Tag Archives: body image

Insider Fashion Consultant Secrets: Camouflage a Tummy in Flattering Layers

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Ladies, we all have problem areas that we strive to hide and camouflage. Having a tummy is a common problem. No one wants to wear baggy clothes, but sometimes it feels like this is the only option. This is especially true in the plus size department. Let’s make a pact today- No More Oversized Shirts! Instead, follow our stylist tips to a sleek figure that will give you your confidence back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shapewear can be best your friend. It supports the foundation upon which your clothes drape. You want to be sure to get this right. We don’t recommend buying it to fit into a size smaller. Instead use it to help you feel more comfortable in body grazing sweaters, contoured dresses and blouses. Bare Necessities has a great selection of brands carrying lines designed to fit your curves.  I highly recommend the Full control body torsette pictured above from TC Intimates from Bare Necessities for those needing substantive support in the mid section. It really works! Plus I love that you get to pair it with your own bra.

Nic + Zoe 'Heavenly' Denim Jacket (Plus)

Now that you can shop body skimming tops with confidence, it’s time to try layers. A jacket like this style from Nic + Zoe has princess seams giving you a slimming silhouette. The cutaway hemline also adds to the illusion of a slim waistline. We selected this style because you can wear it both in the office on business casual days and on the weekend when you need a confidence boost.

Bright bouclé jacket Women's Plus Sizes

Don’t shy away from color. You can do a bold blazer; just layer a dark blouse underneath to continue that camouflage effect. This bright coral boucle jacket from Coldwater Creek also has those princess seams we mentioned above. Only slightly longer, hitting at your mid-hip, this jacket will create a long lean line from jacket to trouser.

Talbots Plus Size Drape-Wrap Top

A jacket fools the eye by breaking up your silhouette, making you look thinner. Another way to achieve this is with diagonal lines. These can be found in prints, faux wrapped blouses, and color block designs. This new Drape Wrap Top from Talbots gives you that soft flattering wrap effect. Plus with a built in tank it’s easy on-the-go style. New Mom’s take note!

Keep these tips in mind when you are shopping for your Spring wardrobe updates. Take the time to try different silhouettes on and actually LOOK at yourself in the mirror. Make sure the item makes you feel good before you take it the register. Feeling good will make you stand taller which also does wonders for creating a slimmer silhouette!

Dare to be Fabulous regardless of your size.

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Be sure to check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Create a Sexy Look this Valentine’s Day!

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Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. You’ve probably already selected a gift for that special someone. Have you thought about what you will wear for your romantic evening out? It’s a day where you have full license to Flaunt It! So have a little fun creating a sexy (or alluring!) look.

Valentine's Day Style

Valentine’s Day Style by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring sequin handbags

A body skimming knit dress is a fantastic way to show off your body. Whether you prefer to cover your arms or go bold and sleeveless, this fitted, sexy look can be achieved. We added a bold red statement necklace and matching bracelet. Since these two pieces are attention grabbers, we stuck to simple gold hoops. A gold pump would really take this look to new heights. If this is over the top for you, your sexiest black pumps and gold bag will be equally stunning.

Valentine's Date Outfit

Valentine’s Date Outfit by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring slim jeans
If it’s a little too cold for you to be comfortable with your legs bare, jeans or skinny trousers can be equally sexy. After all, you have to be comfortable and confident to truly feel sexy. That’s hard when you’re freezing! So, put on your most flattering denim and update it with a new silk blouse for the evening. We added a short fitted red blazer over these sleeveless numbers. On this look we accented with bold chandelier earrings and a ruby red cocktail ring.

Regardless of the outfit you choose, I believe in wearing the color that makes me feel sassiest on this special day. For me, that would be red or fuchsia. Whatever color makes you feel confident and strut-worthy, wear that! Trust me your guy will see that special sparkle and inner radiance on the outside.

Ladies, don’t forget to freshen and enhance your make up. Give yourself a smoky eye and a bolder lip to bring your inner tigress out this Valentine’s Day.

Here’s to love!

Effortless Dressing for Plus Size Gals

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We are always on the lookout for niche brands for under-served demographics, such as the plus-sized market. We understand the struggles to find figure flattering clothing. Therefore we love to celebrate brands that serve in creative, affordable and stylish ways. The Limited, which has long been known for a blend of professional and casual looks at great prices, is now putting some focus on the plus-sized women. They’ve recently launched a new line, eloquii dedicated to clothing for women size 14-24.
Pencil Skirt & Printed BlouseThe assortment is similar to what you’d expect from The Limited. Right now they are helping you kick off the New Year with 30% off your entire purchase of $100 or more. Eloquii allows you to view products by silhouettes that are most suited for your unique body shape. Let’s help you find $100 worth of figure flattering styles to fill your shopping cart!

Heart: Fullest in the bust area.
Color Block Jacket Color Block Pencil Skirt
A color blocked jacket with a high stance keeps the girls locked and loaded while providing a slimming silhouette. Blessed with skinnier hips, you can pair this jacket with the matching color blocked pencil skirt.

Teardrop: When it’s all in the Hips.
Two In One Belted Box Pleat Dress Pleated Cowl Neck Dress
You want to accentuate your waist, right under the bust. Select a dress with a high waist and full skirt that will float away from your hips. Two In One Belted Box Pleat Dress may be asking you to be a little daring. It’s such a flattering silhouette and simple print, we’re sure you’ll be sold as soon as you put this dress on. If you’re still not convinced, we also found this Pleated Cowl Neck dress in deep cranberry with a similar silhouette. The cowl necklines also help add a little volume up top.

Emerald: Relatively straight from bust to hips.
Two Button Ruched Sleeve Jacket Hammered Satin Shell
Look for belted styles that help give you a defined waistline. Two button ruched sleeve jacket in emerald green does just that. You can easily pair it with you favorite black trousers and this printed silky shell.

Remember not to hide in your clothes. Find pieces that make you feel great! Be fabulous in the body you have now!

Enter code WINTER30 at checkout for your savings.

Our picks for 5 stylish sweaters that help disguise a tummy

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Last week we gave you our Stylist Secrets to hide those holiday pounds. Well we know the holidays aren’t quite over and you may still need a little more advice. Here are 5 sweater styles designed to disguise a tummy and keep you stylish all winter long.Caslon® Crochet Front Tunic SweaterCaslon Crochet Front Tunic Sweater has a slightly open crochet stitch texture. This layering tunic is styled with a deep V-neckline and elbow-length sleeves. Pick it up at Nordstrom for $74.  Looks great with skinny jeans. Add a bright cami underneath for a pop of color, which will also draw the eye up and away from any trouble areas.
Frenchi® Plunging Cowl Neck Sweater Tunic A plunging cowl neckline will also do the trick. Frenchi Plunging Cowl Neck Sweater Tunic comes in beige or eggplant for $58.
MICHAEL Michael Kors V-Neck PonchoMICHAEL Michael Kors V-Neck Poncho has the tunic length with a tied waistline to create a flattering silhouette. Plus the drapey technique gives you an added bonus. For $89.50 your tummy is neatly disguised plus you have a comfy look that does not look unpolished. This bright fuchsia is also fun for this time of year. If you are a neutrals kind of gal, the sweater  comes in black as well.

Kensie Cowl Neck Fair Isle SweaterNordic patterns are on trend this winter and the graphic detail is a great distraction for many body parts. Pair pattern with an oversized cowl and loose silhouette and you are well on your way to creating a fashionable tummy disguise. Kensie Cowl Neck Fair Isle Sweater is currently on sale for just $49.

Caslon® Dolman Sleeve Turtleneck SweaterOur 5th choice is a dolman sleeve turtleneck with cable knit detail. Dolman sleeves are very popular this season. Just be careful, if you’re full-busted, that you aren’t adding more width to your bust area with this design! Caslon Dolman Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater comes in 4 different neutral shades. This sweater is also on sale for $59.

We found each of these tummy disguising sweaters at Nordstrom for under $100 each. At such a great price you don’t have to worry about setting the sweaters aside once you shed a few pounds. These 5 sweaters are stylish enough to wear all winter!

Insider stylist secrets for dressing your body

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One of my goals when I work with women is to help them embrace their body and learn how to work with it rather than fight with it. As my yoga teacher says, if you treat your own body like you did your best friend, you’d be much kinder to it. Think of it; would you call your best friend names? Treat her badly? Not show her compassion? Not love her for who she is?

It is the same with your body. Treat it kindly and compassionately and lovingly–even the parts you wished were different. And for the latter, here are a few insider stylist’s secrets to help minimize those more challenging body parts.

  • Minimizing a tummy bulge A dress or top with strategic ruching is great if the ruching is diagonal and near the tummy area. A surplice wrap top with a V neck is very flattering for women with tummy issues. Also embrace shapewear! Patterns can also distract from the tummy area if they are well spaced and placed
  • Heavy thighs/full hips A full leg trouser style pant WITHOUT side pockets is most flattering pant. If it has a vertical seam detail that is even better. A line skirts and dresses with vertical seaming also ‘break up’ the width and make her thighs disappear. A great secret to really disguise thighs is wearing a long topper jacket open –this essentially hides the whole hip/thigh area and makes the woman look taller and leaner. She can combine a topper in a bright fun col0r and print and go monochromatic inside for a really slimming, chic look.
  • Look taller and leaner by:
      • Wearing a bra that lifts and supports. Takes off 10 pounds and 10 years. You essentially open up the torso area so the woman looks more elongated, and more poised.
      • Stand up straight! Pretty basic but you’ll be surprised how many women slouch and add pounds to their mid section by so doing
      • Monochromatic looks will always be elongating. This does not mean black but any dark color will have this effect—brown, charcoal grey, navy.
      • Look for vertical details—like pinstripes, vertical seams, patterns that run vertically. Avoid any design element that chops your body up—this includes cropped or capri pants, horizontal lines or prints in pants skirts, or overly wide belts at the waist

I’ll be sharing more tips in an upcoming post!

Natalie Jobity AKA The Image Diva. Author: Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. Follow me on Facebook for more tips everyday!