Dress YOUR Age!

"At Forty, women use to exchange youth for elegance, poise, and mysterious allure, an evolution that left them undamaged.  Now they measure themselves against the very young with defenses  that can only be described as ridiculous"   --- Coco Chanel

Are you dressing your age or are you trying to keep up with the young somethings out there? You should look fabulous all the time, no matter your age and for any occasion. For each stage of life you go through, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's etc, you should look different levels of stylish, classiness, sophistication and so on.Stop being a slave to fashion, fads and trends and begin to learn and be comfortable in your own style.  Know what you like and don't like, learn what looks good and what does not.  Everything is not for everyone.  Know your limitations.  I read somewhere that in your 40's your wardrobe should be 60:40 - 60 percent investment (which does not mean dull, it means well-made, quality pieces that you love and plan on keeping for a long time) and 40 percent in the moment. 

 Update your classics with the new season's colors, fabrics and have a delicate balance of fun, fashion and your own sense of style. Just because you look great in a crop top or catsuit, remember the style has to match your age, your face. When in doubt, you can always keep it simple but elegant.

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Your Personal Style

Personal Style! What is it and Do you have it?

Personal style means knowing who you are and being comfortable in your skin and in your clothes. Designer Ralph Lauren, describes personal style as “having the confidence to be who you are, not necessarily flamboyant or eccentric. It can be as simple as turning up a cuff or the contradiction of a weathered motorcycle jacket slung over an elegant evening dress. It’s taking a risk, trying something unexpected, and having fun with fashion, but always being true to yourself.” Perhaps you can try new colors and styles or wear bolder accessories. Simplicity is it’s best form of elegance. Keep it simple but chic and stylish.

Basically, you need to look outside the box, you only live once so take a step beyond following fashion or trends, and/or simply wearing basics, and add some wow to your style . Ralph Lauren says, this doesn’t mean go over-the-top, it means stick to styling basics that work for your proportions and age, but create a consistent story that transcends fashions, trends and decades.

Be BOLD, Be Beautiful, Be Chic, Be Stylish, Be YOUnique, Be FABULOUS!

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Five tips to looking fabulous all the time!

Believe it or not, there's a lot of psychology behind getting dressed, what we wear, how we wear it.


I believe:

I believe its important to know who you are, your likes/dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses, know your sense of style, know YOU.

Your relationship with YOURSELF is the key to changing the relationship with everyone else in your life. No one  responsible for your happiness but you. Know your value and don't let anyone tell you different.

Ladies, It's very important that we take and make time for ourselves, away from the kids, husband or significant other, pets, in laws, career. Time to shop for ourselves, have a spa day, manicure/pedicure, hair, massage, gym, eating healthy. Time to read a book, time to relax, take a day to do YOU! You deserve it!

Creating and cultivating balance in your lives and harmony in your relationships which includes taking "ME" time is a huge part in creating what I call "the wow factor".

Today I want to share 5 tips on how to WOW in your wardrobe.

First, confidence makes for well worned clothes. When you feel good, you should look good. We are drawn to confident and positive people, so add a splash of confidence and a good attitude when you are dressed and ready to go.

Whatever you wear,  remember, the sexiest outfit is one worn with confidence. Wear it and own it.

2. Realize that there is a huge difference between fashion and style. When you go shopping, try things on – lots of things but bring home only those purchases that make your heart beat faster and something you just cant live without.

3. Learn and define your own personal style. Fashion fades, style is eternal. Your style is your personal hybrid of favorite colors, fabrics, and accessories in a combination that says, “That is so you!” and "WOW"

4. Never leave home without accessories. Accessories are what help you stand out and look finished. They are often used to complete an outfit and are chosen to specifically complement the wearer's look.

Not accessorizing is a bit like buying a house and not bothering with the furnishings. It's the part where you add your individual personality and style. Its essential to making a look 'yours'.

Underwear is just as important as the clothes you wear, they can make or break your outfit. Panty lines are not attractive and thongs DO NOT go with everything.  It's essential that you choose the right underwear and shape wear.

Here's a tip: choose undergarments that flatter your body type and that create a smooth, clean foundation for your outfit. There are girdles, body magic, spanx

5. Contrary to popular belief, size matters. Wear clothes that aren’t too tight or too big, but just right.

Ladies, there is a difference between tight and fitted. Fitted simply means a more tailored, custom look. It's sexier, classier and more sophisticated. Tight is well, the opposite.

If you have clothes you love but the fit is bad, get professional help. An alterations specialist should surely be on your speed dial.  If you don't have one, I have a lady that's awesome.

Your clothes should always have a tailored, fitted look.

They should always fit and flatter and define your body.

Don’t suffer over clothes. Now that you know who I am, I can help you throughout the year – shaping up your style, maximizing your current wardrobe and helping you make smart purchases. www.annmariedyer.com

Keep in mind!!

Dress with intention. It is important to take the extra few minutes to focus and plan one's outfit.

When in doubt contact me. Consultations are complimentary @ skype: wowfactor2014. I look forward to helping you create that WOW factor

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What is your Style Personality?

I have come up with a list of styles.  Is your list here? Which are you? What is your Style Personality?

A. Romantic    

You value femininity and are ladylike.  You like floral prints, dresses, bows, lace etc.  You love being girly. You  wear soft, flowing fabrics and beautiful evening wear.  You adore pretty underwear and prefer to wear lace not boring cotton or stretch fabrics.

B. Classic /Traditional

You love traditional and timeless styles and fabrics, such as silk, gabardine, wools and cottons.  Your clothes stand the test of time and you wear them for years.  Your jewelry gives you away, pearls, gold, silver and fine jewelry. You like scarves, leather pumps and neutral colors.

C:   Classic Elegant:

You enjoy timeless beauty and perfection al all the classics. The styles you favor are simple yet elegant.  Quality not opulence is your credo.  You appreciate couture-like fabrics, pay attention to details and styling in clothing.  Your garments are custom and tailored to ensure proper fit.  Your shoes and handbags need to be of leather or above average materials. You take pride in your dress and groom.

D:   Sporty/Natural

You value comfort and casual styling above all else.  You wear little to no makeup and love a natural hairstyle.  You are most comfortable in natural fabrics like cotton, denim, linen and chunky knits. Your jewelry is minimal.  Dressing should be a no-brainer. Clothing needs to be easy to care for and simple in style. You love stretch fabrics and comfortable, unstructured styles in quality natural fabrics.

E.   Dramatic/High Fashion

You love drama! You are the center of attention even when you don’t want to be.  You follow all the latest fashions and you put styles, fabrics and colors together with flair. You wear makeup and every detail of your outfit has been thought through.  You love prints,  bold colors, larger scale jewelry and unique design features.

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Welcome to my Style/Fashion Blog!

I'm Ann-Marie Dyer. Consider me your personal stylist.  I love creating outfits on a budget for the everyday woman!  I love to see women look fabulous but my goal is to have them  feel fabulous in their clothing, in their bodies.   Style is an outward expression of who you are. Here are a few of my favorite style quotes.

"Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.' - Lauren Hutton

"Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress"

Audrey Hepburn is my style icon..she epitomized great style,class and elegance.  She was an actress, spokeswoman and great philanthropist. Even when she was dressed casual, she looked fabulous.

Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.' - Alexander Wang

I love  dressing up and getting dressed.  I feel like Marc Jacobs. He said 'To me, clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints about who you are in what you wear.' - Marc Jacobs

We all have responsibilities but just as it is important for you to take care of your loved ones, it's more important to take care of yourself.  Take time to dress up, take the time to have a spa day,  even if it's just to get a mani/pedi, take the time to go shopping, take the time for YOU. YOU deserve it.

I will be posting pics of various styles incorporated with fashion and how to put a "look" together, hopefully it will inspire you to try something new, to think outside the box                           and embrace a new look and new styles.  

Dressing/shopping/fashion should be fun. Please feel free to give me feedback or leave comments. I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them. In the meantime, check out my website at www.wowfactorboutique.com for some fabulous finds and take a look at my Pdinterest Page so you get a sense of my style @ www.pinterest.com/thewowfactorsb  STAY TUNED!

I love Sarah Jessica Parker, she is one of my modern day Style icons.  She always looks great even when she is dressed casual.  She has a fabulous sense of style.

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