It's all about the full length mirror.

If you love the styling tips provided by Style into Action, then you have to read this post. 

Frankly, even I was surprised at how things turned out. 

Firstly, I love linen, men's style shirts and certain shades of blue and green sing on me. 

Enter EXHIBIT A:

Target Collection women's shirt - perfect.

I didnt even try it on - just ensured the measurements havent changed since the last one from there & off I went, shirt in hand. 

As I was perusing the rest of the floor, enter EXHIBIT B:

The almost twin version from the Belle Curve range.

1. Same fabric
2. Same price
3. Same cut except, Belle Curve has 2 small 5 cm slits at the hem on each side seam AND Belle Curve has no flaps on the front pockets.

Frankly I prefer the lack of pocket flaps b/c it's easier to iron & has a cleaner line. But that is such a small difference, I didnt want to use it as sole basis of my decision.  

The ONLY answer was to TRY THEM ON in front of a FULL LENGTH MIRROR. 

Knowing that Belle Curve cuts more generously, I made sure I was comparing shirts with the same measurements rather than the same size on the tag. 

Target Collection was the winner by far.

Why? 

Target Collection's flaps were sitting just above my nipple (with well fitting bra), bringing the eye upwards & widening my upper half. For a pear shape, clothing that does that is gold.

The Belle Curve shirt's pocket started below my nipples, bringing the eye downwards toward my belly. That's the last place a pear wants the eye to go. It visibly made my upper body look smaller & my lower body look bigger. 

I was shocked at what a huge difference these two babies made. All thanks to TRYING ON & A FULL LENGTH MIRROR.

I can't emphasise those two things enough. 

PLUS SIZE Lula pretties

Lula is a PLUS SIZE brand at David Jones. It's a brand which reader Kathleen has advised SIA is terrific. SIA agrees. 

Here are a few of the summer pieces remaining at the Castle Hill store, all reduced.  

First, the cross front shirt - the lines on this distract the eye from lumps & bumps. 

Obviously wear with a singlet top or cami underneath & it doesnt have to be nude, white or black. Try a pop of red. 

2. The pleather band on the hem makes this frock directional. A leather belt mimicking the band, helps to pull the look together. 

3. Wear this as an open trench style jacket with a loose opening with the tie. The ruffles create vertical lines.

4. Under no circumstances attempt this next one.
Just because its made by a plus size label, doesnt mean its suitable. All this creates is a giant monoboob and a fat torso. 

5. This is a sharp piece. Try it open or closed with a cami or tank underneath. Ideally those "arrows" created under the bust should be placed under the bust. If they are sitting on the girls, put it back. 

6. A lovely piece with its own detachable cami. Love the low neckline to break up any monoboob. 

7. Love this. Again, the fit is crucial. 

8. Another lovely
.

9. This is a throw on soft kaftan. 

10. Love the neckline on this shift with the black binding around a sweetheart neckline. 

11. A stretch number with a mock wrap skirt & a side ruffle.

12. Love this - easy to wear, but add a 3cm wide belt. Love the dense flowers around the upper-middle to emphasise the waist.

13. This looked a bit lary in the store. But when you're in the changeroom, one more frock isnt going to kill you. 

14. A very simply cut shift whose neckline brings the eye upward. That's what we want ladies. 

15. What's not to love?

16. This is a bit tent-ish, but the colours were gorgeous. 

17. A ponte fabric with a terrific neckline.  Would have preferred a slightly longer sleeve, but still worth trying on with a cardi or jacket. Fab for work.

See anything you like?

The smartest floral dress ever.

A very smart plus size dress at Target, $50.

Available now.

1. In daily life, a dark background always looks more expensive than a light background.

2. Add a mid size floral in bright colours & it can suit any body type.

3. Ensure it has fluttery sleeves which cover our jiggly bits.

4. The scoop neckline will suit both big & small boobs.

5. There is no definite waist, merely 2 pieces of fabric sewn on each side to act as belt loops. These can be unstitched & re-sewn depending on whether you are short or long waisted. 

6. The self belt can be replaced by a classy leather belt.

7. The skirt is made up of soft pleats which ease over lumps & bumps & dont add bulk. 

8. Its fully lined.

9. Its 100% polyester so its easy care.

10. A floral dress is a summer staple.

Available in sizes 16 to 26.

http://shop.target.com.au/p/moda-floral-print-georgette-dress/P54336643

Run, dont walk.

Size 14 can be sexy - here's how

This post shows you how a size 14/16 can look more breathtakingly elegant and sexy than the scrawny size 2/4 that is modeling the garment.

Enter Kate Winslet....



Kate Winslet was in Madrid a few days ago to attend the YO DONA Magazine International Awards at El Matadero. She was there to receive an award for her humanitarian work.

She looked absolutely breath-taking wearing a Victoria Beckham AW 2009 gown - yes, 2009.

The simple yet stunning black body skimming long sleeve gown with a boat neck (to widen the shoulders), defined shoulders and embroidery detail at the waist, was teamed with a black and gold crystallized Judith Leiber bag.

Photo: Red Carpet Fashion Awards & Getty Images

And I loved the pony tail and drop earrings.

Stunning!

The moral of this post?

There is no way a woman of Kate's size and shape can do this look so perfectly without serious shapewear! I'd guess she is a size 12 - 14 Au? She has had a kid. But every lump & bump is smoothed over - she looks seamless literally -and her lines are dead smooth.

So what are the "secrets"?

*Up & down (slimming) eye movement

*Accentuating her waist

*Great quality, cut & fabric of garments (no tissue thin viscose, thank you very much)

* Super amazing FOUNDATION GARMENTS.

Lets focus on foundation garments for a bit.....

In Australia - the best place for shapewear is the dept stores - Myer and David Jones.

Spanx, Shapewear, Miraclesuit, Playtex and Nancy Gantz to name a few.

Interestingly Kate Winslet appears to have nailed shapewear for most of her life - this isnt a one off best dressed... ....I think that she understands her body type (know thyself) & appreciates the importance of the right undergarments......see the following photos......

2009 Oscars

2009 Golden Globes - YSL

2009 SAG - Narciso Rodriguez

2009 BATFA - Zac Posen



Now I am not stalking her, seriously I am not, but I have noticed a change on her red carpet look over the last few years...prior to the above photos she used to wear softer fabrics....

What I think has happened is she has gotten savvier about what suits her & her fuller figure (by Hollywood standards) & is tending to steer clear of fine thin fabrics which aren't forgiving. Smart girl. I also think her foundation garments have gotten better. I will be taking a leaf out of her book even when it comes to a dress or a pencil skirt.

Some of the older looks are.....

2002 in Ben de Lisi - Oscars



2007 Valentino - Oscars



2005 Badgley Mischka - Oscars



2009 Collette Dinnigan - Bambi Awards in Germany



2010 Oscars in YSL



2010 Navy YSL at the Golden Globes



2010 in Stella McCartney at the Orange British Academy Film Festival



2011 Stella McCartney at a NY premiere - OK this one I didnt like - way too tight & the face/hair was too scary...



2011 in Narciso Rodriguez at a gala honoring photographer Mario Testino - loving those brushed to the side bangs too....



Help dear readers!!!!!

Can someone tell me who designed this please?
It was worn at the Cardboard Citizens Gala Fundraising Dinner on Saturday March 19 at Christ Church Spitalfields in London, England.



It sort of reminds me of a 1960 red Valentino (his first collection) worn by Jen Aniston in 2004 for an Along Came Polly premiere - but I have nothing else to go on.....Ok, so I am a Jennifer fan & I had to sneak this in.....

Lose weight without dieting and gymwork

Deadly serious.
I never joke about the benefits of fashion/style/wardrobe stuff. Never, ever, ever.

However, the secret to losing 3 kg by doing nothing is to make sure your hemlines are at the ideal (weight loss) level. Here are the four rules.

Rule No 1:

Skirts/dresses/3/4 pants:

Do not end skirt hems at the widest point of your calves (or thighs!!).

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Nor do you need to end them at your narrowest point (ankles), that would be very Amish all the time.....yes, you can vary your hemlines, just dont have them sitting at the widest point of your legs.

Rule No 2:

Sleeve lengths:

Do not end sleeve lengths at the widest point of your arms (think cap sleeves on an older woman) nor at the level where your boobs are fullest.

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Nor do you need to end them at your narrowest point (your wrists)......yes, you can vary sleeve lengths, just dont have them sitting at the widest point of your arms.

Rule No 3:

Jacket/sweater/top lengths:

Do not end jacket/sweater/top lengths at the widest point of your hips/thighs.

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Also dont end them at your narrowest point (waist)...this will literally cut you in half visually and reduce the slimming vertical illusion - more about this in another blog post.

Rule No 4: Alterations:

Your alterations person will be your new best friend (BFF).



Why? Because the fit of "off the rack" is unlikely to fit you, just as its unlikely to fit everyone else who is your size. Why? because you all may all be a size 10 (or 12 or 14 or whatever), but you all have a different body shapes and different proportions. This is despite the fact that you are all the same size.

So you need an alterations person to tailor the "off the rack" item to your body shape and proportions.

Your alterations person can take up sleeves, tops (even knits), jackets and skirts.

Have your alterations person help you follow these rules & you will notice the weight loss in the mirror, instantly as she/he is pinning the garment on you. Yes, the impact is instant and immediate. The alterations person will ensure its permanent. Voila!

Because if you're like me, you hate exercise and hate diets.
So you use your clothes to emphasize your good bits and detract from your bad bits! Its all about know thyself!

Find an alterations person who does great work, is convenient, reasonably priced and communicates well. Stick with them. If you need referrals (all states in Australia), just contact me. I have very good contacts.

Floral shift dresses & ways to wear them

An "e-friend" of mine has expressed a like of floral dresses in simple shapes.

So she came to mind when I saw Princess Beatrice at the recent Epsom Derby.
Seems that Beatrice has lost alot of weight (& she looks wonderful for it), but she is also making better sartorial choices. This post highlights the ways you can wear this style of dress and the body shapes most suitable for it. Enjoy!






Notice that even Princess Beatrice's recent choices in headwear have shown marked improvement - phew....

Beatrice's floral shift instantly reminded me of a main line Dolce & Gabbana floral dress which Madonna wore to launch her first children's book (in 2003).....an outstanding choice for a children's book launch given her up til then raunchy reputation....



But you know what I totally love about this type of dress?

It would be totally appropriate in 2011 as much as it was in 2003. I adore clothes which have staying power. After all, that is the best way to get cost per wear (CPW) down. For me, CPW is the true measure of the cost of an item - in contrast to the outright cost of an item. I have written about CPW quite a few times previously. Its a gem of a concept IMO.

This Dolce dress was also featured on Claire Daines in Shopgirl (with Steve Martin) .....shown here with Bridgette Wilson Sampras (married to the tennis player & they have 2 kids).



It was also worn by Eva Mendes (the other women) in The Women (darned, I cant locate a photo...let me know if you can find one please).

May I digress?
Thank you...

If you haven't seen The Women - its a funny, uplifting, drama about women friends, featuring no men whatsoever in the cast nor in the extras.

If you love fashion, there is an opening sequence with Annette Bening (the corporate high flyer of the group) where she scans the women's Saks Fifth Avenue floors like a hawk with bionic
eyes - my role model.

It also stars Debra Messing, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, Bette Midler.....



and a Birkin or two (thank you stardusttrailers)



PS: Both these photos are shot in Saks....a must movie for fashion loving girls!

Ok - I got too carried away...back to the floral simple dress.......

*Why does it work?

a) Eye moves up & down

The key (as my friend has realised) - when the pattern is busy, keep the lines & accessories simple.
That way the eye moves up & down with the dress.
And we all know eye moving up and down = lengthening & slimming.

Notice how Eugenie is cutting herself in half by belting her shift in high contrast colour? In comparison, Beatrice's lines are smooth up & down lines - much more lengthening)

If you mix a complex design with a busy print, the eye can tend to get confused and doesnt know where to look.

b) Waist emphasis

Lets face it, - emphasising the waist to create an hourglass shape is pleasing to the eye. If a garment (like this) can be make to show off an hourglass, then by all means, it a BIG plus!

* Body shape variations?

Flabby arms? - lower the sleeves
Winter? - long sleeves, wool mix fabric
Toned arms? - cap sleeves or sleeveless
Big boobs - lower the neckline to a scoop
Small boobs - Give it a higher neckline or perhaps a sweetheart neckline
Great legs? Turn it to a mini and/or with a split
Flabby middle (darned childbirth!)? Keep the fabric structured, add boning (dont use a soft clingy fabric)

*Occasions?

Evening version - amp up the heel & the satin & the floral, red & black maybe?

Work version - keep the florals a bit "corporate" (black/navy & white?), wear with a tailored jacket

Church version - with a cardi, in soft pastel florals or swap the florals for a pale lace (white lace is huge ATM thanks to Dolce & Gabbana SS 2011)...seen here.....

Year round? - absolutely, cotton or linen in summer, wool or wool mix in winter.
Keep it lined for work & dressy occasions, unlined for more casual occasions.

PS: Here is a SS Dolce & Gabbana white lace dress....a definite pseudo floral shift....TDF...



*Body types?

YES - Hourglass with a defined waist and especially if you are short waisted
Even a plus size can wear this, as long as she has a reasonably defined waist

NO - Pears, apples, thin and especially if you are long waisted

*Easy to make?

Absolutely! All the pattern companies do this type of style...

* Aussie stockists?

At high street level, we tend to see this style of dress at Review, Alannah Hill & Veronika Mayne.
At designer level, we tend to see it at Anthea Crawford, Perri Cutten & Collette Dinnigan.

Enjoy & please add comments especially if you already have a well loved dress like this or want one or simply hate this post! All comments welcome!

A line shifts - figure flattering

A friend of mine is an inverted triangle shape - essentially her shoulders are noticeably wider than her hips - she has ample boobs, small hips/thighs & (is lucky enough for) a defined waist. And she has 3 kids. Despite her heritage, she hasnt inherited the European hips & thighs - lucky girl! Did I mention she has fabulous legs? Why am I hanging around this girl? ^*$%#@(*!#@

Well one of her best clothing shapes is an A line shift dress.
Yet she refuses to embrace this look.

So I promised her some pictures, to encourage her to take up this challenge.....

A little background first.....

Before my time, in the 50s, with voluptuous bodies, voluminous skirts (& hair), the emphasis was on an hourglass physique and high heels - then along came a new decade & a new look.

Born in 1942, Jean Shrimpton caused a stir when she arrived in Australia for the 1965 Melbourne Cup wearing a mini - never before at such an event had "they" seen that - normally the women wore hats, gloves and most definitely dresses below the knee. Not only was Shrimpton's dress too short, it was also sleeveless, with bare legs and she wore no hat! It was scandalous!



Thankfully times have changed - this look is acceptable, in fact, unlike some of the weirdness we see on red carpets & the like these days, this look is always appropriate.

And its perfect for inverted triangles as it balances out the larger top half of the body.


Lets look at the details...

Waist
The clean lines (lack of clutter) at the waist help to create a lovely sillhouette. Think no tucking, no pockets, no belt, no gathers, no pleats.

Did I mention that typically inverted triangles have short waists? The lack of clutter at the waist is precisely what a short waisted (petite) person needs.

The added benefit of this? if (unlike my friend) you dont have a defined waist, or your waist has a few love handles, this look completely hides them. Perfect strategy!

Neckline
Jean Shrimpton was a stick and so a crew neck worked well - my friend has boobs - so my friend will tweak this by having a scoop neck which shows some decolletage (not cleavage, there is a difference and I like to think of it as "class"). You see, large boobs and high necklines can at times look like you have a mono-boob - probably not a look you want to go for.

Hemline
Works especially well for great legs or petite ladies.
Please use fake tan - no direct sunlight

Brooch
One simple piece to bring the eye upward to the face.
You can use this principle to bring the eye to any of your best features, buy placing the bling in that place of bestness!

Shoes
Chanel flat kitten heel slingbacks
Does it get any easier?
You can buy classy inspired versions at very decent prices.

Other
Simple, structured purse. Tailored dress watch. Please leave the Swatch at home.

Hair
Simple, it lines up with the whole look - fresh, not "done", natural.

Applying this to today - 2011 CFDA

I noticed that this look was replicated at the recent 2011 Council of Fashion Designers of America - an industry body of over 370 members that supports and recognizes designers of menswear, womenswear, jewellery and accessories in the USA.

Diane von Furstenberg (President since 2006) in her own design

Look at how she has added some shoulder coverage (she isnt 20 any more - great idea!), gave the fabric bling all over & an an underskirt to anchor the look.

Totally modern shoes to complete the look.
Chic at 64 years old.



Kerry Washington in Calvin Klein Collection

Shown here with Francisco Costa, the head designer of the Collection range, who has interpreted Calvin Klein's minimalist aesthetic in a way so true of the original designer yet still made it his own.

Kerry has small boobs - the high neck is totally appropriate.
Look at the hem - little feathers & it looks like the same at the back.

The moral here? You dont need to be Lady Gaga to make an impression.



Naomi Watts (fave Aussie), in Calvin Klein Collection.

Some have said this to too bland. I think the colours & the way it falls is perfection.

It simple & can hide a multitude of sins for a new mum like her!

Since this is a "liquid" look fabric, I'd guess the shapewear is well practiced & she isnt rushing out at the last minute to find an appropriate piece. She must have been a girl scout - be prepared!




The thing that strikes me about all these looks, whether in the 60s or in 2011, is their simplicity.
Maybe there's something in that idea!

PS: This style of dress is probably one of the easiest to make - if you can follow a pattern, why not have a go?

Then change fabrics, maybe even change necklines or sleeve shapes & with accessories changes you can create a myriad of different looks that can go to work (with a jacket) to to play (chambray fabric, Stella McCartney style) or out in the evening (sparkly tiny matt sequins).