Holidays are always hectic for everyone – traveling, hosting dinner parties, fighting through crowds at the mall. So, instead of hosting a family gathering at your house, how about vacationing in an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico? And if you are planning a wedding, this is also a fabulous destination wedding location.
Vintage Elegance | Anthropologie
What is a midi skirt? We all know what a mini skirt is but designers this fall are re-introducing a new length. I say “re-introduce” because nothing is really new in the fashion world. All trends are recycled but might be re-interpreted.
Make up and hair by Tiffany Chiang of Design Her Image for Ju.Lee / Iridescence Bridal Couture photo shoot. Photos courtesy of Chyna Darner Photograpy and Karl Ko Photography.
How do you get the prettiest flush for your next big event? Beauty Expert from Allure Magazines shares their secrets and I’m sharing them with you.
As the designer for my own company Iridescence Bridal Couture, I have been asked numerous times by my customers about how to find their basic body measurements, which are your bust, waist, and hip (a.k.a BWH.) You probably know what they mean but do you really know what your measurements are? If you do, are you sure that you have the accurate numbers?
Many people (men and women) are confused because fashion brands set their own measurement charts for their clothes.
As you can see, there is difference in size 6 from company A to company B.
What is even more confusing is when the advertised sizes resemble the waist measurement when it reality, it is not! This is particularly true in the denim category.
In this example, a pair of size 27 jeans does not necessarily fit a 27” waist woman because she might not have a 37” hip. Her hips might be between 34” – 35” so this company’s “size 25” jeans will be the right fit, but she does not have a true 25” waist.
For many years, companies have been using “vanity sizing” as a marketing tool to attract customers to buy their clothes. Why? Because research found that if you feel small, you will more likely buy their clothes. As Americans have grown larger over the years, vanity sizing has become increasing important to appeal to their core customers. In general, mass fashion brands use vanity sizing more than high end designer brands.
The problem with vanity sizing is that you no longer know your true numbers unless you know how to measure your body accurately. But you might ask, “Why do I want to know?” If you want to order clothing, whether it is custom-made, online, or internationally, these basic measurements will prevent you from ordering the wrong size. Knowing the right numbers will save you time and money for unnecessary returns and alterations.
Want to find out if you have the right BWH? Use our guide to help you know your numbers!
Questions? Please leave your comments below.
Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker always manage to look photo-perfect. What is their secret? Flawless skins? Sexy bodies? Or maybe the combination of talented makeup artist and photographer?
The always gorgeous Jennifer Aniston.
Picture perfect Sarah Jessica Parker.
As I have never taken a professional photo shoot session before (unless you count my senior high school graduation picture), I figure that I owe it to myself to have it done. After all, I am the face behind Iridescence Bridal Couture and my new line Ju.Lee and I should put my best face forward. I always wonder if I can look a fraction as good as these celebrities.
Maybe you can be the judge. Thumbs up or thumbs down?
Dress: ”San Francisco” from the Ju.Lee collection in black silk double georgette.
Dress: ”San Francisco” from the Ju.Lee collection in rose polyester double georgette.
Photographer: Michael Soo, Soo Photography
Makeup / Hair: Tiffany Chiang, DesignHerImage
No… not the fruit that you eat and the sea creature! I mean the color Orange and its sibling Coral. They have recently been nominated for “The Hottest Colors of Spring” by me and the fashion world. You will see them strutting down the street once half of the country dug themselves out of the snow. From clothing to accessories to makeup, you will see them everywhere.
Different takes on Orange by different celebrities. Sarah Jessica Parker (left) went head to toe with the trend but Rachel Bilson (right) is just “working it” with one trend statement. How BOLD will you go?
Happy New Year’s Eve! The countdown is on! Are you ready to say bye-bye to 2010 and celebrate the beginning of 2011? The popular you have received an invitation to a New Year’s party tonight. By now you have probably been to a couple of other holiday events like corporate and Christmas parties. You already had to figure out your outfits for both events and now you have to decide on another outfit for the New Year. Can this get any more difficult?
The good news is that all the stores have after Christmas sales so you shouldn’t have any problem finding a new outfit for the New Year’s party. Most Fall/Holiday clothing will be anywhere from 25% – 75% off. Now is the time to gather your gift cards and have a little fun shopping. If you are not sure where to begin or want some ideas and inspiration, I’m going to show you how to pull together an outfit that will make you shine.
This is the final post to my “Looking Your Best for the Holidays” series and the last post for 2010. For this post, I will suggest styling tips for a curvy girl. When people hear “curvy,” they automatically think plus size. That is not quite true. Curvy really means that your bust and hip are prominent in proportion and as a result, you have a well-defined waist line and it creates an hourglass figure. To look good in any outfits, it’s all about maintaining the right proportion. You not only have to consider the basic bust/waist/hip measurements, but also your makeup and shoes. Yes, you have to consider the overall look. Whether you are a size 4 or size 16, if you have the right proportion, you will look gorgeous no matter what size you are. It is no rocket science but there are a few principles that you need to understand to make it work.
What: New Year’s Party
Where: Lounge XYZ
Body Shape: Curvy
Attire
Rebecca Taylor Sparkle Sweetheart Dress, Neiman Marcus, $495
It’s very important to dress and look appropriate for your corporate / business holiday parties. Don’t let the word “party” fool you. Even though you’re supposed to have fun, your co-workers, clients, boss, and/or VP are more likely than be evaluating you at this party. The kind of impression that you gave at the parties can make a difference in your career and business. This is definitely the time when you want look and act your best.
Did I make you nervous? You don’t need to be if you know what to do. Here is your complete “dress to impress” guide for your next work party if you have a busty frame.
What: Corporate / business holiday party
Where: Restaurant
Body Shape: Busty
Attire & Shoes
Start with this workoutfit.
Left: Guess one shoulder knit top $79; Center: Robbi & Nikki Embellished Stretch Twill Jacket $295; Right: J.Crew Bi-Stretch Wool Minnie Pants $98
Nothing is more exciting than to unwind and enjoy an evening with your friends. And the year cannot possibly be better than to end it celebrating and partying with your closest pals. Unlike your company / business holiday party, you can be more laid back about what you wear but that doesn’t mean you want to just throw something together either. After all, a cocktail party is still a semi-formal event where jeans are better left for running errands. With Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace nowadays, your average look or your red-carpet style can be immediately posted on the Net within seconds. Do you want to settle for just “OK” or “HOT?”
If you are stuck trying to figure what to wear or simply want some inspiration, then you might find the following options helpful to you. From dress to makeup, these ideas will definitely make you look more than “OK.” You know you deserve to look your best!
What: Evening cocktail party
Where: Friend’s house
Body Shape: Pear
Attire
Aqua Luxe Sleeveless Double V Stripe Party Dress $148
Everything starts with the perfect dress. Because of your pear shape, the best silhouettes are A-line or full skirt dresses. This dress is a great choice for your cocktail party. The short full skirt hides your hips and elongates your legs. The front V-neck is a universally flattering necklace and to top it off, the low deep V back yells sexy lady. If you want to be more modest, you can certainly add a black cami to tone down the sex appeal or wear a jacket or blazer. The combination of metallic stripes in black adds instant glam to this simple dress style.
This is the season to look your best because Christmas and New Year’s parties are just around the corners. Whether the celebrations are for work, family, or fun, you want to dress to impress. But what if you’re not sure what to wear and have no idea where to start? Does a red V-neck sweater with black skirt work? Yes, but that’s too safe and boring.
The best holiday outfits are the ones that bring out your positive features (toned legs, voluptuous chests, etc.) with the right amount of sparkles and glam. It’s that one time a year where you can play dress up and reward yourself for the hard work that you’ve done all year! So, why not go a little out of your comfort zone to try something different while still be you?
You don’t have to do a lot to look like a million buck and you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune either. It’s about maintaining the right balance, knowing how to accentuate your body with the right clothing and accessories, and matching the appropriate outfit for the right occasion.
Both Scarlett Johannson (left) and Taylor Swift (right) look stunning not only because they have the best designer clothing or perfect bodies, but because they know what to wear to flatter their body shapes and understand how to style for the right occasions (or at least they hired the right stylists.)
“Looking Your Best for Holidays” has 3 mixed scenarios, and I am offering some suggestions for stepping out in your best styles to match your body shape, the type of event, and location. From outfits to shoes to makeup, there are some great ideas for you to surviving the holidays looking your absolute best. Are you ready to party?
Pear shape girl to an evening cocktail party
Busty girl to a corporate / business party
Curvy girl to a New Year’s Eve party
Do you know how to create the right balance of holiday sparkles and glam?
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