Archive for the ‘Clothes’ Category

You never thought something so misshapen for a woman’s body can be so fashionable!

Sure, short shorts are cool, but what’s even cooler (and easier on imperfect bodies) is the slightly slouchy and roomier boyfriend short.

Pair your boyfriend shorts with anything from a tank to a comfy button down—dress it up or dress it down.

Some ways in wearing it:

Worn in a bucolic way, it’s just some barely cut jeans, such as some second-hand Levi’s 501 jeans. Accessorized with a short jacket, a hat and an old bag, it’s the perfect outfit to run accross the fields.

In the “backstage” way, it’s just worn with a simple oversize  and printed T-shirt. It’s a cheap-but-not-cheap outfit, with a lot of  easy details, an easy style such as the one of the  girls who know a lot about fashion.

In the evening, you can dress it up with a tiny sequin jacket on an immaculate T-shirt, or in a trashy way, you can bleach and rip it, and even sew chains on it.

In town, you can wear it as you want, with everything you like :  a high belted top, a long jacket or why not a man waistcoat…

Back when I was single, married women would often tell me that once I get married, it is imperative that I still have my own space, literally and figuratively. Never sacrifice the space for your clothes, shoes, bags and vanities. You must always remain a single woman, in terms of closet space. I wish I had paid attention to that advice when I do get married. Five years into my marriage, there is still no space for “my stuff”. It has always been relegated to the bottom of the list because of “baby” stuff and “other” stuff. When I watched Sex and the City 2, I understood the impact of having a his and her space, in terms of bathroom and dressing rooms. Once we get our own home, I will make sure that I will include a dressing room in our house floor plan. And I wouldn’t mind if it is as small as the one Carrie Bradshaw had when she was still single.

I went through the home plans at HousePlansandMore.com and the first thing I filtered for was a dressing room and a big walk-in closet. There really are great homes plans on this website, and you can search by house style(classic, contemporary, ranch, etc) or a house feature that you like. In my case I searched for a house plan that had a dressing room!

So tell me why I am anxious about this:

It was really fine when she was just a model:

I just cannot reconcile the designer who wears clothes like this can design great clothes:

Oh well, to each her own.

I guess there is no escaping summer wherever you are. Most women dread it because when summer comes, outfits change and layering and cover-ups are no longer used, with the sweltering heat and insane humidity, who would? It is best to take care of your body AND skin with moisturizer, best wrinkle cream when you are 40 and most importantly sunblock.

Don’t be afraid of summer dresses. You can rock one regardless of your body shape. Tips from InStyle.com:

If You Have a Short Waist and Long Legs

LOOK FOR…
Empire styles, semifitted sheaths, A-line dresses and bias-cut dresses with a torso-lengthening draped neckline (like that worn by Miley Cyrus).
AVOID…
Anything that accentuates your natural waistline.
DON’T FORGET…
• Direct the eye upward and away from the waist with detailing on the top.
• Keep hemlines right around or above the knee.

If You Have a Tummy

LOOK FOR…
Dresses that do not accent the waistline, such as shifts, subtle A-lines, and Empire styles (such as the maternity style worn by a very pregnant Halle Berry), and dresses with matching jackets or coats.
AVOID…
Anything that accentuates the waist and dresses that are too tight, stiff or bulky.
DON’T FORGET…
• Draw attention away from your middle with open necklines.
• Monochromatic looks are the most slimming.
• Blouson shapes can be flattering.

If You Have a Boyish Frame

LOOK FOR…
Belted styles, like Emma Watson’s shirtdress, that add curves. Not concerned with curves? A-lines and shifts are equally chic options.
AVOID…
Voluminous styles, T-shirt and tank dresses.
DON’T FORGET…
• Create curves with bias cuts, draping and ruching.
• A-line skirts produce a feminine silhouette.
• Slim shifts that skim the knee highlight a trim figure.

If You Have a Long Waist and Short Legs

LOOK FOR…
Empire styles, semifitted sheaths and A-line dresses like that worn by Selena Gomez.
AVOID…
Anything that accentuates your natural waistline.
DON’T FORGET…
• Direct the eye upward and away from the waist with detailing on the top.
• Keep hemlines right around or above the knee.

If You’re Short

LOOK FOR…
Simple silhouettes, such as Reese Witherspoon’s fitted sheath, or wrap, shirtdress or Empire styles that will accentuate your petite figure without overwhelming it.
AVOID…
Too much embellishment and full skirts.
DON’T FORGET…
• The hem length is critical: Keep it just above or below the knee.
• Choose looks with vertical details, such as buttons, seams and piping.
• Monochromatic styles have a lengthening effect.

If You Have a Small Bust

LOOK FOR…
Empire, fitted-sheath and strapless styles like Keira Knightley’s that can add definition to the bust. A-line, shift and shirtdress options show off a trim silhouette.
AVOID…
Anything with built-in boning or darts you can’t fill out.
DON’T FORGET…
• Shirring and ruching over the bust will help create fullness.
• Shapes with defined and/or belted waists will create the illusion of a bigger bustline.

If You Have a Full Bust

LOOK FOR…
Semifitted shapes that have open necklines and nipped-in waists. Shirtdresses, wraps and shifts like Salma Hayek’s fit the bill.
AVOID…
High, off-the-shoulder and boatneck lines; formless A-lines and tunics; full, gathered sleeves; and styles with wide belts.
DON’T FORGET…
• Draw the eye up with V-necks, scoop-necks and sweetheart necklines.
• Keep detailing on the top to a minimum.
• Try skirts with a slight flare to balance your bust and create motion.
• Choose soft fabrics with movement.

If You’re Curvy

LOOK FOR…
Semifitted styles that softly follow your curves and show off your waistline, like Beyonce’s wrap dress. Other flattering silhouettes include sheaths, belted shirtdresses and full skirts.
AVOID…
Anything either too loose or too fitted (including styles that cinch the waist too tightly) and high necklines.
DON’T FORGET…
• Choose medium-weight knits and soft fabrics that drape well.
• Opt for lower necklines found in wrap, off-the-shoulder or strapless styles.
• For a slimming effect, show some skin: Expose legs or cleavage.

Random thought of the day: Did you know the cream used for the treatment of hemorrhoids are used by supermodels and dubbed it as the H cream? They use it as an eye cream! I think it has scientific claims because it can reduce swelling.

Here are some stars and the clothes that they wear. I am loving Jessica Biel’s body AND fashion choices (Love that Grecian style gown). Cameron is still hit and miss all the time while Zoe Saldana’s tutu skirt and all black ensemble is very classy. Mercedes of Glee nails it with her wrap jacket. It falls and drapes and with her fit jeans and ballet flats, she looks like an IT girl from high school!

While men are busy preparing the electric grill for BBQ parties this summer, we are naturally drawn to planning which outfit we would wear to such parties. Though it’s too late to crunch in some gym time to tone abs and legs, you can always make sure to wear the correct form and type of shorts to accentuate your assets and hide flabs.

Read on:
Big Tummy: Look for shorts that sit slightly below the waist line–they’ll offer more comfort for a big tummy as well as give it room to breath. Avoid high waists and any short that’s too small in the waist—it’ll emphasis the size of your belly. A high waist can make your tummy look like it’s oozing out while a too small waist equals muffin top.

Boyish Frame: If you want to add some curves to a boyish frame, look for shorts that have pleating, ruching, or any gathering of material.

Long Torso: To balance out a long torso, you can either go with a high waist or a shorter length. This can be tricky so proceed with caution and follow the tips for other body types if you have a long torso and a big tummy, etc.

Short Torso: To lengthen a short torso, go for low waist options. Bermuda shorts with a long tunic help to even out your frame.

Thick Thighs: Avoid side pockets, they’ll only make your thighs appear larger. Go for plain front shorts with a wider leg opening.

Petite: Remember that petite is a size not a shape. You’ll still need to follow tips for your body type. But with a petite frame of any shape, add visual length to your frame by wearing your shorts with sandals (flat or heels). Avoid wearing them with sneakers and socks which shortens your frame unless you’re at the gym. The idea is to show as much leg as possible and avoid any horizontal lines below the knee. A horizontal line can be formed by the hem of your shorts, the ankle strap of a shoe, the fold of a sock, etc.

Plus-Size: Just like petite, plus-size is a size not a shape. Plus-sizes cannot be all lumped into one category because not every plus-size body is the same. So follow the tips for your body type. With a plus-size frame of any shape, be sure not to try and hide your frame in over sized clothing–you’ll only appear larger than you actually are. Also don’t be afraid of color.

My tummy area has been my biggest clothing problem ever. I don’t have much of a chest to balance it out so I always look like I am 9 months pregnant. I need to camouflage the belly – if it stays hidden I can pass for a plus sized woman anytime. But when it is not, I always get mistaken for a pregnant mom. I won’t be wearing any breeches that’s for sure!

Dressing to cover up a tummy isn’t as simple as finding the biggest shirt you can find to cover it up—what you want to do is find clothing that brings the eye to other fab areas like your arms or chest and that don’t cling to the belly. Avoid horizontal stripes near the belly (horizontal lines widen and shorten an area) and too-tight unbreathable fabrics. Satin and embellishments near the tummy are to be avoided. Wear them closer to the face to draw attention upwards and away from your belly. A great pair of heels that you feel comfortable in will help to elongate the body’s proportions.

Here are some cuts of tops and dress styles that will be helpful:

And I wasn’t kidding I was browsing the latest dress collections. Here is Zara’s June 2010 Lookbook – and I wasn’t kidding about lace, doily prints and everything white making a comeback. I love the dresses but I’d need to take a lot of  apidexin pills to be able to be as thin as the models here. I really like the last two dresses at the bottom.

While most dutiful wives and daughters are looking for a suitable gift for Father’s Day this weekend – a personalized gift perhaps? – I have been busy looking around for the latest fashion news.  I may not show it but I love clothes and dressing up, if I was a few many pounds lighter! Oh well, in time, I believe I will get there.

Look at the Forever 21 Spring 2010 Lookbook. I am totally loving the white tops (always classic) but the doily-like pattern and lace trimmings add the perfect dainty and feminine touch, without it looking like a table runner.

It’s the second day of June and it has rained – AGAIN. It might be a sure sign that summer is over for us but it won’t stop me from browsing summer outfits – maybe for next year. I got these from here. I should learn how to do this – anybody want to teach me?

Left: 1. Sweet Heart Sunglasses ($10), 2. Stripe Sandy Frill Jacket (£185), 3. Paris Flower Tank ($12.90), 4. Striped Backpack ($110), 5. Gemma Skirt ($168), 6, Burgundy Wingtip 40s Brogues ($40), and 7. Fly Away With Me Necklace ($4.80)
Right: 1. Large Floral Clip ($2.80), 2. St. Cecilia Locket ($15.99), 3. anne kimball lupine dress ($194), 4. Selbourne Shopper (£98), 5. Rust Suede Corset Lace Heels ($39), and 6. Flower Brooches – Set of 3 (£35)

Left: 1. F5477 Sunglasses ($5.80), 2. Circle Takes the Scarf ($23.99), 3. Madeline Dress ($35.50), 4. Elsie Satchel (£325), 5. White Cory Lace Up Jazz Shoe ($206.25), and 6. Ditzy Brooch (£8.50)
Right: 1. risky business sunglasses – johnny ($11), 2. Tokyo Bay Flute Watch ($95), 3. Rev Seam So ($108), 4. classic cotton canvas parisian satchel (£179), 5. Carpenter Shorts ($135), 6. Vans Authentic Solid ($42.50), and 7. Deadweight Anchor Necklace ($4.80)