style & beauty tip of the day: balance with exaggerated garments

A major tip to looking stylish, fashionably knowledgeable, and simply fantastic is balance. 

Today's focus being, how to wear over-sized or exaggerated garments.

The key is simple...

When wearing an over-sized top or exaggerated/full bottoms, pair them with simple, fitted partners. Exaggerated paired with exaggerated calls to mind childhood memories of playing dress-up with Mom's clothing. Cute when you're four-years-old. Not so cute as an adult.

So remember...balance is key in fashion.

One of my absolute favorite style inspirations, Rumi Neely, in her classic, no fuss fashion.

The over-sized sweater is balanced by the fitted, simple jeans.

(Photo from Rumi's facebook page)

This gorgeous, exaggerated, full skirt works because it is balanced by the fitted, classic cut of the blouse.

Kim's exaggerated, full tops look chic and stylish because they are paired with simple, skinnies.

"Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it."

Quote by George Santayana

the thin line: leggings

Most women, and many men, want to portray a high fashion style, but there is a very thin line between high fashion and, well, not high fashion.
So what is it that distinguishes celebrity actresses and super models from the rest of the world? Many would say it's because they are so much prettier than the rest of us so they make anything look good, but that couldn't be further from the truth-- as many non-models are just as gorgeous or even more gorgeous than those models we all admire. 

Then how do they stand out from the crowd? What makes them look so much greater than the majority of the world?
The details. It's all in the little details.

Are you now ready to leave the wannabees and cross over into that mysterious secret world of high fashion?

Here's your first stop on the treasure map to becoming a head turning, off-the-runway super model.

High fashion legging style vs wannabee high fashion leggings

In fashion, we are constantly trying to elongate and thin the look of the woman's body. Leggings have been huge the last few years, and if worn right, they accomplish the elongating and thinning quite nicely.

What makes this first look so much more high fashion than the second photo?
It's the legging length. High fashion legging looks have hems that extend all the way down to at least the ankles and has continuous flow into the style and color of the shoe. For a high fashion legging look, have the hems actually touch the shoe tops or continue into the shoe and wear leggings and shoes that are the same color. This elongates the legs, and allows for fewer horizontal divides across the body. A well known secret in the styling world is the fewer horizontal divides you have, the longer and then you look. Horizontal divides tend to break up the flow of the body giving it a shorter, more squaty look. So leave the capri leggings for your trips to the gym.

Picture one: The leggings extend to the ankles, and the strappy look of the shoes reflects the gathered texture of her leggings, allowing for seamless flow from thigh to toe. Whoa Mama, High fashion!

Picture two: Capri leggings? Is she wearing heels with these because she forget her flip flops after yoga class or something? 

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Now here are some legging YES'S!

In this one, the leggings extend all the way past the ankles touching the tops of the shoes. YES!

Here the hems of her leggings go entirely into her boots, allowing for a seamless transition through the legs and feet. And its always a bonus when the color of you leggings matches your shoe color. 

Doesn't she look cute?

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Now for some legging NO-NO's!

Capri leggings with a dress? I may have to slap someone! :-D
Not to mention, the lace arm warmer's adding even more horizontal cuts to the body. This outfit is a definite NO, and oh heck, NO!

The capri leggings, the low fitting belt...makes her legs look about 2/3's of their actual length, giving a dwarfed look to her body .

Never ever wear ankle reveling leggings with dresses that are longer than mid-thigh. When wearing a dress it is always a safer bet to wear actual pantyhose or footed tights. 

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Now for the proper way to wear capri length leggings.

For yoga on the beach... Yes!

For lounging around the house? YES!

For jogging in the park? Absolutely!

Now, go get your high fashion on!!

"Make-up can only make you look pretty on the outside but it doesn't help if your ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the make-up."

Quote by Audrey Hepburn

Trying Something A Little Different...

Woke up today wanting to wear something a little different from my go to blacks, grays, and browns...Yes, peoples, I am wore a pink suede-ish skirt. Bought vintage several years ago, the fabric was to soft to resist. Almost never wear it, but today felt like the right day for it. Sorry about the bad lighting & blah location, this was the only solid blank wall space in the house. 

Photography done by my awesome BF on his iPhone because I seem to have misplaced my camera, eeeeeek!!!!! Where are you little buddy?!