SHOPPING WITH PURPOSE
Because let’s face the music . . . it’s just not going to look the same on me as it does on the 5’10”, 98 lb model. Nothing ever will — it’s why they chose her to model it. But that’s ok! We’re trying to create an illusion here, and clothes are the makeup. Accentuating the positive is the key.
My bureau drawers are bursting open, my closet’s collapsing in on itself like a dying star, and yet I still hate all my clothes and feel like I don’t have anything to wear. At 43 years old, I have finally realized my failing: I have been shopping aimlessly, with little regard to playing to my strengths.
Ultimately, this has been a gigantic waste of money.
Wouldn’t it be better to invest in quality foundation pieces that can be used interchangeably? STOP WASTING MONEY! I have spent decades living with an overflowing wardrobe that provided very few outfit options. This was a result of an oversupply of fashion, wild shopping sprees, and ignorance — or rather, a lack of education. It’s time to stop that nonsense. It’s time to stop buying and start CURATING.
Body Type: Hourglass leaning towards Rectangle
Best Colors: Green, White, Red, Gold, Jewel
Worst Colors: Pastel
Skin Undertone: Warm
Bra: 32dd
Waist: 29”
Inseam: 30.5”
Blouse: 6/M
Pants: 29”/8
Dress: 6/8
Blazer: 8
Shoes: 8
Ring: 4.5
Glove: 7
Shoulder Span: 16”
Bust Span: 12”
Waist Span: 10”
Hip Span: 16”
Strengths: Dramatic shoulders, sizable bust, hourglass figure, long legs, toned arms. Can hide weight gain or loss very well, particularly gain. As I gain weight, my upper body will appear disproportionately larger without a corresponding growth of weight and hips.
Weaknesses: Short torso, belly, bad skin.
Goal: Maximizing waistline, accentuating bust OR legs, but not both. You are naturally balanced, so you must balance the top and bottom accordingly, ie, if you wear flared pants, wear a top with body or texture, or a turtleneck with stripes. This will also help balance out your belly.
How to Play to the Strengths: Short skirts will enhance legs, turtlenecks or low or V-cut everything will enhance bust. A-line skirts, dark skinny belts to create waist; because you are short waisted, you must wear only dark skinny belts; and because you are big-busted, you can place the belt a little below natural waistline to lengthen body. Skinny jeans, flares worn with heels, boot cut, trouser fit, sailor pant, wide leg, floor grazing to extend leg. Ankle pants. Sorry, I know you love your mesh bras, and you can keep a few of them, but mostly you’re going to need push-ups to enhance and flaunt under V-necks. Invest in some boob tape. Use best colors to provide pops of accent and signature style by following the Rule of Thirds — your pants are fabulous, your top is fabulous, and you have one additional fabulous accessory (not counting shoes.) If those accessories are always red, or jewel, or gold, you will create a signature style that complements itself.
How to Minimize the Weaknesses: Wear long necklaces, minimum of 20 inches, (matinee, opera, or rope) to lengthen torso. Minimize shoulder lines by avoiding structured tops, embellishments around the shoulder and bust, and top-heavy silhouettes; no boatnecks. Add a thin belt to create a waistline. Avoid all over volume; ie, if wearing wide pants, opt for a form fitting top, and vice versa. No wide necklines or shoulder pads.
STICK WITH NEUTRALS
Animal prints and classic prints like plaid pair effortlessly with any neutral. Other neutral colors include: navy, taupe, camel, mocha, khaki, olive, and army.
These are the colors you wear best! Notice how many of them are a variation or complementary to the neutrals, ie, “Chocolate” is close to Deep Autumn’s deep brown, and “Syrup” is close to the Deep Autumn’s deep orange.
The Kibbe System — Ying & Yang
Yang shapes angular and sharp. Yang types of beauty are bolder and more striking. The three yang essences are dramatic, gamine and natural. Yang shapes are large, straight and have sharper edges. Yang clothing tends to be stiff and heavy to achieve the required straightness, and yang colors are darker and brighter, as these essences are striking.
Yin shapes are rounder and softer. Yin types of beauty are gentle and delicate. The three yin essences are romantic, ingenue and angelic. Yin shapes are small and round. Yin clothing is flowing, draped and lightweight to achieve movement, and yin colors are lighter and softer, as these essences are gentler.
YOUR ESSENCE IS A BALANCED BRAND OF BEAUTY.
The middle of the spectrum represents a balance between yin and yang. In the classic essence, yin and yang are blended evenly. Consequently, shapes are neither very sharp nor very rounded, which results in the most understated type of beauty. This is the only type of beauty that shines through the absence of sentiment. It’s neither striking nor gentle; classic clothing is simple and timeless.
Classic Essence
The classic style essence is a balanced essence. It's the only essence that is an even blend between yin and yang. The classic silhouette is slightly fitted and is neither too long nor too short. The result is an understated look, and timeless designs are characteristic of classic clothing. The classic style essence creates a formal, elegant image. Individuals with this style essence create an overall visual impression of formality, elegance, and conservatism. Classics and their clothing styles can be associated with the themes of aristocracy, conservatism and timelessness. Sculptures best sum up this style essence.
The classic style essence is a blend of yin and yang. And the result is physical features that are so evenly blended and symmetrical that individuals with the classic style essence almost appear 'flawless.' What this means is that there is not one physical feature that seems exaggerated, prominent, irregular, or out of place.
Consequently, a Classic's features are neither very angular and sharp nor very round and soft, but sit perfectly balanced between the two extremes. The same applies to their bodies, which tend to be neither very narrow and straight nor very curvy and rounded.
Classics are often of average height (neither extremely tall nor very petite). Height is not a characteristic aspect of this style essence, it is their symmetry that leads the way.
The look of a Classic tends to be aristocratic and timeless. They are seemingly more elegant and formal compared to others. Trends is not something the classic style essence seeks out. Take a look at the following ladies and note how their features communicate timeless elegance and class.
The best garments for any style essence are those that mimic and repeat that essence's natural lines, shapes, and themes.
For the classic style essence that means following the balanced, symmetrical lines of individuals with this style essence. And the themes that this essence communicates are timeless elegance and formality.
To achieve this look in clothing, Classics look best when they incorporate the following style principles into their wardrobes:
Timeless Designs
The classic style essence does not follow trends. It's a conservative essence that thrives on styles that have stood the test of time and are just as elegant now as they were decades ago.
Since the classic style essence is an even blend between yin and yang, the best clothing shapes for this essence are those that blend yin and yang shapes in a similar manner. The best example of this is the skirt suit - a blend between the yang suit and the yin skirt. Similarly, dresses, coats etc. look best when they are long (yang) but have a fitted waist (yin).
Neutral Colours
There is nothing unconventional or unexpected about the classic style essence. On the contrary, this essence exudes an understated elegance and therefore looks best in neutral, basic colours that don't distract from the Classic's physical features.
Minimal Detail
In the same vein, classic designs are simple with as little detail as possible that would distract from the Classic's symmetry. Extravagant collars, extra buttons and pockets are not something the classic style essence requires. The plainer, the better.
Timeless Patterns
Although the classic style essence looks best in plain outfits, patterns are wearable as long as they are subdued and not attention-seeking. Timeless patterns such as houndstooth or even cable knits can work on this style essence.
Premium Materials
To complement the elegant designs of the classic styles, premium fabrics are a must. Textures and materials should convey luxury and quality. The colors, shades, and tones may be subtle, but by bringing in texture and some pattern to your choices, you’ll be anything but boring. Consider materials that have texture, such as tweed, sherpa, corduroy, suede, and leather.
When considering how to wear neutral colors, remember that you don’t have to stick with just solid fabrics . . . but pretty much just on the bottom. Think about using an animal print like leopard or snake, muted stripes, houndstooth, camo print, or even a subtle floral.
SAY THIS AND THEN REPEAT: “MY INSTINCTS ARE RIGHT ON.”
Before you had anything more than just an academic idea of ‘body shape’ or ‘color palettes’, you knew you looked best in a wrap dress. You knew you were short waisted. You knew a wide belt didn’t work on you, no matter how you wanted it to. You knew pastels looked horrible on you, you knew a trench looked good, and you knew Potato Salad Yellow was definitely your color. There exists no manifesto for Kristin Suter. You are not a perfect hourglass . . . and you’re not a perfect rectangle. Elements of both styles look good on you. The science behind creating the illusion may make the shopping easier to understand, but don’t ever forget:
YOU HAVE THE INTUITION ALREADY.
-
Turtlenecks suit you, but only in dark neutral solids or stripes. Quit the crewnecks ENTIRELY — you don’t admire Jackie O, you’re not shaped like her, and that neckline was built for her tiny bust. Peplum shirts with a nipped waist would be cute, if you dare to wear it — it’s never been your style. Only wear thin gauge sweaters unless you’re wearing a short skirt, where the heavy sweater would balance the legs. Opt for darker colors on top. All blouses should be form fitting and hit at high hip or lower to lengthen body.
-
Monochromatic dressing with maxi skirts will create the illusion of length and make you look taller. With the exception of pencil skirts, dresses and skirts should always flare from hips to promote the illusion of a wasp waist, ie, fit and flare, circle skirts, skater skirts —OR — hug curves and then flare out, like a trumpet or mermaid. Accentuate anything loose with a skinny belt or sash — never use a wide one, it will shorten your body. The belting is why wrap dresses and utility dresses always look good on you, also why jumpsuits look good on you.
Special Note on PENCIL SKIRTS: Choose a pencil skirt with a gentle taper to follow and highlight the hips. Wide and embellished waistbands are perfect to accentuate your waist, making sure the band hits at waist level will also help achieve this. Choose a medium weight fabric, which may help to accent your curves. Avoid pockets if they make your hips look too bulky, although piping around the waistband can be a simple and classic embellishment. The higher waistline will accentuate the bustline, bringing the eyes to that level, whereas lower waistbands will draw the eye away. Opt for a skirt that hits above the knee, at knee, or mid-calf.
Link to the most perfect example of your ideal pencil skirt:
D&G Pencil Skirt w/Logo Detail
-
Item description
-
Item description
-
Item description
-
Item description