Dulcet Style Blog | Image Consulting, Wardrobe Assistance & Personal Shopping

Shorts for All Ages

Amanda Kay — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:02:43 +0000

While the daisy duke style short was popular for a while, and can still be deemed appropriate for teenagers, by the time you enter the workforce the hemline of the short needs to be lowered. And yes, you can still wear shorts past the age of 40, but the style becomes more conservative and tasteful. A flattering style for taller women is the Bermuda short, which hits just a few inches above your knee. The trouser short is a sophisticated way to show off your legs without being too revealing. Adding a belt to the short with an oxford or casual button down will provide a tailored look. One trend this season is suit dressing, but in a more modern way, with shorts and a blazer. This suit trend can be worn casually during the day with more relaxed textures, or glammed up at night with a more structured look. When shopping for your new shorts, be conscious of hemline and style, and you will put those daisy dukes to shame.

Expand Your Beauty Budget With These Innovative Ideas

Tracy Gringer — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:03:16 +0000

Create great gel-like eyeliner by mixing a very tiny amount of Vaseline or Aquaphor with a powder eye shadow. This intensifies the color and makes a paste that glides on easy with great staying power. Use this same trick with any cheek color that you think would look great on your lips; then top with lip gloss. Viola!

Looking for a certain shade of lipstick that is not in your makeup drawer? Instead of going out and buying a new tube, make your own tint by mixing two lipsticks together that you already have. You can use the back of your hand as an “artist’s palette”. It works quite well and the warmth of your body makes combining colors easier. Use this tip not only for lipstick; have fun combining blush and eye shadows as well.

Have fun mixing items you already have and saving money at the same time!

Choose a Spring Dress for Easy Dressing

Amanda Kay — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:17:13 +0000

With the spring weather in bloom now is the time to trade in your heavy pants and sweaters for some light fun dresses. While dresses may seem fancier than the uniform slacks and shirt combo, the dress provides a less fussy means to dressing, and will evoke your feminine side. This spring season it is all about the prints to up the funky factor in your wardrobe, and there are a plethora of prints to choose from. Polka dots and floral are this season’s hot commodity when it comes to the dress, and can be styled for a day at the office, running errands, or date night. This pop of color floral dress from Banana Republic is perfect for grabbing a cocktail, and can be worn with a casual cardigan if weather calls for it. Another popular style that is being seen again this season is the maxi dress, and this polka dot maxi can be worn casually with flats during the day, or dressed up with wedges for night. The polka dot is a print that can be worn at all ages, and the maxi style adds to the sophistication of the look. When shopping for your spring dresses this season be sure to choose bold prints, and make the most out of your purchase with your styling efforts of transforming a day to night look.

A Pastel Perfect Vacation

Amanda Kay — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:58:16 +0000

With spring break here, it is the perfect time to debut some of the key trends for the season. Whether your destination is to the beach or adventuring to the slopes, there are universal tips and pieces to keep in mind when packing. One major trend seen on the runways for spring is pastels, and there are many ways to style this trend on your vacation. Try one of these ideas for yourself:

For a dinner after a day at the beach, try a pop of pastel with Colored Denim.
A cozy night in the ski lodge, this shawl is the perfect shade of pink and can be layered over a neutral or other pastel color.
Accessorize with this salmon colored clutch for a day or night look.
A lightweight floral scarf can be styled with just a t-shirt or layered with a sweater depending on your vacation destination.

When packing and shopping for your last minute vacation items, venture to the pastel palettes and focus on what works best for you. If colored pants are too wild for you, start with a simple accessory. It is imperative to find the happy medium of sticking to your style and also dipping out of your comfort zone. Vacations are all about kicking back and relaxing, and always do so in style!

Wear Designer Clothes and Help Make-A-Wish!

Amanda Kay — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:21:22 +0000

Everyone mark your calendars! April 21,2012 marks the 4th annual Make-A-Wish gala for the Iowa City area chapter.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa grants the wishes of children between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 who live with life-threatening medical conditions. Wishes include almost anything the child can dream of, from meeting a celebrity hero to traveling to Hawaii, from being a pop star for a day to getting a swimming pool. These wishes are made possible with the fundraising the annual gala does.

This year Make-A-Wish will be collaborating with Rent the Runway for the gala, in hopes of attendees renting dresses which in return will raise money for Make-A-Wish depending on quantity of dresses rented. The theme this year is Black & White & Wishes, and Rent the Runway has plenty of gorgeous dresses at reasonable prices for the event. By renting a dress from the event, not only are you sure to be stunning, but you will also be making a philanthropic contribution to Make-A-Wish. Rent the Runway will be donating a portion of the proceeds back to Make-A-Wish depending on dresses rented for the gala. If 30 or more dresses are rented for the gala, 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Make-A-Wish. Be sure to enter the code IOWA20 for 20% off your order for the Make-A-Wish gala, valid 4/1 to 5/14!

Dulcet Style will also be donating a live auction item, so be sure to get your bidding numbers up!

If you would like to attend the Make-A-Wish gala please contact Amanda Kay at Amanda-kay@uiowa.edu to receive your invitation!

Try Color Blocking This Trendy Hue

Amanda Kay — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:16:24 +0000

Luckily for this year’s St. Patty’s day, your outfit can be a fashion statement because green is one of the color trends for spring. Specifically shades of sea foam green, mint, jeweled tone, pastel, and bright; are all the perfect shade to make others green with envy. Make this trend classic and stylish for the holiday with a color block look of two different shades of green, or a simple hint of the shade on top or bottom. Take on this season’s beauty trends as well, and update your nails with sea foam or jewel tone polish. This year it is easy to participate in the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day, and to celebrate in the holiday’s trademark color.

The LBD

Amanda Kay — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:44:44 +0000

Everyone should own at least one LBD (Little Black Dress) in her closet. This specific kind of dress will get you through year after year of varying occasions and will be your go to dress when in a crunch. When shopping for your perfect LBD it is important to focus on the quality to make this piece become a lifetime member of your wardrobe. If you are going to splurge on one piece this season, a black dress is the perfect excuse to do so. The LBD can be worn for work events, cocktail party, birthday parties, or even date nights, and the key to making the dress look different each wear is to accessorize. Switch up your jewelry and shoes to give your LBD a whole different look.

Here are some of my favorite LBD’s:

Celebrate Valentines Day With Style

Amanda Kay — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:22:42 +0000

Valentine’s Day, labeled the “Hallmark Holiday”, is either loved or hated depending on your relational status. Whether you’re single or in a relationship this day can be happily celebrated by all. Either catch up with girlfriends with a night out or potluck dinner, or spend it with a loved one with a romantic dinner or relaxing wine night at home.

I have a couple suggestions on gifts that will express your love for a best girlfriend, mom or sister. If she is classic and lady-like then she will embrace the heart shape that symbolizes this day with a sweet delicate heart ring.

If she is a fun-loving type she will definitely love these cozy pajama bottoms.

However you decide to spend your Valentine’s Day and whatever presents you choose to give, make sure to celebrate in style!

How to do Dressy Jeans

Tracy Gringer — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:43:20 +0000

Don’t think you have to abstain from wearing jeans when you want to look glamorous, you simply have to make sure you do it right. Here are a few stylish tips to make certain you do it properly. Make sure that your jeans are a dark wash. They project an air of elegance and sophistication that the lighter shades of denim do not. Plus the bonus of it being the most flattering shade out there! A longer cut that you wear with heels will scale it up a bit as well. Plus it will make your legs look longer and therefore your body look leaner. Glam up the look with some kind of shimmer or sparkle in your top. Choose a metallic that blends well with your skin (you should know what metallic’s work for you! You can find that out through a Color Analysis) or select an embellished top with a little bling. Top off the look with a chunky bracelet or statement earrings. Fore-go a necklace in this outfit; it would be too much with the bold top. Finish with playful shoes, ones that you would choose to wear with your formal attire. Shoes set the mood of an outfit, so stepping it up with a glamorous pair will take your outfit to the dressy level you desire. Have fun with the look and enjoy that you can wear jeans to almost any event!

Update your Watch with These Trendy Choices

Tracy Gringer — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:13:00 +0000

Want a quick update to your look? An easy way is through accessories and updating a central accessory worn everyday is a good choice, such as your watch. There are some recent trends in watches that are a lot of fun. My favorite has to be the use of ceramic. It lends such a chic look to any outfit. And you don’t have to stick with your basic white either, there is a myriad of colors available from black, to shades of brown, even hot pink if you desire. Don’t worry that it will be too delicate for everyday use, new technology has made it much more durable and scratch resistant.

Another great option in watches that is unique but very on trend is rose gold watches. This metallic shade looks great on a larger chunky, menswear inspired watch since it is not as intense as yellow gold. But don’t be afraid to buy it in any style, a feminine piece in rose gold sets off a romantically modern look. Its color is low-key and blends nicely with a casual or dressier fare, so it works nicely for an everyday watch as well.

Try one of these watches to bring your look simple sophistication, or better yet, try both!