I’ve been in the Fashion business and living in Europe for more than 20 years. I’ve been to most of the major Fashion Weeks in the world, shopped the European wholesale houses, and travelled all over Europe to meet with the major International Fashion Brands.

After having seen it all from “it” bags and “must haves” I can guarantee you one thing… Yves San Laurent was spot on when he said that “Fashion fades…Style is forever”.

For me, outstandingly stylish women have always been memorable, many of which have been among my friends in Italy, France and Spain or just everyday women I’ve met during my travels… the special way they wear a scarf, choose the perfect necklace and have every piece of their outfit working together in harmoniously, blending together gracefully.

As I mention in my e-book the “9 Secrets to European Women’s Effortless Chic”, this style comes about through the evolution of the European “aesthetic mindset” which has been passed down through generations and become a part of these women’s DNA.

But don’t despair… believe me, I know how I used to feel when I arrived in Europe and didn’t have a clue about Style or Fashion!

For those of us that need to work at it, this European style is an attainable goal.

I can help you get over your style hurdles and put you on your path of your own personal style and brand identity. Style and the road to “effortless chic” is a journey and my EuroChic Style SolutionsTM can teach you the basic skills that you need to make it a cinch to get yourself looking fabulously stylish, with European flair, in 15 minutes without a moment’s thought.

My will EuroChic Style SolutionsTM help you be the star you are meant to be, sparking dramatic results in your business and helping you achieve your professional goals.

With EuroChic Style SolutionsTM you will learn to:

• Develop a positive and lasting first impression

• Implement guidelines of confident dressing and use them to your advantage

• Discover your own personal style and look and feel fabulous all of the time without spending a fortune!

• Shop more efficiently, making your style dilemmas and costly “hit or miss” shopping mistakes a thing of the past!

• Put together the “correct look” for every occasion with the least amount of effort!

• Take the stress out of getting dressed in the morning!

• Build a wardrobe that you love to wear and that suits all your lifestyle needs!

Click HERE now to read about my packages and CHOOSE the one that best suits your needs and objectives.

Hers’s what people are saying about EuroChic Style SolutionsTM

After almost 40 years of dressing myself, I thought I knew what I was doing… until you took me on the personal shopping spree! First of all, I really enjoyed the experience as it was so much more fun with you! Also, it was easier as I didn’t have to dress and undress to get the right sizes – you just brought them to me. But most importantly, I tried on the clothes I would have never chosen for myself and LOVED THEM! Renee, you changed the way I see myself, you helped me understand my body and how to ‘balance’ it with the right clothes as well as how to emphasize what is good and what needs hiding! I am a transformed believer on why a style coach is so important!

Thank you!

Masha Malka, International Speaker, Coach & Best-selling Author of “The One Minute Coach” www.mashamalka.com

I never really felt comfortable in my clothes until the day I met Renée Coppinger.  From that day I felt more confident that my choices brought out the best in me.  I now know that everything in my wardrobe suits me and my personality and I never now feel that “I have nothing to wear”. She has shown me how to choose something for every occasion and how to make the best of clothes, accessories, make-up and hair colouring and styling.  In fact, I had “a complete make-over” and now I feel a completely new me and I am really enjoying it.   Not only did she do all this but she became a friend too.  I can’t thank you enough Renée for bringing out the person I always wanted to be.

Beryl Turner, Free Lance Journalist, Complete Style Makeover

I have come to learn that real style has nothing to do with big budgets…it’s simply about being ready to embrace the “aesthetic mindset” and understand that style success is about finding what works for you in the sea of Fashion and knowing what would be better left to someone else.

Style and the road to effortless chic is a journey. Effortless European Chic does not come about without some work on your part…but once you have committed to the “aesthetic mindset” and put in the initial effort necessary for creating your own personal style and a Chic wardrobe that you love and that looks great on you, you are on the road to daily, effortless chic.

Style is not something that is static, it’s something that evolves in our lives and is an ongoing process. Once you have mastered the basics you will begin to enjoy this process and the confidence that comes from knowing you are always looking and being the best that you can be.

Click HERE now to read about my packages and CHOOSE the one that best suits your needs and objectives.

To your stylish Success,

Renée Coppinger

1) The Feminine blouse – A neck-bow blouse spells classic, feminine sophistication,  and this style has made a very strong comeback this season. Choices are abundant in every price range, so get a bit more playful by choosing one in your favorite new polka dot, animal or graphic print. This blouse is the perfect accompaniment to this season’s return of the pencil skirt.

Styling tip: This neck-tie blouse looks great with anything from a pencil skirt to jeans. Try it with a V-neck chunky cardigan or a vest to give it a more relaxed look for a casual elegance or pair this blouse with your favorite tailored jacket to give a feminine spin to the menswear look.

2) The Pencil skirt - The longer, on- the- knee, hemline adds forties glamour, conservative and alluring at the same time. A whole series of new accessories -pearls, gloves and fur trimmed shrugs-all revolve around the pencil skirt this season for a very elegant, lady-like look.

Styling Tip: This style skirt suits most body types but does wonders for the hourglass figure. Just make sure that the skirt shape contours towards the knees to keep the proportions in place. The sarong style is perfect for hiding larger thighs and a tummy. Fabric with a small percentage of elastane will give the best silhouette. Besides pairing this classic skirt with lady pumps, get the most bang for your buck by giving your pencil skirt a more laid back , casual look with shooties (ankle boot shoes), knee high boots or wedges with chunky knit or turtle neck sweater.

3) The Chain-strap handbag – It’s the season of the chain-strap bag!  This trend is simple, yet elegant, classic and very versatile. Designers have come out with a wide variety of sizes, designs, colors and fabrics for this trend, so there’s really something out there for everyone.

Styling tip: This bag works with any kind of outfit, whether casual or dressy. Wear it from day to evening with jeans, a simple sheath dress or a satin cocktail dress. Opt for a bright hue or print to jazz up your LBD.

4) The Jewel tone color wheel – Fashion’s palette has moved up a notch from summer’s acid brights and paintbox pops of color into the sumptuous realm of jewel tones for Fall/Winter 2011 Collections. Amethyst, sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet and citrine hues will make you feel rich and sophisticated.

Styling Tip: These colors are wonderful worn head-to–toe, paired together or used as accent tones for accessories (bags, shoes, necklaces, scarves). Pair them with the existing neutrals in your closet, such as: camel, stone, navy, grey and black. Whichever way you work it, these shades will make you shine!

5) Python prints – While leopard has been king for the past few seasons, snakeskin has taken over the spotlight for Fall 2011. Designers swooned over all things serpentine, and python in particular was offered as a decidedly chic and luxurious look. It’s the new print everyone will want to own. Whether as a slinky dress or scaled back as an accent on a shirt or scarf, reptile is a wardrobe essential for everyone this season.

Styling Tip: Neutral-toned accessories are a classic way to tame the exotic edge of python. I love the new take in hot jolts of colour, shown here in shoes and blouses— but beware, just one skin per outfit, please.

Have fun putting together your new looks for Fall!

People make an assessment of who we are and where we rank on a professional and social scale in a matter of seconds based upon our appearance alone (What we say accounts for just 7% of how people judge of us).

So what does this mean for Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals in reference to our roles as leaders and centers of influence in business and society, and most importantly to our bottom lines?

Well, the objective of Personal Image Branding is to take your unique qualities and characteristics and package them into a powerful visual identity that differentiates you from the crowd of anonymous competitors in order to attract more clients.

If you want to create a strong Personal Image Brand to attract higher paying clients you should be asking yourself the following questions:

• Am I clear about what makes me unique and reflect that in my Personal Image Brand?
• Does my Personal Image Brand consistently communicate the image my target market expects me to project in order to gain their confidence and give me their business?
• Am I always presenting myself in the most professional light by keeping my appearance, headshots and photos on my website/social media in line with my branding message?

If you aren’t able to answer yes to all of the above, then you need to be taking action towards getting your Personal Image Brand in order!

Basically, it all boils down to who is your target market and how they expect an expert in your field to look. For example, if you are marketing to Bankers they would expect a formal, conservative appearance whereas clients in the creative fields would expect a less formal, more laid back look with a bit of edge. You get the idea… The most important thing of all, however, which would be a cross-over for any group, is that prospective, Top Tier clients always want to do business with someone who looks successful. That means that if you don’t look successful because you don’t put enough effort and budget into your grooming and wardrobe in order to look the part it really will affect your bottom line…chances are you won’t get their business!

So here are a few tips to help you get on your way to establishing a strong Personal Image Brand:

• Choose a personal style that reflects your unique qualities and how you’d like to be perceived by your target market
• Treat your personal appearance, grooming and wardrobe as a business expense and mark it in your calendar as a business priority just as you would with other business tasks. (Hairdresser, manicures, pedicures, Personal Stylist, seasonal shopping, event wardrobe planning/shopping, etc.)
• Make sure that your look – hairstyle, clothing, accessories – is always up-to-date, youthful and flattering to your personal characteristics and body type.
• Pay attention to the quality, design and fit of your clothing and make sure that your shoes and garments are always in the best condition
• Make sure that all of the headshots and photos on your website and social media are updated and consistent with your Personal Image Branding message. It’s important that what prospective clients see online is consistent with what they experience in person to increase your credibility (show how you look now and not 5 years ago)
• Make sure that you are always consistent in your Personal Brand Image, every moment of the day and in every situation, even at the grocery store. (Yes, you can still be comfortable while looking successful)

As you develop and cultivate your Personal Image Brand, be honest with yourself about where you are and where you need to go. Building a Personal image Brand takes thought, time and a decent budget but, at the end of the day, it is well worth the effort both businesswise and personally. Successful people always are meeting certain standards, especially in their appearance and this effort will definitely be measurable in your self confidence and in your bottom line…Looking the part will definitely attract higher paying clients. When you meet the image expectations of a Top Tier prospect, a win-win situation is automatically created because C- level people like to do business with people that match their image perception and reality. This is when they will stop being your prospect and become your client

Here are 7 Euro Chic basic investment pieces that will bring your Personal Image Brand up to the level of Top Tier Client expectations:

1) Classic watch
2) Classic trench coat
3) Semi precious stone earrings
4) Semiprecious stone ring
5) Black platform pumps
6) Neutral leather purse
7) Classic cool wool blazer

Euro Chic Basics – Splurge (Pricey but worth the investment)

• Always keep an eye on fashion trends, adapting them to your proportions
• Be careful not to wear too many accessories at any one time
• Avoid being matchy, matchy at all costs
• Make sure that every accessory that you purchase reads good quality (whatever it actually cost!)

Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to have some fun with accessories, play around with trends and give yourselves a bit of boost! Accessories are the easiest place to start and don’t have to break the bank, especially in summer!

Have a look below to see what could be fun for you to energize your summer wardrobe! (Click on any item and it will link you to the Polyvore site where you can purchase it if you like ☺)

1) Feminine Sunglasses – Instead of wearing the same old Ray Bans, why don’t you up level your style this summer with a pair of tortoiseshell shades in a more feminine shape. These will go with everything from jeans to a sheath dress and make you feel great every time you put them on!

Stylist Tip: Make sure that your glasses never sit above your eyebrow or below your cheekbone to ensure a proportionate look.

2) Panama Hat - I love these hats to keep off the summer sun both in the City and on the Beach. The Panama Hat is so Euro Chic!
3)  Metallic Espadrille Wedges – Wedges are probably one of the most comfortable pair of shoes that exist on the planet and a matt metallic is very versatile for day and evening. These shoes are perfect for both midi and maxi length skirts/dresses and can be worn with skinny, flaired  or cropped jeans/pants, as well!

4)  Rope Shaped Belt – Why not experiment with different shape belts and materials to cinch in your waste this season? Snakeskin is the new neutral which gives an added touch of class to a simple white shirt, t-shirt, or summer dress while remaining cool and understated.

Stylist Tip: If you have a curvy figure you are best belting at the waist; If you’re shortwaisted, belt a bit below your waist to elongate your torso; If you have small hips, belt at the hips to give more volume there.

5)  Oversized Jewel Tone Earrings – Large crystal earrings in jewel tones will add some extra pizzazz to any outfit. Rock them by day with a maxi skirt and t-shirt with your Panama hat or wear them by night with your ladylike LBD (little black dress).

6)   Tie- Dye Scarf – Add a dash of colorful chic to your daytime uniform of a t-shirt and shorts/jeans with a fun scarf that can double as a bathing suit cover up at the beach or as a pashmina by night!

7) Rope and Bead Statement Necklace – Statement necklaces have been around for the past few seasons but this summer try a more unusual combination of colorful rope and strass to give your outfit a crafty, summery vibe!

Stylist Tip: Always keep your statement necklace in proportion to your size, e.g. Petites: smaller, Fuller: larger. Also, when wearing a statement necklace never wear statement earrings, as well. Keep your earrings on the smaller and simple side.

8 ) Wrap Around Watch – Take a break from your stainless steel or rose gold boyfriend watch and become the leader of the pack with a wrap around watch in buttery leather with stud details! Add a pop of colorful and sophisticated fun to your time piece!

9) Gemstone and Rope Cuff – Cuff bracelets are definitely in but why not catch everyone off their guard with an unusual version of rope and rose crystal quartz. It’s artsy, playful and classic at the same time and will never go out of style!

10) Sophisticated Beach Sarong – Try a sarong swimsuit cover up in a luscious sorbet color and pair it with a classic white t-shirt for maximum effect. Add a pair of jelly sandals and you’re ready to go!

11) Jelly Sandals – Jelly sandals are all the rage this summer, so make sure you get a pair. They are great at the beach but fun in town as well and can add that special extra stylish savoir-faire to a maxi skirt or sundress!

12) Animal Print Clutch – Animal print clutches are always a fun way to spice up an outfit, especially if they are in printed straw with a hidden chain like this one!

Stylist Tip: I carry a clutch in my beach bag so that I have a stylish little bag that I can pull out if I decide to have some lunch at a nice poolside or beachside café. I always travel with one, so that it serves as my beach clutch by day and evening purse by night!

1) Printed mix: Add a bit of fun by mixing floral, polka dot and stripe print tops and bottoms

Update your look:

• For a bolder look contrast the prints, i.e. florals with stripes, Polka dots with stripes, etc.
• When mixing prints, keep the items in the same tonal family (similar shades of color) with prints that are of different scales (a smaller pattern on top and a larger one on the bottom) and pull it together with a solid color
• If your not confident mixing prints, then keep it simple- a little bit of print can go a long way. Add a solid blazer over flowy print fabrics to give a modern, Euro Chic look

2) Color Block: Pop in bursts of neon mix in clothing or accessories to brighten up your day

Update your Look:

• Since mixing colors can be tricky, take a clue from a window display (put together by a fashion merchandiser with a trained eye)
• Keep the silhouette simple and add a nude shoe and metallic accessories
• Opt for multi colored bangles, sandals or bright hues in handbags to add a pop of color to your existing neutrals

3) Romantic Lace – Add some femme charme to your closet with a lace trimmed dress, shoes, tote or a lacey top

Update your look:

• Be careful not to create a look that’s too “girlie” and toughen up a lacy dress with a biker jacket
• Pair a lacy top with a bold piece of jewelry
• Add a super feminine touch to jeans with a lace trimmed tote or boudoir stilettos

4) White Wash – Add crisp, fresh head-to-toe white to your summer wardrobe with a coquettish frock or a slick blazer and white jeans

Update your look:

• Make sure you have underpinnings in a nude color that blend with your skin tone. White under white will only draw eyes exactly where you don’t want them to land!
• Mix white and light nude/blush to get a less stark effect and more flattering tonal look
• Pair a great white tee shirt with white jeans and a white tuxedo jacket for an effortlessly chic, sophisticated look

5) Heavy Metal- add some metallic flats/wedges or a clutch and rose gold accessories to shine on Spring/Summer days and evenings

Update your look:

• Gold, silver or gunmetal gladiator sandals are perfect in combo with maxi dresses for day or evening
• Metallic wedges are fabulous partners for prints and bright hues in dresses, skirts and the new cropped and flared trousers
• Add a bit of shine to jazz up your all over white look with a metal clutch and rose gold chains to shine by day or night

Trends are fun but you’ve got to know how to work them!

Enjoy your new purchases!

1) A Designer Handbag – This is the one item that every businesswoman who wants to be playing in a bigger league should have in her arsenal. Your handbag is one of the first things that people notice about you, so make that first impression a positive one. At the end of the day, you really do get what you pay for, and from my own personal experience, these bags look good for years… if you take care of them properly. The quality of the materials, make and hardware are superior, as is the design. Your handbag tells your clients where you are or where want to be in your business. I’m not talking about big logos here but a piece that will wow and instantly make every outfit, even jeans, look like a million.

Personal Shopper tips:

• If you are just starting out, keep it neutral and classic with some interesting detail, such as lovely gold or silver hardware. Color-wise, your best choices are:  black, brown, nude, camel , snakeskin, navy or metallic
• If you would like a pop of color, go for red or a berry color (purple) since these colors never go out of style and are on trend for Fall /Winter 2011!
• Make sure that the bag is in scale to your size: medium to small for petites, medium to large for medium figures, large for fuller figures
• Make sure it doesn’t hit at a point that you don’t want  to spotlight: large bust or wide hip area

2) Designer shoes – A fabulous pair of shoes can really be the icing on the cake of an outfit! Again, the design and materials are of superior quality, and a hot pair of shoes really make you look like you’re at the top of your game image-wise. The sales are a great chance to get those Jimmy Choo’s, Prada’s, Miu Miu’s that you’ve been craving but felt  were out of your buget at full price. You’ll be surprised that you can get these bargains (less 50%) online in the comfort of your home, at any hour of the day. (Check jimmychoo.com)

Personal Shopper Tips :

• Again, if you just starting out opt for a pair in the neutral colors stated above and red or leopard pumps will add color and interest to an all black or neutral outfit
• Don’t stick to a “too classic” style on this one because you want to wear these a lot, and too classic says ”dowdy” and “not with it”!
• Go for a modified platform style with a higher heel to add a little height. This does wonders for slimming and elongating the figure but is still comfortable to wear
• Steer clear of ankle straps if you are wide hipped or have thick calves, thick ankles or short legs. The strap will cut your leg at the ankle and break up that long lean line that you want to achieve

3) A Designer dress – A well cut, beautifully made dress will always make you stand out from the crowd. It’s true that you pick up some good copies from lower end shops such as Zara, H&M, Top Shop, Next and can make a good impression having the designer shoes or bag to upgrade your look. But when you jump to the next level of this special dress, it really does make a huge difference and bumps up your style quotient to 1000! It’s the difference between looking good and GREAT!

Personal Shopper Tips:

• Know your body type and be ruthless in picking what is just the right style and fit for you. If they don’t have your size, you can always go one size up and have it altered.
• Every garment will need some alterations from the rack, even a designer dress! Make sure to get the alterations done immediately at the Boutique or department store so when you get it home it is good to go!
• Choose a fabric that is seasonless, such as silk or cool wool, viscose or rayon and and not too summery in style… Have a quick look at the Trends for Fall 2011 and get something that will carry you right over to next season!
• If you only find styles that are very summery, remember that layering other pieces such a cardigan, jacket or blouse can give you a whole new look for the Summer/Fall transition while having a wonderful new summer frock to wear right away!

If you don’t feel confident shopping for these pieces on your own, engage the services of a Personal Stylist, Personal Shopper or Image consultant to help you out. It will take the stress out of finding the right pieces for you, save you a lot of time and money in the long run and make you look and feel fabulous!

I’d be very happy to help you out! Send me an e-mail and let’s get acquainted to see which of my packages best suits you!

• Reinvent your wardrobe style this season with the fall’s hottest hue: camel
• Transform your image with modern sophisticated wardrobe essentials that will enhance best assets
• Add dimension and drama to your look with a “spot” of leopard and a “pop” of red which will become your ticket to polished elegance with a personal touch

Stockists

From left to right

• 3.1 Phillip Lim Robe Coat – $1,100
• Tahari Lori Gathered-Neck Dress – $348
• Akris Dalmatian-Print Wool Skirt – $895
• Shrunken Wool Blazer – $160
• Tucker Story of Passion Tie Neck Dress – $318
• Elie Tahari Jayden Wide-Leg Pants – $248
• Tory Burch Leopard-print rabbit jacket – $1,450
• James Jeans Hector Boot-Cut Jeans – $163
• Heritage waist belt – $58
• Stuart Weitzman Dolly Pump – $365
• Sam Edelman – Effie – $129.95 $103.96 Charles David black glazed
• leather ‘Rumbler’ tall riding boots – $270
• Nordstrom Calf Hair Satchel – $358
• Vince Camuto – Rues2 – $98
• Chloé ’2189L’ Embossed Leather Inset Sunglasses – $378
• Michele Deco Diamond Gold-Tone Ladies’ Watch MWW06A000079 – $1,145
• DOMINIQUE AURIENTIS Bracelet – $260
• Freelook Unisex HA1134GM-3 Matte Gold plated Stainless Steel with Roman Numeral Watch – $199

‘Big Up Yer Chest’ – you’ve heard the best – the rapping dairy famers from Yeo Valley – a producer of organic yoghurts and dairy products – are registering more impact and buzz on social networking networks than the show itself. Strategically placed 2-minute long ads during the X-Factor breaks have registered over 9 million impressions in the first week of showing on Twitter, with repeat impressions for the following broadcast. The ad features 4 v good looking farmers strutting their stuff and rapping in a hip-hop spoof, filmed at the real Yeo Valley farm, whilst looking like an ad for Burberry. Facebook fans are campaigning to make the Yeo Valley Crew No.1 single for Christmas, with the tune downloadable from iTunes.

This campaign is the genius of advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, definitely an agency who gets the UK ‘yoof’ market. Rosie Arnold, the BBH Deputy Executive Creative Director, talked about the idea of the campaign: “What we wanted to do was make Yeo Valley Organic popular for everybody. We wanted to make people pronounce Yeo Valley correctly and get everybody talking about it. So that’s how we came up with the rap idea.” Check out below ‘The Making of The Yeo Valley Ads’ which shows a behind the scenes peak of making the ad, the talent involved and discussion of the concept.

Here shows the actual completed ad, delivered by YeoTube! – yes, really. It’s that kind of detail which separates the farmers from the flock, the agencies from the amateurs. At date of posting the Yeo Valley ad has been viewed by 1,287,129 viewers:

Ted the Owl
Just discovered, Ted the Dancing Owl in the ad is actually named after Ted, a hand-reared orphan owl who is cared for by one of Yeo Valley’s conservation team. Aaawwwh! This alone is enough to make you want to eat their yoghurts. Apparently his dance moves are the real thing and not a camera trick. It is common for them to do this as they are both long and short sighted and this helps them get their focus right.

Humourless critics have called the ads cheesy – for a dairy ad I’m sure they’re delighted. As Simon would say, ‘I don’t like it – I love it!’

Read more about YeoValley here and here!

If you still haven’t had a chance to perfect your summer business wardrobe last month, here are my 5 top picks of chic, summer basics that are key for looking sophisticated, style savvy, and well connected in your business. Every closet should have at least one of these items to help you put your most stylish foot forward during the summer months!

1) Aviator Sunglasses

These classic sunglasses have made a big comeback this season, especially in the gold tone. Aviators are fantastic because they are an ideal shape for any face shape. Just make sure to choose the size in proportion to your face, i.e. smaller frames for petites and larger for medium and bigger women. A fun twist to these shades is a slight shiny glaze on the lenses that add a bit more interest, like the ones that Jessica Parker wears in SITC2. 

2) Nude Shoes: platforms, wedges, or sandals

We are very lucky this summer to have such a wide selection of nude colored shoes! The great thing about the nude color is that we can pair these shoes with anything we already own in our closet, such as prints, stripes, bold color items.  But most of all, the nude color tricks the eye into elongating the leg so we can all look taller and slimmer…add that to platforms and wedges and “voila” mile long legs!

If you are opting for flatter versions, I suggest that you wear them with a shorter length skirt , cropped trousers, so not to make you look too bottom heavy or short.

3) Neutral Tone Shirtdress

Neutral tones are synonymous with elegance because of their slight and soft tones. Summer 2010 is about nudes (gray , champagne, beige). Breezy and easy for summer, a neutral shirtdress is the ultimate wardrobe blank canvas here. When it hits the right thigh length, this dress is always appropriate business wear.  You can pair this number with colorful beads, scarves, jackets, cardigan, etc. and it can be transformed into a Fall/Winter staple with opaque tights for cooler weather. Just make sure to buy the right shape dress for your body type and buy one that’s good quality and will last you for several years of summer sun.

4) Pale Cardigan

A pale, lightweight cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces we can own in the summer. The long V-neck button up style looks  great with all your work separates as well as a being a great piece to layer with for your casual looks. It’s a great piece to keep on hand for blasting air-con and those cool summer nights.  

5) Hoop Earrings

These classic favorites are back with a vengeance this summer. Shiny hoops are an instant pick –me-up to brighten up the face and go with every style accessory. These earrings  look good on all face shapes and give everyone a more youthful appearance. Just be careful with the proportions here. Smaller hoops work better on smaller faces, medium to large hoops are better on larger ladies.

Happy shopping and to your stylish success!

Imagine a model walking out onto the catwalk showing off the hottest designer evening gown.  Halfway onto the runway she lowers her chin, crosses her arms and allows her shoulders to relax and round forward.  Just before she slumps into a swayback posture her manager pulls the proverbial carpet from under her feet.  What happened here?  This model totally reduced the quality of the glitzy dress she was supposed to showcase to the audience.  Of course this is a far-fetched hypothetical scenario but you could imagine how damaging such poor posture would be to any dress coming down the runway.

Ask yourself how many times you wore an outstanding outfit but because of your rounded shoulders, drooping head, crossed arms or slouched back you repelled some amazing compliments from your friends, colleagues and cohorts.  To really become a fabulous dresser you must realize that it’s not what you are wearing but rather how you wear it.  Surely it really does matter what piece you are wearing but my point is that you can wear the best garment and model it poorly if you are not on your best postural behavior.

Here are a few tips on what you should be aware of as you parade down the sidewalk to show off your new attire.  Pull your shoulders back an inch or two, and your head backwards over the top of your shoulders also about a of couple inches.  I guarantee you that it will feel awkward doing this as you will be wondering how you will be perceived by others.  Before you throw in the towel just walk in front of a full length mirror and observe your body posture while you hold this new position.  You will be surprised how natural it looks.  Your friends, even strangers, will start to admire you in ways that you haven’t experienced before.   Comments about your appearance will start to flow freely from others.  It will not take long for your confidence to soar.  Other improvements you may start to notice could be in the neighborhood of higher energy, a prettier smile, better health, stronger relationships, greater and more numerous opportunities, and so on.  Standing tall will be one of the best favors you can do for yourself.

Of course it will take some real practice for some time for you to become totally comfortable with your new posture.  Eventually your stance will become second nature to you as it becomes a habit.  It may also help to do some exercises to strengthen the upper back muscles.  A simple exercise that can be done in the comfort of your home or office is known as shoulder retractions.  Basically all you have to do is tighten the rhomboid muscles (the muscles between your shoulder blades and spine) as tightly as you can and hold the contraction for 10-15 seconds.  Relax for about 10 seconds and repeat for a total of 5-10 repetitions.  If you do this exercise daily for several weeks you will start to naturally improve your body posture therefore making it that much easier as you strut down the proverbial runway of life modeling your glitz and glam.

© Robert J. Fenell, D.C.

For over 14 years Dr. Robert J. Fenell, D.C. has helped relieve thousands of patients from their debilitating hand and foot pain.  He has also helped train hundreds of other chiropractors in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and many other hand and foot conditions.  Get your FREE hand and foot kit at:  www.handandfootpain.com