Get Corky — Personal Style Tips
Style Tip: Turn your "issues" into Assets with these 7 StyleTips
Like a kaleidoscope of color and shape, women’s bodies come in a multitude of sizes and curves, and girl, let me tell you, as a personal stylist, I have dressed them ALL.
Often women get caught up in making changes to their bodies before they address their style, but can we have an honest chat here? Bodacious booties, barely-there breasts, jiggly upper arms, and nonexistent waistlines..........we all have areas we struggle with. And as a former personal trainer and group exercise instructor, I can tell you, proper exercise and diet will create change.........to a certain extent. The first step to change is to change how you feel about YOU. I want you to love all your parts. Your favs and those parts of you that you are on a journey to change. In the meantime, knowing these asset flattering tips will have you stepping out confident and classy.
#1 - Sleeve it to Me - Wearing a sleeve length that ends at the same point as your natural waist visually creates an hourglass shape. Try it! Put on a long sleeve top leaving one sleeve full length, and the other pulled to a ¾ length, check yourself out in a mirror, and voila! Instant curves!
#2 - Line it Up! - A single or multiple vertical lines close together causes you to appear taller and slimmer. This trick works like magic to naturally elongate your stature without having to wear heels (though the right pair can elevate this look-read here for more info on which heels to choose to flatter your frame!)
#3 - Busting out! - A wide horizontal line, larger pockets or ruffles across the chest will visually increase the size of your bust.
#4 - Lead Me On - Diagonal hemlines on a top lead the eye, and when worn across a protruding belly or wide hips will minimize their appearance rather than attract attention to those areas.
#5 - DO Get Your Clothes in a Bunch - Ruching (pronounced roo-shing) is the gathering of of fabric - essentially, it makes the fabric ripple. Ruching at the waistline of a top or dress creates diagonal lines in the form of pleats that draw the eye towards the waistline, giving the appearance of a more narrow and defined waist. God bless the French for originating this innovative element of style!
#6 - Be Balanced - Adding a broach or knotted scarf on the opposite side of your hair part is most flattering as it brings an element of balance to your face and neck. In the life long search for balance, this may be the easiest balance to achieve!
#7- Get Your Hands Outta Your Pockets! - Unless you absolutely can’t live without them (and I feel ya, pockets are glorious!) have a seamstress remove and sew pockets closed in well-fitted trousers, skirts, dresses, and cardigans. Closing your pockets will minimize unnecessary volume keeping your silhouette smooth. And if you need a bag to hold all the things that your pockets would typically carry, GiGi is your girl. She is sleek, just like your sense of style.
Summer has been heating up, and if you have a burning style question to get you through the season, I’m eager to answer it! Comment below or email me!
Style Tip: Love Your Style! Tips for Accessorizing Your Look
It’s romance season-everywhere you go you're hit with hearts and messages of love, but I think loving yourself should always be in season. And, loving yourself can often get a boost from loving how you look.
My favorite way to sprinkle some love into any look is through the perfect accessory. No accessories? You look unfinished, just the right accessories, and you look polished and put together. They're like the garnish on a perfect martini, taking your style from meh to mah-vel-ous.
Surprisingly, accessorizing is often the thing women struggle with most. In my six years as a stylist, I frequently coach style-savvy women (or those who want to be) in finding accessories that instill confidence in their signature look. A little knowledge can go a long way, so here are just a few of my tips for pulling together an accessorized look that you'll love!
Mix and Match....metals and materials that is! Gold, silver, wood, and metal. The key to a polished look is to wear similar styles. Are you going for a boho look? A feather necklace and mixed metal bangles are a good choice. Want to keep it classic? You can mix costume and fine jewelry. Coco Channel, the goddess of couture, was known for her mix of real and faux pearls. Keep the items similar, and you’ll find a look you love in no time!
Big vs. Small….Balance is the name of the game. There is no go big or go home when it comes to accessorizing (Unless you are Carmen Miranda, then put on that fabulous headdress and dance the night away!). Pair larger earrings with a small necklace or opt for an elegant bare neck to accentuate the neckline of your outfit. Likewise, if you have a statement necklace, choose a pair of classic stud earrings to let that piece have the stage it deserves. No one likes to compete for the spotlight!
If you are wearing small to medium earrings and necklace, you’re probably ok to add a small to a medium bracelet or two. And speaking of bracelets, it's perfectly fine to wear them on both wrists at the same time!
Prints, Patterns and Solids oh my!....Solid color tops such as sweater or turtleneck pair well with long necklaces as it helps break up the vast expanse of color. Skip the necklace if your top already has fab details, like large patterns, an interesting collar, or my favorite...a bow! Let those details be the star of the show that day.
The Neglected Accessory....Belts are one of my favorite accessories, but they can cause visual interference if you are opting for a long necklace with an outfit where the belt is seen. You’re going to want to ditch one of them. If you need a belt to keep your pants up (we don’t advocate for wardrobe malfunctions around here!) try one that matches the color of your pants or wear your top untucked, keeping the visual line long and lean. Oh, and there’s no need to be matchy-matchy with your shoes, belt, and bags. It’s a classic look for a formal event but otherwise outdated.
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to trust you gut, it's pretty style savvy. Get dressed. Take a look in the mirror. When your inner Audry Hepburn tips her cat-eye sunglasses in approval and whispers “Life is a party. Dress like it.” you know you are looking fabulous!
Looking for in-person style assistance? I'd love to schedule a session with you. Email me at Paula@PaulaParisotto.com