General guidelines for wearing leggings

Lindsay Lohan adds interest to her outfit with patterned leggings.

Typically, leggings should be paired with a top that is less fitted than your leggings. When you pair a tight top and a tight bottom it can look a bit trashy. In choosing your top, be careful that it is not too loose, airy or bulky. If it is, you will be creating too much volume on your top half.  Combine this with a bottom half of tight fitting leggings and you will be sporting a silhouette that looks something like an ice cream cone or upside down bowling pin. Never a good look!

Although I believe the majority of women that read this blog would never even consider wearing their leggings with a top that doesn’t cover their hips and butt, I must tell you that if you were thinking of leaving your butt exposed with only the thin fabric of leggings to cover it, please think again. Leggings are not meant to be worn with tops that do not cover your hips. If you’re thinking “I have a great body and my butt will look so good in skin tight leggings” then I applaud you and your body and probably envy you some, but regardless, you should cover up that great looking butt of yours with a nice top.

Leggings can also be worn under dresses and mini skirts to an an extra interesting layer to your outfit. The color and style of the leggings should coordinate with your skirt or dress. Coordinate does not mean match though. Don’t be afraid to add color and pattern with your leggings.

The taller the better: it’s in the shoes!

One of the best things about leggings is their ability to dramatically lengthen your leg line. The place on your legs where your top falls determines how long your legs will look.  If you are petite, wearing a top that reaches half-way down your thigh or longer will make your legs appear shorter. If you are tall, you can get away with a longer top and keeping the length above the middle of the thigh will make you look even taller. (Even some tall women want to look taller. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true)

The shoe you pair your leggings with is another factor in whether you look taller or shorter. Generally, leggings can be worn with flats, pumps, platforms, booties and boots. Here are the pros and cons of your shoe choices:

Bootie, Platform, Anke Boot, Platform

• Flats: Good choice for casaul outfits. Area where leggings end and shoe begins can break up long leg line created with leggings.
• Pumps: Great choice for a going out look. Again, area where leggings end and shoe begins can break up long leg line created with leggings.
• Platforms: Hot, trendy choice. Many of the new platform shoes are strappy and extend up to the ankle. These choices would extend the leg line and obscure the your open ankle.
• Booties: Another trendy look. Choose a bootie that is the same color as your leggings to create a seamless leg line. Booties that flare out at the ankles can look terrific but sometimes draw attention downward and can slightly breakup the leg line.
• Boot: Either ankle, knee or over the knee. This is my favorite way to wear leggings. You can’t beat the legline created when the boots are of the same color as the leggings. Even if the boots are flat, they make a striking and fashionable statement.

1) top too long 2) colorful top overwhelms leggings and leg line is lost 3) great way to wear leggings 4) adding a jacket is a great option 5) a sweater can add another layer to a leggings outfit

What to wear on top

When choosing a top to wear with your leggings, keep these things in mind:

• Tunics make great companions to leggings. Choose one that is longer than your hips but not as long as you knees. You want your top to be in proportion and not look as if it takes up 2/3 of your body. Also make sure it has some shape to it. You want to show off your curves, not cover them up. If your upper body is larger than your hips, you will need to add volume at the hip. A top that gathers at the hip or has an empire waist is a good option.
• A great cowl neck sweater makes works wonderfully with leggings. Make sure the sweater is fitted on the bottom. This will make a much more streamlined look and also add shape and show off your curves. V-neck, scoop neck and other sweater will work as well.
• Add a fitted jacket over a thin sweater or t-shirt. The jacket can be a blazer, boyfriend jacket, leather or cropped jacket. Just make sure it works with your proportions and adds shape. You do not want to look as if you are hiding your upper body under a large shapeless jacket. Also be careful if you are larger on top than at the hip, that the jacket you choose does not all bulk, either literally or visually. A cropped jacket may make your upper body look too large, without a proper balance at the hips.
• Adding a long cardigan sweater works similarly to adding a jacket yet creates a lighter and softer look.
• Bold printed tops are great but make sure they do not overwhelm the bottom part of you. If there is too much contrast between the top and bottom, you will lose the long lean line leggings can create.
• Belting a top or sweater is a terrific way to emphasize your waist and add interest to your outfit.

Now you have the information you need to add leggings to your wardrobe. Go forth and shop!

To determine whether you have a short waist or a long waist, you need to take two measurements: (1) from your armpit to your natural waist and (2) from your natural waist to your crotch point. (Your crotch point is the place where your torso or pelvis ends and your legs begin.)

Your natural waist is generally the area around your belly button. It can be right at your belly button or in close proximity to it. Another way to find your natural waist is bend to one side. The point where your side naturally bends in is your natural waist. The place where you put your hands at your waist with your elbows facing outward is yet another way to find your natural waist.

• If the measurement from your armpit to your waist is shorter than the measurement from your waist to your crotch point, you have a short waist.
• If the measurement from your armpit to your waist is larger than the measurement from your waist to your crotch point, you have a long waist.

How to Dress a Short Waist

When you have a short waist, the top and bottom halves of your body are not balanced; too short on top and too long on the bottom (yes it is possible to be too long on the bottom even though you always hear about how great long legs are and how you must always lengthen the leg line).

The key to dressing a short waist is to choose clothes that will elongate your top half to better balance it with your bottom half. With a short waist, it is critical that you have a good fitting bra that lifts your properly. You need all the distance you can get between your chest and waist.

• Tucking in your shirt will visually shorten your waist even more. Try to avoid tucking your shirts.
• Avoid cropped tops and jackets that do not at least reach your hip bones. Opt for tops and jackets that hit your hipbone or a little below.
• When wearing a belt over shirts or dresses, the belt should rest below your natural waist. A belt worn at the natural waist will accentuate your short waist rather than lengthen it.
• Choose vertical stripes instead of horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes will give the illusion of a longer torso and horizontal stripes will shorten it.

How to Dress a Long Waist

When you have a long waist, your top and bottom halves of your body are not balanced; too long on top and too short on the bottom. The key to dressing a long waist is to choose clothes that will shorten your top half to better balance it with your bottom half. Most of these guidelines are the exact opposite of those for the short waist.

• Longer tops should be belted at your waist instead of below the waist. To break up the length even more, choose a belt that is brightly colored, contrasts with your pants or is attention grabbing.
• Thicker belts are better than skinnier ones at shortening the torso.
• Choose horizontal stripes over vertical stripes. Horizontal stripes visually have a shortening effect. However, if you carry more weight in your midsection,  horizontal stripes can have a widening effect and therefore should be avoided.
• Cropped tops and jackets work wonderfully to shorten your torso.

Now that you know which type of waist you have, you can choose clothing that will create more balance for you body, which in turn will make your outfits look better and ultimately make you feel better about your image.

If you have any image, style or fashion questions, contact me via email or leave a comment on this blog. I would love to hear from you!!

Tweed Jacket from New York & Company

Here is what I got for $62.57:

• Three Quarter Sleeve Tweed Jacket ($16.57, reg. $69.95)
• Scoop Neck Sweater ($11.81, reg. $29.95)
• Knit Skirt ($7.80, reg. $32.95)
• Long Hooded Sweater *$11.83, reg. $49.95)
• Brown Belt ($4.14, reg. $19.99)
• Teal Purse ($5.92, reg. $22.99)

That works out to $10.42 per item. What a deal!

The best part is how many outfits I can make by adding these pieces to what I already have. Here are four outfits I can make for under $300 total cost:

Outfit #1

• Tweed Jacket ($16.57)
• Cream Scoop Neck Sweater ($11.81)
• Brown Belt ($4.14)
• Knit Skirt ($7.80)
• Teal Purse ($5.92)
• Animal Print Pumps ($24.00) already have from DSW
• Teal & Wood Necklace ($8.00) Already have from JC Penney (yeah, hard to believe but they have great costume jewelry!)

Total Cost for Outfit #1: $78.24

I so LOVE these Pumps

Outfit #2

• Tweed Jacket ($16.57)
• Tweed Skirt ($24.00) already have, matches jacket from NY&C
• Teal Sleeveless Sweater ($17.00) already have from Macy’s
• Brown Belt ($4.14)
• Gold Necklace ($12.00) already have from NY&C
• Red Purse ($15.00) already have from NY&C
• T-Strap Animal Print Heels ($21.00) already have from Dillards

Total Cost for Outfit #2: $109.71

Outfit #3

• Tweed Jacket ($16.57)
• Cream Scoop Neck Sweater ($11.81)
• Brown Belt with Gold Buckle ($9.99) already have from NY&C
• Wide Leg Jeans ($24.00) already have from Macy’s
• Giraffe Platform Shoes ($32.00) already have from Macy’s
• Red and Antique Gold Necklace ($18.00) already have from Macy’s
• Red Purse ($15.00) already have from NY&C

Total Cost for Outfit #3: $127.37

One of all my all-time favorite pair of shoes!!

Outfit #4

• Knit Skirt ($7.80)
• Red Sleeveless Embellished Sweater ($15.00) already have from Macy’s
• Brown Belt with Gold Buckle ($9.99) already have from NY&C
• Brown Blazer ($28.00) already have from NY&C
• Giraffe Platform Shoes ($32.00) already have from Macy’s
• Gold Necklace ($12.00) already have from NY&C
• Red Purse ($15.00) already have from NY&C

Total Cost for Outfit #4: $119.79

Total Cost for all pieces that make up the 4 outfits: $294.23

I could take this $297 in clothing, shoes and accessories and add a few more pieces and make 2 to 3 more outfits. If you shop the sales, you can definitely save some serious money and still look terrific. No, these are not designer pieces, and if I could make the same outfits using all designer pieces for under $300, then I would be a genius! The point is that they do not have to be designer pieces, they just have to be made well and they have to fit your body well.

NY&C had tons of clothes on deep discount today but I only purchased what looked good and was of higher quality. It makes no sense to buy something just because is inexpensive if it is not going to make you look great and last you a few seasons at the very least.

Registering online with your favorite stores and joining their rewards programs will save you tons of money on clothing and accessories. New York & Company regularly has great sales and sends email notices with coupons (usually 20% to 30% off). DSW Rewards nets me at least $30 per year off shoes (more if I buy more shoes).

Shop wisely!!

(Disclamer: I believe that my math is correct but if for some reason anyone finds errors in my calculations, please know that it was not intentional!!)

Just as wearing the right color can get you compliments, wearing the wrong color can cause negative reactions or perceptions from people that you may never pick up on. This could be holding you back from a promotion, new job, landing that large sale or meeting that perfect partner.

People react to each other based on many visual clues. Color is a strong clue that can change how people perceive you. They can elicit strong reactions, emotions and perceptions:

• Red can signify aggression, excitement and passion
• Pink can be perceived as cute, safe, immature and sweet
• Yellow is aligned with energy, restlessness and caution
• Green is soothing and refreshing, and can also signify prestige
• Blue can be tranquil or dynamic depending upon its hue

When you wear these colors on your body, the colors mix with your body colors (hair, skin and eyes) and create a different reaction in people than that of the color alone. A few examples:

• If you wear a lot of black and it tends to washes you out, you could be perceived as dark, somber, tired or less hopeful
• You may wear bright colors and think you are being perceived as outgoing and friendly. However, if the colors are too bright for your body’s colors, you could be perceived as loud and outspoken
• If the soft pastels you love to wear are too light for you body’s colors, you could be perceived as invisible, soft or easy

When you only wear colors that work with your body’s colors, the colors of your clothing are not the focus, you are. Basically you then speak for yourself instead of your clothes speaking for you.

Custom Color Consultations can brighten up your closet, and your life!

Everyone has colors that they look better in. However, figuring out which colors work the best is a nearly impossible task. It’s ususally hit or miss. You buy one top in royal blue and get tons of compliments so you think “I must look good in blue” so you buy another top in blue. This time it’s not royal but navy. Still blue, but you wear it and no one compliments you. You think, well maybe blue is not my color after all!

Sample Color Palette

That’s where a custom color consultation can take the guess work out of buying clothes and makeup. During the color consultation, your best 80-100 colors are chosen from over 2,200 color swatches! Your chosen colors will be the ones that work best with you eye, skin and hair colors.

If you’re thinking, “I’ll never remember all those colors when I go shopping”, then never fear. After your colors are picked, you will receive a color palette with all your colors. You’ll also be given tips on how to use the palette as well as which makeup colors will work best for you.

After your color consultation you will never have to guess which color top, dress or eyeshadow to buy. Having our own color palette really makes shopping easier. It helps you narrow down your choices and helps point you in the right direction. You can quickly scan the racks for your colors instead of looking through every piece of clothing.

If you’re interested in brightening up life by finding your best colors, contact 180 Image today! I would love to help you!

At this point you could choose to classify me as a fashion crazy and unstable women or, you could read on and get a head start on your fashion planning for warmer weather. Choose wisely.

What Trends can you wear for Spring 2010?

Well the answer to that question depends on your age and your body type. It can sometimes be frustrating to flip through fashion magazines and see all the great new clothes, only to realize that you are not size a 2 or 6 feet tall.

First and foremost you DO NOT have to wear the latest fashion trends to be fashionable. You can simply integrate a few into your existing wardrobe and ignore the rest. Identifying the trends that work with your body and your lifestyle is the key.

Here are few Spring 2010 Fashion Trends you may want to integrate into your wardrobe:

The Boyfriend Blazer

This trend from Fall 2009 is still going strong. This blazer style is very versatile and works on many body types. Wear it for day, or for evening, at work or on the weekends.

Charlotte Ronson, Elle Tahari, Karen Kane

• Wear with skinny jeans or leggings, boyfriend jeans,  short skirt and even over a dress.
• If you are not comfortable wearing skinny jeans or leggings (or if you are over 40 and could not wear them well if you wanted to) try pairing the boyfriend blazer with slacks or ankle cropped pants. This pairing could tend to be too masculine, so make sure you add a good amount of accessories and a terrific pair of shoes.
• Even paired with leggings, this blazer can be appear masculine so make sure you pair it with feminine top, add great accessories and don’t forget the heels!
• Boyfriend blazers should be slightly roomy but you shouldn’t look like you are swimming in it. Maybe go up one size, but no more.
• One of the things that makes this look work is rolling up of the sleeves of the blazer. This is must! Look for linings that when rolled up, add interest to your outfit.
• Choose a blazer that is fitted and will create an hourglass shape. Avoid blazers that look to boxy.
• If the blazer come with shoulder pads, please, please take them out! Otherwise you will look like a throwback to the eighties. (The boyfriend blazer actually is throwback to the eighties itself but without the shoulder pads and its updated styling it can safely reside in the new millennium!)

Prints, Prints and More Prints

The one word that defines prints for Spring is BOLD. Say goodbye to subtle prints and colors and welcome eye catching florals, tribal, ikat and tie dye. Dresses, skirts, tops and even pants are being expressed in these graphic prints.

Isabel Marant, Etro, Emile Pucci, Gucci

• When choosing tops in these new prints, make sure the pattern and color does not overwhelm you. Hold the garment up to your face (or better yet put it on), take a look in the mirror and determine if you see your face or the pattern first. If it is your face, then buy the beautiful piece. If it is the pattern or color of the garment, then move on and try another one.
• Printed pants can be tricky to wear. If the pants are relaxed, pair with a more fitted top. If the pants are more for fitting, go for a more flowy top.
• Patterned pants will draw attention to your bottom half. If you are larger on the bottom, you will want to stay away from skinny, fitted versions and op for relaxed ones instead.
• A high-waisted style of the printed pant can be very sophisticated looking. Pair with a great pair of heels and a more understated top.

Short Full Skirts

If you are over 40, you may want to just ignore this trend. Short skirts are for the young, even if you have the legs for them. Dressing your age is something I feel very strongly about. When was the last time you found a short skirt in any department but juniors?

Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana

• Called the “dress alternative” for Spring
• The choices are vast: pleated, belted, ruffled, patterned.
• Dress up for evening out or down for casual, weekend wear
• Wear with a simple fitted shirt, a feminine blouse and even a jacket
• Accessorize simply and wear either strappy heels or a gorgeous flat
• Can be worn with tights

Other Trends

Derek Lam, Gucci, YSL, Michael Kors, DKNY, Prada, Michael Kors

• Lucite jewelry and shoes
• Long-strap bags
• Strappy Shoes

These are just a few of the trends for Spring 2010. Look for more blog posts about Spring 2010 fashion trends in the coming weeks and months.

Enjoy!

Not being a “scarf person” myself, I decided to ask some of the women if they were “scarf people.” I see so many women in magazines, on television, at the mall and at networking events wearing scarves (every imaginable pattern, texture and size), I thought maybe I misplaced my invitation to a this very important group.

Many said they rarely wore scarves and if they did make the decision to venture into the scarf world they would be unsure about how to wear a scarf and what to wear it with. Of course, this got me thinking even more about scarves and how I could help the non “scarf people” of the world become bonafide members of this wonderfully fashionable group (if they so choose to).

Jessica Alba has a nice selection of scarves

Color, texture and size concerns

When choosing your scarf, shawl or wrap, you will first have to decide on color, pattern or both.

I like to use scarves to add color to an outfit. Maybe not be the only color in the outfit but an accent that works nicely with the rest everything else. You don’t want the scarf to be so bold it screams out “look at me and my scarf” but you want it to stand out a bit. Conversely, if you are wearing a very colorful outfit, you probably want to choose a more subdued or neutral color for your scarf.

Patterns can create texture as much as actual texture that you can feel does. When choosing either a pattern or texture for your scarf, always hold it up to your face (or better yet, put it on), look in a mirror and see what pops out at you, literally. If the first thing you see is your scarf and its glorious texture, then the scarf is wearing you rather that you wearing the scarf. Put the scarf back on the display or back in your closet and try something else (this holds true for color as well).

The size (either thickness or length) of the scarf is very important too. Long, thick wool or knit scarves can be great for cold winter days, but because they add bulk, be careful that you do not bury yourself in them. If there is too much fabric, you can look like you are being choked or swallowed by your scarf.

Generally, the smaller you are the less bulk you can wear. This statement of course depends on many factors, but as a general rule, if you are petite and have a 3 foot long knit scarf wrapped around your neck, you will probably look as it it is eating you alive.

Silk, pashmina, cashmere, rayon, cotton and other thinner fabric scarves are great for any season. They are have a soft appearance, come is hundreds if not thousands of colors and patterns, and are very versatile. These scarves are great choices for both work and evening and generally do not add bulk unless they are quite long.

How to wear your scarf

Now that you have some ideas about color, texture, pattern and size, the question of how to wear the scarf remains. Should you tie it, fling it over one shoulder, let it hang, what? Well all three options are correct and depends what mood y0u are in and what your outfit looks like. For work, a more refined look may be in order. A nice silk scarf tied and worn in the front or to one side would compliment just about any blouse either with or without a jacket. Click here for the most extensive guide I have found about “how to tie a scarf”

Alexander McQueen Silk Scarf Tied in Front

For casual wear, scarves can be worn in many different ways and with nearly every outfit.

Three different ways to wear a scarf with a casual outfit

Shawls and wraps are another terrific way to add color, texture and an extra layer of interest to your outfit.

This Tartan shawl looks fantastic on Supermodel Agyness Deyn

So there you have it. Hopefully you now have the knowledge needed to become a “scarf person” or if you were already one, you have now have a little more information about how to make your outfits look terrific by adding a scarf. Click here for the most extensive guide I have found about “how to tie a scarf”

If you have question about which scarf to wear with which outfit, or any other question, please post it and I will be very excited to answer.

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