Girl with Curves

Body Type Tips

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:31 -0700

I personally believe that anyone of any shape and size can pull off any look with the right fit and styling. In order to accomplish this and be successful at it though, you must first determine your body type, then figure out how to tweak the don’t into a do!

Though this is my personal belief, I get lots of questions about dressing to flatter your curves vs. flaunt them. That said, here are some tips for dressing your specific body type, with strict fashion rules in mind:

Rectangle shapes tend to be fairly straight up and down, with an often small bust, undefined waist and bottom.

Tips: Structured clothing with details, ruching or draping at the waist gives the illusion of curves, while a small bust means you can get away with wearing hard to pull of tops, such as halters and one-shoulders! Avoid low-rise jeans, tight, straight-lined tops and clingy pencil skirts, which can make your figure appear straighter.

Famous Rectangles: Emme, Queen Latifah

Pear shapes tend to be bottom-heavy, with a large bottom, hips and thighs. Pear’s often have a flat stomach, defined waist, a smaller bust and narrow shoulders.

Tips: Balance out your curvy bottom half by wearing brightly colored tops, or tops with extra detailing, like collars and sleeves. Another trick to balancing out your figure, is to make sure the hem of your top hits right above or below the widest point of your hips and bottom, as opposed to resting on the widest part. Cinching your waist will showcase the slimmest part of your figure. To avoid highlighting hips, stay away from tube, pencil and fishtail skirts, as well as prints, patterns and pockets on your thigh area.

Famous Pears: Mindy Kaling, Beyonce

Apple shapes tend to carry more weight around their middle and do not have a defined waist. Apple’s also often have slim, well-shaped legs, an undefined bottom and a medium to large bust.

Tips: Flaunt your best assets by showing off your great legs! Wearing tops with slightly lower necklines will draw attention upwards, away from your middle, as well as longline empire-waist tops that skim over and conceal your stomach. Tops with built-in shoulder pads can balance out your figure, as well as A-line skirts that hit just below the knee. Boot cut or straight leg jeans are most flattering, but skinnies can be flattering as well, with the right top. Avoid short tops and boxy jackets that highlight the mid-section.

Famous Apples: Melissa McCarthy, Amber Riley

Strawberry (inverted triangle) shapes tend to be bigger on their top half than their bottom half. Strawberry’s often have broad shoulders and a large bust in relation to their waist and hips.

Tips: Balance your figure by wearing full skirts or wide leg trousers to create the illusion of a wider bottom half. Choose tops specifically suited for a bigger bust, such as v-necks and wrap tops. Highlight your waist by wearing a wide belt, and don’t be afraid of wearing color, prints and patterns on your lower half. Stay away from details that bring attention to your shoulders, like ruffles, shoulder pads, puffy sleeves or halter necks.

Famous Strawberries: Jill Scott, Britney Spears

Hourglass shapes tend to be curvy in the middle, with a full bust, full bottom, and a slim waist.

Tips: Showcase your shape by wearing fitted, tailored silhouettes, as opposed to baggy clothing. Wrap-dresses, wrap-tops, waist belts, wide legged trousers and jeans all flatter your shape, while shapeless baggy tops hide your slim waist and can make you appear larger than you actually are.

Famous Hourglasses: Christina Hendricks, Kim Kardashian

Cut-Offs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:27 -0700

Casual cut-offs with sophisticated details…

|WEARING| Zara Blazer, Forever 21 Top, Indi Custom DIY Denim Cut-Offs (similar here), Michael Kors Bag,

Enzo Angliolini Pumps (similar here on sale), MAC Lippy in ‘Ravishing’

With temperatures that welcome shorts by day, and winds that require layers by night, I can’t help but mix casual cut-offs with dressed up details.

Latest Redbook Looks

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:27 -0700

Each month I have so much fun styling looks for Redbook magazine.

|WEARING| Kate Spade Dress (similar here, here & here), Chambray Top thanks to Susan Graver (similar here & here), H&M Belt, BCBG Bag,

Vintage Earrings, Cole Haan Slingbacks (similar here), MAC Lippy in ‘Lickable’

|WEARING| Dress thanks to L.L. Bean, Vintage Necklace & Bracelet, Clutch thanks to mark., DV by Dolce Vita Sandals, Stila Lippy in ‘Caprice’

Each month I have so much fun styling looks for Redbook magazine.

These are the latest ensembles that appeared in the May & June 2013 Issues, featuring a chambray top and striped dress.

In Bloom

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:44 -0700

Staying away from floral is becoming impossible.

|WEARING| Vintage Blouse, Skirt thanks to ModCloth (available to size 4x), Clutch thanks to Mark.,

Antique Anklet via Etsy, Stuart Weitzman Pumps

Seems the more I try and stay away from floral, the more it pops-up in amazing, bold colors I can’t resist!

Secret Camo

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:00:24 -0700

|ABOVE| Wacoal Smooth Complexion T-Shirt Bra and Bikini in ‘Praline’

I’m constantly asked questions about my undergarments and how I manage to look smooth in my clothes. My secret- other than no panty line undies, full coverage bras with underwire for maximum support and shape wear on occasion, is buying everyday underthings in nude. From an early age, I realized that undergarments in a nude shade disappear underneath all colors of clothing and prevent unsightly underwear lines (and bulges as well, if they’re made of smoothing fabric!), keeping the focus on the clothing, not what’s underneath.

My recent fave underthings are from a collection of undergarments based on different skin tones, meant to match your personal shade of nude.

Wacoal’s Smooth Complexion line offers four different shades of nude: White Swan, Naturally Nude, Praline and Coffee Bean. The fabrics are sheer, yet camouflages and disappears under everything you wear. The t-shirt bra comes in sizes 34-36B, 32-38C, D, DD and 32-36DDD, while panties go to size XL, and shape wear goes to L.

My personal nude is Praline, which goes well with the rest of my nude tone wardrobe!

Mirrored Floral

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0700

All over floral is a bit much…

|WEARING| Asos Curve dress via Gwynnie Bee, Vintage Earrings, Tory Burch Cuff (new version here), BCBG Bag, (similar here) Nine West Pumps (similar here)

All over floral is a bit much, but perfectly mirrored floral is magnifique!

Insta-Food

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0700

As an avid foodie, it’s only approrpiate that half of my instagram feed is made up of food images. These are some of my latest faves around the Bay Area.

|ABOVE - LEFT TO RIGHT| Veggie Spring Rolls at Anchalee Thai in Berkeley | Banana Granite at Banana Leaf in Milpitas| Hakka Noodles, Chicken Manchurian Gravy, Gobi Manchurian and Crispy Chili Potato at Red Hot Chili Pepper in San Carlos | Home Made Taco’s | Deep Fried Ice Cream at El Torito | Mongolian Hot Pot at Little Sheep Hot Pot in Cupertino | Nashville Chicken and Cornbread at The Fremont Diner in Sonoma | Panang Curry at Blue Mango in San Jose | Deep Fried Banana ala mode at Banana Leaf in Milpitas | Roti Prata with Red Curry at Banana Leaf in Milpitas | Kabob at Chelokababi in Sunnyvale

Ruffled

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:32 -0700

I’m sort of obsessed with ruffles.

|WEARING| Asos Top, Vintage Necklace & Bracelets, Zara Bag, Old Navy Skinnies in ‘Batman’ wash, DV by Dolce Vita Sandals

I’m sort of obsessed with ruffles.

I think it’s the girly details that take me back to being a little girl decked out in ruffle dresses with matching socks and patent mary jane’s.

Black and White

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:31 -0700

Black with hints of white…

|WEARING| Dress, Belt, Clutch and Jacket borrowed from Marina Rinaldi Los Angeles

(Please NOTE: They sell in-store only! Click here to locate a store nearest you), Enzo Angiolini Pumps, MAC Lippy in ‘Lickable’

I don’t think there’s anything more elegant and classic than black with hints of white.

Baroque

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

The color orange isn’t typically my favorite, but…

|WEARING| Love Culture Top (similar here), Asos Skirt (Dress version here in Plus and here ), Clutch thanks to mark., Nine West ‘Flax’ Pumps via Zappos, MAC Lippy in ‘Ravishing’

Orange isn’t typically my favorite, but the punch of bold color takes baroque print to the next level.

White Hot

Mon, 27 May 2013 00:00:24 -0700

There’s something incredibly chic about white on white.

|WEARING| Asos Dress, Zara Jacket, BCBG Earrings, Foreign Exchange Clutch, Stuart Weitzman Pumps (similar here under $30)

There’s something incredibly chic about white on white.

Mix in a metallic and a print and you’ve got the perfect night out ensemble.

On Repeat

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:32 -0700

I can’t get enough of denim on denim…

|WEARING| Merona Top via Target (Old Navy version here), Vintage Anklet via Etsy (similar here on eBay), Gifted Bracelets,

Michael Kors Bag (Merona version here), Hubby’s Express Jeans, also worn here (Women’s Old Navy version here),

Stuart Weitzman Pumps (Mossimo version here under $30), Stila Lippy in ‘Caprice’

No matter how many times I wear denim on denim, I just can’t get enough of this look…

and each time I wear my hubby’s jeans, he says I’m so at home in them, you’d never know they were his.

(Here’s how I rocked denim on denim last year)!

Windbreaker

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

What’s better than a Spring trench?

|WEARING| Jacket, Top, Jeans & Bag borrowed from Marina Rinaldi *They only sell in store, so use the store locator to find a store nearest you, Sam Edelman Pumps

What’s better than a trench that’s light enough for Spring?

One with beautiful, feminine pleats that move with the wind!

Printed

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

A great print is hard to come by…

|WEARING| Vince Camuto Dress, Vintage Earrings & Bracelet, BCBG Bag, Sam Edelman Pumps (similar here), Stila Lippy in ‘Caprice’

When it comes to prints, not many can win me over at first sight.

But a print as decadent as this, is a serious no-brainer!

Gwynnie Bee Giveaway

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

|WEARING| Asos Top via Gwynnie Bee, Vintage Necklace, Forever21 Clutch, H&M Skirt, Vintage Anklet,

Nine West Pumps, Mark. Lippy in ‘Coral Fixation’

As an avid Gwynnie Bee borrower, I’m excited to announce that one lucky reader has the chance to win a 3 month free subscription of their own!

The Gwynnie Bee service allows you to borrow amazing fashion in sizes 10-26, without the commitment of buying.

Prize Includes 3 month free subscription to Gwynnie Bee’s 5 item at a time borrow plan, worth over $100/month, including free shipping.

Here’s how to enter:

1) Like Gwynnie Bee on facebook

2) Like GirlWithCurves on facebook.

3) Comment below, describing the one item you plan on adding to your wardrobe for Summer.

Contest is open to US residents only. Winner must be 18 or over. Contest will run until Friday 5/24 at 11:59 PST.

Winner will be chosen at random and announced on the GirlWithCurves facebook page on Monday 5/27.

Uniform

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

When the weather warms up, I opt for simplicity…

|WEARING| Forever21 Top, Vintage Louis Vuitton Clutch, Vintage Bracelet, J. Crew and Vintage Stud Earrings,

Old Navy Jeans in ‘Batman’ wash, Nine West ’Flax’ Pumps

When the weather warms up, I opt for simplicity over complicated.

As of late, a lightweight top, comfy denim and pumps is my go-to uniform.

Bermuda

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:47 -0700

Not a short shorts kind of girl?

|WEARING| Forever21 Top, Asos Shorts (similar here in +), Antique Earrings, Banana Republic Necklace, Tiffany & Co. Bracelet,

Michael Kors Bag, Enzo Angiolini Pumps (similar here)

Not a short shorts type of girl?

Long line bermuda’s will do just the trick!

Striped

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:20 -0700

I love the versatility of black and white stripes.

|WEARING| Ralph Lauren Jacket (similar here), Forever21 Tee (similar here), Earrings thanks to ByBoe, Vintage Necklace & Bracelet, Michael Kors Watch, Kate Spade Dress worn as Skirt (Sold Out), Michael Kors Bag, Sam Edelman Pumps (similar here)

I love the versatility of black and white stripes.

Finishing Touches

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

It’s the finishing touches that pull an outfit together.

|LINKS TO POSTS| Femme Fatale, Goddess Gown, Office to Evening

Casual Friday Reinvented, Shades of Gray

Casual Charm, Denim Day

Singing in the Rain, Night on the Town, To the Max

Miami Heat

An accessory is like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae- it’s the finishing touch that pulls the outfit together and adds a bit of personality!

My everyday accessories consist or a ring of two and stud earrings, while my not-so-everyday accessories are only worn once in a while, when the outfit calls for that extra something.

Not big on accessories? Not to worry- start small by wearing just one piece at a time (like stud earrings or a ring),

and work your way up until you find your comfort zone.

Are you a minimal accessories person, or a pile it on kind of accessorizer?

Short Story

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

I’m not typically a shorts kind of girl…

|WEARING| Dorothy Perkins Shirt Dress (similar here), H&M Shorts (similar here), Dior Sunnies, Tory Burch Cuff (similar here), Bag thanks to Coach, DV by Dolce Vita Sandlas

I’m not typically a shorts kind of girl, but on rare occasions when the climate reaches over 90 degrees, they’re a must.