Traci McBride

Traci McBride is the wardrobe stylist of TeeMcBee Image Consulting and is a longtime supporter of nonprofit Dress for Success-Cleveland. She encourages readers to subscribe to her timely e-zine, schedule a style strategy call, or request her to infuse your staff or organization with a passionate professional punch of style to elevate everyone. Visit www.STYLEDbyTee.com to connect and be inspired.

Punctuate Your Holiday Vibe | fashion, style, vibe, fabrics, color

Looking forward to the near Holiday celebrations with friends, family, and business can be daunting for many women I speak to. With all the stress around all the Holiday deadlines, work, gifts, and entertaining, the last thing you need to worry about is how you dress up and show up. A little pre-planning is necessary.

Let me help you with some essential tips and advice.

Details of Silver, gold, pearls, and all the shiny details can up your style quota – just not too much of a good thing, or it could go cluttered or tacky.

Avoid over-accessorizing because we are not Iris Apfel, the one-hundred-and-two-year-old style icon. Iris believes “more is more, less is a bore,” but it is about how intentional Iris is about her accessories – usually, both arms are loaded with the same theme and color story of bracelets. The layering of necklaces is downright awe-inspiring. Most of us have to live in a different working environment – so keep that in mind.

For example, if you love a statement necklace, you might not want to layer on statement earrings, rings, and bracelets. Let one statement piece be the star of the show, and anything else becomes a supporting player and looks intentional. At least once a season, I layer on every pearl necklace I own in different lengths to make a statement with a solid garment choice. Last year, I wore the pearls with a cobalt blue velvet dress, added some sequins pointy-toe flats ( I gave up heels years ago), and felt dolled up – it was stunning and comfortable yet appropriate for the event.

Stick to the classics, and you won’t go wrong. Consider these if you are more of a trendsetter and want to add some new trends to your wardrobe: elevated luxe materials and embellishments such as bows and beads. If you prefer wearable romance, look for draped dresses, beaded bustier, and sheer blouses. If you like a bolder look, go for pops of color or mismatched prints—a few 2023 trends concern classic plaids, vests, pleather blazers, and pants. Whatever you choose, be sure it fits your body shape and coloring.

Fabrics speak volumes: Velvet, satin, brocade, suede, leather and lace. A little goes a long way to communicating the season and elegance.

Too often, women tell me that they ran out of time and spent all their energy and money on everyone else, falling short in how they felt and looked in all those Facebook and family photos that always have a habit of showing up for years to come.

Are you the one that ducks when you see someone pull out their camera? Do you ‘hide’ behind Auntie Ruth or grab the nearest baby or small child to block your body or partially cover your face?

Trust me, you are not fooling anyone. You are experiencing a lack of confidence & joy. The best quick cure I know is getting some personal style advice to dress confidently daily.

I don’t believe we must rush out and buy something new for the Holiday. The goal is to Glam things up and create a unique combination of what we already own. I have shopped in many closets and found great garment orphans needing styling with other unexpected items to create a new outfit. I suggest playing with your clothes to see what you can come up with.

Dump the all-black all-the-time default, brighten your skin, and blur the lines on your face by wearing your POWER COLORS for your skin tone – at least near your face.

Here are some powerful and flattering unexpected color combinations to wear:

Leopard & Kelly Green

Cobalt Blue & Orange

Chocolate & Red

Networking Holiday Events – Consider what you do for your business, get the right balance in your look but still be authentically you, and always consider the clientele you want to attract– Business expectations must be considered. Helping women figure this out in their wardrobe is my specialty. Creating a wardrobe that communicates your confidence is the key regardless of age, shape, or size.

What would your ideal client expect from different professions? What do you expect from the people you want to hire for the services you need?

CPA| financial Advisor| Banker: Detail-oriented, prepared, and relatable.

Graphic Artist | Designer | Creative: Edgy, out-of-the-box thinker.

Marketing: Communication, unique, playful and intentional

Sales | Realtor: Polished, put together, approachable, memorable

Are your clothing choices reflecting the expectations? Use prints, fabrics, textures, and colors to attract your desired business.

Quick change from workday to glam night out by planning with accessories. Wear dress slack and a cardigan with ankle boots to work; switch to a lux blazer, heels, and evening jewelry. Freshen your lipstick and add a penciled cat eye for more glam.

Dress authentically and be your fun, festive self; all good things will come your way.

Traci McBride is a Life Stylist and founder of TeeMcBee Consulting Ventures, LLC, focused on individual personal styling and wardrobe management since 2008. Traci worked with and has been certified by Style for Hire’s Stacy London a celebrity stylist.

Visit Traci at www.TeeMcBee.com or her home styling website, Zhooshing Spaces, offering services virtually & in-person, starting with a complimentary Chat with Tee. Schedule a 30-minute call by visiting one of our websites.

Summer is Short: 7 Best Practices for Shopping the Sales

Schedule a Style Strategy Phone Chat at TeeMcBee.com

What do the holidays, the end of the year, an end of a season, Labor Day, July 4th and Memorial Day all have in common? Sales! But before jumping on the sale bandwagon and splurging on great discounts, be cautious, be aware, and be patient. How do you do that? Read these guidelines carefully before bringing all those discounted items up to the cash register.

1. Be true to your size. Shop for the body you have now, not the body you assume you’ll have after you lose those holiday pounds or after your New Year’s detox. The only exception is if you love the item so much and it’s close to fitting. If you are confident that simple alterations will make it fit you perfectly, then go for it. But remember that extensive alteration charges added to the price of the item will make your bargain price disappear.

2. Know the return policy. Huge department stores and well-known brand name stores usually have a great return policy but some items are truly final sales and you won’t be able to return them. Boutiques usually offer store credit at best and sale items may not be returnable. Consignment stores usually have a no return policy. Hopefully, you love what you buy and will wear it but recognize from the start what type of return policy makes you feel most comfortable so you won’t be disappointed.

3. An incredible sale can be a huge deception. Sale items that are practically discounted to nothing may seem like steals but there is a reason why they are marked down. If you buy something and never wear it, that incredibly outrageous sale item is a 100% bad investment.

4. Check out websites before perusing racks. If you are planning to go shopping at a specific store, check out their website first. You may be able to find a coupon to use, a scheduled extra discounted day, or something that is on sale only online.

5. Know your inventory before investing in more. What items are missing from your wardrobe and what items are you well stocked up on? When shopping, we tend to load up on the items that we are familiar with and most likely have a version of them already. Make an inventory list of what you need and shop sales with the intention of filling your needs first.

6. Fitting it in with ease. Before saying yes to a sale item, ask yourself if it will slide right into your wardrobe. If you can wear it with other pieces you already own, then it’s a keeper. If the piece will make you have to shop for supporting pieces, the sale item just turned expensive.

7. Turn bargains into bodacious outfits. Let TeeMcBee help you shop those enticing sales and get you in to what’s right for your wardrobe. Or if you’ve done your bargain shopping and need help getting your sales items to work into your wardrobe, Tee can help get you to create great looking outfits that you can wear now. Let’s make ten new outfits using your new pieces. TeeMcBee will help you truly enjoy your bargains!

Summer is short – make the most of it with TeeMcBee pulling it all together and creating a virtual LOOK BOOK so you just rinse & repeat.

How to Love Everything You Wear & Wear Everything You Love

Can you imagine having a wardrobe of pieces you love and wearing them on a regular basis? You can! Even if today you don’t spot a lot of love when you look into your closet, there are simple steps you could take to turn that around.

Here’s a heads up: You may need to develop some new habits, make a few edits or add a few pieces to your wardrobe, but I know you’re up to it!

Here’s a list of steps that will move you ever closer to having a fully functioning wardrobe that you love and that loves you back.

1. Pull out some pieces you’re fond of but haven’t been wearing. Put them in the front of your closet so they’re in full view every time you open your closet door. Challenge yourself to choose one of those items each day and wear them in outfits this week.

2. Edit out the items you love but that don’t work anymore, such as a blouse that no longer fits, pants that itch or are too short, etc. No excuses. Let go of items that don’t serve you.

3. Wear the family treasures handed down to you by loved ones. You don’t have to wait for special occasions to wear Aunt Sally’s silk scarves that you loved as a kid.

4. Put shoe trees inside your favorite shoes as soon as you take them off at the end of the day. Shoe trees will preserve the shape of your shoes and extend the life of them.

5. If something looks yellowed, tired or dingy, remove it from your closet so your favorite pieces will come into focus.

6. Hang up your clothes at the end of the day instead of leaving them in a heap. All too often, people send clothes to the cleaners or wash and dry them when all they really need is to be hung up and aired out.

7. Use a full-length mirror as a tool to aid you in building outfits from items you love and to fully appreciate how great you look. I have one in my room where I dress and one in the garage to do a last moment look with my coat and gloves on before getting in the car.

8. It’s easy to love a garment that feels good. It may be time to edit any items in your closet that are scratchy or uncomfortable.

9. If you’re not wearing a favorite necklace because you need a certain earring style to go with it, go shopping. The sooner you have that earring, the sooner you’ll love wearing that necklace. I have a running list of items that would be great additions when time and budget allow. I keep it tucked in my wallet. It also keeps me on track to avoid buying more than needed.

10. If you have a favorite pair of shoes or a handbag that’s showing wear, take it to a professional who will bring it back to life.

11. Use Pinterest or Instagram images to inspire new ways to wear jeans, pants, skirts, or dresses. Look at unique color combinations that appeal to you and give them a try to spice things up.

12. Remove the plastic from your dry cleaned items as soon as you get them home. Your clothes will last longer if you do!

13. If you have tarnished silver accessories that you aren’t using, polish them up so you reach for them more often. If you know the maintenance of certain items is more than you want to do, donate or sell the items.

14. Attend in-store fashion shows to learn new styling tips to try at home. Just avoid being sold on items you don’t really need or want.

If you look in your closet and see items that are neither uplifting nor inspiring, let’s chat. Complimentary Style Chat Sessions are informative and fun. I can help you create a wardrobe that fits your needs so you’ll be loving everything you wear!

Working from Home & the Toll on Personal Presence

Lessons Learned & PROS & CONS

Having worked from home for the past 20+ years, I have learned a few things. Helping many solo entrepreneur clients who work from home has shown me even more. During all the years I had to deal with rush hour traffic, I constantly mumbled how “Someday I will do something that won’t include white knuckle driving.” Fast forwarding a decade finds me working as a realtor in the suburbs. I enjoyed so many advantages of being a young mother of two active sons while being able to be at every teacher conference, holiday party and even be the room mom. One thing that suffered was personal attention to myself. In those days I never had a day off. As a realtor when the phone rang I went. Weekends were for clients and open houses.

I felt ‘off’ when I didn’t have time to put myself together — from my hair and make-up to my clothes. My self-confidence would be zapped. It took me a while to realize what it was, but once I did figure it out, I made a commitment to myself. A streamlined daily routine was the key.

It’s easy to think, “Well I don’t need to see a client today, so I won’t bother with dressing in anything nice. Instead I’ll wear gym clothes and skip hair and makeup. But those days can become more and more frequent until you figure it is fine to go out and run errands that way. Once that happens, your personal presence unravels in a way you didn’t intend.

I even have retired clients that have gotten lost after not having to dress for work any longer. One particular client called after seeing my article in Boomer & Beyond Magazine telling me she found herself changing three to five times before going to a car show with her husband. She no longer had her professional wardrobe to cling to and wanted support in figuring out her retirement style. She was adamant about not wanting to look frumpy or give up style. We have different needs at every stage of our lives — that is why I named my book: Mastering Your Evolving Style because we are always evolving.

Let me expand on these lessons.

Lesson #1: Create a Daily Dressing Routine and Stick to it NO MATTER WHAT.

Lesson #2: Create a Clutter-Free environment. Clutter Demands Constant Attention and Distracts You.

Lesson #3: Set a Timer for EVERYTHING Even Your Lunch Break!

Lesson #4: Teach those around you, kids and adults, to HONOR your Work hours — No Interruptions!

Lesson #5: Create systems so the unexpected doesn’t throw you off course — not even sick kids, client hiccups or snowstorms. Life happens, but it doesn’t have to take you off track.

There are so many PROS of working from home if you can make it happen, and it is what you dream of doing someday. A few friends shared these PROS & CONS.

COMFORT of controlling the temperature, clothing, and atmosphere
WEATHER stress and TRAFFIC are gone as well as traveling expenses.
Less exposure to sick co-workers.
SAVE Money for both employee and employer.
FEWER Interruptions, office gossip and distractions
MORE flexibility for appointments and errands
Improved work-life balance.
More time with family.

The CONS of working from home.

Lack of personal work relationships could affect growth opportunities
Requires the ability to be self-motivated
Easy to misinterpret emails
Hard to separate work and family time
Miss out on some work-related conversations that could be insightful.
Some resources not available (unless you purchased yourself such as a printer, faster internet, scanners, etc.)
Often viewed as less valuable since people can’t always ‘see’ what you’re doing.

Holiday GLAM 2019 by Tee

Make a STATEMENT regardless of where you are going…

Need some inspiration? Here is Tee’s Holiday Glam edition Catalog

Many times we are so busy taking care of all the details of the holiday for our loved ones that we run out of time, energy and funds to take care of ourselves. Show up for yourself by shopping in your closet. I’m sure you have items tucked away that you rarely wear that, when paired with an unexpected texture or color, could be special and make you feel loved and ready for any celebration. Here are some examples:

That silk scarf that your best friend gave you — the one you’ve been saving for a special moment — well every day is a special moment and certainly, the Holidays qualify too — pull it out of the box and google how to tie a scarf so you can wear it now.

Something sparkly or sequined can always be worn now, even if only with jeans. Kick it up a notch. See Tee’s Holiday Glam Catalog here for ideas.

Color is always a mood lifter. It doesn’t have to be red or green but it does need to lift your mood and make you feel as exceptional as you are. Knowing your Power Colors is a great tool to have.

Pins & Brooches, quickly clustered together on a blazer or even a jean jacket, will jazz things up. Even jeweled shoes will make your entire outfit new again. You can always pick up a pair of shoe clips (they aren’t just for weddings.)

Self Love…Baby Steps are better than nothing

Are you the one that ducks when you see someone pull out their camera? Do you ‘hide’ behind Auntie Ruth or grab the nearest baby or small child to block your body or partially cover your face? Trust me, you are not fooling anyone; you are experiencing a lack of confidence and joy along with low self-love.

A few decades ago, I vividly remember a conversation with my mother, Maureen. Mom was an avid “Law & Order” fan. She watched every episode multiple times. I noticed the life view she developed from watching the show of all the bad, evil people out there. Whenever I shared that I was going downtown or taking a road trip out of town, she was so worried something would happen, always warning me to be careful because there is so much crime.

You see, the constant exposure to a crime show had tainted her beliefs that all of this was happening constantly even though no one in our family had experienced anything like what happened on that show.

On that visit, I suggested mom watch Oprah instead because the current show was focused on positive, self-love topics. I asked Mom, “Do you love yourself, Mom?” She replied, “Oh that is ridiculous Traci, why would I even think about that.” I shared with her the impact on me of a book I had been reading daily, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. I shared with Mom the mirror exercise from the book, how it was suggested to look directly in the mirror into your eyes and tell yourself ‘I love you’ without looking away. Of course, most people experience tears when doing this, but the author encourages us to keep doing it daily until we no longer cry or look away. This was a very empowering exercise for me when I lost my mojo in my early thirties.

Mom never did what the book suggested; instead she continued to feed herself a negative diet of life from TV. I, on the other hand, did the exercise and still, twenty-some years later, repeat many of the affirmations from this book. Whatever helps us move the needle to self-love is worth it — your life depends on it. Baby steps are better than nothing. You are worth it.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.

Why the Bee? My Story on Branding…

Tweaking and building on my brand is an ongoing pleasure for me. Branding your business is an indelible impression, so much like a tattoo, you want to give a lot of thought to it. During my very early years in business, on a shoestring budget, I visualized Service Icons to represent each of my main service offerings.

You might wonder why I felt this way. Because I know we are visual beings in every area of our lives; and I like having a great visual to go along with descriptive names for my services.

My Service Icons all have a Bumblebee

A question I am often asked is, “Why the bee?” You’ll note my name is not McBee, it’s McBride, but I have a bumblebee in each of my icons. Well here is the story. The bee’s story is one of triumph against the odds. In aerodynamic terms, bees shouldn’t be able to fly. Their bodies are too heavy and their wings are too small. And yet they fly, achieving the impossible every day! In addition, we need bumblebees to pollinate the world so we enjoy flowers, fruit, and honey in our lives. Without bees, the world wouldn’t be the same.

At the time of choosing the bumblebee, the wonderful happy color of yellow became my brand color along with black and white. Now more than a decade later, I’ve developed an obsession with yellow. Both my book and journal are boldly covered in the bumblebee colors along with my other favorite visual, stripes. What brand colors do you have? How did you decide on those colors or symbols?

Many times in my life, I didn’t have the belief in myself to act on the opportunities that showed up. Each time I said, “No, I don’t know enough to do that,” someone would say, “You know more than you think you do” and would see in me the strength or talent that I did not see in myself.

I was smart enough to listen to them and take the chance to say YES to myself so I could have the confidence to explore and take on the opportunities that came to me. Looking back over the years those situations led me to the very best people, jobs and businesses of my life. I’m so completely humbled and filled with gratitude for the angels that were sent to me to say just the right things at just the right moments in my life.

I like to pay it forward by being that person in others’ lives, whether it be a neighbor, relative, client or even a stranger … choosing to point out to them the very best of themselves. Perhaps it’s just a smile or a compliment, and sometimes it’s sharing a not-so-bright time in my life that will help them see that no one has it all together all the time. We all have ups and downs, but “believe in yourself” is the best advice ever. It worked for me and I just know it can work for you.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.

COATS COATS COATS

Building a wardrobe of coats to fit your lifestyle!

Always honor your body shape when adding to your Coat Wardrobe

Living in N.E. Ohio requires us to be prepared at a moment’s notice to have optional outerwear available. Just as we need different types of shoes or boots for wet, snowy and icy days, we need coats that perform for our unique weather conditions. And we need the appropriate type of coat for different social situations. Having access to coats in my catalog of coats in every size is important, from xs through 3x is included. I always like to share information that doesn’t discriminate against anyone, regardless of which end of the size spectrum you are on.

Would you wear a puffy ski coat over a suit or a cocktail dress?

Now I love a coat that does MORE in your closet! The magic is in the way you style it and whether you wear the faux fur collar or hood. Look for coats in yummy colors like eggplant, ivory, and navy. Below you will find: a STATEMENT COAT CATALOG that I have personally created for you to see strong examples of great statement coats you can add to your coat wardrobe this season.

https://hueandstripe.com/catalog/474H&SFhob This link will take you to my hand-selected coat catalog with direct links to make it easy for you to find details and pricing.

A classic blazer is always a useful item in your coat wardrobe. While it’s technically not a coat, it can serve as one in the right conditions. Today as I write this, it is sunny and mid-seventies in September. This grey metallic super stretch is much more elegant than a typical, boxy jean jacket and teamed up with a light sweater or knit scarf, it would take you almost anywhere.

Bust out of the safety of black. If you have one black coat, go for your POWER COLOR in your next coat.

Next, be mindful of getting the right cut for your BODY SHAPE I.D.

Big busted? Avoid wide lapels and look for an open collar. You can always add a scarf for warmth at your neck.
Petite? Shop in a petite department like Talbot’s.
Are you a Plus Petite? Talbot’s is one of the few brick & mortar stores that you can try them on so you get a tailored look.
Plus size and full-busted? Avoid double-breasted styles. A car coat length in a streamlined style is a good choice.

Personality Plus++ Subtle or Bold – Make your statement count!

Accessorizing Your Statement Coat

Be mindful of the type of materials you choose as they are communicating a message. Cloth gloves will always be more casual than leather. We need to build a wardrobe of gloves and scarves too. Again, focus on your POWER COLORS — the colors that make you appear fresh and ageless.

We want FORM & FUNCTION in everything we invest in. If you like a trend, bring it in with an accessory rather than the whole look top to bottom. Invest in mostly classics that will be freshened each year with whatever you pair them with.

About TeeMcBee Wardrobe Styling & Image Management
www.TeeMcBee.com to schedule a Style Chat with Traci

Is it your turn to invest in yourself? Ready for a fresh perspective with compassion and humor? There is nothing that can replace an educated eye working with your clothes on your body, understanding your lifestyle. General information is helpful, but only to a point. Let’s work together to create your joyful, flattering wardrobe that embraces your entire life in an authentic, meaningful way for your now body.

BODY LANGUAGE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN VOICE WHILE PRESENTING

by Traci McBride

Q: I’m preparing for my first major presentation in front of our entire company of 200, and I am not sure how to dress. I will be on stage and my image will be projected onto screens — including close-ups.

A: Taking the spotlight is exciting. Remember the percentages: 60 percent is VISUAL, 30 percent is BODY LANGUAGE and only 10 percent is VERBAL. Consider where your audience’s attention will be as you prepare your presentation. Let me share some tips to keep in mind.

Just as you practice what you will say, practice while wearing the outfit you choose for the event. Its best to know how the clothes feel, especially if they are new or you have not worn all the pieces in the same combination before. I actually suggest videotaping yourself in your chosen outfit, shoes included, as you go through your speech. A dress rehearsal will save you from awkward moments.

Being visible is the key to keeping the attention of the audience. Learn ahead of time what your surroundings look like, including the background color of the room. This will help you make the best choices. Consider every angle of your appearance. If you’re a woman, be mindful of cleavage as well as the length of your skirt or dress. If you are on a stage, you won’t want to be giving a “special show” to the front row. Be aware of what angles the cameras will be shooting from — up high, level with you or from below. You wouldn’t want a camera to record you from above at such an angle it appears a normally modest neckline is showing too much. Keep it simple but show your shape. Avoid bulky fabrics like sweaters and complicated designs, as they might not present well for a larger audience.

Wear your POWER COLOR! Your energy will be at its best, and others will respond to your energy even if they are not interested in your words. You want to attract their attention and keep it throughout the presentation. Wear neutrals, rich jewel tones or brights.

Avoid all black, as it makes you invisible. You won’t stand out because (as you will see) that is what most of the audience is wearing. Strong contrast is better than going too subtle, but limit yourself to two or three colors to avoid looking busy. Try splashes of bold prints that are easily recognizable, such as leopard, strips or polka dots. We don’t want anyone spending time trying to figure out if it’s a panda or a tiger on your tie or scarf!

Wear flattering, comfortable shoes so you can easily navigate on stage and any stairs. Yes, a shoe can be both flattering and comfortable! Remember, you are commanding the room and are the authority, so a longer and leaner look communicates just that. Ladies, 2-inch to 3-inch heels are good. Please avoid stilettos, as they are never the right choice for professional meetings, and we don’t want the audience distracted from your message watching you teeter on the stage. On the other hand, avoid clunky heavy shoes – this applies to both men and women. Men, avoid wearing the weekend Docker shoes with the thick sole. Go for a sleeker dress shoe in leather.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE

Traci McBride is the wardrobe stylist of TeeMcBee Image Consulting and is a longtime supporter of nonprofit Dress for Success-Cleveland. She encourages readers to subscribe to her timely newsletter, schedule a style strategy call, or request Tee Speaks to infuse your staff or organization with a passionate professional punch of style to elevate and benefit everyone. Visit www.STYLEDbyTee.com to connect and be inspired.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TAILORING

by Traci McBride

Regardless of shape or size, we need to have a good tailor on speed dial. When purchasing new suits or separates off the rack, keeping an eye toward the details of the fit is key. I recommend expecting to tailor to some degree. Women tend to need the same areas tailored on most everything.

Example: I have a client that wears a size 14. In certain brands a 14 is a perfect fit in her length, thigh, seat, and hips — but the waist is 99 percent of the time an inch or two too big. She knows that most of the time she will spend another $15 on that to tweak every pair of pants. She has now calculated that into her clothing budget.

Example: I have a petite client that is on the shorter side of petites. She is 4 feet 11 inches, so even when shopping in the Petite department we will need to tailor a majority of her purchases, usually the length in skirts and dresses. If we love a top or blouse that is not available in Petites, we weigh how much joy the item gives her, as well as the flexibility of the garment to build into multiple outfits, since shortening the blouses is mandatory. We also need to evaluate how much detail is involved in the shortening — pleats, buttons, patterns, lining, etc. — as that will determine the cost of tailoring. More detail equals more cost equals the investment.

Example: Another client is a petite with a short waist and large bust and narrow shoulders. When she fits the largest part of her body (bust) in tops, blouses, and jackets, she has to tailor the sleeve and the waist most of the time. Many times to fit the bust, the shoulder seam sits off her shoulder. If left unattended, this will look sloppy and ill fitted. So we need to address the cost of tailoring if she loves the item and will get enough cost per wear value out if it. Reworking a shoulder can be expensive depending on fabric, lining, pads, and detail. We have found that this year’s abundance of ponte knit blazers has been a blessing for her particular fit issues, and we have invested in a few of those in her power colors. Perfect for pulling a professional look together!

Men have a long history of tailoring their suits, and many stores provide an on-staff tailor for exactly this purpose. Men also have narrow shoulders, wide shoulders, short waists, thick or thin legs, etc., and they have always viewed the tailoring investment as part of the over all cost. Typically they spend much more on one suit but wear it on a weekly basis.

Women tend to have more clothes — mostly as separates — so women sometimes think they can just roll back the sleeve or roll the waist if those areas are too long. I hope you can see the value in paying attention to the details for the details speak volumes about you.

Since I spend an abundance of my time in closets all over Northeast Ohio, I many times find suits or dresses that have been abandoned due to some unflattering detail or fit issues. I always give my advice as to whether or not it is worth the investment of tailoring it or taking the money to purchase something else.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE

Traci McBride is the wardrobe stylist of TeeMcBee Image Consulting and is a longtime supporter of nonprofit Dress for Success-Cleveland. She encourages readers to subscribe to her timely newsletter, schedule a style strategy call, or request Tee Speaks to infuse your staff or organization with a passionate professional punch of style to elevate and benefit everyone. Visit www.STYLEDbyTee.com to connect and be inspired.

Here’s a list of steps that will move you ever closer to having a fully functioning wardrobe that you love and that loves you back.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE

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