Hair by Salon del Sol;  Clothing by Talbot’s and Dillard’s. Make-up by Salon del Sol.

Train for a career of your dreams, doing what you love . . .

Shopping and looking stylish while helping others project

their best image. 

Hurry and register today-Classes are now forming for Spring 2012,

and class size is limited for hands-on training.

Contact Diana at 804-356-9223; Email:  dianas@radiantstylemadesimple.com

Each class member receives a personalized image profile with examples of the most flattering hairstyles for their face shape, best styles of garments for their body type, and colors that bring out their best features.

Find out which styles fit and flatter your unique figure, and the colors that make you look your most radiant.
Streamline your morning routine to cosmetics and outfits that will make you look and feel great.

Offered Saturday, March 31st 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., lunch and beverages included.  Offered through the University of Richmond. Register online: scs.richmond.edu/thinkagain
Find “Project Your Best Image” class and click on “Register Online”. Or phone 804-289-8133

Do you always wear the same outfit . . . with the same shoes . . . with the same handbag . . . with the same jewelry? Are you tired of your clothes, yet
Seem to have clothes in your closet you have never even worn?

Maybe you just can’t pull it all together, overwhelmed by all the choices.

Accessories are the Spice of the Wardrobe

Accessories can make basic wardrobe pieces go the distance. Suits are a great place to start: jacket, skirt, and slacks. Buy the best quality you can afford. A black suit, and a suit in one other color, such a taupe, or a nice deep red would be great to have the basic building blocks of a great wardrobe. Buy a fabric that can be worn for three, even four seasons, like a lightweight wool, or a nicely refined polyester. Buy these with a little Lycra stretch to them. Make sure the fit is impeccable.

Mix and Match for Versatility

You can mix and match to change your look each day with these pieces, some great accessories, and different tops.

Wear the black blazer with the red skirt, and a blouse in a print that flatters you, and has both colors in it.

Vice versa: Red blazer, black skirt. Wear a black top underneath for a slimming look. Wear some funky jewelry-the black will be a great background for it.

Do the same for slacks: mix and match. Have black tops to wear underneath, find some red tops that are in the same hue as the suit.
And, then, accessorize with jewelry, scarves, handbags, and shoes.

Day to Dinner and Dressing Up

The beauty of classic pieces that fit and look well polished is the ease of transitioning them from day to night. A black suit is awesome with a shell underneath, or a camisole, and some nice pearls or jewelry. Add some sexy heels for an evening event. Buy a nice clutch for dressy occasions, and use that instead of a large handbag.

Black is good for the day to night transition, but other colors also work, as long as you partner them with dressy tops, shoes, and other accessories.
Sparkly drop earrings instantly dress up an outfit. Put your hair up or back with a clip, and add drop earrings. This is so elegant and simple.
And, if you are wearing a skirt, it may be a good idea to wear hose. These will mask any leg imperfections, and add some color.

You can have a great wardrobe with a couple of great suits, two or three pairs of jeans, some khakis, two or three dresses, and some great blouses.
Just mix and match pieces, and change your accessories to change your look.

Try this in your own closet with what you already own. Set aside some time to do this. You will discover hidden treasure in there!

This also works for a more casual look: Add jeans and khakis to the two suits.

Jeans look great with blazers, and you have two in great colors. For a dressier look, wear a dark denim wash with heels, and a great white blouse
under a black or red blazer. Add jewelry, boots, and a scarf. Great look!

A nice trouser in a neutral khaki fabric is great to pair with just about anything. White jeans can be worn all year, and will look fabulous with a black blazer and black heels or boots. It is a very sophisticated look.

For warmer weather, capris are great. Buy them in several colors with tops you can mix and match. Add some great fun (inexpensive) spring jewelry.
Buy some stylish sandals (Target has great ones) and you are set to go.

Dresses are also good for warm weather. Buy a shirtwaisted dress, or A line style in a soft knit or crisp cotton. Have a couple of these to dress up or down.

Tops

Spring and Summer: Wear shells underneath. Black goes with just about everything, so be creative! Bright colors are very fashionable now, and the pop of color is great.
Solids shells: very versatile, and ready to be accessorized. Add shoes, sandals, jewelry, scarves.

Fall and Winter: Wear blouses, turtlenecks, scoop and v necks.

Remember-don’t overdo it. Less is more. A funky scarf and some simple earrings are great together, but don’t wear a scarf, statement necklace, and large earrings. Too much stuff is overkill.

Collared shirts are very crisp, especially in white. Team these with metallic jewelry or pearls. Very classic look.

Handbags make a great statement! A black suit is a great time to carry a fun handbag. Animal prints are in style, as are bright colors.

The style of handbag you carry can set the tone for the outfit:
A more ladylike, compact bag is a more tailored statement.
A bigger, bolder bag is less traditional, sportier.

Scarves have made a big comeback the last two fashion seasons.
-Most of the current ones are draped several times around the neck.

Shoes: You can build an outfit around a great pair of shoes!
Make a statement with your shoes, there are lots of choices
out there right now, and most are high heels and platforms.

Take care of your shoes. Stuff tissue paper in the toes to hold the shape.
Spray a waterproof solution on shoes/boots to keep the leather nice.
Clean with Saddle Soap, buff with Mink Oil. Keep a small basket with
a soft cloth and these supplies in your closet for quick clean-ups.
Clean handbags the same way, and stuff them with paper to keep their shape.
Put new uplifts on worn heel bottoms-use your local shoe repair shop!

For accessories, put the emphasis on where you want the attention to focus:

Do you have a small waist? Buy great belts.

Do you want to focus on your face? Go with great jewelry.

Scarves bring the eye up, if tied around the neckline area.

With accessories, you can accent one area with drama-but that is all.
Too much stuff doesn’t look good, just costumey.

Buy accessories you love! Dressing should be fun, not stressful.
When you buy, visualize the outfit, and have something in mind to
wear the items with. You may even want to hang the scarf with
what you wear it with most often in the closet. But, don’t limit it.

Put an outfit together for the next day, and hang the jewelry, belt,
etc. with it. Place shoes at bottom of outfit. If you do this the night
before work (or whatever is planned for the day) the stress goes out of this part of the day.

When you come home, put it back in its storage spot. Hang like things together: belts, scarves.

Trends for Spring

• Cuff Bracelets and Bangles
• Platform shoes
• Sky High Heels
• Studs in handbags, clothing shoes
• Bright Colors and Pastels
• Geometric Prints
• Black and White Prints
• Light Denim (Chambray)
• Mini length in skirts/dresses

• The right color can make you look energetic, vibrant, and younger.
• The wrong color can make you look drained and tired.
• The right color can add a glow to your skin.
• The wrong color can create shadows on your face.

Knowing your best colors is crucial to projecting your best image.

Colors that add pink or red to your skin, not yellow, which makes you look drained and sallow, are the most flattering.

Most people look best in jewel tone colors: emerald green, fuchsia, purple, deep red. Cherry red has blue in it; fire engine
red has more yellow in it. Choose the cooler hue of any color.
(For example, emerald green over grass green).

Wearing scarves in your best colors can be a great way to wear wardrobe staple colors. Tie a scarf, and the color will enhance and compliment basic colors such as black and grey.

Carry your swatch colors with you when you shop. I can give you a copy of the colors. This is the best way to shop for clothing and accessories-know your best colors, and wear them! Color makes a huge impact on your image.

Remember:

Light and bright colors advance. Use these where you want the emphasis to be. For example, if you have a triangle shape, wear brightly colored tops, and dark bottoms.

Dark colors recede. These are less visible, and can be used to de-emphasize body areas. This is why black slacks are so popular! Also, this is good for garments like denim-if you want to look slimmer, wear a dark wash of denim so that it recedes.

If you want to look slimmer, the type and color of garments you wear can either add pounds, or make you look ten pounds lighter. I will try and help you make these choices easy every time you get dressed.

When you learn how to camouflage the prominent features you don’t like, you will always buy clothes that flatter.

Use accents to draw attention to your good features and way from those you wish to conceal. Do you like your waist? Wear great belts that draw attention to it. Great legs? Wear skirts to show them off.

Dark colors, and garments that have soft pleating can disguise many a lump and bump. Empire waistlines are also good, as are wrap dresses and tops. Experiment with items to see which work for you.

Mu-mu’s and things you squeeze in to are NOT flattering. Period. Think fitted and flowing. If you must get a jacket altered so that it fits properly,
do it!

Study the items in your closet that you already own that flatter your best assets; downplay the not-so-great ones. Use these as a guide of what to wear and buy going forward.

Make a list of which styles of jackets and blazers you own compliment your body type, be it triangle or rectangle. Do you own this style? If not, can you
get them altered? If in doubt, take them to a tailor. They work wonders.

Do the same for dresses, skirts and tops: Which fits flatter? Which ones truly don’t? Are they a flattering length? If not, get them altered!!

Do the towel test: Stand in front of a full-length mirror wearing undergarments only or shorts. Take a towel, and raise it up and down to see where the most flattering hemline falls on your leg.

Hint: It will not be where you leg is widest!!! I know you don’t want to draw attention to this, ladies!