MSP's Weekly Style Mission

What SYSters are Saying

Finishing touches are the things in life that complete the picture. A gift is not complete until you tie on pretty bow to the package. A dinner may be delicious and satisfying, but without something sweet for dessert-it might not seem complete.

The same can be said about your clothes. Your outfit won't be complete until you add the finishing touches-your accessories. You may include shoes, handbags and jewelry into this mix-however, this week I'm concentrating on the OTHER finishing touches women often forget about or pass over simply because they aren't sure how to wear them.

This week I'm talking about scarves, belts and hats!

First off, scarves are always in style and add an instant chic-look to anything you wear. They are so easy, yet not worn often enough! When I think about scarves, I always think about French women and how they rely heavily on scarves to look chic. French women are known for having a true essence of style-they sure are right on when it comes to scarves! There are so many ways you can wear them!

This year in particular you can't go wrong if you tie on a colorful scarf! You can find them at every price point, in every shape (square or oblong) and in a variety of fabrics and colors. If you are petite or have a short neck, you might need to weigh your scarf options a bit so you aren't too overwhelmed-however they can and should be included in your wardrobe as well.

Scarves have a way of making you look extra-stylish and they are really easy to wear. They are a fabulous way to incorporate different colors you are wearing into one cohesive look. Don't rule out scarves-instead learn how to wear them this week!

Brooches. Brooches are another overlooked accessory. Most women associate a brooch as something only a matronly woman would wear. I say wrong-o!

Brooches can do so much for you-if you let them. On my Facebook Fan Page I just showed how a brooch can help "define" a jacket: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MissusSmartyPants/133840446927?ref=ts   Check it out.

I want you to think of a brooch as the ultimate tool in "product placement". Where you put them is where you garner attention. They can also be used in conjunction with scarves, worn on hair bands and more! Brooches can hold your scarf or belt in position while they add some color and sparkle. There are a couple of other ways you can wear brooches-but I'm saving those as a surprise!

Lastly, I want to show how every woman can and should wear belts-

even if your waist is undefined!

Not every belt is for you. Belts can be tricky to wear especially if are a little thick through the middle or have a tummy. However, you can actually look slimmer and more defined if you wear the right belt for your shape! So don't rule out belts if you have a bit of a tummy or undefined waist. Instead, learn how to find the belt style that will actually slim your waist line!

Some women just can't wear the extra wide ones, some can. Some women can and should wear hip belts. Again it depends on your shape. Skinny, wide and in-between, there are belts of every size and color and one just right for you! Find out which ones are your best choices and learn to pass on the others.

This week (on Thursday) in the Personal Profile sections at MissusSmartyPants you'll be introduced to clever ways to add scarves, belts and brooches to your weekly style. Don't miss out!

It doesn't matter if you are retired, a young mom or live a super-casual lifestyle...you'll be saying "yes I can" to these "new" accessories!

Love, Leslie MSP

MSP's Weekly Style Mission

This week's style concentration is on our accessories since they complete our look and show our sense of style-don't forget to add them every time you dress!

This week I want you to get out of your comfort zone and try a NEW accessory. If you don't ever wear scarves, wear one. Necklaces aren't really your thing? Wear one! You get the idea. Jump right in and try something new!

Exploring new ways of wearing accessories is how you'll get more confident in wearing them! You have to "just DO it!"

Your style will move forward when you make these exciting changes. So go for it SYSters!

Love, Leslie MSP

P.S. email me your style stories and reactions to your "new" style. What are people saying about your new and improved style? What new accessories you are wearing? Email me: lookgreat@missussmartypants.com

What SYSters are Saying/ MSP Style Poll

Dear MSP,

I have learned so much since I purchased your one year program.  First
let me say that my outlook is very different from yours.  I dress VERY
conservatively, (dresses and skirts, pants only when the activity
requires it), and modesty is important to me, (no short skirts, plunging
necklines, tight fitting clothes).  I don't like to draw attention to
myself, or any part of my body, except my face, but I have learned, from
you, that dressing poorly, or too plainly, can draw attention as well
as dressing flashy.  I do not wear make up, or jewelry, or cut my hair.  

I surprised myself when I joined your group, at the time wondering if
you could help someone like me, or if you would really want to try.  I
found out that you can, and especially after your gracious response to
Diana, I see that your heart is to help women, not to judge them.  Of
course you have opinions about what looks good; so have I.  You are in
the position of being able to share your opinions freely; most of us
are not, so we accept that.  

Here are a few things that I, a plain dressing conservative syster have learned, and a few things I would like to learn:

1.  I have learned that the colors I was usually drawn to were actually
my seasonal colors.  I was told by two other color consultants that I
was an autumn, and I did try to like those autumn colors, all the while
wishing I could wear the lighter spring hues.  So thank you for that.  I
am enjoying being a spring!

2.  I have learned how to find a good bra, and what a difference that
has made.  For twenty years I had been wearing the wrong size, and not
just a little wrong, but way wrong.  It makes a difference in how I look
and how I feel and what I am able to accomplish, almost like wearing the
right size shoes.  (I wore the wrong shoe size for years also, until I
finally got professionally fitted.)

3.  I have learned what to watch for in dressing for my type "A"
figure.  Of course I don't take all of your advice, but I get a general
idea of what certain cuts and styles will do to my overall appearance.  
I perceive that many people think that type A's have no style issues.  
That is not so.  There are a lot of things I must avoid, and a lot of
things I can't wear that look good on B's and C's.  I love the way you
give the positives for each body type.  Indeed, we don't have any choice
over which type we are, Someone Else made that choice, so we may as well
accept that, and thank Him for making us the way He did.  I am enjoying
the idea, of wearing light colors on the bottom with darker colors on
the top.  I was always told before that that was a no no, but it isn't
for me.  I also like patch pockets at hip level on the front of my
skirts; I found out that I can do that.

4.  I learned that a uniform is not bad.  I always kind of liked the
idea of having just one or two types of outfits, to eliminate what, for
me, was the agony of making choices.  You gave me permission to do just
that.  My signature style is in the print on the fabric.  I just love
beautiful, colorful, floral prints, and I try to include something
floral in everything I wear, usually on a blouse worn with an a line
skirt.  I think the flowers feminize and soften my rather severe body
and face outlines.  Plus, when my SHE mind starts to wander, I can study
the pattern on the clothes I am wearing, and it helps me focus on what
is being said.  

  
5.  I like running for exercise.  I try to run 2 miles 5 days a week.  I
do it in my neighborhood where I am most likely to meet people that
know me, sometimes in the company of my dh, who, of course, likes his
wife to look good.  For years I have been wearing whatever -  baggy,
torn, stained sweats, huge heavy cotton T shirts.  After your article on
exercise fashion, I went to Sears, and found on sale, a sky blue fitness
suit.  It makes such a difference!  It is light weight, cuts the wind,
has a hood, so I don't have to wear a hat in this cold weather we have
been having, it wicks the moisture, and I am not embarrassed to be seen
in it, which means I can run during the daylight hours, which is safer.  
I had been feeling for a while the need to up grade my exercise style. Thanks for the push I needed.

Now for the things I would yet like to learn:

1. How to use scarves.  I would like to be able to use them for
softening, for color, for definition, but don't have much knowledge or experience with scarves.  

2.  How to wear tunics, maybe even over skirts, since that is what I
mostly wear.

3.  How to use belts for definition, and what kind are best for this?  
For instance, what do you think of rope belts?

4. What necklines and collars do for our faces?  For instance, I have taken
into account your advice about using v necks to offset my broad
shoulders, but wonder if it would be right in my case, since I have a
long skinny neck, a longish face, and nose.  I stick with T necks and
mock T necks in the winter, or stand up collars, and simple crew neck
lines in the warmer months.  I know that the boat necks are wrong as are
the big round peter pan collars (I look like an upended mushroom!)

Thanks for your heart, and for your help.

Syster R in Georgia

Dear SYSter in GA,

You are one of my dear SYSters and the reason why I started MissusSmartyPants! I wanted to help women like you, find their own unique sense of style.

Great style is not "haute couture" (or high fashion). It is not something you find and copy from a glossy magazine. Style is personal and something each woman possesses. It's my passion to help women find "it" for themselves! We are all created unique and by learning what styles are flattering for us - - we will truly shine!

This is not a "diva" style website. This is a place for real women to come together on a style journey and find what is most attractive for them. I love hearing your opinion and that of others, even if they differ from mine. It's all good.

You have certainly learned a lot. This makes me smile and validates that my "style-washing" is working! LOL! I'm sure you will enjoy this week's style article about under-utilized accessories (scarves, belts and brooches). Lots of good ideas you will love!

Love, Leslie MSP

Dear Leslie,

I wrote to you in one of the comments on big tent I called it "Heroes". But listened to your Blog Talk radio show today and really felt your pain.

There is no harder job then being a mom I will pray for your wonderful family I think Kent's call really said it all you are so blessed having such beautiful boys inside as well as outside and how they respect you. Wouldn't it be great if our young people could see this instead of what they see and hear on T V? I will sleep better knowing our country has men like this. Just think what a role model Vance will be for the 30 men in his platoon plus as Kent stated" for him and his school buddies" Well done to you and your husband.

God Bless You Always

Anne

Ms. Smartypants,

I have a question for you.

Last Summer I purchased 2 sheath dresses (a black and a brown) that fit great.  I couldn't figure out what type of sweater looked better over them so I didn't wear them.  Now this winter, I can't decide if I like the look of the long sleeve shirt underneath. I almost feel like I'm 7 years old again and my mother is trying to dress me in a jumper.  I'm 40 years old.  I don't want to look like my 13 year old daughter but I also don't want to look like my almost 70 year old mother either.  I also want to be able to wear these two dresses that I loved so much at the time.  Any suggestions would be most helpful.

I have clothes in my closet that I've worn for almost 10 years along with a few new pieces.  Every morning it is a struggle for me to decide what to wear.  I open the doors and have the same clothes looking at me that have been looking at me for years.  I know there are outfits in there that I would never dream of putting together.  Do you offer some sort of service where we can send you pictures of what's in our closet and you pick and choose outfits for us?  If you do, that would be terrific.  I live in VA so I know to have you come to my house and take a shopping trip with me is a little out of the question, but I really need the help.  I've always had self esteem issues with being so short (5'1") and chubby (140 lbs) that I never really take myself seriously when getting dressed.  I work in an office all day, but don't see a lot of people so I don't really see the need to go "all out" when getting dressed. 

Please help me.

Thank you,

Michelle D.

Dear Michelle,

You bring up a valid style question. How do you wear a basic sheath dress and not look like a child?

My dear Michelle, it's all in the accessories you choose! By wearing some very lady-like killer pumps for example or a long beaded necklace you make this a "womanly" style-not a little girl's dress. Instead of a long sleeve shirt underneath-go for a fitted jacket over the top (this will highlight your womanly curves). The cardigan sweater you mention might look too matronly (unless belted). A sheath dress is a fabulous dress because it's like a blank canvas to an artist. You're the artist and it's yours for the dressing up! Have fun with your sheath dress and "Show Your Style" SYSter.

I don't yet offer a style service where I help you make outfits based on your wardrobe pictures. (Perhaps in the near future?) Use the weekly shopping guides to help you with the clothes already in your closet. Look at the complete outfits at the bottom. I'll bet you have many of these same pieces-copy my put-together styles and make them your own!

However, I do offer personal shopping. You might find my personal shopping service a life changing experience in how you see yourself as a grown woman! It's an affordable option for women like you wanting to improve their style and confidence.

With the personal shopping service, I put together a written wardrobe plan based on your lifestyle, your body type and seasonal colors. I pull complete outfits prior to our shopping trip and I give you a photo portfolio of complete outfits (including accessories) to help you put together flattering outfits yourself.

You get one complete day of shopping with me in Charlotte NC at one of the most fabulous malls ever! It's an experience you'll always remember.

If you or other SYSters are interested in the cost of this experience and want more details, simply email me at: lookgreat@missussmartypants.com  add "personal shopping" in the subject line.

Love, Leslie MSP

MSP's Style Poll

The last couple of weeks the same poll as been posted so everyone would get a chance to share their opinion. The Style Poll asked what style articles you wanted to see most in 2010.

Here are the results:

26% what styles are in, which ones are out

21% mom-chic style

20% How good clothes should fit

16% Retirement chic

Plus, lots of SYSters wrote emails about other style topics they'd love to see. Stay tuned ladies! 2010 is going to be a fabulous year at MSP! I'll cover these above topics & much, much more! Thanks for your input and great ideas!

This week's Style Poll has to do with dressing proportions. Gosh, it is what MSP is all about!

Which of the following is the worst dressing combination a woman can wear (no matter her body type)?

Find out the dressing combinations and take the Style Poll: http://www.missussmartypants.com/