Coastal Grandmother Makeover 2025
I told you back in September there would be a “Makeover” contest among my subscribers with the winner to be drawn on January 1, 2025, AND, the winner is Mike Mikovitz!
Mike is in my bridge group, and when he heard I was doing a “makeover” contest, he wanted to throw his hat in the ring! Mike lost his wife, Linda, two years ago this February after 56 years of marriage. He went through the normal grieving process for a year before his daughter, Colleen, encouraged him to start getting out. He started going to the Senior Center where he leads a group in Geneology, plays bridge, and generally socializes with everyone. He attends church regularly where he is a lector. He also volunteers as a tax counselor with AARP.
Mike felt as if he might be ready to get his feet wet in the dating arena, but like many of us who had been married most of our adult life, he didn’t know where to start. He joined a dating website and has had some response, but, he wasn’t sure he was putting “his best foot forward”.
We started with Color Analysis, of course, otherwise, how would I know what Season he is and what colors to recommend for his “new wardrobe”! As it turns out, Mike is a “Spring” which is not surprising since he is always upbeat and positive. He is pretty much “the life of the party” at bridge and is always looking for ways to have fun.
Our next step was to make an appointment for Mike at Studio 785 for a haircut and beard trim. Nick, the owner, is a “genius” with men’s styling. Nick took quite a bit of time creating a well groomed, neat and stylish look for Mike.
Nick and Mike
Our next project was to check out Mike’s closet!
Actually, much of Mike’s wardrobe was already in “Spring” colors. The “hoodie” is actually a warm red, perfect for Spring. I did suggest a dark burgundy shirt in his closet might not be his best choice. I have always said, most people are naturally drawn to their best colors. It is only when we are influenced by other sources that we get off track.
I determined that what was missing in Mike’s wardrobe was a nice sports jacket and a pair of khaki pants that he could wear for casual dress occasions . Mike spent his career in the military, so most of his socializing was in uniform. The other thing we discussed was the length of his jeans. Mike is 6’3” tall so he actually needs a 33” pant length, which of course, they do not make. Men’s pants either come in 32” or 34” length.
Our next trip was to Joseph A. Banks men’s store. I explained what we were looking for, and we were assisted by Molaina, a very capable sales assistant. She measured Mike for a sports jacket, shirt and pants. We chose a dark navy blazer with gold buttons, khaki pants and a lavender and white checked button down shirt. We got the khaki pants in a 32” length with the idea of letting them out an inch. Mike felt he needed a good leather belt, so he purchased that as well. While we waited for the sales assistant to pull some shirts, I gave Mike a little test. There was a table with six or eight different color sweaters. I said, “if you were going to buy one of these sweaters, which color would you choose? He looked them over and pointed to a light peachy orange, the most perfect color for a “Spring”. I love it when that happens!
Molaina measuring Mike
We checked out shoes at Joseph A. Banks but, they did not have a casual slip on shoe which is Mike’s preference. He suggested we go to DSW to look at shoes. He was really getting into this “makeover” business. In fact, when we started out that morning, he said, “I’m excited”, which is, of course, “music to my ears”! We found the perfect Cole Hahn slip on loafer to complete his “new casual dress look”.
Even though Mike was not so much into color analysis, and I did not go into a lot of detail, he was totally open to any suggestion I made. He plans to go back to Nick at Studio 785 to keep up his hair and beard. I think it is safe to say he feels like he has a new lease on life. He asked me to send him his “after” photo below so he can change it out on his profile for the dating site.
They say, “the clothes make the man”. That may not be entirely true, but they sure go a long way to project his best image.
Note: The “before” and “after” photos where taken against the same wall with my iPad.
