BONE-THIN IS NO LONGER "IN"

Ever wonder why those skin-and-bones runway models always look so angry? I figured it out: THEY'RE HUNGRY--THEY NEED A GOOD MEAL!

So here's a boost to our confidence in mankind: Recently Madrid and Milan both banned ultra-thin models from their fashion show runways! As a follow-up, Spain has required all super-skinny mannequins in clothing stores to be replaced with a mannequin that is at least a size 6. And, a bill was passed in the French Parliament making it illegal to "publicly incite extreme thinness." If the Senate passes the measure into law, it will be a crime for anyone--TV producers, advertisers, magazines, websites--to promote or glamorize being super-skinny. Proposed penalties are 2-3 years imprisonment and fines up to $71,000.

And maybe the most unimaginable: France is requiring all clothing manufacturers to follow standardized sizing--so that in any store, in any clothing line, a size 8 will be a size 8. Maybe the French will give us more than a questionable way to kiss!
IMAGINE THAT!!!!!

CIVILITY

So much public bad behavior in one week! Where is the civility in our supposedly civilized society? A recent ABC online news report quoted columnist George Will "blaming the current prevailing rudeness on a 'culture of entitlement' where we celebrate 'emotional exhibitionism' on football fields, cable television, and the Internet. . . .We've decided that it is therapeutic to express oneself no matter how coarse one's thoughts, and that whatever is therapeutic is good. . . I think we're seeing a kind of emotional exhibitionism whereby people say, 'I said something ghastly, but I said it honestly and sincerely.' And honesty, sincerity, and authenticity are self-legitimizing" (www.abcnew.go.com , What Do Public Tirades Say About Our Current State of Civility?, 14 September 2009).

What image do we portray when we treat others with coarse disregard and impatient disrespect? Isn't there almost always a more civil and effective way to communicate passion or frustration than the rude and irresponsible way. A quick second or two to pause and think will allow us to choose a civil path.

TIGHT TREND

Try Tights!

Tights: The answer to the long-debated question of whether to go pale bare-legged and goose-bumped in the cooler weather that's ahead or don the dreaded, aging nylons. All the runways, catalogs, and style photos for the upcoming fall and winter seasons are replete with various shades, textures, and degrees of opaque to near-shear tights. Try them with dresses, skirts, and even winter shorts for a leg-lengthening, skin-warming, sensible and stylish accessory to update your current fall and winter items. Combinations can be monochromatic or complimentary colors, like the brown with gray above. Two caveats--stick with less pattern and texture if your clothing items have pattern and texture, and vice versa. Also be aware that a bulky fabric will add weight to the leg, so adjust the weight of fabric you choose accordingly. And walk tall!

WEDDING BELLS!

Ahhhh, the joys of having one's first child get married!! It was a summer full of flurries of activities getting ready for everyone to travel across the country to attend the wedding, three receptions, and most energy-consuming of all . . . styling the WARDROBES!!! Two sets of clothes in two sets of color schemes--an Image Consultant and Color Consultant's dream come true! There was only one moment of panic when the bride and broom called a few weeks before the Big Day to say that they had changed the color pallette for the wedding photos! I had already carefully shopped and purchased the "perfect" green dress, but with only 10 shopping days left I was now looking for an achromatic dress: black or gray. Ugh. Not my usual or best summer colors. And then I came across a never-worn, formal, silver/blue Dupioni silk suit, stashed in the back of my closet, that I thought would "have to do." After scouring my favorite upscale vintage shop, Rags to Riches, for some great jewelry and some sparkly shoes, I was pretty content with the entire ensemble. I realized when the first photo proofs emerged, that the silver/blue silk was actually a great hue choice, proving once again that color, texture, line, shape, and pattern make the outfit. And really, I couldn't see very well how it all looked through all the tears. More photos to come!!