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! 

Bras That Don't Squeeze You

Bras That Don't Squeeze You

David Whyte, the poet and author whose poem inspired the name of this blog and my business, says something funny in one of his CDs; he says a woman once came to hear him read and speak and told him that she'd put her bra back on to come out and hear him. He was confused, and she explained what all women know-once your bra is off for the night, it's unlikely you're going anywhere! He was honored once he understood.

I've been suffering with a different sort of problem, you see. I've been undoing my bra left and right-mostly while driving home-but sometimes in less convenient places, too. I found that no matter how many times I got a bra fitting (even with the new, more accurate way of bra fitting!), my bras just seemed too tight! Do you ever feel like you're in a vice grip, like you can't breathe? I did. I even got a nursing tank top one time to wear down to New Orleans under my clothes because that was the only thing I could figure out that wouldn't press on my shoulders (like a sports bra) and had a band that I could shift around on my sides and back so that it wouldn't squeeze me. 

Then, about a month ago, I tried on a bra (actually a "bralette") in a very unlikely place: American Eagle. So random, I know! But it had something I thought could work-really wide sides. I ended up buying this one with the racerback and another with the adjustable back. I prefer the adjustable because you can hook the little hook it has and make it a racerback, but sometimes that hurts my shoulders and so you can undo it, too. Also, the straps show under some of my shirts with the racerback. I like them so much that I bought two more adjustables this weekend. 

Now, let me be clear. This is a wireless, unlined bra without padding. It's not super smooth under clothing. But, it's very comfortable. Check the sizing online if you get one. They go from XS-XXL. I went up one size from my tshirt size, but I didn't want any tightness around my back at all. My regular tshirt size fit me but just a bit tight. It might be worth going to try one one if you're considering it. 

I think this style bralette would be a great at home bra for most women, even if you want more support outside of the house. And, I've searched around for a variety of sizes for us since originally all I could find were for A-B cups. Which, if you are a AA-A cup, this is so gorgeous! And this one! 

Hanky Panky makes incredibly soft underwear, and I bet their bralette would be incredible; I love those wide bands around the front and back! I'm seeing them at a few stores like this one for A and B cups at Neiman Marcus and this one by Free People for A and B cups at Nordstrom. I love the look of this one, best for A-C cups at Nordstrom, too. Modcloth has some adorable ones, like this one that's out of stock but worth checking back in for! 

Torrid sells a crop lace bralette with a lot more structure in sizes 1-3, but it still sits nice and low on the body so I think it would similarly take pressure off the mid back. They also make a push up style that has a thick band, too. Very sexy! 

If you're having middle back pain, I'd strongly recommend that you try out one of these easy bralettes even if it's just at home. 

Petite-Friendly Fashion

Petite-Friendly Fashion

Hi there, petite readers! I'm talking to you, specifically to those of you who run braless through life, carefree and tiny in the chest region. I don't often focus on your body type here, and I'm sorry about that. I tend to shy away from the skinniest models because I worry about promoting them above all others. I know that you understand, but I don't want to ignore you entirely. You have feelings, too! Let's be friends, ok? Because I recently found a few things at Zara that I think you'll love.

This dress is darling, right? I love that it's denim! And the printed skirt below could work on anyone, but I love the length on a petite size, and I think you could really pull off the bigger print. It's unexpected, and modern!

This fringe dress breaks my general rule about not spending more than $75 at Zara, but I think it might be worth it. 

 

For anyone, including petites, who isn't into showing their arms during the summer, this printed top would be a good choice. I love the idea of wearing it with a camisole underneath-or no bra at all. Ah, the freedom! If only! 

 

Friday Round Up: Favorite Swimsuits for 2014

Friday Round Up: Favorite Swimsuits for 2014

I'm rounding up a week that included a few summer and beach posts with my round up of current favorites. Some are affordable, others are pie-in-the-sky suits. But, I will say this: they're all gorgeous. I think no matter how much you're spending on a swimsuit, you're more likely to want to wear it if it fits well and is beautiful. And I'm all about getting everyone in the water and romping on the beach!

B&W Beauty

Not only does this suit by H&M have a gorgeous high-waisted bottom that goes along with it, it could also easily be paired with your favorite black, white, or bright bottom. Divine! Want a print that's not B&W? You can't beat this leopard print number.

Even just picking something like black and white can help to narrow down your choices, which might make trying on bathing suits less daunting. Kohls has some great, mid-range options this season! I love the dotted one piece above. I especially like how Kohls has talls and maternity suits, too.

Not Your Teenage Daughter's Tankini

This top is so cute! I've written about my love for layers on a bathing suit before, and it has not waned! As a woman with a chest that needs a bit of support, I used to shy away from strapless, but I have a suit from this store that stays up very well. I think with the middle covered, it can be nice to have a bare shoulder. Also, this is a pricier top, so I'd skip the bottom it comes with a sub in any black bottom (or a red for fun!). If you're looking for straps, this one seems to come in a D cup, too. This Magicsuit tiered ruffle is still my personal favorite-I wear my hot pink one with unmatched bottoms all the time. Kohls has a similar one for far less (in plus sizes, too!) in more patterns. I'm pretty fascinated by this one, too.

Want a strapless bikini and don't need much support? This one is stunning. 

Boho on the Beach

 

The crochet racerback on this pistachio colored suit is what makes it incredible. I can't seem to save that image, but it's worth clicking through to see. Looking for a louder print? Try JCrew.  

Sporty for Petites

I love that this bikini looks like it would actually stay on during swimming, and the smaller cup size is great for my A and B cup friends. But, it's the color and that cool shoulder action that really caught my eye!

A similar show stopping option for A or B cups here or try Old Navy's balconette.

One Piece Marvels

There are so many cute one pieces that I just adore this season! But, pressed to pick a favorite, it would be a polka dot like this one from ModCloth. But, I also love the draping on this beauty from H&M! And this ruched tank from JCrew is just gorgeous.

Summer Dressing for Petites: Five Under $50

Summer Dressing for Petites: Five Under $50

When I go virtual shopping for you all, I try to think about my clients. I have many clients of different ages, shapes, heights, and lifestyles, and so I'm always on the hunt for items that will fit your needs. Recently I realized that I have neglected my petite readers for awhile so today's post is dedicated to universal styles with an eye toward places that carry good fitting petite clothing. For the rest of us, keep reading! I've linked up to some items that we can all look out for.

1. Printed Shorts

I had a pair of Banana Republic shorts like the draped pair above once, and they lasted for about eight years through bike rides, beach trips, and probably to work in the retail world. Banana is a good choice for many women because they offer various lengths and sizes 0-16. Also, they're not under $50 unless they're on sale, but their jeans are incredibly flattering. My mom (who is under the 5'4" petite length cutoff although she'll tell you that she's not!) recently got a pair and sent me several text messages about them! That's a red letter day!