Re-love that garment

I get this question from clients all the time: I have this great blazer that I just don’t think looks right on me.  Should I just get rid of it? My answer to that is, “it depends”. You know my thoughts here.  I’d rather you keep and re-love a garment (maybe with some alterations) than buy something new.  This helps you stretch your hard earned dollars. As you know, I rarely open up my client engagements in this way.  Having said that, I thought this one would be valuable in getting my point across about re-loving and re-using your exisitng items. My client, pictured here, had this blazer in her wardrobe. She freely admitted that it just didn’t fit right when she tried it on in the store but that she loved the pattern.  She bought it anyways. Surprise, surprise.  She’s never worn it.  As you can likely appreciate, I hear that all the time. I took a look at the jacket and, yes, agreed with her that it didn’t quite work. It fit in the shoulders, the sleeve length was good and the hem was right for a boyfriend blazer.  It was shapeless through the torso. As it was, the blazer did NOTHING to highlight her lovely shape. With some minor pinning, I showed her the potential in this blazer. She has a tiny waist and should really show it off. By adding darts to the front and back, her waistline would be highlighted. Added style tip: I suggested she also have small shoulder pads added in.  This would add more structure to the garment and would visually create more of an angle between her shoulder, waist and hip. Do you have an old garment hanging around that you’ve forgotten about? Try re-loving it.

Reader Spotlight: I have a straight frame. What kind of blazer should I wear?

Hi Lazina, I work in a corporate office environment and wear blazers everyday. I have a really straight, rectangular body type and never seem to find jackets and blazers that look great on my frame. I see other women wearing blazers who seem to look a lot more feminine in the same garment. I don’t want to look like a man but maybe I don’t really have a choice because of my body type. Help! ~P HI P, First off, don’t settle. You don’t have to wear boring, shapeless blazers. Here’s a tip that I share with all my clients: Make the clothes work for you. You don’t have to work for the clothes.  Right? Here’s my first tip for you. Regardless of whether you have a narrow or wide straight, or rectangle, body type, you’re going to want to visually create curve in your frame. Garments, with the right cut, can do this for you. Though these blazers (below) may by trendy, they are likely not right for your body type: I love this ISSA jacket but this isn’t going to best highlight your frame. This flowy boyfriend blazer, from Aritzia, is great but is going to do nothing to visually create curves for you. I’m not sure what your personal style is but here are some blazers with cuts that will: visually bring focus to your waistline create more contrast between your waistline and your shoulders and hips 1. DSQUARED (Farfetch) 2. Giambattista Valli (yoox.com) 3. Dolce & Gabbana (Farfetch) Good luck!  

Friday Find: Belt it

I recently worked with a fabulous client, Amy. She has a great eye for style and fashion but wanted some help in understanding the shapes and cuts that are best for her. I found this amazing dress in Amy’s closet but noticed that she paired it with a belt that just didn’t do justice to her lovely shape. Take a look: Now I know some of you look at this and are thinking “but that looks ok”. Yes, it looks ok but it’s not awesome.  Here’s why: The belt is too thick for her short torso.  It cuts her body in the wrong place. Amy has a bigger bustline.  Because the size of the belt takes up so much of her torso, all you are really looking at is her chest. As Amy and I discussed, it looks like she’s “all boobs”. That’s not what she’s going for. The belt is made with that heavy, unflattering, unforgiving elastic. It’s way too tight on her (and would be tight on most people… I’m not sure who this belt is realy made for).  These belts give you indigestion; they are that tight. Based on Amy’s proportions, I suggested she opt for a skinny belt with this dress instead. Take a look: Now that’s much better. Here’s why: The size and width of the belt is more proportional to her frame. When you look at Amy, your eye is now drawn to the smallest part of her waist rather than her bustline. By the way, Amy had this belt in her closet. She just never wore it because she didn’t know what to wear it with. Now she does. Here’s a better side by side look. Now, back to you.  My style tips for adding skinny belts to your fabulous outfit are: Use a skinny belt to highlight the smallest part of your waist – that’s somewhere between your belly button and chest. You certainly don’t have to spend a fortune on this piece.  A skinny belt is a good accessory to up on fashion trends.  It’s easy – and cheap – to swap them out from season to season. Here are my Friday Finds for you: Vince Camuto- Leo Belt Luv AJ- Ramone Belt Kate Spade- Skinny Bow Belt Happy Friday!