Michaela

Here is some background information for those who have not heard of “Stolen Girlfriends Club”. They are the result of the coming together of a “motley crew of surfers done good”, otherwise known as friends Dan, Marc and Luke. Working from their Auckland base, these creatives didn’t establish themselves with the intention of becoming a cult fashion brand, but fell into the trade through a series of creative flirtations resulting in a fabulous t-shirt line that sealed the deal.

Don’t you just love this story- must get my hands on that printed make me feel good blouse!

Michaela

But they are not flattering every body shape. They are best for lean column, rectangle, inverted triangle and neat hourglass body shapes, because they are adding volume and roundness to these body shapes where they can take it and/ or need in order to create harmony and visual balance in their body shape.

It is not ideal for apple and full hourglass body shapes. These shapes have already enough curves and roundness and adding more can make them look to full. It is better for the body shapes to go opposite when choosing their shoulder bags.  As cute and popular they are pears should avoid this style of bag since it is adding simply volume and attention to the part where we are the fullest. It simply doesn’t do us any any favours. Keep the attention with bags higher up.

Michaela

Plus size hosiery used to be difficult to come by, especially in trend led and fashionable styles but now Pamela Mann has redesigned their most popular fashion styles especially for women with curves.  Pamela Mann’s range of plus size fashion tights is made to give a perfect fit and the very latest looks in UK sizes 16-32.

Suspender tights and mock hold ups are one of hosiery’s most enduring trends and they have been seen on stars like Rihanna, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding.  Pamela Mann’s Large Overknee Heart Plus Size Tights, with their mock hold up design and pretty band of hearts at the mid thigh, are a original take on the trend that will have you looking fashionable but always original.

Spotted hosiery has been seen everywhere this season with style leaders like Cheryl Cole and Tulisa Contostavlos leading the trend.  Pamela Mann’s Sheer Dotty Plus Size Tights are right on trend for this hot fashion look.  Their dainty dots on sheer black hosiery is almost identical to the style sported by X Factor Mentor Tulisa in a recent photo shoot.

Back seams always inject glamour and sophistication to an outfit.  Pamela Mann’s plus size tights also includes new version of the Jive Seamed Tights which have a classic back seam and pointed heel.  With their line of little hearts running down the back of the leg, the Pamela Mann Heart Seam Plus Size Tights are a sweet and stylish take on the back seam look.

With a range of plus size hosiery that also includes opaque tights in a range of different thicknesses and colours, Pamela Mann’s new collection has something to suit every style and body shape.

Michaela

The problem with understanding your body shape is that most women focus on specific area (i.e. problems zones such as the tummy, arms, bottom, thighs etc), which can cloud their judgment when it comes to seeing the whole picture. It’s important to view yourself as a whole so that you can define your body shape.

1.The Neat Hourglass

Goal: Show off in style your perfect body!

• You can wear any swim wear you like but it would be a shame not showing off the curves and figure you have.

2. Full Hourglass

Goal: You need to wear shaped and fitted lines in order to follow your body line, but avoid any bulk and volume around your feminine curves

• Remember you have already got , so there is no need to add drama with strong patterns or style details. All you need are style lines that follow your curves!

3. The Pear

Goal: You need to balance your top half with your lower half by choosing  swim wear that make your shoulders look broader and keeps the attention upwards, so it will visually minimize your lower half.

• The most important rule is: The drama and details stay on top- meaning in our bikini top!

4.The inverted Triangle

Goal: On your bottom half you need to wear clothes that make your hips look broader, so that you create visual balance with your broader shoulders.

• For this body shape the rules are the  opposite to a pear body shape. The attention has to be drawn away from the top

5. The Apple

Goal: Follow your body line – avoid details around bust, tummy and hips. Keep detail in top and lower thirds.

• If you are self conscious about your tummy try one of those fabulous, tummy, control panel, swimsuits: they really work wonders.

6. The Lean Column

Goal:You need to create the illusion of a waist and add roundness to your shoulders and hips

• In general it is all about adding volume at the right places.

7. The Rectangle

Goal: You need to create the illusion of a waist and soften your angular shape in shoulder and hips

• Asymmetric styles will work like magic for this body shape.

Michaela

Fashion comes and goes but Style is eternal! Yves Saint Laurent

1.  Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Coats that are “simple in style ” on top and get more dramatic from the waist line downwards. Hip details and and asymmetric hemlines or colour blocks are are ideal.

2. Lean Column Body shape

Clutter and details on top and lower part are best here. Oversized,double breasted and down coats are good for giving you a shaped waist and curves.

3. Rectangle Body shape

Create the illusion of a waist and roundness.  Single breasted  and asymmetric styles are great choices.

4. Apple Body Shape

Choose coats that have shoulder details and hang loosely fitted from the shoulders downwards.

5.  Pear Body Shape

Choose styles that keep details and attention to the top and go quieter downwards. Hooded styles, wide lapels and colours are ideal.

6. Neat Hourglass Body Shape

Choose what you like best since you can wear any style.

7. Full Hourglass Body shape

Opt for fitted styles that follow your body shape . Avoid any clutter – you don’t need it.

Add signature pieces to your outfit.

1. Full Hourglass: ” Show off your curves”!

2. Pear: Body shape ” Keep the attention on your upper body”!

3. Inverted Triangle:” Your playground is the lower part of your body”!

4. Rectangle: ” Choose styles that create the illusion of a waist”!

5. Apple Body shape:” Create attention on your shoulders and as well in your hemline”!

6. Lean Column Body shape: ” Clutter and volume are key for your party outfit”!

7. Neat Hourglass: ” Anything goes – but best that shows off your perfect proportions”!

Michaela

Apparently it all started in 1835 when the polka swept the world.It was such a sensation that the word “polka” became a buzz word.Nobody bothered much that the word itself means “Polish woman” in Bohemian or Czech. In the 1930s polka dots popped up and were then usually small and dainty, aspirin or pin dot size on black, navy or red backgrounds. Big fans at that time were Eleanor Roosevelt, who often appeared in polka dotted dresses and so did Minnie Mouse! Since then they have not been really out of fashion- they might have slipped out of the limelight and taken a back seat but have been always there and considered as a great classic fall back. In  1940′s and ’50s, the polka dot was a fashion favourite with Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Christian Dior who released at that time his ” hourglass dresses in spotted prints”.

The Polka fashion trend saw a big revival with the movie “Pretty Woman,” in 1990 movie that starred Julia Roberts as a hooker turned Cinderella,  where she wore a white-and-brown polka dots dress. They are the perfect example of how fashion moves forward by constantly repeating itself.  They are simply a blend of classic and contemporary.

And for this season you have got a big choice of options since the Polka dots are everywhere to find, which gives you the chance to wear them right for your  body shape , proportion, height and colouring.

Michaela

When it comes to looking good, it’s not your size or shape that matters, it’s the fit of your skirt on your body shape. Wearing the right black skirt shouldn’t be about following the latest fashion trends; it should be about choosing what actually suits you best and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.  When choosing you best black skirt t he choices are great since they come in different styles, lengths and patterns.

Here are some tips on how to find your perfect black dress- once you have found the one that works best for your body shape it is such an all rounder since you can wear it with everything. It is so much easier to dress it up and down than a little black dress, so you can make it work for any occasion.

Inverted triangle

• A-line , tiered, volume or dropped waistlines work well. Details such as panels, box pleats or vertical lines at the top ending in a full skirt are good. Skirt lengths can be extreme from very short and flared, to long and flowing.

Lean Column

• The slimmer you are the shorter you can go in your skirt (but keep in mind what is the most appropriate – both for your age and the occasion). Good shapes are full skirts, slight A-line, tulip skirts as well panels and drapes work well.

Rectangle

• Asymmetric,crossover styles are best but an A- line or with a flip style works as well.

Apple

• Flip, A-line, panelled or box pleats but they need to start at a point below your tummy, side fastening and flat fronted.

Pear

• Straight tapered knee length or below the knee and mid calf; bias or skirts with flip are most flattering.

Neat Hourglass

• Again you can be very flexible in your choices. You can wear straight, A-line, pencil skirt, panelled, flip, dropped waistline, bias cut, pleats, waistbands, full skirts etc as long as they have waist definition.

Full Hourglass

• Flip, bias or tulip style that are adjustable at the waist, pencil skirts (best with a split at the back or side). Best hemline is knee length or longer. It is all about following the shape- the simpler the style better to show off your curves.

Michaela

General tips how to wear your “Maxi Skirt:

• Shorter women should choose high-wasted maxis over low waisted skirts- it will elongate their leg line visually. As well slimmer skirts look better if you are short, because if you get one that has too much volume, it could take over your frame and have the opposite effect. Instead of looking slim and tall, you would look shorter and bulkier
• Find the right length. Ideally, the skirt should just brush the tops of your shoes, so shop for the length appropriate for the shoes you plan on wearing that day.
• It is just another myth that as long as you get the right size in your maxi skirt and it covers up your lower body that you don’t have to worry about its shape and fit, because it is all the same. Style is nothing without a fit. You are creating the wrong attention to the wrong features and creating the wrong effect to your visual body balance. So, make your next Maxi Skirt into a keeper with maximum impact, so you can wear it many versatile ways!

Neat Hourglass: Any style goes

Full Hourglass: Don’t hide your curves behind high volume and clutter. Show off your curves by following your body shape. You have  already got the attention because of your curves, so don’t out do them with patterns through out the skirt. Less is more.

Apple: You need to choose designs which take attention away from the tummy. So no to high waisted or belted skirts. Also you need to visually balance your fullness in your tummy area. Avoid narrowing and voluminous styles.

Pear: Skirts even if maxi skirts are not easiest and best fashion items. In order to avoid attention on the thighs opt for high waisted skirts versa low waisted, accenutate your waist with belted styles. Avoid details, volume and patterns or any other attention seeking styles since they will add volume to your fullest part. Choose clean, clutter free styles such as an A- line style.

Inverted Triangle: has exactly the opposite rule to a pear. That means skirts are great for this body shape. The louder, busier, attention seeking- the better will they balance out the broader shoulder frame. Full skirts, flared skirts, fish tail, tired skirts, dropped waist skirts, colour blocks, sequin, strong floral pattern anything goes as long as the style and cut is not subtle or has a narrowing shape. Play up to your strength with maxi skirts.

Rectangle: You need to create the illustion of a waist. So stay clear as well of belted or high waisted styles since they will only accentuate your straightness and make you look boxi. Better styles are low waisted or dropped skirt styles as well asymmetric styles are great. Be careful with horizontal stripes since they easily highlight your straightness in the waist. Rounder patterns like floral or animal print are always better than abstract print. It will just make you more angular. Remember you don’t need edges but curves at the right places.

Lean Column: Need to add roundness and volume to their shape. So, any clutter and volume in the maxi skirt works well. This is the only body shape that can wear the fashionable ballerina skirt. Straight and clean lines need another thought, because they can make them quickly look like a tooth pick if they don’t balance it out with rounder patterns as floral print or polka dots.

Michaela