Summer Slim Down

Britt looks adorable in this cool summer dress and Gladiator sandals. However, she has chopped her 5'4" frame off at the ankle with those black straps! By wearing a similar style sandal in flesh tone, she has visually added length to her legs. The heels also extend her legs by adding physical height. Defining her waist with a thin belt has a slimming effect. She re-created her 5'1" appearance to an actual 5'7" and trimmed 15 pounds in under a minute!

Stripes for Spring!

Coco Chanel first made stripes chic - despite those challenging horizontal lines. If this bothers you, notice that the narrow stripes create a "ladder" effect, drawing the eye up and down. A jacket worn over the top can instantly divide a wide upper body. 

The traditional nauticals are usually found in black/white or navy/ivory combinations. Choose the one that best suits your complexion - even if you need to find a red/ivory version. You can also try Natalie's trick from the French and wear a scarf against your face! http://what2wear.us/Services.html

Emerald in March

Jewel tones flashed in abundance on Fashion Week's 2013 runways. You don't need the luck of the Irish to carry off this rich shade of green! Enjoy a fashionable nod to The Great and Powerful Oz, March, and Spring itself in Emerald, the color of the year!

Pop of Color

Try adding a pop of color - one that works for YOU.  Brighten up a drab outfit, break up boring neutrals, or warm yourself whimsically on a cold winter day!

Winter Coats

It's not too late to get a dynamite winter coat - at a fabulous price! For those of you brave enough (& with the right coloring) try Winter White, shown here. I went with the golden warmth of Brown Sugar;  Lord & Taylor is having the right size delivered to my home with free shipping! www.what2wear.us

Pants Primer

Here's a photo from Elle's 'Street Chic' section, showing us what fashionable women on the street are wearing today. This skinny leg pant has been around for several seasons now and often looks best on the very young and models who barely have hips. This beautiful young woman (with a lovely figure) is wearing a patterned version which only EMPHASIZES what skinny pants can do. The SKINNIER the ANKLE, the WIDER ones HIPS are in proportion. So, if you'd like to create some shape - go for it! Otherwise, a flare can help for balance, and a trouser can diminish hips and elongate a leg!
http://what2wear.us/Welcome.html

Petite Proportion

Contrary to popular belief, petite women do NOT look good in everything! A petite figure can easily get lost in over-sized clothing or disproportionate pieces! What a way to drown a beautiful body! 

Wearing tailored pieces will complement, not overpower a petite figure. All one color (even in varying shades) will elongate the body instead of cropping it. Showing more leg - even down to a lower vamp on a shoe can extend length as well!

Balance your Figure with a Blazer

Autumn is here and I am thrilled about the crisp weather! One of the most versatile and figure-flattering items of clothing in your fall wardrobe has to be the BLAZER. Not only does it give you a finished look over anything, the right cut and fit can balance your figure. Yes, even yours! You can balance wide hips by adding substance to your shoulder; just be careful to choose a length above or below your widest part. You can slim a large upper body by leaving the jacket open to visually divide it. The natural V neckline of a blazer will elongate your neck. A well-shaped, fitted jacket can actually carve you a waistline where there was none before. Want a longer, leaner look? Wear all one color head to toe and add a contrasting or coordinating blazer left open to show that vertical column!

Summer Heat

In the heat of Summer, there really is no way to hide behind layers for camouflage! We need to use visual tricks and fitted cuts to help with slimming! Notice how this over-sized print, shapeless dress actually ADD fullness to her figure! A body-skimming dress with color-blocking works overtime to shape and slim!

Layering for Camouflage

Maryland welcomed me back home from overseas with a real Spring!  Singapore - where heat and humidity is a year-round season - doesn't allow for wearing much more than one layer, preferably drip-dry!  Maryland, on the other hand (& side of the globe), has gifted us with an extended Spring this year! It's such a treat even on days when the temps creep into the 80's because the day always begins in the 60's or 70's! Therefore, we have greater opportunity to camouflage our body imperfections: balance those hips with a blazer, wear long pants that elongate our legs, even put on our tummy-tucking jeans! Enjoy it now, because the Summer challenge won't be far away!

Conceal & Reveal Tips

Bust

Conceal: Semi-fitted styles, darted tops, V-necks, sweetheart cuts and single-breasted jackets will help a big bust look best. Steer clear of high crew necks and turtlenecks with horizontal patterns, which can create a "uniboob" and make your torso look thick.

Reveal: Ruffles and ruching will add texture to a top and give you a more voluptuous appearance. Horizontal and empire-waist cuts will also make a small bust look best.

Conceal & Reveal Tips

Shoulders

Conceal: If you want to appear narrower in the shoulders, wear dark colors on top. Raglan sleeves on shirts also make your shoulders seem slimmer by drawing your eye inward. Avoid wearing anything boxy since this adds weight and does not draw the eye to a defined waist.

Reveal: Wide lapels or epaulets on your jackets will widen the look of your shoulders. Also, wearing anything with strong shoulders and a nipped waist will accentuate your shoulders.

Neck

Conceal: Audrey Hepburn was admired for her lovely long neck, but if you feel that yours is a little too long, there are ways to conceal it by wearing high crew-neck tops or turtlenecks.

Reveal: If you want the opposite effect, wearing V-necks and wide U-necks will elongate the appearance of your neck by drawing the eye down toward the décolletage.

Conceal & Reveal Strategies

I've dressed some of the most famous women in the world and promise you that every single one of them has told me that she would like to conceal a few things. The best-dressed women and the most sexy women are those who show off their assets and hide their flaws. One of the most important tips I can give you is to be comfortable in your clothes, because if you are comfortable and confident, you will be sexy! Therefore, you should only wear clothing you feel comfortable and confident in; clothing that hides your flaws and highlights your best features. Every woman's body has flaws she might want to hide, and every woman's body has assets she should want to flaunt. It is sometimes easy to get caught up in our flaws, but don't let them distract you from remembering your good parts! I suggest that you pick the three body parts that you consider "flawed" and pick the three body parts that you love most. Use these choices and refer to the "Conceal and Reveal Strategies" I will list next to get some tips on how to hide flaws and accentuate assets to become your most sexy self.

Bradley Bayou's Sexy Science: The Best Fashion for Your Shape and Size
A couture fashion designer with an atelier in Beverly Hills, Bradley Bayou is taking the same formula he uses on his celebrity clients to make women of all shapes and sizes look their best with his book The Science of Sexy.

7 Ways to Not Look Fat in a Swimsuit

• Buy bigger. A common mistake is to go too small, especially with bikini or tankini bottoms. (Don't be distressed if you need a larger suit—swimwear often runs a size or two smaller than streetwear.)
  
  
• Brighten up gradually. Although dark-skinned women can wear bold colors right away, paler types should start summer with a neutral like mocha or chocolate (less stark than black), working up to juicier shades as they get some sun.
  
  
• Accentuate the positive. Put color and pattern where you want attention, dark solids where you don't.
  
  
• Know your body. Each figure type imposes its own limits. Some helpful innovations: bikini tops with fixed cups (like a T-shirt bra for the beach) to support larger breasts, one-pieces with cutaway backs—they cover the stomach but look like sexy two-pieces from behind.
  
  
• Psych up for trying on. Shop in the morning, on a relatively empty stomach; avoid bloat-prone days. Self-tanning beforehand makes women feel more confident, Borish says—and arms and legs look slimmer.
  
  
• Don't rush. Block out a few hours for shopping, and try on at least ten suits. If the changing room doesn't have a three-way mirror, leave.
  
  
• Explore online options. Make sure the website has free returns so you can order several suits and sizes without risk—essentially, your home becomes your try-on room. O, The Oprah Magazine | June 15, 2006 advice from Lauren Borish, senior buyer for FigLeaves.com, a lingerie and swimsuit website

Timeless Wardrobe Picks

Invest in Classics and they'll see you thru the years! With choices like these you can't go wrong - add your own style trends of the moment to update from year to year (or decade to decade)!

1. A little black dress made forever popular by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. You don't need a Givenchy, just one that fits well and suits your own figure! Dress it down for day, glam it up for evening!

2. A neutral shoe sounds simpler than it may be to find in some seasons. I'm referring to a leather shoe in your own skin color (not beige or tan) which will visually extend the line of your leg. Any vertical line extended helps slim you!

3. A touch of animal print can be fun without overbearing when done in a bag or a shoe. I have a purse of my grandmother's from the 40's and a pair of heels from the 80's which are perfect to use today with neutrals or contrasting prints.

4. A pencil skirt can be sexy without revealing and appropriate at any age. If you have a boyish shape, it gives the impression of curves; if you're curvy, it plays up your figure; and it's more flattering to a plus size than a full skirt.

5. A blazer, "borrowed from the boys" oversized or feminine-fitted and shapely, is a staple that can extend your wardrobe options and carry you from morning to night!

Amazing Body-Shaping Jeans

FORWARD-SHIFTED SIDE SEAMS

The vertical seams on these bootcuts are repositioned to give the impression of a longer, narrower line.

Calvin Klein Jeans Shape, $70;CalvinKleinJeans.com

SUPER-HOLD TUMMY PANEL

From one of my favorite figure-flattering brands: The perfect Spandex-denim blend takes off ten pounds.

Miraclebody by Miraclesuit, $110, Nordstrom

BUILT-IN SHAPEWEAR

These incorporate a power-mesh panty that smooths the stomach while lifting and molding your butt. Though white, the thick fabric conceals flaws.

$59; ShapeFX.com

COVERAGE FOR PETITES

Short, plus-size women can find affordable, great fitting pairs from Just My Size. This pair offers width and fullness, as well as its signature tummy control panel, and comes in a shorter length.

"The Short," $18; Walmart.com

Spring Trends to Avoid - What to Wear Instead

TREND: Innerwear as Outerwear

"This spring, several designers returned to corsetry, lace and boning—it was a huge trend," says Adam. "I believe in the 9 to 5 girl—how do I say this—not the 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. girl."

HERE TO STAY: SMART LAYERING
Fortunately, says Adam, there's a tasteful way to adapt this trend. (Which is great, because most of us can't pull off Victorian madam, circa 1885, or Madonna, circa 1985.) For a hint of lace, he suggests wearing a pretty camisole under a cardigan or jacket (instead of reaching for your standby cotton T-shirt). Or you might save the pretty corsets and delicate, transparent lace pieces for the bedroom. "The lingerie companies are going to be very inspired by the runway looks, so if you run to Victoria's Secret, you'll find lots of pretty bra-and-panty sets now."

TREND: High-Waisted, Pleated Pants

Although this looked terrific on the runway, Adam is not usually a fan of pleats in the real world. Why? "They're the quickest way to add pounds to your body," he says. "No one needs excess fabric around their waist or belly."

HERE TO STAY: LOOSE TROUSERS
The past few years have seen a lot of extremely low-rise and incredibly tight styles, so Adam understands why women might be tempted by trousers that offer more coverage. But instead of going for a high-waisted style, he recommends a classic shape in this spring's flowy, softer materials. These pants, like the Etro style, right, have more room through the thighs. If you really want to try the pleat trend, he says, "avoid the typical box-pleats and look for inverted styles." These are sewn down—think catholic schoolgirl kilts or cheerleader skirts—and are typically more flattering. (If you have a short torso, any pleat is going to make you look shorter, so this trend may be one you skip entirely.)

TREND: Kooky Footwear

"The styles designers featured this season were eye-catching, true...;," says Adam, "but I think they're way too much of a conversation piece for most women's lives. Also, some of the clunkier styles can make a person look like Fred Flintstone.

HERE TO STAY: PLATFORMS AND WEDGES
"The covered platform is very fashionable and surprisingly wearable," says Adam. He likes shoes that mix textures and fabrics—like this Ralph Lauren espadrille wedge with delicate blue straps. These less-radical but still charming, chic styles will freshen up any neutral—a khaki skirt, a pair of white jeans—already in your closet.

Adam Glassman's crib sheet on which trends won't do you any favors—and which ones have the potential to become classics

Spring Trends to Avoid & What to Wear Instead

TREND: All-Over Demin

You don't want to wear denim on top and bottom, Adam says. (As shown here.) "You also want to avoid anything that's bedazzled, shredded, studded—basically, anything that smacks of Pat Benetar in 1984."

HERE TO STAY: ONE KEY DENIM PIECE
Dark wash jeans, skirts and jackets are always chic, but this season there are more varieties to play with: vests, button-down shirts and countless different styles of dresses. "Just remember, a little denim goes a long way."

TREND: Thigh-Baring Minis

Unless you're built like Gisele Bundchen, Adam says, beware anything that is super-short—including shorts.

HERE TO STAY: AN ALWAYS-FLATTERING PENCIL SKIRT
Just above the knee, it gives a hint of sexiness without being as obvious as a mini. It's also more age and work appropriate for those of us with office jobs. If you're desperate to try the shorts look, choose a longer style than what's waltzing down the runways.

Great jeans under $50

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is a daunting task. Finding the perfect pair of jeans for the perfect price? Even harder. Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, has scoured the fashion world to find a budget-conscious jean on which he can put his fashion stamp of approval.

"I'm always looking for great jeans under $100," he says. "Guess what? I found a pair of jeans under $50. They're totally incredibly, they're only $42, and they're by Lee Jeans." Adam says Lee has the three styles that look best on women with real curves: trouser cut, boot cut and straight leg.

DOES THIS MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG? HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

Inspired by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, focus in the mid 90’s into the first part of the 21st century was on the buttocks. Styles designed to showcase the derriere created booty mania and it seemed no one noticed how much girth was created by such “hot” new looks. Interestingly, it was the same at the turn of the last century. The difference being that women used corsets and bustles. Today we use pocketdetail, fading, tapered styling and low slung hip belts to increase focus and size.

Though some find it difficult to believe, many women desire a boost to their booty. If you want to enlarge or draw attention to your hips and buttocks remember these handy “Christopher Quotes”:

• The tighter the taper the bigger the butt.
• Hip huggers help build hefty hips.
• Bias cut equals bigger butt.
• Wherever a pocket, so too our eyes.
• Fade on your fanny gives sprawl to your seat.
• Bling on your butt puts junk in your trunk.
  

Booty Booster Bottoms

• Bias cut
• Tulip or pegged
• Tapered
• Hip huggers
• Yoked
• Cropped
  

Remember: The smaller you make your top, the bigger you make your bottom. Choose dark colors that fit closely on your upper half if you wish to make your bottom bigger.


The simplest way to minimize your bottom is to maximize your top. Style lines that broaden the shoulder and upper body will help balance the hips.