Bundling Up.......Without Bulking Up

Winter, a magical time when you get to give gifts, eat copious amounts of food, and basically make merry. Unfortunately, it gets cold outside, unless you live somewhere warm, which let's face it, is not how one does winter. In this blogger's humble opinion, if you cannot see your breath, it's not winter.
But, moving on.
Have you ever bundled up in a coat, only to realize the coat in question makes you like a bundle of laundry?
Like this, for example?


With large coats like these, you add an immense amount of fabric to your frame, which unfortunately, makes one look bigger than they really are.
Don't get me wrong, I like being warm, I just like looking nice while doing so as well. Is that really too much to ask? I don't think so.
There are many different coats and jackets out there, and many different ways to style them.

One universally flattering jacket type is the peacoat, a jacket with 4-6 large buttons in the center, like so.

The peacoat's structured design holds in the wearer, and can slim or add curves. Another ideal coat for every body type is the trenchcoat.


This coat's shape is long and lean, and has a belt, which can be used to create or de-accentuate curves.
There are many coats for many different shapes, but these two are the best.
Sorry this post is short, but I left a link to a site with more detailed notes on the subject. Have fun, and Ciao!
http://risingwatersentertainment.com/2011/10/fall-trend-coats-for-every-body-shape/

Skank-Free Animal Print

Animal print. it's one of those things that women put on to feel confident, most likely because the most recognizable prints belong to ferocious animals, such as the tiger and the leopard. I myself have coldcocked my cheating boyfriend, bitched out my mortal enemy, and won a catfight while wearing animal print. Tiger, to be specific

However, animal print can also bring out the inner prostitute, drag queen, and all-around ho in people.
Like this.


I have no idea who in their right mind would wear that, but you know who you are.

1. Never mix prints. Ever. There is wiggle room for this on florals, dots and stripes, but not so with animal print. Nu-uh.
2. The piece of clothing CANNOT BE A SECOND SKIN. Either fitted or loose.
3.Pair the print with black, white, or gray. Red (but not too much. Too much Red + Animal Print = Lingerie)  and denim are okay too. If you are able to find a color that works besides this, congratulations. Call Anna Wintour to brag. On second thought, don't. She's a very busy person.
4. NO METALLICS. Never, ever. Metallics and animal print makes a statement. A statement that says, "YO, STAY OFF MY CORNER, BITCH!"
5. Try to shy away from animal print jackets. They make the aforementioned statement.

Work



This is an example of how animal print can work......for work, without looking like the office tramp. Pair the piece with a pencil skirt or slacks, and keep everything else neutral.

Party


This dress, in a tasteful leopard, paired with the jacket, is a unique yet dressy look, perfect to stand out in a sea of LBDs. Blazers and cardis work too, but leather jackets can be iffy. Only wear a leather jacket and animal print together if you want people to be intimidated.

Everyday


The vest and oxfords dress down this look, which can be dressed up for anything.

Remember the rules and unleash your inner beast!
Too cheesy? I think so, but it had to be said.
Ciao!

Be A Man! (but not really)

Menswear. It's one of those hit-and-miss things. If you put on a blazer and it makes you look wider than you really are, you missed. If you try on a pair of slack and it smooths your legs into a lean, long line, you hit it. Menswear is something that must be approached with caution. Like minidresses, jeggings and orange, they can bring out both the best and worst in people.

The most recognizable menswear pieces are:
#1-The Blazer
 
#2-Slacks


#3-Button Down



These pieces are essential for every wardrobe. They can be fit into almost any outfit, any time.

History
The menswear was epitomized by Marlene Dietrich in the 30's. This inspired women in the workforce to start wearing more tailored, clean-cut clothing, i.e, what a man would wear.


Now, remember the best and worst thing I was telling you about? Here it is.
Blazer-Worst


Do you know why the model looks so upset? IT'S BECAUSE THIS OUTFIT IS CRAP! Just like you would omit the tight-on-tight to avoid looking like a hooker, you need to omit loose-on-loose to avoid looking like a homeless hipster. (One kind of goes hand in hand with the other)
Blazer-Better


By adding a more colorful, fitted dress underneath, you draw the eye to your curves, instead of covering them up.
Slacks-Worst


Think of slacks as the local Y. If you're going to swim in it, do it right.
Better-Loose


The slacks, which are a crisp cream color, elongate the leg with their length and soft draping. Look for pairs like these, that sit at your natural waist, and flatter it.
Worst-Tight



Fitted slacks are like trying to get a bullseye with a sewing needle. First of all, the slacks themselves need to go to the ankle. Secondly, they need to be made of a fabric that does NOT accentuate your every flaw, such as corduroy, or tweed.
Better-Tight


Worst-Button Down
What most people don't realize is that a button-down isn't just for work. It's a more chic alternative to a hoodie or......anything really.
Just don't look like you robbed your overweight uncle's closet, like so.


If you're going to go big like this, tuck it in, like so. And never, ever wear something this big over a mini. It looks like you forgot pants. (Sorry about the shirt poking out in the back, sometimes the effects on here can get a little sketchy)


Fitted button-downs can also add a more sophisticated touch to any ensemble.

 

Remember: There is nothing sexier than a woman who can pull off menswear.

Ciao!

Victorian For Now

The Victorian era. It was a time of manners, romance and femininity (That's a fancy word for girliness) And constriction, unfortunately, seeing as that was a booming era for corset-makers. And while you probably don't want abdominal distention, you have to admit, that was a beautiful time. Well, I've wracked my brain, and found some looks that are Victorian, minus the corset.


I have a friend who is very into the Victorian era, and when I asked her what her idea of modern-day Victorian would look like, she gave me this......





Just......no.
Which tells me something. I need to get my friend into an eye appointment.
These two are much better. As you can see, their outfits are quite ladylike, and each has a preppy twist(argyle socks, poufy skirt) This is essentially Victorian chic.












In a way, Victorian is like girly-preppy to the max. Clean-cut, but with a feminine edge.
Anyway, there are a lot of ways Victorian can be......misinterpreted. If you're wearing a corset over your clothing and your skirt is a little too poufy, you're veering into steampunk territory. 
Which can be cute.....as long as you don't go overboard (see above)
Also, look into the details. Ruffles, lace, buttons and piping (and cameos)  are all subtle Victorian twists.









These are just a few ideas of mine, but you can make the Victorian Look all your own! Just stay out of Steampunk Territory.




Ciao!


P.S. Those of you going back to school soon, stay tuned! There's more to come.......

Sparkle!

It's glitzy, it's glittery, and most of us love it. It's sparkle, and it should be a wardrobe staple. Trouble, most people think they can't pull off sparkle without looking like a showgirl.Well as a avid supporter of sparkly, I can tell you that it has its benefits.Sparkle throws light onto the face. It gives the face a unique glow, and who doesn't want that?
But back to the myth.Anti-sparkle people harbor under the delusion that you can't wear sparkle without looking like you should be in a floor show at a drag club on the Vegas strip. This is untrue.

The WRONG Way


All those pieces together are bound to give someone a seizure. If you separate the outfit you see that sparkle has a place in every outfit.
Skirt
Sparkly skirts like this one (and others) are best paired with neutrals, so your outfit isn't competing with itself.





Top
With sparkly tops, you have to be careful. Too tight and it looks like you're auditioning for an adult film. Too loose and you look shapeless. By tucking in the too-loose shirt and covering up the tight top, your outfit looks more unique, as opposed to.......unclean.





See? Sparkle isn't evil. Sparkle is your friend. Treat it right and it will do the same.

Ciao!

All About COLOR

Have you ever gone to a store and found something cute, really cute, only to try it on and find out it makes you look like a corpse, or worse, Snooki's illegitimate twin? It's called color, and it's VERY important. It has the power to flatter you, and the opposite.

But Fashion Strudel Lady, you ask, how can I find a color that's right for ME?

I'm getting to that. Pushy.

Firstly, you have to determine your tone. Are you warm, or cool? Use this handy-dandy chart.

Cool	Warm
You look best in these colors:	You look best in these colors:

Includes "jewel tones" - blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds.	Includes "earth tones" - yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens and orange-based reds.
Foundation is pink based	Foundation is yellow based
Looks better in pure white than ivory	Looks better in ivory than pure white
Can easily wear black	Looks washed out with black worn close to the face
My skin is: Very dark brown with reddish or blue undertones Brown with pink undertone True olive (most Asians and Latinos) Medium with no color in cheeks Medium with faint pink cheeks Pale with no color in cheeks Pale with pink undertones Ruddy-pinkish red Brown or bronze when I tan	My skin is: Very dark brown with golden undertones Brown with golden undertone Medium with golden undertones Pale with peach or gold undertones Golden brown, when I tan
Notable examples -  Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Courtney Cox, Sandra Bullock, Terri Hatcher, Kirstin Davis, America Fererra, Keira Knightley, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, Liv Tyler, Alexis Bledel, Megan Fox, Jennifer Connelly, Shania Twain, Brooke Shields Sophia Bush, Penelope Cruz, Candace Bergen, Sarah Chalke, Hillary Clinton, Heather Locklear, Britney Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christy Brinkley, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeri Ryan, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Pompano	Notable examples -Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reba McIntyre, Julianne Hough, Sarah Ferguson, Marcia Cross, Calista Flockhart, Rebecca Romjin, Tara Reid, Renee Zellweger, Ellen Degeneres, Diane Sawyer, Amy Adams, Jillian Anderson, Amanda Bynes, Becki Newton, Nicole Richie, Kim Raver, Kristen Johnston, Leona Lewis

If you're not sure what skin tone you are, you might have to experiment. Thankfully though, there are four flattering colors that look good on everyone.
Color 1: Eggplant- Eggplant is a deep purple that can look like a brown or a navy, depending on the hue.



Color 2:Red- Red, which is already a power color, has many different hues, ranging from an orangey scarlet, to a deep, almost purply cherry.





Color 3: Teal- If you've ever seen a color wheel, you notice that in the wheel, the reds are opposite the blues. Therefore, teal brings a healthy pink color into the face, as you may notice below.





Color 4: Pale Pink- I was skeptical about this color when I first heard about it. But it turns out that pink can create a healthy flush in any skin tone. See?



Color is important. There are a variety of books and magazines you can read on the subject, as well as TV shows.
My Suggestions-
Books
The Teen People Celebrity Style Guide
Fashion in Colors
TV
What Not to Wear
How Do I Look?


Ciao

Girl's Night Out

Ah, Girl's Night Out. That pivotal night that allows you to find  Mr Right (or Mr. Right Now),or the diner that serves the best late-night pancakes, or that ever-elusive ideal party pic. This blog is dedicated to finding you that ideal outfit for Ladies' Night, without looking like a Lady of the Night. Whatever your style is, your out can convey "I'm ready to party!" See?



                 Boho                              Sexy                              Girly



Your Girl's Night Basics:

#1
A good party accessory, like a necklace or bangle that throws some color into the look.
A great pair of earrings is always a wise investment.They elongate the neck and throw some sparkle onto the face. Non-pierced people, don't try to avoid it, they've been making clip-ons for like, 40 years now. So put on your big girl panties and get a pair (of earrings!).


#2
A go-to item of clothing. A cocktail dress, brightly patterned tunic top, that can be dressed up or down is ideal. You can throw it on, add some jewelry,and poof ready to go.




#3
A party-ready attitude. If you don't want to go out, don't. You don't have to go out just because your girlfriends do. Stay home and drink some Chardonnay (if you're not legal and reading this, drink something else! Alcohol is bad........)


It's Question Corner Time, something I just now made up! YAY!
How slutty is too slutty when it comes to girl's night out?
Well, let me put it this way. If you take a look at your outfit, then google "hookers" on your phone/computer ,and you and the hookers look like you shop at the same places, you should probably change. Unless you like looking like a hooker/call girl/prostitute. Which in my opinion, is lame.
NO!!!


Eeeeuuuuuwww! Who even wears that?

YES!!!


It's the balance thing I keep talking about. If you're going to wear low-cut tank, wear a longer skirt, as not to look skanky.
So remember, jewelry, go-to piece, and balance.
Send some suggestions and comment, pretty please with Nutella on top!
Ciao!

Florals 101

Florals. We all love them. Some among us hate them, but that's okay. They just haven't found the right kind. What many people who dislike florals is that there are many kinds. They aren't all pink and pretty. Take a gander.
                Hippie                                            Flirty



Tomboy                                                            Nautical

It's all about shape, cut and color. For example: the tomboy elements are boxy, and casual, which are the two things tomboys themselves are drawn to in clothing.
It also has a lot to do with context. Lighthearted events, such as cocktail parties, a night out with the girls, or even book club, are things where florals are the perfect print. For things like funerals, or a blind date you're dreading.
Another issue is that some florals look too little-girlish. Observe.


By adding neutrals (belt, cardi) and adding shoes that have a color in common with the dress (you don't have to do this with just shoes), the overall look becomes more grown up, and professional.

But how do you make florals work.........for work?



Like this. You need to cancel out the frothiness of the floral piece by making everything else work-worthy (skirt, shoes).
Florals are like a touch of sunshine. You want them to brighten your look, not blind everyone.
So remember, shape, cut, color, and balance.
Ciao!

Sexy,Not Skanky-Work Edition

You know the feeling. You feel like everyone wants you, in the naughtiest sense.You have more strut, more swagger. What you're experiencing is called Feeling Sexy, when it's applied to fashion, I call it the Sizzle Factor. The direct correlation to your sizzle and the sizzle of the outfit. This being said, I am not saying that an outfit makes the girl. If you can't handle the sexiness of what you're wearing, don't wear it. Wear what makes you happy. (Cue inspirational piano music)..............
Okay, moment's over. Moving on.

I maintain that sexy is a state of mind, not just a way to dress, so if you are in the right state of mind, shopping and outfit selection shouldn't be too hard.

Work is a zone where you must be very careful.
NO!!!


Adding a blazer and boring pumps to something you would wear on Saturday night does NOT make it appropriate for Monday morning.
Keep it flattering and colorful. As Fergie says, Cleavage is very in your face, but bare leg is sexy, yet appropriate. I agree, I just like to speculate on how much leg is shown. If you have to sit very carefully and walk delicately and slowly in order not to show panties, your skirt is too short for work. Go for styles that are FLATTERING, which means your figure looks good in that item of clothing. Color is also more responsive to the mood. (a tip: several studies have shown that red is the color men are most attracted to sexually)
Spring/Summer- These warm seasons call for bright colors, and light fabrics, but nothing too whimsical. You are going to work, after all.


Fall/Winter- The weather is cooling down, and so must your style, if only by a little. This calls for more durable, serious fabrics. You can keep warm while staying hot by keeping sleek tailored shapes in the look, like so.

There. Functional and you still get that raise.

Work Basics-

A white button down shirt. This crisp, clean must-have automatically takes any outfit from casual to work-ready in seconds.


A pair of slacks. Like the denim shirt, these versatile pants mean business. (Get it? Hehehehe)

One pair of neutral shoes. It doesn't matter if they're boots, heels or flats, just as long as they're a pair you can reserve for work. Colors like brown, black, and gray are good.


Accessories
It goes without saying that accessories are the heroes of every girl's look. They can keep any look from being too blah. But there is a sort of limit when it comes to work. You obviously can't come in with that robot necklace your little sister bought you, or with that emo-looking choker from your vampire-worshipping cousin, unless you work at a bookstore. Good work jewelery doesn't beg  for attention, just throws a bit of color into the look.





Fashion Strudel is not liable for any advances made upon you by your boss or coworkers due to your smokin' style.
Ciao!