Four years ago, I owned one handbag. It was big, black, slouchy and had two magnet-closure pockets on its front. It perfectly suited my use patterns and needs, and I carried it daily.

Two years ago, I owned one pair of sunglasses. They were big, black and had super...

I'm a dedicated thrifter, I pass along my underutilized duds to friends and family on a regular basis, and I consign the vast majority of my shopping blunders. I feel like a clothing recycling pro. And yet this weekend marked the first time I'd ever participated in a...

When I first became aware of fashion trends, they were irritatingly fleeting. Back then, you needed to identify a trend, procure the item in question, wear it for the appropriate amount of time (anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months), and then discard it. The discarding step...

A while back, Kasmira posted about a What Not to Wear contestant who was called out for her offbeat, off-kilter dressing style. She generated a great discussion about quirky dressing, body size, grooming and other factors that figure into how women are judged on their appearances.

Most people are unhappy. Have you noticed that? I'm beginning to believe that it's just part of the human condition to feel constantly restless, dissatisfied and envious of others. We hang so much of our self-worth on comparisons: How do we measure up to other people in our income tax...

The holidays find most human beings at their best and worst simultaneously. On one hand, we are excited to be exchanging gifts with loved ones, happy to be donating to charities and delighted to be cutting loose with friends and colleagues. On the other, we are anxious about money, worried...

Comportment, demeanor, dress, grooming and overall appearance constitute the first levels of information about ourselves that we offer to the observing world. They may not be the most important, but they are the first. In my opinion, that makes them worthy of effort and attention.

That said, the information...

Two weeks ago, I bought a sweater. It was a slightly sheer, multicolor-and-black-striped cardigan with an asymmetric, waterfall front -- and I could envision at least a dozen outfits that it would perfectly complement. The day I bought it, I wore it to a closet consult, and ended up putting...

I just wrapped up a four-hour style consult session with a client. She'd felt stuck in a sartorial rut, wearing the same outfits over and over again, and it was beginning to erode her self-confidence. She was also battling with some self-consciousness about her figure and was worried that she...

When you realize that you want to change up your personal style, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. Where do you start? Which pieces from your current wardrobe can be kept, and which new pieces should you acquire? How can you craft a new look for yourself that works for...

Many women loathe trendy clothing. Some hate spending money on garments that may eventually feel like wearable embarrassments. Others prefer to stick to eternally classic items and avoid gambling on of-the-moment pieces. A few wish to circumvent the whole "mutton dressed as...

In early January, the fashion world shifts its collective gaze toward spring. Magazines begin showcasing lightweight fabrics and skin-baring designs while clothing stores start rolling out the bright colors and cropped cuts. But this parade of floral frocks and sassy sandals doesn't...

Exactly one year ago, I snuck off to the salon during my lunch break and got a pixie cut. I consulted no one in advance of making this change, and waltzed back into my cube freshly shorn and without a word. I had loads of fun fielding the...

Two weeks ago, I went for a bra fitting. Having been told by dozens of style experts that 137 percent of women wear the wrong bra size, I fully expected to be told that my 34C was FAR too small/big/narrow/high/thick/whatever for my frame. Miraculously,...

Two weeks ago, I went for a bra fitting. Having been told by dozens of style experts that 137 percent of women wear the wrong bra size, I fully expected to be told that my 34C was FAR too small/big/narrow/high/thick/whatever for my frame. Miraculously,...

I'll 'fess right up: I'm not terribly fond of my arms. I lift weights every week based on a regimen created for me by a personal trainer, and there's loads of muscle in there. Seriously, just ask me to flex. But there's also loads of jiggle. And although I don't...