How to Pick a Very Flattering Dress

How to Pick a Very Flattering Dress

Recently, I stopped by Dress Barn and was reminded of how good some of their dresses are. I went there for the first time last summer in the Outer Banks, and I got one of my favorite Calvin Klein dresses. 

This weekend, I was struck by how well Dress Barn does something: they know how to pick a flattering dress. However, there are plenty of unflattering dresses there, too, which got me thinking: do you know how to pick a dress that will look amazing on your figure?

Let's take a look at some of my favorites, which tend to show up at Dress Barn in a great range of sizes, including petites and curve sizes. 

Notice anything? See how they've all got some ruching, some extra fabric gathered over to one side?

That's what I like for you. That's what I like for most women because it calls some attention away from our very practical warm egg-incubator, softer middle parts and draws the eye to the rest of our bodies. What if you tried on every dress with ruching that you saw in a store and picked one to wear?

Now here's another flattering style dress. It's a bit hard to see on this first maxi style because of the pattern, but can you pick it out?

The black, white, and yellow shows it off more easily: a high waist. A waist of a dress should hit you up by the bottom of your ribs, at your true waist. A great dress will hit you there, showing off the natural curve of a woman's body and floating down from there.

Why not scope out just the dresses with a high, defined waist and try those on in your size and the size above and below yours, just to be sure that it fits you correctly?

And last, what about this dress? At first glance, it doesn't do either of the things I've suggested here: it has neither a defined waist nor ruching. Hmm...

However! I include it here because one of the stripes across the dress does hit at the natural waist, and I think the stripes in the fabric could be flattering enough to act as ruching. But, a shift dress can be tricky on the lower belly. I'd need to try this one on myself, but don't ignore something that doesn't exactly fit in with what you're looking for. Plus, the blue was very pretty in person, and lace is still in style for spring. And, it's lace! It's going to be in style for a long time to come. 

As always, if you have any favorite stores you'd like me to window shop for you, keep those emails coming! 

Fleece Lined Tights

Fleece Lined Tights

You can tell in the mirror shots above that this is what I wore to work recently (there's my badge and all!), and I have to tell you that it was the most cozy, warmest outfit ever.  First, my new boots, which I'll write about soon. Then, fleece lined leggings, which are really the thinness of tights. Mine are LL Bean, but they're sold out in black online. Reviews seem positive on these footless ones from Amazon, too. I've worn these or Wolford tights almost every day lately, under skirts, dresses, maxi dresses, etc. They are warmer than jeans on a cold day. 

Then, a full skirt I got years ago from Gap, then a cashmere sweater I got on Black Friday at Off Fifth, then an old blazer from Urban Outfitters, then a scarf from Anthropologie last year. It's a lot of layers, and it keeps me warm in my freezing office. Really, if you live somewhere like Virginia where it gets cold, I'd highly recommend that you get some warm tights and layer them up with all of your warmest things. 

And, no, this is not a paid ad. I just care about your warmth! 

Up Close and Personal in the Target Dressing Room

Up Close and Personal in the Target Dressing Room

Normally I save my dressing room shots for Instagram, but I took so damn many this time that I thought you might be interested in what I found! I laughed because I showed up in black and white and tried on almost exclusively black and black & white. Know what you love, I guess?

The Good

This banded bottom dress is a tricky one, but I ultimately decided that it was a great thing to have. Here you see it styled as I would rarely-if ever-wear it. Maybe for a date night with some sexy boots or heels because, as you can see in the rear view mirror, it is a booty dress/sweatshirt thingee.

It has some odd arm panels, but don't pay those any mind.

The great thing about this comfy layer is that it will provide nice butt coverage for skinny jeans or leggings, and it is soft and cozy. Also, I love the draping it does! 

I loved how long these sweater leggings or tights were, but they were very flimsy material. The ones I tried on already had a hole in the waist. H&M has similar sweater tights for cheaper.

The OK

Ok so these next two dresses show how much I truly love and trust you all. I'm not pregnant (and not fixated on it, clearly!), but I have always been a bit squishier around the middle than I like to show off. Yes, I sometimes wear control top tights, Spanx, or at least a slip. But, these two dresses weren't flattering, and I wanted them to be easy, pull-on-in-the-morning, wear for work dresses. And they weren't going to be that for me.

This sweater dress gave me pause and made me consider my personal ban on sweater dresses. However, I did not buy it for the same reason that I never buy them: they show every lump. This goes back to my same feeling that I don't want to wear Spanx under a comfortable dress. However, if you are lump free or more at peace with your lumps, then this is a soft dress with a great pattern. Wear it alone, over tights, or with a long cardigan or blazer over it.

This dress was a pretty blue that doesn't show up in the horrible Target lighting, and I love that it had sleeves. However, it hit me at an awkward spot-just at the hips. If you have a shorter torso, then I think you'd love this dress.

The Bad

As you can see by my Kardashian face and the booty shot in the behind mirror, this was not a winner for me. If you really want to show off your curves or build up some curviness if you're on the less curvy side, you might love this peplum dress. I felt ridiculous in it.

This black top was a nice length but the split side went up so high that you'd have to wear another top under it, which I found annoying. The pants looked great in theory but were more suited to a smaller butt.

Oh, and I woke showed up like this. You know, in case you were wondering.

Oh-and Clog Watch 2014 continues. Yes, I'm still wearing them. Yes, my back is getting better, and no, I'm not a clog convert. But if you love Danskos and/or you need major arch support, these Tamara clogs are some of the most stylish options I've seen.

How Can I Dress Up a Plain White Button Down?

How Can I Dress Up a Plain White Button Down?

In the winter, I worked with a personal styling client who struggled between two extremes: she had, on the one hand, lots of classic pieces and, on the other, memorable pieces that stood out too much in her mind. For example, she had a pile of white button downs and conservative blazers. She also had silky, patterned skirts and dresses that she found mostly while traveling overseas.

She wasn't sure how to blend the two into a cohesive, professional wardrobe that still showed off her sense of personal style. One outfit that stands out for me that I put together for her is this one:

I love how simple this outfit is yet how pretty she looks! The basic white button down could feel boring with a solid skirt, so pick out a skirt from your closet that feel special. Then, try a second classic piece, like a Jackie O-inspired blazer, to tie the two together. You could absolutely stick with a solid shoe, but I had her try on her neutral snakeskin flats because the colors related so well to the rest of the outfit.

That's it! White button down + Printed "special" skirt+ Classic blazer or sweater + Neutral shoes

Part Time Styling

Part Time Styling

Hello folks! Since Ella was snowed in earlier this week, I offered to do a guest post from my sunny spot in Texas, but because I have a one and a two year old, my "quick response" intentions became a "thank goodness they are napping/yay for spring forward" execution on this lazy Sunday.

My name is Tahira, and I have been Ella's dear friend for 13 years now through college, grad school programs 1, 2, and 3, two weddings, and my two tots. I am a part-time federal employee, full-time mom, and a run a small travel agency out of my study. I am what you might call busy.

Ella couldn't have started her personal styling business at a better time FOR ME. I have a one and a two year old and "suffer" the same styling roller coasters that every newish mom has. At some point, you just aren't sure if it is worth wearing anything other than yoga pants and a t-shirt. If the pants are LuluLemon, then it counts as dressing up. Trust me, I've been there. But, as a manager in a real office job, and a mom at home, Ella has helped me come to find that I can create outfits that blend from work to play and simple ways to make each outfit transition that doesn't require yoga pants (always). I usually head into work when my kids go down for nap, so I truly have to dress for EVERYTHING.

Here is my weekly roundup and some keys to making something for work or play or BOTH. Perhaps we should call it "What would Ella do?"

First up, Tuesday: a true 1/2 work, 1/2 play day. This Banana Republic Oxford is one of my faves for these types of day: it doesn't need ironing, has fun blue detailing and a stripe. Ella would approve. You know this outfit was heading out to work because I am wearing a necklace and a bracelet. Necklaces are luxuries I choose to forego when home with my little girl. I wore casual black slacks and gold sequin flats. I am sure Ella would have tucked it in for the work part, and I will do that next time. Untucked is definitely my look for Library Toddler Time and I just carried it throughout.

And here is my little lollipop. See, it works both ways!

Wednesday I had a work meeting so I am a bit more polished here. Though the photo is twice as bad.

This is a pairing truly inspired by El. Mixed textures, stripes, cohesiveness by using only jewel tones. I paired this sweater and blouse with navy blue pants and black suede boots. Also, if I hadn't discovered layering under this sequin top, it would have been a donated item because its so itchy. When I got home, I ditched the (HEAVY) necklace, traded the work pants for skinny jeans and invited the neighbors over to make homemade pretzels. Perfect!

Thursday is a day "off" for me (where I work much much harder as a full time stay at home mom). A less refined version of myself, circa 2011, would have never believed that a button up could be for play. But this Old Navy Men's X-Small number was a thrift store find at $2 and definitely isn't cut out for work. Being at home means scarves not jewelry, but you can see the fun details and crumply collar that mean its a play day.

And Friday, I snapped this shot while walking the kids to our local taco stand on a half day. The lighting was good but the camera lens is apparently dirty beyond words on my phone. Ha ha. Monochrome, two necklaces (one is technically a teething tool), and belted at my middle. I think I nailed it for Friday work casual in my already casual office. (The men were wearing jerseys.)

So, how'd I do, Bell? Style me!

Thanks, Tahira! You did GREAT! I loved seeing how you choose outfits that travel with you from home to work and back again! And thanks for shining a bit of that Texas sun on us! -Ella