Fashion Secrets to Look Your Best
CBN.com We as Christian women can wrongly believe that looking attractive is a shallow pursuit or that it takes too much time and effort, but Christian image consultant Jill Krieger Swanson says that we should be keenly aware of the kind of message we are presenting. When we revert to a sloppy, uncared-for appearance, it really can affect our interactions with others.
“When you first meet someone, what is remembered about you is 90 percent of what you look like and only 10 percent of what you say,” says Jill. “Ninety percent of how you physically appear to a person is what is going to remain in their brain and only 10 percent of those profound words of wisdom.”
Many might argue that we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover; it’s the inside of a person that is most important. And Jill wouldn’t disagree. In fact, Jill explains, “You can look all vogue on the outside and be vague on the inside, and, unfortunately, there are a lot of women walking around like that.”
However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t care what we look like. We should want to present ourselves in a manner that makes the world take notice because it’s key to our witness for Christ. “If you want to sell Jesus to some people, you have got to look like you know what is going on in the world today and that you are on top of things, that you are in tune with 2007,” she says.
The key is not either/or; it’s both/and – inner and outer beauty should be the goal for every woman. Says Jill, “You wash your face and brush your teeth, put your hair up, and put your makeup on. That’s the same way it should be with your Bible study and your time with Jesus.”
Now that we realize we should nurture both, let’s see what wonderful style tips Jill has for us.
Finding Gold in Your Closet
Did you know that we wear only 10 percent of our wardrobe 90 percent of the time? If that’s true, then what do we do with those pieces that seem to stay in our closet month after month, year after year? Before you throw everything out, be encouraged. “There is gold in everybody’s closet,” explains Jill. “It is just knowing how to put it all together.”
The problem, as Jill sees it, is we tend to buy pieces instead of outfits, so start thinking in terms of ensembles. Then make four piles with the clothes you currently have in your wardrobe by following this simple wardrobe organizing mantra: “finders-keepers, losers-weepers:”
- Finders – These are clothes that are incomplete because they need a match to make an ensemble, or these are clothes that you can’t wear until you lose or gain weight. Do not return these items to your closet until they are wearable. The majority of clothes in this category will be given away or sold in a yard sale.
- Keepers – These are the pieces that make up the 10 percent of your wardrobe that you wear because you feel fabulous in those pieces. Consider why you like each item, noting the color and style, and plan on buying similar pieces on future shopping trips.
- Losers – Anything that makes you feel fat, frumpy, drained, or itchy, or is worn out would go into this category. Dump these items. They shouldn’t remain in your closet.
- Weepers – These are clothes you can’t bear to part with but you never wear. They might include sentimental items such as bridesmaid dresses or Christmas gifts from a relative, that designer suit you got on sale, or clothes from “the good old days” of a past decade. Store these items in a trunk and revisit them once a year.
When shopping for any clothing item, Jill recommends you take along a younger, stylish woman on your shopping excursions so that you will buy items that are fashionable and that flatter you. And try not to get caught up in what Jill calls “temporary insanity,” which often happens when you lose weight and think you can suddenly dress 10 years younger. Nix that temptation. Dressing too young is as ridiculous as dressing too old.
Looking Ten Pounds Lighter
Can you really look thinner depending on what you wear? Yes, indeed!
One simple idea is dressing in columns. This means that you should match the color of your skirt or slacks with the color of your shirt or jacket to give a more monochromatic look. “The longer the line,” says Jill, “the taller and skinnier you are going to look.”
Buy clothes that skim the body. You don’t want them so big that they look baggy, but you also don’t want them so tight that you see panty lines. To check to see if a jacket is the right size for you, button it and then see if you can grab a handful of fabric in the back. If you can’t, then the jacket fits. As a general rule, clothes should never pull, gap, or restrict movement.
Be sure to read about all 10 creative ways to melt the pounds in Jill’s latest book.
Don’t Sacrifice Quality
You don’t have to spend a lot or shop exclusively at specialty stores to dress well. Jill told me she buys about 80 percent of her wardrobe at consignment stores or discount stores like TJ Maxx and Ross for Less.
Once you are at those discount stores, what should you spend the most money on? Consider Jill’s advice: “Most people do not notice what your shoes are or what your skirt looks like unless it is vastly out of sync with the rest of your outfit. But what they will notice is the quality and the color of what you have on the top half of your body, so invest in that area.” Think top half and you will do well.
When considering your clothing purchase, remember that the duller the color, the better quality the fabric should be, so be particular about fabric choice for colors like tan, beige, browns, and gray. Be prepared to spend more when shopping in these color schemes.
Last, buy pieces that accentuate your features and you won’t be wasting your money. If you have more curved features to your face and body, then you need to wear rounded collars, draped necklines, and necklaces with more curves to them. If you have straight, sharp features to your face and body, then you should opt for a chiseled look, including straight collars, pressed looks, and geometrics. The idea is that your clothes be in tune with your natural build.
Dressing Successfully for the Job Interview
“The key is to know the personality of the company before you get there,” says Jill. “If you are going into a very creative profession, you are going to need to dress a little more on the edge. If you are going into a more conservative profession, such as finances or something like that, you need to look like you belong there once you get there.” Take notice of what upper management is wearing and that will clue you in. And be sure to dress for the position you want, not necessarily the position you currently have.
Jill says there is a language to clothing while you are on that job interview. You can present yourself as authoritative or approachable, depending on your clothing choices. That means if you want a management job, you need to learn to dress with authority. How do you do that? Wear straight lines, shoulder pads, notched colors, and stiffer fabrics. The stronger the contrast in your clothing, the more authoritative you will appear: for instance, pairing a black suit with a white shirt gives you a strong and powerful demeanor. On the other hand, if you are interviewing for a job in which you need to show that you are approachable and friendly, you need to dress in softer colors and more rounded lines.
Information in this article is based on an in-person interview with Jill and beauty hints from her latest book, Simply Beautiful Inside and Out (River City Press, 2005), a fully illustrated, fun to read book filled with practical tips, such as how to lose ten pounds instantly, perfecting an easy makeup routine, discovering your clothing personality, taming your closet, and more.
About Jill
Enduring multiple surgeries for a serious birth defect called gastroschisis that left ugly scars, Jill knows what it’s like to grow up feeling unattractive. But with her vivacious personality and flair for fashion, plus her confidence in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Jill has overcome her physical obstacles and has been teaching women ranging from 18-89 how to successfully combine color, cosmetics, and clothing into a beautiful, streamlined, and enjoyable process. Jill has been an image consultant for the past 25 years. She is a member of the Association of Image Consultants International. For more information about Jill or to get a personal consultation, please visit jillswanson.com. Also look for Jill’s new book about how you can perform a 21-day makeover on yourself in the near future.
