2When was the last time your wore your favorite outfit? What about lipstick? If you're like me and being extra cautious with life right now, it's been a while. For me, it was my 40th birthday. I wore heels, a silk dress...with a velvet embroidered mask. Gotta be safe and stylish! 

Dressing up and out is episodic these days as the outside world of dinner with friends, concerts, and weekend brunch slowly returns. You may have retuned to your office and to your pre-pandemic wardrobe with glee... Or perhaps dread? A dread for the comfort of your leggings and tunics while Zooming in a comfortable chair. 

While I can't control where you work, I can advocate for your comfort and style, in whatever environment you're conducting business. 

Zeitgeist determines trends. As a fashion professional with an interest in anthropology, trends are more than a passing fad.  To me, a trend is an indicator of societal direction- provoked by political shifts. The Renaissance was provoked by the Bubonic Plague. The Harlem Renaissance was birthed because of the Great Migration and WW1. 

The COVID- 19 Pandemic is provoking shifts. 

Here are my two trend predictions post pandemic: 

 Starting with literary great Zora Neale Hurston, this is a lifestyle that demands freedom from societal constraints, with the centering of Black women in their community with the unintentional benefit of a transformed society. Stacy Abrams, Patrisse  Khan- Cullors,  Tricia Hearsy live it. Alice Walker, Audre Lourde,  Octvia Butler revealed it. 

Vibe:  Nature Leisure​

Purpose: New Futures ​

Ethereal Womanist key words: Rest, abolition, Black fairies, sustainability, EarthSeed, resistance  

Opulence, individualism, and saccharine happiness marked by consumption is a result of being trapped inside. The vaccinated and never vaccinated  are now able to resume their lived pre pandemic lives with the determination to make up for time loss. And the making up will be ginormous. This is a  revival of The Roaring 20's with  80's extravagance in a technology driven world.  

Vibe: Instantaneous ​

Purpose: Exclusivity​

Reckless Abaddon key words: Travel experiences, neon, pleasure, now, celebrity culture

Have you noticed any societal trends that are effecting fashion? Share in the comments! 

 Goodness gracious, this has been the longest winter ever. 
We've hibernated in our homes, discovered new hobbies, watched all the shows possible on Netflix and lived in a virtual world thanks to Zoom. We've also suffered losses and illness. Many of which have changed us forever. 

With the COVID-19 vaccine, many lives will be saved.  And our lives can return to a world lived outside. 

Spring has arrived.

Much of our lives revolve around what we put in and on our bodies. This Pandemic has shifted both for me! Although temporary, I strayed from my vegan diet to consume cheese, chicken, and fish.  I wore sweatpants and sneakers. Who is this pandemic Jana? A Jana that searched for comfort in chaos. 

And now it is Spring. 

I've adjusted my diet and I'm working on adjusting my wardrobe. I miss heels!  Although I am still a Sexy Style Personality (my sweats are leopard print), I'm reimaging how I express my desire for comfort and polish. Spring- The season of renewal. 

What are you reimaging this Spring? 

 By the way, Yellow is the 2021 Pantone Color of the year. What a great hue to usher in joy.
While simultaneously holding space for loss and struggle. Gray is also the color for 2021. 

May we continue to hold space for joy and struggle this Spring. 

Now is the perfect time to organize your closet. Since I can't be there with you for your Closet Edit appointment, I'll walk you through the task!  Match this guide with the Spring Wardrobe Planning (click link)  and you'll have a flawless wardrobe that will be ready when it's time to go outside again. 

Does your wardrobe accurately communicate your identity? Do the silhouettes and colors you wear reflect your authentic personality to the world? Do you second guess your outfits more than once in a week? 
During this 1 hour interactive webinar, you'll learn  how to identify yourself within the 5 Body Types and the 4 Style Personalities. I'll share what emotions define each Style Personality and how it works intrinsically back to your Body Shape. 

It's no secret that all shades of blue are my favorite color. Just take a look around this here site! I was beyond thrilled when Pantone announced 2020 would be the year of Classic Blue.

With a name like "Classic Blue" , this years choice is less exotic than colors of previous years. This hue is easy , accessible,  and identifiable.  

Expect to see Classic blue demonstrated in everything from nail polish to a toaster oven. 

I'm certain you have this classic color hanging in your wardrobe. It's a hue that works with just about every Style Personality particularly when matched up with your Signature Color. I really love to see it paired with corals and greens. The combo is grounding and encouraging- great to wear when you day going to be tough. 

Are you a Patron of Jana Coke Style? 
If so, you can learn how to wear Classic Blue for your Style Personality. With  color palettes, silhouettes, and a store and brand shopping list, you will be all set to incorporate Classic Blue into your Wardrobe.  

One of the best gifts I've ever received was a hand-written letter. It was full of the spirit of the giver; their handwriting, emotion, sentence structure. It was like I was experiencing their heart. The person has since departed my life, but I still have the letter. 

Not all gifts can be as intimate but they can be as memorable. Coveted tickets to a play, an exotic trip, even a day at the spa are experiences that can be relived through pictures and memory.  I can't for the life of me remember what  gifts I received last Christmas but I do remember the tickets I received to experience the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1996. 

What experience would you like to create for your loved ones this Holiday Season? 

For the first time ever, I'm offering unique fashion experiences that center on personal development and self-care. From a VIP Shopping Experience at South Coast Plaza to a full in-home makeover, I'm certain that the perfect experience aligns with at least one woman in your life. Perhaps that woman is you? 

Hemlines are longer, heels are shorter, bags are smaller, and floral prints are darker. Welcome to a serious spin on getting dressed. 

 Fall fashion tends to skew more conservative than spring. For one, the weather! Add to that, the tone of fall months is austere. The days are long and cool. Kids return to school and year-end goals kick into gear come September. Herringbone and pleated skirts are the wardrobe for this mood.

​This season the designers are really paying close attention to world events.
 Known as the Hemline Index, this economic theory says that skirts get shorter when the economy is bullish and get longer when money is tight.  The hemlines of Fall 2019 are at a stoic tea-length. 

But it's not limited to a  1950’s prim-and-proper kind of way.
 
Suiting- pants, skirts, vest, blazer- the full-on armor of work is what we will be wearing throughout the season. Women of 2019 are active and involved in projects that require a wardrobe that communicates our dedication and commitment to provoke change in our world– we need the armor of a suit.

When it comes time to celebrate, we are glitzed and gilded like a bubbly glass of champagne. It’s the only appropriate attire of victory. ​

Fall trends are easier to convey since most of the "hot" items are just stylized versions of wardrobe classics. With this in mind, go through your wardrobe and look for these items before you shop:

Nothing screams fall sophistication as tweed. Shop your closet for a well-fitted blazer (non-boxy blazer), a classic pump with texture and color; and timeless a-line skirt that will pair well with knee-high boots.  Stick to neutral colors to avoid becoming too trendy.

Botanicals on black background are anything but saccharine. Pair a blazer with denim and the blouse with a pencil skirt. The dress looks best worn to a cocktail event. Look for bold floral arrangements in jewel tone colors. 

If you are a Feminine Style Personality, then you will have this shoe in abundance as a wardrobe staple. For the rest of us, this heel height  can be a hit or a miss. If you are not one for heels, try this height. It's comfortable and pairs well with cigarette pants and tea-length skirts. To remove the demure temperament, seek out kitten heels in bold colors, architectural heels, and tough details. 

sharp tailoring is what's needed to get this right. If you are unsure if your wardrobe staples convey the mood of the season, let's connect for a 15 min chat. 

​ Here's to a stylish Fall!

The weather is blazing hot and you still have to go to work. What are you going to wear? Sure, a maxi dress will keep you cool but it's not professional. Shorts are a no-go. Same as thong sandals and flip-flops. If your professional life requires a more corporate dress code, knowing how to dress for the high temps can be a conundrum. Summer dressing was created with vacations in mind and contradicts the formality of corporate dress. How do you get it right? 
​ 

It's all about wearing structured clothing in breathable fabrics.  Here's some fabrics to look for to keep you cool: 

Soft and light, you will want to update all your go-to cotton clothing in this fabric for hot temps. Look for silk blends for a slight-sheen and more dressed-up vibe.  

AKA Summer Denim, chambray is soft and light and not at dense as denim. It looks dressy enough for denim-free work environments...seriously! 

White linen is the official look of summer, but it's usually celebrated in more festive environments. Not to worry, linen blazers WILL become your summer version of wool in the winter. Look for linen blended with cotton to decrease wrinkling. 

Cotton with holes! Eyelet dresses under a linen blazer will be your favorite summer look. 

TIP: Stay away  (far away!) from synthetic fabrics in hot weather.  The key to keeping and feeling cool is for your clothing to absorb perspiration and not wick.  Have you ever lounged in your polyester and spandex yoga pants after a workout? EXACTLY. 

And because you may want to keep with the casual vibe of summer dressing, here are some work appropriate shoes that aren't pumps:  

Need help keeping your cool? Let's connect for a Personal Shopping Experience to update your summer wardrobe just before the weather changes!  I'll select some transitional pieces that you can wear into October. Click here to complete your Style Assessment. 

How do you practice self-care?
For me, it's a daily practice of acknowledge my importance before I jump into the start of the day. It's as simple as reading a devotion and drinking a cup of hot tea. The devotion provides me with a daily intention and the tea is just a soothing way to begin a day that could be unpredictable. I love a bi-weekly massage and mani/pedi but sometimes my life is not as accomiating for the respite required for that mini indulgence. 

In fact, self-care isn't an indulgence. I view it as a necessary break to see to your needs. It's a ritual agreement you have with yourself to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical balance. It's a service to yourself and for yourself.

When life feels like I'm between a rock and a boulder, I take a bath. The warmth of the water against my naked skin smooths my emotions. The time spent in solitude in a pool of water clears my anxious mind.  Seriously, a bath is a cure-all for unpleasant feelings that wash away once I reemerge. 

Wearing my favorite outfit and spritzing my favorite perfume is also an act of self-care.  These two intentional behaviors make me feel fantastic and best represent me to the world. Additionally, discovering my signature scent and the components of my favorite outfit was an opportunity for me inact patience, intuition, and self-compassion.  It's not a process that can be rushed!

I'm planning to host a workshop on self-care as it relates to beauty and fashion. I'll share my tips about creating an intentional wardrobe and daily self-care routine that works for your Style Personality. Please do subscribe to the email list to watch for the date. 

For the last several years, many fashion blogs and magazines have sprouted the wonders of creating a Capsule Wardrobe. A wardrobe the is purposefully full of basic items that are seasonless and coordinate with one another with little effort. In theory, I love the idea. Who wouldn't want a closet full of wearable items?

In practice it's a whole other thing. A quick search on Pinterest will yield results that suggest purchasing a set number of tops, bottoms, and accessories, and shoes. No forethought goes into color, prints, and most definitely not Style Personality. Lifestyle is also not considered. 

During a Style Coordination appointment with a client, I show my clients how to create outfits based on the items they current have within their wardrobe. No set number of skirts, dresses, tops, shoes, and accessories are required. 

Any time you are considering changing up your wardrobe,  you need to begin the process with a full Edit. While doing your Wardrobe Edit, you will identify the pieces you love, hate, and feel indifference. I highly advise the removal of items that you do not love. Try it on for fit and organize it call by type and color. 

Now that you can fully see the contents of your wardrobe, identify the dominant color in your wardrobe.  If your wardrobe consist of mostly black, white, or grey, select the next actual color in your wardrobe. As a note, black, white, and grey are shades, tones, and tints. They are used to change a pure color and not considered an actual color. See this color wheel for reference.

Do you notice themes in your wardrobe? Similar prints and silhouettes? More pants than skirts? Lots of jeans and chunky heels? Take a note of what you constantly wear that makes you feel and look your absolute best. Coordinate a signature look using your wardrobe themes, and replicate this with like-items in your wardrobe. 
For example, a cobalt blue pencil skirt makes me feel sophisticated, chic, and sexy. It's dominated within my Signature Color and in my best silhouette.  My wardrobe in full of skirts and I used this one item to create similar outfits that match this look. Does that make sense? 

In essence, a Capsule Wardrobe is a closetful of items that work for you.  It's a closet full of wearable items that are a reflection of who you are that you enjoy wearing.  

Do you know about the Wardrobe Parcel Style Coaching Series? If you would like to go deep into discovering your personal style, then this may be a program for you. In 4 weeks, you'll learn step-by-step processes of closet organization, Signature Color identity, and best silhouettes for your body shape. Click here to check it out.