Be the very model of 1960s chic in this stunning pintucked sweaterdress. We’re in love with the color, the cut, and the details: delicate pintucking on the front side and a cute ribbon bow.
Especially figure flattering on women with a small bustline.
$28 at Twelve by Twelve.
May 9th, 2008
Q: I need some suggestions for professional interview outfits for the spring and summer weather for an office job located in Washington DC. I am in my 30s and a little top heavy with thinner hips and legs.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Between Washington DC’s conservative dress code, and the weather, which can be pretty hot and humid, you’ve got to strike a balance between keeping covered and keeping cool. We recommend traditional suits in lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton.
To flatter your figure, which is a little top heavy with thinner hips and legs, you’re going to want to create a long, lean line with your torso for balance. Look for lightweight suits with a soft, natural shoulderline and a high armhole. The high armhole not only looks cleaner and fits better, but it also helps create the illusion of a longer torso. A low, single button stance is going to be the most figure flattering for the same reason.
Your thin hips and legs make it easy for you to find flattering trousers and skirts. Almost any pair of trouser pants will work for your figure. As for skirts, try a nice pencil skirt that hits at just below the knee. Not only does it work with Washington DC’s conservative dress code, but it’s also going to be one of the most flattering shapes for you.
As for jewelry, I would keep with the traditional, conservative look with simple pearls or gold bangle bracelet. Complete your outfit with a comfortable pump in a medium high heel.
To add some visual interest to your look, you could invest in a dark green leather briefcase for interviews or a handbag in a surprising color. Best of luck with your interviews!
Have a great tip about business formal interview attire for summer? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Wool Crepe One-Button Blazer ($225) and Wool Crepe Trouser ($130), both at J Crew. Flatiron Embossed Triangle Satchel ($238) at Banana Republic.
May 8th, 2008
Chill out with these cheerful, airy scarves–and bring a bit of that island vibe into your everyday wardrobe.
$19.50 at Gap.
May 8th, 2008
Q: I’m in a fashion plateau. I’m a college sophomore looking to expand my wardrobe. I find myself wearing a solid colored polo, cargo shorts and a pair of vans slip-ons or low athletic style sneakers every day. I would really like to try and diversify my wardrobe without ditching my polos. I want a more mature look but still a bit preppy.
Clockwise from top left: Patrik Ervell Linen Pink Check Buttondown ($264 at South Willard), Michael Bastian photo from The Sartorialist, Save Khaki Pants from GQ, Cardigan Sweatshirt ($157 at Oak).
A: You’re in luck–you don’t need to spend a lot in order to look more mature. In fact, you can often replicate a designer look at generic prices. To me, the spirit of “young but mature†rests in taking staples of a man’s wardrobe and putting a contemporary twist on them. The most common outfit you will see that captures this spirit is the classic t-shirt under the blazer look. You may also see some guys pushing up the sleeves on blazers. As for your specific question…
Pants: Ditch the cargo pants. Those bulky pockets are just a bit too high school. Instead, try some well-cut khakis in a lighter color. They’re worth the investment. I would look into a designer called Save Khaki; I like their cut and casualness. If you’re in New York, you can go to their boutique; otherwise you can find them at online at Barney’s Co-op, Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. And if its prep you want, look no further than a pair of Nantucket Reds; these classics are the very definition of East coast prep. You can also try Ralph Lauren or J. Crew, which always has some good chinos (and of course, their classic chambray shirt). Or, if you want something new, you can explore Gant’s Rugger line. And while we’re on the subject of pants, don’t be afraid to try jeans that aren’t blue. Grey jeans look great.
Shorts: For those hot days, look into some clean cut Bermuda shorts; they’re like cargo pants without the bulky pockets. Nantucket Reds can be pretty stylish, as seen on Michael Bastian (pictured top right). Also check out what Banana Republic has to offer. Style tip? Properly fitting shorts do not fall below the knee.
Tops: You can stick to polo shirts, but I have a feeling that if you look around, every 3rd guy will be sporting a polo. How to differentiate yourself from these other guys? Look for polos that deviate from the common styles and brands. Try investing in some interesting buttondowns; they’ll come in handy for dates too. Solids and stripes are always a safe bet, but if you feel like being bold, try some checks or plaid. Whatever you do, leave the collar down; a polo with a popped color isn’t preppy, it’s pretentious.
Shoes: Don’t bash yourself too hard about wearing slip on Vans; they’re actually coming back in style. Also, classics such as Jack Purcells probably won’t go out of style any time soon, so don’t worry about wearing sneakers every now and then. You can find some alternatively preppy shoes without breaking the bank though: try some Sperry Top-Sider or L.L. Bean boat shoes.
Blazers/Suits: Also, now that you’re in college, it’s time to look into blazers and possibly a suit if you don’t have one. You’ll definitely need a well-cut suit for your job interview, so it’s only a matter of time. For about $500, you can get some pretty good suits at Banana Republic.
Regardless of what you buy, please make sure that whatever clothes you do buy actually fit you properly. Bagginess is for kids, not a mature guy like you.
Have a great tip about building a preppy casual wardrobe? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Classic Fit Lightweight Chino | $69.50 at J. Crew, Nantucket Red Shorts | $52.50 at Nantucket Reds, Fitted Gingham Checked Shirt | $39.50 at Gap, and Common Projects Achilles Low Top Sneaker | $295 at Jake.
4 comments May 7th, 2008
Look like royalty in this elegant purple button down shirt. Fun fact? Royal purple (aka Tyrian purple) originally came from the mucus of the spiny-dye murex sea snail. Because this dye had to be harvested by hand, it was both rare and expensive–and was affordable only by royalty.
Purple may be a somewhat unconventional color for men, but it looks great with a pair of grey jeans, as pictured.
$49 at Urban Outfitters.
2 comments May 7th, 2008
Every woman has a Little Black Dress…or two, or ten. And they’re great as a go-to outfit for cocktails, dinner parties, and other evening events. But how many times do you really get to wear your LBD? If you’re anything like us, it’s not very often. So let’s get some extra mileage out of our LBDs during the daytime with some clever accessorizing. Here’s how to accessorize a LBD:
Why does this outfit work?
Visual Interest through Pattern: Both the gingham scarf and the newsprint belt add visual texture to the LBD. And since the two patterns are in the same color scheme, they complement one another rather than compete with one another.
A Splash of Bright Color: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy–and all black and white and no color can make for a dull outfit. So we added a splash of bright color for a jolt of energy. We love bright green as a fresh foil for black and white–but any bright color will do. Try royal purple for a distinctly elegant look.
A Touch of Mystery: Finish off the outfit with a pair of oversized shades. The air of mystery the sunglasses creates is a secret ingredient for standout style.
How do you accessorize your Little Black Dress (LBD)? Share your style tips with us in the comments!
13 comments May 6th, 2008
One part mod, one part glam, this bracelet is the perfect way to top off your outfit.
$14.99 at Target.
2 comments May 6th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Horizontal Stripes?
You said: Yes to Horizontal Stripes, with 75% of the vote.
Style tip? Horizontal Stripes get a bad reputation for figure flattery, since they can make you look wider than you actually are. But it’s all in how you wear your stripes. Small, narrow stripes are pretty easy to wear by themselves. And you can counteract the widening effect of wide horizontal stripes by wearing them in moderation–such as under a jacket. Plus, you can take advantage of the widening effect by wearing them on a part of your body that you’d like to widen. If you have narrow shoulders, for instance, you can wear horizontal stripes at the shoulderline to visually balance them out.
Next question: When it comes to pants, high waisted silhouettes are growing in popularity. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear High Waisted Pants? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Striped Tie Tank | $34.50 at Gap.
4 comments May 5th, 2008
Add some visual texture to your coffee table with these matte-white stoneware vases from West Elm.
$9.99 (sale) each at West Elm.
May 5th, 2008
Q: At 5′1, 110 pounds, and a size 32DD, I cannot find a dress that fits me correctly. Strapless dresses are impossible. I really need a dress that I can wear a bra with and that doesn’t show off too much cleavage.
A: For maximum figure flattery, we’d recommend a scoopnecked or v-necked dress that hits at knee-length. The neckline will allow you to wear a bra (and won’t show too much cleavage), and the knee length hemline will be especially flattering on your petite frame. Here’s Omiru’s top picks for figure flattering dresses for extremely curvy petites:
Maggy London Cascade Front Chiffon Dress | $158 at Nordstrom
Isn’t this color simply gorgeous? The flowy fabric will drape nicely over your curves, though the hemline may need to be raised to knee length for maximum figure flattery.
Adrianna Papell Empire Waist Charmeuse Dress | $138 at Nordstrom
The color is great, as is the neckline. What we don’t like is the full blouson sleeves–which may be too much for your petite frame.
Our $$ Picks:
Calvin Klein Voile Party Dress | $118 at Nordstrom
This dress is great for a summery occasion, and the scoop neckline will work well for your figure.
Maggy London Silk Chiffon Halter Dress | $98 at Nordstrom
The halter neckline and the knee-length skirt are excellent for figure flattery.
Our $ Picks:
Lush Bubble Dress | $22.80 at Forever 21
The bubble skirt may help you balance out your figure…plus we love the gorgeous Jade color.
Ella Dress | $22.80 at Forever 21
Thanks to the cutout, this dress reveals ever-so-subtly. And the belted shape will help you naturally play up your curves.
Have a great tip about dresses for extremely curvy petite women? Share it with us in the comments!
10 comments May 2nd, 2008
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