Wear Mastery Quiz #1

What could be improved in this outfit or what does not work?

Think about size, length, shape, material, pattern, texture, color, overall impression?

I wore this outfit when I went to image consultant Jennifer Butler's Follow-up workshop and she pointed out one thing! 

Wear Mastery Blog Update

Sorry for the long pause.

When I wrote the last entry, I had just submitted my final edit of my German book on Wear Mastery and those thoughts felt like a big exhale and like the sum of the whole process. For a while I had nothing to add. 

This blog will eventually be transferred to the German and English book websites. The book will be released in Germany in the end of July and I will be traveling for the next two months.

In the meantime, Wear Mastery Magic continues in my life, I hope in yours too…

Just in the last week I manifested four clothing items new for free, or at a second-

hand price, which had been on my wish list for 6-24 months. PERFECT!

Small alterations are necessary on two items, shortening and taking an elastic band out of one. EASY! As I am embarking on my long journey to Europe, I will proudly tote only one big suitcase, which comfortably holds all my clothes and more and one carry-on suitcase. 

Thank goodness for those great see-through-divider bags

Check out the WITHOUT AND WITH photos below.

 

Longing to see You

I desire to see You and I am looking forward to witnessing how you make your essence visible.

I wish to see You unobscured by awkward layers, sizes, colors, patterns, prints and I don't want to walk by not noticing you in your cloak of invisibility. I love it when I notice that you see me, my self shining forth, naked and adorned simultaneously.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Dyeing Clothes

In the process of cleaning out my closet I have found pieces of clothing, which were too pale, like the wrong skin color beige or too bright white on me. If everything else worked (the style, material, size) I dyed them darker into some of my colors. It was a satisfying alchemical experience and felt like baking my own bread.  The colors, especially navy and burgundy shades extended the use of the pieces of clothing. I did consider the chemicals in the dye and the pollution involved and reasoned that I would only use dyes sparingly. My girlfriend dyed a velvet silk scarf for me attempting navy and it ended up to be the color of my eyes. What a precious gift.

Throughout history some ingredients used by artists to paint or dye clothes were more valuable than gold. Victoria Finlay wrote Color. A Natural History of the Palette, in which we can read about the sources and stories of the beautiful colors used to enrich our world. 

Energy, Love, Attention instead of Effort

Every day we have the choice of what and how much we are doing with our appearance. Even if we simply cover our body with fabrics, we always create an outfit. I appreciate it, when the people I encounter have put some thought and effort into the way they look. It feels and looks like 'more' and therefore radiates abundance and love. The word 'effort' doesn't feel as inspiring as putting 'energy' and 'love' into my appearance. And creating an outfit doesn't have to be an effort at all.

A little energy, attention and love will show and influence everyone we will encounter and our own state of mind in a positive way.

Beauty

There is only beauty behind me.

Only beauty before me.

Cree Song

According to Dionysus , beauty is order: symmetry with supreme lucidity.' Beauty being archetypal order, is begotten intellectually, not calculated empirically, and the language of symbols is consequently precise, not arbitrary - a matter of truths not tasks. In beauty is found the harmonious symmetry between being and knowing, love and knowledge.  

(A Treasury of Traditional Wisdom. Whitall N. Perry, page 660.)

Just white

Today I am wearing all white. This happens very rarely, actually only when I attend a WHITE TANTRIC YOGA event, part of the Kundalini Yoga path, which has enriched my life for decades. Yogi Bhajan recommended his students to wear white because it automatically enhances your aura, the electromagnetic field by 20 inches, as it reflects the light. Therefore it increases your radiance. From 19-23 years I was wearing white exclusively. I was living in a big city and it actually felt really great and it was easy.

There are many different shades of white and today I see once more that white looks great on some people and just like any other color overpowers or undermines others. A general recommendation is not to wear a white, which is whiter than your teeth or the white of your eyes.

I started wearing more colors and even black, when I moved to CA and HI. It probably had to do with the weather and taking years to figure out American washing mashines. When I had a baby I stopped wearing white. 

What is your story with 'white' clothing?

Black and White always works…is that true?

This is one of those persistent fashion statements, which does not work for everyone. Black and white are the highest form of contrast (see Reinventing Your Style by Jennifer Butler/www.jenniferbutlercolor.com) and for some people it overpowers them like a very bold color. This has to do with one's native contrast. People who don't have much contrast between their eyes, hair and skin are better off with lower contrast levels.

So black in combination with white does not work well for a lot of people and then black or white alone may not be the most advantageous either. For the next days check your and other people's wardrobe and tune into blacks and whites on people. See if you are first drawn to look at the white and black or at their face and overall appearance. 

Slightly Off

Once I realize that a piece of my wardrobe is even only slightly off, I no longer feel comfortable and strong in it. Comparing it with eating, it just doesn't taste right and is reduced to fulfilling a function. Slightly off is subtle: the print is not quite right, the color a bit too pale or strong, the neckline to narrow or deep. When asked about a slightly off outfit, I would say it is not horrible or it is okay. Who wants to wear just okay or not horrible?

My lowest value on what I wear is nice. Followed by:

pretty, sweet, smart, beautiful, very nice, very beautiful, elegant, artistic.  

The next step up is described as:

gorgeous, fabulous, fantastic, hot, great, incredible, terrific, perfect, stunning, outrageously beautiful.

When you describe what you are wearing, use a word for your whole appearance, because sometimes individual items need to be rated quite differently.

What to wear to show off my hair

This is the question, which propelled me to dive into the vast field of clothing. As a holistic hairdresser, I have been consulted endless times about the right hair color. My advice is simple:

-Stay with your natural hair color.

-If you get gray hair and are unhappy about it, color your hair back to your natural hair color, possibly with non-chemical hair colors.

Perhaps you have a need for variety, adventure, change or enjoy experimenting. These needs can be fulfilled in many other ways, which are not as permanent, potentially damaging and compromising your appearance.

A new lipstick can do the trick. Don't get your hair colored because you feel emotionally down or bored. It rarely helps those conditions.

If you feel the desire to change your hair color, address your wardrobe.

Most importantly to accentuate the beauty of your hair:

*Check what colors you currently wear and how they make your hair look.

*Play with the contrast effect. For example if you have dark hair, it will look darker, when you wear lighter clothes. If you have a few grays, a light gray, white color may increase a pale, grayish look whereas a darker gray or black add more presence to the hair.

*Wear your eye color and the hair color to create harmonious appearances.

*Match the texture and the volume of your hair with your clothes. If you have fine silky hair don't overpower it with heavy knits. If you have a curly mane, add layers and textures to you clothing, so the hair doesn't overpower your appearance.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Backpacks, Bags, Purses

Bags, Purses, Baskets, Clutches, Computer bags, Suitcases, Briefcases, Fanny Bags and Backpacks are all part of our wardrobe. These accessories have the power to complement, beautify and distort an outfit. These are my personal guidelines beyond practicality and functionality:

*Does the pattern and color match the outfit? 

*Does the style match me?

*Does the item have the right size for my body type? Example: Avoid tiny purses on large bodies and huge purses on tiny bodies.

*What does the item do to my silhouette? Worst examples: Wearing a backpack when you are not on a hike (creates a large hump) or a fanny pack when you are not traveling (creates an extra belly).       

From Bottom to Top: The right length for dresses, coats, skirts, shorts

We can determine the right length for dresses, coats and skirts and shorts with the help of four criteria:

*what looks best on our body

* what feels right on your body

*what is appropriate for the occasion

*what is appropriate for our age.

In the TV show What not to wear a sign is displayed, which says NO MINI SKIRTS AFTER 35!

First I thought that this was too strict, I was sure that some women over 35 would look good in a mini skirt. A couple of years later I have yet to meet that woman and I saw plenty where it did look too girlie, to vulgar and not flattering for the woman's figure.

The beach would be an occasion to wear a wrap around type of mini skirt I can imagine for myself right now and perhaps as a lingerie item.

Feeling the right length of a piece of clothing takes just a moment. Close your eyes and feel where the length of the piece touches you, when you stand and walk. Most of us are very aware of what feels right and not. The other day I tried on a friend's knitted coat and it was gorgeous, style wise and color wise but I was too long on me, felt heavy and cumbersome.

Thirdly, how does the length of the skirt look on your body? Take a photo of yourself in the outfit. We can see the harmony of proportions much better in a photo than in the mirror. We can also see how the line of a skirt or coat accentuates our legs, knees, or hips and decide what looks best. Often a piece of clothing just needs to be shortened a bit to be brought up to date and to look great on you.

Relationships and Clothes: Color Reactions

People like a color on us either because they recognize how the color suits us or they like to look at the color and feast on its frequency. Vice versa if they don't like a color on us, it is because the color is overpowering or undermining us or because they have a story about that specific color and don't enjoy absorbing it visually.

I heard a clerk in a grocery store telling the customer ahead of me: "I hate wearing brown, it reminds me of my grandmother's attic."  I couldn't stand the generalization, especially because she had shiny brown hair, which would indicate that wearing brown for her would be quite flattering. When it was my turn, I said: "There are probably a thous

and different shades of brown out there. Do you hate all of them?" She started to think and we talked a bit more.

A client of mine has a big story around the color orange. Her father worked for a waste management company and that was the color of his work clothes.

I wear quite often charcoal gray. It is a formal color for me. I feel seen and respected when wearing it. People compliment me less when I am wearing gray and much more when I wear red or pink tones or navy and blues.

Which size?

Did you notice that the sizes that fit you seem to get lower in the number but you know you did not get skinnier? The industry caught on to the very curious consumer preference years ago and reacted with what is called 'vanity sizing.' This appeals to women and men who prefer wearing and consequently buying more flattering sizes. People who were wearing jeans size 8, now can fit into size 4.

On the other hand some clothes are getting smaller, the jeans size 8, which you wore for years now is a 10 or 12, which feels as if you got bigger. Often the larger sizes are more costly and the higher price is justified with the use of more material. 

It helps to get acquainted with the sizes of certain brands, which fit your body well and to develop an eye for your measurements on a hanging piece of clothing.

We can no longer rely on the numbers printed on the labels. They are just numbers and they are not displayed on the outside! 

Wardrobe Psychology: Becoming a mother

For a few years after I had my daughter I did not care much about clothes. My body had changed. Playing with little children made the clothes get dirty faster. Nursing dictated to some extend what I was wearing or not and there were a few days when I didn't have the alone time to take a shower. Learning to be less judgmental of other mothers is one of my most cherished lessons from that time.  Before I became a mother I couldn't understand how some women couldn't seem to get it together and let themselves go like that. Now I have more compassion and understanding for myself and other mothers.  And I also have noticed that not every mother neglects her appearance, which is directly linked to her priorities, values and knowledge. 

I would do things differently now. If I had to basically wear exercise outfits for a couple of years again, I would at least make sure, they look great on me. Truth is, I hadn't found my style before having a child and in becoming a mother I certainly didn't either. 

Relationships and Clothes: Getting too comfortable or holding up your standard

In the dating phase of a relationship people tend show their best selves in their best clothes. Then once two people have seen each other without clothes a certain comfort level may settle in. I find this desirable and relaxing to a certain point. 

When women and men put less energy into their appearance compared to what they used to, it feels like a let down. Now that I conquered you, you are mine and I don't need to work so hard anymore to get you.

Pretty dresses are exchanged for sweats and t-shirts. Shirts are not ironed and look faded.

Ultimately we dress for ourselves. This viewpoint reflects a paradigm shift in relating to one another beyond unconscious codependent patterns. This is me in my clothes. This is who I am and how I take care of myself according to my highest standards. 

Wardrobe Psychology: Mothers mean well

I immigrated to the United States almost two decades ago. My parents and I mailed each other many packages and my mother sent me a lot of clothes, which at one point I realized only hit the spot by 10%. I couldn't stand the waste and created a color and style palette, in which I specified what I like and don't like and sent it to her. Now the percentage of what I liked from the clothing gifts skyrocketed to 90%. 

Mom doesn't always know best. And we shouldn't be wearing the clothes she gifts us out of politeness or obedience. I did the math in regards to my daughter, knowing that I (and her grandmother) will buy her clothes for many years to come.  I took her to Jennifer Butler, color consultant in LA, a true living master (www.jenniferbutlercolor.com) and had her palette done, when she was 9 years old. The investment is a tiny fraction of what three generations of women would have spent on her over time on mispurchases.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Choosing the right colors

There are thousands of different colors available to choose from. They are all special and beautiful by themselves. A color either matches us, our pigmentation (skin, hair, eyes, lips) and energy level or it overpowers our appearance (one sees  the color over you) or undermines it (one sees your face but the rest sort of fades). Check in what category the colors in your wardrobe fall. 

Colors are chosen for therapeutic reasons. A color brings certain memories, has symbolic meaning or seems to give us energy. Compliments have a strong influence on our color choices. Often one person telling us that they like the color we are wearing can

 make us choose that color more often. What if the person is at

tracted to the color personally or just wanted to say something nice?

Weather plays a role in our color choices as well. In a cold and rainy season we might crave lighter and bolder colors. In the spring and summer we go lighter and in autumn and winter darker. We also wear darker colors for evening occasions and shimmering fabrics and accessories in harmony with the night sky. 

Nightgowns and Pajamas

One weak spot in my otherwise very happy wardrobe are nightgowns. For years now I have been going through the nightgown sections of department stores and specialty lingerie stores in Hawai'i, California and Germany, like Victoria Secret shaking my head in utter disappointment. It is a bit similar to the 'cute and funny socks,' which seem to make some people happy (see previous blog entry). The prints of nightgowns are cute, like little flowers, hearts and teddy bears and some have funny jokes on them. And there are not necessarily made out of cotton on top of that. Then there is a crass opposition to the 'sexier' nightgowns, the ones that shine and glimmer and have thin straps. Those appeal to me visually more but most of them are 100% made out of polyester (even more expensive lines) and they can't warm the shoulders and arms, when sleeping. I have observed a whole range of compromises my girlfriends and clients have chosen to wear at night. Oversized t-shirts, sorted out t-shirts, sweat pants, flannel gowns…washed out and in my opinion hideous patterns and colors. They mostly fulfilled one criterion. They would cover the skin. 

I see my ideal nightgown in front of my eyes, therefore I trust that it will manifest, even if I will have it custom-tailored. It is really a simple design: basically a t-shirt with long sleeves, which covers the thighs in one color or print, which I like.

Wear Mastery Strategies:Avoiding the baggy look

Covering up love handles, bellies and other body parts judged as too flabby with larger clothing adds even more volume to one's appearance. Fitted clothing always makes you look slimmer, even if some of your body forms show. 

I say "too baggy" and the response is "but it is comfortable." Is that really true for you? Extra layers of fabrics molding and folding around you? Does it not sometimes feel slightly cumbersome? Like walking around in a blanket, which you might trip over?

I do understand that there may be an emotional need of wanting to hide. I had those moments and oversize clothes fulfill that requirement.  

Nowadays we do have stretchy fabrics woven into jeans, dresses and tops and fitted clothing is much more comfortable than it used to be decades ago.

Cutting or not cutting those labels off

The other day my ten-year-old daughter and I were standing in line behind a woman whose label stuck out of the back of her top. We looked at each other and discussed discreetly whether we should say something or not. We decided not to and had to keep looking at this little eyesore. 

I cut my daughter's and my labels out, because they itch us and I don't want to risk their unwanted appearance.

Those labels are mandatory and perhaps guarantee a potential resale value. They pretend to give information on the size, which can be useful. This is another separate topic, because I own clothing from size 2 to size 14 right now, all of which fits perfectly. 

My mother takes the time to dismantle the labels completely, neatly with a special tool. I am going to make a point of doing that too, only with clothing, which has an obvious front or back.

Aloha Shirts

In the early 80's during my teenage years I actually found an aloha shirt, a Hawaii Shirt, how we call them in Germany, in a boutique near Hamburg's harbor. My peers and I dressed a bit like the 50's and so this was a perfect addition. With this shirt I connected to a dream, a different culture and time.  

When I immigrated to the States and then landed on the islands, the aloha shirts and Hawaiian prints were very attractive to me and I enjoyed looking at them. Now after 13 years living on the islands I have learned to discriminate between wearing a symbol and wearing something, which actually looks great as well. I am noticing the difference in aloha shirt styles. The author of the article states, what I think: "who after a certain age actually looks good in an Aloha Shirt?"  Often the print and the colors are too overpowering and one just sees the shirt and not the person. Then the print pattern and the colors may not match the person's skin tone and features either.  I live here and am immersed in Hawaiian culture, so I don't need to wear Hawaiian prints. There are many solutions to taking Hawaii's amazing energy into the world: photos, the spirit of Aloha, art…consider an Aloha Shirt as just one option. 

Great article on the history of the Aloha Shirt:

www.coffeetimes.com/aloha.htm

Wear Mastery Strategies: Secondhand Vibrations

I wear secondhand clothing from people I know and don't know. Everything, which comes into my house new or secondhand gets washed anyhow. The new pieces often are chemically coated and the secondhand ones possibly too.  From my many years of experiences with energies, through healing and therapy and work, I find that washing secondhand clothing with cold water clears other people's vibrations off. The only thing I don't wear secondhand are shoes. One of my yoga teachers recommended 'not to walk in another person's shoes because you may take on their karmic path.' Now that could be good or not… there is something to it. Shoes get molded and adapt to one's feet. Other people's shoes really absorb something from their soul.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Traveling Light

One of my clients paid 500 Euros last summer in additional luggage charges traveling around Europe. Later she added it up and realized she could have bought a whole new wardrobe with that money. Another client visited the islands and couldn't decide on what to take so she put everything in two suitcases and including inter-island travel wasted $100 on clothes, which really should have been sorted out long time ago.

This is my advice: Choose highly combinable layers of beautiful and comfortable fitting favorites of 3 bottoms, 5 tops, 3 sweaters/jackets and you have 3x5x5=45 possibilities, which should be plenty for a week or two. Wear the thickest and warmest combination with the bulkiest shoes on the planes, where it is cold anyhow and you may get away with carry-on.

From Bottom to top: Comfort and Beauty in One Pair of Shoes

Our feet like no other part of our body challenge us to balance comfort and beauty. Shoes, which are comfortable and pretty and match the outfit are every woman's dream. Deep longing breath. I imagine the glass slipper, which exactly fits my foot, is molded around it. But wait, I wouldn't want to trip. And neither do generations of emancipated women.  The glass slipper is perfectly fitted and chic but not practical.  Unless you want to be found by the prince. The symbolism of the glass slipper touches the depth of the soul, yearning two unite the different parts of our psyche, the feminine and the masculine into One.  Searching for one pair of magical shoes resembles the heroine's journey, a continuous whole-life-spanning quest, which definitely needs the help of a fairy godmother.  May the shoemakers of the world be blessed.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Preparing for a Photo Portrait

Everyone needs a great current digital photo of themselves for private, professional or social purposes. Here are some basic tips for what to wear when getting your photos taken.

•Avoid white because white attracts the viewer's eye and will distract from your face.

•Avoid black because it will make your face seem to dangle in the air. 

This does not necessary apply for wearing black and white in your life. You might wear those colors really well.

•Avoid large patterns, numbers, words which would distract from your face.

•Choose at least five different tops and do a test photograph, even with your cell phone if nothing else is available. You will get an impression in which photos you look most present, approachable and clear.

•Choose a color, which is not overpowering you and which is not too pale either, so you overpower the color.

•Pay attention to the neckline of the top you are wearing. Make sure your head doesn't look choked or too small. Scarves and ties can balance a blouse or shirt, which is buttoned up.

And of course, practice smiling!

Relationships and Clothes: First Impression

The way we dress shows how we choose to express ourselves privately and publicly. We display our taste, political, cultural, social and even religious preferences through our clothing. It is impossible not to communicate through our clothes or lack thereof. Kundalini Yoga Master Yogi Bhajan says, "we can fully read and see another person within the first three seconds of meeting them by looking into their eyes. This is the window into another's soul." 

Additionally, we can learn a lot about someone by reading their hair, their walk, voice and their clothing. That is a lot of subliminal and obvious information already. Some people top it off and wear T-Shirts, which broadcast additional messages like 'Best Daddy in the World' or  'I believe in miracles.' 

I have been judging people in my life based on first impressions of how they acted or looked like in one moment and I am glad life gave me a chance to meet them again. Clothing can really distract from the beauty, which is inside all of us. That is why I created Wear Mastery, which leads to clothes that match our inner beauty and message to the world.

Relationships and Clothes: Taking Care of the Other

What does it mean when she takes care of his laundry and he takes care of her car? This can be a co-dependent or a mutually satisfying inter-dependent arrangement. He could take care of his laundry and she could take care of her car. I am basing my thoughts on two people who are not at the same level of caring for their appearance and clothing and who are not exchanging wardrobe advice equally.  When it comes to wardrobe, not everybody has the innate talent or learned ability to dress in an advantageous or desired way. Often women take care of their man's wardrobe and men help their girlfriends and wives. When does this become 'mothering' and 'fathering' and does this take away from a healthy partnership? If the mothering feels nurturing instead of controlling and the fathering empowering instead of suppressing, the roles can contribute to healing and growth. Time will tell how long the mother and father roles are played and enjoyed.  

Relationships and Clothes: His and Hers

Most couples I have met over the years share closet space in one way or another. He has one part of the walk-in or built-in closet, she has the other part.  So far, I haven't met anyone who was excited or enthusiastic about the other person's clothes. Usually, conversations or showings with women were accompanied by a sigh, facial expression of resignation and by judgments. Conclusion: sharing a closet is not very desirable.  Also, if the couple has completely different closets, women often feel burdened by the amount and kind of clothing their partners store in their closets.  Men don't seem to have that much discomfort with their woman's clothing. I would like to know more about what men are thinking in regards to that…Space has to be negotiated in any relationship and appearance and energy (of the clothes) as well to avoid a build-up of resentments. 

Wear Mastery Strategies: Refining to Favorites

I like comparing food and clothing consumption. Here is one example. Cookies and baked goods in general were something I really enjoyed and often ate too much of. Until just a couple of years ago I started to notice how certain cookies wouldn't be as fulfilling as others. I cannot explain why it happened all of a sudden but it led me to not wanting to eat the less fulfilling ones anymore. So cookies are narrowed down to my current favorite: Walker's Short Bread Cookies. And since I don't want to spoil the fun, I refrain from eating them too often.

The same thing happened with other food categories and it also became my strategy for choosing clothes: only going for favorites. When under stress I become less discriminative and lean towards consuming less favorite foods. Trying or buying clothes under stress is not a great experience and inevitably often leads to wrong purchases. 

I am very, very grateful to be in this privileged position of making more and more refined choices.

Wear Mastery Strategies: Understanding Attachments to Clothing

I am at my friend's house, which is situated in a remote rural part of the Big Island, Hawai'i. Her walk-in closet is full of beautiful clothes, high quality, carefully and lovingly selected and collected over the years from different parts of the world. She feels connected through the fabrics to tribal cultures and artisan communities and she feels too crowded by all the clothes she doesn't wear.

She rarely wears the clothes because she came from a cosmopolitan place to the country, practically to a farming existence. Even if we don't wear our clothes, time will wear them, and we need to maintain and preserve them, investing time, money, space and energy to do so.

What should she do with her treasures? Just let them go? Transform part of her closet into an exhibit, which would showcase the clothes and tell their stories? Or keep and maintain them to enjoy the energy of the fine materials and possibilities in her field?

From Bottom to top: Cute and Funny Socks

I have been given socks as presents, which the person who gave them to me thought were cute or funny or cozy: like those glove socks, where each toe has its own home, striped socks, or fluffy polyester ones in bright colors for cold evenings. And when those socks are worn by others, I noticed people making remarks about how cute or funny they are, which sort of reinforces the decision to wear these kind of socks.

When I see those socks on adults, I react and cringe, because my desire for esthetics is momentarily not met. Obviously, there is no right or wrong. I am just wondering and trying to understand. Where is the line between clothing and costumes? If someone wears a piece of clothing, which tends to become a conversation piece is the intention to receive additional attention or wanting to communicate something specific, like 'I have humor' or I like 'bright colors'? What about the criteria of age-appropriateness and occasion-appropriateness?

And this time it has nothing to do with the difference in German or American humor, which I stumble over sometimes, because even Germans wear cute and funny socks.

 

From Bottom to Top: White Athletic Socks

On one of TLC's Show What not to Wear, the hostess Stacy London clarified when to wear white athletic socks and when not. The word athletic is crucial: We wear athletic socks, when we do athletics and exercise. 

The man chosen for the wardrobe makeover was wearing white athletic socks with everything, even to work, so that they would brightly show themselves between dress pants and shoes. Stacy pointed out that only if you are a professional basketball player, football player, coach etc. is it justified to wear athletic socks for work.

Who hasn't purchased a package of white athletic socks? They are made out of cotton, are cheap, they all fit with one another and one needs them for exercise. White athletic socks actually rarely look good as a part of an outfit because they distract from it, especially if bright white and high contrasts are not on your color and design palette. Socks in neutral colors, which go with your shoes (unless you wear bright white sneakers all the time) and pant colors will improve and even elongate your appearance.

Interaction with Clothing Sales People: Almost unnoticeable hesitation

On my clothing manifesting wish list is a bathrobe. I have one, made out of this fluffy polyester material and would like to trade it for one in a natural material. So recently I went into a store and saw a bathrobe made out of silk in one of my favorite colors. I came only in two sizes. I tried on small. When the owner approached me, I asked her before I looked into the mirror: "What do you think, does it look too big?" There it was: She hesitated ever so slightly and then said: "it looks great." The bathrobe felt too big and actually looked too big. My inner response was: "She lied to me. She just wants to sell her product." That is quite an accusation and an assumption. Then I thought about it more and "it looks great," can be simply interpreted as a vague answer. After all she didn't say: "it looks great on you."

You may have experienced this slight hesitation in people's verbal reaction and facial expression when asking them for advice. It happens when there are conflicting motives like wanting to sell something and to give an honest opinion or wanting to help but not wanting to hurt someone's feelings. 

I will try to catch this moment of hesitation next time it presents itself to me. Then I could say: "It seemed as if you were hesitating for a moment. I really appreciate your feedback whatever it may be."

Wear Mastery Strategies: Slow Shopping

Inspired by Mark David's talk at the Natural Food Expo 2009  (www.psychologyofeating.com), I started to think about when it is actually necessary to consciously slow down. His thesis is that mostly digestive and weight problems, cravings and food addictions are caused by stress.  He suggested that one minute of deeper breathing before eating, helps the body to switch from a Fight or Flight Response state to relaxation, which then enables the body to truly absorb and digest the food. Eating slower, savoring, taking pleasure in the process surely benefits the health of our body and minds.

How many of our clothes have been bought on an impulse and in a fast or hurried manner? Perhaps the price was right (the average American's first criteria for purchasing clothing) and then a couple of other criteria seemed to be fulfilled, like acceptable color and roughly the right size. 

Millions of shoppers don't even take the time anymore to try clothes on and often don't take the time to return the item if it doesn't fit.

Slow shopping means that we allow ourselves to feel the piece of clothing from the outside and inside, to touch it, to try it on, to really look at it, check the quality and the material, to walk in it through the store, to look at ourselves, to envision a couple of occasions we could wear it, to check if we can combine it with other wardrobe pieces, to breathe in it deeply for one minute before making the decision. Slow shopping inevitably leads to less in quantity but more refined in quality consumption. 

Relationships and Clothes: Perfect Match

There is a connection between finding the 'perfect' friend and partner and finding a piece of clothing, which is 'perfect' for us. It is the alignment of energies and circumstances, so when we meet the person or find the object, if feels like fate and destiny. It feels right, 'like home,' and there is no doubt.  We feel cozy in his arms and strong in her aura. The special piece of clothing fits like a glove! That is a very desirable experience and something I enjoy it permeating all areas of my life more and more. In regards to clothing, as well as friendship and partnerships we must first know who we are to be able to intent, manifest and then recognize the perfect match.

Who am I expressed in colors, patterns, and style? Who am I in my different roles relating to people?

Interaction with Clothing Sales People: First Contact

Living in Germany, California and Hawai'i plus traveling in four additional states and sixteen countries have introduced me to very different experiences with sales people. Actually, I feel I was exposed to the whole spectrum from the sales person showing no sign of attention to my presence in the store to immediately addressing me physically, energetically, and verbally.

It is different from culture to culture what is considered respectful. Letting the customer browse without a friendly 'May I help you,' can be interpreted as rude just as asking right away. I used to take the sales person's behavior personal and judge and interpret it. Now, I try to simply observe.  Example: This person is probably having a private conversation on the phone and does not want to be interrupted by a customer. (Here I am assuming and interpreting) This sales person looks so bored. (Here I am judging and assuming.)->

This person is focused on a phone conversation. This sales person is standing in the store. 

Before I enter a store I assess: Do I need or want the help of a sales person. If yes, I go towards them. If not, I scan for the location of my objects of interest and the whereabouts of the sales person. I greet the sales person depending on the distance with a nod or a verbal hello. Then I send out the message psychically and/or verbally: First, I would like to take a look around. I will come to you/look for you, if I have any questions.

Bottom to Top: Slippers and Flip Flaps

Many years of living in Hawaii wearing slippers (that's what we call Flip Flaps in Hawai'i) and sandals have actually flattened my feet and made wearing high heels nearly impossible. In Hawai'i it is custom to leave the shoes, so about  90% of them are slippers, outside the home before you enter. This continues to be an uplifting sight every time there is a party, showing respect and promising togetherness and fun.

Slippers/Flip Flaps are the least amount of shoe you can get. Just a sole and two straps. Very close to earth, very naked.  Shoes are a status symbol and there are very pricey sandals out there. The shoe-stealing scene from the movie Slum Dog Millionaire comes to mind. That doesn't happen at the entrances of private homes here on the islands but there are children living in the 50th state, who don't even own slippers or have only very worn ones. 

Feet need to breathe, need to feel the ground and the earth. Latest research has shown that placing your feet on soil or an earth-stone pad while working on the computer reduces the exposure to electromagnetic pollution.

Bottom to Top: Acquiring New Boots

The first thread, which is creating the complex fabric of this piece of communication is called from Bottom to Top and rethinks and refines the process of dressing each of our precious physical body parts. 

The Hawaiian island of Maui is my home-base and I spend about 8 months out of the year here.

I own two pairs of boots, a silver and a brown one. The silver one looks great but isn't comfortable enough for long stretches of time. The brown one looked great, is very comfortable and worn and needs to be replaced…I thought…

So off to check the Maui-Store Scene for boots, I even went to Ala Moana Shopping Center on Oahu and during a business trip to LA checked out a few stores. I asked around and was referred to www.lucchese.com. Even though I appreciate the art of making these fine leather boots, the cows I reasoned are being killed for their meat anyhow and their skin is a by-product, which should better be used, but then the snakes, the ostriches,  the alligators and finally the elephants got to me. I felt sick. I can't support or buy boots made out of elephant skin!!!!!!  The next attempt were the vegan shoe sites, which didn't have anything appealing either.

Being an experienced  clothing manifestor I realized a bit late but finally that it wasn't the right timing for me to acquire boots.

And I reasoned that I really don't need new boots right now. I wear the brown a  bit shabby looking boots mostly when it rains on Maui, which means then they do get water spots and dirt on them anyhow. 

This whole process led to one of my wardrobe goals: to consume less, to consume only if it feels right on all levels, to purchase only something if it meets all of my wardrobe criteria (material, color, style weren't met on my search).

I actually feel relieved in the sense of I have everything I need right now.

Welcome to Wear Mastery

My expertise is hair. I practice Hair Balancing, a holistic haircutting philosophy and technique, write, research and teach about hair. But eventually, hair lead me to look closer at what we wear. All of a sudden a beautifully balanced head of hair with an open glorious crown chakra would not be enough to satisfy my need for beauty and flow of energy, when the client was wearing a horizontally stripped oversized sweater, which sort of swallowed up the client's aura.

Hair coloring is a huge topic and since I am on a mission to promote natural hair, I had to figure out what to wear to show of our natural hair!!! And that lead me to study numerous wardrobe coaching systems. More on that later…

And then the most important piece why I am so juiced up about wardrobe improvement right now is Dr. John Demartini's fault. After many years of valuing what is in the inside more than what is on the outside, I learned that both are equally important, two sides of the same coin. The material and spiritual aspects of life most be honored simultaneously. In other words, I have finally fun with my clothes and feel more confident and relaxed then ever. 

This blog is documenting my experiences with clothing, personally and professionally, as I am committed to become a wear master. I am learning every day something new and am so excited to share this process with you, with the intention that this will assist you on your own life mastery path.