Can I Wear That? – Confidently Tackle All Of Your Fashion Questions

By Brian Maynor

 

We all the festivities and reunions happening during the next few weeks we all want to look our best, and I attribute that fact to the influx of questions all asking about pulling off certain looks, styles and shopping.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received and the advice I was able to provide:

 

1.   Am I too old for leggings?  This question came from an office administrator in her early 50s who purchased a pair of SPANX leggings but subsequently questioned if she was too old to pull them off.  After ascertaining the leggings were for weekend wear and not professional wear, I reassured her ‘no’ she was not too old to pull off leggings.

When you question your age in relation to a trend the important thing to remember is that not all items are equal and some options work better for you than others.  You want the quality, construction and support to match the other items in your closet so you feel more comfortable because it feels familiar.  In this case if she had opted for an inexpensive pair of leggings from an all-age discount store her fear of age appropriateness would only have been heightened and chances are she would never have worn them.

2.   Do these make my thighs look big?  This question came in from a plus-sized lady wanting to try slim and straight trousers.  She also noted she was self-conscious about her thighs.  When you choose to wear fitted pants you are encasing your legs, bringing attention to them, and if your upper leg is significantly wider than your lower leg this effect can feel exaggerated.  While we can’t make your upper leg thinner we can diminish the contrast.

To help your entire leg look balanced I suggested a taller over-the-calf boot with a buckle at the top.  Having extra weight and details around the knee balances the width of your lower leg with your upper one and makes them look more uniform and therefore longer.

3.   Is it okay to take a mental health day for some retail therapy?  This time of year is stressful for a multitude of reasons so it’s perfectly normal to long for a little distraction and ‘me time’.  Personally I think retail therapy can be productive on a number of levels as long as you approach it in a structured way.  That means setting boundaries; having a clear goal and no judgment.  There are plenty of things to feel guilty about, but use one of your sick days to maintain your mental and emotional health is not one of them.

CAUTION:  For anyone who has ever been shopping you know how inherently frustrating it can be trying on a lot of pieces, the disappointment of nothing fitting and the temptation to overindulge.  That is why the structure is so important. Without it the entire exercise could leave you feeling worse, not better.

 

Ultimately knowing what you like and don’t like is the root of personal style and we like what makes us happy.  So when questioning yourself over a trend or retail therapy session maybe the most important question is “does it make you happy?”

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to Brian@BrianMaynor.com.  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

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