ask CARRIE M. “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”
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.
- Ralph Lauren
I can’t put it off any longer…I have to buy a swimsuit this year. Help! Start early and create a plan to simplify your search. Will you be chasing after your children, socializing at a pool party, relaxing in the sun, or romping in the surf? This helps determine whether you need a supportive and secure suit for frolicking with freedom, or a more glamorous one or two-piece that looks pretty when posing. Opt for bright colors and patterns around the smaller regions of your bod, with dark, solid colors on bigger areas. If you are larger in the bust and wish to wear a bikini avoid a triangle top. Support the girls by looking for an underwire and structure with substantial straps. Smaller busts should opt for ruffles and bright prints and celebrate being able to pull off a bandeau. Most of all, don’t fret about the size—it’s the fit that matters most. I’m craving fashion inspiration. What are your favorite books on style? For beach reading or anytime, pick up these reads to reset your style dial. “What Not to Wear” host Stacy London’s The Truth about Style is a warm and endearing examination of the barriers holding us back from embracing our appearance. Containing copious photographs documenting real life women on their style journeys, London provides hundreds of tangible tips for body types of all kinds while revealing her own fashion challenges. Style Forever, How to Look Fabulous at Every Age by fashion journalist and blogger Alyson Walsh is a jewel. Containing mesmerizing fashion illustrations by Leo Greenfield, Style Forever discusses the latter part of a woman’s life as it relates to fashion. From practical tips (should you go grey?) to inspiring stories on real women who refuse to stop evolving (think The Accidental Icon), Walsh’s book is not as much of a “how to” book as an eloquent literary guide to aging with style. How can you avoid underarm stains on lighter colored clothing? (And remove if it’s too late!) . Yellow underarm stains are a downer when it comes to your favorite light or white clothes. To avoid this, don’t overapply
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your deodorant/antiperspirant, and make sure it dries completely before getting dressed. For further protection, washable Dritz Garment Shields can be sewn or pinned into the inside lower armhole of a sleeved garment. Disposable options are also available and can be found online. Using an organic deodorant is an alternative due to the lack of chemicals that contribute to the yellowing, and improvements are being made continually in their effectiveness. If you can’t part from a traditional sweat-fighter, an online rumor exists that Old Spice doesn’t cause stains. Looking to rescue an already stained garment? On light, washable fabrics, combine a tablespoon each of liquid dishwashing soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Turn the garment inside out and use a clean toothbrush to apply the mixture to the stain. Gently brush to work in the paste, letting it sit for an hour. Wash and dry normally. Do you have any tips for travel packing? The biggest hurdle when embarking on a trip is finding time to pack. Years ago, while packing for a beach vacation, I logged everything into a Word document. I repeated for a business trip. I have added and subtracted from these lists based upon each subsequent excursion. Regarding your wardrobe, try the 3-3-3 Rule: three tops, three pairs of pants, three pairs of shoes, three dresses, etc. Choose a consistent color palette and mix and match these items for enough looks to wear seven to ten days. Roll your packed clothes and hang them as soon as you get to your destination. Purchase a travel steamer for easy touch-ups. Use roll-on perfumes. When you’re flying, wear your heaviest items on the plane (jeans, boots). For longer trips I bring the comforts of home—a washcloth and cozy socks for softness and comfort, and my own blanket for hotel rooms that have a thin sheet and a thick comforter. Don’t forget your portable phone charger! Do you have questions for Carrie? Email her at carrie@ carriemfashionconsulting.com Subscribe to Carrie M.’s popular newsletter “Closet Talk!” by visiting https://carriemfashionconsulting.com/ Facebook: @carriemfashionconsulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriemfashionconsulting
