Pins are an often overlooked accessory, and I can’t fathom why! They are so pretty and versatile. I think some ladies are unsure what type to buy and how to properly place them, so they skip pins all together.

Start by deciding if you want silver or gold. Look for small to medium-sized. For daily wear, I’d pick something simple that has a special meaning for you. If you identify closely with a certain symbol or animal, a pin is ideal. In my family, we all seem to be drawn to certain animals—cats, bees, alligators, butterflies, etc.

 

If you don’t like animals, try a leaf or a flower.

Birthstone pins are also awesome. I’m a turquoise (December), but I love February’s amethyst since purple is my favorite color. If you have a special man in your life that asks what gift you want, ask for a double-heart pin. You will think of him every time you wear it.

Now that you have a pin picked out, you may be wondering where to place it. Pins can be worn a variety of ways, some of which are unconventional:

* Lapel   (If you’re left-handed, wear it on the left side and vice versa. We tend to lead with our dominant side and this gives the pin maximum exposure.)

* Collar   (place in the center of a V-neck, Peter Pan, or crew)

* Shoulder   (against shoulder blade, not on top)

* Dress   (between the bust, can gather extra fabric if slightly bunchy)

* Hair   (used to accentuate a bun, headband, or ponytail)

* Hat or Beret   (tends to look retro, but in a good way)

* Scarf   (can be done with a heavy winter scarf or light silk one)

* Skirt   (place at the waistband, top must be tucked in for this look)

* Evening wear   (try pinning to small clutch or shoes)

There’s a very good pin tutorial with many more ideas and pics  here.

While pins are nearly goof-proof, there is one disaster we should all avoid and that’s overkill. I don’t recommend wearing more than 1 pin at a time, especially if you’re wearing other jewelry. It’s simply too much. Take a cue from Jennifer Aniston in Office Space; you really don’t need that much “flair” to be stylish.

 

Do you like pins?

Am I the only one that feels “undone” without earrings? I never leave home without them. They always make me feel polished, even in the most casual attire. I look for classics, made of quality metal. It’s better to have a single pair of real earrings than buckets of crap from Claire’s and Forever 21. Here are my must-have earrings:

Gold Hoops: I wear these most often. They work with any color scheme, any season, day or night. Look for a pair that is small to medium sized with a twisted texture. The twists catch the light beautifully. Ross-Simons has good deals on gold. When I got my real estate license, I bought a pair to celebrate. They were $100 on sale and I enjoy them constantly!

Pearl Studs: Pearls are a classic. They have a luminous quality that make the face literally sparkle. I prefer a small pair of white ones. When I was 17, I had my very first job ever at Macy’s. I bought a pair of pearls and they are still with me and going strong all these years later. I don’t recall how much I paid, but obviously I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

Diamond studs: When you want to feel luxurious, this should be your choice. I love princess cut, no more than a carat, set in white gold or platinum. These will be an investment piece that can last a lifetime. I don’t like costume jewelry, but if you don’t mind, there are some great fakes on the market.

Drop: drop or dangling earrings are awesome for a casual occasion or a night on the town. They look especially good when hair is worn down. Buy a pair in silver or gold, depending on your preference. Be careful to choose a pair that’s lightweight and don’t snag them on anything, lest they get ripped out!

 

Earrings to avoid:

Huge “doorknocker” hoops  (you’re not Salt or Pepa)

Lever backs  (very heavy on the lobe!)

Beads, feathers, animals, rhinestones  (look cheap)

Anything made with nickel  (can cause allergies)

Barbie, Trolls, Hello Kitty, etc  (If you’re over 10, don’t go there)

 

What kind of earrings do you prefer?

Have you heard the claim that 80% of all women wear the wrong size bra? I think it’s true! Bras are the most difficult item to fit (even worse than pants). Because it’s hard to find a bra that fits well, a lot of us simply give up. Ladies, take heart: the ideal bra is out there; you just need to search!

I encourage you to start with a professional bra fitting. Most department stores and Victoria’s Secret do this for free. Not all fitters are great, but it gives you a starting point. If you feel more comfortable measuring yourself, try this guide. This will be especially important for busty ladies. If you know you’re an irregular size, go to a specialty lingerie store for help.

Once you have the size determined, start the try-on process. Give yourself plenty of time. If you hurry through it, I guarantee you’ll end up with a poor result. Take at least 3 bras, from 3 different brands, into the fitting room.

There are 3 components to bra fitting: band, cups, and straps. The support comes from the band, not the straps. The band should feel snug without being unbearable. It should lie flat against the middle of your back. When you buy a bra, get one that fits with the tightest hook fastened. The band loosens with wear and you can move on to the next hook. There should be no spill-over from the cups, nor should they be too large. The straps shouldn’t slip once they’re adjusted. Many women shorten the straps all the way and cause the band to sit too high (that’s a sure sign you’re in the wrong size).

A quality bra is expensive. While I love a good deal, you really shouldn’t scrimp on bras. The $10 one from Walmart will not provide the ideal shape and support you need. Chantelle and Wacoal are super.

Only when you’ve determined size can you move on to style. These are the style I feel every woman needs:

Flesh tone: This is my everyday bra. Look for one that is completely seamless and has an underwire for the smoothest look under clothing. Sometimes these are called T-Shirt Bras. Flesh tones look the most natural under light colored fabrics. I like these much more than plain white.

Black: Identical to flesh tone in every way except for color. I wear a black bra under dark colored tops or dresses.

Sports: This is to be worn for exercise only! I can’t stress that highly enough. I see so many women who wear these daily and it’s always a mistake. If you’re a C-Cup or above, look for one with molded cups, or double-up. Champion is an excellent choice.

Strapless: I think bra straps are meant to be covered. If you’re wearing a strapless dress or tank top, this should be your first choice. Strapless bras are not the most comfortable option, so wear it only if you need to. I think these work much better than the convertible bras that were all the rage a few years back.

Fun: Bras that are lacey, wild colors, have rhinestones, etc, are all what I call “fun” bras. These tend to be for special occasions. Unless you’re planning a Honeymoon, I wouldn’t focus on these.

Since good bras are an investment, take care of them. I hang all of mine in the closet. They seem to keep their shape much better this way. Try not to wear the same bra 2 days in a row if possible. With proper care, a bra should last 1-2 years at least.

 

How many bras do you own?

Nothing can drain the energy from me like shopping for pants. Finding a perfect fit from off-the-rack is very difficult—not impossible, but hard, so go into this with the right mindset. If you want perfect pants, you’re going to have to work for it! There is no standard sizing for clothes, so if you’re a 6 in one brand, you may be a 4 or 8 in another. This is why it’s so important to try everything on before you buy it.

Pants need to fit in 3 areas: waist, inseam (length) and rise (crotch.) Ideally, pants would sit at the natural waist. All of us are either short-waisted (short torso) or long-waisted (long torso). Take this into account when trying on pants. A medium rise pant works for most of us. The extremes of high-rise and low-rise pants can be very tricky to pull off! Pants should button or zip comfortably without gaping in the back or pulling in the front. The tush should be gently cupped without any sagging/drooping or tightness. Be aware of back pocket placement. Wide set pockets will make the tush appear wider.  Shop in a place with a 3-dimensional mirror if at all possible. If you’re over 18, do not buy Juniors!

As for inseam, pants come in 3 different lengths: Petite/Short, Regular, and Tall/Long. The majority of women will wear petite or regular. (I’m a petite with a long torso and short limbs.) The ideal length is to cover the top of the shoe. The pant leg shouldn’t drag on the ground, or be above the ankle. When buying petite pants, I’ve noticed that the length may good but the rise is uncomfortably tight. This problem can be solved by buying regular pants and having them hemmed. I realize that taking pants to a tailor is a hassle. It is, however, often necessary. If you truly can’t bother with alterations, buy Capri pants. They fit everyone, but don’t expect perfection.

Most flattering:

A pair of flat-front, black pants is universally flattering. Look for a pair that’s 98% cotton, with 2% spandex. These have just the right amount of stretch without being tight and they almost never need ironing! (Anyone else hate to iron?!) Ideally, you can afford 2 pairs of black pants—one to wear with heels, and another for flats.

Least flattering:

Pleated, tapered khakis are the worst offenders! These pants make even the thinnest lady look huge. Don’t buy them, don’t gift them, and for goodness sake, don’t wear them—especially with a fanny pack, sneaks, and a sweatshirt! That particular look is so bad…

Jeans:

This is such a broad topic, it requires a separate post. The most flattering pair is a straight leg with a dark rinse. I’ll be expounding on jeans in the near future.

Skinnies:

I finally jumped on the skinnies bandwagon this February when I bought some fabulous gray cords. Prior to that, I’d tried skinny jeans, but never pants. I was worried they wouldn’t look good, but they actually do. I pair mine with a longer and looser top. Flowy, peasant-style blouses work great with skinnies! Skinnies can fit a wide range of sizes, but they make not work well on larger ladies, especially if you have big thighs/calves. Try a pair made for Plus-sized. If you’re a petite, these work well since the inseam tends to be smaller. Skinnies are super-cute cuffed if slightly long. I will admit that skinnies are not the most comfortable item in the closet. It’s more about the look. Don’t make the mistake of wearing these while traveling.

White Pants:

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I live in white pants! Consider this a summertime staple paired with sandals and a colorful or striped top. Look for a pair that’s not see-through. To be on the safe side, wear these with nude undies. For the sleekest look, remove all of the pockets. It’s a myth that you have to be super-thin to wear white on the bottom. These can look beautiful on any size, provided they fit well.

Dress Pants:

These are made from a heavier fabric like wool and are fully lined (a lined garment is a sign of quality). I love these in a variety of colors like black and gray. Try a pair of pin-striped pants if you want to look taller. Dress pants always convey an elegant, put-together look.

Pants to avoid include:

Harem – look ridiculous

Cargo – do you really need extra bulk on the thighs?

Pattern – can be very tricky to pull off

Linen – always wrinkled, no matter what

Synthetics – polyester or rayon pants have a weird sheen to them that look cheap. They also don’t breathe well.

Leather – overpriced pants that under-perform.

 

What kind of pants do you wear most often?