Victoria Grace Nation

Adapted from the March Issue of InStyle Magazine:


[1] Denim Jeans:
These are 4 styles of jeans that should be in every girl’s closet:

Straight-leg Classic and versatile, the standard straight-leg width is 17 inches (42.2cm), but a slightly more flared boot-cut is flattering to most figures (especially girls with an hourglass figure or pear-shaped ladies, this will balance out the hips).

Trouser The dressier cousin in the denim family, it can be substitute for pants, allowing you to wear jeans to the office. Especially the fact that jeans are starting to be accepted in lots of office type environments. Always wise to choose darker Trouser denim, when going into the office and dress the jeans up with a top that’s a bit more dressy/formal.

Skinny “stovepipes” are perfect for a night out when paired with sexy heels, and they’re the best cut for tucking into boots. Avoid cropped stovepipes if your legs are on the short side, this will accentuate the shortness. Pair with a longer shirt if your thighs tend to be meatier, for the “my thighs don’t touch” women as well.

Weekend These relaxed, or “boyfriend,” jeans are your comfy pair, the ones you’re tempted to live in 24/7. These are jeans that have a little bit more room and it’s all about comfort. Weekend jeans are suppose to flare out above the the knees. The boyfriend jean is exactly what it sounds like, a pair of jeans that belong to your boyfriend, so it should fit a tiny bit baggier.

[2] Little Black Dress
A classic must-have for women, it’s sexy and great for every occasion. Remember, more skin doesn’t mean more sexy.

ii) Spend Wisely Even on a budget, you can score an LBD. The key is to stay away from over-embellishments, since low-cost lace and beading risk looking cheap. My Mother has always taught me quality over quantity, to invest in great timeless pieces. Then again I don’t think that advice will go well with my sister whose more of a quantity over quality person, since her must-haves changes all the time.

ii) Skin vs. Shape Follow this simple rule when picking your LBD: Show skin or shape - not both. Make sure the dress is highlighting your strongest features and downplaying your weakest features, a dress that gives you confidence will make you feel and look like you’re 10lbs lighter (or heavier if you’re looking into gaining a bit more weight).

iii) Illusion Black see-through fabrics like chiffon or georgette cover you but still grab attention 0without revealing the full monty. My wise Mother always said that the sexiest piece of clothing is to not reveal all, but to show enough that makes the mind wonder and keeps the eye exactly where you want them - on you.

iv) Shine Nothing glams up an LBD like shine or sparkle- but refelctive fabrics can make you appear larger so feature them on places you want to play up. I love a bit of sparkle, but make sure it’s not so sparkly that people would need sunglasses to look at you, because most-likely after a couple of wears, it’ll be in the back of your closet. Stick with something that can go from day to night.


[3] Skirts
A skirt is a staple piece for any women, it’s a lot more versatile than a full out dress. It can go from in the office to outside of the office, and from day to night. The key is to find a dress that will flatter your figure. I personally think a black A-line skirt, ending just at mid-knee is something for every women, it’s a classic style.

Curvy/Bottom Heavy A-lines and easy-wrap options. You want fabrics that are soft and fluid enough to float over curves. Avoid pockets, pleats, horizontal lines, and excess fabric or design at the hips, this will give a bulkier look. For bottom-heavy try something that tapers a bit to the knees.

Petite/Boyish Try tapered straight skirts or subtle A-lines just make sure the length hovers around the knee. Also, an off-center slit makes legs look longer as well as vertical lines will create length. For Boyish frames, lucky you - almost any style works! Pleating, pockets, horizontal lines and belts can add shape and definition to slim hips.


[4] White Shirts
I usually have 2 different types of white shirts, a looser (boyfriend) shirt that I casually wear with leggings or a pair of jeans either buttoned or over a tank top. Then there’s the fitted one that I can wear by itself or with a blazer, sweater, vest, cardigan, it’s so versatile! When choosing it’s all about FABRIC, FABRIC, FABRIC. If you don’t like ironing, find something that is wrinkle free! Choose a cotton shirt, it’ll be the most breathable. I personally find Brooks Brothers to have the best, classic, wrinkle-free shirts.

Cut You want tailored perfection - not loose, billowy, or boxy.

Front Watch for pulling across the chest, gaps between the buttons, and rising at the front hem. For larger chest women, it’s sometimes really hard to find that perfect shirt since when it fits in the front, it’ll be big around the waist, so go in a some shirts custom-made or get some shirts tailored.

Darts Vertical darts below the bust help give shirts a fitted look. Horizontal darts to the side of the bust accentuate curves.

SleevesThese should be wide enough that you can extend your arms and move freely without disturbing the fit of the body of the shirt. It’s important to cross your arms and make sure it’s not tight at the back and it doesn’t rise at the shoulders when you raise your arms.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at 12:56 am and is filed under my.Fashion, my.Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.