The Apple Figure is the new Earth Goddess!

Not an Apple but a Earth Goddess

Let’s continue to change how we look at our bodies. Let’s continue to replace the negative can’ts with empowering cans. Let’s look at the old apple body shape and get some new positives to replace the old negatives

Not an Apple but an Earth Goddess

You are the third largest group in the US! You’ve checked your body shape and you are an Apple. Your waist outmeasures both your bust and hips. Maybe not by much. Maybe by a lot. Either way you are an Earth Goddess. Now what? What it it you need to avoid? What do you need to compensate for? NOTHING!!

You Look at the World Differently Than Most!

You care for everyone around you. You could mother the earth. In doing that, you lose yourself. So your body does just that. Hides you from the world. You hide behind billows of flowing kimono style jackets. You hide behind oversized shapeless tops.

Most Earth Goddesses are more comfortable taking care of the world and the people around them then they are on taking care of themselves. Partly it is your personality but partly it is because there is so little information out there for you and so few clothes structured to fit your particular body style.

Your Shape is Just as Unique

Your shape is just as unique as any other and should be designed for just as much as any other body style. Unfortunately many retailers don’t Most have ignored you and assume you will settle for whatever they provide.

What to do…….

First

Get rid of those billowy jackets with yards and yards of material. They do NOT hide you. Remember the test where you were shown two boxes – one white and one black and asked which is the largest when, in fact, they were the same size? Same thing here. Billowy fabric is like the white box. Well fitted clothes are like the black one.

Second

Follow one cardinal rule in ALL your ensembles – the Rule of Thirds. Vertically divide your ensemble into 3 sections (not 4 or 5 or 6! just 3) with the same color or pattern on the outer 2 sections and a brighter, more vibrant, color or pattern on the inner section. Wear garments that open in the front showing a bight center third. This will create a slender line of color that will bring the viewers eyes to your face.

On Top

This Rule of Thirds can be done by wearing an open jacket. Wear long jackets that go well past your waist – a duster or kimono extending to the knees – and let it hang open. While you are best with quiet colors on the outside, that center third can be a riot of color. The eye will follow that burst of color up and down, slenderizing your figure.

Keep the top of your arms covered so they don’t create a 5 vertical sections. That will just confuse things and widen the image you present. Just something covering the top of your arms is all you need.

Bring tops down past your waist to your hips. Don’t go much below your knees with those jackets and kimonos or you get into the billow hide-me effect.

On the Bottom

You want to continue creating long lines with your slacks so stay away from the plazzo pants you used to hide in. Stick to the firmer, more tailored fabrics. At the same time the skinny jeans or cigarette pants will be out of proportions with your tops.

Gain all the length you can by wearing them as long as you are comfortable with and giving them sizable cuffs. You are working to create a long visual line so full length slacks are better for you than crop or capri ones.

Keep your skirts long and slimming as well. Flat fronted Aline skirts are perfect. Keep the length of all your skirts (except evening wear) to knee or mid calf.

Want More?

For more Earth Goddess information check out my page on Earth Goddess Dressing. Then slide right over to the Shop for a guide to shopping for your shape. It comes in a beautiful leatherette pouch that you can slip into your purse to take with you shopping or to check out Earth Goddess specific styles – it’s already sorted out for you!

Contact Me!

Need more info on just what your shape is and what looks best then contact me at IstinaDesign.

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The Pear Figure is the new Lady Peacock

 

Not an Pear but a Lady Peacock

It’s Still A New Year

Let’s continue our resolve this new year to change how we look at our bodies. Lets continue replace the negative can’ts with empowering cans!

In this mission to revise how we look at ourselves, let’s checkout another body shape and get some new empowering cans rather than the old can’ts.

Not an Pear but a Lady Peacock

Let’s continue our discovery with the second largest shape group in the US – the pear. So you’ve checked your body shape and you are a Pear – your waist is still smaller than either your hips or bust but your hips are more than a few inches wider than your bust. Now what? What is it you need to avoid? What do you need to compensate for? NOTHING!!

You’ve Got Something No One Else Has!

Flip it and look at what your body shape empowers you to do better than any other body shape. That is display! Anything and everything around your face and shoulders. Just like the feathers of your namesake, the peacock.

That Pesky Ideal

Our society’s current ideal body shape and the one we are all striving to emulate is the hourglass. On her, bust and hips are close to the same measurement. By making your shoulders and bust visually larger they will appear closer to your hip’s dimension and closer to the hourglass ideal.

How To Do It

So – your face and shoulders as a display. Just what does that mean? How can you do it?

On Top

In jackets, select ones that are full and well defined at the shoulders. Play with contrasting or exaggerated yokes and shoulders. You can indulge in a lot of shoulder attention and still stay in pleasing proportions.

Scarves

Scarves are your private fantasy land. Have at it with all kinds of beautiful scarves draped around your shoulders and neck. The only style of scarf to be avoided is turning it into a necktie Why would you want to do that and lose all that drama?

Feast On Jewelry

In jewelry, the chunkier the better. All those statement earrings and all those beautifully intricate dangles and huge statement pieces that look overpowering to other body shapes are made just for you. So are all those beautiful statement necklaces placing oodles of big chunky charms around your neck.

Don’t hide. All those small delicate necklaces are beautiful but don’t play up your assets and the long long vertical chains do nothing but point away from your beautiful face.

Sleeves Please

In a dress or top, find ones that have details that draw attention to your bust or shoulders. Play with sleeves. Make them a statement. Go all out. If you want sleeveless in the heat of summer select dramatic armholes that are not cut into the shoulders like the conventional sleeveless top but go out to the armhole – maybe even add a cap to that shoulder.

On the Bottom

Because you don’t want to take attention away from all the drama going on up top, keep the bottom simple and quiet. Use darker colors. Steer away that pencil skirt and skinny jeans. They are statement pieces that draw attention away from the drama at the shoulders where you want the attention to reside. Make it more classic and quiet with wider legs and defined waistlines.

Want More?

For more Lady Peacock information check out my page on Lady Peacock Dressing. Then slide right over to the Shop  for a guide to shopping for your shape. It comes in a beautiful leatherette pouch that you can slip into your purse to take with you shopping  or to check out Lady Peacock specific styles – it’s already sorted out for you!

Contact Me!

Need more info on just what your shape is and what looks best then contact me at IstinaDesign.

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Have a Merry Merry Christmas

 

custom created Griswold Christmas hat

Merry Christmas!

To all my readers – have a very Merry Christmas or Winter holiday! Take some time to appreciate life and indulge yourself!

You are an innately beautiful person and how the world responds to you depends entirely on how you present yourself to the world. Love the world and it will love you back.

Coupons!

Check back with IstinaDesign after the holidays when you are preparing for the new year and deciding how you want to present yourself in the coming months. Check out my BodyShape Calculator to see what BodyShape you are. Then check out the Shop.  I will be offering a 20% discount to all my readers with the code MerryIstina on anything in my Shop.

{If I end up too busy enjoying and celebrating life and don’t have the coupon widget setup on my site by then just email me and let me know that you have ordered something and you have the code and I will do a refund at my end of the discount total.}

Your Own Unique Santa Hat?

If you would like your own custom Santa hat for next year Contact me and I can create your own unique version!

Merry Christmas!!!!

P.S. I will be adding several new garments to the Shop.

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Coats for All Shapes, Body Shapes that is.

5 body shapes and the right coat

Coats for body shapes

Winter is Here!

Winter is here now and most of us are spending a large part of our lives in coats.

Now that you understand your body shape the next question is “What is the best coat for me?”. Here are the five basic shapes and the best coat silhouette each one.

Sassy Gal (aka inverted triangle) Body Shape

Your broad shoulders give you a great natural posture and make coats look great on you. The object is to create more of a curvy silhouette. Choose a fitted and belted jacket. Big flap hip pockets add to the look you are going for. Don’t get carried away with fancy or oversized collars – stay classical. Going with a small check pattern will also draw attention away from the shoulders and add to the overall look you want.

Lady Diva (aka hourglass) Body Shape

You have the shape everyone is going for just don’t lose it in the bulkiness of the coat. Keep the coat a fitted one with a v necked collar. Emphasize the v neck and wear your coat with the collar button open – use a scarf to keep your neck warm. You can sport the hip pockets and wide collar – just as long as the waist is fitted snugly. Don’t chop yourself in half with a tie belt. It will trash your silhouette. If you wear a belt make it a buckled one over a fitted coat.

Earth Goddess (aka apple) Body Shape

If it is warm enough you can still employ the Rule of Thirds and leave your coat open down the front. Otherwise, look for a coat that has a pattern or design going down the center front of the coat (perhaps even around the neck in a shawl collar. Keep the elements simple and steer away from big lapels – a lapel less duster style coat works best on you. Add a long scarf hanging around your neck and traveling down your center front to break up your torso into those thirds. You can sport simple beautifully

Lady Peacock (aka pear) Body Shape

Like everything else in your wardrobe, you along can play with all the unique and different collars and lapels around. The funnel shaped collar is carried off best by you as are huge lapels and double ones. Wear all the scarves in all their unique ways that you want. With all your focus on the face and shoulders just let the coat skim your waist and hips and fall smoothly.

Lady of Movement (aka rectangle) Body Shape

Like the rest of your ensembles, keep it flowing. Your shape handles belted coats the best – letting the material puff out above and below the belting. Add hip pockets and dynamic lapels and you are set. Because you are usually tall for your size the three quarter length coat is best for you and keeps you in proportion.

Above all, buy a coat you love and feel great in! Dress to your likes and not to our shoulds and, above all,  have fun!

 

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Lessons Learned from the CMA Awards

When the stars come out to walk the red carpet in the CMA it gives us the perfect opportunity to see what does and does not work on the various body shapes. This year’s gala provided a couple of beautiful examples. This year we have two perfect example of the same body shape – Lady of Movement (aka rectangle)- and what to do and not do.

What IS a Lady of Movement or Rectangle Bodyshape?

Before we start looking at stars let me go over what makes a figure a Lady of Movement or rectangle body shape. A Lady of Movement’s bust, waist, and hips are within 6 inches of each other creating an athletic slim figure. As the name implies, she looks best when creating movement in her clothing – swirling, asymmetrical flowing lines.

lucy hale beautiful body shape

The Right Way

As a Lady of Movement (aka a Rectangle) body shape, Lucy Hale picked a beautifully appropiate gown. Two level hem and flowing material hanging from a beautiful neckpiece are all perfect for her. As she moves the gown will move and flow around her creating beautiful movement and suggesting more of a figure underneath.

 

 

Lacey Musgraves Lady of Movement no

Oops! Let’s Try Again. Not the Best

While there is no question that Kacey Musgraves is a beautiful woman the dress she wore on the red carpet did her no service. Had she been a Lady Diva (aka Hourglass) or a Sassy Gal (aka Inverted Triangle) the dress would have shown off her curves beautifully. As it is, the dress draws attention to her natural lack of curves and creates a very uninteresting rectangle of a shape walking the red carpet. She would have been better following Lucy’s example with angles and flowing lines.

 

Your Body Shape (and more in general)

To discover your particular body shape and some guidelines on dressing to your assets check out my website Istina Design and enter your measurements into my     BodyShape Calculator

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What is your Bodyshape?? The answer in 3 simple steps.

What is your body shape? Previously I described the 5 body shapes and guidelines on how to dress. Next step is determining your particular shape.

That will take 3 easy steps with 3 simple measurements.

Step 1 – Prepare to measure.

In addition to a tape measure, there are a few other things you will need to before measuring.

First, leave your jeans for another occasion. They are bulky and act as a girdle.

Second, the less material between you and your tape measure the better. Lightweight garments are best. Tank top and leggings are perfect

Third, gather up your tools.

a good tape measure.

elastic. To determine where your waist is.

a mirror. This will help you find where you are measuring. A good friend would be a good substitute.

Step 2-The Measurements

Now, take that tape measure in your hands and start measuring

1- Bust. Making sure the tape measure is level with your bust across your back measure around the widest point of your bust. Do NOT pull the tape measure tight.

2- Waist. If you are not sure where your waist is, tie a piece of elastic around your waist and move around. It will settle at your waist. It is fine to pull this one a little tight. You are measuring over clothes

3 – Hips. The dreaded hip measurement is next. Hips in this context is the widest part of your body below your waist. Look at yourself sideways in the mirror to find this line and measure it. Do NOT pull tight here.

Step 3 – What Bodyshape are you?

You are a Lady Diva (aka Hourglass)  if your bust and hips are within 2 inches of each other and your waist is 7 – 8 inches smaller.

You are a Lady of Movement (aka Rectangle) if hips and bust are within 2″ of each other but waist is NOT 7 – 8″ smaller

You are a Lady Peacock (aka Pear) if hips are more that 2″ larger than your bust and waist is smaller than  bust.

You are a Sassy Gal (aka Inverted Triangle) if your bust is more than 2 inches larger than your waist and your waist is smaller than your bust.

You are an Earth Goddess (aka Apple) if waist is larger than or equal to bust.

You can be on a scale between two shape. Claim ownership of both shapes. I will clarify that on an upcoming post.

Right now, you can you can go to my website Istina Design  to read up further on what your particular body shape will look best wearing.

 

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You’re Not an Inverted Triangle!! You are a Sassy Gal

 

inverted_triangle

 

 

Our next stop in our exploration of body shapes or styles is the Sassy Gal. You are also known by the very unimaginative term of Inverted Triangle! That so does not match your personality and style. You developed those broad shoulders because you were a force to be reckoned with.

You’ve checked your measurements and the largest one is your bust. While your waist is in relative proportion, your bust is more than 2 inches larger than your hips. While we are not measuring your shoulders, they support your bust with no problem! In the old paradigm you would be a very geometric inverted triangle.   For an assist in figuring out your shape check out my BodyShapeFinder.

Your style is to take on the world on your terms. You just want to be careful to not overpower the people around you. Best way is to quiet down your strength and streamline your image. What is better than a hidden asset! Let the rest of the world relax so they can admire your sassiness and strength. What will help a lot in that streamlining are your legs. They are long in proportion to the rest of your figure and seem to go on and on.

You are around 14% of the population, making you the third largest group. You move the world forward. Unfortunately many retailers don’t acknowledge nor cater to your unique body shape or style.

 

What to Do?

You are one of only two body styles that can draw focus to your hips and have fun. No fear of making them look too big.

Since the goal is to streamline your figure (and bring the hips more in proportion to your bust) be quiet in the shoulders and let the fun fly at the waist and legs.

 

On Top

Go with necklines that enhance your height and focus on your face. Slashed necklines and button up shirt collars with the first button or two open are perfect. Deep v and scoop necklines that go long rather than wide are also good.

Go single breasted in jackets and other tops. Play down and don’t emphasize your shoulders. A perfect jacket would be one that cinches your waist and then flares dramatically over your hips. Vests are your best friends – morning, noon, and night.

Short sleeves draw attention to the breadth of your bust and shoulders. You are better off either sleeveless or with elbow or 3/4 length sleeves. When you wear long sleeves have fun with the cuffs.

 

On the Bottom

You can wear those skinny jeans and cigarette pants that most body shapes stay away from. With your long legs – show them off. Don’t hide them under wide legged or floppy jersey slacks. If you want loose fitting, go all the way to cargo pants with multiple pockets on the legs. Emphasize your hips with low waisted pants.

You can go to any extreme with your skirts. – waist cinching aka 1950s style to skin hugging pencil skirts. Long skirts are great because of the length of your lower torso.

Define your waist. Have fun with belts of all sizes and shapes.

 

Generally

Some good general rules to follow when shopping are:

Focus attention on your waist and hips

Draw attention away from your bust and shoulders

Emphasis those legs!!

 

Shopping Frustration Solved

When you go shopping you usually end up with separates since ensembles seldom work. If the skirt or pants fit then tops or blouses or jackets are snug in the shoulders and bust and forever splitting. If the shoulders fit them the bottoms bag. Frustrating.

You have been trying to shop and dress to look your best but most retailers have been ignoring your shape. What I am most proud of with Istina Designs is that the garments are designed and proportioned to the unique body styles. All my designs are tagged with the body styles they are best suited for. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy the garment if you are not that body style. It gives you guidance to find those designs best suited for you. Select your body style when ordering the outfit and it will be proportioned to your particular body style. No more gaping necklines!!!

Furthermore, since the garments are completed after an order is received, the garment will be proportioned to your specific measurements. Check it out!!! Shop Istina Designs!

For More Info

If you want more detailed info on your particular body style, Get my free e-book Know Your Body Shape.

We don’t always fall exclusively in one body style. We may fall between two shapes. (your hips and bust are about the same and your waist is only a couple of inches out of alignment for the Lady of Movement, etc). In those cases, pay attention to both body styles when shopping. For assistance there, pick up a Shopping Guide for your particular body style combo in the Istina Designs shop.

Final Note

Above all, don’t be so bound by the ‘rules’ that you select clothes that you don’t like. Enjoy the clothes you wear – that will generate the best impression. And have fun. That creates the most beautiful ensembles.

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You’re Not an Apple!! You Are an Earth Goddess!

 

apple

Let’s continue with our exploration of empowering body shapes or styles with those of you that hide from the camera rather than embracing your figure. Once you dress to show off your assets you may find yourself front and center. Selfies anyone?!?!

You’ve checked your measurements and the largest one is your waist. It outmeasures both your bust and hips. Maybe not by much. Maybe by a lot. Either way you are an Earth Goddess. For an assist in figuring out your shape check out my BodyShapeFinder. In the old paradigm you would be an Apple and told all the clothes that you were never to wear.

It makes you want to hide and you tend to do just that – clothing wise. You hide yourself behind caring for everyone around you and mothering the world. You often hide behind billows of flowing kimono style jackets. Or an oversized top that has simply been sized up to your waist measurements with no considerations that the rest of you has remained smaller so the bust and shoulders gape and hang loose.

Most Earth Goddesses are more comfortable taking care of the world and the people around them then they are on taking care of themselves. Partly it is your personality but partly it is because there is so little information out there for you and so few clothes structured to fit your particular body style.

You are around 11% of the population but your numbers are growing (in count – not size!!). Your shape is just as unique as any other and should be designed for just as much as any other body style. Unfortunately many retailers don’t Most have ignored you and assume you will settle for whatever they provide.

What to Do?

First, get rid of those billowy jackets with yards and yards of material. They do NOT hide you. Remember the test where you were shown two boxes – one white and one black and asked which is the largest when, in fact, they were the same size? Same thing here. Billowy fabric is like the white box. Well fitted clothes are like the black one.

Second, follow one cardinal rule in ALL your ensembles – the Rule of Thirds. Vertically divide your ensemble into 3 sections (not 4 or 5 or 6! just 3) with the same color or pattern on the outer 2 sections and a brighter, more vibrant, color or pattern on the inner section. Wear garments that open in the front showing a bight center third. This will create a slender line of color that will bring the viewers eyes to your face.

On Top

This Rule of Thirds can be done by wearing an open jacket. Wear long jackets that go well past your waist – a duster or kimono extending to the knees – and let it hang open. While you are best with quiet colors on the outside, that center third can be a riot of color. The eye will follow that burst of color up and down, slenderizing your figure.

Keep going with that idea and wear necklines that elongate your face – deep v necklines and button up shirts with an open collar.

Keep the top of your arms covered so they don’t create a 5 vertical sections. That will just confuse things and widen the image you present. Just something covering the top of your arms is all you need.

Bring tops down past your waist to your hips.  Don’t go much below your knees with those jackets and kimonos or you get into the billow hide-me effect.

On the Bottom

You want to continue creating long lines with your slacks so stay away from the plazzo pants you used to hide in. Stick to the firmer, more tailored fabrics. At the same time the skinny jeans or cigarette pants will be out of proportions with your tops.

Gain all the length you can by wearing them as long as you are comfortable with and giving them sizable cuffs. You are working to create a long visual line so full length slacks are better for you than crop or capri ones.

Keep your skirts long and slimming as well. Flat fronted Aline skirts are perfect. Keep the length of all your skirts (except evening wear) to knee or mid calf.

Generally

Some good general rules to follow when shopping are:

Use the Rule of Thirds on everything.

Keep the bright to the center third.

Cover the tops of your arms.

Avoid billowy and super long dresses and tops

Shopping Frustration Solved

You have been trying to shop and dress to look your best but most retailers have been ignoring your shape – until now….. What I am most proud of with Istina Designs is that the garments are designed and proportioned to the unique body styles. All my designs are tagged with the body styles they are best suited for. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy the garment if you are not that body style. It gives you guidance to find those designs best suited for you. Select your body style when ordering the outfit and it will be proportioned to your particular body style. No more gaping necklines!!!

Furthermore, since the garments are completed after an order is received, the garment will be proportioned to your specific measurements. Check it out!!! Shop Istina Designs!

For More Info

If you want more detailed info on your particular body style, Get my free e-book Know Your Body Shape.

We don’t always fall exclusively in one body style. We may fall between two shapes. (your hips and bust are about the same and your waist is only a couple of inches out of alignment for the Lady of Movement, etc). In those cases, pay attention to both body styles when shopping. For assistance there, pick up a Shopping Guide for your particular body style combo in the Istina Design Shop.

Final Note

Don’t hide behind your clothes and care for the rest of the world in an attempt to remain hidden. The rest of use will be just fine and would like to see you shine. Caring for others is a noble pursuit. Do it while being a shining example of empowered dressing.

 

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You’re not a Rectangle! You are a Lady of Movement!!

 

Rectangle with arrows

To continue with our exploration of empowering body shapes, let’s select another body shape and discover new and empowering ways to see and dress it

You’ve checked your measurements and they are less than 8” difference between your waist and bust and your waist and hips. (Want an assist in figuring out that shape then try my BodyShape Finder.) In the old paradigm you would be a rectangle. Talk about BORING!!! You don’t even merit a fruit taste! Not so fast!! You look gorgeous in clothes that flow and move around your body. You are a Lady of Movement!

You are part of largest groups of body shapes. Ladies of Movement make up about 46% of the American population. You have the look that marketers create when they are displaying garments for sale on decorative hangers where everything looks great. But…don’t give in so easily to what you “should” wear. You have a unique body shape. Because you are an elegant column of a woman nothing distracts from garments that flow and move around your body, creating shapes of their own. Those billows create hips and busts and bring oodles of life to your form. You don’t run the danger of your body shape being exaggerated by the forms created by your clothes

 

What to Do?

Look for garments that have a flow and movement of their own. Let your clothes put the visual curves in your body.

 

On Top

Look for jackets that draw the eyes to the waist. It could be a single button closure at the waist of a belted jacket. Draw the eyes to your bust with short fitted jackets. You are one of the few shapes that can wear soft drapey tops that accentuate your bust. Stay away from the boxy jackets. You look best in flowing and curving lines. Stay away from the boxes – this includes the boxy look created by double breasted and unstructured jackets and tops.

Draw attention to your shoulders with shoulder or yoke details. Use contrasting fabric and drapey fabric. You can get away and actually look great in styles that draw the eyes across the shoulders and widens them. Accompany that with a waist cinching detail and you rival the Lady Divas (aka Hourglasses).

 

On the Bottom

The same suggestions apply to your waist and hips. Flowing and billowing and curving around your body.Flared and mermaid skirts are great! Add flowing pleats and gores. Hem your skirts with pointed handkerchief or asymmetrical hems to add to the movement.

Your legs are probably one of your greatest assets. The go on and on in proportion to your shape. But they are straight and you want the eye to go round and round and not up and down. So avoid mini skirts in favor of 3/4 length hems

But those same legs make pants one of your best choices. Have fun. Sport baggy hip pockets. Wear crop pants or capris. Go super wide and floppy. Skinny jeans – not so good – unless you want to emphasize the skinny and long and lose all that movement that makes you so interesting.

 

Generally

Some general rules to follow are:

Use strong blocks of color to set up movement in your ensemble

Add curves and stripes (just not the narrow vertical jailhouse stripe) to give curves to your shape.

Define your shoulders and hips

Use dramatic angles

 

For More Info

If you want more detailed info on your particular body shape, get our free e-book Know Your Body Shape

 

Final Note

Above all, don’t be so bound by the ‘rules’ that you select clothes that you don’t like. Enjoy the clothes you wear – that will generate the best impression

Check out your body shape at Find Your Body Shape. Then download your specific shopping guide from my Shop.

 

 

 

 

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You’re Not a Pear! You are a Lady Peacock!!

pear-sketch-4

Let’s start redefining body shapes and make them empowering this time. Let’s go over the 5 different body shapes and discover a new, empowering way to see and dress them.

Let’s start with the second largest shape group in the US – the pear. So you’ve checked your body shape and you are a Pear – your waist is still smaller than either your hips or bust but your hips are more than a few inches wider than your bust. Now what? What is it you need to avoid? What do you need to compensate for? NOTHING!!

Flip it and look at what your body shape empowers you to do better than any other body shape. That is display! Anything and everything around your face and shoulders. Just like the feathers of your namesake – Lady Peacock.

And just WHY is that?

Our society’s current ideal body shape and the one we are all striving to emulate is the hourglass. On her, bust and hips are close to the same measurement. By making your shoulders and bust visually larger they will appear closer to your hip’s dimension and closer to the hourglass ideal.

On Top

In jackets, select ones that are full and well defined at the shoulders. You can get away with contrasting or exaggerated yokes and shoulders and still stay in pleasing proportions.

Scarves are your private fantasy land. Have at it with all kinds of beautiful scarves draped around your shoulders and neck. The only style of scarf to be avoided is turning it into a necktie Why would you want to do that and lose all that drama?

In jewelry, the chunkier the better. All those statement earrings and all those beautifully intricate dangles and huge statement pieces that look overpowering to other body shapes are made just for you. So are all those beautiful statement necklaces placing oodles of big chunky charms around your neck. Here again, the styles to avoid are those that do not take advantage of all that display real estate – the small delicate necklaces and the long long vertical chains that don’t display anything at the neck.

In a dress or top, find ones that have details that draw attention to your bust or shoulders. Play with sleeves. Make them a statement. Go all out. If you want sleeveless in the heat of summer select dramatic armholes that are not cut into the shoulders like the conventional sleeveless top but go out to the armhole – maybe even add a cap to that shoulder.

On the Bottom

Because you don’t want to take attention away from all the drama going on up top, keep the bottom simple and quiet. Use darker colors. Steer away that pencil skirt and skinny jeans. They are statement pieces that draw attention away from the drama at the shoulders where you want the attention to reside. Make it more classic and quiet with wider legs and defined waistlines.

 

Generally

Some general rules to follow are:

Darker colors on bottom/Lighter and brighter on top

Designs that draw the eye upwards

Details around the shoulders and face

Designs that widen the shoulders

Designs that lengthen the torso

Vertical lines

For More Info

If you want more detailed info on your body shape, get our free ebook Know Your Body Shape

Final Note

Above all, don’t be so bound by the ‘rules’ that you select clothes that you don’t like. Have fun. Enjoy the clothes you wear – that will generate the best impression.

Want to know YOUR body shape? Check it out at Find Your Body Shape

 

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Trunk Shows

To avoid the major markup that retail stores have to impose on clothing to cover the cost of retail I am using a different way to get my clothing to you - in home trunk shows. Invite a few of your [...]

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