Less parties only means the ones you participate in, even if their are only a few people are all the more significant.  Show you care by creating a special evening ensemble for yourself this season.  To that end, I have utilized the J.Hilburn Holiday/Formal Lookbook as a visual aid for a formal wear tutorial created to show you different ways you can personalize formal and evening looks – from classic to trendy.

If you have an interest or curiosity about how to dress for an evening event, this video will be helpful.  And as you know, I will shop for you anywhere, but if J.Hilburn is your “store” of choice, the time I spend with you selecting your purchases is complementary.

Enjoy the video, and let me know what you think?  🙂

https://shopshare.tv/shopcast/U2hvcGNhc3Q6MjYyNw==

Ann Lindsay is Style of Success and Suited for Love 

I work to make you look effortlessly confident.

Image Consulting      —       Personal Styling

Concierge Shopping       —       J.Hilburn Menswear Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

So… this is almost like the Brits obsession with the Royals – with the lovely Jill Biden as FLOTUS, we can all obsess a little – what will the Princesses wear today!?  From a style perspective, how fun to have two women center stage in the White House!  photo source

Well, my first observation I think is funny, is how similar Kamela and Jill look and dress.  They are both:

• classic and traditional in style
• conservative without being stuffy
• elegant
• feminine without overdoing it
• they wear their hair similarly
• jewellery and makeup are understated and well applied
• Wear clothing that is beautifully tailored and appropriate in fit

They differ in that Jill wears more pattern, as well as florals.  In my research for this article I’ve seen Jill in some lovely garden-party type florals, higher heels, and some shoulder-baring evening wear that I love, and I doubt we’d see Kamela in the same.

If there was a word for both I think it would be polished and confident.   Kamela of course has just accepted a job held by a man since the position was invented, and her attire leans toward some of those masculine, traditional attributes; solid, tending toward dark blue, and almost exclusively in pants suits; which in the past were not at the highest level of executive presence – but times are a-changin’!

Kamela’s pussy bow (grab this, Mr ex-president) blouse is a nod toward Margaret Thatcher in the 80’s and traditional male neckwear of Parliament, as well as the bowed blouses of suffragette women at the turn of the last century.

In fact, “White has historically been the favored hue of suffragettes” as well as worn by past political women at pivotal moments making a statement of power and equality (per US Magazine.)“Harris’s white trouser suit wasn’t a fashion statement, but it was a statement.” Vogue

Kamela is the more conservatively dressed of the two women – and if I had to guess, it’s not a personality choice, but because “she had to”.  To be beyond reproach with never a style mis-step may be a tenant she has given to her style advisors.  Her use of pearls to elegantly feminize her more masculine dark pants suits is perfect.

Her Converse sneakers are the equivalent to George Bush’s cowboy boots and her casual jeans reminiscent of Obama’s rolled up let’s get down to business shirt sleeves.

So traditional and classic in attire, Kamela has been no stranger to breaking barriers, so it should be very exciting to see if and how she redefines the look of a woman leading our country.   “Expect subtly smart, comfortable clothes that semaphore a woman getting stuff done,” says Kate Finnigan of Vogue.

Ann Lindsay is Style of Success and Suited for Love 

I work to make you look effortlessly confident.

Image Consulting      —       Personal Styling

Concierge Shopping       —       J.Hilburn Menswear Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

This 5 minute video will both give you a sense of what it’s like to work with me as an Image Consultant and Personal Shopper, as well as show you what I look for in the purchase of an important piece like a winter coat, including accessories.

If you are challenged by weight gain, or not knowing what is more refined, and elegant, this will be a good watch for you.  I didn’t mention it in the video, but if you don’t have a waist (like me) don’t buy a belted coat, as so many out there are.  The belt or tie in front will just create a visual point of interest in a place you’d rather not.

Add in a great scarf and don’t forget leather gloves.  What a polished look you will have!  🙂

Please tell me in the comments below what you think?

Ann Lindsay is Style of Success and Suited for Love 

I work to make you look effortlessly confident.

Image Consulting      —       Personal Styling

Concierge Shopping        —       J.Hilburn Menswear Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

A prospective client shared his story the other day, and he is the norm, not the exception.   This is a man has worked in a corporate setting for most of his career, has built up to a respected, comfortable high level in the company.  March 2020 and (along with everything else in our lives) disrupts what he thought was going to be his last 5 to 10 years of work.  A few hundred hours of a panic then despair later, and then suddenly some creative thinking occurs about what he would really like to do for these last few years.  And these thoughts are jelling into some pretty exciting new business ideas.

• These ideas likely will require him having a higher level of public visibility.
• They might require him to markets at events, do some public speaking, videos and social media lives.
• They surely will require him to do some prospecting and pitching of his new business or new business idea. The people that he will be pitching to are likely to be younger than he is.

He will need to Create a visual image that supports so many needs at once!

1. His maturity and experience as the right person to run this project efficiently and effectively.
2. His youthfulness and drive (durability?)  to see the project through to the end, late nights and all.
3. His whip-smart creativity and ability to think outside the box, pivot and be flexible.
4. His approachability and likability – how he will fit in as a team player with potentially a more youthful group of coworkers

“Holy Understatement Batman”!   That’s a lot of tasks for one person to “say” with their look.

Step 1 – Be willing to know what you don’t know:

Good job if you’ve figured out that you can’t wear the same “suit uniform” you wore to the Bank for 25 years in your new venture.

Good job knowing you can’t hijack the Steve Jobs black tee and jeans look (until you ARE him that is) and impress the right people.

Step 2 – Do what YOU know how to do, and decide to outsource this in a more efficient, effective and powerful way to a profession that can help you build a wardrobe you know how to wear, you know fits you, and you know contains what you need to say about you.  Like me!

Ann Lindsay is Style of Success and Suited for Love 

I work to make you look effortlessly confident.

Image Consulting      —       Personal Styling

Concierge Shopping        —       J.Hilburn Menswear Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

Which is better – 120’s or 150’s??

Answers to these questions and more!

Wool is truly a miracle fiber – durable, breathable, insulating, even water repellent.  It takes to dying beautifully, wrinkles fall out with a puff of steam (or the shower), and is the staple for mens tailored goods.

But what about wool do you need to know? The quality of wool is determined by the fiber diameter and length.  The finer the diameter, measured in microns, and the longer the staple the silkier the finished garment will be. Merino wool is typically 3–5 inches in length and is very fine (between 12 and 24 microns) “Wool is a general term describing the spun fibers from the hair of any number of mammals.” (GQ)  

Premium wools most widely used come from sheep, in two varieties;  Lambswool which is the first shearing of a sheep about 7 months old, and merino wool from Merino sheep from the mountains of Australia and New Zealand. You may have seen a numeric value attached to woolen suiting, such as Super 100’s, 110’s 120’s or 140’s or more.

The higher the “super” number, the higher the grade of fabric.  Higher grade fabric is finer and lighter.

Most wools sold as tailored menswear sold are from the 80’s to 120’s.  140’s and above are more rare and prized, as fewer sheep produce wool of this quality. But is finer, more expensive wool always better?  It certainly will feel better against your skin, (this is called the “hand”) but performance adds a big consideration.  Finer, lighter fabrics can wrinkle more and tear or snag more easily.  Lower Super numbers like 110’s or less are the work horse of your wardrobe.  Do you travel?  Work in an environment with suiting perils around?  Then save the 140’s for your best special occasion suiting. In this picture, the J Hilburn executive team is working closely with the top mills in the world, Barberis, Guabello, and Loro Piana.

Wool fabrics do not wrinkle easily and steam out beautifully. Wools are not usually spotted by grease or oils.Wool is a fiber that retains its shape well, and doesn’t stretch out as others do.  Wool fibers can “withstand being bent 20,000 times without breaking. In comparison, cotton breaks after 3,000 bends, silk after 2,000 bends, and rayon can only be bent 75 times without breaking”. (American Sheep Industry)

Summer or winter, wool is the backbone of your wardrobe.  Tropical wools are lighter and more breathable in the summer than cotton!  Style your woolen jacket and trousers to provide a wonderful diversity in your wardrobe from elegant to country casual. Enjoy your wool!

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist, Trainer and Recruiter

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

This 5 minute video shows you how I would style, and how much mileage you can get with one great sport coat.

https://youtu.be/G0fNhW8kdT4

J Hilburn:  Your Style not Ours.

Nothing fits and looks better on YOU than custom!  No pricey designer label – just you and me helping you to create the wardrobe that matches your personality, needs and budget.  Nothing fits and looks better on you.  Guaranteed.

Call 800-798-1643 (or click) for an appointment today!!

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

#1  A quality shoe is constructed using a “Goodyear welt“.  In short, this has to do with the stitching of the shoe to the sole being on the outside of the shoe, rather than the less expensive Blake construction has stitching on the inside, that can be less watertight and irritate the wearer.

#2  A quality shoe will have a solid leather sole, as opposed to a rubber sole or a thin leather soles glued together.  A quality leather sole can be replaced by a cobbler and allow a shoe to last for 20 years.

#3  “Full Grain leather”  as opposed to “corrected grain leather” which is a process that chemicals and fillers (that wear off) are added to the surface of he leather to make it look even in appearance.

#4  You can completely restore quality shoes.

#5  Last but certainly not least… Quality shoes are absolutely beautiful and they make a timeless statement of elegance and style about the wearer.

Want to know which shoes you should invest in?

I  am a Personal Image Consultant – and it’s my job help you select what looks best on you, fits best on you, matching your style personality, and your budget. Let’s talk about if any of my personalized, fast and efficient Image Consulting  services are right for you:

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

J Hilburn:  Your Style not Ours.

Nothing fits and looks better on YOU than custom!  No pricey designer label – just you and me helping you to create the wardrobe that matches your personality, needs and budget.  Nothing fits and looks better on you. Guaranteed.

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

“I am judged by my work/character/accomplishments, not my appearance.” How many times have you heard (or thought) these kinds of statements when someone in your life (usually a woman) suggests a sartorial upgrade of sorts?

Doesn’t she know that I don’t want to appear superficial?  I am a quiet and sober man – yet one needful of attire to allow a jump over a tall building in a single bound!  Over attention to my appearance will make me feel like a metrosexual who cares more for manicures than good old fashion hard work and morality.

Fashion is vanity.  Don’t you know people are starving?? I don’t want to appear to luxurious, over decorated – trying too hard. Like a “poser”. Or a “dandy”. These men certainly are pretentious, slackers in the work world, and decidedly un-masculine.  I don’t want to appear GAY.  And if I am gay, I don’t need to advertise it.

Gentlemen, I HEAR YOU.  Please let me introduce paradigm shifting thoughts:

1. Art inspires appreciation of beauty, natural and manmade.  “Beautiful” art is in the eye of the beholder, from soft, etherial watercolors, to meticulous portraits to wild and bold statements.  It is not shallow to discuss the attributes, or celebrate your pleasure in art.

2. Consider the flashy be-ribboned red jackets, gold epaulets, even beaver hats or kilts of western military past – there is nothing un-masculine about those highly decorated men!

3. Menswear (thankfully) is influenced on a year to year basis with less influence than womenswear, but it does change.  There are rules, (the 4″ wide lapels and ties are out dated) and as you are developing your taste, you can rely on just following the rules.   Men who say they distain fashion are wearing fashion – just what was in fashion 10 years ago.

4. The funny thing about social class is that only the privileged are aware of it. From what socioeconomic group are your best clients/prospects/girl you want to date? Privileged people generally dress conservatively, rarely in something that appears “this season”, and always with superb attention to fit and detail.  A “Gentleman” values quality, subtlety and grace.

5. Fashion is what is available for you to choose from today.  Style are the choices you make. If you are ready to toss the Teva’s, the short sleeve dress shirts and the sansobelt trousers and begin to assemble your grown up wardrobe, it’s time to hire a professional.

From basement to attic closet clearings to selecting just one entire perfect outfit for wedding, interview or presentation, I come to you with the background and the resources to make it easy and ensure you are guaranteed a perfect outcome.

As your Personal Image Consultant I will

• ascertain your style, and your budget,  and connect it directly with your immediate and longer term goals
• help you sort out what you own already that works, and what you need that’s new
• provide high ROI shopping services or bring the JHilburn line of affordable luxury menswear to your home or office

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!

What exactly ARE “Designer Jeans”? Doir $580, DSquared $400, Armani $375, True Religion $359,  Ksubi $350,  J Brand $240, Citizens $230,  AG $225,   Seven $198, vs. Levi’s $59, or Walmart $19 …. YIKES! Does it really matter??

The answer is Yes!

Here’s a breakdown of the benefit to you of designer jeans:

1. Fabric. High end denim, especially that from Japan has a much finer and polished finish than denim manufactured by the football field.  The result is a more refined garment, suitable to wear as is, or with a sport coat in the evening. Premium denim is often paired with a bit of Lycra for a little give – so the fit can be snugger (and “hotter!) without sacrificing comfort.

2. Craftsmanship: Jeans have many details, traditionally the sewing is done with contrast thread, so it needs to be just about perfect.  Also, hardware like rivets and zippers are of higher quality and applied with more care for longevity.

3. Dye:  Use of darker, richer more stable dye’s give a luster and lux to premium denim.  They will hold their color longer.  Dry cleaning is preferred, but washing at home in cold and hanging dry can work.

4. Cut: Premium denim assumes a trimmer physique than  “main stream” America, so the cut is going to flatter a guy who is regular build to athletic.  Fun fact:  Designer jeans can give you an arse where before there was none.  Good to avoid the “Dad” jean look.

5. Design: Jeans follow fashion, and each year a new design will be featured.  It may be a variety of abrasions, distressing, hardware or design on the back pocket.  You can have fun with these details, or look for more simplicity.

6. Label: Let’s face it – Designer anything has panache.  And the price is set by what price point the consumer is willing to pay. MY TAKE?  Every guy should have a pair of Faded Glory jeans from Walmart to change the blades on the lawn mower or other activities that might involve staining or grease. But after that – it’s time to step up!  Consider the ROI on your jeans.

How many times a year do you wear them.  50?  150?  LOTS!

So it is absolutely the right decision to invest in several different washes (lighter and darker) and  a couple different cuts (slimmer for pairing with a jacket and maybe a boot cut if you want to rock that look)  of a good make and brand. Unless you like advertizing for the denim industry, choose from designers that have understated logo and labeling on their products.  Regarding cost, I personally don’t spend $250 plus on my jeans, when I can get, and recommend to my clients,  an excellent value in another brand. I like  the value of the great premium denim J Hilburn carries.

We are proud to offer the super comfortable Protege in 4 washes from $168 to $185 and the slimmer cut J BRAND in three washes from $154 to $183.   Jeans come to you in a couple days, shipped with an inseam of about 34 inches, and you get a $20 credit on each pair to cover the cost of hemming.  Just run them down to the dry cleaners next time you go – easy!        It’ll be fun!

Call me at 800-798-1643 and I’ll order you a great pair of jeans!  🙂

I am a Personal Image Consultant and a J Hilburn Stylist

I bring confidence, organization, efficiency to your life.

Click here for next steps!