Saturday, April 17, 2010
Down Under
Never underestimate the importance of undergarments! They are the foundation of style. A great fitting undergarment (translate “bra”) is the start to great style. Just like Master Card – never leave home without it. The proper bra keeps “the girls” inside your silhouette when you are being viewed full front and it “hikes” them up away from your ribcage to help create your waistline. And, the best news is that a proper-fitting bra is not only flattering but it is comfortable to wear. If you’ve been struggling with that, you might want to shop for your next bra in a lingerie boutique or in lingerie departments of some of the better department stores in the area and use the services of a professional fitter that they provide. Extra bonus: For a limited time, Vanity Fair lingerie is offering an Alex and Ani Zodiac Charm Bangle featuring your sign with your Vanity Fair purchase of $50 or more. You can find a nearby Vanity Fair retailer at VanityFairLingerie.com. The promotion is a mail-in promotion that remains available while supplies last. Receipts and your name, address, and choice of zodiac sign go to Vogue Promotion Department, Attn: Rachael Cohn, 4 Times Square, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Have a Fit
If "Location. Location. Location." is the mantra for real estate, the mantra for style is "Fit. Fit. Fit." A key component of style is proper fit. Even the chicest, most expensive wardrobe piece won't look good if it doesn't fit properly.
Try every item on before buying. There should be no gaps, no pulls, no cling in the wrong places, and no drapes in the wrong places. No one is built to wear every style and every clothing manufacturer cuts their patterns a bit differently. Buy by fit -- not by size
Getting a good fit makes style easy and comfortable to wear all day every day.
Try every item on before buying. There should be no gaps, no pulls, no cling in the wrong places, and no drapes in the wrong places. No one is built to wear every style and every clothing manufacturer cuts their patterns a bit differently. Buy by fit -- not by size
Getting a good fit makes style easy and comfortable to wear all day every day.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Print It
If you have been reluctant to incoporate prints into your daily wardrobe, now is the time to take the plunge. There is a wonderful array of prints out there -- ranging from bold to animal to dainty. A print dress layered with a jacket is a wonderful look. Ditto some of the great print patterned accessories. Feeling a little emboldened? Despite what you may have heard, prints can be mixed with other prints, ala Laura Ashley, and with other patterns, such as dots and stripes. Just remember the basic rules. Looking to play it safe? Try selecting a print and pairing it with two separate pieces in different textures, each in a different color from the print. At the end, you are going for balance and when mixing unlike elements together only one thing can really dominate -- everything else plays a supporting role.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Yellow is the New White
Lots of butter and sunshine ahead as we head into summer 2010. Yellow is the new white. Wear it hot with color or tame it down by pairing it with white. Regardless of how you handle it, to spring your wardrobe fully into spring. If, like me, yellow is a color that you love that doesn't love you, don't despair. Add yellow to your wardrobe with accessories that carry the day.
Necklines – Selecting One That’s For You
The shape of your face is the key to selecting the neckline that enhances your overall look. The goal is to create an illusion of a more oval-shaped face. Here’s how:
Round Face
If you’re face is round you want to select a neckline that helps elongate it. The round face needs something to elongate the vertical focus. Often, round faces come packaged in bodies that are also heavier-set and rounded. Therefore, you want to choose collars that are deeper than they are wide. These include v-necks, shirt/blouse collars, Queen Anne necklines and Empire necklines. You can even reinforce the appearance of the elongated neckline by combining looks such as the shirt collar look with a jacket, making a very deep “V” shape to make a stronger vertical line.
Long Face
If your face is relatively long, you want to select a neckline that can help you create a horizontal focus. Look for shallow necklines that keep the focus up and across. The cowl, bateau, portrait and Sabrina neckline are made for you.
Angular Face
If your face is angular, you want to add a bit of curve to soften your look. Shop for sweetheart, Sabrina, scoop and cowl necklines.
Oval Face
If you’re face is oval, you have the luxury of selecting almost any neckline you wish, including bared shoulders and neck, knowing that it will help balance and flatter you.
And, if you have some items in your wardrobe that, on reflecting, may not offer the most flattering neckline for your, don’t overlook the option of adding jewelry or scarf to modify the lines from what you have to what you want.
Round Face
If you’re face is round you want to select a neckline that helps elongate it. The round face needs something to elongate the vertical focus. Often, round faces come packaged in bodies that are also heavier-set and rounded. Therefore, you want to choose collars that are deeper than they are wide. These include v-necks, shirt/blouse collars, Queen Anne necklines and Empire necklines. You can even reinforce the appearance of the elongated neckline by combining looks such as the shirt collar look with a jacket, making a very deep “V” shape to make a stronger vertical line.
Long Face
If your face is relatively long, you want to select a neckline that can help you create a horizontal focus. Look for shallow necklines that keep the focus up and across. The cowl, bateau, portrait and Sabrina neckline are made for you.
Angular Face
If your face is angular, you want to add a bit of curve to soften your look. Shop for sweetheart, Sabrina, scoop and cowl necklines.
Oval Face
If you’re face is oval, you have the luxury of selecting almost any neckline you wish, including bared shoulders and neck, knowing that it will help balance and flatter you.
And, if you have some items in your wardrobe that, on reflecting, may not offer the most flattering neckline for your, don’t overlook the option of adding jewelry or scarf to modify the lines from what you have to what you want.
Wardrobe Basics 101 for Hour-Glass Shapes
Hour-glass body? You’re closet should have one of each:
1. Straight leg jeans or skinny jeans. Look for jeans the fit your hips and thighs and make a straight line down to your feet. Jeans that are baggy up top and skinny at the ankles will not flatter your figure. And jeans that are tight fitting up top and flare out at the bottom will not accentuate your good curves. Select a rise that comes just below the waist. Anything lower will create the wrong shape, thus not bringing out the best of your figure.
2. Black pants and white pants. Use the same the same fit rules above as you should for jeans and use these versatile wardrobe pieces for everything.\
3. Slim fitting Blazer. Look for a blazer that comes to right below your waist and then plan to wear this piece with virtually everything you own.
4. Stretch poplin shirt. This is your “go everywhere” shirt. It’s both stylish and sexy.
5. Pencil Skirt. The pencil skirt was designed with your body shape in mind. It hugs in all the right places. Look for a high-waisted cut if your waist if you have a slight roll above the belt line. For your best look and the most flexibility with this item, look for a hemline that hits just at or just below the knees.
6. A Little Black Dress. Buy this “can’t go wrong item” in a slim-fitting material that “clings” in all the right places for you.
7. Shirt that Nip In at the Waist. Your waist is smaller than your chest and hips – make the most of it. Be sure your shirts nip in at the waist. The blousy look is not your best.
8. Tank tops. Tank tops, camisoles and tube tops look super on your body type. Layer them with a belt and, as appropriate, cover bare arms and shoulders with a sweater or jacket that comes right to your waistline.
9. Shoes. With your figure you can wear just about any kind of shoe. Just remember that ballet flats can make your legs look short if paired with skirts and dresses.
1. Straight leg jeans or skinny jeans. Look for jeans the fit your hips and thighs and make a straight line down to your feet. Jeans that are baggy up top and skinny at the ankles will not flatter your figure. And jeans that are tight fitting up top and flare out at the bottom will not accentuate your good curves. Select a rise that comes just below the waist. Anything lower will create the wrong shape, thus not bringing out the best of your figure.
2. Black pants and white pants. Use the same the same fit rules above as you should for jeans and use these versatile wardrobe pieces for everything.\
3. Slim fitting Blazer. Look for a blazer that comes to right below your waist and then plan to wear this piece with virtually everything you own.
4. Stretch poplin shirt. This is your “go everywhere” shirt. It’s both stylish and sexy.
5. Pencil Skirt. The pencil skirt was designed with your body shape in mind. It hugs in all the right places. Look for a high-waisted cut if your waist if you have a slight roll above the belt line. For your best look and the most flexibility with this item, look for a hemline that hits just at or just below the knees.
6. A Little Black Dress. Buy this “can’t go wrong item” in a slim-fitting material that “clings” in all the right places for you.
7. Shirt that Nip In at the Waist. Your waist is smaller than your chest and hips – make the most of it. Be sure your shirts nip in at the waist. The blousy look is not your best.
8. Tank tops. Tank tops, camisoles and tube tops look super on your body type. Layer them with a belt and, as appropriate, cover bare arms and shoulders with a sweater or jacket that comes right to your waistline.
9. Shoes. With your figure you can wear just about any kind of shoe. Just remember that ballet flats can make your legs look short if paired with skirts and dresses.
Wardrobe Basics 101 for Apple Shapes
Apple-shaped body? You’re closet should have one of each:
1. Straight leg jeans or Boot Cut jeans. –You want jeans that fit you in the thigh make a straight line all the way to your ankles – you’re going for loose or slightly flared around the ankle here. Look for a rise that comes just below the waist. You can experiment with low-rise jeans. How they will look depends on your size.
2. Black pants and white pants. These are both essential. These pants should have the same fit as your jeans – straight. No curves. No contours.
3. Slim fitting Blazer. A great fitting blazer in any color or material is a must-have. It wears over anything and goes anywhere. Look for a cut that lets the blazer hit you right at your waistline.
4. Stretch poplin shirt. Man-tailored, long-sleeved and button down. It’s your “wear anywhere” shirt, For your body shape, you should avoid jackets that come right to the waist. Make sure you buy a great fitting blazer jacket that comes in at the waist to give the allusion of an hour glass figure.
5. A-Line Skirt. Women with an apple figure look great and well balanced in an A-line skirt. The skirt flares out at the knee to balance out your large chest. This will help you achieve the look of an hour glass figure. Make sure the skirt fall just below or right at the knee.
6. A Little Black Dress. An essential is every woman’s closet. Your black dress should have an a-line skirt for the best balance.
7. Shirts with Scoop Neckline. Because your chest is much larger than your waist and hips, you want to deemphasize that. Choose shirts that have a scoop neckline and plain fronts. If you have too much “going on” like ties or prints on your shirt, you are going to look bulk
8. Wrap Tops – Since you have larger breasts, you want to make sure they are fully supported. Never wear shirts without a bra. Halter tops are not for you. Stick to beautiful wrap tops or shirts with built in support bras to help lock and load the girls. Be careful how low your v-neck shirts go. I recommend wearing a scoop neck camisole underneath your shirts that have plunging necklines. And never wear cropped shirts!
9. Shoes! – You are free to wear almost any style of shoe. However be careful with shoes that make your feet look small. If your feet look small, that will make you look top heavy.
1. Straight leg jeans or Boot Cut jeans. –You want jeans that fit you in the thigh make a straight line all the way to your ankles – you’re going for loose or slightly flared around the ankle here. Look for a rise that comes just below the waist. You can experiment with low-rise jeans. How they will look depends on your size.
2. Black pants and white pants. These are both essential. These pants should have the same fit as your jeans – straight. No curves. No contours.
3. Slim fitting Blazer. A great fitting blazer in any color or material is a must-have. It wears over anything and goes anywhere. Look for a cut that lets the blazer hit you right at your waistline.
4. Stretch poplin shirt. Man-tailored, long-sleeved and button down. It’s your “wear anywhere” shirt, For your body shape, you should avoid jackets that come right to the waist. Make sure you buy a great fitting blazer jacket that comes in at the waist to give the allusion of an hour glass figure.
5. A-Line Skirt. Women with an apple figure look great and well balanced in an A-line skirt. The skirt flares out at the knee to balance out your large chest. This will help you achieve the look of an hour glass figure. Make sure the skirt fall just below or right at the knee.
6. A Little Black Dress. An essential is every woman’s closet. Your black dress should have an a-line skirt for the best balance.
7. Shirts with Scoop Neckline. Because your chest is much larger than your waist and hips, you want to deemphasize that. Choose shirts that have a scoop neckline and plain fronts. If you have too much “going on” like ties or prints on your shirt, you are going to look bulk
8. Wrap Tops – Since you have larger breasts, you want to make sure they are fully supported. Never wear shirts without a bra. Halter tops are not for you. Stick to beautiful wrap tops or shirts with built in support bras to help lock and load the girls. Be careful how low your v-neck shirts go. I recommend wearing a scoop neck camisole underneath your shirts that have plunging necklines. And never wear cropped shirts!
9. Shoes! – You are free to wear almost any style of shoe. However be careful with shoes that make your feet look small. If your feet look small, that will make you look top heavy.
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