Just say NO!                                               Give it a GO!

Style Solution reader Laura asks:

Q: I have a beautiful suit (jacket and pants) by Perry Ellis. I bought it about six years ago. However, the jacket has shoulder pads. This is bad right? I don’t think they are really noticeable though. Also the pant has a high waist and a somewhat tapered leg. I could send you a picture if you wish. I would like your feedback!

A: Thank you for your question. Shoulder pads in and of themselves are not necessarily bad. They can really help give shape to certain body types. However, if they are large and can’t be removed, or are out of proporation to your body, they will look out of date. My main concern is the pants which sound severely out of date. We can do high waist, or tapered, but not both. It is hard to say without seeing you in the suit, but just based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like it may be time to donate this suit to your favorite charity (mine is Women Helpig Women in Costa Mesa) and finding a new one.

We all know that boho was so two years ago, but Julia Chaplin’s debut book, Gypset Style, identifies a new era of bohemia, the Gypset: one part gypsy, one part jet set. Without a peasant skirt in sight, the emphasis is on fashion risks and personal style instead of expensive, prefabricated, store bought creations.  The look consists of bold colors, ethnic prints, beaded jewelry, embroidery, layers, interesting color combinations, and anything bought in some far corner of the world.  In short, Gypset fuses the ease and carefree lifestyle of a gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set. 

More than a style, Gypset is a way of life that shuns the mainstream and celebrates the unique, exotic, and undiscovered.  Get the Gypset style by following these simple rules:

1)    Wear Bold Colors - Gypsetters love the beach, so think island colors like corals, turquoise, red, green, sky blue, hot pinks, and bright yellows.

2)    Play with Patterns and Prints - Try florals with stripes, polka dots with plaid, or gingham with argyle.  Don’t be afraid to use patterns to express your personality.

3)    Look for Flowy Fabrics - Lightweight fabrics are essential to any Gypset outfit.  Look for organic cottons, linen, bamboo, and chiffon. 

4)    Wear Transition Pieces - One reason Gypsetters are so influential and considered to have such great style is because they effortlessly transition their wardrobes from day to evening.  Search for key wardrobe staples that you can dress up or down with the addition of a different shoe, bag, or jewelry.

5)    Avoid Flashy Designer Logos - Look for unique styles that separate you from the pack instead of any item that screams designer name or initials.

Regardless of whether you’ve ever been to Ibiza, or could even locate it on a map, it’s possible to channel your inner Gypset by embracing your style and never apologizing for it.  Confidence and creativity are key.  You can find your passport and start globetrotting again after the recession.  For right now, just follow these Gypset rules and fake it till you make it.

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!   

While it may be tempting to throw clothing to the wind and jump straight into your tanks, minis, and sundresses, summer isn’t here just yet.  And I could bet that your beach body isn’t ready for center stage yet either.  Spring just began and in case you haven’t noticed, there is still a bit of a chill in the air. 

Spring’s soft, slouchy, boyfriend tees, and blazers make the perfect companion while not revealing too much of your reemerging killer silhouette.  Pair with a short short or skirt and heels to show off those legs and ensure that the look still has a feminine quality.   

The boyfriend blazer provides added warmth to your spring time look and can be shed easily when the weather heats up. 

Looks available at www.shopbop.com

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.   

Find these at www.nordstrom.com

If you’re like most Americans and you’re feeling the pinch of the economy, but you’re still itching to go shopping, go find yourself a colorful cardigan.  This classic staple will add a pop of Spring color to your day or evening looks at a price you can afford.  With every high street store from Forever 21 and the Gap, to Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdale’s carrying them, you’ll definitely find one that works for your shape and your wallet.  Whether you wear it over a dress, with a skirt at the office, or with jeans on the weekend, it’s almost impossible to screw up a colorful cardigan.   My suggestion is buy a couple, then wear them to death.  Experiment with them and you’ll see just how invaluable they really are.

The Heart Shaped Face

This shape has a very wide forehead and high cheekbones.  Face narrows gradually to the chin.  Frames should add width below the eye line to offset the narrow chin.    Very light colors and rimless styles are very effective.    Try frames that are wider at the bottom.    Other choices include aviator, butterfly, or low triangle styles; frames with rounded tops and squared bottoms will also work.

The Oblong or Rectangular Face

Because it is longer than it is wide, the oblong face needs a frame that is deeper than it is wide to shorten the face or to create the illusion of a shorter face.  Frames should break the length of the face, making the face appear shorter and wider.    Frames should have top to bottom depth.   To soften the face, try round, deep, or low triangle shapes, or frames with strong vertical lines.   A low bridge will also shorten the nose.

Finding a great pair of sunglasses is a must!  Personally, I suggest having at least two different pairs.  But if you can, have a whole sunglass wardrobe based on your mood, outfit, or location.  You’ll need a casual pair, dressy pair, very dark pair for the beach/pool/water, and a lighter pair for those partly cloudy days.  You can then add in a few differently styles depending on how fashionable you want to be.  The large Jackie O variety, retro 80s styles, or classic aviators are still considered fashionable.  Here are a few tips for finding frames that suit a square shaped face.  You can employ these same tips when looking for regular eye glasses as well. 

The Square Face
A strong jawline, a broad forehead, and a wide chin and cheekbones characterize a square face.  Width and length have the same proportions or are equal.  Frames should make the face look longer.   Gently curved narrow styles will minimize squareness and add length.   Frames should be more horizontal than vertical.   Try oval shapes with temples in the center.

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.