Is Your Style in Crisis Mode

It's so easy to get into a rut with your look. If you've gained weight or gone through a major life situation, or had the kid's schedules to deal with before your own, it can happen faster than you can say frumpy. People often think no one is looking at them, and it doesn't matter how they look. The common thinking seems to be that it's easier to throw on a big t-shirt and some jean shorts and flip flops and walk out the door, than to take the time to look pulled together.

Lack of attention to what you wear and how you put yourself together will age you faster than almost anything. On the other hand, a little attention to yourstyle will take the years off and up the "hot" factor faster and less painfully than anything else available, if you address the key areas. Do you need to update your look? Let's find out.

• Does everything in your wardrobe match perfectly?
• Is extreme comfort the driving force in your look?
• Have you worn the same foundation for years?
• Do you still outline your lips with dark liner or your eyes with cobalt blue?
• Do you wear stockings with sandals or flesh colored pantyhose.
• Have you ever had your teeth whitened?
• Are your skirts too long, covering your great legs?
• Do you wear mostly black, white and beige or just black?
• Do you feel color and pattern are NOT for you?
• Do you hide your curves in shapeless clothing, or wear your clothes too big?
• Do you wear only flats and or man sandals?
• Do you have eyeglass frames from 5-10 years ago or longer?

As you can see there are many things that you may be unaware you're doing that need a little tweaking. So what to do if you recognize yourself on the list? Or if you just know you need to do something but don't know where to start? Let me offer a few suggestions. Decide your highest priority first. Would it be your work attire, or your dating style or your casual off work look that is calling for the most attention? If it's everything then still just pick one focus at first. It's a process.

Once you decide where to start, you have to commit to revamping all the way. A few new outfits won't look right if your hair is still in a ponytail and a scrunchy. So get your most stylish friend to recommend the best hairstylist and colorist he or she knows, book a consultation and let them do what they do best. Read some style books, I like "How Not to Look Old, by Charla Krupp and Style Rx by Bridgette Raes. And there are plenty for men to choose from as well. I like Details for men, from the Magazine Details. These books are invaluable for their inspiration and ideas.

Finally, invite your friends to help you try on clothes in front of a full length mirror (this is a must have) and move out anything that doesn't work well on you any longer. If you think this would be like the blind leading the blind, hire a personal stylist to guide you. If you find the right stylist for you, it will be right up there with the best investment you ever made in yourself. Because you can go from fair to fabulous right before your very own eyes, and look better than you ever thought you could, right now. Style rut? Not anymore