Found this awesome video that I really enjoyed! Hope you do too!
Category: Fashion
Fashion ideas for women.
Hi Everyone. Welcome to Ageless Style-Diane Keaton. If you are new here welcome. Every month my friend Elizabeth (of the Vintage Contessa) and I interview or feature someone over 50 who we think has great style. This month I am featuring a favorite of mine Diane Keaton.
Diane Keaton is an actor, producer, and director. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and the AFI Life Achievement Award. In addition to her acting talents, she has a signature style that never seems to look dated.
Diane favors menswear-inspired ensembles accented by her signature turtleneck and quirky accessories.
She has a keen eye for unpredictable accessories like layered necklaces and heels with socks, and wide belts. Diane says to her “fashion is playtime”. She doesn’t like to overthink it.
Diane’s Seven Fashion Must-Haves
Pockets – She rarely carries a bag
Expert tailoring – “I’m interested in tailoring because when you have a body like mine, without shoulders, you don’t really have much of a silhouette”.
Hints of color – “Colors as accessories punch more. If it’s the whole show, count me out. I don’t want to be in that show. I mean, do you?”
Suits – She says she feels most comfortable in pants and jackets.
Gloves
A Smile – “As you get older, there are certain things you can show off – your attitude and how you feel … the smile. Because it reflects warmth. Warmth is really a plus when you’re older”.
The Perfect Hat
Keaton often wears high necklines and shirts which work well with her angular features. “When she is wearing a shirt with an open neckline, she adds a choker. When she wears a blazer, she wears the collar up – a clever styling trick.”
Diane is one of those actresses that has been able to work well past her fifties and sixties, uncommon in today’s Hollywood.
In her free time, she also loves to design houses and is the author of six books. I love Diane’s aesthetic in both fashion and design. How about you? Are you an admirer of her style?
Be sure to stop by and visit the Contessa and see who she is featuring today! Editors update, she is featuring my pal Kim whom I adore. Actually, the Contessa grabbed her before I had a chance. You won’t want to miss the interview. Kim is darling.
Courtesy of Cindy at www.cindyhattersleydesign.com
Categories
The White Wardrobe of 1938
In the summer of 1938, consort Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) became a style icon on a state visit to France by tackling an old problem in a fresh new way.
Most people don’t think of her as a style setter – the feathered hats and pastel dresses seemed out of date in her later years – but while she was never Duchess of Windsor chic, she definitely had her own unique style.
One that took the fashion world by storm in 1938.
The political climate was tense.
Hilter’s power was growing and the leaders of France and England – historical enemies since the Hundred Years’ War six centuries earlier – agreed to meet for a state visit to see what they could do. Everything was set. The meetings. The social events. Then, five days before they were supposed to leave, the queen’s mother – the Countess of Strathmore – died.
The trip was postponed for three weeks as the court went into mourning. The beautiful new wardrobe of pastels and florals the queen was going to wear was now completely inappropriate. Because in those days, even though things were much laxer than they had been during the Victorian era, full mourning attire was still required. Black for the first few weeks for an immediate family member, then half-mourning with touches of gray and mauve after that. None of which was suitable for the occasion or for July in France. So the queen’s couturier, Norman Hartnell, did some research and came up with a solution: white.
White had been the color of deepest mourning among medieval queens. The Queens of France had also traditionally worn mourning white. Queen Victoria had been buried in white. It was all perfectly acceptable. Queen Elizabeth agreed, and Hartnell and his staff got to work. They had two weeks to create 30 white outfits.
On July 19th, the queen left England wearing mourning black…and stepped off the train in Paris a few hours later wearing mourning white. The gasps were audible. Queen Elizabeth was petite and had a matronly figure, yet she looked incredibly chic:
Over the next few days, in outfit after outfit, she sent the French fashion industry into a tizzy.
Ephemeral, floating fabrics. Beautiful hats. Lovely parasols.
Garden party at Château de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne
Unveiling at the Villers-Bretonneux Australian National Memorial
The state banquet at Elysee Palace
Everything she wore was talked about in detail by the press and in news reels. Women on both sides of the Channel were mesmerized.
By all accounts, the White Wardrobe was a huge success.
Queen Elizabeth became a style icon. Norman Hartwell received the Royal Warrant – and tons of new business. French designers copied the wide crinoline skirts and made it the new silhouette for evening wear.
Yet the Queen never wore those clothes in public again.
But she did have Cecil Beaton take photographs of her wearing them in Buckingham Palace. The romantic theme became her signature look.
Cecil Beaton photographs
The Queen Mother died in 2002. When her staff cleared Clarence House – her home of 50 years – they re-discovered the White Wardrobe hidden in her closet archives.
So in 2005, Buckingham Palace put the White Wardrobe on display for their summer tourist season, giving hundreds of thousands of visitors a chance to see the clothes one more time.
I’ve been talking a lot about color in recent weeks, because it’s one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your wardrobe.
Most people are afraid of color.
But if you learn how to use it correctly and appropriately, you can blow people away with your sartorial savvy, just as Norman Hartnell and Queen Elizabeth did nearly 80 years ago.
It’s not hard. Just play around and see what happens.
Courtesy of Diana Pemberton-Sikes at www.fashionforrealwomen.com
Women’s Shoes That Make You Taller – I Swear These Three Simple Tricks Make Me Look Taller
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been one of the shortest people I know.
Seriously — even children enjoy pointing out that they’re swiftly approaching my height, which, in all fairness, leans more toward 4’11 than 5’0. While being short comes with its perks (you always have a case for being front and center in every group photo), there’s a downside — especially when it comes to clothing.
On top of having to tuck, hem, or roll almost every pair of pants, midi dresses tend to cut me off and turn my legs into stumps. I’ve also noticed that, depending on color and length, certain shoes have the same effect.
For the past few years, however, I’ve sworn that white boots and sneakers make me look taller. Perhaps it’s because they’re a classic, neutral color, or the fact that they pop and brighten up any outfit (as opposed to darker alternatives, which often do the opposite) but they weirdly lengthen my legs.
I’ve tested out this theory when styling photo shoots, and, even when I’m trying not to, I end up reaching for a crisp white shoe when dressing petite women The trick works even better when said shoe is slim and snug around the foot or ankle — something like Vans slip-ons, Converse Chuck Taylors, or zip-up, sock-like booties — and also includes a subtle platform (for obvious, height-boosting reasons). It’s details like these that help to create a seamless, uncut line, which is the ultimate goal when aiming to look taller.
On days when white shoes won’t do, I find myself reaching for metallics instead, which work a similar type of magic (in my book, they do qualify as a neutral), or rely on something closer to my skin-tone, a.k.a. a trick that has been around for years.
If I am wearing dark or black shoes, I’ll run through a quick checklist before heading out the door. They must include a heel or platform, and sometimes, I’ll add a sock to help create that aforementioned seamless line. Longer boots, such as knee-highs or thigh-highs, are also great for leg-lengthening, no matter the color, especially if they’re tight or styled with mini skirts.
There are plenty of other tricks for looking taller, whether it’s stealing outfit ideas from petite celebrities or shopping at petite-friendly stores, but these are by far my favorite, and is super easy to try.
Courtesy of Samantha Sutton with InStyle.com
Happy holidays bestie! Just stepping in really quick to give you some awesome tips about denim. Yes denim. Denim can be paired with literally anything and can bring your whole outfit together. The best thing about denim is that you can literally explore all types of clothing with this type of material. There’s denim jackets, denim jeans, dresses, joggers, skirts and much more.Oh and let’s not forget denim on denim. The hardest decision about wearing denim is deciding what shade will compliment your outfit best. As we transition into Winter dark jeans are most definitely in style when pairing it with fall colors. Here are some fall colors that look amazing with denim.
- Burgundy
- Burnt Orange
- Olive
- Nude
- Mustard
- Grey/Black
I almost forgot! Accessories are the icing on the cake when it comes to denim. Since denim is a plain material accessories usually bring your outfit to life. Try adding some accessories that have lots of color to make your outfit pop. Bracelets, necklaces, hats, rings and earrings with a lot of detail keep the people starring. Below are some of my favorite places to shop for denim jeans and must have accessories. You all know I love to ball on a budget, so all of my tips are under $30. Enjoy!!
Jeans:
https://www.prettylittlething.us/
https://www2.hm.com/en_us/index.html
Accessories:
https://shopfabaccessories.com/
In general, washing clothes is pretty straightforward: Pretreat (if necessary), wash, and throw it all in the dryer. Certain items, though, come with rules all their own—including your jeans.
While denim is more durable than other materials, jeans often come with unique bells and whistles, like buttons, zippers, holes, and special washes… all of which require extra care. Denim is also prone to shrinking when exposed to high heat, like the dryer.
If you want your investment pieces to last, it’s a good idea to practice extra care when washing your denim—but not everything you hear has merit. So to save you time, we asked Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, co-founders of The Laundress, to dispel fact from fiction when it comes to laundering denim.
MYTH: Freezing denim gets rid of germs
You might have heard that sticking your jeans in the freezer is the best method for refreshing—and even sanitizing—denim. But this isn’t a good move for a few reasons, says Whiting. Cold temperatures aren’t enough to kill off pathogens in clothing—soap and temperature is what washes away the germs, she explains.
The overall premise of freezing jeans is misguided, too. You don’t have to choose between sanitizing your jeans and taking care of them. Carefully laundering with the right products is the best way to protect your favorite denim.
MYTH: You should only launder denim every six months
Denim is a thicker material than your average cotton T-shirt and doesn’t require as frequent washing, but six months is a bit of a stretch, says Boyd. “We recommend washing when your denim begins to give off odor—or every five to 10 wears,” she says. If desired, you can spray with a fabric freshening spray between washes to remove odors and revive the fabric.
If you don’t have a freshening spray on hands, try steaming your jeans—the high temp will help banish odors and bacteria, all the while smoothing the material, she says.
MYTH: Washing denim makes it stiff
How your jeans feel after a wash depends on your go-to process. If you’re using a standard detergent without a fabric conditioner and then air drying, you might end up with stiff fabric. But there’s a way around it, says Whiting: Simply wash your jeans with a
laundry soap that contains a fabric conditioner.
FACT: You should wash denim inside out
Inside-out washing might sound laborious, but since denim typically has more embellishments than other clothing items (zippers, buttons, and distressing, for example) turning denim inside out is a great way to glean the benefits of a wash without rolling the dice on damaging your favorite pair of pants. For even more protection, try using a mesh washing bag, says Boyd.
FACT: You should never put denim in the dryer
There’s no cardinal rule that says the dryer is totally off-limits, but putting your denim in the dryer will affect its useable lifespan. “The dryer can cause color loss and distress over time, so we recommend air drying whenever possible,” says Whiting. “To speed up the drying process, lay your denim item flat on a clean, dry towel, then roll both the towel and item up together like you’re rolling up a sleeping bag.”
Courtesy of Ashley Abramson with www.apartmenttherapy.com
This post is all about the common reasons we keep clothes we don’t wear or love. And how to move past these common challenges to simplify and declutter your wardrobe.
Many of us (myself included!) sometimes struggle to let go of clothes, even those we know we no longer love or wear. And in noticing this, I realized there are some common reasons why we keep clothes we don’t wear anymore. Common stumbling blocks that are easy to get tripped up on when trying to purge your closet. And these common reasons that make it difficult to let go of clothes you no longer love or wear can be what’s holding you back from creating a simplified wardrobe you love.
Knowing why you’re holding on makes letting go easier
Understanding why it’s hard to let go of clothes you no longer wear is the first step. Often, once you understand what’s making you want to keep clothes you don’t wear or love, it’s easier to move past these mental blocks and effectively purge your closet. Once you know why you are struggling to let go of clothes, you can use this strategy, along with these tips and tricks, to start simplifying and decluttering your wardrobe more effectively!
1. The item is new or barely worn and you feel guilty about wasting money on it
Sometimes you buy something you think you’ll love and wear, but it just doesn’t work for you. Maybe it shrank or lost its shape in the wash. Or it doesn’t match with anything else in your closet. Maybe you bought something trendy, but never feel comfortable in it. Or you wanted something new but settled for something that was just ok, rather than waiting to find something you love. Whatever the reason, it’s in your closet but you aren’t wearing it. It’s time to let it go. Remind yourself that the money is already spent. Keeping it in your closet will not get the money back. In fact, keeping it will only prolong your negative feelings, making you feel guilty every time you see it. If it’s not something you love, you are rarely or never going to wear it anyways. It’s just taking up space in your closet. Let the item go and use it as a lesson for how to make better choices when shopping in the future.
2. It’s something you are “supposed” to have in your wardrobe
It’s easy to allow yourself to be restricted by someone else’s rules. Maybe you’ve heard there are certain classic wardrobe staples everyone should own, like a little black dress. But when you try on your classic black dress, you realize it actually doesn’t fit quite right.
Don’t keep something that doesn’t look and feel great just because it’s a classic staple you should have. If you don’t love the way it looks and feels, you won’t wear it anyways. Your wardrobe should reflect your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to make your own rules. If you don’t need or want a little black dress, let it go.
If having a little black dress fits your taste and lifestyle, but you don’t love or wear the one you have, let it go. Then shop thoughtfully for a new one. Take your time to find a replacement that really suits your body and needs.
Another example of following someone else’s rules is with color. I’ll use myself as an example. I like to wear a lot of dark neutrals, like black and grey. But I used to believe that wearing mostly neutral, dark colors was against “the rules”. And I should include brighter colors or patterns in my wardrobe. But since simplifying my wardrobe, I’ve realized I don’t actually like wearing bright colors or bold patterns. And now I stick to what I like instead of following someone else’s real or perceived rules.
Let go of trying to follow someone else’s rules and figure out what works for your body, preferences and lifestyle. That’s how you’ll end up with a wardrobe you love!
3. You tried a new trend, but it doesn’t work for your body or life or is already out of style
Maybe you bought something trendy to update your wardrobe, but the item never really worked for your body or life, so you never or rarely wore it. Or the trend quickly passed and it’s already out of style.
Try figuring out what your signature style is. Meaning the types of clothes you look and feel your best in. Think about your favourite kinds of outfits, or your go-to outfit choice when you want to look and feel great. For me, I feel best in skinny jeans, a longer loose-fitting top, a cardigan and a pretty necklace or scarf to finish it off. That’s my signature style. Once you figure this out, it’s easier to resist and let go of trendy items and stick with what works best for your body and life. Figure out your signature style. Then, let any trendy stuff go that’s no longer working for you and your style preferences. It’s just taking up space. And remember your signature style and what works best for you when you’re shopping or adding new items to your wardrobe.
4. Your weight has changed and you have clothes in multiple sizes
Try to only keep clothes in your closet that fit you right now. Having clothes in sizes that don’t currently fit, adds to the visual clutter in your closet and makes deciding what to wear more difficult. Plus, if your weight change is not something you are happy about, seeing clothes that no longer fit can cause negative feelings.
If you want to keep some clothes in different sizes than you are wearing right now, be very selective about what you keep. Only keep the items that you absolutely love and would feel excited to wear again. Then, if possible, rather than storing them with your current wardrobe, box them up and put them out of sight. Or keep them in a spare closet if you have one.
For example, if you’re planning to lose weight, you’ll probably want to treat yourself to a few new items to celebrate when you do. Only store the items you currently own in a smaller size that you absolutely love. Then add a few new pieces as needed. The great thing about a minimalist wardrobe is that you don’t need many pieces to have a complete wardrobe. You can easily have a versatile wardrobe with 30 pieces or less. By saving only the pieces you love and adding in a few new pieces if your weight changes in the future, you’ll still have a functional capsule wardrobe without storing boxes and boxes of clothing in various sizes.
5. You’re keeping an item for a certain type of event or occasion
Sometimes you have an item you rarely wear but are keeping “just in case” a certain occasion arises. But instead of keeping something you rarely have occasion to wear, try to think of alternatives you own that you could wear for that occasion, but also wear other times. Versatile pieces are essential to a smaller wardrobe.
For example, I had a few dresses I only wore when we were on a tropical vacation. Because of the style or cut of them, I didn’t usually wear them at other times. I also had a few dresses and skirts that I could wear regularly and also wear on a tropical vacation. I realized I only need to keep the ones that I could wear for more than one occasion. Try to limit the things you keep in your wardrobe that are very specific to one event or occasion. Keep things that are versatile enough to work for a variety of different occasions in your life.
6. You’re keeping an item “just in case” or as a back-up
Keeping things, especially clothes, “just in case” is a common stumbling block many of us face.
My thought process was something like “What if I can’t do laundry for 45 days in a row? Shouldn’t I make sure I have enough clothes so I can wear something new for all 45 days?!”
In reality, I do some kind of laundry almost every day. And if we ever are without laundry for more time than usual (away on holidays, our washing machine breaks down, etc.) even if I only had 7 shirts, I could wear each one twice and be decently clothed for two weeks. Another thing I often found myself doing was overstocking. I thought “If I like to wear black t-shirts I better make sure I have 10 so I always have one available!” Again I reminded myself that I can do laundry and have an item clean again very easily. Sometimes rationally thinking through these “just in case” or “what-if” scenarios is all you need to do to let go of this scarcity mindset. Think about what you actually need and wear in your wardrobe. Chances are you don’t need as much as you think.
7. You don’t have anything to match or wear with an item
Sometimes you buy something you like, but for some reason, it doesn’t work with the rest of your wardrobe. You try to convince yourself the item will work…as soon as you find the right pants/bra/sweater/scarf/accessories/whatever. The key to a smaller, but more loved and useful wardrobe is the ability to mix and match the pieces. Keep things you can wear in lots of ways, with lots of other things you own. If an item is already causing you trouble because you don’t have the right pieces to make it work, that’s a sign it’s not a good fit for your lifestyle or your wardrobe. Time to let it go. Stick with pieces that easily work with the rest of your wardrobe.
8. Some things look and feel good, but you’re tired of wearing them
Sometimes you have things that still look and feel good on, but you’re just tired of wearing them. This can even happen with things that used to be your favourites. You used to wear an item often, but now find yourself tired of it and not wearing it anymore. When this happens, it’s ok. You got your use out of the item, now let it go and let someone else love wearing it.
9. You know you don’t wear an item, but you are having a really hard time letting it go
These items can be tricky. Sometimes the best way around this situation is to use a “maybe box”.
Put anything you are having a hard time letting go of in a box. Seal the box, put it out of sight somewhere and mark it with a date in the future, maybe 2 or 3 months from now. Put a reminder in your phone for that date. If you haven’t thought about or wanted any of the items in the box when the reminder goes, donate the box.
Having a “maybe box” gives you a safety net if you’re worried about purging too ruthlessly and then regretting your decisions.
I often use a “maybe box” when I’m having a hard time letting something go. I have even retrieved a few items of clothing from my “maybe box” on occasion. However, each and every item I’ve brought back from the “maybe box” was always donated shortly after. There was always something that made it go in the “maybe box” to begin with. Try to trust your instincts and your first reaction when deciding what to keep or get rid of. But if there are a few items that you’re struggling with, try creating a “maybe box” to take the pressure off yourself. It can ease the fear of regretting any of your decluttering decisions and let you be bolder with what you are willing to try living without.
10. Something was a gift and you feel guilty getting rid of it
Remind yourself that whoever gave you the gift gave it to you to make you happy. They wouldn’t want it to be making you feel bad or guilty now. The gift was given, you appreciated it and thanked the giver. What you do with the item now is up to you. If it no longer makes you look and feel great, it’s time to let it go.
11. It’s something that holds sentimental value and is hard to let go
There’s no question that sentimental items can be some of the more difficult items to declutter. But try to be intentional and selective with what you keep for sentimental reasons. Maybe set a limit for how many sentimental items you will keep. Then, only keep the things that are really important to you. There are lots of creative ideas you can do with sentimental clothing. There are t-shirt quilts, framing a small piece of the fabric, transforming a special item into a pillow cover, taking a picture of the item or you wearing the item, etc.
If you’re really struggling with too many sentimental items, some of these ideas might be ways to honour the memory without taking up space in your closet. But remember to be selective with these ideas too. You don’t want to transfer sentimental clutter from your closet to unfinished projects in your craft room or décor items that add clutter to your home.
12. It’s something you’d wear in your past or future lifestyle
The clothes in your closet should reflect your lifestyle now. If your lifestyle is different from what it was 5 or 10 years ago, let go of the clothes from your past lifestyle. The same goes for the future. Don’t fill your closet with things in anticipation of a future lifestyle you want to live. Or wished you lived. Unless there are concrete future plans for what you’ll need and when you’ll need it, make your wardrobe a reflection of your current lifestyle. Not one that may or may not occur at some time in the future. Think about your life, right now. How do you spend your time? What types of clothing do you need for those activities? Keep the clothes that work for your life, right now. Be realistic about what you actually need in your wardrobe and get rid of the things that don’t fit with your lifestyle.
How to let go of clothes you don’t wear or love
If you’re having a hard time letting go of clothes you no longer wear or love, I hope this list helps you make some progress purging your wardrobe. Often once you’ve identified the reason why you’re struggling to get rid of something, letting it go becomes easier. This post covers the most common reasons we keep clothes we don’t wear. Use this list to figure out why you’re struggling to let go of some of your clothes you don’t love or wear.
Then, once letting go becomes easier, you can start decluttering and simplifying your wardrobe to create a wardrobe you love and that serves you well.
Do you find yourself struggling with any of these common reasons that make decluttering your clothes challenging? What holds you back from getting rid of clothes you know you don’t love or wear? What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to purging your clothes? Let me know in the comments below.
Courtesy of Melissa with www.simplelionheartlife.com
Women come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and you will need to decide which parts of your body you want to highlight and which you want to downplay.
Only you can decide this for yourself.
For example, if you are adorned with a large bust, some of you may want to downplay this while others may want to celebrate this part of your body and accentuate it. (hello Kim Kardashian!)
Today I will look at some ways on how you can dress when you have a large bust and how you can highlight it or downplay it.
Highlighting Your Bust
If you are proud of your big bust and like to show it off even more or want to give the illusion that your bust is bigger than it actually is, then here are some tips on what to wear to enhance your bust:
The Right Bra Is Crucial
Always choose a good bra underneath that supports your breasts and lifts them up.
Wear Deep V Necklines With Cleavage
This will focus the eyes’ attention on your bust.
Use A High Waistline
A high waistline emphasizes your breasts (and makes your legs look longer).
Embrace Halter Necks
This neckline creates the ultimate bombshell look.
Add A Pendant
Adding a pendant between breasts will focus the attention on them.
Wear A Cowl Neckline
Any drapes that fall on top of the bust will always enhance them.
Embrace Ruching
See how it appears that I have a full bust in the picture on the right! Created by the ruching and higher waist!
Downplaying Your Bust
Georgette (above) downplays her bust by wearing an off shoulder top which draws attention away from the bust and up to her shoulders and pairs it with a skirt that defines her waist.
Check out these similar white off shoulder top and elastic waist floral midi skirt.
If you are very well endowed you may want to downplay your bust so it does not overwhelm your look.
Here is what to do:
Again A Good Bra Is Essential
You still want your breasts up high, so you can bring more attention to your waist.
You will want a bra which offers good support and keeps you in place without boosting your cup size any further (unless that is your preference!) Here are some good options for large busts.
- Additionelle smooth tee shirt bra
- Chantelle Women’s Basic Invisible Smooth Custom Fit Bra
- Elomi bra
- Wacoal minimizer bra
Play Around With Belts
Belting high usually emphasizes your bust (as shown in the picture from myself in the red dress above.
However if you combine a belt with layering and with a longer vest as Georgette is doing above, it has a minimizing and lengthening effect.
The belt also adds structure to the outfit and can highlight a defined waist.
Try these belted cardigan options from Seven7 and Boden.
V-Necklines Are Your Friend!
V-necklines can be good for downplaying a bust although you don’t want it too low or show any cleavage. Otherwise it will have the opposite effect. Scoop, sweat heart and square necklines also work. The eye will focus on your exposed skin and not so much your breasts. If you are layering, you can also use your jacket as the v-line as Georgette shows in the pictures below.
Opt For Large Necklaces
This may feel counter intuitive but if you place something small next to something big, the bigger thing will just appear bigger. On the other hand if you choose a big statement necklace , you bust will appear smaller.
Other Accessories Can Work Well Too!
Direct attention away from your bust by having a different focal point like a nice belt on your hip or a hat.
Avoid Baggy Tops Or Ill Fitting Clothes
Tops and dresses should be fitted and show a clear waist definition.
Avoid Skinny Straps
You need much more support.
Embrace Shoulder Details
Cap sleeves, shoulder pads or shoulder details can help to draw attention away from the bust and up.
Don’t Wear Sleeves That End At The Mid Section Of Your Bust
Best to end sleeves higher or at your waist.
Buy Shirts That Fit
Never wear shirts that gape at your bust. If you can’t find any that fit you, go for knitted tops instead. Alternatively, buy your shirts to fit your bust and have the rest taken in by your tailor.
Wide Collars Will Draw The Eye Upwards And Away From Your Bust
Again you want to divert the eye elsewhere.
Avoid Lower Armholes Like Dolman Sleeves Or Batwings
The eye should be drawn upwards.
Lengthen Your Torso
Tucking blouses and tops is best avoided.
Avoid Stiff Fabrics, Boxy Blazers And Big Cable-Knit Sweaters
You will look much better in a torso-skimming dress that you can belt. A wrap dress will suit many busty women.
Prints Are Your Friend!
Georgette (above) is wearing a chic mixed print keyhole fit & flare dress from Eloquii.
As you can see, prints can also very effective in distracting attention away from your bust.
Courtesy of Sylvia at www.40plusstyle.com
Today we’re continuing with our mini series, Oh So Pulled Together! In this series we’ve simply been learning tips and techniques for creating interesting and modern outfits with the clothes we have in our closet. Along those lines, today I’m sharing fall and winter style hacks to help you elevate your looks during the cooler weather months.
Really it’s so much easier to pull interesting outfits together in the cooler months simply because we’re working with layers. But I have learned that simply piling on the layers is not generally enough to make your look “oh so pulled together.” Remember, a little effort translates as chic and pulled together. So when you demonstrate that you did indeed do a little work you’ll look more finished and polished.
Here are a few fall and winter style hacks that can go a long ways toward completing your look. I like to try to incorporate one to three each time I get dressed.
Partially or Fully Tuck Your Top
Even a sweater outfit can benefit from a simple tuck in the front. Not only does this tuck generally (on most body proportions and shapes) create a more pleasing proportion, but it also demonstrates effort and thought.
But you can also tuck in a sweatshirt or other top, even with your athleisure looks.
If you’re worried that your waistline prevents you from being able to tuck, well, first of all, rethink that. You do not have to have a flat tummy and tiny waist to tuck. I’ve seen far too many gals in our Private Facebook try it who, like me, do not have a tiny waist, and they’ve pulled it off beautifully. Seeing their before and after pictures is truly convincing.
Belt It!
Similarly, adding a belt is a great way to literally pull your look together while also adding interest and texture. I definitely suggest a reversible belt as a closet staple. But it’s also fun to have a patterned or colorful belt or two as well.
Add a 3rd Piece
Maybe this goes without saying, but adding that third piece, such as a blazer, cardigan, vest or ruana, can definitely add interest and texture to your outfit. Still, you want to choose wisely.
For instance, you can use that third piece to emphasize a color you’re wearing.
But a few details we all want to be aware of are the placement of pockets, the overall bulk of the garment, the shoulder and arm bulk and any extra hardware that may detract from the look or add visual weight. I think the flyaway cardigan above checks all the right boxes. It’s lightweight, has a beautiful drape and features well placed pockets that don’t add visual weight.
Bonus style hack: Cuff Your Sleeves – You can roll them, turn them up or double cuff. Create the kind of look you choose. I suggest cuffing or double cuffing when you want a more polished look. But just roll them up and make them a little messy if you want to make a look more casual and modern.
Layer a Sweater Over a Shirt
Again this may sound like a no-brainer, but I sometimes forget how pulled together this combination can look. Especially if I take the time to use a few more styling hacks.
In the photo above, I’ve also left the shirt tail hanging out from under the shirt. This is a great way to add interest and a casual vibe to an otherwise stuffy look.
Check the tips for dressing your body proportions. You don’t want to do this if you have a long torso, but if you have a short torso it’s a great way to elongate your upper body. Also if you are exceptionally wide across the hips, you probably don’t want to add that extra line with the untucked shirt. Instead, you’ll want to tuck in both layers at the waist to lift the focus there.
Go Monochrome
I love creating monochrome looks year round, but it’s so much easier in the fall and winter. Why? Because one of the keys to creating the best monochrome looks is to use multiple textures in your outfit.
The look above includes corduroy, cashmere, suede, leather and antique gold. Don’t forget to layer on the textures when you go monochromatic.
Add a Pretty Scarf
It is still (and I think always will be) fashionable to tie on a pretty scarf. While I still have a few infinity scarves in my closet, they’re really not as “in” as they once were. You’ll get more bang for your buck if you simply tie a pretty rosette or simple knot with a square scarf or drape on a longer one.
I will be sharing how to tie the little rosette above in an upcoming video. Meanwhile, I may hop on our Facebook group to share this little trick sometime soon.
Wear a Piece of Statement Jewelry
You can choose jewelry that coordinates and maximizes your outfit like I did above.
Or you can go with a piece of jewelry that makes a bold statement on its own, as I did below.
Consider Your Outerwear as an Accessory
At some point most of us need to add a coat to our outfits. Don’t just layer on warmth. Consider your coat as part of your outfit. This year especially, as we have to do more of our gathering outside, we’ll want to count our outerwear as an accessory at least.
I’m sure I could add other style hacks that are particularly great to use during the fall and winter, but I better draw this post to a close. Do you have other ways you enjoying pulling your fall and winter outfits together beautifully? I’d love for you to share those below.
If you’re interested in shopping any of the outfits I’ve shared here, please click through the links I provided in the captions of the photos. Thank you so much for shopping through my links. That is one of the ways I earn an income through what I do here. I enjoy serving you in this way.