Stylin' Tip: Evening Wear

So this is the first time I'm commenting on celebrity fashion, but I just had to give props to Amber Riley! This dress she wore last night to the Golden Globes was fantastic and we can learn a lot from it!

Amber Riley At the Golden Globes 2011

First, let's analyze the fit:
-Cinched at the waist with a defining belt - yay!
-One strap for support and style - fitting right in with the other fashionistas of the night! No need to dress differently just because you have curves!
-This mermaid shape doesn't always work, but because it is such a heavy weight fabric it cascades off her hips, doesn't cling, and emphasizes her beautiful shape
-The sweetheart neckline holds her in, lifts her up and doesn't reveal too much of her bust, which can often be a problem

Now, for the fabric:
-Love love love this new glitter craze in dresses right now and yay for Amber being right on trend
-Its a bold fabric but not a bold color and this is why it works - It is making a statement, but not in a "look at me, look at me!" way. Classic elegance!

Note Amber's confidence and stature when posing. You can tell she loves this dress! She isn't hiding her arms, or afraid to show off her body - she wants you to feel this good too!

Some curvy & plus-size celebs (I won't mention names) could learn a few things from this lady!
Good job stylist and designer Oliver Tolentino!

xoxo
Stefanie

Stylin' Tip: Bra Fit Secrets

So I'm not really sure if these are "secrets" or not, but it always good to get a refresher, don't you think?

First of all, you don’t need to live in discomfort and you don’t need to be ashamed of your size- big or small we are all fab! So don't be afraid to get your bra fit professionally. I have had it done numerous times and I can tell you there is nothing to fear. If you choose a smallish bra boutique (avoid stores at the mall if at all possible), you will get the best service and the best fit.

Fitting a bra is complicated and I don’t want to freak you out here with too many details. What I do want to tell you about are some simple things that will help make the bras you already have fit better (and maybe even talk some sense into you and convince you to buy a new bra).

Here are some basic tips to get you started:

Tip #1
Trust The Underwire. I hear people complain about underwire often, and really, I don’t get it. Underwire is the best invention ever! It lifts and holds those ladies up! If you are having trouble feeling comfortable with underwire style bras, you definitely are wearing the wrong size. The wire should be just on the outer edge of your breast and should not be digging into you anywhere. (See photo Tip#1)

Tip#2
Pull Up The Straps! If you are wearing a bra everyday, there is going to be movement; In particular, movement in the straps. The straps are a great way to add extra lift and definition to your breasts. Check them and make sure you are at the maximum resistance level. (See photo Tip #2)

Tip#3
Make Sure To Pull Your Breast Into The Cup. This is a must- after you put on your bra, you must take your hand and manually ensure your breast is in the cup. It helps the bra sit flatter against your chest, gives you more cleavage, and is definitely more comfortable.

Tip#4
Never Wear A Sports Bra Outside Of The Gym. A sports bra is the devil. First of all, it obviously does nothing for the figure- it flattens, it shows the nipples, and it is so tight and bulky it makes it look like you have a log on your chest. I am of the mind that if you have a bra that fits right, you will never need a sports bra, not even for the gym. A good bra will hold you in, lift you up, and not bother you. Second, they are just uncomfortable. Do you really want a huge elastic band strapped to your chest making you all sweaty and leaving you looking like a man? I didn’t think so.

Tip#5
Always Wear A Bra. Listen, I know this may sound harsh and anti-feminist, but it isn’t, I swear. Without a bra, you look at least 1 size bigger than you are. Why? Because your breasts sag into your chest and meld with your stomach and create one large mass which is totally unflattering. It may be comfortable, but it is not appealing to the eye. The only reason I can see not wearing a bra is because it is uncomfortable; that only happens if you wearing the wrong size (both being too big or too small can cause troubles). With the right size, you won’t even realize you are wearing a bra and the rest of the world won't be distracted by your sagging chest.

Tip#6
Beware of the problems. If you are wearing the wrong size here are some of the clues and possible solutions:

The Bra Band Rides Up In The Back: Adjustment of the straps or getting larger cup/band size should help (See photo Tip #6 A)

The Bra Underwire Cuts In At The Sides: Try adjusting your cup size. You’ll most likely need a bigger one

The Centre Front Is Not Sitting Flat Against Your Chest,
There Is A Bulge Created In The Front Where The Edge Of The Cup Meets Your Skin, Or
The Bottom Of The Cup Is Not Sitting Flat Against Your Chest: Your cup size is most likely too small (See photo Tip #6 B)

There Is Gaping In The Cup,
The Band Is Sagging Or Loose, Or
You Just Can’t Seem To Get Any Lift: Your cup and/or band size is probably too big

So again, please don’t be afraid to get fit properly. It is actually a lot of fun and you will feel so much better after. Don’t forget, it is really important if you gain or lose weight that you get re-fitted. Your body is constantly changing and you may need to adjust your size from time to time. The good news is, if you are wearing a bra correctly you can look sizes smaller and feel a lot sexier in the process.

xoxo
Stefanie

Stylin' VIDEO: Eliminating the Muffin Top

For today’s tip we are focusing on that area at the waistline where many women get that unsightly bulge hanging over. Now, I realize that everyone has problem days and I am certainly not immune to this predicament, but let's try to make the best look possible with what we’ve got!

Below is a video detailing this problem or scroll down further for more detailed instructions.



1. Don’t be afraid to wear a bigger size. Yes, it is a bummer when we grow a bit bigger than our normal size, but it isn’t the end of the world. Go out and buy a new pair of pants! You work hard, you deserve nice things. No one knows what size you are wearing and no one cares. With that extra few inches of space you eliminate any skin/fat hanging over and instantly have a smoother shape- thus making you look thinner.

2. Please no tight shirts with tight pants. If you absolutely must wear bottoms that are too tight, please wear the appropriate top. Make sure you have a blouse that cascades over the belly area and doesn’t cling to it. A heavy weight fabric is great for this, or even a billowing crepe or chiffon. I would avoid any stretch items in this case. This is a great quick fix for when you are in that in between stage of sizes and don’t want to buy something new just yet.

3. Avoid low rise pants and skirts. The style I see from a lot of retailers these days is super low cut - Like 4” of rise. How is that comfortable? The low cut also sits lower on the abdomen (where there is more bulk) and what results is the muffin top. By just wearing bottoms with a higher waist, you can banish this problem. The higher the waistline the narrower the abdomen gets. The higher waist will cover up all the rolls. Try it, you’ll see.

4. Stand tall and proud. I am old fashioned, but I have an issue with slouching. Even more of an issue when I see that it adds extra weight to a person. By standing up tall and straight, it gives the fat somewhere to go (a more even distribution if you will) and will make you look slimmer- promise.

xoxo
Stefanie