It took until July for the dog days of Summer to finally arrive, but it’s here!! Waking up to sunshine makes me smile. But, with hot weather comes perspiration. Admit, you sweat. We all do. Some of us have genetic dispositions that mean we only sweat when we’re at the gym or when it’s 95 degrees and we’re sitting on a beach with no umbrella and no breeze. But I think we’ve all suffered from overactive arm pits at one point or another. Those genetically pre-disposed not to sweat are few and far between.
Sweating allows the body to regulate its temperature. Evaporation of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect due to the latent heat of evaporation of water. Hence, in hot weather, or when the individual’s muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced. Sweating is increased by nervousness and nausea and decreased by cold. Ok, so it’s natural but pit stains don’t look so natural when spreading out from underneath a beautiful blouse, dress or shirt.
Aside from resorting to botox injections directly into your armpits, there’s very little one can do to stem the flow of perspiration. However, my grandmother and many ladies like her back in the day, relied on something called dress shields. Some were attached to slips and some were arm contraptions that provided a barrier between your skin and your clothing. While not necessarily glamorous, they worked.
With the ensuing heatwave, two clients in the past week asked me to help them figure out how to prevent pit stains. Like Hollywood Fashion Tape, dress shields are something you should have in your arsenal just in case. There should be no shame in your game! I’m partial to Fashion Forms, but there are a ton of brands on the market. There is absolutely no need to worry about having pit stains this Summer!
Petite is defined in Webster’s as “one having a small trim figure – usually used [to describe] a woman.” Petite-sized women account for 56% of the female population. Isnt it ironic that the fashion industry seems to based on tall thin women when a larger portion of the retail buying population is the exact opposite of the illusion created by the fashion industry? Well I guess if we learned nothing else from The Devil Wears Prada, we learned that fantasy rules the retail industry, not reality. In the retail world, manufacturers consider anyone under 5’4” petite, whether you are a size 2 or a size 16. Petite sizes aren’t just smaller than Misses sizes; if made well, they should be proportioned differently with shorter neck-to-waist and waist-to-hip measurements. 
A Shopportunity is a shopping opportunity. A good deal. One of those deals that makes you think that tomorrow or 6 months from now I’ll regret not having purchased this dress, pair of shoes, handbag , you fill in the blank. A shopurtunity equals beautiful clothes that fit you well at a fraction of the retail price. It’s not a shopurtunity if the price is right but you don’t love the look or the fit. Remember to keep this little nugget in mind as you hit the racks or the online sales. Our economy has taken a turn for the worst, but the economic downturn is a fashionista’s paradise. 
Jackie O. Catherine Deneuve. Kate Moss. Iman – they all have that certain je ne sais quois. No matter the moment, dressed up or dressed down, these women are all enduringly chic. What is it about them? Essentially, they’re all classic dressers who can make a white t-shirt and jeans look like a million bucks. What do they know that you don’t? They know that when building a wardrobe, it’s important to invest in quality pieces that will be long lasting. Shopping for the thrill of the deal can be intoxicating, but the high wears off when January’s steal of the month still has the tags on it in September. Additionally, deciding that you will never spend more than a certain dollar amount on one item, may mean that you limit yourself from buying some truly great pieces that will stand the test of time and take your wardrobe from good to great. Focus on fit and quality over price. 
Webster’s defines “trendy” as ‘very fashionable’ or ‘up-to-date’. Some take this definition to heart and believe that in order to be fashionable each season, and there are now four seasons — Resort, Spring, Pre-Fall (these clothes hit stores between May and July, filling the gap left when Spring runs dry and Fall is still being produced) and Fall — they must buy the latest and greatest. Keeping up with the trends, like keeping up with the Joneses, is not for the faint of heart. Many who follow the trends believe they must incorporate all of the latest trends into their wardrobes; it’s a never ending pursuit. Unless you’re born with a bank account like the Rockerfellers and a bounce-back figure like Heidi Klum, maybe just maybe this not the best line of thinking to employ. Don’t fret if your ability to keep up with the trends is a little more Ugly Betty than Carrie Bradshaw – you can still wear the latest trends without depleting your bank account each season … How? It’s simple, be picky. Flip through a few catalogues and the Spring books (that’s what the publishing industry calls magazines) to figure out what the new trends are and what tickles your fancy. Identify items that will work with your figure and can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe. Maybe it’s that new pair of deliciously high 5” heels or maybe it’s that fabulous necklace made of silver chains and beads that will upgrade even your most basic t-shirt. Whatever it is, it should make you feel good when you put it on. If it looks great in Vogue but not on you, leave it at the store and find something that makes you feel like a million bucks. The worst thing about the changing seasons is that the latest trends aren’t for everyone. Don’t buy something just because it’s in, buy what you love. And if you don’t fall in love during a given season but feel the need to purchase a few items, shop sparingly at stores that wont charge you an arm and leg. So without further ado, check out my tips to find out what’s HOT for Spring 2009.
