You know that I advocate focusing your image more on style than fashion. However, in order not to look dated, you need to adjust our personal look to what's fashionably current. Here are some suggestions to adjust your summer fashions for September.

If you don't have a wide-leg pantsuit, this is the time to get one. You'll not only have the latest pant style, you'll have a great, short jacket to mix and match with shirts, dresses and weekend wear (jeans). For some of the best wearable, fall fashions check out the September issue of Lucky or www.luckymag.com

See if you have the pieces to make these outfits:

1. Summer skirts with white shirts or tanks with a gray or brown sweater or cotton jacket. J.Crew has a printed cardigan in 2 color ways for the romantics and some strip choices for the naturals. They have other great looking WorkWear pieces, too.

2. Gray trousers with white or cream top, colored cotton jacket with a belt (tan for blonds and red heads with matching shoes and black for brunettes)

3. A summer dress with a tee shirt underneath

4. A gray or beige dress with a cotton cardigan in your favorite color over it

5. Combinations of light gray with brown and cream or white. Depending on how you wear it, this color combination will look good on everyone.

With any of these outfits, add a necklace (or 2) and/or a belt.

Contact me if you're not sure which pieces and colors work for you.

Next month: Shoes, boots and bags and colors for fall.

Make-up tips

Another way to transition your look from summer to fall is to adjust your make-up colors. Why not make an appointment to try the new shades of your favorite make-up line. The hues for fall are always deeper and more subtle than summer. A new lipstick and blush is an easy way to changeover your look!

FYI

Back to School always features jeans. Not a good choice for work, but if you need them, there's plenty to select from, both in wide, regular and skinny legs.

Ann Taylor has a new "curvy fit" style. It's wonderful for the silhouette that has a problem fitting the waist. Check: httwww.anntaylor.com

Right now is a great time to do your own fall preview. I walked through Lord & Taylor www.lordandtaylo r.com recently and saw some wonderful ideas for my wardrobe. Talbot's www.talbots.com has some solid color suiting pieces in dark gray (this year's new black), black and dark navy in a light weight wool. It's a good idea to see what's out there before you really need something.

I'm planning to get to the new store at the Natick Mall for the grand opening, so I'll let you know what's exciting there.

The summer has to be the toughest time of year to enforce appropriate dressing for work. An HR executive recently said to me, "I've given up on cleavage! Everyday there are several women who are showing too much. If I had to speak to this issue each time I noticed, that's all I'd be working on!" Amen.

All I can say is there is hope for improvement when the weather changes. Maybe?

FYI You're not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as seen the The Boston Globe Magazine, August 5, 2007) 93% of US executives polled, say their employee's work attire influences their change of promotion. Wow!

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Is it necessary to worry about mixing your metals with jewelry, buttons. belts, handbags, etc. It never fails I could be wearing all silver one day and the bag I want to carry has gold hardware. I drive myself crazy trying to match it all and get so frustrated. What do you think?

Thanks for your question, Catherine. I wish there was an easy answer, but, as you have found out, it depends.
I have a handbag with lots of heavy, gold chain on it. This doesn't mix well when I'm wearing all silver accessories. If only the zipper was gold, it probably wouldn't be noticed. On the other hand (no pun intended!) if I added a gold bracelet to the silver ones I'm wearing, the contrast might not be so obvious.

Accessories are to add interest to an outfit. They also help direct the eye. The detail that stands out most, like metal buttons on a jacket, will set the tone. But, if the buttons aren't metal and blend in with the garment color, the necklace and/or earrings will draw the eye. If these are more subtle, than a contrasting metal on a handbag should look fine.

The true answer lies in your Person Style Type. Here's a quick run down:
NATURAL:
Am I supposed to have more than ONE handbag?
TRADITIONAL:
Only one metal at a time, please.
CONTEMPORARY:
Wear only one piece of metal at a time, preferably the latest look.
I hope this helps!

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I'm proud to say that I've had more than one client go into the fashion business! This is the story of one of them.

I met Sandie several years ago when she was still in the corporate world. She had just recently changed companies and wanted to spruce up her look. Like a lot of clients, she had things she loved, things she used to love and some things she hardly wore.

Within hours, Sandie was transformed! She had the look she wanted, with her own clothes! I also analyzed her colors so she'd be very clear about what shades were right for her. The email I received about a week later confirmed that she felt confident and credible on the new job.

Now, fast forward to 2006. I received a lovely announcement that Sandie at Diva on a Dime is about to open! Early in 2007 she invited me to speak at her shop to a select group of customers. You can imagine the fun we had!

But the most remarkable part to me was how fabulous Sandie looked! The details of her image were amazing! And she's referring to designer labels like a buyer from Saks or Neiman's. I'm so proud of her!

If you want to visit a delightful consignment store, than take a ride to Millis, MA. At 1072 Main Street, on Route 109 to find Diva on a Dime www.divadime.com. (508-376-1984). Proprietress, Sandie Kimball would be happy to assist you in find a treasure at a very reasonable price. And tell her Julie says hello!

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For more information on working with me on YOUR style,
click here.

If there's information you would like to see included in a future ezine, please let me know! To send me an email, you can simply hit "reply" and the message you write will come to me! OR you can click on julie@juliefoley.net to send me your message.
Do either or do both! I want to hear from you.

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Copyright 2001-2007 Julie Foley. All rights reserved.