Why is fit so important for great style?
Without fit, you have no style. A trendy blazer that is too big will look frumpy and outdated. The same blazer too small appears as if you are trying too hard and will remove the chic sophistication from an outfit. Learn about your body type, and dress it appropriately. It is sometimes hard to see our bodies as they really are. Get advice from a personal stylist, or ask a trusted friend to help you examine the fit of your clothing.
What are some general fit rules for petite women?
When you are petite, there are a few rules to live by. First, be mindful of the colors and patterns you wear. Choose rich color palettes to add sophistication to your look and keep people from thinking you are a teenager. Choose patterns that are proportionate to your size. A large pattern will make you look small in comparison. Second, use clothes to help you project a more elongated body image. To do this, eliminate pants with cuffs, and don’t wear heavy, blocky shoes. Both abruptly stop your leg line, ruining all efforts to elongate your body image. Make sure your tops and jackets hit you in the right place. When your top comes past your crotch, you make your legs look shorter, making you look shorter. Lastly, befriend a good tailor. Some of your wardrobe pieces may need to be tailored to get a perfect fit. Pleats seem to come in and out of style.
How do I know if pleats are a trend I should try?
Pleats add fullness and volume to the front of a pant and therefore add fullness and volume to you! Don’t be fooled by the pleated pant as a cover-up for a midsection you want to hide. Remember that pleats will just draw attention to the spot you want to camouflage. If you try a pleated pant, choose more fitted pieces for your top half. If your pleated pants are tapered, take them straight to the closest Goodwill store. Tapered pants are a fit disaster by themselves but will also add even more width and focus to your hips.
How can I minimize the appearance of my hips?
Wear straight or wide-leg trouser-cut pants. You want to create a straight line from your hip to the floor with the silhouette of your pants. Always avoid pleated pants. Pleats add width to your hips and draw the eye to them. Watch out for poorly placed front pockets. The farther out a pocket is placed, the more it will accentuate your hips. Pockets that are set closer to your zipper are ideal. Avoid side-zip pants. If you break up the front of your pant with a zipper, you reduce the visual width of your hips. Wear tops and jackets that define your waist. A defined waist will draw the eye away from your hips.
For great style, start with great fit. For help fitting your body shape contact Charleston Style Concierge, a styling company that teaches clients how to get an effortless style.
Fall is right around the corner and all of the fashion mags are full of great fall styles and trends. This weekend as I flipped through one of my favorite fashion mags I was struck by an article called “Fall Trends to Try.” I turned the pages with excitement and anticipation of all the great new things in store for fall. My excitement dwindled as I turned to a page that said “Try Pleated Pants.” For the record I will say that pleated pants have their place in the fashion world, but for most of us everyday fashionistas pleated pants are a trend we don’t need to try.
At least once a week during a closet edit I explain to clients why the pleated pant does not work for their body shape. Most pleated pants are accompanied by a tapered leg, which is even worse, but I digress. Pleats add fullness and volume to the front of a pant, therefore adding fullness and volume to you! Don’t be fooled by the pleated pant as a cover up for a mid-section you want to hide. Remember that pleats will just draw attention to the spot you want to camouflage.
This season stand strong against the allure of the pleated pant trend. Pick trends that compliment your personal style and can be incorporated into the wardrobe you already own.
For more information on how to incorporate seasonal trends into your wardrobe contact the Charleston Style Concierge or sign up for our free monthly ezine for more style tips and tricks.
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