DC Meetup “Summer Glam”

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Digitally Chic, events, Fashion, Miss Social, natalie grinnell, networking, Roe, San Francisco, Technology

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Digitally Chic meetup at Roe on Thursday!  I can’t believe how many new people we had attend.  It was great to see fashion and technology bloggers and influencers alike.

Pictures from Thursday will be up on the Digitally Chic Facebook page tonight!

If you’re interested in coming to our next event – or sponsoring – we’ll be announcing our August event on August 6th!

DC Girls: Ashley Gustafson, me, Doriane Mouret, and Maja Trolle

Photo by @Photo photographer Michael O’Donnell

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Dressing for {a Photo Shoot}

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dressing for, Fashion, Photo Shoot

There are many reasons to hire a professional photographer: to develop your personal brand, to shoot a product or clothing line, or even to capture your growing family.  I’m here to help you make the most of the opportunities.

To have the best success with a photo shoot, always choose clothing that fits your personal style.  You want to have confidence in what you’re wearing because that confidence will come off in the photos.

Here are a few tips I’ve learned in my experience as the photographer, and as the model:

-If you’re doing an outdoor shoot, which I recommend, be prepared with extra styling tools for your hair in case of extreme windy or humidity.

-Choose colors that will work well in any light.  Wearing all white, for example, can come out very harsh or blown out.

-Wear textures.  Giving your audience more to look as increases the attractiveness of the photo.  But don’t overdo it.  Too much jewelry or clashing colors give the opposite reaction.

-Choose the right setting.  If you are wearing bring colors, choose a background that will not compete with your clothing.  If you have a muted wardrobe, choose a setting that will be interesting and will complement your features.

-Bring props.  Having something to hold, at least at first, will ease your anxiety about being the center of attention and will also give you something to have fun with.  It also gives your audience more to look at.

Dressing for {a Career}

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career girl, dressing for, Fashion, workplace

It is said that you should always dress for the job you want, not the job you have.  You should always take pride in everything you wear.  It reflects confidence in yourself, as well as showing respect for your employer and workplace.

Harper’s Bazaar gives us the break down of what’s appropriate – and what’s not – in the work place:

1. Obey the rules, whether you like them or not. Dressing against office dictates won’t impress the boss — or your colleagues.

2. Never show your midriff. Wear shirts of a proper length, and shun pants that ride too low.

3. Avoid revealing too much cleavage. Work is definitely not the place for it.

4. Keep your straps under wraps. Never let your bra show, and make sure your shirt is buttoned up properly.

5. And don’t wear anything see-through without proper underpinnings, ever.

6. Keep your hemlines in check. Even if you have great gams, super-short skirts should be saved for evenings out or weekends. A few inches above the knee is the shortest you should go.

7. Save your flip-flops for the beach. And your sneakers for the gym. Wear a pair of simple flats for your commute instead.

8. Use your best judgment. Save slinkier styles, like lacy camisoles and strapless dresses, for the evening.

9. Try not to go too tight. The office isn’t the right place to hug every curve.

10. Don’t get too wacky.It’s fine to express your personal style, but keep it refined. Crazy hats, over-the-top makeup, and raucous patterns or colors will make you see too eccentric.

Read more: How to Dress for Work – Appropriate Workplace Clothes – Harper’s BAZAAR

In many work environments today, jeans are socially acceptable.  For many, jeans are not.  Even if jeans are allowed in your workplace, you should still dress them up in a professional manner.

Dressing for {Vacation}

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dressing for, Fashion, travel, Vacation

When I look back at my family photo albums from vacations in the 90’s and early 2000’s, I cringe at some of my outfits.  The memories are still fond as I flip through the pages of our Yellowstone vacation or my first trip to Paris.  The only problem is, I’m dressed exactly the same for both occasions.  Sweatshirts, old jeans, tennis shoes, pony tail.  Whether I was hiking to Old Faithful or exploring the Louvre.

Oy.

Since then, I insist that my vacation wardrobe match the theme of the vacation.  Some guidelines that I use are:

-Will there by a lot of walking?

Generally on vacation, there is always a ton of walking, so I always pack sandals or flats that are equally comfortable and photogenic.

-Will there by harsh sun?

Sun screen is the best accessory a girl can have, but also plan ahead by bringing stylish sun glasses and shirts that will leave less-than-horrendous tan lines.  I also bring an umbrella, not just for rain, but also to shade from the brutal sun found in such places like Egypt and Istanbul.  While wearing white can help combat sun stroke, there is no better preparation than bringing plenty of water.

-Pack light

As a woman, I always tend to overpack.  This not only takes up a ton of room in your no doubt tiny hotel room, but it’s also a pain to carry a 50 lb suitcase up the Spanish Steps.  The worst offender: Shoes.  Read: 1 pair of heels.  1 pair of flats.  1 pair of sandals.

Dressing For {Italy}

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clothes, dressing for, Fashion, italy

Italy is a magical place, and if you’re anything like me, you will definitely want to remember every moment of your holiday through pictures.  Although it’s easy for us to pack all things wrinkle-free, we must also remember that since most likely these photos will be in frames and photo albums (and Facebook!) for all to see, you want to make sure you’re looking your best.

What to pack:

Italy in the summer typically warm, however nights can be a bit chilly sometimes.  Leave the UC Berkeley hoodie at home, and opt for a leather jacket or fitted sweater.   You won’t need more than this.  Always pack an umbrella for those unexpected rain storms in Florence, though!

Bring one dressy frock and heels for that romantic night out in Venice, where you’ll look like you just stepped from your private jet hot off the set of your latest Hollywood film.

While in Italy, take sometime to explore the countryside, but don’t let you style mellow just because of a relaxing day.  Imagine you’re on the set of Roman Holiday and wear colors to reflect the weather and charm of the Italian Countryside.  I chose a yellow dream with strawberry-printed wedges for a walk and spontaneous photo shoot:

For a more relaxed and comfortable look, and suitable for longer walks, I chose black boots with skinny jeans and a match vest:

Of course, whilst in Italy, there is plenty of time to hit the beach, so I chose one an outfit I purchased in Sicily, a printed tank with shorts and comfortable sandals: