Any loyal follower of The Style Solution knows that I love it when stores and brands help a girl out and break things down by body type.  If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid, you’ll know just how important this is.  There is nothing worse than being so excited that your BFF is getting married and asked you to be a bridesmaid, only to have the horror of seeing what she’s picked out for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.  All the other skinny bones Jones bridesmaids may easily fit into those little strapless numbers, but your large bust is not going to work in that tiny dress.

David’s Bridal has introduced a fabulous, body type index of all their dresses.  I love it.  You click on the body type that best describes you: full bust, curvy, petite, pear shaped, or boxy, then a list of dresses and separates appears that you can mix and match in different colors and styles to create your perfect look.  As a bride, you can tell your bridesmaids which color you want and then they can find a combo that works for them.  You will still have a uniform bridal party, but one that makes all of your bridesmaids shine because they feel good about the way they look and how they feel in their bridesmaids dresses.   

Your flower girls will look the part as well.  Mini me dresses are available in their size to make sure they feel like they are a uniform part of the wedding party as well.  Happy shopping!   

In years past, any bathing suit with a built in skirt was reserved for the over 70.  This year we’re seeing everything from barely there ruffle minis to slightly more modest super minis.  Almost every major swimwear brand including Betsy Johnson, Sauipe, Becca, Beach Bunny, and Juicy Couture are all showing their own take on this trend. 

Forgo the boyshort this summer and opt instead for a mini to look spot on trend, feminine, and flirty.

If you are looking for style and image advice that won’t cost you a fortune, you’re in luck.  I am now offering my Special Reports for a fraction of their printed price.  They regularly sell for $24, but you can download them today for $9.99.  Simply click the links below to order yours today.  I know you will find the information very useful and that it will help you look and feel your best.  Enjoy!

55 Ways to Slim Your Silhouette with Ease
This 32 page book gives you 55 easy ways to slim your silhouette today.  It includes tips on foundation garments, tailoring, fabrics, diverting attention, body types, proportion and balance, color, swimwear and more.  It is a great place to start if you want to look slimmer without surgery or fad diets.  It’s amazing how implementing these easy tips can instantly help create a slimmer silhouette.

Polishing Your Professional Image

By implementing the proven tips and guidelines in this book, women will feel more self confident, up to date, and put together.  The straightforward style, practical tips, and advice in these pages are easy to grasp and can be used immediately.  Every woman, regardless of size, shape, or age will be able to look more polished and professional.   

Shopping isn’t a sport.   So many of my clients race through stores, because like most people they are trying to do too many things in too short a period of time, that they end up buying things they don’t try on, don’t really like, and that don’t match anything else in their closet.  The result is racks of clothes that sit in your closet unworn, and obscene amounts of money wasted. 

Take your time, especially in this economy.  Try clothes on.  Look for a great fit and fabulous fabric.  Think about what you already have that will work with this new addition.  Only then should you think about buying something new.

Like the rest of our nation, and the world, I am mesmerized by the significance of the inauguration of our new president, Barak Obama.  While I’m not going to get political on you, I do want to talk about how beautifully appropriate Michelle Obama always looks.

Finally we have a first lady that is more than just a wife.  A woman that is intelligent, accomplished on her own, beautiful, stylish, and not afraid of color or taking fashion risks.  A strong woman and mother, a graceful woman that is feminine, yet still conservatively appropriate in her clothing choices.   What a perfect example of a smart, intelligent, graceful, classy, stylish, woman over 40.  She always looks perfectly put together without looking pretentious.  I think every woman, but especially those over 40, have a new fashion icon.  One that isn’t the latest Hollywood celebrity, but one that sets an example for all women. 

It’s a new year and it’s time for a new you.  Why wait any longer to look and feel your best?  This is the year to feel happy and confident about the way you look.  I always tell my clients that this may not be the body you want, but it’s the body you have.  So let’s make the most of it and make sure that you look and feel your absolute best.

Stop waiting to lose all the weight you want to.  It will never happen.  You’ll be waiting forever and look less than fabulous for the next ten years while you’re waiting to lose the weight.  Stop.  Just accept yourself the way you are now and make the most of what you’ve got.  Focus on the positive and forget about the parts you don’t like.  I promise, they are worse in your head than they are in reality.

If you are ready to make a change in a new direction, if you are ready to embrace yourself just as you are, if you are ready to look and feel fabulous, then I am ready to help.  I look forward to helping you make 2009 the year you feel fantastic. 

Call me on 714 351 3849 to schedule an individual consultation or sign up for one of my many group training courses.  I look forward to helping you look and feel your best!

Body ShapersHide the sags and bulges that age and constant stress have given our bodies. Wear pantyhose, tights and undergarments that provide support to your legs, thighs and hips. However, do not punish yourself by wearing things that pinch your body too much and are too uncomfortable for you. You are supposed to smile and feel good about what you are wearing. 

Update Your Bra Every time you need a new bra, get professionally fit.  Your breasts change size and shape as you age, and modern technology changes.   Make sure your girls look their best in modern, well fitting bras. 

Update Your PantiesMake sure your backside doesn’t scream old lady with obvious panty lines.  A thong or boy short is a great modern alternative to “granny panties.”

The key to a successful shopping trip is having direction.  Know what you’re looking for in order to shop with precision.  When working as a stylist, I always know what look I am trying to achieve for a photo shoot, movie premiere, or commercial.  I get a brief from the art director or from a client’s publicist and that sets me in the right direction.  The brief will help me figure out if the look should be sweet, edgy, funny, etc.  Obviously different designers would be used for each look.  For example, you’d never use out Dolce & Gabbana for a sweet look…only the most sexy.

The same can work for you when you’re out shopping on your own.  What look are you trying to achieve?  How do you want people to think of you?  Remember you?  Seek out those stores and designers that will help convey that image.  If you ever need any guidance or specific stores/designers for a look, you can always call me, your personal stylist, and I will give you a list to work with.  Happy shopping!

My client Ann, was looking for a simple, fast, yet effective makeup update.  As you see from this before and after, we certainly didn’t give her too much makeup, yet she looks younger and more polished in the after picture.  The whole makeup routine takes no more than 15 minutes max, and it suits her simple, laid back lifestyle.

This is a pretty large can of worms that I am about to open up here, but I thought I needed to address this annual dreaded occasion.  Most women I know absolutely hate shopping for bathing suits, so here are a few things to think about to hopefuly make this event a little easier.   

Go Up a Size - Always try one size larger than you think you wear.  When a bathing suit is too tight, the edges cut into your body creating bulges where you’d rather no one look.  When a swimsuit fits a little looser, the skin is squeezed less and creates fewer unwanted bulges.   

Dark Colors and Skin Tones - Remember that darker colors recede, making your silhouette appear smaller.  So dark-colored suits work well.  Skin tone suits give the impression of an all-over monotone look, which is also always a winner.  Loud Prints and ColorsSmall or sparse prints are ok, but big prints attract attention and make you look bigger.  If you can’t resist being covered in hibiscus flowers, at least make sure you wear the print where it will draw attention away from problem areas.   

Stripe Cleverly - Cleverly placed vertical or diagonal stripes can help slim your silhouette if they are placed in the right spot.  Where stripes start and end on a swimsuit is the key to whether you are drawing attention to or away from problem areas.   

Buy Separates - If one half of your body is much curvier than the other half, you have probably had difficulty finding a one piece swimsuit that fits well.  The good news is that there are many brands today that sell tops and bottoms separately.   

Busted - Full-busted women need a little extra support.  Try under wire tops or suits designed for long torsos as your bust will take up some of the extra material.   

High Cut - The higher the cut, the longer your legs appear.  The longer your legs appear, the leaner they look!  Go for the highest cut you feel comfortable in.   

Short Cut - Boy shorts may be a good alternative to wearing thong underwear, but stay away from them in bathing suits.  This style makes your legs looks significantly shorter and adds a horizontal line across your thighs.  It can also make your thighs look larger if the leg opening is too small which squeezes any extra flesh.