Smart dressing for men

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

July 26, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

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

July 16, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

Nancy2-Original 4 — 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.

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.”

Get Rid of Your Pimples and Get Back Your Radiance With Two Products

July 6, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 2 Comments

Beauty or Beast? What Is Real Beauty?

June 5, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

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.