Curves and Stripes Don't Mix!

Nothing divides fashion opinion quite like stripes!

Every year without fail, usually around Spring time, stripes make a return to the fashion scene. The breton striped top is often hailed as a wardrobe classic.......
Some fashion writers insist that anyone can look good in stripes, whilst others advise extreme caution and avoidance, especially if you are a little more 'well built'.....

My view?  It really does depend on your personal body shape. Balance and harmony are what are important in great personal style, so if your figure is quite straight shaped, you will look fabulous in lines which are straight too. Vertical stripes will suit you if your figure is 'oblong', with a relatively undefined waist and square shoulders.

But if you have a curvy shape, and especially if you are full busted, vertical stripes can look distorted over your curves - particularly wider ones. It's a bit like trying to draw a straight line on a balloon! The angular lines of a stripe are less flattering for a curvy shape in any case - you will look better in flowing curving patterns which harmonise with you. If you desperately want to wear a striped pattern, try a chevron pattern over the bust, or diagonal stripes instead!

The diagonal lines draw the eye inwards, visually narrowing your figure.

Do horizontal stripes make you look wider? Yes, some do. A lot depends of the width of the stripe. Bold broad stripes definitely visually increase your width, but narrow stripes can look good..... 

Regular stripes of all the same size also tend to be more 'widening', especially if they are more than 1 cm in thickness.  Of course there is a huge variety of striped patterns around , with all sorts of different widths and colours to choose from - just remember that strong contrast draws the eye, so don't put bright colours or big stripes across a part of your body that you'd prefer people not to focus on! 

There will be a style of stripe to suit your shape - the trick is understanding what works best for you.

If you'd like some help to discover the styles which really look fabulous on you, then do please give me a call!

Best Wishes

Cass

A great tip to make your legs look longer...

Most of us would love to have long legs to help us look taller and slimmer but we don't always get what we want....
In which case, knowing a few tricks to help us improve our image is always a great help.
If, like me, you wish you had legs that go up to your armpits, instead of the rather short legs Mother Nature dished out on the day, here's a clever little style idea to give the illusion of having longer legs....!

Choose a top with three-quarter sleeves. 

For some 'optical illusory' reason, the shorter sleeve length has the effect of visually lengthening your legs.  (Fabulous outfit above from www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk)

Try the effect for yourself - wearing a long sleeved top, leave one sleeve to wrist-length on one side, and then pull up the other sleeve to about mid-forearm length on the other side. Have a look in a full length mirror and you will see that somehow, on the side with the shorter sleeve length, that leg looks longer!

A higher heeled shoe always helps to extend the look of your legs of course, but choosing the right style is important.
To visually lengthen the look of your legs the best choice is to wear a shoe with a low 'vamp' and a mid-higher heel  (3" plus).

What's a vamp? The point at which your shoes cover your toes or the front of your foot, so a low vamp means something like this (left)

Also, if your legs are a bit on the short side, don't choose a shoe or sandal with ankle straps - it will make your legs look even shorter.
The same goes for shoes which cover the front of your feet - shoe-boot styles or brogues. If your legs tend to the shorter side, these will just take length away from them visually, and are best avoided.

If you'd like some help to make the most of your figure, then please do get in touch!
Best wishes
Cass 





      

Keep Your Legs Looking Professional

It can be very tempting, when we come back from a fabulous holiday abroad and have a great suntan, to go without tights.
It's wonderful to be able to show off a pair of bronzed bare legs but this look really is best kept for your casual wear - don't do it when you are dressing for business!

It's especially important to wear hosiery if you work in a fairly formal environment and need to wear a suit or similar business-like attire.

Bare legs can just look tacky with business wear - especially if your skirt is around knee length. It doesn't matter if you have got a terrific tan, you won't look professional without stockings or tights.
Nor will your your smart business shoes benefit from having bare feet in them all day - from the perspective of either freshness or shape.........! 
Whilst a tan definitely helps to mask any imperfections in your legs, hosiery does an even better job of concealing any aspects - thread veins, uneven skin tone or rough skin, or knobbly knees - that are less than ideal, and keeps those legs looking well-groomed.
Sheer glossy hosiery in a nude shade works wonders, so keep your working look polished and sophisticated, and leave the bare legs and strappy sandals for casual or social outfits.

For a professional look, a closed toe to your shoe will always look best. A small peep toe can work but the shoe should otherwise be fairly conservative. A simple court style is classic and timeless. If you want a little more excitement, try a patterned or colourful court!

Kick Ass Court Snake Leather Shoes from www.office.co.uk

If you'd like any help with your image, then do get in touch!
Best wishes
Cass