ask CARRIE M. “I don’t do fashion. I am fashion.” -Coco Chanel
How can I look my best when posing for pictures this holiday season? It all starts with your outfit. Plan your attire to ensure you’re confident and carefree with your chosen garb, making sure to include your hair in this dress rehearsal. When the flash goes off, put your body into action: squeeze your shoulder blades together and elongate your neck. Avoid standing with your arms flat at your sides; even the most buff guns will appear larger when pressed against the body. Instead, choose your angle, from a slight elbow bend to a confident hand at your waist. With pants, stand with legs slightly apart in a “v”, leaning into one leg. With a skirt or dress, pivot and tuck one heel into the side of the opposite foot. Check the Internet for tons of tips on posing prettily such as 7 Posing Techniques for Non-Models by professional photographer Ben Lucas, and How to Pose in Photos by Sorrelle Amore. What’s the best jean length to wear with booties? Ankle-high boots are here to stay, and irresistible in a plethora of styles. Although easier to fit and more season-friendly than their big sister knee-high boots, they can be complicated when styling. The key to the perfect jean/bootie combination is the proportions surrounding your pant, ankle, and shoe. Assess each outfit and experiment with styling, creating a pant length that shows a bit of ankle and all of the boot. Try a messy, rolled small cuff, a 1” cuff neatly turned up once, or a 2”-3” cuff with two turns of the fabric. Have an old pair of jeans that you’re ready to freshen up? Trim to the perfect length to show off the boot and leave unhemmed. Haven’t time for a major style revolution? Wear with full-length pants. Avoid showing your ankles and treat the boot like a normal shoe, making sure only the toe and heel are peeking out to say hello. Sweaters make me look and feel fat. How can I stay warm but still be cute? Beloved Fair Isle and Irish Knit sweaters bring to mind ski trips and hot cocoa, but don’t perform quite as well on the everyday stage. Search for a less bulky, but still toasty, yarn instead. Crew- and turtleneck sweaters in featherweight Merino wool are available from J. Crew, Banana Republic, Orvis and Land’s
10 KNOXVILLE STYLE MAGAZINE
A dressmaker in a former life, Knoxville Fashion Consultant Carrie McConkey is a “clothes whisperer” for her clients, taking great pleasure in helping them unlock their signature style.
End. Elegant Merino can be worn alone or layered under blazers, scarves, or even sleeveless dresses as the days grow colder. Another coveted option is cashmere. This lightweight wool, shorn from cashmere or pashmina goats, provides warmth and baby-softness. Stock up during end-of-season sales (keep an eye on Talbots) or head to your local vintage store for unique beaded or embroidered cardigan styles. Both cashmere and Merino are washable and long-lasting. Hand-wash, or place in a lingerie bag on the gentle cycle with Woolite or another mild detergent such as Wool & Cashmere Shampoo by The Laundress. Spread on a terry towel upon a flat surface and leave to dry naturally. Why do I look in my closet and think, “I have nothing to wear”? Because you may not! Clothes reside in our closets that no longer fit, need repairs, or are in such a wide array of colors that they become confusing when trying to create outfits. Still others really aren’t our taste, kindly gifted to us by loved ones. Do yourself a favor and set aside time to review your wardrobe. Try on those suspicious pants and acknowledge once and for all they might be a tad too tight. Rescue the sweater with the missing button and make it whole again by taking it for repairs, or sewing it yourself. Store the “thought that counts” gifts in another area of your house. And narrow down your favorite colors, pinkie promising to stick to those colors with future clothing acquisitions. Don’t fear having less in your closet. “Less” also means “less confusion”, and “less decisions to make every morning.” Less is indeed more!
Do you have questions for Carrie? Email her at carrie@carriemfashionconsulting.com Subscribe to Carrie M.’s popular newsletter “Closet Talk!” by visiting carriemfashionconsulting.com Facebook: @carriemfashionconsulting Instagram: @carriemfashionconsulting