FROM FASHION AVE TO MOTHERHOOD + BACK AGAIN. 3 FRIENDS WITH 3 DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON FASHION, BEAUTY AND LIFE.... AND UNLIKE OUR CHILDREN WE LOVE TO SHARE..
This past wednesday was a blah! rainy day but for some reason all I could think of was color! I wanted to wear color, I stopped at a store to browse and found myself only looking at clothing that had vibrant colors. As a muralist obviously I love to work with color and I think recently working with all my passions such as fashion and art has led me to my latest addiction, COLOR.... It's a good one and goes so nicely with my other addiction, DRESSES!!!! So color me happy this spring!!!!
I bought this Calvin Klein dress at Marshall's for $39.99 I couldn't leave without it because of its vibrant color!! This dress would be ideal for an interview, luncheon, or even a date! Anyone? Lol!!
As soon as I saw this book I ran to the book store with my daughter to grab it. I thought our Mamas need to know about this!! This is such a fun and easy read. I loved it! When I first posted that I joined weight watchers I got a lot of comments that I didn't need to lose weight. My secret is that I am the queen like Charla Krupp on dressing 10 lbs lighter as well as holding my head high, shoulders back and standing tall!! Her book is spot on and when you shop as much as I do you begin to know what works on your body and what doesn't. I will try a bunch of dresses on ( I was born with patience for that) and I see what flatters my body and what doesn't.... no, YIKES, no, oh goodness no, YES!!!!
I am addicted to jackets! In Krupp's book she writes.... " Throw a black, tailored fitted jacket, open, over a white bright, or light colored V-neck tee. The dark angular cut of the jacket reduces body weight at the shoulders, while the contrasting V-neck creates the illusion of a long neck."
If your petite : go for supple cowls, draped necklines, and v-neck sleeveless tops and dresses. Get rid of scrunch-down turtles and boxy crews that overwhelm smaller proportions and make you look shorter and wider.
If your size 14 and up.... play with dramatic necklines you can handle it. Portrait collar jackets with a rich retro look, deep square necklines, crisp white notch collar shirts, and wide strap beaded neck scoops are waiting for you. Another tip she gives is that if you are bigger than a size 32 jean you can wear men's jeans. Bill Bartlett of E Street Denim in Highland Park, Illinois says " 7 For All Mankind's boot cut is a great choice because of all the stretch in it, it won't make you look like you are wearing men's jeans. "Hey, whatever it takes to look good! I'm all for it Mamas!!
Throughout her book I really enjoyed her example photos of High Fat Clothing Vs. Low Fat Clothing like shown above and below.
I learned from her that pocket placement is pretty much everything when it comes to jeans. " The right pair of jeans is like a bra for your bum. No button flap pockets, bold white stitching or low pockets." The No fat jean has " clean dark denim, straight leg, no logo's, tags, grommets, or decorated extras. Higher pockets lift you where you belong."
Okay I could go on and on and then this post will be a book. There are so many great facts in here, a lot I already knew and a lot I didn't!! This book is a must have for Mamas!!!
In the coming new year when I post about fashion for my Mamas the question I will be asking myself will be ... Is this Accessible Glamour? Fashion that we moms can get our hands on!
With the theme of New Years I have pulled from two very accessible and affordable stores and their websites Forever 21 and Lane Bryant. Silk Origami Dress $19.80 Forever 21. This dress would be stunning with layered rhinestone chain necklaces!
V-Cut Woven Dress $27.80 Forever 21. You could create many looks with this dress, adding a jacket, loads of jewelry. I recently watched on Styleboston tv stylist Joseph Gordon Cleveland of Contra layer a lace top under a sheath dress! Brilliant!
Ponte knit Python dress $ 34.99 Lane Bryant. Even though this is knit if you are attending a less formal party or event you could pair this with a cropped leather Jacket and a sequin-beaded clutch some rockin heels!
This new year is all about finding our inner Hauteness! We don't need celebrity stylists calling major design houses to get it.... Accessible Glamour really is right at our finger tips!
About two weeks ago Kate and I were invited to an Open House at a store in Dartmouth Massachusetts called Fabulous Foundations By Nancy. When we arrived we were very impressed with the store's decor. It had beautiful built in cabinetry (Custom built by Nancy's Husband! Awwww!!) that housed bra's galore, matching undies and even some swimwear. In the center of the store was a beautiful chandelier, lots of comfortable places to sit and ample fitting rooms.
We introduced ourselves to Nancy and immediately sensed she had found her passion in life. Nancy had a 13 year old niece who was very large busted with no option. After researching places she relized there was nothing in this area for women with this problem. She decided to open a store that sized bra's 28 up to an N cup.
The Bra Whisperer of the south coast was born! She had a women leave crying for joy one day because she had found in Nancy's store a 48 H Bra and matching panties!!! She discovered Beautiful Bra's from European Companies. Nancy explained to us that "European women are different than American women when it comes to undergarments." "Lingerie is very important to them, they believe in the fit. Unlike American women who will think nothing about spending $400 on a dress and then running through Walmart and grabbing a bra that doesn't fit right."
Okay, by this point I couldn't wait to see what size I actually was and what it felt like to wear a Bra that fit right. So I took to the fitting rooms with one of Nancy's very knowledgeable sales associate. She measured me and brought me a few options. She showed me how to properly fill myself into a bra... lots of grabbing and pulling up!! hahaha!! But it works they were in the right place again!! Holla!!! When I had on my old Bra and I lifted my arms up I almost fell out of the bottom and when I sat down the underwire was hitting me almost around my waist! hahahaha!! Okay..... Are you ready......I went from a 36 C to a 34 E! HA! She explained that the band is 90% of the fit.
Fabulous Foundations By Nancy carries Bra's by Le Mystere, Fantasie to name a few. She also carries Swimwear that fits teens and women with tiny backs and full busts as well as big backs and big busts. Bra's with air and gel, bridal bra's and nursing bra's.
We really enjoyed our time with Nancy and her staff and so will you. We give her the Haute Mama seal of approval!!!
I was twittering... hmmmmm....is that the right terminology? a few minutes ago and I came across a tweet from Instyle magazine. They asked Kim Kardashian to give tips on how to dress a curvy body. This is what she had to say........ and I the "conventional" curvy Kim added my thoughts as well.
Find a Great Tailor
"Anything you wear should be proportioned to your body, and a good tailor will make sure everything fits perfectly. I either have my tailor at every fitting or I have my stylist pin my wardrobe and take it to the tailor before I wear anything. Shortening a hem line on a dress can make a huge difference!" I agree Kim Kardashian but real life mom's don't have stylists however you can enlist the services of great sales people at boutiques and retail stores. They can help you find clothes that will fit your body closely enough that it can give you that tailored look. They may also know of an affordable tailor in your area or on site if you truly need one. So don't be afraid to ask them for help! It will be their pleasure I guarantee it!
Accentuate Your Waist
"Show off that tiny waist! Adding a belt makes your outfit look more polished. I have great belts from Phillip Lim and Alaia. Vintage belts are one of a kind and can be affordable too." and you have a 20" waist Kim!! Ask Christina! I have a phobia about showing my waistline!! but when she does get me to try a belt wrapped around my waist it really does look great. Something you may want to try... you may love the way it makes you look! I'll try to embrace that look this fall! Pinkie swear!!
Avoid Oversize Tops and Dresses
"I know they are comfortable and they look amazing on Nicole Richie but flowy tops and dresses are not flattering on a curvy figure. They can make you look pregnant and they look sloppy in photos. Try wearing a maxidress instead. A.L.C, Torn by Ronny Kobo and T Bags make some great ones." Agreed!! I wore a tight black dress to a charity event last February and when I took of my wrap I remember Kate saying.." You look so skinny have you lost weight?" I get that a lot when I wear fitted clothing! She is right.. it works for curvy girls!
Embrace Shapewear
"Every woman from a size 0-14 should own Spanx! I love Shapewear by Body Wrap; they have a firm control long leg panty that makes my body look smoother and slimmer under fitted dresses without leaving any lines." YES!!! I went to a wine tasting last winter and I wanted so badly to wear my cream sweater dress!! I was kicking myself when I realized I didn't have any spanx! My panty lines looked horrid!! I now own two pair... that will never happen again! If you find yourself at a mall just buy some and put them away for when you need them! You will be so happy you did!
Love Your Curves!
"Being confident and owning your body is sexy. I love to show off my curves and designers like Thatcher, Antonio Berardi, Preen, Altuzarra, Markus Lupfer and Brian Litchtenberg make amazing dresses that fit my body perfectly."
As we can see they do! I must admit I have no idea who any of those designers are but when I do make it big someday they will certainly be on my list! Til then... I will take the advice from this modern day siren!!!! Make a few of these great adjustments to your wardrobe and Love! Love! Love! your curves!!!
Let's face it, mamas come in all shapes and sizes. Right now, you plus size mamas are hitting the jackpot at bloomingdales.com Super-duper sale......
Let's say oh..Michael Kors white jeans at Bloomingdales..23.85!
Lady in Red..$32.00. Lady with a lot of money leftover!
This is so haute! With the white jeans for summer and black leggings/tall boots for fall! Elie Tahari for 132.48!
A shirtdress with ruffles is a perfect example of two of today's hottest trends! And if that model knew how much it was marked down to ($46.20!) she'd be smiling.
The tip of the iceberg plus size mamas..Visit bloomingdales.com for a plus size sale that's totally haute!
