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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/

Tim Gunn and Me At The Baltimore Book Festival

September 28, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

About Nancy Goldblatt:

I am a professionally trained “Personal Image Consultant,” based in Baltimore, Maryland. I call myself “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.” I specialize in working with women whose size or shape has changed or who have too many clothes and nothing to wear. I help my clients by first teaching them how to shop in their own closets. They get a wallet of their best colors and line drawings of their best styles. Most of my clients are women but I also work with men. After I work with a client they will knew what clothing to keep, and what to eliminate. They will also know what items they should get altered and how to fill in the gaps in their wardrobe. Best of all , they will get rid of the panic of ” those nothing to wear moments.”

The weekend 0f Sept 25-27th, 2009 is the 14th annual Baltimore Book Festival. This reminded me of what happened several years ago, (I believe it was 2 or 3 years ago.) when Tim Gunn, of Project Runway, was one of the featured speakers. I am a fan of Tim’s and I was looking forward to hearing him speak. At that time Tim had just gotten his own show and had written a book. He was speaking at the Baltimore Book Festival to publicize his new book.

Unfortunately, I had trouble finding parking and by the time I parked,and walked 5 or 6 blocks to the book festival, I had missed Tim’s talk. When I finally got to the area where he had spoken, I discovered there was a long line of people waiting for him to autograph the book they had just purchased.

The book was sold out, so I borrowed some one’s book and quickly looked through it. I felt disappointed because I did not see any new information that I had not seen elsewhere. I have a hunch the book may have been written quickly to capitalize on the popularity of Project Runway and Tim’s new show which had just begun.

I was disgusted with myself for not arriving earlier and my lower back was in spasm and I was looking for a place to sit down. I passed a small table with two chairs. There was a sign that said something like “Sit down, and participate in a psychic experiment.” The experiment was sponsored by students from Maryland Institute of Art. I asked for more information, but mostly I wanted a place to sit and rest.

The experiment was simple, there was a sender and a receiver. I would be the sender. There was a volunteer receiver already seated. All I had to do was sit down at the table and concentrate on an image in my mind and try to send the image to the receiver. He had a pencil and paper and would draw what he received. I decided to picture “the happy face symbol from the 1960’s.” I choose this because I was feeling the opposite of happy and I wanted a distraction from my “pity party.”

I concentrated as hard as I could to mentally picture the “happy face symbol . ” The receiver began drawing after a minute or two. I watched as he drew a line and then made it curve around. At the end of the line he drew two sheep. The MICA student asked me if that was the image I sent. I said, “No, I was picturing a happy face symbol.”

I looked at the pencil drawing again and started laughing. I was laughing because I realized the line the receiver drew that curved around was the same shape as the long line of people waiting for Tim Gunn’s autograph. I would not have called those fans of Tim, sheep, at least I would not have said it outloud. But when I saw the picture “the reciever,” had drawn, I realized that’s what I had been thinking. Those “Tim Gunn fans,” clutching their newly purchased books, standing in an extremely long line under the hot sun reminded me (at least on an unconscious level) of sheep.

As I laughed and shared why I was laughing with the MICA student and the receiver my spirits lifted as I realized what was really on my mind. I was shocked that my unconscious mind would view them in this way because I am usually very non-judgemental. I like to believe it was a combination of the hot sun, my aching back and the fact the book the people standing in line were clutching did not seem to have any new style information. I am still a fan of Tim’ s. I don’t know what he is like in person but on television at times he appears a bit formal and proper but his genuineness comes through. I am ready now to get a copy of his book and do more than just skim it.

Where Can You Buy A Full Length Mirror That Hooks On To A Door Frame for $5?

July 13, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

I just found a place where you can buy a full length mirror that is easy to install because you can hang it over a door frame. The cost, only $5. You will find the name of the place at the end of this short blog.

I have previously suggested getting a full length mirror and placing it some where you have good light. It’s best if you can back up 5 feet from it to look at yourself, so you can do the “blink test,” to determine where your focus point is. Also, a full length mirror will show if something in your outfit is not right.

In the 1970’s one of my aunt’s discovered my grandmother who was in her mid 80’s at the time, standing on a chair. My grandmother had on a pair of my grandfathers trousers. She had never worn pants and pant suits had become popular. She did not own a full length mirror and she was standing on the chair to look in the in the mirror that hung over her dresser. My grandmother who was 5 feet tall, plump and curvy was about 8 inches shorter than my grandfather. My aunt said my grandmother looked like she had clown pants on. My grandmother liked what she saw well enough to agree to get several pant suits and wear them.

You don’t have to risk your life and stand on a chair to see your whole body. Just go out and buy a full length mirror from Wal Mart for $5. The mirror has a frame that comes in several different attractive colors. I believe the colors you can choose from are black, turqoise, orange and green. The mirror is probably a special for the college crowd , so if you don’t have a full length mirror get one quick before they are gone. I have previously seen full length mirrors that hook over door frames for $19 to $39.

What is your fashion personality? What does that have to do with choice of clothing?

July 4, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 17 Comments

Nancy professional picture — Wardrobe Wizard, Nancy Goldblatt, has a “Sporty-Natural, Dramatic, Fashion Personality”

When people ask me how I became an image consultant, I tell them I owe it to my mother.

My mother was a beautiful woman who never felt beautiful. She was critical of herself and of me, her oldest daughter.

My passion for helping clients look good and feel good about themselves comes from my own journey to look and feel good.

My mother thought her nose was too big and she hated her freckled skin.

She envied all of her friends who could lay in the sun till their skin was a leathery brown. I have my father’s small nose and I only have a sprinkling of freckles, so my mother focused on what I wore and my weight. I will talk about my weight in another blog.

When I was 13, my mother encouraged me to wear lipstick and heels and dress more “sophisticated.”

She told me she wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be an “old maid.” My friends were envious and told me how lucky I was. I did not feel fortunate, because even at 13, heels, lipstick and dressing more “sophisticated,” did not represent my” true self. “

Intuitively I knew that if I presented a false self, I would not attract a compatible boyfriend or future husband.

nancy age 13 cropped — Nancy, age 13, just wanted to be comfortable

My mother did not understand that she and I had different fashion personalities and the clothing that was right for her was not right for me.

She was interested in looking ” sophisticated and elegant,” and I was interested in feeling comfortable, “being my self,” and having low maintenance clothing and hair.

I understand now that we had different “fashion personalities,” but at the time I felt angry and hurt that she did not try to understand me.

As a result of her constant criticism, I felt self conscious about my appearance and stayed angry at my mother for a long time. When I became an image consultant and learned my best colors and styles and found out about fashion personality, much of the early damage to my self esteem disappeared.

Did you feel ever feel self conscious or critical about your appearance because of things said to you when you were growing up?

My hope is that after learning about fashion personality you can begin to be less critical of your self, and not so influenced by the fashion industry.

If you have a daughter who dresses in a way you do not approve of, my hope is that after learning about “fashion personality,” you will try to understand that not only is there a generational difference, but her fashion personality may be different from yours.

It will be easier for her to discover her own fashion personality and feel good about her appearance if you can accept her, instead of trying to change her.

One of the first things I do when I work with a client is give the “fashion personality test.” This test is extremely accurate for women but not as accurate for (straight) men. It can be accurate for gay men.

Fashion personality has nothing to do with your height or weight or how long or short your hair is or what colors you wear.

I believe it is “in-born,” like temperament. You may be a combination of two types but one is usually predominant. Here are brief descriptions of the four fashion personality types and photo examples.

Romantic Top from Roman’s catalog	Sporty-Natural Fashion Personality, blouse from Roman’s
Timeless Classic Suit by Anne Klein	Colette has a “Dramatic, Romantic,” fashion personality

Sporty Natural Fashion Personality: You want comfort and ease. You probably don’t like to iron and prefer a very easy to care for hair style. You may not like to get dressed up. Your friends think you wear the same outfit frequently because you end up wearing the same few comfortable things or have the same style in different colors that you wear over and over. Whoppi Goldberg, Ellen De Generes, and Katherine Hepburn all have this fashion personality

Time-less Classic Fashion Personality: You probably like classic styles. You may prefer tailored clothes. Think Ann Taylor and Ann Klein clothing. You don’t waste your money on fads and may be slow to adopt trends . Diane Sawyer and many anchor women have this fashion personality

Romantic Fashion Personality: You probably like some feminine touches in your clothes like soft flowing fabric, maybe a few ruffles, scarves, perfume, maybe long hair or at least some waves or curls,as well as delicate jewelry. Examples of famous people, Jane Seymour, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly,

High Fashion- Dramatic or Creative Fashion Personality: You like to make a statement with your clothing and jewelry. You may like trying different hair styles and colors. You like trying the latest styles and fads. You don’t mind being the center of attention. Cher, Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, and Rhyianna are examples of this personality.

In order to present your most authentic self to the world, I believe it is important to understand and respect your fashion personality. Even if an outfit was a flattering color and fit me, I would still feel uncomfortable if it had ruffles. That’s because ruffles feel too “girly,” romantic on me. I have a “sporty-natural, dramatic.” fashion personality. I am mostly sporty- natural with a little dramatic. I like wearing pieces that breathe, do not need ironing and are super comfortable. I do the dramatic part with big earrings and or a funky lapel pin.

At a recent Wardrobe Wizard presentation one of the participants , a successful woman entrepreneur, wanted to know how she could look more appropriate when she has to go to “dress up affairs.”

I determined she had a “sporty-natural fashion personality.” She loves wearing pants and boots and hates getting dressed up, but she must attend certain important events where she has to look less casual.

I suggested she could do this by wearing a 3 piece pant outfit in a silk or knit fabric all in one color. (When you wear all one color you will always look more elegant and dressed up.) The pants should be soft and flowing with a deep v neck shell and an open jacket.

She could wear simple earrings and comfortable dressy pumps the same color as her hair. If she wanted to look more feminine she could wear a pashmina over her shoulders instead of the jacket. The outfit should be as comfortable for her as pajamas.

It’s important for her to respect her fashion personality because if she were to wear more tailored, high fashion or frilly clothing she would not feel comfortable and would not be at her best.

Joanna Nicholson, “Color 1,’ founder and my teacher, would probably say fashion personality categories are too confining and we can change our looks based on how we are feeling.

I could look a little more romantic, if I put a sheer scarf around my neck, but I would feel very uncomfortable dressed totally in a romantic style.

Think of your fashion personality as a home base where you feel most relaxed and comfortable.

You can leave home for awhile wearing a different style, but eventually you need to return home to your “fashion personality.” to relax and recharge your batteries.

Do you know what your fashion personality is? How has this affected your choice of clothing and accessories? I’d love to hear from you.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a Color One Associate. She specializes in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed. She has worked over twenty years as a Personal Image Consultant. She is now working with clients all over the world using the telephone and internet. She can be reached at Nancy@wardrdrobewiz.com, website is : www.WardrobeWiz.com

How to Choose Flattering Glasses & Sunglasses:

June 26, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 10 Comments

For those of you who need new glasses or plan to buy sunglasses here are a few tips for choosing flattering frames.

If you have a strong eyeglasses prescription it may be very difficult or impossible for you to actually see how the frames you are trying on look.

One day I went shopping for glasses with one of my image clients who is very near sighted.

She could not tell how she looked when she took her own glasses off.

Out of desperation she put the frames she was interested in on top of her own glasses. This was a creative solution but it did not work.

A Better Solution

When you go shopping for new glasses, bring a digital camera or use your camera phone. Ask the sales person to take pictures of you with the frames you are interested in.

Even if you are not extremely near sighted this is a good idea. By looking at a picture rather than a mirror, its much easier to see what really looks good.

I learned about choosing flattering styles of glasses from JoAnna Nicholson, my teacher and co-founder of Color 1 Associates an International Image and Style Company.

Eyeglass Shape

When choosing glasses or sunglasses, choose shapes that repeat your eyebrow shape.

If you have straight eyebrows, choose glasses that have a softened rectangular shape. If you have a more naturally curved eyebrow choose glasses that are more curved on the top of the frame.

(You also need to take into consideration your overall face shape)

Most people have more angular faces and you will find more angular eyeglasses frames available.

As we get older our eyes lose their defined shape. When you put glasses on, it’s like putting on eyeliner or mascara because glasses can give our eyes definition. This is another reason that it’s helpful to choose a shape that compliments your face.

Frame Color

Some people wear glasses to make a statement. One trend that may be dying is the “Buddy Holly,” black eyeglass frame nerd look.

However, if you want people to look at you, instead of your eyeglasses, I suggest choosing glasses that look like they are a part of you.

A very thin frame in a flattering color will show off your eyes and is more likely to look like it is part of you.

In choosing frame color, consider choosing your natural hair color or the natural highlights in your hair or a combination of hair and skin color.

Our eyes automatically search for color repetition. When you repeat your body colors in your apparel and accessories you create visual harmony and a pleasing appearance.

For example, if your hair has copper highlights, a copper frame would probably look good on you. My client, Judith, used to have copper frames when her hair was reddish brown but now that her hair is white, a non- shiny silver frame is more flattering on her.

If you can’t remember what color your hair was, look at old pictures of yourself when you were a child.

If you still have color in your eyebrows, what color are they?

If you have a child or relative who has the same color hair you used to have ask for a lock of their hair. Keep the piece of hair in a ziplock bag in a dark place. Take this lock of hair with you when you shop for glasses and try to choose a frame that is a shade of this color.

Trying On Sunglasses

I have noticed that frequently the mirrors on sunglass displays is up high. This may be done because its a convienient place to put the mirror but it can be deceiving. When looking up at a mirror that is higher than eye level, you will always look better.

This is because some of your face and neck wrinkles disappear when you look up.

On the other hand, if the mirror is lower than eye level, you will always look worse because your wrinkles and any sagging skin will be exaggerated.

I suggest you bring your own mirror and hold it at eye level to get a more accurate impression of how you look in the eyeglasses or sunglasses.

What is your biggest challenge in choosing glasses or sunglasses? Feel free to ask questions on this blog.

Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She works with both individuals and groups. She is located in Baltimore, Md. She can now work with you online using digital photos and or a webcam. She can be reached at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com

Her website is WWW.WardrobeWiz.com

What do you say to yourself when you look in the mirror?

June 21, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 4 Comments

Years ago there was an episode of Sesame Street on television called “Pick Your Pet.” It was a version of the “Dating Game.” The contestant was a little girl muppet and behind the curtain were 3 pets. Number one was a bird, number two was a dog and number three was a big shaggy monster muppet.

The little girl asked number one, the bird, ” Do you like milk”? The answer was no.

She asked the dog, “Can you purr? The answer was no.

She then asked number one and two,“Will you sit in my lap?” The answer again was no.

Time ran out and she never got to ask number three, the monster muppet any questions.. She had to choose number one, two or three.

She choose number three, the monster muppet.

The audience booed. The bird came out and gave her a peck on the cheek, the dog came out and licked her face and then it was time for number three, her choice to come out from behind the curtain.

The audience continued to boo. The poor monster muppet lumbered out from behind the curtain with shoulders hunched over, looking at the ground as the audience continued to boo and make fun of him.

The little girl looked at the monster muppet and said “You are Bou- tee- ful.” The monster muppet stood up straight, lifted his head, smiled and said “I like milk, I can purr, and I will sit in your lap.”

Words can transform how we feel about ourselves

When you focus on what’s wrong , its hard to feel good about yourself.

What happens when you look in the mirror and focus on what you like about your looks. Remember “You are Bou tee ful.”

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Nancy Goldblatt 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.

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.”

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

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Does This Make Me Look Fat?

June 18, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

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/

Which Recent Trend Is Not Flattering to Anyone?

June 16, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 2 Comments

I am going to talk about a recent trend the magazines have been showing which will cause you to not look “visually harmonious, ” or “pulled together.” Unless you prefer people to look mainly at your feet, this trend will not work for you. Its wearing shoes that are a different color than your outfit. On the Today show this morning, Ann Curry, one of the women hosts who usually looks great did not look as good as usual.

She was wearing bright red shoes. There was nothing else in her outfit that was red and my eye went down to her feet. If you plan to wear red shoes the color should be repeated in your main outfit at least once . If she had been wearing a red sweater or jacket over her black base she would have looked more “put together,” because our eye automatically searches for colors to be repeated. In Ann’s case my eye kept going down to her red shoes when she was seated and I could seee her shoes.

I happen to like Ann Curry and find her a very good interviewer. However, I was distracted by those red shoes and she seemed less credibile to me as a result. Be careful of trends because frequently the purpose of the trend is to get you to go out and buy more stuff.

Which recent trends do you avoid and which do you like? I would love to hear from you.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

June 14, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 2 Comments

How many of us look in the mirror and see only our flaws?

I worked with a beautiful woman yesterday, helping her go shopping in her own closet. She has lovely, wavey red hair, hazel eyes, and a curvey body. When she put items on and looked in the mirror she saw only her flaws. She has a defined waistline but has been most comfortable wearing baggy tops since she has not lost all of the weight she gained when she had her daughter seven years ago.

The baggy tops actually make her look heavier. Because I know that women are most likely to wear what they feel comfortable in, I needed to find a way to help her feel comfortable and wear her tops in a figure flattering manner.

I suggested she have the tops we both liked taken in slightly on the sides or have darts put in for more waist definition. She did own a few form fitting tops including a shell but did not feel comfortable wearing the tops because she thought her hips and bun looked too big. When she put a jacket on and left it open over the shell she loved the look. She called it “The Bomb .” I also taught her a technique she could use when she looks in the mirror to determine if something flatters her. I am hopeful that with time and using this new technique to look at herself she will be able to focus on her “real beauty,” instead of her flaws.

She was able to eliminate many items in her closet that did not work and she now has some new ways to mix and match her clothes. When she gets the other pieces of clothing altered she will have many more things to wear. We are going shopping next week to fill in the remaining gaps in her wardrobe. Because she hates to shop, I am going to do a little preshopping to make sure the places we go have the items she is looking for.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained Color 1, personal image consultant. She specializes in working with women whose size or shape has changed and who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear. She is also available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas. Contact her at 410-235-5325/ nrgoldblatt@gmail.com/ www.WardrobeWiz.com

Beauty or Beast? What Is Real Beauty?

June 5, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

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

What is real beauty? The media would like us to believe that beauty is being forever young, tall, perfectly proportioned with flawless skin and a great head of hair. If this is true, we are all doomed to accepting we can’t be beautiful.

When we look at “air brushed photos” in magazine of models, who look like they have no flaws it hard not to compare ourselves. We forget that the models have been airbrushed and photo-shopped to look perfect. I don’t look at those magazines anymore, but when I did, I felt flawed and frumpy. Have any of you had that experience? When you feel more like beast than a beauty what do you do?

Do you overeat, exercise or go shopping?

When you feel bad about how you look, you are more likely to buy beauty products, clothes, jewelry and shoes you do not need

The real truth is that “beauty” is what’s pleasing to our eyes. You can check this out by looking at a painting you like. Why do you like looking at it?

The answer is that its visually pleasing to your eyes. It gets your attention with its repetition of color, line and proportion.

What can you do to become visually more pleasing? Think of yourself as an “unfinished masterpiece,” waiting for the right frame.

Do you remember the last time you had to choose a frame for a painting or print? When you went to the framing store there were hundreds of choices of frames and mats. The store clerk quickly and easily picked out a few frames and mats and you were able to choose the one you liked. Before I tell you how the store clerk was able to pick out the right frame, I want to know how well you do picking out a frame for a painting or print.

Visualize a 11 x 14 painting of a water scene with boats tied up at the dock. The sky is greyish blue and a storm is brewing. What color mat and frame would you put on it? Would you choose a wide, shiny gold frame and a pure white mat. Or would a soft white mat with a non-shiny mat silver frame be better? Now think about an abstract painting the same size but with large, bold,splotches of primary colors. Would you choose the same frame for both paintings?

Of course not, the frame needs to be an extension of the painting. Your clothes, jewelry and makeup are your frame. Your frame needs to be an extension of you so that it can compliment, not detract from your natural beauty.

So how did the clerk do this so easily? He or she did this by looking at the painting and picking out one or two predominate colors and looking at the scale of the painting.

So how can your frame look like a natural extension of you and put the finishing touches on the “master piece,” thats uniquely you? (See part 2 of this blog for important tips on how to use color to do this)

By reading Dressing Smart for Women and or Dressing Smart for Men, you will learn more about choosing flattering shades of color and how to look great everyday no matter what your age, shape or size. These books are available at Amazon.com and as well as your local library or Contact Leslie Stott, Color 1 CEO to buy the book, Leslie@thecolorlady.com

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained “Color 1, personal image consultant.” Her website is: www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She can work with you online using digital photos to create a wallet of your best colors.