Shop With Style

Oh great…just in time for the Victoria’s Secret runway show. Curves, curves, curves. That’s all you seem to see and hear about in the fashion magazines today. Celebrity style magazines also have more than their fair share of curves, thanks to such glamazons as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce gracing the glosses pages. But if you’ve got a boyish figure, you might find it hard to identify, let alone rock those feminine, figure-hugging styles with any confidence. The good news is that you don’t have to wear Lycra to look like a glamorous woman. It’s all about fit, creative camouflage, and illusion! Here are the basics:

What identifies a boyish figure?  Typically, boyish figures are also known as “lean” or “athletic.” Shaped more like a ruler than an hourglass, your hips are narrow and your waist is small, as are your breasts.

What to avoid:

• Strapless anything
• Shapeless clothes, clothes that are too loose
• Body-con from top to bottom, you need to always wear at least one piece that is more structured with one piece that can create curves

Tops: One of the best features of that lean figure of yours will be your shoulders, so tops with high necklines, crew necks, boat necks, sleeveless, and halter tops will help to show off your shoulders will creating the illusion of a slightly larger bust. Also don’t forget great camouflaging helpers like ruffles and peplums. Not only will they add a distinct air of the feminine about you, but they act to add dimension without adding bulk or swallowing you up.

Jackets: Tailoring is key, as it is with jackets for every other body type. You are looking to add curves, so look for a structured jacket, or  a shorter jacket that nips in at the waist (with a tie or a button), and then softly flairs out. Cropped cardigans also help to “create” a waist for you. Another benefit of your lean figure is that your jackets can definitely have embellishments, and you can accessorize both jackets and cardigans by layering on a thin belt…again, helping to create curves where there aren’t many.

Bottoms: It might be tempting to go for tight or boxy mini-skirts, but instead, you should opt for softer yet flattering silhouettes, like circle or skater skirts. If you’re looking to go longer, fishtail or mermaid shapes are so flattering and absolutely girly. In terms of pants, you can definitely pull off cropped straight cuts, but don’t discount the effect of a great pair of structured, boot-cut trousers. Skinny jeans, leggings, and jeggings will work well, as long as they are paired with a slightly more flowy top, or layers like a ruffled blouse and a short cardigan. Low rise jeans with wide waistbands are a good choice too, and don’t forget that a bit of detailing on the hips and butt will also help to give the illusion of a curvier figure.

Dresses: Obviously, the best dress for the boyish frame will create curves. That means a flowy fabric, nipped in at the waist. Don’t shy away from ruffles, embellishment, or fullness at the bust, since your narrow hips will balance it out. Look for empire and A-line shapes, or dresses with a fuller skirt. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need movement in your dress, not something too clingy. Dresses with movement will skim your boyish figure but nip in at the waist, giving the appearance of more curves.

Planning to spend some quality time in colder climates this Winter? Think that a sweater and a jacket will get the job done? Guess again! In those chilly regions, where the temps dip into the 20s and 30s, and the wind gets whipping a bit, even ordinary things like walking, sightseeing, and window shopping can be tricky. If you want to stay nice and toasty, without adding big, bulky sweaters and jackets, then you are going to need layers. And these are going to be your most essential pieces…

• Skinny jeans – You love them in the Summer, Spring, and Fall…so why should Winter be any different? Actually, skinny jeans are ideal as a layering piece for so many reasons. Not only do they balance out your body shape when you wear those gorgeous, oversized sweaters, but they work really well with all kinds of Winter footwear, from knee-high boots to brogues to ankle booties. One tip though: try to find a pair with a bit of stretch to them, and don’t get them in a skin-tight size. This will enable you to layer a pair of tights for warmth underneath.
• Thick tights – A good pair of thick tights can be so versatile in the Winter! And by “thick tights” we mean opaque tights that are lined with a thin layer of a fleece-type material. They can be worn alone with a cute skirt or dress, or layered under jeans to help cut the cold and biting wind.
• Thin cashmere sweater – A thin cashmere sweater is not only an all-time wardrobe classic, but it is one of the easiest ways to add warmth without adding bulkiness. It can be layered over a tank, Henley, or even a long-sleeved button-up shirt for the ultimate in preppy chic. In really cold climates, it can even be used as a layer under a thicker sweater.
• Body-con long-sleeved Henley or crew neck shirt – These are some of the best, no-brainer layering pieces you can have in your wardrobe. If shopping for actual “base layers,” these shirts are almost always in a form-fitting Lycra, blended with some type of wool or synthetic fiber, since these will hold in heat much better than cotton. They come in all sorts of colors and look beautiful layered under a flannel or plaid shirt, worn open.
• Pashmina shawl – This, again, is another multi-tasking star for Winter! Much more versatile than a classic narrow scarf, the shawl can folded and worn as a thick and cozy scarf, or it can be opened and worn over your shoulders as a shawl. And if you look online, you’ll find no less than 100 different ways to fold it, wrap it, and wear it!
• Fuzzy socks – Think these are just for bedtime? Think again! They solve one of the epic conundrums of Winter-weather lovers everywhere…how to keep your feet warm and comfortable without causing them to sweat up a storm in your boots! Fuzzy socks, unlike wool socks, manage to keep in warmth, but still allow your feet to breathe. Plus their fluffiness adds an extra little bit of cushioning, which is always appreciated on lovely, crisp Winter walks in the woods!

Yes, yes…you need coats to keep you toasty when the air turns chilly. But you can accomplish that by walking around with wrapped in a blanket too.  If you’re gonna keep warm, you might as well do it with style, right? Right! Coats are not just mindless pieces of fabric that get you from point A to point B. Selecting a coat should be no different than selecting an outfit…it should always flatter your body type. These coats will keep you warm while making sure you look hot, flawlessly flattering both your shape and your style this winter!

Hourglass – If you’re an hourglass, then you know how tricky it can be to dress that beautiful shape of yours for warmth… without making that shape look like a tent or a blob. So, for the perfect coat, think wide-belted, single-breasted, with a bell-shaped or A-line skirt. It will show both your curves and define your small waist, which will keep your body in beautiful proportion.

Petite – Your small frame will only be swallowed up by a long coat with lots of bulky material, so look for something that ends just past your hips, and definitely no longer than mid-thigh. Also avoid big buckles and flashy buttons or embellishments. Coats with too much going on will only overwhelm your frame.

Pear – Since you’ve got some awesome hips and curves, your best coat will be one with a dramatic, sizeable, v-neck collar and a cinched waist. This will not only balance up your bottom half, it will draw the eye upwards toward your cleavage and face.

Boyish – The best way to add curves to a boyish shape is with a double-breasted, belted coat with either a peplum waist or a flared, bell-shaped bottom. This will help keep you looking slim while creating delicious curves in all the right places.

Apple – An overall A-line shape with an asymmetric closure (either the line of the zipper or buttons) will skim your widest area, while hugging your most narrow…thus creating a very flattering shape for you. Also look to a geometric, asymmetrical pattern, such as a plaid.

Long and lean – If your figure is ballerina-like (long and lean), you can pull off a longer, straight, structured coat. If it’s more on the boyish side and you’d like some curves, opt for a belted version that cinches in and creates/defines your waist. For an even more graceful and elegant line, try a funnel-neck collar. Positively swanlike!