Senators Boxer and Hutchison were on CNN this weekend for a discussion on taxes. Each of them wore a blouse with a jacket over it, but with two different techniques for complimenting face shape using "balance points." Look at http://youtu.be/9-CNkHlXlCg (you can see both of them on screen at about 2:15):
Senator Boxer's neckline compliments balance point 1: the distance from the top of her face (below her bangs) to her chin is equal to the distance from her chin to the neckline of her blouse. The oval shape of her face is perfectly echoed in her clothes.
Senator Hutchison has highlighted balance point 2: the distance and shape from the widest point of her face to her chin is the same as from the top of her shoulder to the neckline of her blouse. Her rectangular face shape is in harmony with her high rectangular blouse.
Either technique can work for you, no matter what your face shape. You can even combine them, hitting one balance point with your neckline and the other with a necklace. Jewelry also works well if your first balance point is lower on your chest than you would like your neckline to be.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Ring pop
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand gave a floor speech last week on the Violence Against Women Act. She wore black, and an unusual ring: http://youtu.be/roJ9-s-IKow
The senator is of course well known for the mostly-black color palette of her wardrobe. But in this outfit, we see a little pop of color via a turquoise ring on her right hand. It works because the color is bright, but the style is subtle. Like this one:
The senator is of course well known for the mostly-black color palette of her wardrobe. But in this outfit, we see a little pop of color via a turquoise ring on her right hand. It works because the color is bright, but the style is subtle. Like this one:
Monday, April 23, 2012
A natural for cream
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley spoke at an award ceremony for volunteers last week. She wore cream: http://youtu.be/t5i0YdCv1AA?t=1m20s
Light creamy colors can be difficult to pull off, especially on camera. But this jacket looks great. Why?
1. Cream can make some people look washed out, but the governor's skin tone naturally lends itself to this color.
2. The texture and color variation that this tweed fabric lends to the look, along with the organic folds of the draped collar, prevent the light color from looking severe or reflective.
3. This video was taken in a natural setting, without glaring television studio lights.
Light creamy colors can be difficult to pull off, especially on camera. But this jacket looks great. Why?
1. Cream can make some people look washed out, but the governor's skin tone naturally lends itself to this color.
2. The texture and color variation that this tweed fabric lends to the look, along with the organic folds of the draped collar, prevent the light color from looking severe or reflective.
3. This video was taken in a natural setting, without glaring television studio lights.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Baltimore Brilliance
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced her "neighborhood mom" contest last week. She wore a beige blazer and multi-strand pearl necklace: http://youtu.be/QZBSXPU_J-o
The mayor seems to have really hit her stride with her style in 2012. The contrasting piping on her jacket helps give definition to a garment that could otherwise look bland. Her makeup is present but tasteful, the necklace is bold but sophisticated and not too distracting (a problem she was having earlier in her term). This look is an example for us all.
The mayor seems to have really hit her stride with her style in 2012. The contrasting piping on her jacket helps give definition to a garment that could otherwise look bland. Her makeup is present but tasteful, the necklace is bold but sophisticated and not too distracting (a problem she was having earlier in her term). This look is an example for us all.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Warren wears color
Jackets in bright colors can be tricky to wear. If you're not up for Hillary Clinton-style monochrome, there is another way. On the campaign trail in Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren chose a bright aqua blazer for a coffeehouse roundtable discussion: http://youtu.be/T4M5VgaGJEc
This jacket brings a great color up near her face and breaks up the all-black look she's paired it with. The key to this look's success is its simplicity. The jacket is the centerpiece, with very little jewelry and no other accessories.
This jacket brings a great color up near her face and breaks up the all-black look she's paired it with. The key to this look's success is its simplicity. The jacket is the centerpiece, with very little jewelry and no other accessories.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Event: Confident Persona at Sterling & Burke Ltd
Christina Logothetis, author of the Style of Politics and Confident Persona image consultant, will provide personalized shopping advice for guests. Two lucky guests will win door prizes from Penhaligon's and Confident Persona.
For more information and to rsvp, click here.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Can Pingree match Snowe's style?
Yesterday's surprise news that Sen. Olympia Snowe will not seek reelection this fall led to all manner of speculations and predictions, including the idea that Rep. Chellie Pingree might run for her seat. During her term, Senator Snowe has developed a distinct and effective personal style. What can we recommend for Ms. Pingree with a newly heightened profile?
We've seen Rep. Pingree struggle with prints in the past, and that seems to continue recently. Consider this black and white print: http://youtu.be/8B6EJX86iXU
Unlike Senator Snowe, who looks best in sharply contrasting colors, Rep. Pingree would be better served by a print with less contrast and softer edges. Maybe something like this:
What she does seem to have down is her best color palette.
Mint green: http://youtu.be/7ZwPYiX43AA
She would be well served by some jewelry or accessories here.
Sky blue: http://youtu.be/-_I_DpXaiD8
Now we have an accessory, but the scarf is a bit too big and full. The tone-on-tone colors really work though.
Powder blue: http://youtu.be/5CUEBRURi7w
And here we have some jewelry. Just right!
Any candidate finds a need for a wardrobe upgrade when the prominence of their office increases. It's a change that can be handled gracefully or not. Whether she runs for Senate or not, it looks like Rep. Pingree is on the right track.
We've seen Rep. Pingree struggle with prints in the past, and that seems to continue recently. Consider this black and white print: http://youtu.be/8B6EJX86iXU
Unlike Senator Snowe, who looks best in sharply contrasting colors, Rep. Pingree would be better served by a print with less contrast and softer edges. Maybe something like this:
What she does seem to have down is her best color palette.
Mint green: http://youtu.be/7ZwPYiX43AA
She would be well served by some jewelry or accessories here.
Sky blue: http://youtu.be/-_I_DpXaiD8
Now we have an accessory, but the scarf is a bit too big and full. The tone-on-tone colors really work though.
Powder blue: http://youtu.be/5CUEBRURi7w
And here we have some jewelry. Just right!
Any candidate finds a need for a wardrobe upgrade when the prominence of their office increases. It's a change that can be handled gracefully or not. Whether she runs for Senate or not, it looks like Rep. Pingree is on the right track.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Know your audience
Lisa Murkowski traveled back to her home state to discuss Air Force base relocation with her constituents. She wore a white sweater and black pants: http://youtu.be/OOVbyip58y0
Back in Washington, this sweater/turtleneck/jeans/clogs combination would be awfully rustic. But in Fairbanks, Alaska? It's spot on. She looks neat, clean, put together, and most of all she looks like she belongs there. She even took advantage wearing multiple layers to get one of her good colors (light blue) up near her face with her turtleneck.
Back in Washington, this sweater/turtleneck/jeans/clogs combination would be awfully rustic. But in Fairbanks, Alaska? It's spot on. She looks neat, clean, put together, and most of all she looks like she belongs there. She even took advantage wearing multiple layers to get one of her good colors (light blue) up near her face with her turtleneck.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dangling attention
Susan Rice was on PBS last week to discuss UN Security Council actions against Syria. She wore a beaded necklace and long, dangling earrings: http://youtu.be/VOMyLg_SL0k
You remember the last time we talked about long earrings, don't you? They can be endlessly distracting, as they are in this case. Part of the problem is that they are so long, they move even when she is barely moving her head at all. They also catch the studio lights, which draws even more attention to them.
The great thing about earrings is that they are easy and fast to put on or take off as needed. In that last minute check before going on camera, I would recommend taking these off.
You remember the last time we talked about long earrings, don't you? They can be endlessly distracting, as they are in this case. Part of the problem is that they are so long, they move even when she is barely moving her head at all. They also catch the studio lights, which draws even more attention to them.
The great thing about earrings is that they are easy and fast to put on or take off as needed. In that last minute check before going on camera, I would recommend taking these off.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Give Style: My Preppy Valentine
Valentine's Day conjures up all kinds of traditional gift ideas: restaurant meals, chocolates, lingerie, flowers, sports tickets and even plane tickets.
But consider perhaps something that will last beyond the day. What political ladies and gentlemen like best is something that fits into everyday life (or almost everyday). Consider perhaps a trip to Sterling & Burke in Georgetown for fine leathergoods and fragrances. The service is impeccable and many of the products can be customized.
For the gentlemen:
1. J.W. Hulme Bi-fold Wallet. Truly an everyday item, ensuring he'll think of you all the time. And it's crafted from American heritage leather.
2. Filson passport wallet. If you are going for plane tickets, present them in style. I mean really, a loose printout of your e-ticket confirmation is not exactly romantic.
3. Daines and Hathaway cufflink box. If he only has one or two pairs, this could be a nice way to encourage an expanded wardrobe.
4. Swaine Adeney travel bar. Indulgent? Sure. But it's hard to go wrong with indulgence that has this much class.
For the ladies:
1. Halcyon Days bangle bracelets. Jewelry for when you're not ready for JEWELRY yet. These are hand enameled in England.
2. Daines and Hathaway heart shaped box. When you are ready for JEWELRY, it deserves to be presented in suede.
3. Penhaligon's eau de parfum. There's something just a little undignified about celebrity scents, no matter how good they smell. This beautiful line is the perfect alternative.
4. Sterling & Burke Beatrice bag. These bags are custom made for Sterling & Burke by Swaine Adeney Briggs in England and come in five colors. The quality must be seen to be believed. This is truly a lifetime bag.
But consider perhaps something that will last beyond the day. What political ladies and gentlemen like best is something that fits into everyday life (or almost everyday). Consider perhaps a trip to Sterling & Burke in Georgetown for fine leathergoods and fragrances. The service is impeccable and many of the products can be customized.
For the gentlemen:
1. J.W. Hulme Bi-fold Wallet. Truly an everyday item, ensuring he'll think of you all the time. And it's crafted from American heritage leather.
2. Filson passport wallet. If you are going for plane tickets, present them in style. I mean really, a loose printout of your e-ticket confirmation is not exactly romantic.
3. Daines and Hathaway cufflink box. If he only has one or two pairs, this could be a nice way to encourage an expanded wardrobe.
4. Swaine Adeney travel bar. Indulgent? Sure. But it's hard to go wrong with indulgence that has this much class.
For the ladies:
My Preppy Valentine, for ladies by styleofpolitics featuring handbags
1. Halcyon Days bangle bracelets. Jewelry for when you're not ready for JEWELRY yet. These are hand enameled in England.
2. Daines and Hathaway heart shaped box. When you are ready for JEWELRY, it deserves to be presented in suede.
3. Penhaligon's eau de parfum. There's something just a little undignified about celebrity scents, no matter how good they smell. This beautiful line is the perfect alternative.
4. Sterling & Burke Beatrice bag. These bags are custom made for Sterling & Burke by Swaine Adeney Briggs in England and come in five colors. The quality must be seen to be believed. This is truly a lifetime bag.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The image of fur
Senator Boxer was on MSNBC this week discussing America's dissatisfaction with Washington. She wore a gray jacket with a fur collar:
It's not completely clear to me if this is real or faux fur (my guess is faux just from the texture) but the effect is the same either way in this case. As one communications expert said to me: "It just looks like she's wearing a fur coat--not exactly the right visual for a party trying to talk about how Washington works only for the wealthy."
Fur trim is a tough look to pull off in the daytime, no matter what message you're trying to convey. But this is a particularly unfortunate juxtaposition. You don't have to be trying to make a political statement with what you wear to make one when you get dressed. In this instance, the statement doesn't even have anything to do with the politics of wearing fur itself and whether that's ethical. It goes more to the iconography of fur. It's what the fur implies about the wearer. Namely, wealth and privilege.
This is not a new issue for Washington, so there's no excuse not to make a conscious decision when choosing those garments.
It's not completely clear to me if this is real or faux fur (my guess is faux just from the texture) but the effect is the same either way in this case. As one communications expert said to me: "It just looks like she's wearing a fur coat--not exactly the right visual for a party trying to talk about how Washington works only for the wealthy."
Fur trim is a tough look to pull off in the daytime, no matter what message you're trying to convey. But this is a particularly unfortunate juxtaposition. You don't have to be trying to make a political statement with what you wear to make one when you get dressed. In this instance, the statement doesn't even have anything to do with the politics of wearing fur itself and whether that's ethical. It goes more to the iconography of fur. It's what the fur implies about the wearer. Namely, wealth and privilege.
This is not a new issue for Washington, so there's no excuse not to make a conscious decision when choosing those garments.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Giffords resigns in style
Gabrielle Giffords released a video announcement of her resignation from Congress this week. She chose the classic power color: red.
This video also shows a montage of images of Rep. Giffords from before and after the shooting. If you ever wanted to see an example of how the colors you wear should change when you change your hair color, this is a very good one. From whites and pastels as a blond, to reds and saturated colors as a brunette, clearly she's had some good advice.
This video also shows a montage of images of Rep. Giffords from before and after the shooting. If you ever wanted to see an example of how the colors you wear should change when you change your hair color, this is a very good one. From whites and pastels as a blond, to reds and saturated colors as a brunette, clearly she's had some good advice.
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