Seeing as how we're about smack dab in the middle of the summer months and, for most areas of the US, about to embark on the hottest half of all, I thought it might be good to address the topic of perspiration. Of course my family and friends in Texas (Go Spurs!) will laugh since it's been over 100 degrees there for a while. The good news is that it will still be hot there for another few months so you have plenty of time to give these tips a try. Now, since I'm not a doctor of medicine I stick to what I know... apparel. Having sweat stains on your shirt is embarrassing and can be really distracting to you and to others . Going beyond deodorant, here are some products that can help. Note: Just to be clear, I do not receive any "kickbacks" from these companies. I'm solely devoted to my friends and clients and want to make it easy for you to find what you need.

First, natural fibers: stick to clothing made from natural fibers. For example cotton, bamboo and lightweight wool (also called tropical wool), linen, etc. Synthetic fibers don't breathe and can cause you to perspire more than normal.

For the gents, when wearing a dress shirt or any kind of button-down shirt an undershirt is a must. The 100% cotton variety is still a classic and does an excellent job. However if you require a little extra absorbency try this:

Silverback undershirts: http://www.silverbackapparel.com/store/apparel Pricey but worth it.

http://www.vdri.net/?gclid=CJXn-rSb1ZsCFQEhDQodkzAOKw Less expensive and great for keeping moisture away but may not stay tucked into pants very well.

Added bonus, both these labels produce in the USA & Canada.

For my ladies I always recommend a cami under a button-down shirt to prevent any inappropriate moments (gaping placket to reveal sexy bra meant for after work, shirt much more see through under office lights than at home, you get the idea) and I love this bamboo option from Jockey: http://www.barenecessities.com/Jockey-Naturals-Bamboo-Camisole_product_Jockey2394_,search,.htm

"But the underarms are exposed," you say? No problem, got those covered too!

These underarm disposable absorbent pads adhere to your clothes and absorb the moisture: http://www.kleinertsshields.com/products.php?cat=13#dispos

If the no-frills approach of Kleinets doesn't appeal to you, here's a "pink and pretty" approach: http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/products_behind_the_seams.cfm

If you prefer a non-disposable version for a more eco-conscious approach try these:

http://www.kleinertsshields.com/products.php?cat=10

And just when you thought you couldn't find any more uses for baking soda, I've got one more! Sprinkle a little baking soda under your arms to neutralize odor and absorb moisture. Hey, it works in the fridge!

Good luck and stay cool... and dry!

Do you know of an amazing product I missed? Have a specific conundrum you'd like me to address on my next Tuesday Tips & Tricks? Click "leave a comment" and tell me about it.

By the way, my upcoming blog will be about men's style basics. Stay tuned and have a great week!

Last Thursday I was at a business networking event by Corey Perlman of eBoot Camp (www.ebootcamp.com... check it out!) and during a short break I made a visit to the ladies' room. From the stall next to me I heard a woman say, "I know what I want for Christmas." Curiosity peaked, I waited for a reply. "What?" her friend responded.

"A belt," she answered, "mine is falling apart."

From another stall I heard a woman say, "Christmas is an awfully long time to wait for a belt." (I couldn’t agree more.)

To this the young woman replied, "I'm too lazy to get it myself."

While this little bathroom exchange may have seemed insignificant to the other ladies in the room, it made a bell go off in my head. It occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows that there is such a thing as a personal stylist, or maybe they think it's only for the rich and famous. Not so!

There are many terms out there that all refer to pretty much the same thing: personal stylist, wardrobe consultant, image consultant, fashion stylist, and more. However generally speaking a good personal style consultant (see there’s another one!) offers many different services and can usually tailor those services to meet your needs and budget. Here is what they can do for you:

Clean out your closet

"One day I'm gonna wear it!" No you're not. It's just taking up space in your closet and mocking you every time you look at it. Your very own wardrobe consultant will help you let go of items that take up space and bring you down.

Define your style

Variety is the spice of life. A good personal (emphasis on the “personal”) stylist should help you define a style that lets people get a sense of your personality through your appearance. I would never want my clients to look like clones; I want each of them to feel their individual best.

Build a functional wardrobe

By functional I mean that your clothing and accessories should be flattering, versatile and meet the needs of your lifestyle. If your work environment is business casual do you really need 5 suits? No. Your consultant should help you identify the items you need to meet the needs of your life as well as the proper silhouettes and colors to most accentuate your attributes.

Personal shopping

Some people love shopping, some people would rather pull their toenails out with tweezers. (At least that’s how one of my clients put it when we first met.) A personal stylist can either serve as training wheels by going shopping with you and teaching you how to shop for the best items for you. Or they can be a huge time saver and bring items to you at your convenience. For example, the young woman in the bathroom really needn’t wait another 6 months for a belt when she can have options, all her size and flattering to her figure, brought right to her.

As far as cost goes, there are different rates out there but most style consultants charge by the hour, which makes it easy to stay to a budget. Don’t be afraid to tell your consultant that you only want a certain number of hours and ask them to define what can be accomplished in that time frame. I’ve lost potential clients because the time they needed was longer than what they were willing to spend, but I would rather be honest than have them go over budget or not achieve their goals. And just for the record, in case you watch the show, some of us are much nicer than Stacy and Clinton on “What Not to Wear”!

Got questions? Clothing conundrums? Style emergencies? Please comment on my blog or email me at: Jodi@stylesuccess.net

Thanks for reading!

Tuesday Tips & Tricks - No sweat!

"Stall"ing