Filled with old-world charm, unique character, and charisma, it’s no wonder Charleston, South Carolina is famous for being one of the most spectacular cities in the nation. In addition to its deeply rooted history and historical ambiance, Charleston boasts a certain style among its people.
For centuries, Charleston style has been shaped and molded by society, climate influences, and its casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Charleston style encompasses comfort and class with ample room for individual style preferences and personalities to shine through.
Whether living in or visiting Charleston, you’re outfit should make you feel confident and comfortable. Don’t try to change your style to fit into a cookie-cutter description of Charleston style because you won’t feel comfortable and confident—you’ll feel and appear the exact opposite.
No matter where you live or where you travel, it’s important to be true to yourself with your style and add regional influences that compliment your personality.
So how can you add a hint of Charleston style to your wardrobe?
· Dress for comfort: When dressing for Charleston, it’s important to check the weather forecast. Since Charleston has varying weather patterns throughout seasons, it’s vital that you’re prepared to weather whatever it is Charleston throws your way. For the most part, Charleston’s hot and humid weather calls for flowy sundresses, walking shorts, and light skirts. Since Charleston tends to be hot and humid, tight fitting outfits aren’t going to let your body breath, which is why lighter materials, and form complimenting cuts are a must. When checking the weather, remember to view the humidity levels, chance of rain, and wind factor. Why wind factor? You don’t want your flowy skirt to fly up spontaneously, do you?
· Dress for Charleston’s world-famous character: Charleston style is a combination of attire that is both casual and sophisticated. When dressing for a stroll down the battery, or a shopping excursion through King St., don’t wear pumps, or thick sneakers, wear comfortable, open sandals that you feel confident in. Find a pair of sandals that have a unique pattern, such as a braided band, or a fun color that compliments your outfit. When finding the perfect dress to wear downtown, it’s quite simple: look for a dress that fits comfortably and boasts a classy look. Light, cotton sundresses are perfect for walking through the city and reflect just the right amount of comfort and style.
· Dress for you: You’re not going to look or feel great if you’re not wearing something that is comfortable for you and allows your personality to shine through. Although there is a certain Charleston style, no one dresses the same. Everyone has their own, unique spin on the Charleston style, which is what makes dressing in Charleston so much fun. With that said, wear what’s comfortable for you. Whether you’re more comfortable wearing shorts or more comfortable wearing dresses, you’ll look and feel fantastic in Charleston.
Now that you know the Charleston style, it’s time to find the perfect outfit. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find clothes that are comfortable, sophisticated, and fit your individual personality. Charleston Style Concierge is dedicated to helping women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
The key element to complimenting your body type is wearing clothes that create balance. Whether you’re smaller on the top, bigger on the bottom, or fall somewhere in between, it’s important to understand the power of fabric colors, textures, and sizes, when finding a figure-flattering dress.
For people with . . .
· Curvaceous Hips: It’s important to balance out your body shape, since those with curvy hips tend to be larger on the bottom than the top. Balance can be achieved by wearing a dress that has a wide V-neck, boat neck, or off-the-shoulder top. Try to stay away from dresses that have bulky fabric at the bottom. This will add even more curve to your hips and draw attention away from the top portion of your body. A pencil skirt matched with a wide V-neck top will also flatter curvy hips. Also, wearing lighter, floral, or vibrant colored tops and dark colored bottoms will equalize your look.
· Petite: Go for slim fitting dresses and skirts if you have a petite body. Anything baggy works against your look, making you appear lost in the material. Also, matching a slim fitting top and high-waist skirt (that comes above the naval) is the perfect combination for petite figures. To appear taller in your spring dress, trade in flats for espadrilles or strappy heels. Another way to create the illusion of height is to wear a pencil skirt. They’re slender, which adds length to your body.
· A Larger Bust: Wearing dark colored tops and light colored bottoms will create a balanced look for those who are well-endowed. Also, look for dresses that allow a small amount of cleavage to peak through. A little cleavage can go a long way. It’s important to find dresses that fit appropriately on top. If you wear a dress that is too tight on top, you’ll start to bulge in numerous directions. Bulge can also happen if you are wearing the wrong bra size. Experts say women should be sized for their bust area every six months, as there can be slight fluctuations in weight, hormones, and body shape. A full-coverage, proper-sized bra will hold you in, while still showing a little skin.
· Plus–Size: Tailored dresses that glide along the shape of the body are perfect for plus-size figures. They’re not too snug and not too baggy. Materials that are too stretchy or thin will fall on unwanted bulges, so it’s important to look for dresses that have a thin lining. Also, look for dresses that are darker in hue since they tend to make larger figures look slimmer. Again, every aspect of the dress should graze the skin, not snuggly hug it.
Now that you know what types of dresses flatter your body type, it’s time to find the perfect dress and shoes. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find the best clothes to fit your individual lifestyle. We are dedicated to helping men and women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
For more tips on dressing for your specific body type visit Find the Perfect Bathing Suit to Flatter Your Body Type, or visit Find the Perfect Pair of Shorts to Flatter Your Body Type.
Don’t shy away from the word shorts just yet. They aren’t simply for the young and the skinny. There are thousands of styles and cuts to choose from to flatter your individual body type.
Similar to our previous blog post, Find the Perfect Bathing Suit to Flatter Your Body Type, finding great shorts can be just as simple with the right tips and strategies.
Look fantastic this spring in the perfect pair of figure friendly shorts by following these effective personal style tips:
· Plus Size: If you have a larger bottom, wider hips, and larger thighs, find a pair of shorts that fits appropriate to your hip and bottom size. The waist should fit the same way as pants—snug, yet not too tight. Look for shorts with a tailored leg, not a tight fitting or baggy leg. Shorts with a leg that goes halfway down the thigh are perfect for all body types, especially those with shorter legs because this style makes legs appear longer. Knee-length shorts or Bermuda shorts are also excellent for plus size figures because they hide the upper thighs. Since tailored knee-length shorts tend to make legs appear shorter, match them with a heel or wedge to make your legs look longer.
· Short Legs: Try shorts with a three to five inch inseam (depending on how much thigh you’re trying to cover) to make short legs appear longer. Match with wedges or sandals. These shorts pair well with a tucked-in button down top, and a scarf belt. Visit jcrew.com for a selection of fantastic shorts, scarf belts, and tops.
· Petite: Shorts with a waistband that sits right above or below the naval are excellent for petit body sizes. A fitted, tucked-in shirt goes extremely well with these shorts. This style is perfect for a warm night out with a pair of pumps or a casual stroll through downtown Charleston during the day with a pair of flats or sandals.
Many shorts can be dressed down or up depending on the pair of shoes, jewelry, and top you pair with them. I suggest finding styles and cuts that can be worn on both a formal and casual occasion. This way you can get the maximum usage out of one pair of shorts and its versatility can match all aspects of your personal lifestyle.
Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC and help you find the perfect pair of shorts to flatter your body type. Contact us at 843.323.2466 to learn more about our amazing services. Isn’t it time you mastered the art of effortless style?
It happens to all of us. We stuff our suitcase so we have to sit on it while huffing and puffing to move the zipper inch by inch just to get it to close. And the sad part is, it’s not for a month long trip, it’s for a four day weekend!
Save time, frustration, sweat, and maybe even some tears when packing for your next four day weekend trip with these five effective packing tips:
1. Check the weather. It’s important to pack according to the weather forecast. This ensures the items you bring will help you look and feel great during your trip. If there is a possibility of rain, pack your favorite trench and umbrella. Your trench can also act as a versatile layering piece at night or on the plane.
2. Bring just the right amount of underwear . . . plus one more. If you’re going on a four day vacation bring five pairs of underwear. And not just any five pairs. Go over the outfits you’ve chosen to bring and pay attention to what style and color panties you need so that you don’t see lines or colors peaking through. For example, if you only have two nude thongs and one outfit that absolutely requires one, make sure you put one aside for that outfit. When deciding on what bras to bring, review the fronts and backs of each outfit to see what style and color bras you need. I suggest purchasing the 100 ways bra from Victoria’s Secret. It’s so versatile—you can literally wear it with anything.
3. Don’t go shoe happy. Pack footwear based on the weather, types of activities you’ll be participating in during your short vacation, and color scheme of the vacation wardrobe you packed. If you’re going on a sailboat, yacht, or cruise, do you really need your favorite heels? Also, if you plan on walking long distances on your trip, make sure you bring comfortable. Comfort and fashion can go together.
4. Pack a light cardigan. A neutral colored cardigan can be paired with any outfit. On a chilly night, belt your cardigan over your dress. It can also be a stylish cover up for a windy day at the beach or the perfect cover for your shoulders and arms in a cold restaurant. It’s better to be prepared than suffer through the cold while trying to enjoy a delicious meal.
5. Don’t go overboard with tons of accessories. Bring a hat to protect your delicate skin from the sun, one pair of sunglasses, two necklaces, two sets of earrings, and two bracelets. Bring pieces of jewelry that can be easily mixed and matched. Jewelry can get heavy, so it’s important to be smart about how much jewelry you bring. Only bring what you know you’re going to wear.
Vacations are meant to be enjoyed to the fullest. Packing efficiently gets your vacation off to a wonderful start. Now that you have the tips to pack accordingly, it’s time to find the perfect outfits and shoes. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find the best clothes to fit your individual lifestyle. We are dedicated to helping men and women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
Here in Charleston, SC it’s important to cater your style around temperature and UV index changes. Before stepping foot outside for a downtown stroll, remember the three spring essentials (in addition to sunscreen) for looking fabulous, while protecting yourself from the sun.
The Three Essentials for a Spring Stroll:
1) A floppy hat: Protect yourself from the sun while looking fabulous in a chic floppy hat. Wear an SPF lotion on your face, as well, for double protection. When you walk down the street on a hot day, sweat tends to wash away a lot of the SPF you have on, which is why it’s important to have another form of protection. You can never be too careful when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun.
2) A light scarf: Jazz up a light-colored spring outfit with a bold and colorful scarf. A light-weight scarf adds color, flare, and texture to your spring outfit and also protects delicate neck skin from the sun. You might be thinking a scarf will make you sweat profusely, but the right feather-weight scarf is airy and light on your skin.
3) A pair of sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the harsh sun with a pair of chic sunglasses. The combination of the floppy hat, light-weight scarf, and sunglasses is a fantastic look for spring, and can be adapted to your own personal style. No need for make-up—just an SPF lotion on your face, a light dusting of powder, and some mascara will do the trick.
Need a personal shopper in Charleston, SC? Let Charleston Style Concierge find you the perfect spring essentials to fit your individual lifestyle. We’ll help you improve your personal style and provide you with tips and strategies to have lifelong effortless style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466 to learn about our many services, including closet editing, personal shopping, and personal styling.
I recently read a magazine article that inspired me to start this blog. The article asks the question, “Can we be comfortable in our clothes, and at the same time, feel attractive and happy with the way we look?” It went on to wonder how the average woman could ever find style and happiness with themselves if a woman like Oprah is guilty of forgoing comfort in the name of fashion.
I believe every woman can feel confident, comfortable, and stylish in her clothing. Often we hide behind frumpy clothing in the name of comfort. What most women don’t understand is they can be both comfortable and fashionable, it just takes a little bit of effort and is far from impossible. My services help women find a balance between comfort and fashion that makes them feel happy and self-confident.
This blog will provide great style tips and tricks. Look and feel great every time you walk out the door. Don’t settle for anything less.
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