dress for your body type

Don’t feel defeated by menopause: Look Great At Any Age, A Timeless Approach To Elegance

Happy Saturday! For this week's 15th anniversary of FocusOnStyle online post, let's help this reader save her style as her body is changing with age becasue with the right style intervension, we can all look great at any age. -S.H. Menopause and Beyond Fashion Tips How to achieve style that only gets better over time... Dear Sharon: Help, I look frumpy all the time! At 53 years old, I'm almost through "the Big M". I,  like many of us, used to be very pretty and could fit into anything that was a size ten. No more! My body has shrunk to 5'4" and I weigh 165 pounds. Through my physical changes (I try to eat healthfully and exercise), I have a

Read More »

Wardrobe Basics: How to take what you have to flatter your hourglass figure…

 Stylist advice to flatter your figure! Hannah sent us a query on how she can update her current pieces and flatter her hourglass figure at the same time... Dear Sharon: I have a lot of clothes but I'm not sure how to put things together to make them stylish. The clothes are older clothes and I don't have the money to buy new ones. I have an hour glass body shape, and would love to be able to show it off without being immodest. Could you please help me figure out what I need to do to be more stylish. (Hannah via Fashion Advice) >>READ: Stylist Advice: Your Classic Uniform, My Way!   When you want to pull together pieces to make a core wardrobe to flatter your hourglass

Read More »

Want to hide your problem areas? Go tonal with one head-to-toe hue

Want to hide your problem areas? Go tonal with one head-to-toe hue That's right, wearing separates in matching hues and different silhouettes is not only instantly slimming, but it also shaves loads of time off of thinking about what to wear. And best of all, it also looks instantly chic! >>DISCOVER: Clothes that make you look thinner in seconds... Take a cue from Max Mara's three office and play ready options (above) as going for one hue doesn't mean skimping on style or appropriateness. Trust us, if done right, you won't look stuffy. The trick is to avoid sets; skirt suits and pantsuits especially. Sure you can still wear them, but make them look modern by separating them to downplay

Read More »

What First Lady Michelle Obama Wore- Marc by Marc Jacobs and Tracy Reese

Inbox Alert: Fashionable First Lady emails are still coming in like mad I've put a kibosh on reporting on what Mrs Obama has been wearing lately as I am : a) getting bored with the chronic pr emails about almost every bit of clothing that the First Lady wears and assume you are too. b) not always impressed with Mrs Obama's style as she gets more experimental and into a girlier mode, which I don't find as flattering on her figure asher signature clean chic crisp tailored pieces. c) would like the rest of the non-fashion media to spend some time focusing on her duties as a First Lady beyond her wardrobe. But never say never, as Michelle Obama selected

Read More »

Fashion Emergency: Help! I’m in a fashion rut and only 22!

Short torso, long legs, no style... oh my! I would love to be proud of what I wear but it's hard to feel attractive in my comfort zone of T-shirts and jeans. I also struggle with trying to find a style that I feel is age appropriate for me at 22 years old and not too young or too old. I've never considered myself to be very stylish and I tend to stay away from current fads, like gladiator sandals for instance. The brand I rely most heavily on is the Gap and while I'm attracted to the unique style of clothing at Urban Outfitters, I generally feel too lost to piece anything together. If I had to describe the type

Read More »

Put An End to Frumpy Mom Jeans

Put An End to Frumpy Mom Jeansů Slimming advice to stay fashionable at any age. Tips to find figure flattering and age appropriate Slimming advice to stay fashionable at any age. Tips to find figure flattering and age appropriate jeans. Dear Sharon: I was always thin until four years ago when I gave up smoking and gained 30 pounds. So far, I have lost 15 pounds and am presently more average size than slim. I know it's a healthier choice but I am having trouble feeling good about how I look in slacks or jeans. I "get" how I shouldn't wear anything too small nor am I hung up on size. However, my grown daughter dropped a bombshell on me

Read More »

Wide Calf Boot Tips… How to zipper or stretch boots over wide calves

Wide Calf Boot Tips… How to zipper or stretch boots over wide calves I just bought this great pair of knee high wide calf boots, but I can't get the zipper to close over my calves. Is there any way to stretch them? Someone said Star Jones talked about a boot stretching device on The View. Please help I love these boots! (Marietta, GA) First question- why did you buy a pair of boots that you cannot zip? Were they super cheap? A bargain is only a bargain when the perceived deal is useful. I can identify with buying boots that are a tad snug in the fever of a shopping frenzy, but not being able to zip them -

Read More »

How to Appear Taller When You’re Petite With Short Legs

How to Appear Taller When You're Petite With Short Legs I am very short (4ft, 11inches) and have short legs. What can I wear to make myself look taller and long legged? (Nantwich, Cheshire, England) >> Check out our Petite Clothing Shopping Guide It's not as difficult as it seems to create the appearance of height. When you're vertically challenged, the best way to look taller is to stick to a single color from head to toe, or monochromatic colors that blend well together. Once a color break is introduced, your body automatically becomes visually divided, and that will accentuate your petiteness. The trick to create the illusion of longer legs is to draw the eye upwards. Keep to well-fitting,

Read More »

Neckline for Broad Shoulders

Neckline for Broad Shoulders What type of neckline will compliment broad shoulders? (Willows, CA) A nice healthy set of strong shoulders absolutely makes clothes fall better. But, when healthy starts to veer to overpowering, a bit of clothing camouflage is in order. To create the illusion of a more balanced silhouette, opt for necklines that bring the eye down, like a simple V-neck or open shirt collar. Accessories, like the very of the moment, long oblong scarf will also compliment broad shoulders. Avoid boatnecks, puffed sleeves, or heavy shoulder pads that will only add width. -November 26, 2001

Read More »

Scroll to Top