There are so many reasons I love the sophisticated separates for Fall 2010. First, very few people are the same size on the top as bottom. How often does a suit fit perfectly? Speaking for myself the answer is never. My jacket size is dramatically different from my pant size. Career dressing used to mean buying two peices that didn’t actually fit and then having them tailored to within an inch of their material lives. And even after that, lets just say I wouldn’t be doing jumping jacks with the jacket on!
Second, separates are a great way to layer styles. So for me, that means a traditional look popped with some piece that notches the look up. I am not a billboard that screams “Fashion Siren!!!” but I do make a statement. Usually with a period. I avoid the question mark and exclamation. Start with one central theme and set it off with one strategic pop.
Another trick to separates is to remember that long is lean and short is sweet. To deemphasize part of your figure, slightly elongated draws the eye up and down, away from that portion of the figure. Be careful that it is not too much of a long look though. You can look like you are wearing a bolt of cloth or a tent. Be sure to balance the long and lean look with short pieces, colors or accessories that break up the look in the right places.
Enjoy the wide variety of beautiful separates available this Fall for your career closet! Click here to check out my favorites at Nordstrom.
