Category Archives: image consultant

Update for Spring: Knee High Gladiator Boots

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Not everyone wants to splurge every season on a brand new updated wardrobe. Sometimes all you have to do is add in some fresh pieces that will make old clothing look new. Accessories are less expensive than clothing so you can buy a few pieces that are current and wear them for multiple seasons.

If you are looking for a mini makeover, a super-hot update to your spring 2013 is a gladiator boot. Shown at multiple Spring 2013 collections, this fun and sassy shoe is super fun and eye-catching. While they may look intimidating, they are actually pretty easy to wear. Here are three ways we think this spring trend 2013 looks fashionable.

1-With a slit a la Anne Hathaway at the Les Miserables premiere. She paired Tom Fords super sexy thigh high boots with a long dress with slit so just a leg peeked through. The look was intense but still kept her covered up so she didn’t like too provocative.

2- With a knee length skirt. Most designers at Spring 2013 Fashion Week showed their sandals with skirts that skimmed the tops of the knees. A short skirt went a little too risqué, so this was a good choice for  the runway because it made the look much more wearable. Check out Altuzarra’s country chic look below.

3- With an oversized or sporty ensemble. A loose dress or shirt balances the look of these boots by mixing covered with exposed. Alexander Wang’s styling was spot on when he put the girls in super sporty looks that weren’t revealing. The oversized dresses also kept the girls from looking too bare which wouldn’t be a good look for day.

The key to wearing these sexy shoes is to stay covered up. A short or bare dress is too revealing and will make the boots go from sexy and classy to trashy. You want to look like a modern Greek goddess – not a 50 Shades of Grey bondage girl. Try them in a nude or tan tone if the black cutout ones seem a little bit too intense for you, and be sure to have tanned legs (spray on is great!) so you don’t get a checkerboard effect.

If you need help styling a new trend you want to try, contact us at NYIC. We offer makeovers and styling sessions for all kinds of women and styles.

Ambush Makeover For A Friend – A Do Or A Don’t?

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Have you ever thought about changing a female co-workers image? If so, don’t, and we repeat DON’T, suprise her with a Today Show style ambush makeover. She will feel humiliated and hurt.

Instead, talk to this person first to ensure they are on board. Then, and ONLY then, seek out a professional but PRIVATE image consultation.

In the world of fashion and beauty, we share stories with other image consultants. Recently, we heard about a company that drove an employee across the country (from Ohio!) for a “meeting in NYC”. Unbeknownst to her, she was meeting a stylist for a complete image overhaul. Let’s call her Betty.

Betty cried (not tears of joy) but went along with it anyway. She was already hundreds of miles from home and probably felt the pressure. With a fake smile plastered on her face, she sat through a hair makeover and color, a make-up tutorial and tried on dress after dress in Bloomingdales.

After an 8 hour day of altering her look, Betty went back to Ohio only to quit her job and return all the clothes her boss and personal shopper had purchased in NYC. She wasn’t ready for a change or willing to budge from her comfort zone.

With that being said, there are certain styles that should NEVER be tried in the professional world. Unfortunatly, Betty was sporting most of them.

If you are trying to determine whether or not your co-worker needs an image update, check this list for our top 3 cringe-worthy styles. But remember, sometimes the soft approach is a better remedy for bad fashion than a surprise beauty and wardrobe trip:

Business in the front, party in the back hair (A.K.A. mullets)

There should be no party going on with your hair if you want to be taken seriously. To change a mullet hairstyle into a more polished do, cut off the length in the back and go with a shorter, choppier style with bangs. This will look more professional but still keeps things fun.

Moo Moo dresses


Do not hide under shapeless dresses. They look sloppy and are unflattering. Clothing does not have to be skin tight but a little tailoring goes a long way in making you look better and feel more confident. Wrap dresses (we love Diane Von Furstenburg‘s signature wrap dress) and dresses with rouching are great alternative styles that will accentuate your shape while concealing flaws.

Purple eyeliner


Colored eye make-up can make you look like a clown if not put on properly. If you must have purple on your eyes, we suggest laying off the bold hued pencil and opting for a soft lilac shadow instead. Also, head to your local department store’s make-up counter for a free tutorial on how to apply eye make-up.