I will unabashedly admit that I really wouldn't mind owning this entire ensemble. Recession be damned!
The one time of the year I eat meat
13 years ago
Showing posts with label banana republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label banana republic. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Okay...
I will unabashedly admit that I really wouldn't mind owning this entire ensemble. Recession be damned!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Addressing insecurities part two: the thighs
Today's installment will discuss the tips and tricks to dressing a thicker-thighed woman, aka a pear-shaped woman. A pear-shaped women carries her weight in her thighs, and typically has a thinner waist and upper body. This body type is that which was most lauded and loved by the artists of the Renaissance, and has traditionally been held to represent fertility. Which is all lovely and grand and should be celebrated, in a way that is most flattering to your body.
As noted in part one, the goal is to take the hard emphasis away from the more voluptuous areas (in this case, the thighs) of your body and accentuate the other incredible features of your body. By doing so we actually compliment your curves, but balance them out a bit.
Dresses:
When selecting a dress, a pear-shaped girl should always choose an a-line shape in a darker or neutral color. The two dresses below have detailing at the waist, which further highlights its thinness, whilst pulling away from your fuller thighs. This creates an elongated, but curvy silhouette that is quite flattering to the body. [Tip: add a 2 inch or taller heel to further elongate your shape.]
Left, Right
Left, Right
Left, Right
Left, Right
As noted in part one, the goal is to take the hard emphasis away from the more voluptuous areas (in this case, the thighs) of your body and accentuate the other incredible features of your body. By doing so we actually compliment your curves, but balance them out a bit.
Dresses:
When selecting a dress, a pear-shaped girl should always choose an a-line shape in a darker or neutral color. The two dresses below have detailing at the waist, which further highlights its thinness, whilst pulling away from your fuller thighs. This creates an elongated, but curvy silhouette that is quite flattering to the body. [Tip: add a 2 inch or taller heel to further elongate your shape.]
Left, Right
Tops:
One of the many benefits of having a pear-shaped frame is the myriad of options you have when choosing tops. Tops with color and/or texture are great for your frame because it creates some balance and dimension. Cardigans with detailing (such as bigger buttons or fabric embellishment) or vivid colors are a great way to highlight and draw the eye to your skinnier half. You can also play with a lot of different fabrics and textures. The only thing you want to stray from are tops that are too long that will bifurcate your thigh area. Your tops should never reach beyond your hips.
Left, Right
Left, Right
Bottoms:
When selecting bottoms, stick with darker shades, as these tend to be the most flattering and work the best with vibrant and more complicated tops. When choosing a pant, stick with a trouser or boot-cut style. The wideness of the leg balances out the voluptuousness of your thighs, creating a more harmonious and proportionate silhouette. When selecting a skirt, stick to a nice, a-line shape in a darker color. Have fun with heels to further lengthen and highlight your delightful frame.
Left, Right
Monday, January 5, 2009
Addressing insecurities part one: the stomach
I'd like to thank the few of you who participated in my little "which part of the body are you most insecure about" quiz because I am going to address each of those lovely bits in a series of posts called "Addressing insecurities." (Get it? A-dress? Hehee.)
Since most of you voted that your stomach is the body part you feel the least comfortable with, I will start there.
First of all, I think it's important to note that there isn't one body type that is good/bad. I think many of us have a skewed perception on what we should look like anyhow (I know I do). And while it's important to eat well and exercise when possible, we're not all going to be a size zero. Nor should we be. Having a bit extra around the middle isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just means your body is changing, becoming more womanly. The most important style tip to those who are middle figured is to not accentuate said voluptuousness. Here are some options:
Dresses:
When selecting a dress, it is important to look at its shape in reference to your shape. If you tend to carry your weight in your mid-section, select dresses that have an empire waist. This will create a very feminine shape, without accentuating the stomach. Black is always a very classy and slimming color, but don't be afraid to branch out. Just stay away from large, loud prints, as they tend to appear boxy.
Tops:
When considering what tops will be most flattering on your body, you can apply some of the dress rules I have mentioned above. Tunic tops, empire waists and a-line shapes are your best bet. Another option is to buy a belted top, or to layer a belt over a more structured top (like a button up blouse) in order to flatten your midsection. Stay away from super skinny belts as they tend to create the opposite effect.
[A brief side note about outerwear: stray from cropped jackets or cardigans and bomber jackets, as they tend to hit (and thus highlight) the very portion of your body you want to disguise... do wear longer coats, jackets and blazers that are at least long enough to graze your bum.]
Well there you have it. Just a few tips and tricks to conceal the belly. Now go out there and own that figure!
Since most of you voted that your stomach is the body part you feel the least comfortable with, I will start there.
First of all, I think it's important to note that there isn't one body type that is good/bad. I think many of us have a skewed perception on what we should look like anyhow (I know I do). And while it's important to eat well and exercise when possible, we're not all going to be a size zero. Nor should we be. Having a bit extra around the middle isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just means your body is changing, becoming more womanly. The most important style tip to those who are middle figured is to not accentuate said voluptuousness. Here are some options:
Dresses:
When selecting a dress, it is important to look at its shape in reference to your shape. If you tend to carry your weight in your mid-section, select dresses that have an empire waist. This will create a very feminine shape, without accentuating the stomach. Black is always a very classy and slimming color, but don't be afraid to branch out. Just stay away from large, loud prints, as they tend to appear boxy.
Tops:
When considering what tops will be most flattering on your body, you can apply some of the dress rules I have mentioned above. Tunic tops, empire waists and a-line shapes are your best bet. Another option is to buy a belted top, or to layer a belt over a more structured top (like a button up blouse) in order to flatten your midsection. Stay away from super skinny belts as they tend to create the opposite effect.
[A brief side note about outerwear: stray from cropped jackets or cardigans and bomber jackets, as they tend to hit (and thus highlight) the very portion of your body you want to disguise... do wear longer coats, jackets and blazers that are at least long enough to graze your bum.]
Center
Bottoms:
The great thing about being middle figured is the myriad of stomach-flattening options there are out there. Tights (especially with a control top) are an excellent way to flatten the belly, and are especially effective when worn under a capacious dress or tunic. High-waisted pencil skirts are also an amazing option because they are timeless, fashionable and do an incredible job of reining in that unwanted belly mass. They are also perfect because they work best with a-lined tops and more voluminous tops, so your body is flattered in multiple ways. Stick with a straight cut pencil skirt, with a length to at least the knee, depending on your height. Concerning jeans, always opt for a higher rise jean (I'm not a big fan of the super high-waisted jeans out there, but go for it if you like that look) because the lower the rise, the more your stomach will hang over.
The great thing about being middle figured is the myriad of stomach-flattening options there are out there. Tights (especially with a control top) are an excellent way to flatten the belly, and are especially effective when worn under a capacious dress or tunic. High-waisted pencil skirts are also an amazing option because they are timeless, fashionable and do an incredible job of reining in that unwanted belly mass. They are also perfect because they work best with a-lined tops and more voluminous tops, so your body is flattered in multiple ways. Stick with a straight cut pencil skirt, with a length to at least the knee, depending on your height. Concerning jeans, always opt for a higher rise jean (I'm not a big fan of the super high-waisted jeans out there, but go for it if you like that look) because the lower the rise, the more your stomach will hang over.
Well there you have it. Just a few tips and tricks to conceal the belly. Now go out there and own that figure!
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