lip color.

At first she said the lipstick felt uncomfortable, A few minutes later she told me she could see the difference it made and planned on finding a colored lip gloss or translucent lipstick that would feel more comfortable than a mat lipstick.

For three months after I do a consult, I will check any new purchases my client makes at NO CHARGE. I can do this over the internet with digital pictures or a web-cam.

Wow! See for yourself the difference in her face.

Her face was lovely before, but she did look pale, and tired from her 24 hour airplane flight. In the after picture taken about one hour later, with no extra sleep, she looks radiant. Frequently, even I am surprised at the transformation that occurs with the right colors.

IMG_0544(4) — Monica, Looking radiant with powder, lipstick and blush and her Airforce Tee Shirt

In the future I will take more pictures of each step and if my client gives permission, I will put these photos and my comments on this blog for my readers to see.

Up until now I have only done in- person color consults. I plan to begin doing on-line color consults.

Monica has given me permission to share the pictures from her Color Analysis.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” specializes in working with mid-life women whose size and shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “nothing to wear.”

She also works with younger women and is available to work with men.

She was trained by Joanna Nicholson, founder of Color One Associates an International Image & Style Company.

Say goodbye to those “Nothing to wear moments.”

Reach her at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com or 410-513-9496.

Want to save lots of money?

To far away to meet in person. Get an online-consult. E-mail to set up a Complimentary 25 minute telephone consult.

How to Go from Frumpy to Fabulous Without Buying New Clothes

February 11, 2011 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

Nancy2-Original — Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, Nancy Goldblatt

The term “ready to wear,” implies that you can buy something off the rack and wear it immediately.

“Ready to wear,” clothes are proportioned for a fit model who is very tall and perfectly proportioned. This does not describe what most of us look like. The truth is that very few women can put on a ” ready to wear item” and not need some alterations.

So how much should you shorten something? You can “eye ball it,” but there is a more accurate way to determine vertical alterations, its called Fashion Fit Formula.

When I first discovered the ” Fashion Fit Formula,” I already looked good because as a professional image consultant I knew my best colors and styles. but I did not know everything. I am short and I do not have a defined waistline, so I always wear a layered look with a jacket or long blouse over a shell. I discovered I was wearing my tops too long and this made my legs look shorter. I also have short arms and I did not know my best sleeve length. I discovered my best coat lengths, skirt lengths, and pant lengths with the Fashion Fit Formula.

. I can use this system no matter what my weight because it looks at vertical, not horizontal measurements. If your have spine curvature, this system will tell you the best lengths for both the left and right side of your body.

Do you get attached to your clothes and have difficulty parting with them? One way to refresh and update the clothes you can’t part with, is to alter them so that they are in perfect proportion to your head and body.

Janet Wood is the developer of the Fashion Fit Formula. She has developed a formula based on 12 vertical measurements that will take your existing wardrobe and any new clothes you buy from looking frumpy to fabulous with a few simple alterations.

This cost-effective investment will transform your current wardrobe and make simple alterations on any new purchases well worth the effort or money. The cost of this service has come down since I purchased my Fashion Fit Formula. There is a kit for men and a kit for women. I believe current cost is $50 for the basic kit. Go to http://WWW.FashionFitFormula.com

(The Wardrobe Wizard has not received any compensation for this recommendation)

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” is a “Color 1,” Personal Image Consultant who specializes in working with mid-life women whose size and shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “nothing to wear.”

The Wardrobe Wizard, is available to work with you no matter where you live. If you live in Baltimore, Md or surrounding areas she can work with you in person. If you live other places, she can work with you on-line using digital pictures.

After a woman works with “The Wardrobe Wizard,”she will have a wallet of her best colors and styles, and a pared down closet. She will learn how to mix and match her best looks so she can get dressed “lickety split,” and look great everyday.

“The Wardrobe Wizard,” also works with younger women and is available to work with men. She was trained by Joanna Nicholson, founder of Color 1 Associates, an International Image & Style Company.

Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com, 410-513-9496, WWW.WardrobeWiz.com

Looking Good In Cold Weather

December 17, 2010 by Nancy Goldblatt 3 Comments

Its the middle of December and its below zero and there is snow on the ground in Baltimore. I have seen lots of people so bundled up that only their eyes are showing.

If you care about your appearance but still want to stay warm when you venture out on very cold days, here are some guidelines that will enable you to still look visually pleasing.

1. Wear shoes or boots that repeats the color on your head. If you are wearing a hat, repeat your hat color or if you have lots of hair that shows, choose shoes or boots that are hair color. This will visually help you to look “pulled together.” Our eyes automatically search for repeated colors. When you wear a hat and shoes that are the same color the eye travels up and down to the repeated colors and this is relaxing to the eyes.

Here are a few examples: With a hat or hair that is dark brown wear boots or shoes that are dark brown. If you have a moss green hat, that you love, try to find moss green boots. If your hair is black and lots of hair shows even with your hat on, consider black boots or shoes.

2. Choose a coat color that is flattering to your skin. (Note : not everyone looks good in black). But if you already have a black coat choose a neck scarf that repeats your eye, or skin color. This will give you a “color break,”and the black coat will not look so harsh against your skin.

3. Unsure which colors are flattering to you? Get Joanna Nicholson’s books Dressing Smart for Women and Dressing Smart for Men at Amazon.

4. Consider getting a “Color Analysis,” from a Color 1 Associate. This is a very accurate “non-seasonal approach,” that allows you to wear every color in the right shade. To find a Color 1 Associate in your local area contact Joyce Harris at Color Style. Her e-mail is Joyce5001@aol.com. She also can sell you copies of Joanna Nicholson’s books.

Nancy Goldblatt, Personal Image Consultant & The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore is a Color 1 Associate with over 20 years of experience. She is available to do your colors if you live in the Baltimore, Washington corridor. Contact her at 410-235-5325 or nrgoldblatt@gmail.com (She can teach you how to shop your closet and eliminate what doesn’t work, mix and match in new ways and she’ll suggest what you need to fill in the gaps)

Flattering Clothing for YOUR Body Shape:How to Choose

August 18, 2010 by Nancy Goldblatt 3 Comments

When I was in my twenties I bought a dress that I called “my princess dress.” One of my favorite childhood stories was “The Princess & The Pea.” I secretly believed I must be a princess because I was so sensitive. If you think about how Fiona from the movie Shreck looked before she turned into an ogre, this was my image of a princess. My princess dress looked like the dress Fiona wore. It was dark blue velvet with a deep v neckline and princess darts. It narrowed at the waist and had a soft flowing A line skirt and it was long. This was many years ago before Shreck had been made and my idea of what a princess wore came from my viewing Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.

I put that dress on many times, but was never able to wear it out of the house because instead of looking like a princess, I looked like a stuffed sausage. The dress was my size but even when I exercised and toned up and lost a few pounds, I never looked good in it. It hung in my closet for several years unworn. Finally, I gave it to a friend of mine who had similar coloring to me and was the same height, and weight as me. The minute she pulled it over her head she look like a princess.

Why did she look so wonderful in the dress and why did I look so awful in the dress? The answer is body shape. I have a wide waist and narrow hips and she had a narrow waist and wider hips. The dress narrowed where I widened and widened where I narrowed. My narrow parts were hidden and my wider parts were emphasized by the style of the dress. My friend look fantastic because the dress shape dress was an extension of her body shape.

Body shapes have both curved and straight lines but there will be a predominance of more curves or more straight lines. If your body shape is more curved, clothing with waist definition will be more flattering. If your body is straighter, like mine, clothing without waist definition will be more flattering.. Choosing clothing that widens where your body widens and narrows where your body narrows will help you to feel comfortable and look your bestl everyday.

What do you have in your closet that you haven’t been able to wear? Do you know why you haven’t worn it?

Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She works with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas. Contact her at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com or 410-235-5325. www.WardrobeWiz.com/

Secrets of Smart Clothes Shopping

August 6, 2010 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

How do you make a decision about what clothing items to buy? Besides the clothing fitting you and flattering your shape and body colors, what else should you consider?

Here are 9 secrets of smart clothes shopping from personal image consultant, Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.”

1. Look at care tags, if it says “DRY CLEAN ONLY,” the item will be more costly to maintain. If item says dry clean without the word ONLY you can probably hand wash it or even machine wash on gentle cycle.

2. Squeeze fabric in your hand for 10 seconds to see how likely it is to wrinkle. If it bounces back with few or no wrinkles you probably will not have to spend time ironing it.

3. Can you wear it with 2 or 3 items you already own or can you wear it 2 or 3 different ways?

4. Try it on and sit down in it, raise your arms above you head, raise your arms to your chest with your fists together and elbows out. Then bend over and touch your toes. Does the clothing item move with you or restrict your movement?

5. Don’t expect items to fit perfectly. They will probably need to be altered. So bring some straight pins with you. The pins will enable you to see how the item will look after alterations.

6. If you have had “your colors done,” keep your color chart in your purse so you won’t be wasting your time trying on unflattering colors.

7. If you have had a face and body shape analysis and have line drawings of your best styles bring your line drawings with you.

8. If there is a two or three piece matching outfit get all of the pieces, if they are flattering.

9. If you are on a tight budget, get items that are solids and do not have decorative designs or embellishments. These will be easier to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.

Before I became an image consultant in 1990, I did not know what colors or styles looked good on me and I would spend many hours shopping and trying on things that looked awful on me. The more things I tried on that looked bad, the worse I felt about myself.

Now that I know my best colors and styles, when I go shopping, I can quickly skim over the aisles. I usually only have to try on items to see if they fit. This saves me lots of time and my self esteem remains intact.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” of Baltimore is a professionally trained, personal image consultant. She specializes in working with women who have lots of clothes and “nothing to wear.” (After you get a wallet of your best colors, and line drawings of your best styles, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” will teach you how to shop your own closet.) Nancy is available to work with groups as well as individuals. Contact her at www.WardrobeWiz.com

How To Instantly Lose Credibility

July 16, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

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.

Create visual harmony by repeating hair, eye and shades of your skin color in your clothing
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.
Before you leave the house look in a full length mirror and make sure your face and eyes are the focus point.
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.”

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