Vintage Dreams

I LOVE everything about fashion – the creativity, the glamour, the history, the energy and fun. Designers, photographers, stylists, retailers, and fashionista’s like you gather inspiration from fashion’s past and everything else in the world. While my inspirations stem from many things – one passion I cannot deny is my attachment to vintage. There are so many era’s and decades to choose from - so many colours, accessories, fabrics, styles and silhouettes! It gives me an adrenaline rush just thinking of all of the delicious things to choose from! Because of this, I find it appropriate to turn your attention to this must have resource as places to look into on your vintage shopping hunt: Shrimpton Couture . Trust me when I say – this IS the number one place to go for beautiful vintage finds and creations.

Not only have they been written up in the Huffington Post, but they have also been recognized by the likes of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. Looking for inspiration on what to do with your couture? They also provide you with a look book that will leave you breathless and drooling for more. I know; I’ve been there.

The picture above is a snippet of their look book – this 1930’s lingerie set? A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. – so elegant, romantic and chic; makes me think back to the actress Marlene Dietrich.

Definitely do yourself a favour and take a glimpse into this world of art and glamour – you won’t be sorry you did.

Warmest wishes, 

Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant and Style coach
Personal Power Image Consulting 

Fashion for any budget!

So many magazines out there push women towards designer purchases. For many, this will not only break the bank but could leave them feeling frustrated and out of style. I’m here to tell you that any woman on any budget can easily be fashionable and chic!

Here are a few tips for how to stay in style, all while keeping money in your wallet!
1) Hunt vintage. Vintage and thrift stores have hidden gems that are typically gentler on the budget. Take an afternoon with some girlfriends and play with the clothing and accessories from decades past. There are hundreds of beautiful items that are just waiting to go in your closet!

2) Skip the expensive trends. Items that are trendy are not worth the splurge if you’re on a budget. Buy less expensive versions of trends in stores such as H&M and forever 21. When the piece is no longer in style in 6 months you’ll be happy you didn’t break the bank for it.

3) Accessorize. Jewelry, scarves, hats, and any other accessories completely change the look and mood of an outfit — without having to spend a lot. Get a variety to suit your many different lifestyle requirements and add in more classic pieces. You’ll be surprised at how many outfits you can create!

4) Black is not all that. I’m here to set the record straight: Black does NOT make everyone look good, even if it’s considered a classic shade. I do recommend splurging on more classic items that will last in your closet, but don’t forget to add some color to give your clothing an extra “pop.”

Follow these tips to get the ‘best bang for your buck’, all while being chic, stylish, and confident!

Warmest wishes,

Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant and style coach
Personal Power Image Consulting

Hair rut?

In my line of work, there is one piece of everyone's image that everyone always seems hesitant to change - their hair. Hair is an extension of our fashion sense, personality and lifestyle - it shows who we are!

It's so much fun to play with - you can choose different colours, styles, and cuts to reflect the various moods we all go through on a day to day basis.

I find however, many women today get stuck in the "hair rut". They become comfortable with a style they've had for ages - and never change it. Either that, or they keep a haircut that perhaps reflected a time in their life where they felt best about themselves. As a result, I've seen many women today walking around with mullets, and perms from the trends of years ago - or cuts that are just so boring it kills an entire "look" you've worked so hard to put together.

So how important is a haircut and style?

It's VERY important. Just like clothing - if it's outdated looking - you will also look outdated. As a result, many people will make the assumption that your job skills are also - or that you're just "out of touch" with what's current. Not okay.

My general rule of thumb is that if it's been 3-5 years and you haven't at least changed the style of your hair - it's probably outdated.

This is why so many people love Victoria Beckham - her style has already remained relatively the same - but she's constantly changing her hair - giving her a fresh edge to whatever look she is striving for.

I'm not saying you have to drastically change your look at each haircut - but play with colours, different textures, bangs, or just how you style your hair! You might be surprised and how much a "good hair day" can affect your mood.

What do you think?

Warmest wishes,

Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant and style coach
Personal Power Image Consulting