Sunglasses

The sky is blue, the sun is bright and the weather is getting hotter by the minute.
It is time, if you have not already done so, to pull out your sunglasses and put them to good use.
Although I utilize my sunglasses all year long (and not because the papparazzi are after me, or at least not yet....), I wear them to protect my eyes and prevent me from squinting too much and developing unwanted early crows' feet.

The truth is that it is not easy to find sunglasses that suit your face. Over the years, I for one have been persuaded by many salespeople to make a quick purchase. After putting on dark lens frames (the darker the lens the better the protection from the sun) and looking in the mirror, I always think I look good. And then, just as I begin to second-guess myelf, I hear the salesperson (as if they know what I am thinking… ) say to me: “you look gorgeous” or “ no, they are not too big, that is the style now” or “trust me, they’re great”. After hearing so many compliments and truly beginning to feel like a rock star, I pull out my wallet and charge away. Unfortunately, it is not until I meet up with a real friend later on and she looks at me and begins to laugh that I know I have been once again taken for a ride, and that the only thing I truly gained from my purchase are a few more frequent flyer miles!

With sunglass trends changing so rapidly, and our habitual absent-mindedness often resulting in lost pairs, we frequently find ourselves at the counter facing the “do they suit me?” dilemma over and over again.

So here are a few helpful tips when you are buying sunglasses:

1. Be a smart shopper: Know what style frames work best for the shape of your face. Learn more at: http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Choose-the-Best-Sunglasses-Or-Glasses-to-Fit-the-Shape-of-Your-Face&id=2160090
2. Make sure that the frames sit well on your face. They should not be too tight, too heavy or slip down your nose
3. Choose the color that works with your hair and skin tones, not your clothes
4. Bring a friend, one that you know will be honest. Or, you can bring a camera and take a picture of yourself and then look at it - there is nothing more honest than that
5. If following the trend is important to you, and if even the modified versions are not looking right, THEN DON'T BUY IT!
6. When you find a pair of sunglasses that enhance your look, buy more than one. That way, if you misplace them, or they break, you will have a spare

Ultimately remember sunglasses were designed to protect our eyes from sun damage so whatever choices you make be sure not to compromise on UV protection.

Defining your Style

You walk into a store and you take a deep breath, you look around and feel overwhelmed by the variety and choice: so many skirts, tops, shoes and bags. You ask yourself, what do I pick, what do I try, what do I buy?
You see ads in magazines, on the street and online all showing beautiful people wearing wonderful clothes and you want to look just like them. You buy what they are wearing and somehow it just does not work, you still do not look like Gwyneth Paltrow in the Tod's advertisement.
Do you want to look and feel good in what you wear but do not enjoy shopping or are too busy (with more important things) to spend hours searching for what is right, only to then have to pull it all together?
Would you like shopping to become less time-consuming, feel less like a chore and seem effortless?
Then begin by defining your style:
The fashion icons most of us think of - such as Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly -all had their own unique look. They were not victims of fashion trends, in fact they set the trend. Jackie O became known for her sunglasses, Audrey Hepburn gave birth to the little black dress and thanks to Gene Kelly we have the Kelly bag from Hermes.
Fashions and trends come and go so quickly it is hard to keep up. But when you develop your own personal style it will be with you forever.
How to start?
1. Know your body and what parts you are happy to accentuate and what parts you would prefer to cover up or hide. If you love your legs, wear shorter skirts. If you have a small waist then wear belts.
2. Decide what colors suit you best. If a camel coat washes you out, do not buy it, as much as you may love it. Stick to the colors that work for your skin tone and hair color. To determine what your best colors are check out: www.wikihow.com/Choose-What-Color-to-Wear
3. Know what is age appropriate: Do not dress too old (you have a whole life ahead of you to grow up) and definitely do not dress too young (there comes a point when we need to accept that it is time to leave youth to the young and the latest trends to them, no matter how young we feel or think we look).
Once you have figured out the above you are on your way to developing your own personal style.
Are you: Classic, Edgy, Bohemian (Boho), Sporty,Whimsical or Chic?

Yes, you can be a mix the above. The most important thing is to make it your own!
Making it your own also includes adapting your look to your lifestyle and where you live.

What is your lifestyle: Do you work in an office, are you a stay-at-home mom, is the place you live in casual or more formal? What is the weather?

The styles of Milan, New York and Paris are beautiful but do not always translate well to all climates. Use the fashions as inspiration so when living in Israel, where the weather is hot, the sun is strong and the lifestyle is casual, you need to take these factors into account.

Once you have figured out your style, you might be wondering: can you buy a trendy piece?
Yes! You can purchase trends and add them to your own style and make it your own. This is a great way of keeping your basic look current.
BUT IF THE TREND DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU, THEN DO NOT BUY IT.
Personal style does not happen overnight, it evolves with time, so be patient, do not be scared to try new things, if it works you will know, you will feel confident, comfortable and great.
If you incorporate these tips, the next time you walk into a store you will be efficient, feel at ease and go home with clothes that you love.

For further guidance contact us at Individual Style