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Conselle's Fashion and Image Newsletter
From Image Expert, Judith Rasband, AICI CIMAugust 2010
Dear  ,
Summer is going, going, just about gone and I've not had my fill.  My family will vacation together in August at Snowbird in the mountains of Utah and I fully intend to spend every moment possible out of doors.  In the meantime, let me tell you a little about the new look of our Newsletter.  

 
I work with a complete set of 12 wardrobe strategies.  Each wardrobe strategy is independent, yet each strategy builds on the other, much like the pieces of a puzzle working toward the whole.  Each month I'll focus on a specific wardrobe strategy within the Featured Article.  Other Newsletter sections will dip into timely topics with applied meaning for you.  With limited space, I'll try to choose my words carefully to suggest a range of options available to meet your individual needs.
 
Warmly,
Judith
In This Issue
Developing Personal Style
Timeless Truth
Consumer's Corner
Consultant's Corner
Tip for a Fabulous Fit
Ask Judi
If you have a burning image question or a wardrobe dilemma, e-mail it to me, judith@conselle.com.  I'll do my best to get back to you with the answer or solution you are looking for!  Please include a contact phone number in case the answer is a bit long, so we can really talk it through.

I Want Your Image and Fashion Stories!
 I'm putting together a book of fashion and image related stories.  If you have a story about yourself, family, or friend that hinges on something about appearance, please write it up and send it to judith@conselle.com.  Stories dealing with the effects of dress or grooming is what I'm looking for-something happy or funny, something sad or serious, something surprising or amazing.  If your story is selected or not, you can be sure you'll receive a Thank You gift from me. 
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Part of personal style is finding the perfect jean. Here's a new wide leg jean in charcoal -- now that's my style. What's yours?
Red Outfit
Developing Personal Style

This month I will address Conselle's Wardrobe Strategy #8, dealing with Personal Style as a topic of interest.  There is a lot of talk and writing about personal style in the media these days.  Many people think they have personal style, but often they are simply following the latest fashion trend or what they see celebrities wearing.
 
For the record, personal style is not about following the fashion for the sake of looking fashionable.  Personal style is all about the uniqueness of you and recognizing exactly "what" from current fashion works for you.  It's all about the truth of "what" design details reflect who and what you are.  It's all about what to adopt, what to adapt, and what to avoid.  It's also about knowing when to say, "Nope, that's not my style." 
 
Conselle's approach to personal style involves an understanding of the person -- their lifestyle, values, personality traits, physical body traits, and preferred clothing traits.
· Lifestyle includes where you live and how you live, including your roles.
· Values include all things of worth to you, including your goals.
· Personality traits include your manner of dealing with your world.
· Physical body traits include your body build and personal coloring.
· Preferred clothing traits include the particular design lines, shapes, colors, textures, and patterns in harmony with your lifestyle, values, personality, and physical body.
 
Part of the fun in working or playing with fashion is discovering which clothing traits are truly in harmony with you.  The fear of fashion is in not knowing.  Not knowing triggers fight or flight reactions whenever the subject of appearance comes up.  Personal style is truly a most emotional and controversial topic!
 
In the process of image management, you are wise to appear in harmony with your lifestyle -- where you live and what you do.  You can rely on tailored looking clothing designed with more straight lines, angular shapes, darker and duller colors, firm fabrics, and geometric patterns to communicate ability and authority in harmony with leadership and professional occasions.  You can rely on untailored looking clothing designed with more curved lines, rounded shapes, lighter and brighter color, soft pliable fabrics, and floral patterns to communicate approachability in harmony with friendly and relaxed social and at-home occasions. 
 
It's the mix or combination of design details that signal unique differences in lifestyle and personal style, and there are many degrees of difference between tailored and untailored.  We refer to the degrees in between as softly tailored and casual tailored looks.  
 
Military JacketFall fashion for 2010 will feature tailored military inspired designs for women who prefer or benefit by a more productive, authoritative look.  Fashion boots are a big part of the military look.  Consider carefully your goal or intent before buying into camouflage prints communicating "let's pretend" or distracting deconstructed denim linked to trash-fashion poverty chic.  Like it or not, neither look communicates credibility or capability wherever you go.  Play the part if so inclined only after class, after work, or on weekend entertainment occasions.
 
Fall fashion will also feature full sleeves and skirts, lace and pearls in designs intended to harmonize with women of a softer nature or for more relaxed day and romantic evening occasions.  Shorts are paired with tops of all sorts characteristic of sporty free-spirits who demand an element of fun in their day.  Vests will provide a relaxed alternative to the layered authority of a jacket.  And jackets are delightfully available in styles that range from casual to formal.
 
Here's a great cape sample of a cape from Vogue patterns.
Vogue Cape
Do enjoy both fun and function with scarves, shoes, bags, or belts that carry out the mood and message reflecting your personal style.  And this season, allow yourself to consider a contemporary cape or practical poncho taking you beyond ordinary and guaranteed to fit!
 
If you'd like to learn more about personal style
, order Conselle's wardrobe strategy book #8 titled Personal Style at $27.97.  Order through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy or Sarah.
Watch out for problematic patterns paired together.
Problematic Patterns
Timeless Truth
I suggest that you pass on the confusing combinations of purposely uncoordinated prints, stripes, and plaids, lace, flannel, and fishnet supposedly intended to communicate "cool." According to our public surveys the looks more likely reflect the lack of knowledge and skill in basic or creative wardrobe styling.  When it comes to the mix of clothes and accessories, remember the time-honored design principle, "less is more."  This guideline calls for one dominant mood or message in an outfit and one dominant focal point.  Everything else in the outfit is less important and therefore less attention getting or distracting.  Done well, the result is harmony and beauty.  It works!
 
Consumer's Corner
It's back-to-school time and parents everywhere are faced with outfitting their children for the months ahead.  How long do you think I've been getting calls and letters from parents saying their "kids won't wear the new school clothes!"  Forever!  So guess what?  Kids have personal style preferences too.  Some of the clothes you pick out may be too tailored or too untailored for your child's personality.  Study the design details listed in the article above and talk with your child about their preferences.  Then firm up or soften the look of the clothes to create an authentic and appropriate image or look for your child.
 
If the problem is a value conflict between parent and "what everybody else is wearing," you're faced with a great teaching opportunity.  The sooner children learn they don't have to look like everybody else, the sooner they will learn to look like themselves.  In a non-emotional moment, teach your child to rely on classic clothing styles, choosing something from among the trends that will work for themselves.  Teach them and they will learn.

 
Send your children to school wearing a collared shirt.
Children in Collared Shirts
Consultant's Corner

Back-to-school time is always the time for image consultants to teach parents to send their children of all ages back to school this year wearing a shirt with a collar-better yet, wearing a woven fabric shirt with a collar.  Save the knit tee or polo for the second day.  I promise -- I've been promising this for years -- that if you do, your child will get better grades this year. 
 
Wearing a shirt with a collar, children feel special -- more like they mean business.  They stand and sit a little taller.  They speak up a little stronger.  The collar lifts the look and draws attention to their face for better communication.  The teacher sees them as a more serious, more capable student.  And I have three generations of former students who tell me they now send their children back to school in a shirt with a collar.  It works!
If you can sew, create a camp shirt in your colors with this pattern from Butterick.
Butterick Camp Shirt Pattern
Tip for a Fabulous Fit -- Dress Slim!

Guys and gals both benefit by wearing classic camp shirts-short sleeve shirts designed with a collar and breast pocket(s).  Breast pockets serve to draw attention upward and to themselves, not the body.  The collar further lifts attention upward and frames your face beautifully for better communication.  A camp shirt doubles as a shirt-jac layered over a tank, tee, or turtleneck top.  Choose a camp shirt in a great print or plaid.  Use the color scheme as inspiration for a whole outfit or a fantastic cluster of clothes that you can style into 14-45 different looking outfits perfect for your lifestyle and personal style.  Layered and worn open at center front, attention is drawn inward for an amazing dress slim effect!  It works!
 
Conselle Learning Center in Utah
Conselle Learning Center
Upcoming Events
Conselle Educational-Training in Image Management Careers
Attend Conselle's 15-Day Educational-Training to become a certified image consultant.
Receive comprehensive image education and materials for a full-service image business.
"A great education never goes out of style!"
A great image education is an investment you can never lose!
 
Next Image Consulting Session September 4-18, 2010.
For detailed information go to www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy.
"Turn Your Passion Into Your Profession!"
 
 Praise for Conselle:
 
 "Attending Judith Rasband's image management course was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.  Her hands-on, practical application approach, coupled with her comprehensive educational materials and unparalleled industry expertise gave me the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed." -- Jocelyn Gardiner 2008
 "This is the 'funnest' place I've ever been!" -- Leslie Wells 2010
blog headerConselle "Image Enhancement" for Women

Join Judith in the beautiful mountainlands of Utah for this exciting 5-Day personal improvement workshop.  We have put together the ultimate experience in personal discovery and image education, enabling you to discover, define, develop, and achieve an authentic image that brings you joy and confidence, aiding you in achieving your goals in the home, school, church, community, and/or the workplace.  
 
Next Retreat is October 19-23, 2010.
For detailed information and testimonials, go to www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy. 
Conselle Image AdvantageTM Seminar for Professionals
 
Professional Business PeopleAdvance your career and increase your bottom line with positive self-branding-a visible edge.  Your influence and effectiveness increase when you present an authentic and appropriate professional appearance or image.  This innovative seminar teaches you the use of non-verbal communication through dress, grooming, and body language as a resource to create positive first and lasting impressions, to encourage professional interaction, and to aid in achieving personal and professional goals.  The Image Advantage provides the latest, most effective, and comprehensive personal imaging techniques and strategies tested and proven successful in the workplace and leadership locations.  It's pro-active professional imaging from the inside out, with flexible options for attractive and affordable, classic and creative appearances that will increase your ease and effectiveness in doing business.  
 
Next Image AdvantageSeminars November 12 Evening and November 13th Morning
For detailed information and testimonials go to www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy. 

blog headerConselle "Fabulous Fit" Retreat

Women whose passion is fashion sewing for a custom and fabulous fit are invited to an exceptional 6-Day hands-on Retreat.  Spend high value, personalized time with our Master Fitters.  Each brings her own unique sphere of interest and expertise to the fitting and fashion makeover experience.  Learn revolutionary new methods in fitting and alteration. 
 
Next "Fabulous Fit" Retreat November 1-6, 2010.
For detailed information and testimonials go to www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy. 

Closing Headline
Make the most of summer, get outside while the weather is still warm.  Watch for camp shirts, tees, and tanks on sale at end of season.  As you also see fall fashions, let me know what you're thinking.  I look forward to your feedback and input. 
 
Contact Info
Judith Rasband, AICI CIM
The Image Expert
801-224-1207
 
Published by the Conselle Institute of Image Management
Copyright 2010 Judith Rasband & Conselle L.C.  All Rights Reserved.
 
For permission to reprint or publish portions of the Newsletter, write judith@conselle.com or call Kathy at 801-224-1207.
Save 25% On the CD Set
Conselle DVDs
Conselle DVDs
Don't miss out! Blockbuster Video's top choice for instructional video in wardrobe stying is back, and even better to watch! Our classic Look Changers and 5-Easy Pieces are now being sold as DVDs! Get yours today by calling 801-224-1207 or emailing judith@conselle.com.  Regularly $19.95 each, get the whole set of three for just $45 at a savings of 25% off!
Offer Expires: September 5, 2010