By Corey Urbina, Certified DRES Stylist

The New Year presents an ideal opportunity for individuals to focus on their appearance. Are you happy with the way you look? Does your image represent you in the strongest possible way? If you answered “no” to either of these questions, then maybe 2012 is the year for you to resolve to look your best. Whether you desire a total makeover or a wardrobe update, all it takes to reach your goals is a touch of C.H.A.R.M.  I coined this term to make it easy to recall these five indispensible styling tools:  color, harmony, accessories, right fit and “my style”.  

Color: Color’s preeminent listing in the C.H.A.R.M. formula indicates its primary significance in wardrobe styling. Wearing the right colors for one’s skin tone, hair and eye colors instantaneously makes individuals look more youthful, radiant and healthy. The reverse is true when one wears uncomplimentary colors. They drain an individual’s vitality and add years to their age.  

Harmony: A host of factors combine to create a unified image. Personal grooming, clothing and accessories are the keystones of style. However, they work in synergy with other critical elements like, body language, posture, poise and confidence. It is the balance of all of these features that produces a powerful and harmonious image.

Accessories: How does one begin to describe the wonders of accessories?  They magically add cohesion and visual interest to any look.  Like icing on a cake, accessories complete an outfit and take one’s appearance from “so-so” to stellar. Too much icing, however, completely drowns out a cake’s flavor. Since accessories act as sartorial frosting, they need be used sparingly, and should always be proportionate to one's size and figure type.

Right Fit: Since manufactured clothes come in standard sizes, this presents an obvious dilemma for most of us who don’t have standard size bodies. Wearing ill fitting clothes, even if they boast high priced designer labels, definitely damages one’s appearance. Part of the solution involves finding and sticking with a brand that consistently provides an excellent fit. Everyone also needs an expert tailor who will ensure a proper fit for every item of clothing one owns.

My Style: Each person expresses their individuality through their clothing. All too often people follow the dictates of fashion without having first identified and embraced their personal style. This results in confusion about how to look as well as disappointment with many clothing purchases. Discovering one’s authentic style promotes fashion clarity and provides a springboard from which one can build a functional wardrobe.

The independent Holibi wardrobe stylists are ready to help you lead a “charmed” life this year by instructing you on your personal style, figure type and optimal colors. They will also help you organize your closet and select clothing and accessories that match your personalized profile. Why not promise yourself the gift of style in 2012?

By Corey Urbina, Certified DRES Stylist

The New Year presents an ideal opportunity for individuals to focus on their appearance. Are you happy with the way you look? Does your image represent you in the strongest way possible? If you answered “no” to either of these questions, then maybe 2012 is the year for you to commit to looking your best. Whether you desire a total makeover or a wardrobe update, all it takes to reach your goals is some C.H.A.R.M. I coined this term with these indispensible styling tools in mind: color, harmony, accessories, right fit and “my style”.

Color: Color’s preeminent listing in the C.H.A.R.M. formula indicates its significance in wardrobe styling. Wearing the right colors for one’s skin tone, hair color and eye color instantaneously makes individuals look more youthful, radiant and healthy. The reverse effect is true when one wears uncomplimentary colors. They drain an individual’s vitality and add years to their age.

Harmony: A host of important factors combine to create one’s image. Personal grooming, clothing and accessories are the keystones of image. However, they work in synergy with other critical elements like, body language, posture, poise and confidence to create a powerful and harmonious image.

Accessories: How does one begin to describe the wonders of accessories? They magically add cohesion and visual interest to any look. Like icing on a cake, accessories complete an outfit and transform one’s appearance from “so-so” to stellar. Because they act as sartorial frosting, they should be used sparingly and need to be proportionate to one’s size and figure type.

Right Fit: Since manufactured clothes come in standard sizes, this presents an obvious dilemma for most of us who don’t have standard size bodies. Wearing ill fitting clothes, even if they have high priced designer labels, definitely damages one's appearance. Part of the solution involves finding and sticking with a brand that consistently provides an excellent fit. Additionally, everyone needs an expert tailor who will be able to ensure a proper fit for every item of clothing one owns.

My Style: Each person expresses their individuality through their clothing. All too often individuals follow the dictates of fashion without having first identified and embraced their personal style. This results in confusion about how to look as well as disappointment with many clothing purchases. Discovering one’s authentic style promotes fashion clarity and provides a launching point from which one can build a functional wardrobe.

The independent Holobi consultants are eager to instruct you on your personal style, figure type and optimal colors. They will also help you organize your closet and select clothing and accessories that match your profile. Are you ready to lead a “charmed” style life in 2012?

By Erika Nolan, Certified DRES Stylist

Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop and I love a bargain. I grew up in retail and for most of my adult life I received an employee discount, so I don’t like to pay full price. Nowadays, it is not necessary to be extravagant. In fact, I think being socially responsible during these tough economic times is important. We want to reuse and recycle as much as possible. We need to teach our children the value of money and be less wasteful. However, these lessons can also be applied to fashion. 

Buy vintage, shop resale stores, use Ebay. These are just a few examples of how to adjust your spending habits. But even better yet, go shopping in your own closet, you may be surprised what you find. I am on a serious budget these days but I still love to dress up for a special occasion. I recently went through my old clothes in preparation for a holiday party. I hadn’t tried on these particular pants in years but because they were a high quality vendor they were still in great shape. 

I probably would not have bought these for myself but at the time, back in 2000, when my husband went to the Venice Film Festival without me because I had to work, it was a guilt gift. He departed with me saying “Have fun, be safe baby & bring me home something special!” He still remembers like it was yesterday walking into the Gucci store in San Marco to buy me a present. The sales associates were all dressed to perfection, extremely helpful, gracious and made his shopping experience effortless. It wasn’t an easy feat because I was absent and the European size conversion is confusing so when he came home with the most fabulous pair of Gucci leather trousers that fit me like they were made for me, it was unbelievable! A gift to be treasured, forever; more than the little “something special” I had asked for as he was boarding. 

So last weekend, I pulled them out of their garment bag and slipped them on as effortlessly as they were purchased over 11 years ago. These pants are so soft, so comfortable and still so stylish yet considered vintage, right? They are a classic fit with a modified boot leg so they don’t appear too trendy. I am not one to spend excessively but after all these years the moral of the story is to buy quality not quantity. Wondering when I can wear them again, Christmas, New Years? There will definitely be a fitting occasion! So next time you think you have nothing to wear, be creative, alter something old and make it new again, go consignment shopping but make each purchase count! 

Until next time, find your style.

By Margaret Spencer, Founder, Holobi

There is no better time to clear out the old and get a fresh start then at the beginning of a New Year. Editing your wardrobe down to just the key pieces that are appropriate for your lifestyle and look amazing on you is a cathartic feeling. When you walk into your wardrobe and see a beautifully organized space, it makes getting dressed in the morning easy.

We already know you are only wearing 20% of what’s in there, however looking at your over-stuffed closet and knowing what to eliminate can be confusing and overwhelming. You are not alone in this.

Holobi has a team of DRES Stylists who can make your life simple and easier. Contacting a DRES Stylist to help you edit your wardrobe is a treat. They review each item and guide you on whether to keep it and how to wear it. You will end up with a wardrobe that feels like you are stepping into a boutique that was designed just for you!

Find a DRES Stylist near you, to start this year fresh.

By Margaret Spencer, Founder, Holobi

People often ask me, “How can I become a Personal Stylist?” With the DRES System by Holobi it’s easy. We give you everything you need to build a successful consulting business. It’s like a business in a box! Our 3-Day Training Program can be taken one day at a time or all together. These are one day intensives that are very comprehensive and prepare you to offer the best service at personalized consultations.

Day-1: DRES Styling

Day-2: DRES Color

Day-3: DRES Face/Men

The DRES System was designed to help women build a wardrobe that make them feel confident and look current. Our training program was designed to make it easy to get started. If you are interested in becoming a Personal Stylist and would like to join our network of Independent DRES Stylists, send us an email to schedule a phone interview.