Get Corky — Personal Style Tips

“Money doesn't buy elegance. You can take an inexpensive sheath, add a pretty scarf, gray shoes, and a wonderful bag, and it will always be elegant.”

- Carolina Herrera 

Modern-day style maven, Carolina Herrera knows all about iconic style, but her advice isn’t new. In fact, scarves have been a gender-neutral accessory since ancient Egypt. The original Goddess of Glam, Queen Nefertiti, was said to be the first to make them fashionable, while early Chinese military followed suit, using their scarves to denote position and rank.

Perhaps the second most practical accessory (the handbag arguably being the first!) scarves, have long been used to serve purpose as well as fashion. From warmth to managing hair, scarves have woven their way into our hearts and closets with the help of some friends who have made this fashionable accent famous: Jackie O., Freida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, Queen Victoria, StevenTyler, Harry Potter, and Frosty the Snowman are a few that come to mind...but with the help of my stylish scarf-wearing tips, your name will be added to that list in no time!

You all know I LOVE accessories...so much so, I have a whole business around it. By chance you wandered here through a deep dive into the internet, you should totally go check out my line of sustainably sourced cork handbags, belts, and earrings! Our GiGi looks très chic when paired with a sleek shift dress and dainty neck scarf!

Of course, you know that scarves come in a variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes...but did you know there are so many clever ways to wear a scarf around your neck? Here is my favorite tutorial - Wendy can move quite quickly through the styles so it’s best to pause every few seconds to try the styles on your own. She is just so creative and I thoroughly enjoy watching her tips and I am sure you will too! 

A few other ways to wear a scarf that Wendy didn’t cover:

• My number one fav...on the handle of a purse, of course! (May I suggest the Yvonne? She looks fab with a pop of color!) - for those who are wary of wearing patterns, this is an easy way to add it! And...if you are a gal like me who LOVES patterns, Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell comes to mind….more, more more! (Fun fact...or is it a FAN FACT? I have seen him in concert every year for the last 8 years!)

• Scarves worn as a belt? Accentuating your curves with a soft slip of color is always going to get a “HELL YES!” from me!

• I am a huge fan of any woman who can pull off a headscarf tied around their hair. I envy this look as it exudes style and confidence!

• A small thin square scarf can be folded into a long, one-inch rectangle and wrapped around your wrist for a unique and colorful addition to your look.

• The above method tied around a single boot is also unique! And pretty bad-ass too!

Our totes and satchels just scream “accessorize me!” - The only question is, cotton, linen or silk? I’d love to see how you make your bag your own. Tag us on Instagram with #getcorky so we can share your unique style with our fellow followers and fans!

P.S. When I started Paula Parisotto Cork Collection, I fell madly in love with the brand patterns creatively crafted for me by the brand genius Melinda from Marks & Maker. I quickly trademarked them with the intention to make silk and/or cotton scarves….so tell me, what colors would you want to see most? Maybe it’s time to add an accessories line to my accessories line!

There's a chill that has begun to creep into the air, and with it comes my favorite fall activity! Eating pumpkin pie!!!! One half in a single sitting.

I kid….sort of....it’s readying my closet for the most accessorized season of all! But, along with cozy comes comfort, which means your style can get a little too comfortable if you know what I mean! Here are my top 5 tips for keeping your style fresh this fall!

#1 Flip It: Wear over-worn garments less often by flipping their hangers around to hang backward on the rod. The next time you go to wear it, you’ll have a gentle reminder to wear something different

#2 Roll it: Stacking items in drawers prohibits you from seeing what you have and encourages the wearing of only what’s on top. Instead, carefully fold garments in thirds and place them side by side in a row for easy viewing (Think Marie Kondo style.) After a few weeks, if you frequently skip over items because they just don’t spark joy, remove them from your wardrobe.

#3 Pack it: Packing and storing seasonal garments and accessories until their ready to be worn serves several purposes. 1) When you unpack them to wear again, you’ll feel like you’ve just been on a shopping spree. Whoot whoot! 2) You’ll probably find that you didn’t miss some of the items and be ready to offer them up to thrift or consignment. Is there anything more fresh than free space?! 3) It makes for a less crowded closet giving your garments more breathing room, and you’ll find yourself breathing better too, without the daily visual overwhelm of too many items in a small space.

#4 Preview it: Take an hour once a week to prereview your upcoming calendar and pre-create looks using at least one garment and accessory that you haven’t worn in a while. You’ll look forward to getting dressed each morning, knowing you have a collection of cute items just waiting to be worn!

#5 Layer it: Elevate your look by adding a layer. Tie a scarf around your neck or purse handle. Wear a brooch on your blouse or a barrette in your hair. Wear a necklace, bracelet, or ring if you usually don’t. Or slide into a cute blazer, cardigan or vest. Giving your look depth and dimension doesn’t just help you feel fresh; it allows you to wear your favorite items in a new way. Refreshing your style isn’t about saying goodbye to the old; it’s about finding a new way to hello to old favorites. 

There is comfort in wearing that favorite sweater for the second time in a week or living in your favorite leggings, but studies have shown a link between clothing choices and mental health. Taking the time to freshen your look gives you a boost of confidence, and who doesn’t want to spend their days feeling great. So put on some Lizzo, prep that closet, and sing it with me….”I do my hair toss, check my nails, Baby, how you feelin’?”... “I’m feeling good as hell!” 

Yeah, you are! 

 Looking for more fab, fresh and free style advice? I've got ya covered. Click here. 

Like a kaleidoscope of color and shape, women’s bodies come in a multitude of sizes and curves, and girl, let me tell you, as a personal stylist, I have dressed them ALL.

Often women get caught up in making changes to their bodies before they address their style, but can we have an honest chat here? Bodacious booties, barely-there breasts, jiggly upper arms, and nonexistent waistlines..........we all have areas we struggle with. And as a former personal trainer and group exercise instructor, I can tell you, proper exercise and diet will create change.........to a certain extent. The first step to change is to change how you feel about YOU. I want you to love all your parts. Your favs and those parts of you that you are on a journey to change. In the meantime, knowing these asset flattering tips will have you stepping out confident and classy.

Tip #1: Sleeve it to Me - Wearing a sleeve length that ends at the same point as your natural waist visually creates an hourglass shape. Try it! Put on a long sleeve top leaving one sleeve full length, and the other pulled to a ¾ length, check yourself out in a mirror, and voila! Instant curves!

Tip #2: Line it Up! - A single or multiple vertical lines close together causes you to appear taller and slimmer. This trick works like magic to naturally elongate your stature without having to wear heels (though the right pair can elevate this look-read here for more info on which heels to choose to flatter your frame!)

Tip #3: Busting out! - A wide horizontal line, larger pockets or ruffles across the chest will visually increase the size of your bust. 

Tip #4: Lead Me On - Diagonal hemlines on a top lead the eye, and when worn across a protruding belly or wide hips will minimize their appearance rather than attract attention to those areas.

Tip #5: DO Get Your Clothes in a Bunch - Ruching (pronounced roo-shing) is the gathering of of fabric - essentially, it makes the fabric ripple. Ruching at the waistline of a top or dress creates diagonal lines in the form of pleats that draw the eye towards the waistline, giving the appearance of a more narrow and defined waist. God bless the French for originating this innovative element of style!

Tip #6: Be Balanced - Adding a broach or knotted scarf on the opposite side of your hair part is most flattering as it brings an element of balance to your face and neck. In the life long search for balance, this may be the easiest balance to achieve!

Tip #7: Get Your Hands Outta Your Pockets! - Unless you absolutely can’t live without them (and I feel ya, pockets are glorious!) have a seamstress remove and sew pockets closed in well-fitted trousers, skirts, dresses, and cardigans. Closing your pockets will minimize unnecessary volume keeping your silhouette smooth. And if you need a bag to hold all the things that your pockets would typically carry, GiGi is your girl. She is sleek, just like your sense of style.

Summer has been heating up, and if you have a burning style question to get you through the season, I’m eager to answer it! Comment below or email me!

It’s romance season-everywhere you go you're hit with hearts and messages of love, but I think loving yourself should always be in season. And, loving yourself can often get a boost from loving how you look.

My favorite way to sprinkle some love into any look is through the perfect accessory. No accessories? You look unfinished, just the right accessories, and you look polished and put together. They're like the garnish on a perfect martini, taking your style from meh to mah-vel-ous.

Surprisingly, accessorizing is often the thing women struggle with most. In my six years as a stylist, I frequently coach style-savvy women (or those who want to be) in finding accessories that instill confidence in their signature look. A little knowledge can go a long way, so here are just a few of my tips for pulling together an accessorized look that you'll love!

Mix and Match....metals and materials that is! Gold, silver, wood, and metal. The key to a polished look is to wear similar styles. Are you going for a boho look? A feather necklace and mixed metal bangles are a good choice. Want to keep it classic? You can mix costume and fine jewelry. Coco Channel, the goddess of couture, was known for her mix of real and faux pearls. Keep the items similar, and you’ll find a look you love in no time!

Big vs. Small….Balance is the name of the game. There is no go big or go home when it comes to accessorizing (Unless you are Carmen Miranda, then put on that fabulous headdress and dance the night away!). Pair larger earrings with a small necklace or opt for an elegant bare neck to accentuate the neckline of your outfit. Likewise, if you have a statement necklace, choose a pair of classic stud earrings to let that piece have the stage it deserves. No one likes to compete for the spotlight!

If you are wearing small to medium earrings and necklace, you’re probably ok to add a small to a medium bracelet or two. And speaking of bracelets, it's perfectly fine to wear them on both wrists at the same time!

Prints, Patterns and Solids oh my!....Solid color tops such as sweater or turtleneck pair well with long necklaces as it helps break up the vast expanse of color. Skip the necklace if your top already has fab details, like large patterns, an interesting collar, or my favorite...a bow! Let those details be the star of the show that day.

The Neglected Accessory....Belts are one of my favorite accessories, but they can cause visual interference if you are opting for a long necklace with an outfit where the belt is seen. You’re going to want to ditch one of them. If you need a belt to keep your pants up (we don’t advocate for wardrobe malfunctions around here!) try one that matches the color of your pants or wear your top untucked, keeping the visual line long and lean. Oh, and there’s no need to be matchy-matchy with your shoes, belt, and bags. It’s a classic look for a formal event but otherwise outdated. 

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to trust you gut, it's pretty style savvy. Get dressed. Take a look in the mirror. When your inner Audry Hepburn tips her cat-eye sunglasses in approval and whispers “Life is a party. Dress like it.” you know you are looking fabulous!

Looking for in-person style assistance? I'd love to schedule a session with you. Email me at Paula@PaulaParisotto.com