At this time of the year it is not surprising that the topic of hosiery should come up.  Love them or hate them, this women's accessory was a revolutionary invention that helped transform women's fashion.  Today, it is a hotly debated issue, both sides weighing in on the benefits or distractons of wearing hosiery.

The story of pantyhose began with a man - the late Allen Grant Sr invented them in 1959.  Numerous generations of women have now experienced waist-to-toe stockings & few would be surprised to know that a man invented them -but at the request of his wife.  Women embraced pantyhose as a welcome relief from wearing garters, girdles and other cumbersome & crude undergarments.

In the mid-1960s with the rise of the miniskirt, pantyhose exploded & women everywhere rushed to have a pair. For the fashion conscious woman looking to wear a skirt shorter, stockings were the perfect fit.

By the 70's & 80's, every women & teen had pantyhose in their closets.  In the 1990's a more relaxed atmosphere in the workplace resulted in women wearing pants with trouser socks, skirts with tights or no hose.

So today we have women in the work place openly debating: hosiery or not?  Many will confess that they are uncomfortable but necessary if you are dressing to impress.  Most women quickly admit that they feel more polished & professional wearing hosiery.  Frequently you will hear men weight in on the topic.  To look more professional & competitive, a man is expected to wear a jacket & tie - he feels for a woman to be taken seriously, she should wear hosiery to complete the outfit.  today women wearing hosiery will chose "nude" or natural looking.  We also have Michelle Obama stating "I stopped wearing pantyhose a long time ago because it was painful.  Put'em on, rip 'em - it's inconvenient" she said on talk show "The View" last year. However the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is making a statement & everyone is noticing.  She has brought back the popularity of "clear" hosiery to complete the finished outfit.

The more traditional, conservative industry executives have adjusted their handbooks on policy to include revised dress codes  No surprise hosiery is required.  Pretty much across the barriers of age, culture, industry - women today agree to disagree on this topic.  Typically addressing graduating classes of women, I have found that there is not even a basic understanding of hosiery.  When you look at different geographical locations, hosiery is perceived even more biased.

So how do you weight in? Please comment on the following choices:

Classic not outdated - agree/disagree

A must for corporate women - agree/disagree

Adds corporate credibility - agree/disagree

Gives the finishing touch - agree/disagree

Look forward to your thoughts & comments.

Shelley is an image consultant, corporate trainer & coach who inspires others to look & feel their best at any age.  She is passionate about helping people be confident & successful. Today she guides audiences to achieve professional presence, teach leadership skills, increase customer loyalty & address business etiquette in the work place.  For more information about services, please contact Shelley directly at shelmend@yahoo.com/ 614-325-8550

Your ring is sparkling and the word is out. You’re engaged and everyone wants to know one thing: When is the ceremony? While you may have to get back with them on the exact date of the Big Day, there’s another special day for you and your main squeeze to consider as you make plans – the engagement party.

Not every couple decides to host one, but engagement parties are a fun option for duos looking to celebrate before saying “I do”. While it’s a fantastic way for the bride and groom’s families to meet and spend time together before the wedding, engagement gatherings are a great way to build excitement and give a sneak peak to your wedding day too.

So if you see an engagement party in your future, how will you celebrate? Do you want to party like a rock star or host an elegant, low-key dinner with friends and family? Party planning guru Jes Gordon says before you starting touring venues and scanning the shelves for the cutest invitations you have to ask yourself one question: Why do I want to do this?

“Parties take time and effort – not just for you but for your guests too,” Jes wrote in her book, Party Like a Rock Star. “Good reasons for getting together will not only make it worth your time but your guests’ time as well.”

Even before asking “Why?” Distinct Event Planning advises brides and grooms to consider “How?” It’s so easy for wedding budgets to turn into runaway budgets, when couples don’t map out all of their expected expenses or when excitement pulls them away from the financial game plan they created.

If you crunch the numbers and find that your engagement party is a-go, consult with a professional party planner to help turn your ideas into reality and maximize your money. It’s easy to image amazing color schemes, music, and the perfect food and venue, but pulling all the pieces together and assessing your options is better left to the experts, especially if you plan to host a large or extravagant gathering.

A professional party planner will work with you to come up with a party concept based on your style as a couple – whether it’s “red carpet fabulous,” or “backyard casual.” Then select a venue, menu, music, decorations and the other details to make your day shine.

Planning the event yourself is also always an option too. Before you begin just be sure to map out all you need to do and when it needs to be done, down to the smallest detail. Ask knowledgeable friends to review your to-do list to make sure you’re not leaving anything out. Then consider your other time commitments and who’s actually going to roll up their sleeves with you. Party planning done right is serious business so choose wisely!

No matter what you decide, an engagement party is a fabulous event to look forward to!  Happy Planning!

Lucretia Williams is the owner and lead consultant of Distinct Event Planning, LLC. Their mission is to ensure that they offer you the best and most professional wedding and special event planning services. Lucretia can be contacted at (614) 577-1844, info@DistinctEventPlanning.com or visit her at www.DistinctEventPlanning.com.

Valentine gifts will not be the only things flying off the shelves this season. Between now and early spring, thousands of grooms-to-be will be scanning jewelry counters for the perfect ring. If your ring finger has a little bling headed its way, it’s time to share your ideas for an ideal engagement with your honey.

Being able to express your ideas to your mate is the cornerstone of any great relationship, right? So why not get some practice in as engagement season unfolds.

Don’t have the ring yet and unsure of what you want? Try visiting the websites of popular jewelry retailers with your fella first. Stores like Kay Jewelers, the Diamond Cellar & Zales each have hundreds of rings to view online and the sites allow you to narrow your search based on cut, metal and price. Looking online before heading into a physical store offers a pressure-free way to window shop for the perfect piece. No waiting in line at a busy jewelry counter or high-pressure sales await you when you do a little virtual viewing from home. Plus, you can carefully compare each store’s policies on returns, repairs and other services in peace. You might even discover “online-only” deals that clerks may honor in-store.

Once you have a good idea of what you want, talk openly with your honey about your wedding budget and how the ring fits into the “bottom line” of your big day. Be sensitive to what he can afford and respect the boundaries of your overall budget. Keep in mind most stores offer deals on ring upgrades. Your dream ring may not fit into the budget now but stores offer great exchange programs to customers looking to upgrade to bigger and better pieces later on.

After talking over those serious budgeting goals, head to the store for a little playtime. Nothing gives you peace of mind like trying things on before you buy. It’s best to find out firsthand, if your online pick really compliments your personality and if the design is practical for your lifestyle. Trying rings on and talking with a professional about the pros and cons of each piece lets you do that.

Find your Favorites, discuss your Finances, and see if it Fits – ring hunting never looked so easy. Happy shopping!!

Lucretia Williams is the owner and lead consultant of Distinct Event Planning, LLC. Their mission is to ensure that they offer you the best and most professional wedding and special event planning services. Lucretia can be contacted at (614) 577-1844, info@DistinctEventPlanning.com or visit her at www.DistinctEventPlanning.com.