Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Showing posts with label my style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my style. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
New Summer Shoes
I got me some new summer sandals! Yes, they were expensive, but they love my feet. Ergonomic, sole-supporting, comfortable, not to mention pretty... Everything this practical gal needs in a shoe!
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Fashion Model -- Not!
I dared to take a few pictures of myself in some recent purchases. I was brave.
I love bargains! And when a friend's two daughters took me thrift-store-hopping (yes, hopping) with them, I was game. I spent about $40 and brought home about $400 worth of stuff! Good stuff, okay? I got ride of a few clothing items in my closet to make way for the new items.
Here we go.
Oh, and not all of these items were purchased at thrift stores. And there are only a few below. I didn't want to take the time to change clothes that many times. Plus taking all those pictures of myself... No, thanks.
Remember, my body shape is short apple, so I'll be describing some of the clothing characteristics that appeal to my body type.
My first purchase was a new coat! Off-white, which is not my color but it's tinged with enough brown that it works for me, and sparkly, too! This is a great coat for those in-between winter/spring days--I'm keeping my old, old brown "movie star" coat for the really cold days, and this coat works very well for days that are 30+ degrees. The original price was $230, and it was on clearance, plus I had a $10 Kohl's coupon (now you know where I bought it), plus my mom had a 30% off coupon. Final price: $44.
The next purchase is below. If you're a regular reader, you've seen the top before ($4 at Goodwill). This time around, I purchased the skirt, a chocolate microfiber. Now, I already have a chocolate microfiber skirt, but it's a teensy bit bit in the waist, and this one fits perfectly. Note the fullness along the bottom--it's an A-line, good for us apples. Plus, there are no pockets or bulky fabric (gathers, etc.) around the waist, which helps minimize the tummy area. Goodwill price: $4.
Oh, and as long as we're talking apple shape, the top above is V-neck (I'm wearing a modesty panel for obvious reasons), and flared at the waist/hip to minimize the tummy. Plus, you may not be able to see it in the picture but it does have an empire waist, another apple body plus.
I happened upon the boots at the second Goodwill store on our shopping trip. My old brown boots were very, very old, to the point I colored in one of the decorative buttons along the side because the fabric had completely worn off. No one ever noticed, but I knew the boots were nearing the end of their life. These boots below have heels a tad higher than I would have liked, but they're comfortable to walk around in (for short periods of time!), and they were new. Coupled with a red half-price sticker, and I was sold. Final price: $2.50.
The dress below was more expensive, so it was a splurge. Back at Kohl's and during the coat-purchase, I found this dress. I bought a red one from Kohl's with the exact same pattern, and you know how I love blue. I called Fernando and explained, "You know the red floral dress I have? Well, there's a blue one just like it here, and it's on sale, 65% off." He responded, "Get it." Now I have two fancy dresses--not too fancy for church, plus we have a growing list of weddings coming up in the next few months. Perfect!
Apple body--notice the V-neck, the flared sleeves (not necessarily apple but it de-emphasizes my rather large upper arms), the empire waist, and you can't see it but it flares nicely a smidgen below the knee. Yay!
Okay, that's enough looking at me. I was happy and excited to share my purchases with you!
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
I love bargains! And when a friend's two daughters took me thrift-store-hopping (yes, hopping) with them, I was game. I spent about $40 and brought home about $400 worth of stuff! Good stuff, okay? I got ride of a few clothing items in my closet to make way for the new items.
Here we go.
Oh, and not all of these items were purchased at thrift stores. And there are only a few below. I didn't want to take the time to change clothes that many times. Plus taking all those pictures of myself... No, thanks.
Remember, my body shape is short apple, so I'll be describing some of the clothing characteristics that appeal to my body type.
My first purchase was a new coat! Off-white, which is not my color but it's tinged with enough brown that it works for me, and sparkly, too! This is a great coat for those in-between winter/spring days--I'm keeping my old, old brown "movie star" coat for the really cold days, and this coat works very well for days that are 30+ degrees. The original price was $230, and it was on clearance, plus I had a $10 Kohl's coupon (now you know where I bought it), plus my mom had a 30% off coupon. Final price: $44.
The next purchase is below. If you're a regular reader, you've seen the top before ($4 at Goodwill). This time around, I purchased the skirt, a chocolate microfiber. Now, I already have a chocolate microfiber skirt, but it's a teensy bit bit in the waist, and this one fits perfectly. Note the fullness along the bottom--it's an A-line, good for us apples. Plus, there are no pockets or bulky fabric (gathers, etc.) around the waist, which helps minimize the tummy area. Goodwill price: $4.
Oh, and as long as we're talking apple shape, the top above is V-neck (I'm wearing a modesty panel for obvious reasons), and flared at the waist/hip to minimize the tummy. Plus, you may not be able to see it in the picture but it does have an empire waist, another apple body plus.
I happened upon the boots at the second Goodwill store on our shopping trip. My old brown boots were very, very old, to the point I colored in one of the decorative buttons along the side because the fabric had completely worn off. No one ever noticed, but I knew the boots were nearing the end of their life. These boots below have heels a tad higher than I would have liked, but they're comfortable to walk around in (for short periods of time!), and they were new. Coupled with a red half-price sticker, and I was sold. Final price: $2.50.
The dress below was more expensive, so it was a splurge. Back at Kohl's and during the coat-purchase, I found this dress. I bought a red one from Kohl's with the exact same pattern, and you know how I love blue. I called Fernando and explained, "You know the red floral dress I have? Well, there's a blue one just like it here, and it's on sale, 65% off." He responded, "Get it." Now I have two fancy dresses--not too fancy for church, plus we have a growing list of weddings coming up in the next few months. Perfect!
Apple body--notice the V-neck, the flared sleeves (not necessarily apple but it de-emphasizes my rather large upper arms), the empire waist, and you can't see it but it flares nicely a smidgen below the knee. Yay!
Okay, that's enough looking at me. I was happy and excited to share my purchases with you!
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Exploring My Shape -- Short Apple
A short apple. That's what I figured out, anyway, through hours of intensive research late one night. Well, two hours, anyway. And as intense as one can get when one is tired but can't fall asleep.
Anyway, it comes down to this: a short apple. That's what my body type is, apparently. An "apple" shape is not necessarily an overweight body, though I can stand to lose a few pounds. Generally, it's one whose shoulder width is about the same as one's hips, who is fairly straight all the way down but with a larger bust. Plus, the key--one who tends to gain weight primarily in the tummy. Well, that's pretty much me. Add the "short" in (I'm 5' 2") and I was all set with my "official shape." Now to figure out what clothing styles look good on me...
The color part was easier--Fernando loves color, and I'm happy to oblige. I've figured out that primary colors are best with my skin coloring, and bright colors work better than pale ones--though pastels are good if they're a "faded primary." Here's a very recent pic of me (thanks, Danny!) to show you that "faded primary" pastels can look good.
As for style--well, that's a little more difficult. I have five men in my life, and although they can tell me if they like something I'm wearing, they're useless when it comes to what actually looks good. Fernando likes almost everything I wear (which is good, I suppose!) What a pickle I'm in!
From my research, I've found that V-necks are better than rounded ones, and empire waistlines cover/hide the tummy. Shirts whose hems fall at the hip line are good, as well as ones that flare out slightly at that point. Also, A-line skirts are better than straight ones. All of these style characteristics help give definition and curves to my body shape. Several websites added shorter (as in above-knee-length) skirts to de-emphasize height, but that's just a little too short for me, generally speaking. I'll stick with A-line skirts. :)
Here are a few self-portraits, which frankly speaking, are rather scary to post. I'm not the best-shaped person out there, duh. However, these pictures have really helped me figure out what looks good, since I can see myself "outside of myself" and figure out if something looks good, and/or hides what needs to be hidden. This has helped me on my quest to find the right clothing when I'm out shopping.
My analysis of the above Christopher & Banks top and skirt: The skirt is not the best, since it has pockets, seams, and other bulk, but one must have a denim skirt, and it is an A-line and very comfortable. The blouse is V-neck, and the seams and stitching along the front add shape to my waist.
My analysis: The skirt is from Kohl's ($13 on sale with a coupon and my mom's senior discount!), and I found the top at Goodwill. I love the flowing sleeves, which are 3/4 length, another favorite. To compensate for the extremely low V-neck, I spent quite a few bucks on a bra that has a modesty panel in it. I've tried layers, but don't look good in them; they just add bulk to my upper frame. So the bra-with-panel works for those really low V-necks where I need a little more modesty, while still showing the V shape that adds shape to my figure.
Well, that's it for this little post. I'll post more as I continue to get the confidence to take pictures of myself, and as I find clothing that works for my short apple figure. See you at the store!
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Anyway, it comes down to this: a short apple. That's what my body type is, apparently. An "apple" shape is not necessarily an overweight body, though I can stand to lose a few pounds. Generally, it's one whose shoulder width is about the same as one's hips, who is fairly straight all the way down but with a larger bust. Plus, the key--one who tends to gain weight primarily in the tummy. Well, that's pretty much me. Add the "short" in (I'm 5' 2") and I was all set with my "official shape." Now to figure out what clothing styles look good on me...
The color part was easier--Fernando loves color, and I'm happy to oblige. I've figured out that primary colors are best with my skin coloring, and bright colors work better than pale ones--though pastels are good if they're a "faded primary." Here's a very recent pic of me (thanks, Danny!) to show you that "faded primary" pastels can look good.
As for style--well, that's a little more difficult. I have five men in my life, and although they can tell me if they like something I'm wearing, they're useless when it comes to what actually looks good. Fernando likes almost everything I wear (which is good, I suppose!) What a pickle I'm in!
From my research, I've found that V-necks are better than rounded ones, and empire waistlines cover/hide the tummy. Shirts whose hems fall at the hip line are good, as well as ones that flare out slightly at that point. Also, A-line skirts are better than straight ones. All of these style characteristics help give definition and curves to my body shape. Several websites added shorter (as in above-knee-length) skirts to de-emphasize height, but that's just a little too short for me, generally speaking. I'll stick with A-line skirts. :)
Here are a few self-portraits, which frankly speaking, are rather scary to post. I'm not the best-shaped person out there, duh. However, these pictures have really helped me figure out what looks good, since I can see myself "outside of myself" and figure out if something looks good, and/or hides what needs to be hidden. This has helped me on my quest to find the right clothing when I'm out shopping.
My analysis of the above Christopher & Banks top and skirt: The skirt is not the best, since it has pockets, seams, and other bulk, but one must have a denim skirt, and it is an A-line and very comfortable. The blouse is V-neck, and the seams and stitching along the front add shape to my waist.
My analysis: The skirt is from Kohl's ($13 on sale with a coupon and my mom's senior discount!), and I found the top at Goodwill. I love the flowing sleeves, which are 3/4 length, another favorite. To compensate for the extremely low V-neck, I spent quite a few bucks on a bra that has a modesty panel in it. I've tried layers, but don't look good in them; they just add bulk to my upper frame. So the bra-with-panel works for those really low V-necks where I need a little more modesty, while still showing the V shape that adds shape to my figure.
Well, that's it for this little post. I'll post more as I continue to get the confidence to take pictures of myself, and as I find clothing that works for my short apple figure. See you at the store!
Back to life,
Christine
Visit my photography blog
Visit my photography website
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)