"I couldn't resist..."

Outfit Makeover

What's wrong with that outfit? Find out free!

Submitted by: Example

Example Remarks:

I couldn't resist picking up this suit when I saw it marked down 50%. Because it's black, it goes with everything, but I never really like the way I look in it. I am a bank manager and I want a fairly conservative look at work. What do you think?

Suggestions:

The main issue here is that it's too dark for you. Black is popular because it goes with everything, but it doesn't suit your coloration. Probably most of your co-workers wear dark suits, especially the men, and especially in winter time, and it is an easy way to look professional. But since dark is not for you, you will have to get a little creative.

Your hair and makeup are too soft for the "power look" of black. Your hair could be a little tighter -- back or even up. Wear your makeup a little stronger. Lip and cheek colors could be "borrowed" from those you usually wear for evening. Apply them sparingly, and use extra mascara.

A common mistake would be to put something very light into your outfit thinking that the light will average out the dark and make everything lighter overall. But very light and very dark combinations create what is known as high value (stark) contrast, which is another thing that you need to avoid.

Instead, try separating the jacket and the skirt. Wear the jacket over a wine dress or a conservative pattern with an etching of black in it (for example, houndstooth, foulard, herringbone). This will allow you to keep the professionalism of the dark while enhancing your own appearance.

Wear your skirt with a toned-down red (such as raspberry) jacket; it could have a touch of black trim. A subtle tweed jacket in black, white and gray, would be another good choice. Either of these could be the jackets from other suits.

Because the darkness of solid black is hard, and your appearance is soft, consider softer lines and textures in the garments you wear with either piece.

In the future, I would recommend getting gray, soft navy, or conservatively patterned suits. It's just easier that way.

Two other incidental items which are comparatively minor and easy to fix. It might be the photo, but it appears your hose are not in harmony with your skin tone. Often people think that colors that are not worn near the face do not need to be in harmony with their personal coloration, but this is not the case. Try a cool nude or a light taupe. Either is much more conservative.

Also, the shape of the pin is too hard. The necklace and earrings are not too hard, but they are a bit too shiny for you and won't go as well with gray. Try something softer and lustrous like marcasite instead, pins and earrings in conservative shapes such as knots. Titanium is another option -- at the other end of the price scale.

All the suggestions made -- in addition to helping you work in your black suit -- are flattering to you under any circumstances and will stand on their own and work with each other, even if you never wear black again.

One final note on shopping: when you are looking for the "wear with" items above, wear the entire outfit -- the suit, heels, jewelry, etc. It might be uncomfortable, but it's the only way you will be able to see what you're doing. For instance, when you're looking for a print, you want to be able to see that it is not too subtle for black and not too bold for you. The trick is to find something between these two, and that is hard to do if you don't have the rest of the outfit with you.