Education is a child’s or teenager’s job! As such, they must take it seriously. Dressing appropriately sets the tone for greater self-respect, stronger self-esteem, and success!

All schools in the U.S. should have their students wear uniforms: a dress code AND a grooming code. All students must sign the dress and grooming code guidelines which states what they must wear, how they must groom, and what the consequences are for non-compliance.

Without rules for dress, we get total fashion anarchy. This has become a huge distraction for the students, especially male students and for teachers. Dressing sexy for school is absurd! It distracts male students; it is embarrassing and distracting for male teachers; it makes female teachers uncomfortable.

We need to teach our children what’s appropriate in their dress and behavior: in the home first and foremost, in the schools, and in society at large.

We adults need to raise the bar of what’s acceptable. The parents and the adults need to set the standard for dress, grooming, and respectful behavior. Only then can we teach our children how to do the same. Otherwise, what do we expect? We must walk our talk for our children. For all children.

We have opened Pandora’s Box by letting kids do whatever they want. Students have enough distractions in school without having to worry about what they are wearing, if they can afford to buy the trendiest “it” clothes, and if they look sexy enough. It’s absurd and inappropriate.

Teaching children and teens how to dress properly and follow rules helps prepare them to enter the workplace later in life. It gives them the competitive edge. It is totally unrealistic to raise them thinking that there are no rules in life.

Money is not really the issue. Even during the Great Depression, when people may have had only 1-2 outfits, they still managed to dress appropriately and look decent. And if money is the issue, then school uniforms will save the parents a fortune and a lot of time. Not to mention, years of heartache as they are asked to buy clothing for their kids they can’t afford.

Every school in our nation should have uniforms! All other countries in the world demand uniforms until college or university. This takes the focus off clothing and on to learning. It is way less expensive for the parents. Uniforms teach children that there are rules and that we all need to dress differently depending on where we are going. School is no exception! There is a proper way to dress for school, for church, for attending theater, a special restaurant, etc. This is a matter of respect and we need a huge dose of that in America now!

If you don’t want to raise the bar for yourself, do it for your children, do it for your family, and do it for your country! We can’t afford to be lazy anymore.

Dress Code for Middle School and High School Students:

Uniforms! Uniforms! and Uniforms!

Grooming Code:

1. Daily shower
2. Clean hair worn in a conservative style
3. Teeth must be brushed, flossed and clean
4. Wear deodorant daily
5. Fingernails must be clean and short. No ultra long fingernails
5. No heavy perfumes or colognes. Use fragrances sparingly.
6. Makeup may not be excessive and should be appropriate for daytime
7. Teenaged males must be clean-shaven
8. Clothing must be clean, in good repair, and ironed
9. Shoes: no flip-flops, no high heels over 3 inches for safety, no mules, no slippers, no ultra high platform shoes. Shoes must be clean, polished and in good repair
10. No jewelry except small rings, stud earrings, and a simple necklace or a watch
11. No lingerie or underwear may be visible through or around anyone’s clothing! That mean bras, panties, slips, or men’s underwear.
12. Girls may not show cleavage and skirts may not be shorter than 6 inches above knees when seated
13. Boys must wear pants near their waistline and not below
14. No one’s pants may drag on the ground. They must be hemmed to rest on shoes or above.
15. Socks or tights at all times

I have been an image consultant and makeover expert for men and women over the last 20 years. For the last 5 years, I have taught Men’s Overhaul Programs, which are image makeover bootcamps for men. I have worked with men from almost every profession.

In my experience, a large majority of men are open and willing to enhance their hair color for two main reasons:

1. To stay on the job longer because they will look fresh, modern, and more able to compete

2. To improve their romantic relationships by looking more attractive in order to enhance their sex life

Men opt for many different hair coloring options:

1. Darken the grey and gently turn the clock back with semi-permanent hair color which is very natural and inexpensive
2. Cover the grey completely with permanent hair color which requires the most upkeep
3. Highlight their hair to get a more outdoorsy sun-kissed look with bleach/lightening products
4. Add low lights (reverse highlights) to their hair in order to add more of their natural color before it went grey (this works well with medium to dark hair colors) which can be done gradually and leaves almost no obvious re-growth around the hairline for very grey men

In the last twenty years, I have seen the number of men coloring their hair increase. Men who color their hair seem to be more concerned with their overall appearance and tend to pay more attention to their grooming and appearance. While this is not true for all men, in my experience it is true for many.

Coloring hair, using more hair grooming products, going to hair
salons instead of barber shops, waxing brows, mani/pedis, and more, are all part of the modern male’s accepted grooming regimen.

Male celebrities usually wear designer tuxedos. Often times, they are custom made for them. Male celebrities, just like female celebs, almost always use a stylist to help select their tuxedo, shoes, accessories and determine how their hair is groomed and styled.

Male celebrities (especially A- list celebs) are sent many designer tuxedos to choose from. Designers do this in the hope that a famous male celeb will wear their design down the red carpet. It is the stylist’s job to cull through the many different tuxedo options and find the one that match’s their client’s image, persona, and fashion type. The fabric, style, and cut of the tuxedo needs to flatter a man’s bone structure and body proportions. For example, while Johnny Depp can wear a very tailored sixties style narrow- lapelled tuxedo with a skinny tie which works very well on his lean body and trendy alternative looks. But that same tuxedo would be ridiculous on, for example, Harrison Ford. Harrison needs more of a traditional-cut tuxedo for his huskier body and manly persona.

Tuxedo styles vary widely: fabric, lapel size and shape, and cut. Classic styles are always appropriate but not always very exciting. Like all suits, tuxedos styles are also influenced by fashion trends.

For 2012, retro glamour is in full swing. Suits are more form fitting and lean. Classic black tuxedos with white shirts are back in style. Ties are slimmer. So are trousers, which are worn without a break and hemmed to lay right on or above the dress shoe. Think “Mad Men” or “Pan Am” for the inspiration. Clean lines, perfectly tailored, with a normal shoulder emphasis (not too broad or bold).

Materials are super fine woolens or silk/wool blends. Lapels are usually satin. Most tuxedos are solid fabrics without patterns or stripes. Black is the most popular color, then white. I prefer black on most men, especially on the red carpet. It is more striking.

Vests are optional as are evening scarves worn over the jacket. Bow ties are classic, while ties are more of a fashion trend.

Man jewelry is a great way to add a classy statement to the entire tuxedo ensemble. Jeweled tuxedo shirt studs, cufflinks and diamond pins worn on the lapel or on the tie add drama and elegance. They look best when they are subtle and not overtly flashy.

Patent leather evening shoes or velvet tuxedo slippers are the most elegant shoes to wear. But some celebs opt for a classic leather lace up dress shoe that is highly polished. Dress socks that go over the calf are an absolute must when wearing a tux! Nothing look worse than the wrong socks or socks that are too short and show a man’s hairy legs when he sits (and crosses his legs)!

The biggest mistakes I see on the Red Carpet are tuxedos that look out of style or are the wrong fashion type for a celebrity’s body proportions and image. Some tuxedo ensembles look too contrived or like the man tried too hard to be unique. I’ve also seen ties that don’t lay flat, collars that don’t hug the back of the neck properly, lapels that pull open because the jacket doesn’t fit correctly on the chest area, and shoulder lines that are too wide or too weak. Add to that scruffy grooming, and that will diminish any celeb’s power and persona.

Nothing is more fabulous than a male celebrity in an elegant perfectly fitted and tailored tuxedo that matches his persona, and is modern in it’s cut…worn with the right shoes, accessories, hairstyle, perfectly groomed and sporting a gorgeous sexy smile!

Americans need dress guidelines to know what’s expected of them. Without guidelines we have Fashion Anarchy which is what we are presently dealing with on a national level. This is hurting our morale, our self-esteem and our global standing. To change the economic malaise in this country we must begin to turn things around in ourselves: bolster our self-esteem, our confidence, and know that how we dress and groom matters. We used to care about our appearance and we must start caring again. Now!

It is no coincidence that our self-confidence as a nation has decayed as our image has deteriorated. Psychologists say that when people don’t care about how they look, it is a form of depression. We must start to turn things around in this country and that must begin on a personal level. Everyone
knows when we look better, we feel better…fast!

Image matters: how we are perceived is how we are received. Every single person needs to take personal responsibility for their appearance by having pride in how they look and comport themselves. We can no longer afford to look like a nation of slobs, asleep at the wheel. This is damaging our sense of professionalism. Studies have shown that when people dress professionally, their productivity and success increases…even over the phone!

We can never forget that WE ARE THE PEOPLE. We are America and the America the world sees. The whole is the sum of it’s parts and our country is no different. So if we want to see our country make a positive changes, we the citizens must be willing to make positive changes.

We must stop making excuses about why we can’t afford to look good. Actually, we can’t afford not to. If we look bad, our nation looks bad. This is affecting our bottom line.

A good image is one of the most overlooked aspect of success. A great image is the competitive edge and it sets apart the winners from the losers. We need that competitive edge more than ever.

We must realize that:
1. To get work, we must look like we can handle the job
2. To get promoted, we must look promotable
3. To gain the respect of our clients or management, we must dress as well or better then they do

Dress Codes need to be modern and appropriate to each industry. We must raise the bar, create industry- specific guidelines and consequences for not following them. In my opinion, we need to expect more from people, not less. They will rise to the occasion when they know what is expected and accepted.

If we want to be successful, we must start looking like we are. Dress “as if”, act “as if”, and become “as if”.

A fabulous black handbag needs to be the staple of every woman’s wardrobe. It is the essential basic bag that should go with everything she wears (except evening wear, of course). It is an investment and as such must provide years of wear. As any investment, it must hold it’s value. In the world of handbags, that means you can re-sell it later and not lose your money.

It’s important to note that a handbag is not just a handbag! It is a statement of beauty and style that a woman carries on her body. It speaks volumes about who she is and where she is headed in life. I have always believed that a woman should buy the best handbag she can afford! I advise all my clients to take the time to try on their handbags to see how they flatter their facial shape and body proportions. Really notice how that bag you are considering looks and feels on your body.

A black handbag is an important purchase, so give it the time and respect it deserves to find the right one for your fashion type and lifestyle.

If you can’t afford the designer handbag you want, then hunt to find that bag at the resale store or online. Or buy the next best bag with that look that you can. Never ever wear fakes or imitations! That says that you are a fake and that’s not the message you want to put out into the world.

For 2011/2012 here are my favorite black handbag picks:

1. The Hermes Birkin Bag (35 mm size) with gold or silver hardware in any of the black leathers offered. Of course, the crocodile or the ostrich is the most rare and coveted leathers (and by far the most expensive). This is the holy grail of handbags and is the grandest statement of success and class. I like the large open compartment and the way it is a proven timeless investment. The only drawback is the weight. But it is so fabulous, I gladly flex my biceps to carry it!

2. The Chanel Classic Flap (jumbo or large size are my favorite size as they can be carried messenger style), in
the caviar leather because it is so durable or the lambskin. I like the gold or silver hardware. This bag always goes up in price and like the Birkin is timeless and classic, but costs about a third of the Birkin. It is also more comfortable to wear.

3. The Balenciaga Arena Classic Work Bag. This is one of Balenciaga’s larger bags and doesn’t come with a strap but can easily be carried over the shoulder. It has a more casual chic than the Chanel or Birkin, but has stood the test of time.

4. The Celine Luggage Tote (comes in many sizes from large to small with a messenger strap). Personally, I love the medium or large size. I feel this is the new classic “it” bag and will be a good long term investment. It feels good to hold and comes in many different black leathers/suede combinations.

5. The Givenchy Nightengale Bag in the medium size in lambskin leather. It’s a great bag with a shoulder strap that can easily be worn messenger style and has a chic hobo look. The sister bags to this are the Proenza Schouler PS1 medium leather satchel and the Mulberry Bayswater Bag, both great messenger bags, but not as timeless and classy as the Givenchy, in my opinion.

6. Stella McCartney ‘Falabella bag’ for those who don’t want to wear real leather – its super stylish and a great classic bag.

7. The Gucci Hobo with two large GG’s embossed on the front is another great black bag to invest in and gives loads of style and class for a more reasonable price.

8. The Marc Jacobs messenger bag is a great more affordable bag that will offer effortless chic for years to come.

9. The Tory Burch Stacked Classic Tote is an amazing bag for a very affordable price and is standing the test of time and durability.

10. Last, but not least, The Nancy Gonzalez crocodile clutch in the medium to large size. This clutch will take a woman from day to night with timeless class and ease. A definite go-to classic clutch. The Chanel quilted clutch would be the other classic clutch I would opt for in a heartbeat.

A woman’s hair is extremely important to the opposite sex. That is because a woman’s hair sends many signals about a woman’s sensuality, style and class. Hair can say you are comfortable in your femininity or not. It can say you are approachable or not. It can tell the world you take exquisite care of yourself or not. The style and color of your hair can say if you are classy or not. Hair is also an amazing indication of a woman’s health. So on a primal level, if a man wants to mate, he will seek out a healthy looking woman. Here as in many areas, healthy is definitely sexy!

First and foremost men are attracted to healthy, clean and shiny hair. They want a woman’s hair to be approachable and touchable. A woman’s hair should never be stiff or hard. It has to almost say, “Touch me, I want you to”. Men need to look at a woman’s hair and fantasize about running their fingers through it.

Many men love a woman to have messy tossled hair. Most men also prefer more natural hair colors. Soft and feminine is the key. Most men prefer medium to long hair. However a small percentage of women look amazing in short hair!

In the end, what matters most is the confidence with which a woman wears her hair and the positive energy she exudes. When a woman has the right style, color and cut, there really are no bad hairdays! She will exude sexiness no matter what!

The MLB instituted dress codes recently for all media reporting on baseball games: in the locker rooms, on the field, and in the media room. I, for one, applaud this is as a brave move for desperately needed dress guidelines in this country!

There has been much debate about whether or not the dress codes were put into place in order to stop female reporters from dressing too sexily and protect them against possible incidents (i.e. possible sexual harassment problems). Many are calling the dress codes sexist. Personally, I don’t care what motivated the MLB to create dress codes. I am thrilled that a major force in America finally recognized the need to end “Fashion Anarchy”, as I call it.

In my new book, Dress Code: Ending Fashion Anarchy, due to be released in June 2012, I ask all corporations and businesses to create dress guidelines. Our lack of dress rules has lead to the slow but steady demise of elegance, style, and class in America. This is impacting our national morale, regardless if we admit it or not. When people let go of their appearance, psychologists tell us it is a form of depression. We can’t afford to ignore anything that causes our morale to be lower! We need to get ourselves pulled together and get this nation back on track. Raising the bar for personal appearance and grooming is a fast way to up the ante and get things moving in a more positive direction. After all, everyone feels better when they look better. We used to care about how image. We need to care once again. We can’t continue to walk around in a sloppy stupor and think it doesn’t affect us.

I hope that more businesses will follow the MLB’s lead and create their own modern dress codes. Society needs rules. The populace needs to know what is expected of them. Image and appearance is no difference. Without rules, we have anarchy and hence, “the ugly American” syndrome. With rules, people know what is expected of them and can rise to the occasion.

We used to know how to dress well. Dress codes will help us remember how and fast!