Shopping in Style
A complete guide to what you need to know when you go shopping.
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Why do some women dread shopping? They hyperventilate just thinking about clothing shopping.
I would like to show you how to be successful and come away with things you love and make your wardrobe more complete. Whether you love perusing the racks or avoid it at all cost, shop in person or online, your time and money is valuable!
Shocking to know that 80% of the time you only wear 20% of your wardrobe. What does that mean? Say for instance you have 10 outfits, then you will wear 2 of them 5 to 6 days out of 10 days.
Where do you start then?
By answering the next 5 questions:
- What is your face shape?
- What is the length of your neck?
- What is your body shape?
- Which colours suits you best?
- Do you know your Style personality?
Why is it important to know your face shape and your neck length?Considering there is 10 different face shapes, it is crucial to know your face shape and neck length to find the most flattering hairstyles, earrings, hats and eyewear.
Knowing your body shape is vital for being well-dressed and having great style. In order to dress well for your body shape, you need to learn the following style guidelines:
- Determine your body shape
- Know the style objectives for your shape
- Know which areas of your body to emphasize and which areas to conceal.
- Learn how to attract the eye to or detract the eye away from any area.
And very important, learn to create a well-balanced silhouette. Now let’s discuss the four main body types.
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The X-figure
The X-figureThat is the hourglass – think Marilyn Monroe.Did you know that only 8% of women in the world now have the hourglass figure? Hmm, did the designers get the memo?The X figure is when the hips and the bust is well balanced.There is a defined waist.And it is a general picture of harmony and balance. With the X, it is important to keep your upper and lower body balanced. Avoid loose fitting or oversized clothing, it will make you look bulky.
Let’s have a look at dressing secrets for an hourglass figure.The hourglass figure is accentuated by form hugging tops. Try adding a belt to basic tops. Wrap-style tops and dresses accentuate the waist and will enhance the hourglass figure.Flowing tops that are banded at the waist will create the same effect. Stay clear of boxy styles and choose form-fitting jackets or jackets that nip in at the waist with a flair at the hip.The hourglass figure can wear almost any bottoms, just make sure you pair it with the right top.Try high-waisted pants and pencil skirts, bootcut and straight leg pants, skinny jeans and pants paired with a balanced top and cargo or flap pocket jeans paired with a balanced top.Have a look in magazines, you share a body shape with Scarlett Johansen, Salma Hayek, and Kate Winslett. The latest icon with an hourglass figure to follow is definitely Megan Markle.
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The A-shape
The A shape: That is when the hips are wider than the bust and shoulders, but you still have a defined waste.Your goal will be to balance your figure by drawing the eyes up words to your top half. To suc create the appearance of an X shape figure. Consider billowy tops that add volume to the bust with a snug fitting waist. You can add flutter or princess sleeves for a more dramatic effect. Shirts with a fitted waist and embellishment around the bust and shoulders will balance your lower half. Wrap shirts with structured shoulders and a wide neckline will emphasize your small waist. Choose jackets with full or structured
shoulders and a nipped in waist in hip-length.
Stay away from hip pockets. Off-the-shoulders shirts or shirts with a wide neckline will always be flattering on you.Have a focal point or accessories on the upper half of your body, close to your face, to attract the eye to your upper body for a more balanced look.Please avoid shapeless tops!For the A shape, look for bottoms that will make your lower half appear smaller. Go for dark clean lines and simple stitching A-line or lightly gathered skirts and simple dark coloured slacks with minimal pockets. Choose relaxed fits that fall straight down from the widest part of your hips Who are you going to follow on Instagram with A shape figures, think Shakira, Beyonce, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez?
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The V-shape
The V shape: that is when you have a larger upper body, your hips are slim, and your bottom may be flat. Your waist is subtle but your shapely legs are your best asset!How do we dress a V shape? Plain and dark colours on top and more creative bottoms. That will draw attention away from the broader upper half and create the illusion of an hourglass figure.
Look for tops with a narrow V-neck and nipped in the waist, flaring slightly at the hip. Shirts with deep scoop or V-necks narrow your upper body. Look for shirts with vertical detail on the upper body, a nipped-in waist and flared bottom will add curves to the hips. Even jackets with a deep V-neckline, a nipped-in waist and flared bottom will be flattering.The V-shape will enhance the lower half to be in better proportion to the upper half. That image will be achieved by pants with wide or flared legs. Cargo style pants are particularly flattering. A-line skirts will create the illusion of fuller hips.
And who do you share a body shape with? Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford and the South-African born Princess Charlene of Monaco.
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The I-shape
The I shape– or rectangle: This is the most common of the 4 body shapes.The rectangle is when the hips and the bust are balanced, but the waist not very defined. Your bottom is probably flatter rather than round, but the lower legs are shapely and one of your best assets.
You need to create curves. Lucky for you there is a wider variety of outfits that compliments the I body shape in comparison to the other body shapes. You must create the illusion of a defined waste. How do you do that? By simply finding tops with belted or gathered waists with fullness around the bust and hips. Flowing tops with draping in the body and sleeves, billowy tops that add volume to the bust with a snug fitting waist and shirts with a fitted waist and embellishment around the bust and shoulders will give you a more curvaceous appearance.
When choosing a jacket, draw attention to your bust by pockets or detail.Bottoms must also add curves to the lower half of the body. Choose pants with a wide waist band and full or slightly flared legs. Full skirts of any length, paired with shirts that provide an equal amount of volume to your bust and shoulders will create an hourglass figure.Looking for Style ideas? Watch Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, Hillary Duff and the stylish Kate Middleton.