“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

 I know what many of you are thinking… Orange… not ORANGE! I’ve found from working with many women that you either LOVE or HATE the color orange. Last summer I wrote about my journey with orange. The past year we have seen orange re-surface and we saw all sorts of shades. Personally, I’m partial to a softer coral rather than an overpowering fluorescent shade. But, I have to say that even the brighter shades are growing on me. I get so many comments when I wear orange.

Hands down, the biggest fear women have with orange is “it doesn’t look good around my face.”

I realize I cannot do an extensive color analysis with every person I meet when I am in a retail setting. However, I am often surprised at how quickly I can get an idea from carefully noting hair color, skin tone and eye color. Many women have warm colors in their eyes they have never noticed until I point it out. The trends in hair colors and highlights are definitely warm. Bottom line: Many of you will look great in the color orange.

Still skeptical? Here are some ways to work in tangerine tango into your wardrobe.

1. Start with very muted shades that do not overpower or separates with just a touch of orange.

2. If you have very fair skin, blue eyes, pink tones in your skin AND you are just scared of orange, start with a pinkish coral shade instead.

3. Add in orange with some accessories: handbags, shoes, a bracelet or even a little orange in multi-colored scarf.

4. Wear orange as a layering piece only

Are you getting tired or your winter clothes and need something to brighten your mood. Orange is the answer. Layer it under any neutral!

Caslon                                        Sanctuary                                  Bobeau

            Velvet Heart                                                                     Not Your Daughter’s Jeans

Nic and Zoe                              Trouve                                        Halogen

All photos from Nordstrom.com. Search the brand name for these styles and many more.

What do you think? Will you give orange a chance?

It’s been a little quiet in the comment area here. I thought this post might just get you all going again.

For years my friends have always pointed out my ability to be “put together” at times–even in a casual situation. They think I do everything perfectly ALL the time. While some of these same women have also seen me without makeup, doing yard work, and working out, the situations that stand out in their mind are those times when I’m dressed up and “perfectly coordinated” as they would say. Some apologize for what they are wearing and how they look when they see me. To my friends who think I can do no wrong…This one’s for you!

It’s time for true confessions. I’m sharing a situation which was not exactly my finest stylist moment.

Several weeks ago on my day off I met a client to offer some quick advice. We talked briefly in a store and she sought my opinion on some things she had recently purchased. She recommended a store that had recently opened in this shopping center called Hot Mama. It’s a boutique for the stylish ”mom on the go” but certainly not limited to moms. I enjoyed looking and talking with the store manager and a sales associate as I browsed. We talked about brands, my stylist job, this new store and other fashionable topics. It’s a great store and I encourage you to check it out if you have one in your area.

They were very complimentary of my style and what I wore that day. I know from working retail that this is often a conversation starter when a customer comes in. However, it didn’t feel like a tactic–it felt genuine to me. I walked out of that store feeling pretty darn good. Nothing like a few compliments to put a little pep in your step.

I decided to run in Starbucks before my 40 minute drive home. In addition to my latte, they talked me into a free mini cupcake. Who could resist?

I stood in line for a few minutes, then waited patiently at the counter for my drink and briskly walked to my car. Just as I was stuffing that cupcake in my mouth, a woman waved at me to roll down my window. My first thought was I had dropped something in the store OR there was something wrong with my car. But no, she wanted to tell me that I had left the “size sticker” on my pants!! As I reached to feel, I sheepishly thanked her and was SO thankful I was in an area where I didn’t know a soul. I felt ridiculous for having walked around the last hour with a tag on my pants. I’m sure the ladies at Hot Mama laughed after I walked out the door.

Then I wondered how obvious it really was. The pants were VERY dark as was the tag. My sweater was quite long plus I had on boots. Truly not much of that sticker could have been in plain sight. Evidently the white numbers caught the light in Starbucks just right, or that lady was checking me out head to toe!

Now, I’m even going to admit that this was NOT the first time this has happened. Years ago I was at a convention with a new pair of pants and did the same thing. Luckily someone caught it before I was in a large crowd. Hopefully there will not be a third time!

Oh, it’s good to laugh. I thought you might enjoy knowing that I don’t get it right all the time.

Anyone else out there have a similar experience they are willing to share?

Do you ever put an outfit together and feel a real sense of accomplishment when someone comments on it? Then when you try to duplicate it or even remember what you did, you can’t come up with the exact same thing. Now some of that isn’t all bad–I believe in change. HOWEVER, when you are in a hurry to get out the door having a photo reference can be a huge time saver when you are getting ready to go. That is worth a lot.

These photos do not have to be top notch quality. They are only for reference.

The camera on my Smart Phone is better than other phones I’ve had in the past. I could have a handy log right in the files on my phone. Yes, I forget things too. Part of me loves the challenge of changing it up, but honestly there are times when I just want the photo reference.

Take a quick photo of yourself in the mirror OR lay out the outfit with accessories AFTER you arrive home and snap a photo. You might recall a post in which I shared the photos I had taken in the mirror. One of my friends who is a faithful reader told me “Karen, you really need to get a tripod and remote control. Then you can just stand there and push the button. You don’t have to worry about anyone being home to snap the photo or stand in front of the mirror.” She of course is right. I’ll get there.

Remember, don’t worry about how you look in the photo. Their purpose is to jog your memory of clothes and accessories. Many women actually develop the photos and have them in their closet or on their dresser to refer to. Others keep them on their computer. I don’t recommend that method because it really defeats part of the purpose–saving time. If you have to run and look at your computer, it slows down the process, but whatever works for you.

Here are a few I’ve taken recently. I knew there was a way I could still use those photos of summer dresses! Sometimes you don’t even need the full length pose because you simply want to remember the accessories and other times you may want to show shoes.

I hope you will consider making a Look Book. I would be happy to help you put new looks together for you book. Let me know if I can help as you get out those fall clothes!

Recently a client e-mailed me an acronym taken from Stacey and Clinton on TLC’s What Not to Wear. (Yes, I glean tips from clients frequently and am very grateful!)

I talk about all of these things. I’ve never put them into an acronym.

When shopping, consider these points.

B: Body appropriate I have written several posts on body types. It’s always good to review!

A: Age appropriate I find this to be a “hang-up” for too many women. It definitely needs to be considered, but do not become obsessed. It is one of the top 5 questions clients ask me. Is this too young for me? I’m not condoning you clone your twenty year old daughter. I believe your natural instincts will come into play here. Sixty year old women can wear certain trends–just depends what you put with it. I actually find that many women go the opposite extreme and dress older because they’re so worried about the “too young” factor.

S: Situation appropriate  Need I say more?

E: Expense appropriate  CPW (cost per wear) When making a decision, take into consideration the wear you will receive from the item AND what you currently have in your closet that you can coordinate with the new piece.

Now for a couple more In Style 50 Best Fashion Tips that fit so well with BASE:

Style Tip #11 Make a list before you shop. Don’t write what you WANT to buy, instead list the 10 favorite things in your closet. Try to look for other pieces to give your faves new life or help you duplicate a look you love.

I’m going to take this tip just a little further and give it a Style by Karen twist. ALWAYS have an ongoing shopping list in your closet. Go ahead and list those pieces you love. Also list thinking like this….If only I had_____to go with______the outfit would look better. 

Then write down anything that you see as a gap. If a certain layering piece is always in the laundry, you probably need another one. Force yourself to think–what other color will go with this besides  black or white!

And now even more on that age topic:

Style Tip #48 Dress for your body, not your age…Arms svelte enough for a sleeveless sheath?Legs tones enough for shorts? Show off what you’ve got, while you’ve still got it!

What do you think? Will BASE be helpful to remember when you shop?

As mentioned previously, a main concern for many women is the comfort level when having to wear shape wear all day. Another concern is the heat. If you live in a warm/humid climate, suffer from hot flashes or have any sensory issues, the fabric from SPANX and other shapers can be VERY uncomfortable. I live in a cooler part of the country. Just days ago we hit over 90 for the first time this year. Even though that is unseasonably cool, I do not have to endure weeks of 100+ degrees.

Breathable, comfortable fabric is key. SPANX has two lines: Simplicity and Skinny Britches that might be a better match for you because of the fabric. The fabrics here are more in line with another shaper I discovered two years ago by DKNY. Unfortunately it has been discontinued, but I mention it because it was cooler.

I found the SPANX site to be more helpful than going to a store site because there is much more choice. They rate the support of each garment: Medium, Super or Super Duper. They recognize that each woman is looking for a different option based on the situation and body type. You’ll find the shapewear guide to be very helpful.

If you need to smooth your backside and tummy, consider two of the lighter weight pieces–much easier to get into! A slip is also a great option if you wear many dresses and skirts.

As I mentioned in Part 1, Yummie Tummie was a great find for me several years ago. Their revolutionary concept encourages the combination of shape wear and clothing that can be worn every day. I’m generalizing a bit because I have not tried every Yummie Tummie garment,  but overall I’d say the support level is in the Light-Medium category. For some women, this is all they need. In fact, I often explain that just one light weight layer in a cami or tank under a top can smooth out a slight muffin top. No shaper is needed-just another layer.

Dislike websites or going to the store? Check out Essential Bodywear and locate a representative near you. They know their stuff when it comes to proper fit and their products are amazing. I highly recommend them! You can even have your own party to help your friends improve their look. Let’s get rid of that staggering statistic that 85% of women are wearing the wrong  bra!

To Summarize Part 1 and 2 on Bras and Shape wear:

1. Have a bra fitting one time a year (more often if you have lost or gained weight) and do NOT put it off! The proper bra will lift the “girls” to show off the smallest measurement on most women’s bodies (directly under the bust) If your chest and upper middle mesh together it is not a good look. When you get the proper lift, immediately it will visually take off the pounds.

In addition, the right fitting bra eliminates “ripples” in the back a.k.a. BACK FAT. The Spanx Bra-llelujah  is one choice that helps smooth the back. When you click on that link, you will see a short video which tells you everything you need to know about bra fitting. WATCH IT!

 Soma Vanishing Edge is another option and they are also known for the Cami bra!

2. Seek out shaper options that will work for you (or ask your favorite stylist for help) and do not give up after trying just one! The sales associates in the lingerie department can be helpful or clueless. If you don’t get the info you need the first time around, try another store or come back. You will be surprised to know that many of the associates wear shapers–even the really thin women. I know because I’ve asked!

The key is just that–ask questions. Find out what the best sellers are (I’ve only mentioned 2-3 brands) and what most women prefer. Tell her what you are looking for in a shaper and what you dislike. Once again, I need to compliment Nordstrom for their excellent customer service in this area. Time and time again they have been helpful and knowledgeable. They have helped my clients feel comfortable while listening to their needs.

I’d love to hear what you think!

I see lots of lumps and bumps. I have them too. We could call these “situations”. Let’s talk shapewear. In general, I feel it is fair to say that a certain percentage of women are against support garments or they have misconceptions about them. Ladies, this is not your mother’s girdle! Every week I meet women at the boutique where I work who complain about that little area above the waistband of their jeans. Women think that if they lose a little more weight, or work out a little more it will all go away. It might and then again it might NOT.

I’m convinced that the term “muffin top” came about with low rise jeans. I recall the first time I heard it. I stopped “dead in my tracks” because it described perfectly what I was experiencing around the middle. It wasn’t a pretty picture! When my clients complain about a muffin top I am honest about the 3 options they have.

1. Wear a support garment/shaper.

2. Wear a mid-to high rise jeans which help “reign in” that excess weight. (I am NOT talking “Mom” jeans. Let me clarify that Mom jeans were high waisted, pleated, and tapered.

3. Plastic Surgery

The last suggestion usually gets a laugh and I say it for that reason. #1 and #2 are reasonable and affordable.

SPANX, created by Sara Blakely, have become a household word. Sara created SPANX  by simply cutting off the feet of a pair of pantyhose. She wanted the smooth look created by hosiery, but did not want the “feet” when wearing her strappy heels with pants. Now, a decade later, Sara has expanded the line and had made millions with this novel idea. If you’ve never read Sara’s story, do so; it’s inspiring!

I recall the first time I saw the SPANX concept on a mini TV  in the hosiery department of Nordstrom nearly a decade ago. I was intrigued. At the time, another passing customer remarked that she did NOT need any such thing. After she left, the sales associate and I chuckled together at her rash statement. Back then I was just beginning to struggle a little with some excess middle weight. I was seeking out all the options to smooth those lumps and bumps.

One of the reasons SPANX were created was to reduce VPL (visible panty lines) I’m going to be blunt here. As much as women think that thong underwear is the way to go, you can still see the outline through some outfits. Sorry, but it is just not a good look.

I first began wearing Spanx for that reason–smoothing AND reducing VPL. Years later they came out with the “Higher Power” version which helped my upper middle. Spanx work for me in many situations. Take a look at this video and you’ll see that I’m not alone! Watch it all–highly educational and entertaining!

I do NOT wear SPANX seven days a week. I’m also fully aware that there are drawbacks. Comfort is the top concern followed closely by the fact that they simply are too warm for some women and in some climates!

If you carry your weight in your middle, but do not feel like you need the support in your thighs/hips, let me suggest these options.

I first discovered Yummie Tummie in a magazine several years ago. The top part works like a camisole. The middle is a panel that smooths and “sucks”, the bottom piece is like a tee so when layered, it can hang below another top. Yummie Tummie has come a long way since I discovered them. Oh the choices!

Next, Spanx has several top half options that could do the trick.

The first shown may be a little difficult to wear with certain sleeveless or low cut back tops, but it will work with many garments. The 2nd photo shows an example of Spanx APPAREL, thus alleviating another layer. This one in particular works on shaping the upper arms. Check out the SPANX website for many more options.

Last year I discovered a shaper by TC FINE, available at Nordstrom. Women complain that tank shapers squash the chest. This is the ticket if you’re worried about that. In addition one of my clients who was a nursing mom pointed out the benefits of this style!

I prefer the shaper in View #1,yet it limits you when it comes to some sleeveless tops. I tried the shaper in View #2 and it just wasn’t that comfortable for me. I’m still on the hunt for something to go under certain tops that gives the same support maximum support.

 Next up: Part 2 on Shapers I’ll discuss smoothing the bottom half, cooler options if you live in heat/humidty and the support level of popular shapers.

Subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a post. Check out All Things Chic to find out what is hot for fall!

Over to you. What do you think? If you’ve written off shapewear, are you willing to give it another try? Questions? Jot me a note so I can address it in Part 2.

An article that caught my eye was entitled, 50 Best Fashion Tips of All Time. I thought it would be fun to start a new short series to take the place of  my, “Things I Love..” and feature a TOP ALL TIME TIP once a week. Not to worry, I’m not covering all 50 simply because I don’t feel that passionate about ALL 50.

I tried to find the article online for you to skim, but it doesn’t appear to be available. It seems that other fashion bloggers had the same idea when I did my search. There were many versions all In Style inspired.

It won’t surprise you that I chose to start with accessories. I’ve talked about adding color in several posts the last year.

My First All Time Top Tip: ACCESSORIZE IN BRIGHTS

Many women feel more comfortable in neutrals. They feel very conspicuous in bright colors and don’t want to stand out. I understand. Add your color with accessories. Add the color with 1-3 accessories but I would not add more than 3 pops of color. I like keeping some accessories neutral. For example choose shoes and a handbag in two different complementary colors. Start with a darker color that might appear to be a little more safe, yet still catch a little attention. Dark green, purple or burgundy might be a good choice. This is a good stepping stone before adding yellow or bright red.

I like to add color with jewelry, but for this post I kept it to handbags and shoes.

Hobo International                                Seychelles (love the texture!)

Indigo Elise Cully                                         Rockport Sasha

These selections came from Online Shoes which has a special promo going on right now: 20% off $80 purchase. Use the code 1Joy. I had fun searching their new arrivals. I sure am not ready for fall, but it is fun to look.
Onlineshoes.com

Have fun adding some color. What will it be for you Shoes, Handbags or Jewelry?

Every week I have women come in to the boutique where I’m employed and say that their closets are full of black clothes. They would like more variety. I am generalizing a bit here, but it seems that as women age the less they like black. Typically they have worn black for years and are just plain tired of it. They feel it does not flatter them as the years go by.

Yet the stores are full of black and bright white. I know from recent buying trips with the store that black still dominates out there in the designer world. Sometimes it seems that the only option is BLACK!

I learned a great deal about how to wear black and choosing the right white during the color portion of my stylist training. It gave me a whole new viewpoint on color. As I continue to read info from other stylists, many are right there with me.

It simply isn’t an option to rule out black and white from your closet all together. It IS an option to be careful in how you wear them. Here are some simple rules I follow. I think these are good rules whether you are 20 or 60. When judging colors, keep in mind that your hair, skin and eyes will be the basis for what you choose.

1. Look for more clothing options in a dark charcoal rather than jet black which is not quite as harsh. It also adds more interest and variety. A very dark brown-what I would call espresso is another great alternative.

2. Add color with layering pieces and accessories when wearing black–especially around the face. Scarves and jewelry make a huge difference and help brighten up black.

3. If you are just not a bright color person and prefer neutrals, creme or khaki work well to soften black.

Now let’s get to WHITE courtesy of  Wardrobe 911. It is the best article I’ve seen on this topic. My purpose in referring you here is not to send you into a panic about the whites already in your closet. It takes a while to find the best white for you and to see the difference. My goal is to simply get you thinking about the whites you choose to wear.

There is going to be a certain percentage of readers who do not agree with this information because they love their bright whites. I get that. I’m also fully aware that there are certain people who look great in the bright whites. Like so many things, it’s a transition. I’m still getting there myself. I didn’t want to give up my black jackets/coats and my white shirts. Now I’ve leaned how to pair them with other things so they can remain in my closet. There are times when I find something that is such a great fit and my only color option? BLACK. I’ve learned to work with it.

If the whites you own or continue to find are just a little too harsh, you can also follow Rules #2 that I listed for black. Have more questions? Please contact me directly and I’ll be happy to help you.

Would love to hear from you. Black? White? What do you do to get it right?

PHOTO CREDIT: White House Black Market

I contacted Angie of  You Look Fab to give some advice. I began reading YLF just before I started my blog. Angie has a wonderful sense of style and a tremendous following of readers and clients world wide. I love reading her daily posts. While we have very different shapes and are drawn to different styles, stylists often see eye to eye on the same topics. This is one of them!

Out in the “blog world”, everyone is so generous with sharing links and posts. I’m grateful for Angie’s willingness to be interviewed. I know you will appreciate her expertise. Below you will see Angie on a sunny spring day (RARE!) in Seattle. She allowed me to use these beautiful pictures to show great examples of how to wear a straight leg jean. THANK YOU Angie for sharing your wisdom! This is a much longer post than usual (more like a magazine article) but I think you will find the information very helpful.

K: Style by Karen readers/clients know that I’m a stickler about boot-cut jean and pants being a half inch from the floor. It’s amazing what it does to extend the leg line. We’ve all seen that skinny jeans “scrunched” and paired with heels or hemmed to wear with flats work well– they are supposed to be shorter.

However, a fair number of women prefer a straight cut jean over a skinny. Some straight cuts just don’t fit well over a shoe. I have one pair that works well, another does not. What do you think of rolling up the straight cut jeans to ankle length?  

A: Straight cut jeans can function like skinnies for women who prefer a little less tapering at the end of their denim hems. The correct length depends entirely on you and the type of footwear you like to wear with the silhouette. If the hems of straight legs fit over your shoes, by all means wear them a little longer, covering a part of the back of the shoe. I like a bit of scrunch in front! But you can also wear them an inch or so below the anklebone sans scrunching, exposing the entire shoe. I am not a fan of rolling up straight leg jeans to ankle length because the cuff cuts off the leg line horizontally. That being said, a naturally long leg line and/or a pair of heels greatly improve the rolled jeans silhouette.

I like to see straight leg denim hems finish a little past the back of the shoes from the side, thereby still showcasing most of the heel but covering part of the back before the heel starts. (see Angie’s photos above) As I mentioned, I am not a fan of rolled jeans. It’s not an impossible look to get right, but it is tricky. So stick to what is flop proof unless you’re prepared to do a lot of experimentation. 

Here are some great examples of straight leg jeans with a high heel, then myself in a low heel. I dug this one of the archives and did a close-up to show how these are scrunched in the front and fit over the shoe in the back–one of my favorite pairs of jeans from Kut from the Kloth.

K: Moving on to the cropped pants. Why are pants that hit mid-calf so unflattering? 

A: Wide hemmed mid-calf trousers and jeans are unflattering because they visually shorten the leg line. If creating a longer leg line is not a figure flattering priority, than this won’t matter to you. But most of us prefer the visual impact of a longer leg line. I certainly do!

Tapered mid-calf trousers and jeans are fine when you wear them with heels because the tight silhouette becomes part of your leg and there is less of a horizontally cutting effect. Very few of us can wear tapered mid calf trousers with flats because the look requires super long gams.

K: Now we see cropped jeans rolled to a length anywhere from a few inches above the ankle to mid calf. Thoughts on this look?  

A: As long as the hems are tapered and you wear heels, you have a chance to look great in this look! It also helps when the rolled cuffs create a low colour contrast. Furthermore, creating a low colour contrast against your skin with both your trousers and footwear creates the illusion of longer legs.

Below you will see photos high color contrast and low color contrast. The dark wash jeans in the first photo naturally produce a high color contrast cuff, whereas the second photo shows low color contrast. If you aren’t seeing a difference, keep in mind that most of these models have super long legs. If you’ve been blessed with long legs you can get by with most anything. If you’re legs are short or you carry some weight in your legs, you need to be more careful.

 K: What suggestions would you give women on choosing the right ankle pant?

 A: The guidelines remain the same. Keep the hems very tapered, wear heels, and create a low colour contrast either with your pants and shoes, or with your shoes and your skin tone. If you’re like me, you’ll opt for extra ankle scrunch too.

 K: I love walking shorts that hit the knee or just below on other women, but on my legs (even with a high wedge) they look awful. I hem shorts to just above the knee if necessary. What do recommend for petite women when it comes to walking shorts?

 A: You have to find your sweet spot with Bermudas. For some women it’s above the knee, for others it’s on the knee or just below the knee. Sometimes tapered Bermudas look better than wider cuts – and again, find your sweet spot. Sounds like you found yours, Karen! Also, you can go longer on the length of Bermudas if you wear heels. Keeping the colour of your footwear low contrast against your skin tone helps lengthen a bare leg. That’s why nude shoes are all the rage.

Below you will see a variety of styles of Bermuda shorts and different choices in footwear. You be the judge; not everything shown on models is always the BEST look.

Photo Credits:  Nordstrom and Macy’s  (Macy’s is an affiliate link)  Check out their denim sections for lots of ideas!

It’s time to hear from you. What do you think? Will you be giving some more thought to the length of your pants/crops this spring and what you pair them with?

If you want more fashion advice and I bet some great Mother’s Day specials, hop over to Musings of  a Housewife to see more blog posts!

I probably see more references to body type than any other topic when I weed through magazines, fashion blogs and books. Frankly, it is a starting reference point that is necessary to help you find styles that flatter. What I hate to hear is when women get stuck on their body type and dwell on it. As I’ve mentioned many times, only 1% of women are completely happy with their bodies. Calling yourself an apple or pear is one of the reasons that statistic is accurate. Some blogs and companies have created more flattering names. Even when I did my stylist training, the body types were referred to as gemstones.

However, it doesn’t matter if the name SOUNDS nicer, fixating on your body type keeps women from embracing who they are. I’m ready to kick these terms to the curb! Let me explain.

First and foremost, the most important fact to know about finding the right styles for you is BALANCE. Ideally you want the shoulders and hips to be balanced and bring in the waist. This of course represents the typical hourglass shape we all strive to be. What surprises many women is how close they really are to being balanced.  In this series on body types, I’m going to teach you how to look at yourself in a little different way.

First, I encourage you to take TWO measurements. 1. circumference of your shoulders 2. circumference of your hips. If they are fairly balanced (just a couple inches apart) consider yourself fortunate.

Next, I also recommend you do a visual analysis. For example, my shoulders and hips are fairly balanced in measurement. HOWEVER, visually my shoulders appear larger. Part of this is because I have a larger chest and overall carry my weight from the waist up. If this visual analysis sounds like I’m bringing more negative aspects to the picture, keep in mind that so much can be done visually with clothing which will work to your advantage! Keep reading.

If your hips and shoulders are several inches apart, all is not lost! I’m going to give you some great ways to balance. And what about expanding middles? I have suggestions for that too. Are you short waisted? Long waisted? There are ways to work with all of these attributes.

Rather than dwell on the name of your shape, have you noticed that I often say, “I carry most of my weight in my torso.” 

Recently I spoke to a church women’s group. When speaking, I often use models from the audience, which is pre-arranged ahead of time. One of the volunteers I met and worked with described herself as the “former hourglass with more of the sand on the bottom than the top.” I LOVE this analogy. It told me she had accepted the changes in her body instead of saying,”I’m a pear!”

Women who carry most of their weight below the waist are actually quite hard on themselves. In some ways, I find them the easiest to balance. All the ruffles and embellishments on tops visually balance the hips because they add volume to the shoulders and bust. Fortunately those styles are everywhere. Styles like this create interest and bring the eye away from the hips.

All tops from Macy’s

I also love a 3/4 length jacket or cardigan which takes the emphasis away from the hips. Look at what a difference it can make with this client.

While shopping with another client last night, she saw first hand at what a STRAIGHT LEG pair of jeans and a long cardigan that draped over the hips perfectly can do to flatter her “pear” figure. It was amazing.

CABI has some great lightweight choices that are perfect for those who carry their weight below the waist. The first view, the “Got you Covered Jacket” is a favorite of mine. It is not a jacket, but more like a heavier blouse with a great fit. I’ve seen these clothes on this body type and others and they were flattering.

Also shown: Pintuck Vest, Dream Jacket, Shakespeare Tunic

Coming Next: What if you are a combination of body types?