Quick Tips to Improved Style

Wondering what the secret is to obtaining fabulous style? Why is it your style never looks as good as the other women around you? Why do you feel inadequate like you are never good enough? How can you improve your style and feel more confident?

Let go and just be. That's right it's to time to accept yourself...warts and all. You've got to start loving the woman you currently are. This may sound like a bit of  'psycho-babble' but it's the truth. It is all about acceptance.

Stop comparing yourself to other women (I know, I know we do this so well). Really? Really. Instead, put blinders on and concentrate (from this day forward) on being your best version of YOU.

Compare yourself today to the woman you WERE yesterday. From this day forward...you need to be your best you (inside and out). Concentrate on you.

As you work on your style and being your best version of yourself, keep these basic style tips in mind:

1. Think about the fabric. Structured fabrics like cotton twill or wool blends (in the winter) with added stretch create a smooth look. Clingy fabrics show off your body--just be sure you are wearing 'cling' to the good parts you wish to highlight.

2. Your best fit. For sure I'm always saying to wear 'body skimming' clothes...and here I go again! Avoid clothing that is too tight as well as clothing that is too baggy. Fit the widest areas of your body with each garment then ALTER them to fit you correctly. I've never had a client come back and say they REGRET having alterations done--it's the opposite. Clients always come back and tell me it is best things they've ever done for themselves (and why didn't they think to alter their clothing).

3. Balance your proportions. Dressing attractively is all about proportions. We can 'hide' certain body parts and play up other parts as well enjoy trendy styles by knowing which styles 'balance' our shape. Each week at MissusSmartyPants.com in the body type Personal Profiles, I explain in great detail how to dress your shape. When you wear YOUR most flattering styles--and avoid everything else...it's like style Nirvana and the planets align, LOL!

4. Use color and print strategically. Dark colors can help you look slimmer, while bright colors and prints bring attention to wherever they are being worn. Using color and prints to your advantage makes a big difference in how you look in your clothes. Also consider the scale of your prints. For example, a medium scale print is best on a full-figure woman. Avoid anything extra large or small.

5. Complete every look with accessories. Without a doubt great fitting clothes, the right styles for your body type and wearing your best colors will definitely move your style forward! However, don't forget your accessories!!!!!! These are the finishing touches that pull everything together. These are the completer pieces like: sassy animal-print flats, a skinny metallic belt that cinches your waist just so, or a fab statement necklace!

I hope you enjoy more style confidence with these quick tips! Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants

How to have a stylish wardrobe (for once in your life)!

Stuck and don’t know what to wear?

The answer to your quandary is to build a better core wardrobe!

Are you wearing the same boring outfits over and over because you don’t  know what else to wear? Need some ideas of how to mix up your ‘same ‘ol’ wardrobe without spending lots of money?  I thought so!

Although focusing on our wardrobes would seem like a selfish act, it’s actually the exact opposite. In order for your family to get the best from you, you need to feel good about yourself. So, chisel out some “me time” and actually PLAN your wardrobe for once in your life! Because the truth is: when you feel good about what you’re wearing, you feel good about yourself!

More than likely your closet is way too full and yet you can never find anything nice to wear. How do I know this? Because way too many women keep buying clothes and accessories without having any basic wardrobe plan in mind.

A better wardrobe starts with a closet purge. You've got to get in there and see what's in your closet! Once you have de-cluttered (removed) and organized what's left, you can then begin to build a fantastic wardrobe! Remove from your closet what’s not being worn and then organize what’s left. (You know the saying: “You can’t see the forest through the trees”) well this holds true with your wardrobe too. To begin your quest for a better wardrobe, you must do a closet purge first. 

Statistically speaking, 9 out of 10 women have too many clothes in their closet. That’s a lot of closets in need of desperate help! Here’s what can happen when your closet is too full…has this happened to you? You are looking for the only black pants (out of six pairs) that fit you just right…you’ve searched your closet, dug through the dirty clothes, looked in the washer and in the ironing pile too—yet you still can’t find your favorite pants! Perhaps you accidentally hung them up in your husband’s closet? Later that evening, as you struggle to pull something else out of your way-too-full closet—Bingo! There they are! Your favorite black pants! They were in your closet all along.

Start with a basic wardrobe. By owning fewer pieces (yes, less clothes) you will actually be more stylish. It’s like magic, less clothes will give you more wear-able items to wear!

Your ‘STYLE RULES’ for building a quality wardrobe. Build your core wardrobe with items like... semi-fitted tee shirts (short, 3/4 and long sleeve) a variety of blouses/tops, selection of casual and dressy pants, solid colored dresses and skirts, casual and dressy blazers/jackets, other items (depending upon lifestyle and climate) winter coat, matched suiting. For a complete list of "Wardrobe Basics" join MissusSmartyPants.com for more specific style help based on your body type!

1. From now on, only allow new clothes in your closet that fit your body well--nothing else! (Nothing baggy, nothing too tight).

2.Your closet will only be filled with clothes that relate to each other. Nothing can be added unless it can help you create at least two new outfits.

3. Most of your clothing items should span multiple seasons to maximize their use.

All of these aforementioned ‘style rules’ will simplify dressing and save you precious time every morning!

An organized closet has fewer clothes in it (only the ones you really do wear) + everything is within view!

At MissusSmartyPants.com you learn which styles (based on your own body shape) make your body look it’s best. You also learn which basics will give you the most wearable options. Won't it be nice to be able to pull out something terrific to wear each and every day? You’ll be able to if you follow the basic wardrobe plan shared at MissusSmartyPants.com.

‘Wardrobe basics’ will save you money because you only purchase clothing that fits into your ‘wardrobe basics’ plan. No more wasting money on costly impulse purchases (even if the item was “on sale”)! Get a list of ‘basics’ and start (slowly) building the decent wardrobe (you as a grown woman) do deserve. Remember, basic pieces are investment items, so don’t be afraid to spend a little more on them since you’ll wear them over and over again. Also, have them altered, if needed so they fit you like a glove. You deserve great fitting clothes that flatter your body.

Your “Essential Wardrobe Basics” List:

When purchasing basic wardrobe items, keep your lifestyle in mind. For example, a business executive would do best to purchase a black pencil skirt in a fine wool, while a stay-at-home mom might prefer her skirt in a casual cotton fabric. You get the idea, base  these wardrobe suggestions below on your lifestyle as well as the climate you live in.

As you plan your wardrobe, decide what neutral color (one or two colors) you wish to base your wardrobe plan on. Then, select one or two accent colors. Accent colors are colors you know you look good in (you always get compliments when wearing) and love wearing. 

From now on.... you'll never open your closet and wonder why you have so many clothes, yet NOTHING to wear! (This might not be what your closet will look like...but you get the idea of how great it will feel to have only fabulous clothes in there you LOVE!)

A wardrobe plan and a closet with fabulous basics will make this happen! If you have style questions, email me at: missusmsp@yahoo.com

Love, Leslie AKA MissusSmartyPants

Dress with Confidence

Want to increase your self-confidence? Hmm, I thought you'd say YES! 


One thing I know for sure that can boost your confidence like nothing else is: dressing well! And when you make it part of your daily routine, well something 'magical' starts to happen...

What are you going to wear today that makes you feel like a million bucks?

There is something magical and powerful about dressing yourself like you matter. Dressing well helps you give off a vibe of self-confidence--and others will believe in that confidence that you are exuding.


Here are some style tips to help you boost your self confidence:

• Are you stuck in a style moment? Time to break out! Find 2 new styles that refresh your look. You will feel confident in clothes that suit your personal style and body shape.

• Solids first. Wear more solid colors. Don’t wear too many prints--they go out of style so quickly.

• A little mystery. Don’t over-expose. Something left to the imagination is always a better way to dress.

• Find your colors. Find up to three colors that make you look alive and you feel great in. Make them YOUR signature colors. Need help deciding if "warm" or "cool" colors are your Season? Order a MSP Seasonal Color Analysis: http://missussmartypants.com/CDA5240F87574D8387EBDE8FEC733210/page/display.asp?id=20123

• Stretch and bend. Look for clothes made with 1-2% Lycra. Body skimming clothes look best and should have some stretch in them so you can move comfortably.

• A classic move. Stay with the classics when you are not sure if the trendy styles are right for you. Your confidence will never be in doubt when you are wearing a classic style.

•  Indulge in something special. No, it doesn’t always mean chocolate! (Although a little chocolate indulgence never hurt anyone, LOL!) Invest in a quality purse or shoes. Great accessories ALWAYS up your style quotient.

• Use accessories. Show your individual personality with your choice of accessories. Try trendy accessories to update your look. A great way to spend less this season, yet feel so "on-trend"!

• Check the 'do. If you haven’t changed your hairstyle since…hmm you can’t remember how long... consider this a written invitation. Nothing makes you feel better and fresher than an up-dated hairstyle!

• Stop fussing. Leave the lacey, ruffles and frilly stuff to the young girls. Fussy clothes are harder to wear when you are older.

• Bling fling. Too much jewelry confuses your whole look and is just chaotic. Try one focal piece of jewelry instead.

• All together now. Get your basics together. Lay out your outfit the night before. This way you know what to wear in the morning—stress-free!

• Get your creative juices flowing. You may not have as many style options as you did when you were twenty--you just have to be more creative. Have fun with your style, because you deserve it.

• Be adventurous! Try new styles and purge old clothes that you will never (or should never) wear. Updating your style can make feel like a young girl again! Enjoy the adventure.

Every morning you have to get dressed…so why not start your day with fabulous style and enjoy the self-confidence it brings!


BIO: Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women dress their best! Check out her website for more information how you can start your own style makeover! http://www.missussmartypants.com/

Divine Style = Simplicity

Divine Style = Simplicity

Simple dress...and one show-stopping necklace!

(Chico's Rosemary Wrap Dress)

So often when women get excited about re-discovering their style...they want to pull out all the fashion stops! They pile on the jewelry, match their shoes to their handbag + add a bit more accessories just for good measure.

In reality when you take a moment and disect what a well styled woman is wearing--there's not all that much to her outfit. Yes, she's got divine style but more importantly she's using the style rule of simplicity.

The phrase "less is more" certainly applies when it comes to great style. Wearing clothes that fit you well, allowing the simple lines of the garment drape over your body, allowing "blank space" just to BE...then adding that ONE show stopper item (it could be a fancy jacket, a statement necklace, a hat, a scarf, animal print shoes, or a handbag like no other)...the key word here is: ONE. One item reins supreme.

Simplicity does not mean boring. In case you're starting to think this sounds a little plain and boring, I promise you it's not. It simply means NOT overadorned!

Overadorned is chaotic and cluttered. When you wear ruffles, belts, scarves, bangles, sequins all in one outfit...it begins look too fussy. Overdone is not great style.

Go easy or avoid all together embellishments like these:

• Ruffles. Yes, right now they are trendy. But honestly too much foo-foo ruffles are juvenile and not very stylish after all. Would you wear them if they weren't considered stylish?
• Ribbons, bows and border embroidery. Does it add to the style of the garment or is it just added to keep you from ignoring the poor construction of the garment? Does the border trim ADD an unflattering horizontal line in the middle of your body? Do you need all this jazz added to look good?
• Appliques. Need I tell you they give a cheesy homemade look to everything?

How to have simple, elegant, classic style:

• Jewelry. A great way to dress up a simple outfit. The simpler the outfit the more jewelry you can get away with. Check yourself in a full-length mirror, if it looks too showy take something off.
• Balance accessories. If you are wearing large earrings, do without a necklace. If you are wearing a large necklace, keep your earrings on the small side. Lots of bracelets stacked on your arm? No need for a big necklace too.
• Use your tools. Style tools, that is. No woman should be without a full-length mirror. No one sees you from only the waist up...therefore YOU should see the WHOLE picture (head to toe) before heading out the door!
• Experiment. Play around and try on (in front of your full-length mirror) various combinations of accessories to see what looks most pleasing to you.

Your style should come across as EFFORTLESS! Yves Saint Laurent once said, "The woman should wear the clothes, not the clothes wear the woman."

Divine style = simplicity.
Give it a try...or rather try not so hard and your style will show through with simplicity!

Love, Leslie