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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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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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 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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Oscar 2014 Dos and Don’ts

2014 Oscars Bodyshape Dos and Don’ts

Sunday’s Oscars gave a fresh dose of the good and the ugly dressing. All the stars were dressed to the nines. Some enhanced their appearance by acknowledging and dressing to their body shape and others just followed the whim of fashion.

June

It was doubly refreshing to see an Earth Goddess (aka an Apple)   empower herself and dress beautifully rather than ignore or lose herself in the crowd. Sunday night June Squibb did just that. The ‘jacket lapel’ lines in the sequining of her dress divided her voluptuous figure into thirds and created beautiful slimming lines. Moving the viewers’ eyes up towards her face creates additional height to her figure and a slimming effect. Doing that, she could express her inner diva with sequins from head to toe (something that old Apple is told to avoid) and still be gorgeous.

 

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Unfortunately, another Earth Goddess, Gabourney Sidibe, did the exact opposite with her attire Sunday night. Wearing a narrow belt around the fullest part of her torso only drew attention to that measurement and moved the viewer’s eyes from side to side as well as shortening (and thereby widening) her figure. Nothing else in her attire countered this. A very typical Earth Goddess, she ignored her body shape to focus rather on the world around her. I applaud that outward focus and care. However little inward attention to her body shape would send the message to that world that she is someone to listen to.

 

Caring and focusing on the world and people around you is important in this day and time. However, focusing a bit on yourself and dressing to your assets tells the world that you value yourself and projects to the world that you are an empowered woman presenting your best self and someone to be listened to. The how-to for you Earth Goddesses and all the other body shapes are easy to learn and apply. I have a free e-book in my store giving you the scoop on all the body shapes, Know Your BodyShape

Christina Shipman

Istina Design

 

 

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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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