Photo credit: mtv.com
France, Italy, Israel, and Spain have passed laws designed to make the modeling world healthier. The laws include requirements that models to provide doctors' notes, proving they are healthy and not "dangerously underweight." Has this led to designers waking up and making clothing for women who are not toothpicks? No, but I am encouraged. Go here to listen to a story about a British clothing line whose contract for models includes a clause that they will eat a lunch during the shoot. This clause is a result of having models refusing to eat for many hours and then being very fatigued and unable to do their job properly.
Photo credit: cosmopolitan.com
A friend of mine has a daughter getting married, and she asked me about bridesmaids' dresses. I had a tiny wedding with only a maid of honor, but I hold some strong opinions about wedding attire having been in several weddings in my 20s. I am a big believer in encouraging bridesmaids to wear dresses of the same or complementary fabrics, and in the style that suits their particular body shape and personal style. These photos from Cosmopolitan magazine (!) support my view.
Photo credit: Buzzfeed.com
When I work with clients, I try to determine what styles will be most flattering according to their particular body shape. Since I worked in retail for years and have studied body shapes and fashion for a long time, I think I have a good grasp on what looks best. But as this article points out, what is flattering to one person (even a stylist) can be completely inappropriate to another. Moreover, the person trying all the clothes on may feel a total disconnect between the stylist's perspective and her own. It's a great read!
Photo credit: Violeta.com
I'm not sure how long it is going to take for major designers to make plus-size clothing for women. "The industry has done a disservice to themselves by not offering some
of those great choices for the plus-size consumer," says Marshal Cohen,
NPD retail analyst. For now, the industry is foolishly missing the boat, and plus-size women are not pleased. There is hope, however, since some celebrities are making their displeasure known and are getting into the design business.
Go here to listen or read more about this topic on NPR. Included in this piece are some suggestions of where to shop for fashionable clothing in sizes 14 and up. I also think Mango's Violeta line is pretty great.
Photo Credit: Clintonkelly.com
As usual, Clinton Kelly offers expert advice on dressing for your body shape on his website. Go here to learn how to dress your best if you have a round belly; it's one of the body issues I hear about most from my Wardrobe Wisdom clients.
Photo credit: Burbank Town Center
The other day I went shopping with my 14-year old daughter. We went through one particular store a few times, and she circled back to pick up garments which caught her fancy. She was not at all interested in, however, the items that I found fetching. Once she got into the dressing room, she wanted me to stay close by, in order to weigh in her selections ( I felt honored).
Ultimately, she decided on a simple v-neck t-shirt and a pair of sandals. Once we got in the long line, I cruised the store again. I considered trying on some chambray pants and a very soft denim shirt. I also liked one of the necklaces. Then I reminded myself of where I was, and that anything I bought was not likely to last beyond a few spins in the washing machine. I also reminded myself that the clothes were made for teen, not mature bodies. Yes, the clothes were inexpensive, but if they would not last, they were not worth my money. There is a caveat to this Wardrobe Wisdom: If you see something you really like in a teen store, try it on, it fits, and you love it, it's worth buying. You won't be spending a fortune and since it is probably a trendy item, you won't even want to wear it after it has been washed several times so longevity is not an issue.
This is a men's corset from the 18th century.
Photo credit: Patricia Canino/Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Just the other day a history teacher friend was describing some of the outrageous ways people adorned themselves in the Middle Ages. This got us to talking about how men and women have always devised ways to dress themselves up with makeup, hair accessories, and clothing to feel more attractive. I find fashion history fascinating so was quite captivated by the story "Shapewear Through the Ages" on National Public Radio. I highly suggest you check it out.
Do your clothes fit you properly? I'd like you to donate or set aside anything that does not fit you at this moment. This means clothing which pulls, tugs, and makes you feel uncomfortably squeezed into it. Conversely, ill-fitting clothing drags on the ground, bags around your waist, and falls off of your shoulders. Decide what can be altered and what is hopeless. Then go shopping--all out at nice favorite store, or hitting a discount store, outlet mall, or your local consignment or thrift store. Buy a few basics that fit you RIGHT NOW. I think you will feel better and look better instantly.
Image credit: Parnassusbooks.com
I found this interview with photographer Nigel Barker, very interesting. He has insightful things to say about the modeling world's limited definition of "beauty," and how that world is changing.
More can be learned about Barker's new book, Models of Industry, here, on one of my favorite book/reading websites, Parnassusbooks.com.
Photo credit: aleksandrinavezilka.wordpress.com
Go here to read an article from Elle magazine in which Hollywood costume designers offer advice on what it takes to dress well. In short, it's all about tailoring and foundation garments. Oh, and wearing turbans.
Photo Credit: TVguide
Sometimes I am stumped, thinking about how to write about fashion and style in a refreshing way. And sometimes I just want to convey some basic ideas and decide to quote or simply re-post what others have expressed perfectly. The latter is the case in today's Wardrobe Wisdom post, taken straight from Clinton Kelly's blog. He lets you know how and why clothes are important and what to look for when you are trying on clothing here. Clinton gets it just right!
Photo Credit: Bodenusa.com
Go here to read my column on page 18 in this month's Coastal View News. I write about my love of skirts and offer reasons why you should love them as well. Some of my favorite skirts are from consignment stores, and now is a good time to shop there for spring and summer styles.
Here is my January column from Carpinteria's Coastal View News. I had to chop it up to make it fit on my blog. You can always contact me for a cleaner copy.
Someone asked me the other day what kind of tops she should wear, given (what she perceived as) her broad shoulders. Here's the scoop on different sleeve types and what is flattering on different shapes:
1. Set-in: A sleeve sewn into the armhole. This is a great style for women with narrow or sloping shoulders.
2. Drop: The sleeve is sewn in below the shoulder area. Women with broad shoulders are flattered by this style.
Neither here nor there:
This sleeve looks good on just about everyone!
I entered Purrmission Lingerie yesterday, intending to buy some panties (Hanky Panky lace thongs are on sale for $15 this month!) and some Forever New laundry detergent. I walked out with these two things as well as a bra.
Did I need a bra? Yes, but I am not my regular size right now, and I have been reluctant to invest in something that would only fit temporarily. However, once I began explaining my rationale for not making a bra purchase to Purrmission's owner, I realized I sounded like some of my shopping- adverse clients. So many women tell me they are on a diet; therefore, they do not want to buy anything until they lose weight. At the same time, they do not want to get rid of any of the clothing that is already loose on them because they may gain the weight back. In short, they are choosing to wear ill-fitting and thus unflattering clothing while they are dieting. Is this motivating in any way? No! What I tell them, and what I told myself the other day, is that wearing pieces that fit NOW will make me feel good and look good.
In my work with Wardrobe Wisdom clients, I have heard women complain about nearly every part of their bodies. Sometimes I feel I am in junior high school again with all this self-criticism, and I feel sad. We are so hard on ourselves! The words below, taken from Diane Pemberton-Sikes' blog, are good reminders about looking at our selves in a positive light.
Instead of feeling down about any imperfections you feel you might have next time you look in the mirror, look for all the amazing features you have that you could be playing up.
What's great about you?
Your face? Your lips? Your hair?
How about your neck? Your back? Or your arms?
What about your waist, your wrists, or your ankles?
I hope you read these words and take them to heart until focusing on your attributes becomes a habit.
While writing about clothing sizing in the previous blog, I was reminded of one of my past posts. You can read it here.
What size do you wear? When I look at clothing in my clients' closets during a Wardrobe Wisdom consultation, I always see a range. One women will have size 2, 4, 6, and 8 pants, and they all fit! The lack of standard sizing can be incredibly frustrating and can make shopping a tiring task. There seems to be reason for hope, however. I just read a very interesting article on this topic in the New York Times. The graph was especially enlightening, showing how even the same designer sizes clothes differently for his differently priced lines. Tanya Shaw is an entrepreneur and the chief executive of MyBestFit. In short, a customer using her system receives a full, 20-second body scan, which measures and then figures out "things like thigh circumference." Sign me up, right?
Seriously, I think Ms. Shaw is onto something. Once a woman completes the scan, she learns how her measurements correspond to the sizes at individual stores. For example, she may learn she wears a size 2 at Old Navy and a size 4 at Talbots.
Unfortunately, MyBestFit has not made its way to the West Coast yet. But other entrepreneurs are devising methods for making labels more consistent and easy to read. Marie-Eve Faust, program director of fashion merchandising at Philadelphia University states, "The next step is to have the major players sit together, manufacturers, retailers, brands, and say, 'This type of label should be appropriate for all of us. Let's standardize.'" I second the motion!
My oldest daughter can be counted on to provide a choice word or two when I am getting dressed. She recently informed me that I had a "flat bottom." Ah, gravity. I know there are worse things, but her comment didn't really make my day. It did, however, cause me to re-evaluate my pant collection, with an eye toward keeping only those which gave me a good-looking backside.
When I work with my Santa Barbara Wardrobe Wisdom clients, I stress the importance of looking at yourself from every angle when you are shopping and before you leave your house.
It seems that Levi's are taking all parts of a women's body into consideration with their newest styles. According to a piece I read in September's InStyle magazine, "With Levi's new Curve ID pairs, you can choose a style that is 'slight' (if you have a flatter, more boyish behind [like me!]), 'demi' (more curves behind), or 'bold' (for those with wider hips and a smaller waist." I am eager to try on Levi's new skinny, straight, and boot cuts. I only need to decide whether or not to bring my daughter along.
    Shopping for bathing suits takes time. It is not always a joy, but you must wear something decent to the beach or pool, right? This year I needed some simple bathing suit bottoms, so I headed to the wonderful Bikini Factory in Summerland. Megan asked me what I was looking for and brought suit after suit for me to try on. We assessed what worked and what did not look good, and why. She was tireless, and I finally found something that was just right. Besides taking the time to find a suitable suit, it is important to know what is flattering for your body. I know this sounds radical, but I must say that in general a tankini is not a flattering option. Sure, it conceals a soft belly and is more modest than a bikini, but for the most part tankinis look frumpy. I know, I know there will be many who disagree. My friend Stacy has already told me (rather passionately) she disagrees and defended the tankini. Still, I believe a stylish one-piece is a much better option. I am also fond of swim skirts if you are not keen on showing your hips, bottom, or upper thighs. Besides heading to the Bikini Factory (which sells great one pieces as well), check out the bathing suits at Land's End. They have done exhaustive research on body shapes and issues women have with bathing suits. Their styles are cute and varied. Shopping for suits with a fun friend can make the experience less of a chore. You two can celebrate your search being over with coffee and dessert afterward.
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