This is not her “Daddy’s jacket.”  Ladies, Pendleton has the right idea with this worsted wool suit. This fabric is sturdy and substantial, implying the same of the woman who wears it, yet drapes nicely along the lines of her body.  The top-stitching and cuff design add nice detail. And notice the lapel, which is the feature closest to the face and therefore sends one of the strongest messages of the whole ensemble. The curves in its cut and folds honor the femininity of a woman’s figure. This dark grey is a more “powerful” choice than light grey. Paired with the fuchsia blouse, the overall message is powerful and dynamic.

One thing I might change is the “buttoned-up” look. And you know I’d also add bolder earrings.

Your thoughts?

Charlie Sheen’s role as Charlie Harper on the show “Two and a Half Men” isn’t one to be emulated, unless you want to look like a dork or a geek. That bowling shirt is multiplying like rabbits, and it’s a pity. Get over it fellows, you’re making a big mistake to copy anything about Charlie Harper.

Sandy can’t stand Charlie Harper’s shirts. She loves Charlie Sheen’s blue shirt, and you will, too. Here’s why.

First of all, that “billowy” shape suggests you have love handles or a beer belly to hide. Secondly, soft fabrics cling to the body and reveal every bulge you have instead of hiding them.

Cotton shirts like the blue one above actually flatter a man’s figure. They are made of a substantial fabric, so they remain crisp, not limp like a bowing shirt. Lastly, the epaulet-like  shoulders of a cotton shirt in a business style will make the shoulders look squared and strong. Bowling shirts make the shoulders look droopy. In fact, everything about Charlie Harper’s shirt is droopy; the fabric, the line and the patterns. The pattern on Charlie Harper’s shirt takes the attention down and away from the face. Not a good idea.

Charlie Sheen, you look handsomer, slimmer and much more classy than Charlie Harper!

Recently, a number of experts weighed in on the issue of whether or not high heels help or hurt women in the workplace. Fashion experts agree that stilettos are tawdry and should be avoided. However, experts in other arenas thought all heels made women too sexy looking. Wrong.

When it comes to looking “sexy” you can’t be overt; however, you can be covertly sexy. Women’s legs are sexy simply because of their curvy shape. So, are women to be relegated to pants that hide the legs and good sturdy walking shoes that are matronly? The last thing women need is to go back to the “miniature man” look of the “dress for success” eighties where any hint of femininity was forbidden.

Which of the two women above (wearing the same heels) looks “too sexy” for the workplace?  My feeling? Both look covertly sexy! The woman on the right has a friendly and wholesome smile, while in the photo to the left, she has a bit of a “come hither” look, so she could be judged to be more sexy by some.

Ultimately, heels under 3 inches (7.5 cm) will look professional, unless the style is gaudy; and classic pumps (court shoes) always look polished and professional. The Chanel-style shoes in the photo above are also professional.

Gentlemen, I’ve been hard at work in my Norfolk, Virginia studio, finishing up my soon-to-be-released  e-book just for men.

I found this perfect example of what can go drastically wrong with a simple choice of collars  and had to pass it along to you with an insider’s tip from the book:  Always choose a collar that fits!  Your collar and tie are worn closest to your face and must convey a look of neatness and attention to detail while ensuring that your face will be the focal point of your entire body.  This collar is too tight and too high for this man’s neck.  Notice that it creates that double-chin look.  The fact that it’s off-center and wrinkled also sends the silent message that “details don’t really matter.”  Like you, this man probably doesn’t believe that message and would never verbalize such nonsense–so why does he let his collar shout it out?

Here’s an example of a collar that fits well.  It’s also crisp and wrinkle-free, sending a message that substance and details matter to the man behind the choice.  Here, the focus will be on this man’s face, not on a distracting collar and tie.

By the way, notice the difference in tie colors.  In the men’s book I delve deeper into color choices, but here’s a quickie for you now:  Orange does not compliment the skin tones of about 80 percent of people in the world; most people should steer clear of the color.  Ties in the red family are almost always a perfect choice–especially those in the burgundy to raspberry range, which have a touch of black or blue to compliment most any suit/shirt combination.

So men, tell me, how much attention have you paid in the past to your collars’ silent messages?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Both my parents died of cancer, so I’m a big supporter of this month’s cancer awareness campaign! I read an article today by an image consultant who advised that women wear the shade of pink this month that was perfect for them.  She would insist that I, being a fair-skinned blonde, wear Baby Pink.

Blondes fade out completely in baby pink!

It’s about time image consultants noticed that the Emperor isn’t wearing any clothes. There’s so much misinformation about color out there, and the average person looking for good information is simply being fed the latest trend or advice that they match their superficial appearance.

Here’s the real scoop: Skin trumps hair and eye color. The pink that suits YOU is the one that makes your skin look the best, and that includes letting dark circles disappear, along with furrows and grayness.

My 30 years’ experience suggests that the majority of people fall into the category that would have their best shades of pink include fuchsia and magenta; and that very few truly wear baby pink successfully. Once you have a trained eye, you’ll see for yourself.

Do this quick test:  Drape yourself snugly at the neckline with a baby pink garment or fabric and keep it in place. Then cover the baby pink with fuchsia or magenta; then raise and lower the magenta fabric/garment slowly a few times while looking in the mirror. You should be able to detect a dramatic difference in your appearance between the two shades of pink. About 80 percent of all people will look more healthy, vibrant, dynamic and “alive” in the darker.

Please note that if you’re wearing a washed out baby pink lipstick, the magenta may appear “too strong” at first glance. This is another instance in which many image consultants get off track. Just add lipstick in a soft fuchsia and your “dislike” of the magenta will go away.

Let me know your results; leave a comment here!

Matt, you always look sophisticated and businesslike.  My recommendation: Wear ties in bolder colors when you’re wearing a grey suit.  Grey can sometimes look a bit on the sad side unless it’s worn with a bold and happy color.  Think about red, burgundy, raspberry or yellow!

Readers: Based on what you’ve learned about image, any other thoughts?

Dr. Oz, you look fabulous – and your raspberry tie is just dynamite (and elegant) with your dark grey suit and blue shirt.  You get a 10!

Readers, what do you say?

It’s no secret that “fashion” looks get men compliments. However, when it comes to menswear, there are “fashion” looks and there are “business” looks. One bestows immediately credibility while the other diminishes it. Which man would you choose to handle your investments?

Grant was asked about his elegant and refined style, when he responded, “All it takes are a few outfits. And there is one secret, the simpler the better.”

The “rules” of men’s fashion are sometimes very rigid. First of all, white shirts suggest purity, hence, honesty. Dark shirts worn with ties suggest Al Capone. Furthermore, the tie is there to “make a statement” about its wearer, and a tie that blends into a shirt cannot even be seen.

Recently, matching shirt and tie sets have been popular, but “fashion” looks are not “power” looks. A man’s power tool is his tie. It should never blend into his shirt or suit.

Ultimately, the man (see above two color photos) in the white shirt and red power tie looks more polished and professional than the man in the dark blue “ensemble.”  Furthermore, pinstripe suits are the most conservative of all suit patterns, so the “gangster” shirt and tie are inappropriate with such a conservative suit. The best way to “lighten up” a conservative pinstripe suit is with a tie in a bold color such as yellow or red.

Georgio Armani was right. Accessories make or break your look – and determine whether you are judged elegant or not. The most expensive suit in the world could very well look boring without accessories.

When I was a fashion model, designers looked you over before you went out on the catwalk to see if you “made a statement” or not. Accessories were added if you didn’t!

As you can see, Amy looks for more elegant with accessories. Imagine the black suit without the big white buttons (also statement makers), earrings and brooch. It wouldn’t look bad; it just wouldn’t look dynamic or special. Amy is an architect. Which woman looks as if she will deliver your special  dream house?

What was he thinking?

The names of the men pictured below have been withheld, but one of them is currently governor of a state. Guess which one.

If you guessed the man in the attractive suit and tie, I’m sorry to have to tell you that you are wrong. Are you as shocked and dismayed as I am to see a current governor at an official event dressed in a horrid, worn-out denim jacket and drab olive sweater instead of properly representing his office, his state, and his colleagues at this event?  Even at ground-breaking ceremonies with shovels and dirt, men still wear suits!

What makes this scene even more egregious is the fact that this governor was there for a rally before election day.  How do you think the man on the left felt, running for election and having to be endorsed by…well, what looks like just some guy off the street who cares more about his own comfort than anyone else’s?

One of the biggest mistakes people make about “business casual” (in which this governor’s outfit doesn’t even remotely qualify), is to put their own comfort above those of their colleagues and clients.  It is arrogant to assume that you can dress any way you want and that people “won’t really care.”  Even if they can’t put it into words, people are affected by the way you dress, so you want to make sure they react to you in a positive manner!

Readers, what do you think about the manner in which this governor dressed at an election rally?