Sunday, August 14, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Mixing Patterns 101
One way of being playful with your outfits is to mix up your patterns. It looks so intimidating I know, but if you know some simple rules to follow...it's as easy as rock'n that plain tee with jeans you're always doing...
Key Points:
So give a try! If you're not sure how it looks send me a picture and I'll let you know if you look like bozo or beautiful.
Key Points:
- There should be ONE common dominant color that is in common with both patterns. This will make the combo make sense. This a rule for the pattern mixing beginners...
- Vary the scale or proportion of the pattern (large with a medium print or small with a medium)
- If you feel like it's needed, break the patterns up with a common neutral.
- Make sure the patterns aren't competing. If you follow the above rules...this shouldn't happen.
So give a try! If you're not sure how it looks send me a picture and I'll let you know if you look like bozo or beautiful.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tall/Full Figure/Straight/Long Body/Short(er) legs Body Type
So I had a client the other day who is beautiful! She's tall 5'8" and a straight full figure body type. I just fell in love with her because at a size 16/18 she's very comfortable with her body type. She eats well and exercises no less than three days a week so she's doing what she has to stay fit and healthy. Her issue wasn't that she wanted to be a size 0 or look different than herself. She just didn't know HOW to dress for her body type.
After reviewing her body type I concluded that she's has a tall, straight, full figure but the twist is, she is proportionately longer in her body than her legs. This changed everything she'd thought about what she should be wearing. Just like so many do, my client had done some research on the internet and in books to see what her body type was and what she should be wearing and when she tried to buy and wear the items that the books and 'experts' were recommending, they just didn't feel or look right. This is because 1. most often I find that if someone is a 'full figure' (size 14+) then you're suppose to wear long A-line shapes and 2. She wasn't taking into consideration her proportions. Which I find to be a key component that is almost always missed and not addressed in those 'Find your Personal Style' books. So here is the breakdown of what she should be considering having this kind of body type. I hope this information can shed some light on anyone who has a similar body type.
Key Points
What to Wear:
Jackets that are A-line from the empire line of your body (under your boobs) out will flatter and draw the eye up, making your legs look longer.
Also jackets that have a belt or waist detail will have the same effect.
Choose tops that sit no longer than on top of your hip bone. This will show more leg..thus, making your legs look LONGER!
The center front ruffle can draw the eye up too and away from any area you're not feeling so confident about. wink.
Longer sweaters are all good but make sure you can belt it. Again drawing that eye UP elongating your legs, Also keep the front of the sweater open so you can see the full front of your body. This will elongate the your body too and not visually cut it up.
The asymmetry of this sweater too adds shape which is what you want!
Have some FUN! You don't have to wear solid colors and dark denim if you have a straight body type. Wear some denim that have personality. Shading can create shape for you where you might be lacking. Especially in the rear end. To make your legs look their longest make sure they fall as long as where your toe meets your foot in the shoe that you're wearing. That will create the longest leg line for you.
Dresses that are uniform in color or print will elongate your body and balance out the in balance of your proportions whether you be long bodied and short legged or long legged and short bodied.
Yes, being 5'8" or taller you can rock a maxi. A maxi with a contrast or design element at the empire line will be most flattering. The center stripe is slimming and elongating and most important, the dress falls flat and away from the body. BEWARE of gathering around the empire line. It can sometimes be a flattering element for your body type but it can also make you look like you're expecting. You have to just try on to see for yourself.
So there are some suggestions for you to look for if you have a Tall, Full Figure, Straight, Long Body, Short(er) leg, body type.
Let me know if you have a body type you can't figure out and I'll do my best to give you some insight.
Shop Stylishly!
After reviewing her body type I concluded that she's has a tall, straight, full figure but the twist is, she is proportionately longer in her body than her legs. This changed everything she'd thought about what she should be wearing. Just like so many do, my client had done some research on the internet and in books to see what her body type was and what she should be wearing and when she tried to buy and wear the items that the books and 'experts' were recommending, they just didn't feel or look right. This is because 1. most often I find that if someone is a 'full figure' (size 14+) then you're suppose to wear long A-line shapes and 2. She wasn't taking into consideration her proportions. Which I find to be a key component that is almost always missed and not addressed in those 'Find your Personal Style' books. So here is the breakdown of what she should be considering having this kind of body type. I hope this information can shed some light on anyone who has a similar body type.
Key Points- Elongate legs= Show more leg
- Visually shorten appearance of upper body= wear tops that hit no longer than the top of your hip bone. NEVER cover your crotch!
- Must WEAR SHAPE to look like you HAVE shape= You are what you wear. You wear square you look square. You wear big and over sized...your going to look big and over sized. etc...
- Soften the shoulder=being tall and a full figure, you can often have a broad shoulder. Softening this feature will give you a more feminine appeal. (And you'll fell less like a full back)
What to Wear:
Jackets that are A-line from the empire line of your body (under your boobs) out will flatter and draw the eye up, making your legs look longer.
Also jackets that have a belt or waist detail will have the same effect.
Choose tops that sit no longer than on top of your hip bone. This will show more leg..thus, making your legs look LONGER!
The center front ruffle can draw the eye up too and away from any area you're not feeling so confident about. wink.
Longer sweaters are all good but make sure you can belt it. Again drawing that eye UP elongating your legs, Also keep the front of the sweater open so you can see the full front of your body. This will elongate the your body too and not visually cut it up.
The asymmetry of this sweater too adds shape which is what you want!
Have some FUN! You don't have to wear solid colors and dark denim if you have a straight body type. Wear some denim that have personality. Shading can create shape for you where you might be lacking. Especially in the rear end. To make your legs look their longest make sure they fall as long as where your toe meets your foot in the shoe that you're wearing. That will create the longest leg line for you.
Dresses that are uniform in color or print will elongate your body and balance out the in balance of your proportions whether you be long bodied and short legged or long legged and short bodied.
Yes, being 5'8" or taller you can rock a maxi. A maxi with a contrast or design element at the empire line will be most flattering. The center stripe is slimming and elongating and most important, the dress falls flat and away from the body. BEWARE of gathering around the empire line. It can sometimes be a flattering element for your body type but it can also make you look like you're expecting. You have to just try on to see for yourself.
So there are some suggestions for you to look for if you have a Tall, Full Figure, Straight, Long Body, Short(er) leg, body type.
Let me know if you have a body type you can't figure out and I'll do my best to give you some insight.
Shop Stylishly!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Peek into my shopping bag...some bargain shopping...
Just dropped into Buffalo Exchange and Target the other day on a 'Me Time' break from the kids and found some cute things! Check 'em out...
Like my lack of will power with boots, I have a serious weakness for anything chevron stripe. I want them in my home, on my clothes. Maybe I should shave them onto the sides of my kids heads....I digress....
When I saw this top I loved it! Especially how it kind of wanted to drape off one of my shoulders. Made me feel kind of sexy but still classy.
I'll wear this with my American Apparel knit pants that are, yes, MC hammer-ish. Or I'll rock it with my high waist bell jeans and my black and wood platform sandals....hmmm
I'll also like this with just my cut off jeans and some black gladiators.
YES that IS three outfits...so it IS worth the $19!
Isn't this pendant SO cool! My nanny saw an owl. I saw wings but taking another look I see two birds. I LOVE that it seems like something different to whomever is checking it out. I'm going to have to hit up a bead store to find the right beads to make this into a necklace. Though, that will require having the time to make it...stay tuned.
$16 1/2 off so $8
When I saw this clutch it screamed Roman Holiday to me for some reason and then when I looked inside I saw it was vintage and made in Italy. Not far off eh? LOVE the texture, the size..I'll be wearing this with just a tee and jeans...or maybe a maxi sundress...or I just rediscovered an old black crepe Jcrew dress I had hidden away...SO many things to wear with it....not enough days. wink.
$15
Then I hit Target just because I love to dink around in there when I can. I'm usually running in to grab diapers and self tanner but this day..this day I had time on my side and I found these. Do you see the chevron stripe? Ugh I tell you..I need therapy! I think these would look great with my new top from Buffalo!
$12.99
So I hope I proved that you can find some really cool and original pieces out there without having to spend a fortune! Happy Shopping. Share with me YOUR finds!
When I saw this top I loved it! Especially how it kind of wanted to drape off one of my shoulders. Made me feel kind of sexy but still classy.
I'll wear this with my American Apparel knit pants that are, yes, MC hammer-ish. Or I'll rock it with my high waist bell jeans and my black and wood platform sandals....hmmm
I'll also like this with just my cut off jeans and some black gladiators.
YES that IS three outfits...so it IS worth the $19!
Isn't this pendant SO cool! My nanny saw an owl. I saw wings but taking another look I see two birds. I LOVE that it seems like something different to whomever is checking it out. I'm going to have to hit up a bead store to find the right beads to make this into a necklace. Though, that will require having the time to make it...stay tuned.
$16 1/2 off so $8
When I saw this clutch it screamed Roman Holiday to me for some reason and then when I looked inside I saw it was vintage and made in Italy. Not far off eh? LOVE the texture, the size..I'll be wearing this with just a tee and jeans...or maybe a maxi sundress...or I just rediscovered an old black crepe Jcrew dress I had hidden away...SO many things to wear with it....not enough days. wink.
$15
Then I hit Target just because I love to dink around in there when I can. I'm usually running in to grab diapers and self tanner but this day..this day I had time on my side and I found these. Do you see the chevron stripe? Ugh I tell you..I need therapy! I think these would look great with my new top from Buffalo!
$12.99
So I hope I proved that you can find some really cool and original pieces out there without having to spend a fortune! Happy Shopping. Share with me YOUR finds!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Break Down: My Habit Rachel Pally Dress $78 I got it for $50
I'm always telling my clients..if you're going to buy something it must fit into the following criteria:
It has to FIT you
It has to FLATTER you and your figure
It has to have FUNCTION in your lifestyle
and it has to make you feel FABULOUS!
So I got my dress in the mail yesterday...and I tried it on..here's how those same criteria broke down for me. (Same rules apply... right;)
FIT: The dress has a built in bra that fits me great. Not too big or small. The straps aren't buckling and the armhole isn't too loose or tight.
The body skims my body, not too loose and baggy and not hugging anywhere.
FLATTER: Usually bright white isn't the most flattering on me but the color confetti in this dress are all colors that flatter my coloring.
I do not love my legs so this is just long enough where it covers my legs but do you see how the skirt goes up on each side. This 'jersey' cut helps create shape for me and elongates my leg (shows more skin) which is good if I go with a longer dress.
TIP: To create the most flattering shape on a drawstring dress gather the fabric to the center front and then again to the center back so the dress lays smooth on the sides.
FUNCTION: I'm a Mother of two young little boys and a Personal Style Consultant so I'm either running around chasing little people or I'm eyeball deep in a clients closet or with them in a dressing room. I need to be able to get on the floor and play cars for hours and/or on the floor explaining to a client where a hem should hit on them. In other words I need MOVEMENT! This dress, being modal its stretchy and comfortable so I can move and stretch. I can bend down and reach forward without tearing a seam or showing off the color of my underwear to people who don't want to see it.
FEEL FABULOUS: So in the end...the dress fits me, flatters my figure, has function in my lifestyle but the fleeting question...does it make me feel FABULOUS? It DOES! I LOVE it...I feel sassy and cute. It's colorful which I need in my cream infested wardrobe. I can dress it up and I can dress it down. So you bet I'm going to keep it:)
It has to FIT you
It has to FLATTER you and your figure
It has to have FUNCTION in your lifestyle
and it has to make you feel FABULOUS!
So I got my dress in the mail yesterday...and I tried it on..here's how those same criteria broke down for me. (Same rules apply... right;)
The body skims my body, not too loose and baggy and not hugging anywhere.
FLATTER: Usually bright white isn't the most flattering on me but the color confetti in this dress are all colors that flatter my coloring.
I do not love my legs so this is just long enough where it covers my legs but do you see how the skirt goes up on each side. This 'jersey' cut helps create shape for me and elongates my leg (shows more skin) which is good if I go with a longer dress.
TIP: To create the most flattering shape on a drawstring dress gather the fabric to the center front and then again to the center back so the dress lays smooth on the sides.
FUNCTION: I'm a Mother of two young little boys and a Personal Style Consultant so I'm either running around chasing little people or I'm eyeball deep in a clients closet or with them in a dressing room. I need to be able to get on the floor and play cars for hours and/or on the floor explaining to a client where a hem should hit on them. In other words I need MOVEMENT! This dress, being modal its stretchy and comfortable so I can move and stretch. I can bend down and reach forward without tearing a seam or showing off the color of my underwear to people who don't want to see it.
FEEL FABULOUS: So in the end...the dress fits me, flatters my figure, has function in my lifestyle but the fleeting question...does it make me feel FABULOUS? It DOES! I LOVE it...I feel sassy and cute. It's colorful which I need in my cream infested wardrobe. I can dress it up and I can dress it down. So you bet I'm going to keep it:)
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Shop the look: Shifty Boho
I LOVE the blog Fashion Toast and was schrolling through the looks when I saw this one. I thought..Oh how cute then my next thought was..ya if you're 23. But then again...why can't I used this adorable twits look as inspiration. I mean that's why she's sharing with us right. So I shopped a look that I think I could pull off being 36 with two kids (Unlike colors, when you get a stain, white bleaches out REALLY well Mamas:)) Click on the pictures if you want to shop yourself.
***Also send me a look you like and I'll shop it for you!
***Also send me a look you like and I'll shop it for you!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
SCORE! Blue 'Topaz' Earrings from Targey. Wink
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| Check out Peanuts hand modeling skills! |
Check out what I scored at Target yesterday! I've been looking for Blue Topaz earrings and to find them for $9.99 at Targey! Sweet! These look so much more expensive because:
- The blue stone LOOKS authentic..not like plastic (which it is)
- The construction is per what you'd find at a boutique.
- The gold is brushed and not too shiny
- The gold is the right color gold..not too yellow or pale
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