Accenting All The Right Places

Hi Readers

Accenting The Waist

     One of the most important places to accent is the waistline.  Coco Chanel was certainly a pioneer in design but looking back at time she seemed to loose the importance of the waistline.  No matter what your shape is the majority of the time is is best to emphasis a waist.  Creating the waistline can be achieved by tucking in seperates, style lines and wearing a belt.  A dress, top or swimsuit with a surplice design drawing the eye to the waist is also very effective in creating an attractive waistline.  A fitted top can also emphasis the waist.  Just one tip thoug if you wear an obvious belt, never wear a big necklace.

The surplice top









Style lines

Tuck in separates






Wear a belt









Accenting The Face

      Accenting the face is important because this is the most attractive and interesting part of all of us.  As well accenting the face draws the eyes upward achieving the appearance of height.  This is achieved by a statement necklace, statement earrings or a hat. Huge earrings bring all of the attention to your face with no need for a matching necklace. Long necklaces add length to a short neck and bring attention away from hips and to the front and center of your body.  Wearing a scarf is also a great way to draw attention towards our face.

Accenting The Arms/Hands

      A statement bracelet helps to make the arms appear long, lean and slender.  The hands being another interesting and attractive feature wearing a statement bracelet brings attention to this. 

Attention to the Feet

     It has been said that a good quality pair of shoes can make any outfit look polished.  Wear the hem of your pants so that they fall to the shoes and don't touch the ground or rise above.  A knee length skirt will help to lengthen the legs and further show a great pair of shoes. Round toed high heeled give a perfect curve to your calf and don’t look trampy.

      Help keeping your shoe wardrobe looking great by polishing shoes and throwing or giving away shoes not worn.  In addition to the common black shoe consider variations of dark brown, tan, plum, red, rust and olive green.  These colours are more complimentary and stylish than the basic black.  Remember it is better to co-ordinate shoes to an outfit than match it.  

What Is Your Personal Style?

Good afternoon;

      What is your personal style?  Looking through fashions in magazines and out on the streets it is enjoyable to make a connection between what you see and styles that you have chosen in the past, are wearing right now or hope to wear in the future.  My hope for this piece is for you to make connections to the various styles.

Country

The country style consists of cowboy boots, denim, suede, plaid, corduroy, button up shirts, equestrian, vests, short shorts and white cotton.

Classic

The classic style consists of simplicity and chic wardrobe and accessories.  Cardigans, blazers, diamonds, boots, pearls, button down shirts, heals and ballet flats are often worn with this look.

Bohemian Chic

The Olsen twins and Sienna Miller are famous for their boho style.  This style consists of
chunky bracelets, vegan friendly sandals, cowboy boots, big dangly earrings, tunics, floral prints, printed maxi dress and scarves.

Goth

Black, black and more black. Goth styling is often tattoo inspired and consists of stripped pants, leather, zippers, plaid, dark red, brocade, hardware, chokers, fishnet stockings, studs and leopard prints.

Grunge

Courtney Love and Johnny Depp are often styled in grunge.  It consists of plaid shirts, ripped jeans, Doc Martens, distressed denim, layered knits, plaid flowery dresses, leggings, cut off jeans, sneakers, tie dye and coveralls.  Grunge is also defined by natural fabrics.

Glamorous

Lace, pearls, Coco channel, ribbons, ruffles, satin and sequins help to define the glamorous style.

Black, grey, pink, peach, mauve, red and white are often colours associated with this look.

Romantic

Ruffles, flowers, tea dress, drawstring and chiffon help create the romantic look.

Rock and Roll

To get the rock and roll look wear sequins, satin, leopard prints, corsets, halter styles, skulls, horizontal stripes, stilettos, angel wings, symbols, black leather, big hair, t-shirt dresses, studs, chains, white denim and skinny jeans.

Futuristic

The futuistic look has modern lines, daring looks, metallic, padded shoulders, plastic, geometric patterns, synthetics and padded hips.

Retro

Deta VonTeese is a really good example of a celebrity that wears the retro style.  It can consist of

sixties full skirts, velour, headbands, princess lines, darts, beehives, polka dots, bell bottoms, pleated skirts, argyle, ruffles, tunics and ties.

Preppy

Golf shirts, cardigans, sweater tied over shoulders, argyle, pleated skirts, plaid, button down shirts, knee high socks, ties, dark denim, cable knit sweaters, T shirt dresses, flats and sweater vest.

’s and tanks, jewelry made of earthy materials and safari jackets.

Sporty

Casual jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, sneakers, casual T

Casual



Soldergirl

Camouflage, boots, army green, fishnet stockings, trench coats, military waist coats, military jackets, harem style pants, pockets on pants, mesh clothing

Also Minimalism, Nautical and Funk

Make your style fit!

Good afternoon

More On Shapes

As yesterdays blog outlined, knowing how to dress for your body shape is one tool to looking the best everyday. Body shape can be determined by studying how proportional your top is to your bottom and by analyzing placement of curves.  Body shapes are categorizes into sections. Six shapes were discussed and guidelines for tall and petites figures are also mentioned. The six shapes include triangle, also known as pear, inverted triangle, or top heavy, apple, with a round middle, hourglass, rectangle and oval. Being tall and petite, it is recommended that you also determine you body shape.

The Importance of the Best Fit and Taking Measurements
Getting the right fit is for me the most important tool to get the best appearance. Having the right fit in our under garments, clothing and outerwear can help achieve a slimmer appearance. Due to varying body shapes we may have to alter our clothes to get the best fit. We will need to work with measurements. The following suggestions can guide us through the process:

1. When measuring the bust, take 2 measurements, measure at the widest section of the bust and just under the bust, your rib cage.  The rib cage measurement is your band size and the difference between the two becomes the cup size.  More detail on this will be added in a post on lingerie.  Perhaps a proper bara size is one of the best ways to appear slimmer.

2. For the waist, measure the narrowest section. Keep in mind the pants often sit lower so adding a couple of inches to that will be your starting point when trying on most pants.

3. When measuring center front, start at the nap which is the indent at the bottom of the neck and measure to the waist.

4. The rise and inseam are two important measurements for pants. The rise is from the waist to the bottom of the under pant. The inseam starts at the bottom of the under pant, measuring the leg length to fold in the ankle.

5. When measuring for jeans measure at the waist (narrowest part of the torso), at the hips(fleshiest part of the hips) the inseam and the rise.

Suggestions For All Body Types

There are some guidelines that everyone can use while they are shopping for their optimum wardrobe. One of which is to accentuate your best features. Wearing bangles and bracelets puts the focus on the narrow part the arm. A necklace puts the attention to the neck and face drawing the eyes upward. The waist can be accentuated with a belt, while definition to the waist can be achieved with rouching. Style lines will draw attention to an area and the longer, wider or more repetitious a line the grater it’s influence in the total design. Keep in mind that folds also create lines and can add bulk. One thing to consider with lines is that repeated horizontal lines can add height and slimness. Try this effect on your body type.

There are styles that will work on all body types. With pants wear straight leg trousers and boot cut pants. Straight leg trousers are great for anyone that wants to hide waist concerns. V necks and fitted turtle necks are also great for everyone. Surplice, which is a style line that wraps around the body, is a great look for everyone in tops, dresses and swimwear. When choosing dresses remember that corset, princess, sheath and slip dress fits all shapes.

Keep in mind a few more details when finding your optimum style. A lower collar can lengthen a neckline whereas a wide collar adds width, for example a cowl neck suit longer necks. Wearing plaids the larger the plaid the larger the appearance of the area.

Shown are four type of jeans.

Shapes

Goodmorning Readers

      The first topic on style and fashion is on shapes and how to dress to achieve balance.  The main shapes are triangle/pear, inverted triangle/ busty, apple/ round, hourglass and rectangle.  Within the shapes there is also the challenge of the tall, petite and oval figure.  For balance with tall, petite and oval figures you want to follow the principles of the shapes but I have added further suggestions.

Triangle

A person with a triangle shape is someone who is bottom heavy. This refers to the bottom being proportionately larger than the rest of the body. Keep the bottom clean and simple.


* Draw attention to the top half with prints, patterns, pockets, collars and ruffles


* Choose cropped jackets and cardigans with pockets and pads

* Choose warm, intense and light colours for the top

* Choose empire styles and square, boat, U neck, or halter necklines





Inverted Triangle/Busty

Inverted triangle is someone who is top heavy. This refers to a larger than proportion bust area or proportionately muscular shoulder and arms. Often an Inverted triangle has a very athletic appearance. Make sure that the larger half of your body is clean and simple


* Wear a good fitting well adjusted bra


* Choose low U and V necks

* Choose dark, cool subdued colours for the top

* Raglan sleeves will minimize shoulder width

* For the bottom choose gauchos, harem pants, cargo pants, flared pants, full skirts, low rise and stove pipe pants

* Pockets and ruffles and warm, intense, light colours will draw attention to the bottom and make these good chooses

* Belted coats with minimal design at the top flared at the waist

Apple/Round
 
Someone who is an apple shape is rounder in the middle then others are proportionately. The chest and arms and legs are the areas to emphasize while creating a waistline. One way to achieve this is by wearing dark colours such as black, dark grey, navy and dark brown. Wearing solid dark colours on either the top or both top and bottom will help you to look leaner.


* Invest in well supportive bras and shape wear for your mid section


* V-neck or open neck to draw attention to décolletage

* Choose single breasted coats and jackets

* Empire waistline and tunic tops are good choices for the top

* Find balance with straight leg pants and chunky heals

* For the bottom wear A line and pencil skirts, straight, wide or flared legged pants

Hourglass
 
A person that has an hourglass shape is proportioned and curvy. When choosing clothing it is good to focus on choosing items that wrap around the waist and accentuate the curves.

  * Choose V necks and U necks

* Wrap tops and dresses create a smooth and sexy silhouette

* Wear belted tops, dresses, sweaters and shirt

* Balance skinny pants with something that draws the attention up

* Wide and skinny belts will accentuate your shape

* Boot cut jeans and straight leg pants are best for balancing out the figure

* Wear most all skirts, all types of jeans and pants


* Consider wearing a strapless dress
 
 
 
Rectangle
 
A person with a rectangle shape has less definition than other shapes giving a rectangular and possibly masculine appearance. Creating the illusion of a waist is the goal and this can be achieved by using belts and wearing full skirts.

* Wear U neck and V necks


* A sweat heart neckline will widen shoulders and add curves

* Choose corsets for the evening

* Choose shirts and tops that have visible details at the bust for example the empire waist

* Avoid loose boxy shirts and jackets

* Halter tops give a balanced look

* For the bottom skinny jeans, cargo pants, wide and flared leg will be appropriate

* Try an off the shoulder or halter dress

* Wear coats and jackets that flare out from the waist

Oval


* A shinny fabric makes the body appear larger while a matte finish will help the body appear slimmer

* Fluffy texture will also make a figure look heavier


Petite
If you are petite find clothing in the petite section to get the best fit for your body. As a petite person, you want to lengthen the illusion of your body and you also want to consider your proportions and body shape. There are several ways to achieve a taller appearance and dressing in a monotone colour palette is one of them. Use vertical lines to add the illusion of height with strong vertical prints and details. Use accessories, such as scarves, necklaces and earrings to draw the attention upward.

* ¾ sleeves will make your arms look longer


* For cropped pants and mid length skirts the hem to hit just above the calf

* Pressed/creased pants will help make you look taller

* Wear straight leg pants

* For long skirts wear them to your feet a couple inches off the floor

* Wear heels whenever possible
 
 
 
 
 
Tall


* Box shape is excellent for diminishing height

* Pants that flare from the knee are suitable

* Kimono styles are appropriate for larger frames