Showing posts with label fashion confections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion confections. Show all posts
Hello again! To those who don't know me, I'm Keira. I'm not a girl who always has her nose in a fashion magazine, and often is found in jeans and a pair of comfy shoes. Although I do love fashion and its potential artistic beauty, I love the simplicity found in practical, applicable fashion. And that is what I am writing about today.
Since this series of articles are about fashion for the everyday woman, and the everyday woman is BUSY, each article is a bite-sized treat ("chic morsel") for the fashion-minded, but not necessarily the fashion-savvy, woman. :)
This series of articles contains the knowledge of basic fashion I wish I would have had when I was twelve years old to consult through my teenage years and early adulthood. Although it may be very rudimentary knowledge to some, I hope everyone can benefit from a little bit of wisdom imparted in this last and previous articles.
In case you missed our last installment, here is the link to the first step and the second step in down-to-earth, but elegant, fashion: defining one's self. And now, to pick up from where we left off:
For my last fashion article, I would love to give every woman a basic guideline for her everyday wardrobe. With these pieces (separated for the different seasons), you will be elegantly ready for almost any quotidian [Lu's note: this means daily. I looked it up :)] occurrence. For further reading or reference, I highly recommend this book.
For Winter and Fall
- One black coat (trench or peacoat, depending on your shape -- peacoat especially recommended for apple and pear shapes)
- One coat in a bright color (example: red)
- One dark suit (if you work), pantsuit or a blazer and skirt, in a dark shade
- One plain sweater in an easy-to-match color (brown, white, beige, black)
- One black skirt—A line for those who are pear-shaped, a nice pencil skirt for the others
- One pair of black pumps (pointy toe for those who want to look modern and tall, round toe for everyone else, except if you are over 50 years old)
- One pair of brown shoes, preferably low-heeled
- One black handbag to match the shoes
- One brown handbag to match brown shoes
Note: Bags don't have to match the EXACT same pattern/material, just similar. - An absolute must: One little black dress. Note: Now, take your time and find something you REALLY love. Don’t just buy a LBD just to have one. You need to LOVE that LBD :)
For Spring and Summer
- One lightweight wool suit, gray or navy, depending on your preference and complexion
- Two blouses to match, one bright (yellow, pink, bright blue) and one dark.
- Two skirts of lightweight material that match the blouses (I often gravitate toward khaki skirts, since dressed up they are passable for church. Corduroy is a great choice as well.)
- A good sturdy pair of jeans that hug you well and that you love
- One white button up shirt that fits you well
- A pair of Bermuda shorts (longer is better, short is acceptable for those under 21), navy is a great color, but khaki or plaid work as well. If long shorts make you look short, try
- A few cotton tops that match your jeans and shorts/capris
- One light colored handbag to match your “casual clothes”—I have a beige one, and plenty of cheaper cloth printed bags
- One summer hat (mine is straw), in case you want to go swimming
Now the nitty-gritty with accessories:
The ultimate ideal would be to have matching shoes, coats and bags in black, brown, and a lighter color, such as beige. But if you can only start with one, always start with black. Gloves in black for winter are probably all you need, but if you would like to co-ordinate with gloves, too, you are welcome (no one uses gloves as a real fashion accessory anymore. How sad! :) No one really uses hats much anymore, but it couldn’t hurt to have a matching winter hat, scarf or knitted ear cover that matches your coat.
Sunglasses are fun and always add an extra touch to any outfit. Beware that your glasses say a bit about you—so if you aren’t an “aviator” girl, don’t pick aviators, no matter how popular they are. The bigger the glasses, the bigger the ego, they say. So if you choose big glasses, be prepared to act big! I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that on the opposite end, too small of sunglasses really don’t perform their function very well, therefore choose wisely. :)
One thing a girl simply cannot be without is a pearl necklace. Pearls are timeless, classy, elegant, and go with everything. There is no age limit on the wearing of pearls like there is on other jewelry (one is never too old or young for pearls, the question is size). This doesn’t excuse those who wear a blouse covered in tiny pearls and lace—less is always more. But a strand of pearls with black sweater, or a little black dress? Gorgeous. Simple pearl earrings with a summer dress? Classy. The rule is, the larger the pearl, the older the woman. I would say until you are over fifty, don’t choose pearls larger than 8 mm. I personally love anywhere from 6 mm to 7.5 mm in diameter for my set.
Pearls also come in other shadessilver beaded necklace—these beads are shaped just like pearls, but are silver instead. This is very beautiful paired with a red or black sweater at Christmastime. It’s one of my favorite accessories!
As for other necklaces for daily wear, simple geometric shapes never truly go out of style. A circle of small diamonds, a square inlaid with a stone, etc. are all good choices for your basic accessory needs.
Be careful in choosing your costume jewelry, since these pieces are usually in season for only one year. The heavier the piece, the louder it is. Colors say a bit too, so stay on the conservative side until you have your bases covered, then venture out. A word of warning as well: if you don’t have much of a budget, don’t buy a piece of costume jewelry unless you can pair it with at least two outfits at home, if not more. It’s always a shame to find something you love, and then have no occasion to wear it!
I am so grateful for my opportunity to contribute to the blog of a friend I consider the epitome of simple and natural beauty, Lu. Thank you for reading and all your support! :)
Thanks, Keira! You are far too kind in your compliments. :)
And, dear readers, don't worry, Keira isn't throwing in the towel -- she'll be with us covering different topics in the coming months until she gets sick of me. :) And as you're looking at building your basic wardrobe as Keira suggests, keep an eye on the clearance racks! As long as you stick with classic styles, the pieces you buy this spring from last fall/winter's selections will still be classic next fall/winter without breaking the bank!
For those of you in Utah wondering about getting your own string of pearls, just be patient until Mothers Day. Even if pearls aren't in the budget, Goldsmith Jewelers in Provo gives out free strands of pearls (one per household) each year. That's where I got my pearls and I love them!
Thanks, Keira! You are far too kind in your compliments. :)
And, dear readers, don't worry, Keira isn't throwing in the towel -- she'll be with us covering different topics in the coming months until she gets sick of me. :) And as you're looking at building your basic wardrobe as Keira suggests, keep an eye on the clearance racks! As long as you stick with classic styles, the pieces you buy this spring from last fall/winter's selections will still be classic next fall/winter without breaking the bank!
For those of you in Utah wondering about getting your own string of pearls, just be patient until Mothers Day. Even if pearls aren't in the budget, Goldsmith Jewelers in Provo gives out free strands of pearls (one per household) each year. That's where I got my pearls and I love them!
Hello again! To those who don't know me, I'm Keira. I'm not a girl who always has her nose in a fashion magazine, and often is found in jeans and a pair of comfy shoes. Although I do love fashion and its potential artistic beauty, I love the simplicity found in practical, applicable fashion. And that is what I am writing about today.
Since this series of articles are about fashion for the everyday woman, and the everyday woman is BUSY, each article is a bite-sized treat ("chic morsel") for the fashion-minded, but not necessarily the fashion-savvy, woman. :)
This series of articles contains the knowledge of basic fashion I wish I would have had when I was twelve years old to consult through my teenage years and early adulthood. Although it may be very rudimentary knowledge to some, I hope everyone can benefit from a little bit of wisdom imparted in this and upcoming articles.
In case you missed our last installment, here is the link to the first step in down-to-earth, but elegant, fashion: defining one's self. And now, to pick up from where we left off:
Now that you have some ideas of the personality you would love to define through clothing, we have to define two things that you cannot change, and, in order to adhere to elegant practices, must use guidelines for accordingly: body shape, and age. I apologize ahead of time for bringing them up. :)
First, body shape. You must find your inflection points. They are usually described like an object:
Apple: Curvier on top.
Pear: Curvier on bottom.
Banana: Not very curvy at all.
Hourglass: Equally curvy on top and bottom.
Be honest, but not brutal with yourself. You want clothes that accent you and fit you well, right? Then let us enhance what you have, draw attention to it!
Scroll down to find your shape, and have fun shopping accordingly. :)
Apple: You’ve got the bosoms some girls die for. A little bit of décolleté (or "cleavage") goes a long way for you! Whether it is implied or actual décolleté is up to you. Implied can be through V-neck shirts and sweaters with the layering of a shirt or tank underneath, vests, button up shirts (depending on your size, you can leave the whole shirt open with an undershirt, or leave it half open), and cardigans. Anything that creates a line from your neck to your chest.
If your derrière (your behind :) is not as proportionate to your other assets as you’d like them to be, wear tighter fitting jeans or skirts. Create long lines, if possible. The reason for this is your one side-effect of your asset: you tend to look rounder or fuller because your chest happens to be near your face, and all people upon first meeting you look at your face. You could be banana-thin, but with an ample bosom, you look curvy. Try to create long lines, vertical lines, to draw out a little of that attention.
Pear: You are lucky in the areas your apple friends are not—you can look very thin in the frame of your face and shoulders when meeting the first time, but have curves when walking away. :) Because you have more room, you can wear empire-waist dresses so well; you might as well have been born in Jane Austen’s time.
But alas, when walking away with sass, you want to impress as well, so let’s accent what you have. First, fun and colorful A-line skirts will juice up the area, but not too much. A-line dresses with almost any neckline are great for you. Cap sleeves, ¾ length, even strapless look great on you, you lucky dog! If you do want to show off your ample derriere in something tight: black is best, as are most neutral colors. I wouldn’t brave banana yellow pleather pants if I were you, or if I were me! Pantsuits are best when possible, and try and keep a consistent line from your waist down.
Banana: Honestly, why are you reading this? What can you NOT wear? I wouldn’t often suggest tights as pants or skinny jeans, but they were made for you! Tanks, short skirts, flats or heels, heck, walking down the street in a ballerina’s outfit, you could probably get away with! The only advice I can offer is that accenting your waist is never a bad thing if you want the illusion of curves for a softer feminine touch.
Hourglass: Ah, the men-can-make-a-hand-gesture-for-it figure. You probably have enough in each spot for the best of both worlds. Natural waist dresses or blouses, especially if accented by things like a sash, bow or embroidery, are flattering on you. Long lines are always becoming, especially if you have such a figure, but you are short. High heels and boots are your friend - they add authority to your curves!
Secondly, age. Before I begin, I would like to preface all that I suggest about age and fashion by asking you to not take offense. Times are changing quickly, and women are becoming mothers later in life, and grandmothers even later. Whether it be an easier lifestyle or plastic surgery, many women look young for their age, compared to generations before. So when reading over these guidelines, please note that most of my information comes from one of my favorite authors on the subject, as well as a little cultural experience. I could be wrong, or you could look young for your age and thus "get away" with younger styles. Take these suggestions with a grain of salt.
I doubt many who read this are under twenty, but if so, never you mind—you can wear almost anything, depending on your type—any color, almost any length (although I would not suggest very short), modern or classic styles.
For the rest of us: the more conservative, the better.
Before and during the thirties, knees shown are acceptable, as well as quite a bit of décolleté. Arms exposed to the shoulders are generally more acceptable. This can depend on where you live and your lifestyle--being a soccer mom or a New York commuter can greatly influence what you prefer to show off. :)
Forty is a gray area, because, as aforementioned, many are not becoming mothers nowadays until about this age. But generally you begin to have older children by forty or fifty, and this marks the advent of a new kind of beauty. An emphasis on your chest is acceptable for the motherly look—but generally you should become more conservative in dress and in colors.
Nothing is more becoming than a beautifully aging and elegant woman. Nothing is more revolting than someone who refuses to age gracefully and continues extreme fashion.
I hope this article helps those of us who need guidelines to choose wisely, and unlocks a type of fun in selecting outfits and shopping.
My next article will be on your basic wardrobe for different seasons and how to select accessories. Thank you all for reading!
I am so thrilled today to introduce you to my friend, Keira, who will be posting here monthly. While she and I have a lot in common (I mean, that's part of why we can get along so well), the things I love most about Keira are all of the amazing qualities she has that I am sorely lacking: elegance, tact, grace, fashion sensibility... plus she is a fantastic decorator and a (practically) gourmet-but-healthful cook. So... pretty much everything I am NOT, yet dream of being. :) Give her a warm welcome!
Hello, I'm Keira. I’m not a girl who always has her nose in a fashion magazine. You can often find me (after the birth of my son) in jeans and the occasional pair of flip-flops. I do not wear a lot of make up, nor have I ever spent more than fifteen minutes on my hair (with the exception of high school dances and my wedding day). These articles are about practical, applicable fashion. Natural beauty and elegance.
In case you need a visual, it’s not about this:
But more like this:
Since this series of articles are about fashion for the everyday woman, and the everyday woman is BUSY, each article is a bite-sized treat ("chic morsel") for the fashion-minded, but not necessarily the fashion-savvy, woman. :)
This series of articles contains the knowledge of basic fashion I wish I would have had when I was twelve years old to consult through my teenage years and early adulthood. Although it may be very rudimentary knowledge to some, I hope everyone can benefit from a little bit of wisdom imparted in this and upcoming articles.
To truly know one's self is to be elegant. Therefore, let us start with defining what you are and who you want to convey, since your dress should reflect (among many things) your personality. What kind of person are you? Do not just ask yourself—ask your partner, best friend, sister, or mother. It’s always a fun experiment to try. :) Some examples:
Obviously, the styles you choose, the colors you wear, and the patterns presented are going to say a bit about your personality. Like it or not, most judge a book by its cover. So since you have defined a little of who you are, what do you want to say about yourself?
This is one example: my sister-in-law is an artist. She is brave, comedic, young, loud, artsy, and prefers to be comfortable. The outfits and bright colors she chooses to wear reflect that. A perfect metaphor for her personality is that she has a beloved pair of bright yellow Converse shoes. Are YOU a bright yellow personality? Are you a "sneaker" girl? Do you enjoy "grown-up dress up" and find occasions (i.e. church) to do so?
All colors and patterns (even loud ones) have their place. But there are more appropriate times to wear your chosen outfits--for example, though it may be your favorite color, "you don't wear white to a wedding". Timing is everything. Think about the event as well as your "message". Some examples of different messages clothing can send are below:
* The color white, in general, can be formal (think: wedding dresses, button-up shirts), and often shows others that you are very clean (unless you spill your spaghetti on it, in which case you can be misconstrued as very dirty :).
* Animal prints are rather bold and sassy. They are very modern as well, going in and out of fashion often. If you choose to wear them, you will have to keep up-to-date on the latest trends to make sure you aren't committing a faux pas.
* Lace has a tipping point (and the same idea applies to embroidery). A little accent of lace can add a feminine touch, but too much lace can make you seem like a walking doily. Remember those? Probably used in your grandmother's home? If you don't want to look like a grandmother (or great-grandmother), use lace wisely.
* Bright, primary colors are often worn by bold, artistic people (see example above!), and children. Determine if you are that kind of person, and even if you're not, you may find an occasion that it may be "you".
* You have probably heard that black is best. In most scenarios, that is completely true. Black is the color of professionalism and being chic, and the saying IS true that black is slimming. A little black dress truly IS a girl's best friend, when it is picked with care and suits the body well. The only occasion black may not be what you are looking for is when everyone else is wearing it, and you'd like to stand out from the crowd. This is true of most cocktail parties, social gatherings, and balls. Black is a safe, common color, which can be your ally or enemy.
* Think about your lifestyle (stay at home mommy? professional businesswoman?) as you choose your clothes. I love high heels, personally, but since I'm a stay at home mom without a car, I rarely want to walk in high heels to get somewhere, however beautiful they look. :)
Read more from this post in Beauty follower »
Hello, I'm Keira. I’m not a girl who always has her nose in a fashion magazine. You can often find me (after the birth of my son) in jeans and the occasional pair of flip-flops. I do not wear a lot of make up, nor have I ever spent more than fifteen minutes on my hair (with the exception of high school dances and my wedding day). These articles are about practical, applicable fashion. Natural beauty and elegance.In case you need a visual, it’s not about this:
But more like this:
Since this series of articles are about fashion for the everyday woman, and the everyday woman is BUSY, each article is a bite-sized treat ("chic morsel") for the fashion-minded, but not necessarily the fashion-savvy, woman. :)
This series of articles contains the knowledge of basic fashion I wish I would have had when I was twelve years old to consult through my teenage years and early adulthood. Although it may be very rudimentary knowledge to some, I hope everyone can benefit from a little bit of wisdom imparted in this and upcoming articles.
To truly know one's self is to be elegant. Therefore, let us start with defining what you are and who you want to convey, since your dress should reflect (among many things) your personality. What kind of person are you? Do not just ask yourself—ask your partner, best friend, sister, or mother. It’s always a fun experiment to try. :) Some examples:
Obviously, the styles you choose, the colors you wear, and the patterns presented are going to say a bit about your personality. Like it or not, most judge a book by its cover. So since you have defined a little of who you are, what do you want to say about yourself?
This is one example: my sister-in-law is an artist. She is brave, comedic, young, loud, artsy, and prefers to be comfortable. The outfits and bright colors she chooses to wear reflect that. A perfect metaphor for her personality is that she has a beloved pair of bright yellow Converse shoes. Are YOU a bright yellow personality? Are you a "sneaker" girl? Do you enjoy "grown-up dress up" and find occasions (i.e. church) to do so?
All colors and patterns (even loud ones) have their place. But there are more appropriate times to wear your chosen outfits--for example, though it may be your favorite color, "you don't wear white to a wedding". Timing is everything. Think about the event as well as your "message". Some examples of different messages clothing can send are below:
* The color white, in general, can be formal (think: wedding dresses, button-up shirts), and often shows others that you are very clean (unless you spill your spaghetti on it, in which case you can be misconstrued as very dirty :).
* Animal prints are rather bold and sassy. They are very modern as well, going in and out of fashion often. If you choose to wear them, you will have to keep up-to-date on the latest trends to make sure you aren't committing a faux pas.
* Lace has a tipping point (and the same idea applies to embroidery). A little accent of lace can add a feminine touch, but too much lace can make you seem like a walking doily. Remember those? Probably used in your grandmother's home? If you don't want to look like a grandmother (or great-grandmother), use lace wisely.
 |
Example of a doily, in case your grandma was cooler than mine. :) |
* You have probably heard that black is best. In most scenarios, that is completely true. Black is the color of professionalism and being chic, and the saying IS true that black is slimming. A little black dress truly IS a girl's best friend, when it is picked with care and suits the body well. The only occasion black may not be what you are looking for is when everyone else is wearing it, and you'd like to stand out from the crowd. This is true of most cocktail parties, social gatherings, and balls. Black is a safe, common color, which can be your ally or enemy.
* Think about your lifestyle (stay at home mommy? professional businesswoman?) as you choose your clothes. I love high heels, personally, but since I'm a stay at home mom without a car, I rarely want to walk in high heels to get somewhere, however beautiful they look. :)
Defining yourself and your style is the first step to creating or altering your closet to match you. Be sure to read the next article: "Accenting Your Unique Body Shape".
Thanks for reading!
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