The pasture at the other side of the fence always appears greener, but truth be told, very few women, or men for that matter — be they managers, stay-at-home moms, software developers or even, oh shock, models – are blessed with a “perfect figure,” which is generally thought of as being a trim, well-proportioned, hour-glass shape. Some women have larger hips than bust. Others have larger bust than hips. Still others have no discernible waist, i.e. a boy shape. In fact, genetics appears to have such a big role to play in body shape, that men in their fifties often develop “apple-shape,” i.e., gather more adipose tissues around their chest and upper torso than women, who are more often “pear-shaped’ with girth around their hips and lower torso. 

The moral of the story?  

Stop fretting. And, begin shopping by fit, not size. Let fit be your ultimate, most reliable style guideline. 

And if you can’t get past the size issue, just tell yourself that it’s time to just be and think like a man.  When a man tries on clothing and it doesn’t fit, do you think he starts pointing out his flaws?  Would a man say:  “Oh, I’ve gained a few pounds!  This is why it doesn’t fit.”  No, a man knows that there’s something wrong with the clothes and not him.   Instead he would say:  “They’re calling this a 40? They have to be out of their minds!”, or “This is a bad cut.  No way that this waist size is a 40.” 

Silly?  

You bet.   However, it’s the truth! 

But think about how men’s clothes are sized: pants go by waist and inseam measurements, shirts by collar and sleeve length. The fashion industry learned that men like exact measurements while women prefer the vanity sizing that leads them to believe that they are a smaller size. 

So, if you’re going to play the game, go in knowing the rules: not all sizes are created equal, for the reasons stated above.   

Whatever your natural body shape might be, there are time-tested proven techniques used by professional stylists to create the almost flawless look for your specific body type and give you that much envied silhouette.  

Some use geometric shapes, while others use fruit terminology (pear and apple), while a few others prefer to classify our bodies alphabetically. The terminology is not important. What is important is knowing how to make the most of your natural body shape and then dressing accordingly for maximum impact.   Again, embrace your uniqueness. 

The thumb rule to remember is: Aim for balance. When your outfit is balanced, you become a key anchor for your clothes. Rather than letting clothes define you; you define those clothes. And, there can be many subtle ways of creating the illusion of balance depending on your body-type. 

A common misconception is that body’s shape changes over time, during pregnancy, puberty or as a result of some drastic weight lost, following a diet program or some sickness. However, this happens only in exceptional circumstances. The body’s frame is something that people are born with. Weight may be gained or lost in different body areas throughout life, but the body’s basic shape (or frame) will never change. That more or less, remains the same, throughout life. 

The easiest way to figure out your body shape or silhouette is to tape together newspaper and have a friend draw your body outline wearing only a swimsuit or your under garments.  

You can also enlist the help of a professional — analyze and identify your body shape, while also helping you create a balanced wardrobe containing outfits which flatter your figure and your lifestyle. After you know your body’s shape and learn how to shop for clothes that best fit you, shopping will be an exciting event!

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved. 

Have you seen the Dove Campaign for “Real Beauty?” The O&M commercial ‘Evolution’ winds up with: “Every girl deserves to feel beautiful, just as she is?”  

The campaign is a global effort by the soap manufacturer at widening the definition of beauty and declaring every woman’s innate capacity to be beautiful.   

I am not surprised that the Dove commercial has won the world’s most prestigious advertising award — the Grand Prix for viral marketing at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.   

The video, if you have watched it, shows a close-up of a seemingly unattractive woman, shot in harsh lights that call attention to her uneven skin tone, lopsided eyes, dull, listless hair; and not to forget, unhappy facial expression.   

Then in mere twenty seconds, as the video rolls, makeup artists and hair stylists turn her into a wide-eyed, big-haired beauty with sculpted cheeks and perfect skin. And, that’s just the beginning!   

Next comes the digital transformation. A designer points-and-clicks on the model’s photo, giving her a longer, slimmer neck, a slightly narrower upper face, fuller lips, bigger eyes, and more space between her eyebrows and eyes. The perfected image rises to fill a billboard and the punch line reads: “No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted.”   

The video, I am told, attracted over three million reviews on YouTube.  

Does this convey that like the rest of the genetic lottery, beauty is unfair? Everyone falls short of perfection, but some are luckier than others?  No, because, “real confidence” (and in my opinion, real beauty) writes magazine editor Virginia Postrel in The Truth About Beauty in the Atlantic Monthly, March, 2007, requires self-knowledge, which includes recognizing one’s shortcomings as well as one’s strengths.   

“How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself,” said Anais Nin, who added that “Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.”  

So, recognize that only you can create your own world – by simply believing in your own beauty!  

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

The fundamental law of human achievement is the law of belief.  

This law suggests that you always behave in a manner consistent with your beliefs.  It’s actually very simple. If you believe you can ride a bicycle, you can. Even if you can’t ride a bicycle, as long as you believe you can, you can; you will continually persist after falling until you can actually ride. Even though we are all capable of riding a bicycle, once you believe you can’t, you simply can’t! 

The same logic applies to all other beliefs in our life. If you believe you can drive a car, be creative, set goals, look beautiful, become a consultant, a first rate manager at an accounting firm or an able team leader at a big software company, be able to devise a fool-proof marketing strategy, sell well, negotiate, be a leader, understand the financial implications of a business, manage your stock well, even earn millions, etc., you will actually do all these things and more.  

On the contrary, if you suffer from a self-limiting belief that you just can’t do it, you never will. Even if your belief may not be based on absolute fact; you simply won’t be able to do it. I have witnessed this in countless women. Their negative beliefs about themselves become their biggest impediments in life. 

Fact is that as long as you believe you can, you will make all the necessary efforts. You will then hang on to that belief, despite setbacks, until your beliefs become your reality — your self-fulfilling prophecy.  

Think about one thing that you absolutely can’t do without. Do you believe you can have it? If not, what are your reasons? Stop, pause and analyze (but do not overanalyze) what is holding you back from unleashing the power of that dream into your life. Then do whatever is needed to realize that dream because unfulfilled dreams can be like those festering sores in our lives that will always give you pain and discomfort. They will come back to haunt you again and again, like the resurrected ghosts from an exhumed past. Get out of that situation fast and now.   

Once you have identified the beliefs and assumptions that are holding you back, you can use this information to propel yourself forward on the path to your goals and inspired dreams.  The key here is to just take action.  This is where most of us women in America fall short.  We might think we believe something, but we never take action.    Who cares what others think?   Just start taking steps to be yourself and let your uniqueness blossom. 

Fortunately, you can use the same power of self-fulfilling prophecy that once held you back to build your confidence and extreme attractiveness factor to massively increase the likelihood of your success in everything that you want to do and accomplish in your life.   So, enough of struggling with life’s struggles; enough of overanalyzing everything; enough of struggling to fit it; enough of constantly comparing yourself to other women; enough of worrying about making a faux pas; enough of self-sabotage; enough of punishing yourself when you eat that delicious dessert; and most importantly enough of trying to fix yourself! 

Yes, it’s time to embrace your narcissistic pleasures and inner happiness!  You deserve it.  Now, I’m not telling you to go to extremes.  This approach is a thing of the past based upon your self-deprecating thoughts and actions.  Moderation and cultivation of your actions and being is the key.  Complete control over your mind and body is no longer necessary.  Be authentic in who you are and show up without apology.  Make choices that are truly meaningful to you.    

Are you game for it?  

You now have the Secret to Enduring Allure in your hands.

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved. 

How you express your flair through a certain accessory, as a certain element of your indefinable style, is an undeniable sign that you’re quite comfortable with self-expression.  For many women that certain element is a handbag.  Your handbag reveals what type of person you are.   Your handbag can clearly signify whether you’re a busy mom, a trendy fashionista, a utilitarian multi-tasker or a classic and stylish woman.  Additionally, this drives the shapes and condition of your handbag.  Is it battered and well-worn?  Is the bag in good condition?  Is it cloth and easily maintainable?  How large or small is it?  My goal is to let you in on a few secrets to help you become a style expert on handbags.  Namely, how can a signature piece of your accessory collection complement your signature style!  

When selecting a signature handbag, the following steps should be taken:  

1.  Flatter your figure.  The more curvaceous your shape, the more structured, i.e. rectangular or square design, your bag should be.  Also, larger bags look better on a larger women and a smaller bag look best on smaller-framed woman.  A shoulder bag’s length will accentuate the part of the body it hits, i.e. your waist or hips.  Large-busted women should opt for shoulder bags that hit below the bust to avoid looking top-heavy.  The length which flatters most women is anywhere from her mid-torso to the top of her hip bone.  

2.  Complement your lifestyle.  The bag has to hold all of your normal handbag contents (not junk…). You need to have easy access to your wallet, phone, keys, tissues, and lipstick and should not have to be bothered with complicated closures or zippers that jam.  If you commute via a public transit system, look for straps that can be worn across your chest and avoid big totes that put strain on your shoulders and neck.  

3.  Know your signature style.  What are the key shapes, colors and fabrics that make up your undeniable style?  The personality of your handbag should truly be a reflection of this.  I typically recommend sticking with neutral colors when you add bolder colors to your wardrobe.  However, if you prefer neutral colors for your wardrobe, add a boldly-colored handbag to your signature style.  A high-quality leather handbag is the best choice for year-round use since you can count on it for daily use.  You might want to consider adding a fabric or straw bag to your wardrobe for weekend or warm weather looks.  

4.  Think return on investment.  Before you grab that trendy and stylish bag, ask yourself how many opportunities you will have to use it.  If you can only think of one event, put it right back.  Or does it look great, but it looks like it is constructed poorly?  Again, put it back on the shelf.  You want to stick with a bag, which will provide multiple opportunities for use and won’t collect dust on your shelf or be forgotten in a box.    

You can easily become a style expert on handbags by following the steps above.  Also, remember that your choice in handbag should always signify that you’re quite comfortable with your signature style.  

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

What do bold acts of stylishness mean to you? 

For me, bold acts of stylishness mean that instead of chasing the latest big look on the runways and style magazines or following the catalogue cookie cutter system, a woman focuses on finding a style that plays up on her individuality and uniqueness and then makes this her uniform.  The woman takes steps toward bold acts of stylishness by being a contrarian to style trends and truly only sticking to a personal style that makes her feel fabulous and look unique.   The woman has an air about her and you can tell that she feels 150% comfortable in her own skin. So, how does a woman go about creating a uniform that is truly reflective of who she is? 

Firstly, get to know your body type by taking your measurements.  I recommend that you always consider your body type and whether a certain look is really flattering of your body. For myself, in the past, I figured that if something wasn’t flattering, it just meant I was wearing the wrong size. So, I ended up with smaller or larger pants, but still a poor fit. An example would be low-rider, boot-cut jeans.  They’re in style, but with my waist, hips, derriere and thighs…  Well, they just weren’t me.  Now I am simply choosing cuts that I know work for my figure. I also experimented with materials to see which ones drape my frame appropriately, place emphasis where the fabric is supposed to and to learned which material to stay away from.  Looking at the cut and fabric also reinforced a habit that I had unfortunately abandoned: saving my money for quality clothing purchases.    The second step in creating a uniform and continuing your bold acts of stylishness is to know exactly which colors bring out your natural beauty and flatter your body type.  You need to add wonderful colors to bring your wardrobe to life.  Enlist a trusted friend’s help by getting her opinion on which colors complement your complexion and shape.  Then experiment by adding a strong color according to your mood to a neutral color (white, black, gray and earth tones).   Wear a bold color top with a neutral color bottom.  If you’re wearing a black top and bottom, add a colorful accessory, such as red or turquoise scarf or handbag to break up the monotony.  Add boldly colored jewelry to offset monochromatic clothing.  Play around with colors of the same family (pink with maroon, turquoise blue with navy blue).  Before you invest a lot of money in clothing, start off with different color accessories and see how they work.  Then you can always add a clothing item to your wardrobe after it’s been “tested” and works. 

The third step to your unique style is creating a make-up and hair style look that truly emphasizes your facial features and complements your hair structure.  Go to various department make-up store counters, get samples and take advantage of free make-up applications until you find a look that you love and receive compliments on.  Then make it work for you!  You owe it to yourself to take time to take care of yourself and this includes skin and hair care…  Also, many of us women go to our hair stylist with the latest picture of an actress or model, wanting the stylist to recreate the look for you.   A woman, who takes bold acts of stylishness, will listen to her hair stylist.  If your stylist tells you that the cut won’t work with your hair texture, length or facial structure – listen!  You don’t need to have a new hair style every few months to be au courant.  Rather – just find a hairstyle that truly is you and stick with it. I hope you take bold acts of stylishness.  I firmly believe that by being a style trend contrarian and creating your own unique look you will feel a sense of liberation.   Here’s to creating your own signature style!  

Stylishly yours,The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

Quickly - ask yourself: What brand are you? 

You must have a brand identity different from the rest because just as you can’t sell a homogeneous product line to a customer, you can’t sell yourself as a strong brand to your friends, family and colleagues, if you haven’t developed a unique selling proposition (USP) around your brand. If the jeans you wear are branded, the watch on your wrist is branded, the burger you ate for lunch was branded (okay, the salad you ate…), the company you run or work for is branded — why not brand yourself, too?  

A brand or what set you uniquely apart from others is, after all, a piece of real estate that someone owns in the mind of someone else. But to own this property you have to first invest in it. Ask yourself: Have you taken the trouble to invest in yourself? 

I learned long ago that we can change the face of commerce for women and unleash her entrepreneurial spirit simply by branding each one differently and celebrating her individuality. The launch of my company was fueled by my desire to reach out to their women and share with them techniques of loving themselves and succeeding in whatever they happen to be doing at any point in their lives.   To me it became crystal clear, right at the onset that every woman deserves to have a personal style that reflects her essence. I discovered mine through perseverance; do you have the courage to discover yours? This is the question that you need to ask yourself over and over again.  

You have to also ask yourself: What is my job for me? What are my relationships for me?  What do I want from my life and career? Can I not drop all care and worries and learn to live life again, as a game? Can I not develop a child’s attitude to life? 

Gradually, you will begin to discover answers. And, then you will feel more empowered. This process will begin to fuel new creativity in you and help you discover a passion for life. The reason I am sharing all this is because I did the same.  It was such a life-transforming experience that I want more people to benefit from it.   Your passion and play will easily translate into actions and ways of being, which define your brand.   Just start taking steps to be yourself and let your uniqueness blossom.  

All this and more can be accomplished with a little trust in yourself and your uniqueness. No one in this world is perfect, but then, that’s no excuse for not striving for beautification, excellence, and most importantly, establishing your own unique brand! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

As the sizzling hot and stylish summer 2007 is unwinding, it’s time to start thinking about some of the wonderful accessories to add to your collection for fall 2007.  As is the case with each season, I’m again playing trend watcher and would like to share some of my favorites with you to help you adorn your unique essence and ensuring that your personal style is a reflection of your individuality.  So, here are the trends I’m seeing:

Fashion Jewelry

Metallics, sculpted resins in smooth and bold designs, semi-precious gemstones, Murano-style glass, shell and crystal glass are all still setting the glamorous trends in fashion jewelry this fall.  Bracelets will remain the “it” fashion accessory and non-traditional hearts, lock and keys, crowns and other girlie motifs guide brooch and pendant designs.

Let’s look at how these materials are being used to create artistic beauty:

·         Boldly colored necklaces

·         Cuff bracelets

·         Chokers and shorter necklaces

·         Large pendants

·         Earrings and bracelets using concentric circles and bold loops

·         Link bracelets

·         Bangles

·         Brooches

·         Chunky rhinestone or Swarovski-crystal cocktail rings

Handbags

Naturally, we can’t forget one of our favorite accessories.  Handbags!  A handbag is the ultimate accessory to complete your outfit and adorn your uniqueness. The big themes for fall 2007 are:

·         Oversized bags in patent leather, pebble-grain leather, clear plastic or patterned  

·         Medium doctor bags

·         Metallic bags in silver, gold and bronze

·         The medium-size envelope bag or a clutch in metallics or shiny satin

·         Faux crocodile or snake-skin handle bags

You’re a style trendsetter with any of these handbags.   

Shoes

The toes will now need a hiding place since the weather is becoming crisper.  So, what are the key styles this year?

·         Pointed-toe pumps

·         Ballerina flats

·         Thick masculine boots with laces at ankle

·         Below-knee boots

·         Two-toned thick pumps

·         Oxford heels

Fall fashion shows show the models again wearing extreme heel heights from flats to spectator pumps and other more generous heels.   (Please remember that tennis whites are still not vogue when pounding the pavement to work.  Stick with the cute flats and loafers!)

And what are the key colors dominating fashion jewelry, handbags and shoes?

·         Black

·         Dark brown

·         Gray

·         White

·         Cream

·         Burnt orange

·         Merlot

·         Burgundy

·         Maroon

·         Chili pepper

·         Scarlet red

·         Fuchsia

·         Magenta

·         Royal purple

·         Dark olive

·         Apple green

·         Chartreuse

·         Dark turquoise

·         Peacock blue

·         Dull gold

·         Polished silver

·         Jewel tones

Collections for fall 2007 are simple, chic, elegant and truly glamorous.  This fall, black is back in a variety of shapes and textures.  However, what ensures that clothing is not boring and drab are the powerful colors appearing in fashion accessories, as outlined above.

Keep in mind that you should only purchase a fashion accessory, which you can easily afford or you haven’t seen anything else like it anywhere.  Don’t buy it if you won’t get multiple uses from it, it won’t match anything in your wardrobe and most importantly, you really can’t afford it.  Playing with integrating some of the fall 2007 fashion accessory trends into your wardrobe is meant to be fun.  So, keep it light! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

I bet the first thing that comes to your mind when hearing:  “Embrace Narcissistic Pleasures and Inner Happiness!” is that being narcissistic is not a good trait and in no way, shape or form do you want to embrace narcissistic pleasures.  In your mind, narcissism is excessive love or admiration of yourself.  What if I told you that the dictionary also defines narcissism as the attribute of the human psyche characterized by admiration of oneself but within normal limits?  Normal limits being the key words.   I decided to use the term narcissistic versus selfish since I strongly believe that American women need to learn to be a bit narcissistic, not just selfish.  American women often feel they can’t live up to an ideal to becoming a kind, gentle and positive person.  They lock on to inner turmoil and also fear being seen as conceited, arrogant or self-centered if they place any attention on themselves.  The women repress their uniqueness and individuality.  The self-flogging then causes them to have to work harder on themselves resulting in depression, anxiety and chronic dissatisfaction. 

So, enough of struggling with life’s struggles; enough of overanalyzing everything; enough of struggling to fit it; enough of constantly comparing yourself to other women; enough of worrying about making a faux pas; enough of self-sabotage; enough of punishing yourself when you eat that delicious dessert; and most importantly enough of trying to fix yourself! 

Yes, it’s time to embrace your narcissistic pleasures and inner happiness!  You deserve it.  Now, I’m not telling you to go to extremes.  This approach is a thing of the past based upon your self-deprecating thoughts and actions.  Moderation and cultivation of your actions and being is the key.  Complete control over your mind and body is no longer necessary.  Be authentic in who you are and show up without apology.  Make choices that are truly meaningful to you.    

In our society, we expect quick fixes.  However, cultivating your new attitude toward narcissistic pleasures and inner happiness is not a quick fix.  It’s a gradual change.  Your mind and body may resist, and for sure, people around you will resist.  So, please keep in mind that you are not being a “bad girl” by asserting your attention to individuality.  The process will require you to let go of needing to take care of everything for others and thinking that you are the only one who can handle a certain situation.  Teach others how to become more self-reliant, including your husband, children and parents, and see how your inner happiness barometer rises.  Appreciate that Rome wasn’t built in one day, but little by little. 

Most importantly, take time daily to enjoy and celebrate yourself with things that are meaningful to you.  Do you love chocolate?  Then by all means, have a small piece everyday.  Do you love elegant fragrances?  Then don’t forget to dab some on your pulse points in the morning!  Do you love to dress up?  Well, create your own signature style and show it off. 

Always remember that happiness is not a matter of luck.  Happiness is what you make of your life.  Move away from being inspired by fear and self-loathing and move toward enjoying life’s many pleasures supporting your authenticity.  Then inner happiness will follow as a result of your small acts of enjoying narcissistic pleasures.   Go ahead – embrace this principle fully and don’t look back! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

How often have you asked yourself what the style secrets are behind the effortless chic of French women?  From elegant fragrances, amazing clothes, classic chic styles, lean silhouettes (even with the cheese, wine and chocolate), perceived natural beauty, you can’t help but ask yourself how they do it!   Believe it or not - it’s easy when you know how.  And, yes, I daresay we all have an “Inner French Woman” who is dying to spring to the surface, like a flower’s blossom gently unfolds.   

In America, as women, we’ve become “victim” to a self-punishing, depriving and self-sabotaging nature.  A lot of times, we’ve given up on ourselves to fully serve others and putting our needs aside.  We’re inspired by fear and self-loathing. So, in order to fill the void, the style of American women tends to revolve around the “more is more, new is best” idea. Our approach to fashion, food and fitness subscribes to this dictum, which is the absolute opposite of French style.    

Here are the secrets of French women you can use to help you stand out from the crowd: 

1.      French women intimately know their body and which styles look good on them.  They do not beat themselves up for perceived flaws, but know how to creatively put emphasis on their assets.  French women have more personality when it comes to their style - they own their look. So, it’s key to establish a unique look that works for you.

2.      French women buy a handful of good quality, neutral-colored staples that they can mix and match with each other for maximum wear.  They do not “collect” clothing.  Clothing is an investment and is meant for a return on their investment.  They also know when to purge an item.

3.      French women know the power of accessories.  They cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that they wear all the time.  They might add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.  They also invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes, keeping their return on investment in mind.

4.      French women become friends with a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with their hair type.  They get a fuss-free hairstyle and maintain it with great conditioners.

5.      French women treat their skin as the treasure it is.  Get a facial every month or just give yourself a weekly facial.  Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily.  If you have great skin, you radiate and barely need any make-up. 

6.      French women use make-up as an aid to emphasize their beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating.  The principle applied is:  less is more.  Your basics include:  tinted moisturizer with SPF, a light powder, blush, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss. 

7.      French women know only too well that you are what you eat, which is why they follow a diet that is rich in seasonal produce, red meat and oily fish - all of which help to keep a figure trim and hair, nails and skin in tip-top condition. To further boost their skin’s radiance, French women will also drink plenty of water and, for general well-being, eat a little of what they fancy - including chocolate and a glass of red wine.  They relish in the pleasure of small indulgences and do not beat themselves up, like American women.  Everything in moderation and smaller portions.

8.      French women believe in getting their exercise throughout the day, by walking and biking.  The important message here is to not become obsessed about your fitness activities, but pursue them with pleasure.  If you hate the stair climber or even going to the gym, find something that gives you enjoyment and not dread.  And again, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not keeping up with all your colleagues latest fitness center stories.  It’s time to be unique and do what is fun for you!  Follow the French on a balanced and time-tested approach to life. 

Keeping the above secrets in mind, you are now ready to let out your inner French woman and stand out from the crowd.   Unlock the world of sensory delights to discover yourself and assert your femininity! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

Many women seem to have a “thing” for shoes, designer handbags, fancy scarves and high-end fashion jewelry.    However, many women do not realize the powerful weaponry they have in their arsenal with these fashion accessories.  Most women either buy pieces to go with a single outfit or to be a slave to a seasonal fashion trend. They rarely consider how the fashion accessory complements their appearance, whether it will go with other items in their wardrobe collection, how many uses they’ll gain from the item and how many different ways they can wear the item. 

My goal is to help you understand the important role your fashion accessories play in creating your “look” and how you can easily set yourself apart to emphasize your uniqueness.  Yes, you heard me right – accessories are meant to play up on your individuality and uniqueness, which is, if we admit it or not, our true yearning as a woman.  We want to be different and unique.  Accessories can help you achieve this by bringing attention to your face, hiding those flaws you want to hide, or just making a statement about your individuality without your having to say a word. 

Let’s look at fashion accessories that you can easily play up on and create playful variances with: 

A neckerchief scarf can be worn as a:

·         Headband

·         Neck scarf with a collared shirt, V-neck, round neck T-shirt

·         Bracelet by wrapping around multiple times and creating a cuff-type bracelet

·         Tied around a plain handbag strap to add a splash of color and flair 

A long rectangular or wider square scarf can be worn as a:

·         Belt

·         Neck scarf loosely draped as a shawl, a wrap or with various types of knots

·         Top in summer

·         Skirt on the beach 

A brooch can be worn as:

·         On the front of your pair of favorite jeans or chinos

·         At the bottom of a long or short strand of pearls as a pendant, or clipped off-center on a double-stranded set

·         An addition to a scarf where it overlaps

·         A decoration to an evening bag

·         A cluster at the lapel or shoulder of a denim jacket

·         At the bottom of a V-neck 

A necklace can be worn as:

·         Part of a number of layered necklaces with varied lengths

·         A belt if a longer necklace.

·         A bracelet with multiple wrappings around the wrist

·         A basis of creating a new look with a brooch 

Fashion accessories are such a powerful arsenal in creating your own unique style.  Start looking at each accessory you have as to how to can create different variations.  Also, when purchasing new accessories, concern yourself with how many different ways you’ll be able to wear the accessory and whether the item or items will complement other wardrobe items you already own.  Don’t become a slave to the seasonal must-have’s.  Please also keep these five things in mind, when playing with your new look:

1.      It’s okay to mix silver and gold. 

2.      Focus on one key accessory, such as a necklace or handbag, and keep the other accessories light.

3.      Stay within a certain color family when accessorizing.

4.      Your handbag color and shoe color can be different colors.

5.      Most importantly – keep it simple, chic and feminine.   Adorn your uniqueness – look fabulous with fashion accessories!   

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.