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Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
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Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her

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Style guru Lloyd Boston is familiar to millions of viewers across the country as a fashion editor for NBC's Today show and a regular on E! Entertainment's Style Network. He's familiar to readers who made his style guides for men -- and the women who dress them -- bestselling books. Now with Before You Put That On, Boston delivers 365 expert fashion tips to help women create a wardrobe and a personal style they can be proud of every day of the year -- using much of what may already be in their closets!

Lloyd Boston defines finding your style as "taking your world and giving it shape." That's what he's done for his individual and corporate clientele for years, and now with this beautifully designed book -- including his own original art -- he's offering his insider secrets to you. Boston's user-friendly references are filled with inspirational ideas for looking and feeling your most stylish.

Friendly, frank, and with a wealth of professional tips at his disposal, Boston guides readers through an entire year's worth of fashion choices, beginning with a new style resolution at the top of the year, through the fresh fashion possibilities of spring and barely dressed days of summer, and back through the glittering holidays.

Before You Put That On offers:

• Hints for choosing garments to flatter every body type
• Simple solutions for going from day to night in minutes
• Tailoring tricks that bring new life to items you already own
• Advice on adding accessories that turn a look from frumpy to fabulous
• Organizational tips for creating a user-friendly closet
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAtria Books
Release dateDec 7, 2010
ISBN9781451628722
Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her
Author

Lloyd Boston

LLOYD BOSTON is a top TV Style Expert, Television Host, and the author of three popular style books--including Before You Put That On. He's been a regular on-air style contributor for NBC Today with over 150 segments to his credit, and made several appearances on Oprah, The View, and CNN. An original host on the STYLE Network, Lloyd has also been the host of his own show, Closet Cases, and several specials for the Fine Living Network and HGTV. He is currently the voice of the red carpet for NBCs EXTRA and the exclusive Style Guy for Jones New York helping women to craft their style. Lloyd splits his time between New York and Los Angeles.

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    Book preview

    Before You Put That On - Lloyd Boston

    BEFORE YOU PUT THAT ON

    Other style books by Lloyd Boston

    Men of Color: Fashion, History, Fundamentals (Artisan)

    Make Over Your Man: The Woman’s Guide to Dressing Any Man in Her Life (Broadway)

    ATRIA BOOKS

    1230 Avenue of the Americas

    New York, NY 10020

    www.SimonandSchuster.com

    Copyright © 2005 by Lloyd Boston

    Photographs by Keith Major

    All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Atria Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

    ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-8169-0

    ISBN-10:         0-7432-8169-1

    eISBN-13: 978-1-4516-2872-2

    First Atria Books hardcover edition September 2005

    10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

    ATRIA BOOKS is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

    Manufactured in the United States of America

    For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales: 1-800-456-6798 or business@simonandschuster.com.

    All illustrations in this book were created by Lloyd Boston with Windsor & Newton Designers Gouache and Berol Prismacolor thick lead art pencils.

    For my mother, Lynell, and Uncle Jake and Aunt Jean, thanks for keeping me safe

    CONTENTS

    Preface

    January 1

    Claim This Year as Your Most Stylish Ever

    January 2

    Inspired Workout Clothes

    January 3

    Prints and Patterns Solved

    January 4

    The Experts Speak: Adam Glassman

    January 5

    Wooden Hangers, Please

    January 6

    Girl Group Style

    January 7

    Top Eleven Shoes

    January 8

    The Experts Speak: Michael Kors

    January 9

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Ruching

    January 10

    The Experts Speak: Mally Roncal

    January 11

    Your Pen Is Mightier Than You Think

    January 12

    Identify Your Life Palette

    January 13

    Create a Style File

    January 14

    Fall/Winter Clearance Sale Alert

    January 15

    Seamless Bras Rule

    January 16

    Wear a Hat for Style

    January 17

    Protect Your Shoes

    January 18

    Women’s History Flashback

    January 19

    Get Model Confidence

    January 20

    Happy Birthday, Aquarius Girl

    January 21

    Travel with a Scented Candle

    January 22

    At Ease

    January 23

    Add Asian Prints to Your Look

    January 24

    The Experts Speak: Kenneth Cole

    January 25

    Pop Style Quiz

    January 26

    The Experts Speak: Marc Bouwer

    January 27

    Ten-Minute Meeting Style

    January 28

    Mall Shopping 101

    January 29

    The Experts Speak: Suze Yalof Schwartz

    January 30

    The Three-in-One Shopping Test

    January 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    February 1

    My Stylish Valentine

    February 2

    Groundhog Day—the Countdown to Sexy

    February 3

    Go for Open-Toe Shoes

    February 4

    Historical Style: Happy Birthday, Rosa Parks

    February 5

    There Is a Cure for the Wintertime Blues

    February 6

    The Baggy Clothes Myth

    February 7

    Buying in Pairs

    February 8

    Professional Bra Fittings

    February 9

    World Traveler Style

    February 10

    Celebrate Your Originality

    February 11

    Is a Sale Always a Sale?

    February 12

    Invest in Ballerina Flats

    February 13

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Piqué

    February 14

    Happy Valentine’s Day

    February 15

    Be Your Own Fashion Editor

    February 16

    Get a Luxury Bathrobe

    February 17

    The Experts Speak: Joe Zee

    February 18

    Add a Geometric Print to Your Look

    February 19

    Happy Birthday, Pisces Girl

    February 20

    Ten-Minute Date Style

    February 21

    Wear Chocolate Brown and Classic Pink

    February 22

    Your Fashion First-Aid Kit

    February 23

    Stop Getting Beautiful

    February 24

    Pop Style Quiz

    February 25

    The Essentials List: Flats

    February 26

    Dress from Small to Big

    February 27

    The Drop-Dead Dress

    February 28

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    March 1

    Spring Fashion Cleaning

    March 2

    The Experts Speak: Michael Vollbracht

    March 3

    Let Your Hairstyle Go

    March 4

    Historical Style: Jeanette Rankin

    March 5

    Don’t Shop

    March 6

    Identify Your Signature Look

    March 7

    Go Ahead, Wear Stripes with Plaids

    March 8

    Add African Prints to Your Look

    March 9

    The Experts Speak: Carolina Herrera

    March 10

    The Year-Round Pant or Skirt Suit

    March 11

    Don’t Let the Name Fool You

    March 12

    The Experts Speak: Max Azria

    March 13

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Jacquard

    March 14

    Ten-Minute Cocktail Party Style

    March 15

    Good-bye, Coatdress, Hello, Wrap Sweater

    March 16

    Count Your Lucky Skirts

    March 17

    Pop Style Quiz

    March 18

    The Spring Safari Jacket

    March 19

    Banish the Morning News; Get Dressed to Music

    March 20

    Thaw Your Style

    March 21

    Happy Birthday, Aries Girl

    March 22

    Glam-It-Up Dress for the Theater

    March 23

    Be a Man Magnet

    March 24

    The Experts Speak: Tommy Hilfiger

    March 25

    Reach Out for the Right Clothes First

    March 26

    Wake Up Your Outfit with a Pop of Color

    March 27

    Unmatch Your Handbag and Shoes

    March 28

    Start Your Dressing Somewhere Else

    March 29

    Color-Coded Organization

    March 30

    Date Night Chic

    March 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    April 1

    The Style Reset Button

    April 2

    The Experts Speak: Lesley Jane Seymour

    April 3

    The Sabrina Heel

    April 4

    Happy Birthday, Maya

    April 5

    Ditch Your Blouse for a Day

    April 6

    The Experts Speak: Avril Graham

    April 7

    Upgrade Your Umbrella

    April 8

    Gray Is Gorgeous

    April 9

    The Coat Every Woman Needs

    April 10

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Fedora

    April 11

    The Experts Speak: Robert Burke

    April 12

    Add a Polka-Dot Print to Your Look

    April 13

    Let Go of Old Habits

    April 14

    Pop Style Quiz

    April 15

    Are You Stuck?

    April 16

    Slip into a Sling-Back

    April 17

    Ten-Minute Wedding Style

    April 18

    A-Line All the Time

    April 19

    Better to Be Overdressed

    April 20

    Get Longer Legs

    April 21

    Happy Birthday, Taurus Girl

    April 22

    Heels for Miniskirts

    April 23

    Wear Black and Navy

    April 24

    Flattering Floral Prints

    April 25

    Claim Your Twenties

    April 26

    Fly Coach, Dress First Class

    April 27

    Push Your Denim Jacket Over the Top

    April 28

    Balance Your Wardrobe

    April 29

    Feature Your Décolletage

    April 30

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    May 1

    Thank Mom for Style

    May 2

    The Experts Speak: Ken Pavés

    May 3

    Have Your Shoes Shined with the Boys

    May 4

    Look Good Coming and Going

    May 5

    The Experts Speak: Nicole Fischelis

    May 6

    Face Posture Check

    May 7

    The Experts Speak: Reem Acra

    May 8

    The Right Clothes for Your Hair

    May 9

    The Experts Speak: Monique Lhuillier

    May 10

    Investing in a Perfect Black Dress

    May 11

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Tortoiseshell

    May 12

    Look at Women Around You

    May 13

    Everything You Wear Cannot Shine

    May 14

    Add a Classic Pucci Print to Your Look

    May 15

    Ten-Minute Art-Gallery Style

    May 16

    Pop Style Quiz

    May 17

    Swimwear for Hippy Chicks

    May 18

    The Model Jean

    May 19

    Give Love, Get Style

    May 20

    Happy Birthday, Amelia Earhart

    May 21

    Happy Birthday, Gemini Girl

    May 22

    They’re Not Grandma’s Pearls Anymore

    May 23

    Regional Style Habits, Gone

    May 24

    Your Clothes Are Your Employees

    May 25

    Go Basic

    May 26

    The Bridesmaid’s Dress Lives Again

    May 27

    Claim Your Thirties

    May 28

    Be Aware of Proportion

    May 29

    Play Up Your Assets

    May 30

    Vintage Clothing

    May 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    June 1

    Stock Up on Summer Essentials Now

    June 2

    Shop Green, Give Something Back to the Earth

    June 3

    The Experts Speak: Kelly Killoren Bensimon

    June 4

    Summer Leather and Suede

    June 5

    Is a Tattoo Really You?

    June 6

    Brighten Those Pearly Whites

    June 7

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Haute Couture

    June 8

    White Jeans Are for Everyone

    June 9

    The Experts Speak: Nick Barose

    June 10

    Pop Style Quiz

    June 11

    If Your Top Is Finished, Untuck It

    June 12

    Happy Father’s Day

    June 13

    Wear Grass Green and Bright White

    June 14

    The Jeans and T-shirt Redux

    June 15

    Wear Orange and Hot Pink

    June 16

    Easy and Sexy Espadrilles

    June 17

    The Experts Speak: Nanette Lepore

    June 18

    Ride, Sally, Ride

    June 19

    Tailor-Made, Right at Home

    June 20

    What Celebrities Won’t Tell You

    June 21

    The First Day of Summer Essentials

    June 22

    Happy Birthday, Cancer Girl

    June 23

    Ten-Minute Class Reunion Style

    June 24

    Three Summer Looks in One

    June 25

    Super-Size Your Shoes

    June 26

    Claim Your Forties

    June 27

    Give Your Power Suit a Rest

    June 28

    The Experts Speak: Bobbi Brown

    June 29

    Carry Water, Not a Huge Handbag

    June 30

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    July 1

    Plan an Excursion Inspired by Clothes

    July 2

    Sleep

    July 3

    The Experts Speak: Sandra de Nicolais

    July 4

    Outfits with Fireworks

    July 5

    Do You Know Sarah Emma Edmonds?

    July 6

    Put a Denim Skirt to Work

    July 7

    Baby on the Way? Be More Stylish Than Ever

    July 8

    Release Past Patterns

    July 9

    No Wedding Whites—Unless You’re the Bride

    July 10

    Buy Pants in Multiples

    July 11

    The Experts Speak: Carmen Marc Valvo

    July 12

    Get Three Looks in One

    July 13

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Guayabera Shirt

    July 14

    Invest in a Cashmere Sweater

    July 15

    Spring/Summer Clearance Sale Alert

    July 16

    Ten-Minute Travel Style

    July 17

    Claim Your Fifties

    July 18

    Pop Style Quiz

    July 19

    The Experts Speak: Julie Chaiken

    July 20

    Add Americana Prints to Your Look

    July 21

    Juicy Summer Color

    July 22

    Take an Inch Off Your Waistline

    July 23

    Happy Birthday, Leo Girl

    July 24

    Plan a Clothes-Swapping Party

    July 25

    Add a Fresh Flower to Your Hair

    July 26

    Build an Outfit Around a Crisp White Shirt

    July 27

    Make the Best Use of Candlelight

    July 28

    The Experts Speak: Naima Turner

    July 29

    Go Silk

    July 30

    Shop by Style, Not by Name

    July 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    August 1

    Back to Cool

    August 2

    The Experts Speak: Karen Kozlowski

    August 3

    Moms Are Still Hot

    August 4

    Add High Glamour to Any Look

    August 5

    Dress from Your Head, Not Your Heart

    August 6

    Go Vintage with Your Bag

    August 7

    Give Your Clothes the Whiff Test

    August 8

    Retire Your Backpack

    August 9

    The Experts Speak: Anna Sui

    August 10

    Raid His Closet

    August 11

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Lariat Necklace

    August 12

    No Panty Hose with Open Toes

    August 13

    Happy Birthday, Lucy Stone

    August 14

    Add Paisley Prints to Your Look

    August 15

    Ten-Minute Girls’ Night Out Style

    August 16

    Pop Style Quiz

    August 17

    Donate to a Clothing Charity

    August 18

    Tan-Boosting Clothes

    August 19

    Wear a Dazzling Evening Scarf All Day

    August 20

    The Glove Compartment Makeover

    August 21

    Do the New Fashion Math

    August 22

    Stationery Is a Style Signature

    August 23

    Happy Birthday, Virgo Girl

    August 24

    The Experts Speak: Tracy Taylor

    August 25

    Soccer Mom to Rocker Mom

    August 26

    Reassess Your Eyewear

    August 27

    Wear an Arresting Color

    August 28

    Curvy Figures Love Wrap Dresses

    August 29

    Luxuriate in a Power Bath

    August 30

    Usually an Eight, Fit a Ten? Go for Ten

    August 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    September 1

    Dump Expired Makeup

    September 2

    Start Wearing White Today

    September 3

    The Experts Speak: Mandi Norwood

    September 4

    Fitting-Room Rules

    September 5

    Keep Your Makeup Where It Belongs

    September 6

    Women’s History Flashback: Louisa Ann Swain

    September 7

    Don’t Match Your Clothing with Your Makeup

    September 8

    The Skinny on Outlets

    September 9

    Ten-Minute Countryside Style

    September 10

    Dressing to Seal the Deal

    September 11

    Working from Home in Style

    September 12

    The Experts Speak: Dana Buchman

    September 13

    Nighttime Is the Right Time for Brown

    September 14

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Froufrou

    September 15

    Use Your Animal Print Instincts

    September 16

    Pucker Up with a Natural Lip

    September 17

    The Experts Speak: Nadine Luke

    September 18

    Pop Style Quiz

    September 19

    Work Smarter, Not Harder

    September 20

    Jump into a Classic Tan and Navy Ensemble

    September 21

    Welcome Autumn

    September 22

    Toss On a Blue Blazer Before Anything Else

    September 23

    Happy Birthday, Libra Girl

    September 24

    Accessorize Like a Fashion Model

    September 25

    Proper Petite Pant Length

    September 26

    Take a Style Time-Out

    September 27

    His Cargo Pants Don’t Have to Be Yours

    September 28

    Dress for the Corner Office

    September 29

    Monochromatic Style

    September 30

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    October 1

    Jean Maintenance

    October 2

    The Experts Speak: Lois Joy Johnson

    October 3

    The Quilted Jacket Solution

    October 4

    The Only Sneakers You’ll Need

    October 5

    Is Shimmer OK for Day?

    October 6

    Cash In on Your Great Sense of Style

    October 7

    The Experts Speak: Joan Kaner

    October 8

    Get Three Autumn Looks in One

    October 9

    Tie One On for Style

    October 10

    Gloves for Style, Not Just for Warmth

    October 11

    Happy Birthday, Eleanor

    October 12

    Tags and Labels Begone

    October 13

    The Experts Speak: Sonya Dakar

    October 14

    Invest in a Sweater Shaver

    October 15

    Ten-Minute Harvest Style

    October 16

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Diamanté

    October 17

    Dramatic Fall Legs

    October 18

    Add American Indian Prints to Your Look

    October 19

    Try Footless Hose and Mules

    October 20

    Pop Style Quiz

    October 21

    Studs Required

    October 22

    Mean Business in Your Camel Hair Overcoat

    October 23

    Happy Birthday, Scorpio Girl

    October 24

    Go for a Professional Leg Waxing

    October 25

    Turn a Style Tragedy into a Triumph

    October 26

    Snap a Photo of Your Best Outfits

    October 27

    Wear All Black and Be Ready for Anything

    October 28

    A Fashion-Forward Halloween

    October 29

    A Perfect Weekend Bag

    October 30

    Don’t Let Tags Spoil Your Look

    October 31

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    November 1

    Give Your Jewelry a Bath

    November 2

    The Experts Speak: Cynthia Rowley

    November 3

    Upgrade Your Undies

    November 4

    What’s Your Signature Scent?

    November 5

    Small Tips, Big Returns

    November 6

    Barefaced by Bedtime

    November 7

    Wearing Hose

    November 8

    The Experts Speak: BJ Gillian

    November 9

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Batik

    November 10

    Three Winter Looks in One

    November 11

    Jump into a Pair of Wellies

    November 12

    Add Abstract Prints to Your Look

    November 13

    Define Your Waist

    November 14

    Pop Style Quiz

    November 15

    Ten-Minute Tailgate Style

    November 16

    Simplify and Sexify Your Look

    November 17

    Wear Lavender, Wear Peace

    November 18

    Ditch the Worst Accessory Ever

    November 19

    Try On, Buy Off

    November 20

    Silver-Screen Inspiration

    November 21

    How Do I Want to Be Remembered?

    November 22

    Happy Birthday, Sagittarius Girl

    November 23

    Go, Hillary, Go!

    November 24

    The PTA Coat Is Not an Evening Coat

    November 25

    Give Thanks

    November 26

    Build Your Outfit from a Crush

    November 27

    Style Begins Where the Rules End

    November 28

    The Little Black Dress Cubed

    November 29

    Dressing in a Hotel

    November 30

    An Outfit Cheat Sheet

    December 1

    Recharge and Dress Down

    December 2

    The Experts Speak: Cynde Watson-Richmond

    December 3

    Zip Up Your Own Dress

    December 4

    Nail It Every Time

    December 5

    Strike Your Best Pose

    December 6

    Fishnets Make You Flirty

    December 7

    The Experts Speak: Betsey Johnson

    December 8

    Learn a New Fashion Term: Houndstooth

    December 9

    Rent a Men’s Tuxedo, Own the Room

    December 10

    Surprises as Chic

    December 11

    Kiss Santa, Don’t Wear Him

    December 12

    Animals Love Faux Fur

    December 13

    Reserve Your Newest Clothing for Big Nights

    December 14

    Let Your Handbag Tickle Your Wild Side

    December 15

    Pass the Good Things On

    December 16

    Ten-Minute Holiday Party Style

    December 17

    Choose Your Outfit Before Your Intimates

    December 18

    Use Your Consumer Rights

    December 19

    Pop Style Quiz

    December 20

    Have an Evening Clutch on Standby

    December 21

    Welcome the Winter Solstice

    December 22

    Happy Birthday, Capricorn Girl

    December 23

    Add a Wig to Your Wardrobe

    December 24

    Nighttime Makeup All Day Long

    December 25

    Give a Gift to Yourself First

    December 26

    Feature a Long Skirt

    December 27

    Happy Birthday, Marlene Dietrich

    December 28

    Festive and Fresh Holiday Dress

    December 29

    A Ten-Minute Makeover

    December 30

    Dress to Shop

    December 31

    Raise a Glass to a Year of Style Building

    Acknowledgments

    Sources

    PREFACE

    I love my job! Yes, I am probably one of the few who can honestly say that I truly love my job. As an author, television host, and fashion editor, I basically go clothing shopping for a living. And with the help of television I can assist millions of real women in looking and feeling better each and every day using what I find. A blessing.

    Before You Put That On is a book for real women of all shapes, sizes, and lifestyles in search of better style year-round. Not just for special occasions or job interviews, but every time you leave the house.

    First, I’d like to thank real women everywhere for almost writing my latest book for me! That may sound strange, but it is true. Between the days that I am serving as the on-air fashion editor for America’s number-one morning show, NBC’s Today, I have had the privilege to travel America as spokesperson for numerous fashion designers, mass brands, and labels, spreading the gospel of high style and easy tips on looking great—from intimate fashion shows in boutiques and department stores, to local morning television makeover spots at the crack of dawn, to special appearances for women’s organizations and national conventions. Style has fast become the new motivational genre for women and men.

    While getting on and off airplanes and trains and in and out of automobiles, I have witnessed so many real women (not fashion models) going about their day in the most unflattering clothing. And it makes me so sad. Mostly because on each of these women there was at least one redeeming outfit area that could have been played up, but they consciously or unconsciously chose to play it down. Many times I just wanted to reach out and politely whisper a tiny little anonymous tip: Go one size larger on your bra, miss. Or, Add a cuff to those pants for maximum glamour. I would have been slapped or security would have been called. So I chose to keep my mouth shut.

    Instead of looking and sounding like an insane fashion stalker, I decided to take all of the wrongs I have witnessed and right them for every woman to benefit from, each day of any given year. Enter Before You Put That On.

    A tip a day? 365 of them? It may sound intimidating to absorb, but I mean, really, why care about how you look every day? No one else does. Your kids love it when you show up to parent/teacher night dressed like you’ve been plowing the farm all day. Your husband really doesn’t care because he gets his eyeful of the women at work who actually still take the time to do their nails and hair regularly. And your boss, why bother? Looking at you in the cramped cubicle year after year from her corner office suits her just fine. Not anymore.

    Although every tip in this book won’t speak to every woman, much of the style advice that is offered each day are fashion solutions using what you may very well already own. Some tips you may already know, so this is just confirmation that you are doing the right style thing.

    You will notice somewhat generic clothing descriptions, and that I deal with big picture style (your top, your bottom, your shoes) often devoid of designer names, specific accessories, prints and patterns, etcetera. This was intentional to allow women of all bodies, budgets, and lifestyles to read the style ideas, interpret them to suit their needs, and most of all empower a personal style power without them having to run out and find a specific floral skirt with lace trim and beading. Who has time?

    An artist for as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with the way women dress—from images of celebrities on the big and small screens, to real women who would never imagine that a young man was noticing their shoes and lipstick. I think it began with my second-grade teacher—Miss Sanders had the most beautiful lip color that stuck together just in the corners of her mouth when she spoke. You never saw her reapply as the day went on; it was just always perfectly in place atop her full lips.

    My mom was a walking supermodel to me as I was growing up. I distinctly remember feeling so secure holding her hand on the way to preschool—yes, that early—and noticing the jingle of the stacks of thin sterling-silver bracelets on her wrists, and the sound her slim frame made as she walked across the gravel parking lot in her stacked wedge shoes. I would always try to walk harder to make the same noise, but my tiny body just wasn’t heavy enough pull it off.

    This spark led to well over fifteen years in the fashion and television industries, and nothing pleases me more than helping real women get dressed, and seeing them look and feel their absolute best afterward. I’m always amazed by how much pain women put up with when there are so many more comfortable solutions that are just as stylish. From shoes to undergarments, there is a world of possibilities so many women rush by to get to their old standbys. Before You Put That On unearths many of them.

    Kind of like sleeping on the remote, you usually wake up on some channel that scares you in the middle of the night. This is what happens when you just start getting dressed each day and not dressing well. To do this, sometimes all you need is a little pearl of inspiration to set you on your way. And note that although each day has a specific tip, they are very universal and can be used whenever you need a boost. Go ahead and use the tip from January 13 on May 23!

    Whether they realize it or not, when most women give a thumbs-up to a red carpet star or magazine page, they are saying that they’d love to look like that one day, one night. It may seem like an insurmountable task, though. This is why a little growth each day is the best way to get there. Hopefully, with the help of my book, and within the course of a calendar year, you will be on track to a stylish New Year and newer style!

    I hope to show you how one key piece can give you a multitude of looks. As you turn the pages you will see how to go from your desk to dinner in no time. And finally figure out what really needs to be retired without hesitation from your packed closet.

    Sometimes life can seem like one big to-do list, and most women forget to put themselves at the very top. This is where Before You Put That On comes in, boasting daily tips for low-maintenance high fashion.

    My sincere hope is that this book will be a continuum to my TV work of helping real women everywhere to look and, most important, feel their absolute best. One woman, one day, one outfit at a time.

    You have to invest in your appearance to shine, not only monetarily through clothing and accessories, but also with a little time and thought. This book asks you for just a few short minutes each day. For some this may be over coffee in the morning as you plan your outfit, whereas for others it will be a bedtime read that allows you to dream up a better outfit for tomorrow than you wore today. Make it a private ritual that gives you a little time to look within yourself and exceed your own style expectations. This is all that really matters.

    You will come to find that having style is like riding a bike. You will know it when you have it, and so will every woman who passes you by. You’ve witnessed this before, and know it right away. And just like you respond to other women with great style, you’ll begin to get the same reactions. Sometimes it is as simple as a locked glance, but those who know, will know.

    JANUARY

    Leave last year behind. Every day ahead is another chance for a fresh fashion start.

    JANUARY 1

    CLAIM THIS YEAR AS YOUR MOST STYLISH EVER. MAKE A PACT WITH YOURSELF TO EXPLORE NEW IDEAS, BREAK BAD HABITS, AND BE OPEN TO CHANGE.

    To have style is to give shape to the way you carry yourself. Our focus here is primarily on the way you dress, but the truth is that every way in which you present yourself to the world is important.

    Set a tone for the new year rather than commit yourself to resolutions—which most of us break in ninety days’ time. Think of adding or practicing good habits, as opposed to denying yourself. If you’re in the habit of wearing black, commit to adding some color. If you’re accustomed to loose garments, try more tailored or form-fitting ones. Start one item at a time.

    Don’t claim New Year’s resolutions, embrace a positive evolution.

    Affirmation:

    Before I put anything on, I will take two minutes each day to focus on ways to a more stylish me.

    JANUARY 2

    WEAR WORKOUT CLOTHES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO KEEP IT MOVING.

    Motivating yourself to exercise is tough whether you’re working out to a program on DVD in the privacy of your home or in a public or co-ed space. You know the scene at the gym. Some members—the gym bunnies—are in better shape than others and hop around letting everyone know it. Others—maybe you—slink around trying to draw as little attention as possible.

    Give yourself a self-esteem boost. Wear workout clothes that make you look and feel good—own two or three outfits that are simple, comfortable, and fit well. Try a tank in a bright color, paired with a darker drawstring yoga pant and your cleanest sneakers, athletic shoes, or even ballet slippers, depending on the activity. Or, invest in a supple velour sweat suit in a dark neutral with a bright-colored shoe.

    The cut of your workout gear should cover enough of you so that you never feel exposed, yet not large enough to make you feel like you are under a tarp. For instance, swap the XXL giveaway T-shirts for lightweight, zip-front track jackets that can be opened to reveal more, as your body takes on the new shape. And instead of oversized men’s sweatpants, opt for ultrathin, drawstring lounge pants that offer the full coverage of a pajama pant without the thick, visual-pound-adding bulk of traditional sweats.

    No need to go to great expense by buying brand-named athletic gear, and definitely avoid working out in heavy makeup or high-maintenance coiffed hair (though a subtle energizing scent could be nice). The idea is that when you look good, you feel better about doing anything—even if it’s an activity you dread. High style can inspire you to high performance and results that stick.

    JANUARY 3

    ADD PRINTS AND PATTERNS TO THE BEST EFFECT.

    Prints, plaids, and stripes are a stylish option for all women no matter what your size. So why, you might be asking yourself, has it been such a long-held belief that patterns only flatter tall and/or slender women and take fashion points away from fuller or shorter figures?

    The key to looking fabulous in that floral-patterned garment or

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