Empowered Traditionalist

Over the next few posts, will be highlighting a few basic tips to flatter the basic figure types. Nothing overwhelmingly revelatory, but the basic principles that need to become second nature.

The Hourglass: 

You have: A defined waist, your hips are at least 10″ broader than your waist measurement. Your shoulders roughly match your hip. Curvy, with a medium or full bust.

Your Style secrets: 

1. Accentuate your profile with a few pretty belts and cinch everything (from dresses to blouses) at the small of your waist.

2. Jersey and silk lightly graze curves. Wool and tweed add bulk.

3. Defined, structured shoulders and exposed necklines (think v neck, and scoup) flatter necklines.

4. Worn high or low, girlish necklaces play to your feminine form. Wear them if they match your style.

Classics to look for:

A long V-neck fitted cardigan, like the boyfriend cardigan, elongates and refines curves.

A belted trench, or any belted coat for that matter, defines your waist – keeping your feminine and flattering.

Slightly tapered knee length skirts (think pencil)  obscure full hips and create balance.

A wrap dress is your best friend. It’s adjustable and made for the hourglass.

A classic blazer, tailored to fit, can be worn over dresses, jeans, slacks and skirts. Incredibly versatile.

Sources:

Grace Lee, InStyle mag,  The Lucky Shopping Manua, Kim France and Andrea Linett
Modest Fashion, Modesty

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Continued from Feminism: The Harm

This article has been waiting for completion for months. , I could never quite bring myself to finish it, notes on bits of paper, quotes stacking up, deadlines come and gone. There was always some new facet, another aspect to evaluate and include. I doubt I will ever have this completed to my entire satisfaction. It’s a work in progress, but if I don’t do it now, I never will

Have you ever faced an oncoming storm? You’re in your car, Continue Reading »

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Who doesn’t love the horse “race scene” from My Fair Lady? Is it the black and white? (Or maybe it’s those fabulous hats

This dramatic trend is perfect for those of you who shy away from color. Create a striking combination of black/white prints or solids and step away from the mirror radiating confidence.

Why you should love it:

1. Black-and-white draws attention like a bull’s eye. It’s strong graphic sare stylish yet effortless. You neve look like you’re tyring too hard to be chic.

2. Accessorizing is a cinch. Shoes and bags of every color work with it-black, white, beige, brights, metallics.

3. It’s a great pallette for packing, since everyghing works together and goes easily from day to night. A patterned piece adds punch to the mix.

Black and White – by christa_t on Polyvore.com
Do:

-Black-and-white can be flattering! Black side panels will whittle your waist.

-Use patterns to your advantage. Balance wide hips with a print on top. If you’re petite, create the illusion of additional inches with vertical lines.  An allover print with a diagonal drift works well for curvier figures.

-Add a bold black belt to a simple white dress

-Add just a touch of graphic black-and-white in some bold accessories, a cuff, handbag or heels.

Don’t:

-Wear black/white stripes at your widest part. That horizontal lines draws the eye sideways, widening your hips.

-End up looking like a waitress or like you’re just heading to the office in your business attire. Break up the black/white with a bold splash of color if need be.

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we’re goofing off after the shoot - 

We fell in love with Victoria the moment we set our foot on the dock. From the stunning Bay, Capitol building and the grand Empress Hotel, we relished every minute.
We had a ball shooting the C-T dresses in and around the city…and it was the first time I ever modeled my own clothes! (yikes!)
The Regent Frock was highlighted in Victoria because of it’s strong Nautical inspiration. The design was based off a vintage pattern from the 50’s with some slight updates to make it more wearable today. It really is a fantastic dress to wear, and because of the slight Polyester/Cotton blend, it barely wrinkles! Could life be better?

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Leslie Ludy just launched her latest book, Answering the Guy Questions: The Set-Apart Girls Guide to Relating to the Opposite Sex
and it is an excellent resource for any young woman seeking to build Christ-exalting male-female friendships.

Some questions she covers:

- How do I find the right guy?
-Are my standards too high?
-Can I live fully for Christ and still find true love?
-How do I develop a God-honoring friendship with a guy?
-How do I become beautiful to a godly guy?
-What if I’ve already made mistakes?

Leslie and I had a conversation about modesty and somehow I ended up in her book (yes, she did ask)

“When a young woman chooses to dress in a way that thoughtlessly exposes her body or, worse, seeks to use her body to allure men sexually, she is reducing herself to mere “eye candy”. All that is truly good and beautiful and unique about a young woman is lost and she is only seen as an object for sex. Womanhood today is so crude, largely because of the attack on female modesty. Many mainstream fashion trends are very unflattering. Low rise jeans, for instance, can create “muffin tops” and when seated, reveal way too much of your derriere to the unfortunate individual behind you. This does not enhance a woman’s beauty or attractiveness. In contrast, a woman who is dressed with dignity and grace, in feminine apparel that flatters, draws attention to her face, her personality, and charm.

Modesty is the ancient secret of allure. An oxymoron? I think not. When women choose to dress with modesty and dignity, it just might flip everything around…we were created in such a way that when we humans act without restraint and without any rules, we don’t have as much fun! Modesty and dignity help women protect their romantic hopes, challenge men to be courteous and honorable, and will turn the whole sexual revolution on its head. That is something to look forward to.”

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Sarah Mae from, Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, asked me to put together a guest post, thanks for opportunity Sarah Mae!

Recently, I saw some pictures of a dear family friend on Facebook that deeply disturbed me. The pictures in question revealed a young woman, scantily dressed, partying with her girlfriends. Who replaced the sweet, modest friend of my youth with this trashy streetwalker? Did I miss something? Excuse me, but where is your mother?

In a Feministic, Sex-saturated culture, discerning mothers are vital in raising up the next generation of biblical women.

But who can boast of a perfect mother/daughter relationship? Some of us wince every time we hear it mentioned. Continue Reading »

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I have a confession to make: I wear slacks. I wear jeans. I even wear sweats…and I like it.

Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t.

I have never felt led to wear skirts everyday, and while I wear them frequently, I also enjoy adding stylish slacks or denim to round out my wardrobe.

The trick to looking feminine in jeans is not necessarily in what you’re wearing, but how you wear them. Skirts and Dresses by their very nature are more feminine than pants. But is it possible to be Feminine while wearing pants? Yes.

Tips to Try:
-When wearing denim (jeans) carry a lady-like handbag or clutch. It does wonders to your feminine mystique.

-Pair your trousers with something a man would never wear. For example, a silk scarf, a drapey tunic, a pashmina, pearls, a long feminine coat. I consistently wear a tunic or long blouse to cover my derriere, simply because my Dad thinks it’s more modest.

-The blouse can make all the difference, t-shirt says “I’m comfy and I don’t want to expend any effort”, pretty blouses or cardigans “This is my day to shine, watch out boys, here I come!”

-Keep your pants simple. Because you want attention to be drawn to your face, emphasize your blouse or brightly colored jewelry. Zebra stripe pants just don’t have the same effect.

-Wear heels. If you’ve never worn heels with your denim or trousers, please start now.

-On the same note, avoid Tennis shoes. Use these shoes for what they are meant for ( sports and active happenings) not for your errands and appointments.

-When wearing jeans, don’t wear frumpy ones that bag and fold around your ankles. Unless you are very slender, avoid every manifestation of a “tapered” leg. Boot cut, ladies. Bootcut.

-Put on the attitude of femininity. There is an irrevocable connection between your heart and your clothes. Heart first, and posturing and demeanor follows.

The Nitty Gritty:
-Please make sure your top is long enough to ensure coverage on your backside when you bend over or sit down.
-Place your hands down by your side. Can you pull your pant leg away from your hip or derriere? If not, they are too tight.

I know you ladies have a plethora of ideas- What are some of the simple things you’ve added to your outfit to bring out your femininity?

____
Photo courtesy of Larissa Taylor

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  When we first envisioned creating our own vintage inspired “Black dress” we knew we wanted to pay tribute to that timeless beauty- Audrey Hepburn. When we saw “Funny Face” the pieces fell in place- “Think Pink”,one of my all-time favorite songs from the legendary film gave us the pink accents and the actual dress shape came straight out of “Sabrina”.This dress is utterly AudreyWho can resist that vintage charm?

Think Pink

Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes.Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose.Red is dead, blue is through,Green’s obscene, brown’s taboo.And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce—or chartreuse.

—for bags! pink for shoes!Razzle, dazzle and spread the news!And pink’s for the lady with joie de vive!Pinks for all the family.Try pink shampoo.Pink toothpaste too.Play in pink, all day in pink,Pretty gayin pink.Drive in pink, come alive in pink,Have a dive in pink.Go out dancing but just remember one thing:You can get a little winkIf you got a little pinkIn your swing.

I can’t resist adding a few of my favorite lines from the Sabrina film:

David Larrabee: What makes you so sure Sabrina still wants me?

Linus Larrabee: Of course she wants you. She’s wanted you all her life!David Larrabee: Until you came along in that silly homburg. [homburg is his signature hat]

Linus Larrabee: Why don’t you straighten that silly straw hat and on your way. You’ll miss the boat.

.David Larrabee: Don’t worry. I won’t miss the boat.

David Larrabee: Funniest thing. Linus Larrabee, the man who doesn’t burn, doesn’t scorch, doesn’t melt… suddenly throws a twenty million dollar deal out the window.[stops at the door]

David Larrabee: Are you sure you don’t want to go with her?

Linus Larrabee: Why should I want to go with her?

David Larrabee: Because you’re in love with her.

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Whittle down your waist with an eye-catching floral belt, right in time for one of Springs top trends. Personalize your belt for your wardrobe, or even for a specific outfit.

 Needed: 

Silk flower of your choice

Rhinestones

1/2 -3/4″ ribbon

Velcro square (both hook and matt so they adhere to each other)

Hot glue gun

_______________________________________________________________________

Snip off the stem of your silk flower with wire cutters.  If your flower is flat, you can adhere sparkling rhinestones or buttons to the center for some bling.

Measure your waist and cut a piece of ribbong accordingly, leaving a 1″ overlap to act as the “clasp.

Hot glue, (or sew if your prefer) the 2 velcro sides to the appropriate ribbon end so they catch securely.

Glue your silk flower to the front of the ribbon end and secure by sewing a few additional stitches through the flower petals (you can hide the stitching by sewing on petals that are concealed by others) and to the back of the ribbon.

You’re done!

Be creative and come up with some alternative ideas- (ribbon bows, brooches etc)  

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These gals had fun. While a bit overdone, Sisters Samantha and Nicola Chapman demonstrate a few vintage looks that will get you inspired- see it as a spring board to develop your own vintage look.

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