Style, Fashion and Life

Communicating with your stylist

Want the best haircut you ever had??

 

How many times have you left the salon feeling like your hair is too short or too long, or that you got the exact opposite of what you wanted?  The most important part of a haircut is a great communication between the client and the stylist.  Stylists are not mind readers, but should be good enough at fishing out enough information to give you a great cut.  The following are some steps you can take to do your part in ensuring your haircut is perfect and most suited to you!

 

 

 

1. Before your appointment, note “Whats Bothering You…” This helps us define things more clearly.  Or, note what you like and didn’t like about your hair and your last haircut.

 

1. When indecisive  remember there are only 3 haircuts…Bangs, layers, length….

 

2. Never be afraid to bring a picture!!!!  This defines your vision more than words

 

3.  
4. If your hair acts a certain way when cut, say so!  Be leary of a stylist that doesn’t listen to how your hair responds.  You know best.

 

5. Inches are an Illusion!!!!  Where do you want it to fall?

 

6. If you are seeing a new stylist, tell them why.  That way the stylist knows what is important to you.  A good stylist will easily adapt to your needs and learn to relate on your terms!

 

7.  If you are open to suggestion, say so!  Keep in mind any “comfort zones”.  IE. “you can do anything but give me bangs!!!”

 

8. Don’t ask the stylist, “What would you do?”  This question makes no sense.  And we are dumbfounded everytime we hear it!

 

9. Don’t say, “Do whatever you want”  unless you really mean it!

 

10. Lastly, remember hair is not an exact science!  We do our best to rock your world, but people AND hair  have their limitations.  Getting to know your stylist and having an open communication with him/her will allow you to be more creative and personalized with your look J  Never trust a stylist that doesn’t listen.

 

You can have the best and most expensive stylist in the world do your hair, but if you hate it, its not worth it!

Men's Fashion Guide for 2010

Men are lucky in the respect that fashion choices remain stable and less fickle than for women.  Often that sports coat or pair of jeans can remain fashionable for up to 5 years, although there are more often small tweaks in cuts, silhouettes and accessories.  This is a fresh compilation of new statements for the year 2010 combined with a list of classic pieces every man should own.  Consider this your master guide for fashion staples, what to buy new as well as fashion faux pas’ you should ALWAYS avoid!

2010-  Here are some hot trends you will begin to see starting this year:

·     Knee length shorts- in fabrics of chino and linen with plaid prints

·     Gray or charcoal v-neck sweaters

·     2 button suits

·     Bigger shoulder bags

·     Adidas Samba sneakers with dress clothes and suits

·     Striped shirts

·     Great fitting jeans- jeans are the must have, live-in staple right now.  And with all of the jean companies coming out every week you can find great fitting jeans without the $300 price tag.

Classic Items every man should own:

·     Black button down shirt- looks great in any occasion

·     Fitted black tee shirt- again, goes great with everything

·     Sleek belt

·     Tuxedo that is a classic fit.

·     Clean brown and black shoes

Tips for updating your 2010 wardrobe- on the cheap!

·     Have your pants tailored.  Believe it or not, tailoring is very inexpensive. 

Instead of buying new pants, have them hemmed, or reseamed.

·     It’s also very inexpensive to have your shoes repaired.  A great shoe doctor

Can resole your shoes, add or repair buckles and give them a thorough cleaning.

·     Put your older clothes up for consignment in a resale shop.  Put the cash toward a classic piece.

·     Kenneth Cole shoes are a great buy for men.  They are stylish, come in many styles and colors and are also very comfortable.

·     Shop “End of Season” sales.  Typically end of season sales are held even while still in season.  Mark-downs are as much as 50-90% off.  Instead of Walmart end of season sales where everything is a dollar- try Armani end of season sales.  There you may find a $1500 suit for as little as $200.  Also try the new Nordstrom Rack- high fashion designers are ridiculous about new seasons.  They perceive things as “out” before they were ever even “in” for the rest of us.

·     Accessorize!  Even men can raise the status of their over all look with a great pair of aviator shades or a really cool watch.  No need to be expensive: knock offs are everywhere and most people can never tell the difference.

Advice that’s tough to hear- but worth it.  Please, Avoid This Stuff:

·     Tattered shoes.  No matter your shoe style, don’t wear shoes that are falling apart or dirty.  They are distracting, and the perception is: sloppy shoes- sloppy boy.

·     Baggy clothes.  They make you look bigger than you are.  You may feel a little more exposed in fitted clothes but a tiny beer gut still looks better in a nice fitting shirt as opposed to a t-shirt the size of a tent.

·     Blaring designer labels.  Designer clothes are expensive because they fit well and last long.  Wearing a shirt that screams GUCCI in giant letters is purely an advertisement- and is no proof that you have any money.

·     Wrong suit style.  (especially while working)  I have seen many a young man walk towards me trying to sell me a year’s supply of oil changes or even a new car.  A bad suit tells me you don’t care about your appearance or how others perceive you.  If you want to make a powerful impression, invest in a suit that fits.  Even if you have never sold a car before, you will look like you have and you will have my trust.  Throw out that hammer time suit and baggy pleated pant. 

·     Worrying about what your buddies think.  No need to impress your buddies, they already like you.   But you do want to make a good impression on new people, potential relationships, employers as well as customers.  If your buddies make fun of you for wearing sambas and a suit, well who cares?  Are they rich?  Famous?  The Crème de la crème?  If not, then take your appearance into your own hands!

·     Socks and sandals.  Enough said.  

2009-2010 Fashion Trends

    As designers release their 2009-2010 collections, this promises to be a very exciting year in fashion.  Experts predict that we are emerging from the global financial crises and I believe we can expect to see a new standard of fashion materialize.  New collections are almost always classically inspired but paired with exciting new pieces or made to be more edgy.  Gucci was classically futuristic in shiny, shimmering fabrics and belted tunics with leggings.  Prada, Chloe and TopShop are doing their part to make the thigh high boot a mainstream stay for winter.

 

    Items to put in your closet for this winter and early part of next year consist of the chunky accessory and anything shiny or sparkling.  We are seeing a resurgence of the defined shoulder- ala 1980’s but today’s silouhette is very form fitting and sleek but with a firm shoulder poking out.  In the 80’s shoulder pads depicted power and stature but now we want our power to remain sexy and feminine.  Massive necklaces add dimension to plain tops and dresses while belts are still wrapping the waist in every shape.  Skinny belts that wrap around the body multiple times OR one wide thick belt can adorn tunics and dresses. 

 

    We first started to notice the ripped tights trend on the runway of Alexander Wang in Fall of 08, but many designers are following in line as the 80’s era looks are peaking and waning.  Ninety’s are next which, were clearly grunge so for the next few seasons we will be sure to see grunge wear creeping back in the mainstream style.  Also, tights that are studded and bejeweled are gracing the seasons must have list.

 

    My favorite trend of the fall is going to be the thigh high boot.  Thankfully society’s hang ups about women in knee-high boots have been long since vanished.  So boots in 2010 will be anything but conservative.  Of course the long lean models look fabulous in these boots, but how do you wear them if you are 5’5?  The trick to keeping yourself appearing long and lean is to avoid “visual breaks.”  Match your tights to the boots or tuck in skinny pants that compliment the color of the boots. Cinching in the waist also streamlines the look.  You can also mimic the feel of over the knee boots by wearing chunky knee topping socks with regular boots layered over dark tights. 

 

    The high-waisted cigarette pants are great for the illusion of height and length but avoid the super flare-legged version this winter. To finish your sleek looks remember to keep the retro-aestethic flowing. For those not wishing to belt everything say hello to the Boyfriend Blazer.  Roll the sleeves up and pair with leggings for a smart take on an old classic.

 

    For men in 2010 look for double breasted suits to come back in midnight to black to grey and blue hues.  With tailored looks becoming a little tired, designers such as Armani and Burberry are deconstructing jackets and pants making them a little looser fitting and softer looking. Plaids and argyles are the patterns to have and look great layered and with chunky fabrics. 

 

    Top off your look with the season large handbags.