Most of the time, I’m thinking about color combination and pattern vs. no pattern, but girls, forget colors and pattern, there is a whole world out there of just necklines to choose from. The neckline can frame the shoulders, neck and face, and change their apparent width, height and angularity!  Here are some aids in dressing-for-your-body-type! It gets a little tricky because you’re wanting to balance your whole body type…AND…your face shape, so read attentively and try a bunch out!

FACE: Balance your features by going opposite of your face.
(if you can’t remember what face shape you have, re-visit our post about it, CLICK HERE!)
Round faces are well-framed by an angular lines and a collar, such as, mandarin, notch, square or v necklines.
Square, Diamond, faces are softened with curvey necklines, such as, jewel, scoop, cowl, and sweetheart.
Oblong faces are balanced by  jewel, mandarin, notched, or polo, which make the face look slightly shorter.
Heart faces, are best featured by Scoop, Boat, or Square neckline choices

BODY: Balance your body by drawing attention to what is most fit.
(if you can’t remember what body shape you have, re-visit our post about it, CLICK HERE!)
Pear,  can be balanced by horizontal lines, like the Boat or the softer Sweetheart necklines.
Spoon can be balanced by more open lines, like Cowl, Sweetheart or V necklines
Apple can be balanced by more visually interesting lines, like Empire, Scoop, Notched or Mandarin necklines.
Willow can be balanced by high lines, like Mandarin, Notched, and Polo Necklines
Hourglass can be balanced by … oh wait, you’re already balanced! Enjoy them all.

Neckline definitions:
Boat -  broad opening, but which pass nearly horizontally across the figure near the collarbones.
Cowl - small pool of material hanging around the neck on the front.
Jewel - pass around the base of the neck on all sides. Also called the crew.
Mandarin - short unfolded stand-up collar
Notched -  a wing-shaped collar with a triangular notch in it.
Polo -woven button-front with soft collar
Scoop -  a curved U shape, where the arms of the U pass over the shoulders.
Square - three linear edges, the bottom edge meeting the side edges at right angles.
Sweetheart - has a curved bottom edge that is concave down and usually doubly scalloped to resemble the top half of a heart. The side edges often converge on the neck, similar to halter necklines.
V - two diagonal lines from the shoulder that meet on the chest.

Let’s face it, mom’s have gone through a lot of weight and body change during their time, namely bringing us into the world, and it’s important to face fashion head-on with them. Mature women will be a lot more attractive if they know what to wear (beyond sweats) that will hide some inconsistencies. As the years advance you want to develop a timelessness in your wardrobe that exudes grace and poise.

Reevaluate your size since it varies more than when you were in your 20’s!

Draw attention away from your midsection. Jewelry, scarves and a good hairstyle will draw attention to the face, and away from your pouch. Trendy shoes or details around the cuff of your pants will draw attention down and away from your stomach.

Bottom-half of the wardrobe, choose flat fronts with side and back zips that will complement your figure. Pockets, pleats and tight pants will only draw attention to your mid section. Bootcut jeans are generally flattering as they balance out your hips maintaining a lovely hourglass figure.

Upper-half of the wardrobe, choose buttoned sweaters or longer tops; they’re flattering, yet spacious. Select square shape jackets, as they are roomy and cover the stomach. Avoid any clothing combination that defines your waist, including any belted or drawstring looks. Layers are terrific and are an effective way to draw the eye away from ones stomach. Hip-length baby-doll sweaters flatter a wider waistline. Designed to flair slightly from the shoulders, these sweaters complement pants and skirts alike. Learn to love and wear a variety of comfortably fitted blazers. Have fun with colors or patterns. Cowl, Scoop and Sweetheart necklines are also good for drawing attention to your face.

Fabrics: flowy chiffon and linen are your friend. Nothing tight or clingy. No spandexy cotton, it will cling to everything you want to hide!

DO update a pair of great sunglasses to keep in style.

DON’T forget a great handbag.

Remember, just because you’re a “mom” doesn’t mean that you aren’t a woman! Enjoy your femininity!

In a recent seminar I was startled to find that over 71% of women in America do all the shopping for their men! With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you keep your man looking great.

Suits, gray and black are the most versatile.
Sport coats, tan for summer, navy for work related, dark tweeds for winter.
Slacks, gray trousers are very practical for the combination of work and parties, but he’ll need at least one pair tan pants for those warm weather days.
Shirts, six collared shirts should be enough. White and blue are classic colors but throw a few more in there that are trendy. Since his pants are a solid color you can go with stripes or patterns, too.  Make sure he wears a light colored undershirt that does not show through or distract.
Ties, if you’re the fashionista of the family, stay up on the times. Are thick or thin ties in? Get a couple to fit with the season.
Sweaters, keep in mind where your man will be and if he gets overheated easily, no one wants to be around a sweat machine! Cashmere is nice and light and gives a very classy, clean look for any situation. There are lots of choices for style, button up, crewneck, v-neck, give them a try.  If he’s wearing a suit, a sweater-vest is best because it doesn’t have sleeves - and v-necks accommodate ties nicely.
Jeans,while the styling depends on body type, keep in mind, simple and straight is traditionally more masculine. Whatever you choose make sure they fit. Not baggy! Not slimmy!  This year you can’t go wrong with a dark indigo wash, which can be dressed up with a blazer, shirt and tie or dressed down with a polo and loafers.

DO replace belts and shoes every year, for an easy trend update.

DON’T
-underestimate the power of the iron or steamer.
-let them wear socks with sandals. If my dad is prone to this (under my ever watchful eye) then surely yours probably is too. ..

Remember, straight shirt hems are meant to remain un-tucked, while curved styling is meant to be tucked.

Do you have a fashion question or any topics you would like us to do a post on? Write them all down in the comment section!

Here are some tips to eliminate the stress behind dressing a tall figure by balancing height.

Clothes: Longer tops visually shorten your legs as do cuffed pants.  Wear skirts that are a medium length and have a slight flare. Showing too much leg makes you look taller and a long skirt or dress gives your body length. Tuck in your shirt or wear a wide belt over your top at the waist. Long jackets make you look FABULOUS.

Patterns: Choose horizontal stripes over vertical ones; avoid pinstripes, for example, which will elongate your figure.

Color: Mix light and dark shades. Pairing a dark shirt with light pants, or vice versa, will shorten your body.

Shoes: Flats will obviously keep you at your current height, however don’t deprive yourself of fashion, choose lower heels that you love and wear them with confidence.

DO pick clothes that have larger details ‘ wide lapels, buttons and other features. Delicate details make the body look large by contrast.

DON’T dress all in one color, which enhances height.

Remember, hold your head up high, put your shoulders back and walk with dignity.

Here are some tips to create definition for a plus-size and elongate their figure.

Flatter with flare! A-line skirts flare out from your waist and end just below your knee. The shape is very forgiving and looks great on any figure.

Work colors that enhance your hair and skin tone. Color instantly lifts your complexion and brings out your best features. Darker colors are instantly more slimming.

Wrap a dress. Wrap dresses look great on plus-sized women. The V-neck gives the illusion of a longer body. They are playful and bring the attention up to your face.

Fake the layers. Instead of putting on actual layers and the bulk that goes along with them, opt for shirts that have mock layers. This includes the collared shirt/V-neck sweater look.

Step into cropped. Cropped pants are much more flattering than capris. They are often wide legged and are slightly longer than capris.

Widen the straps. Skinny straps will make anyone look wider.

Wear heels, especially with flowy skirts. They flatter your legs by elongating them.

Thanks to ehow for some of the tips.

So many of my petite friends have a hard time finding clothes that fit their shorter figures, and I’m here to tell you…

Don’t settle for clothes that don’t fit you! Hold out for tops that actually fit your shoulders and arm length. A swamping effect comes from wearing too large of clothes, that your small frame does not need. Purchase tops that have seaming at the waist for definition.

If you find it extremely difficult to find clothes that fit, find a seamstress to alter them.

Avoid ankle-length skirts, they make you look shorter than you are.

Choose straight-legged pants. Boot cut or flared pants make petite women look shorter than they are. Get your pants properly hemmed so the hems brush the tops of your shoes.

Consider buying pointy-toed shoes, or avoid shoes with a squared toe. These make the leg look shorter than pointy-toed shoes. Try wearing shoes heels to see if you are comfortable in them, they will help you look longer.

Thank you ehow for some tips.

It’s time to get everyone up-to-date on the basics of fashion. Sometimes we can get so caught up in details that we forget the big picture. So without further ado…

- Wear clothing that fits. Not too tight. Not too loose. Period! Have it tailored if that is needed.
- Wash your clothes. Take time for repair and stain maintenance at washing time.
- Steam your clothes. This will make your clothes take on a new life for themselves!
- Only wear ONE print per outfit.
- Make sure your shoes, belt and handbag all compliment each other.
- Check in the mirror and move around to make sure you will be comfortable in your outfit.
-Check for distracting  bra straps and underwear lines.
-Make sure your underclothes can’t be seen through your clothes. No black bras or camisoles with white shirts!
- Stand tall and smile.

There’s nothing as universally flattering as post-day-at-the-beach hair, but recreating that gorgeous texture and body without wind, sand and surf can be tricky. Luckily, we have a few tips to get those gorgeous waves at  home…

Step 1: After shampooing and conditioning, apply light mousse all over hair. (try Alberto VO5, Extreme Style Cuvacious Curls Styling Mousse,$3.69)  It’s important to do this while the hair is still wet.
Step 2: On the crown area, spritz volumizing spray (hair spray is also a less expensive substitute).
Step 3: Starting from the front, create 2-inch sections of hair and blow dry with a medium small round brush. Work all the way through the back, making sure to pin each section into a curl with a large hair pin or clip to dry.
Step 4: Let the pinned curls cool for 5 minutes then remove pins and spray with hair spray.

DO enhance your curls if you have naturally wavy hair by using a large barrel curling iron. Wrap small pieces of hair around the barrel…

BUT

Don’t curl the ends of the hair for a modern look.

Remember, finish with light hairspray.

The diversity of belts has me astonished this year. From leather to ribbon, skinny to wide, belts were the must-have accessory this spring and will continue their trend through the fall. Trench coats tied with a gorgeous ribbon, skinny pants with a narrow patent belt, printed-woven belts, chunky belts and it goes on! Need some fashion how-to?

- Wear a belt high and cinched at the waist with a blousy top or baby-doll dress.
- Try an extra-long skinny belt and loop the end for an updated and stylish ’80s look.
- If you have a small figure on the lower half, try any belt along your hips to add definition.
- Go with the retro high waisted skirt and add a wide belt.
- Choose a ribbon belt to go with a skirt.

DO opt for a larger belt if you plan to wear it over a sweater or with lower-rise jeans.

DON’T wear a belt that doesn’t fit. If the belt is straining to fit in the last hole, it may make your clothing bulge unnecessarily.

Remember, you’ll need a smaller belt to go over thinner fabrics and for pants that fit at your natural waist.