Fashion Do's & Dont's

You've all had one of those day when we ask ourselves, this doesn't look right?! And in most cases, you're right! We've all had one of those days, even Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel. Here are some helpful tips for all the beautiful ladies with beautiful curves out there, it doesn't matter what you body shape is, there are ALWAYS many open options for different body shapes.

If you have body image shape of a pear:
Here are some DO'S

• Wear a straight, boot cut or slightly flared leg.
• Wear dark colors on the bottom.
• Wear A-line or straight skirts.
• Wear Push-up bra to balance your top half
• Wear Wrap dress - the perfect solution for the different-sized tops and bottoms
• Focus on great tops –bright colors and tailored or fitted tops help accentuate the waist.
• Look for fitted (not tight) T-shirts. V-necks, turtlenecks and open collars all call attention to the face, which is always a good thing.

DON'TS

• Wear anything that tapers at the calf -- you'll only make your thighs appear larger.
• Tuck in tops or overly define your waist like wearing a tight belt. (the smaller your waist looks the bigger your hips will look)
• Wear big cargo pockets or excessive zippers around the hip area.  You also don't want to wear jeans that have pockets with flaps on the bum, as they will add to your profile.
• Wear patterned or light-colored pants or bottoms, or jeans that are extremely faded in the thighs and rear.
• Wear pencil skirts - again it draws the eye up to the problem area.

If you have a apple shaped body image:

Wrap around tops look best on you, fitted tops also look great, but nothing to tight. Look for tops with v necklines; this will pull the eye away from your shoulders, while accentuating one of your best features!  Because apples tend to have larger breast always make sure your bra provides the support you need! The right bra can make a big difference when it comes to enhancing your figure. An empire, or raised waist also brings the eye up and away from problem areas. A cami, or tank top, with a matching jacket is always a good way to go! Look for blouses that have a cinched waist, or belted jackets, this will give the illusion of a smaller waist, and slim down your tummy.  Jackets should fall right below the waist to mid-thigh, never at the widest part of your hips. Wear jackets and blazers open for the best vertical lines. Darker solid colors work best for your tops.  If you want a top with some pattern, choose tops that are darker around the midsection, and with the pattern at the top to bring the eye up toward your chest and face, while diverting attention away from your middle.

Bring It On!

Play up those nice legs with shorter skirts, by shorter I mean 1 to 5 inches above the knee. A-line skirts also work well, as it will give you the look of a waist and more of an hourglass figure.  You want to look for jeans that have a flat front, and a rise that is lower than your natural waist. Look for jeans that have back pockets with flaps, this will help give some curve to a flatter rear.  Lighter washes and/or jeans with fading will add shape to your thighs.  Boot-cut and flared legs will give you a longer leaner look. Textures like chiffon and silk are great options for your skirts, and you can go crazy with bolder colors and patterns.

This shape looks best when wearing simple designs, rather than excessive flounces and gathers.  When looking for items to add to your wardrobe, always think simple style. 

Stay Away!

Stay away from tops that are too baggy and have puffy or full sleeves, this will only make your shoulders and arms look bigger.

Stay away from bold patterns, large checks, and light colors above your waist. Wearing any top with too many patterns all over will make you look big and wide on top and that is one thing you never want to do.

Stay away from bottoms that are too tight, as this will also make you look bigger on top.  Never wear pants that have a pleated front, this will only add inches to your tummy! 

For more info from this post go to: http://www.shapeyourstyle.com/index.php 

Fashion Design Tips:

Make a list of companies or brands that sell fashion. Find out what country they are from. Also write what type of fashion each company makes. These are called "fashion categories". Some examples of categories are: footwear, accessories, junior wear, career wear. Decide what category interests you the most. Next start a style file or portfolio with pictures of that type of fashion. If you want to add sketches, that will only add to your notebook. Also make a list of companies or brands in that category, as well as your most favourite and inspirational designers. My favourite fashion designer is Gianfranco Ferre.  

Keep fashion inspiration. Buy a simple cork board and paste, pin and tack inspirational fashion pictures on it. Put it up somewhere where you will constantly see it, like your bedroom or a 'studio room' if you're that keen on fashion design and have one. Buy some folders and file fashion magazine clippings or computer print outs in it. Subscribe to fashion magazines like Vogue or Teen Vogue and stay on top of the latest trends. Keep a little book of fashion cuttings in your bag or purse. If you're constantly surrounded by fashion inspiration, the ideas will come flooding in. But remember - don't ever copy a fashion piece. Just be inspired to create your own.

Take an art class in drawing and sketching. Learn to draw drapery, to understand the flow of fabric (how it drapes). You'll start to notice the dark areas in the folds, and the lighter highlighed areas. If you can find a class that draws people or "life drawing", take that too. If you can't draw real people, start drawing from photos. Use tracing paper to trace over the pictures of fashion models. Then slim then even more and elongate them for dramatic effect. Also learn about colour, and mixing colour. Know what colours look good together and how colour groups are assembled. Focus on drawing actual fashions, and perfecting drawing bodies.

Get a mannequin that you can pin fabric on, or drape to make designs to see how they would fit a body. Draping is another word for covering, dressing, or hanging cloth in loose folds. You can learn about this in a sewing class, or through a fashion school or program.

Learn to sew clothes. Take a sewing or dressmaking class. Study the patterns and become familiar with sewing pattern shapes. Sew for real people (like family and friends) so that you get familiar with body shapes and fit. Also learn about fabric. Know what fabrics are made from (silk? wool? cotton?) and how they are woven (velvet, twill, satin). And know which types of fabrics are best for your design (stiff fabric, drapey fabric, sheer fabric, etc)  

Learn about fashion trends. Visit web sites such as pantone.com to see what colours are going to be in fashion. Also try to predict what fashion will be popular in the future. Check out sites like elle.com or style.com

Learn how fashion is sold. Is it being sold in stores or online? What are the major department stores? What stores sell the category of fashion you are interested in? Also learn about "targeting your customer base". This means knowing the type of person who will buy your fashions.

Seek an internship. Ask your teacher or instructor about this, an internship in Paris or a at design house in NYC would be a fantastic opportunity.

Sketch and design. Start at home by sketching down some of your clothing ideas on a piece of paper and keep them in a special folder or sketch pad. Keep editing it until it's just right and explore with colours. USE YOUR IMAGINATION, SKETCH DAILY and watch 'PROJECT RUNWAY'!

•  Info from: http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Fashion-Designer