The Pear:

As a way of review, your figure is smaller on the top and wider on the bottom.
Your upper body should always be your focal point when you’re planning an outfit. You want to visually offset the proportional difference. You should always wear darker colors on bottom taking advantage of the slimming effect of black, navy, brown and other deep tones. Since your bottoms are pretty much dark have fun with your tops. Look for brighter colors, prints (albeit in proportion to your frame. No over-sized flowers please =) and beautiful necklines. Try a looser, straighter style top if you are looking for some camouflage. Play with earings and necklines, and shoulder pads because they can draw attention upward to your smiling face. Also, consider your hairstyle…a higher volume do might just give you some additional balance. The A-line skirt is tailor-made for your body.

The Willow:

You are on the taller side and slender
Your best features are your height and long limbs. High-end designers cut their clothes with your body type in mind. Go for contrast when you dress, boxy with fitted, flowy fabrics with starched vests, layering to your hearts content. Your lean frame can handle the extra fabric and it will add style and dimension to your look.
Lighter softer colors look better on you, darker shades can work against you by making you look too tall or too lean. Avoid super-snug clothing, it makes you appear like a rail. =)

The Hourglass
You have a curvy figure, full bust, small waist, and full bottom.
Your best features are your curves, which can also make it harder to dress modestly. Fitted clothing that skims your curves is a good choice. You can be fitted and tasteful at the same time by wearing dresses, tops and skirts with a bias cut. (we will have a skirt made for this effect in our fall line =) Think skimming…not tight. You want to highlight your waist so add a soft belt/cummerbund. Pretty much anything that is belted at the waist, or nips in at the waist is flattering without being sensual. Pass on boxy tops, or straight full tunic tops. Think softly fitted blouses with seaming, shaping, and darts to complement vs. giving you a blocky line. Avoid busy pattern on bottom, as a general rule solids on both top and bottom are more flattering for your figure. One final note: the Pencil skirt is your best friend.

The Apple
You have a rounded figure, with a fuller bust and midsection, heavier arms and shapely lower legs.
Your best features are your chest and lower legs.
Your objective is to wear clothing that offsets the roundness of your shape. Look for square or rectangular cut that stops just below the waist. Also try tops and skirts with asymmetrical hemlines. Their angular seaming and details intersect and cut the bodyline to flatter you from head to toe. Avoid horizontal stripes of any kind chevron stripes are helpful (stripes that form a V). The shift dress for great for you in fabrics with stretch and drape. Your ideal top is the tunic, the basic shape if the best place to begin. Colors, necklines, and sleeve treatments will change the look. Avoid Tees and full shirts (camp shirts) that are oversized. Skirt or dress hems are most flattering just below the knee.

The Diamond
You have wide shoulders and a large bust, with narrow hips and shapely legs.
Your best feature is your legs. As a diamond you want to draw attention away from your upper body. Keep the top half simple and have fun with the bottom. Printed skirts and pants, fun shoes- you name it. Your best dress has a dropped waist. Shirt dresses also work well. Hemlines just below the knee are perfect, too high makes you look out of proportion and too long drowns you out. Avoid boatnecks, horizontal stripes, or any kind of intense pattern on your top half. No Epaulettes or shoulder pads either. =)

The “Half Pint”
You can be a petite version of any one of the above mentioned body types. You are really in a class all by yourself. Your best feature is your petite frame. For you, proportions are extra important. Keep things simple and slim and the bottom, you want to lengthen your frame as much as possible. You can add inches to your height by dressing all in one color (monochromatic dressing). Heels help, but aren’t always preferred or practical. On top, fitted solids work best. Vertical stripes also serve to lengthen the frame. Add your own spin by finishing your outfits with some fun accessories. (scarfs, jewelry, hats. etc)

We are now demonstrating the second option for how to tie this very cool white belt.

The Circlet

Finished Product:


Step 1:

Step 2: Gently twist the belt tab so it starts to look like a rolled rope.


Step 3: Keep rolling, and draw it around the buckle, like you were framing a picture. Then tuck the remaining strand snugly in place underneath the buckle.


Finished:

I bet very few of you have ever been to one of the market alleys in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, just a few short blocks from the creme-da- la creme of the fashion world is the “San Pedro Market”. It’s like walking into Mexico City, surrounded by Hispanic hawkers, vendors and who-knows what else.

Kelly and I just returned from a two day trip to the California Market Center, where we were shopping for the lines that will supplement our own in the Fall. It is an eye-opening adventure to be sure. We decided to go exploring and headed for the more congested areas, here are a few pics to give you an idea of what this incredible area of LA is really like.

Here is Kelly trying on one of the junior lines, we decided to pass. Too short, and we’re tired of all the “Junior sizing issues”…misses here we come! (note: Kelly is a little tired in this picture, and she didn’t know her picture was being taken =)

Your are now looking at authentic Coach, Chanel, Gucci and Dulce & Gabbana hand bags. Yes, they are real, and yes they are selling for $45. (Compare to $100-$600 retail)

Another busy Alley:

Note: As a company, we do NOT purchase our lines from this area of LA. This is the their equivalent to a “Saturday Market”

In response to a query from our comment from I am posting a step-by-step photo lesson on how to tie our White Belt. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to use the comments tool below.

The Double Bow: For the small waist


Step one: Draw belt through buckle, so belt is held in your Left hand


Step Two: Draw belt back through buckle



Step Three

Step Four: Tuck in the remaining end snugly under the buckle to form the other loop of the bow.

More pictures on the way.

I came across this excellent article from one of my favorite authors. Click through to read.

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