Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

How to Select the Right Printed Skirt for You?

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

Feminine

The printed skirt is very popular now and is a wonderful ways to freshen up a tired wardrobe, making basic pieces look current. The right printed skirt can brighten up your ensemble when paired with a smart jacket or blouse; it’s perfect for the office or an afternoon garden party.

Picking the right printed skirt for your spring wardrobe begins with knowing the type of print that suits your style. The same skirt in different prints can create completely different statements.

Dramatic

• Floral is a very big motif this spring. Typically, floras are considered feminine or elegant. This season, however, we see the floral motif used in rather unconventional ways and can be quite vivid, and even a bit edgy, appealing to sporty or dramatic personalities.
• Animal prints are still big and always a favorite with the alluring personality type.
• Painterly motifs and ethnic prints, which are also popular now, are mostly creative in flavor but can also work for a dramatic look if they have bold lines and high contrast.
• Both nautical and traditional graphics, such as stripes, plaid, and polka dots, tend to appeal to the more traditional or sporty styles.

When considering prints, it is also important to keep in mind the scale of the graphic because it can strongly influence how the proportions of the entire outfit will appear. A petite person should work with smaller prints and a person of grander size will want something larger. A print can actually be a useful tool for creating illusion and

Elegant

tweaking disproportions. The way the design lies across the skirt will also influence how the eye follows the pattern, thus affecting proportions: horizontal lines will widen, vertical lines lengthen, and diagonal lines add movement. An easy way to change the appearance of your lower half is to find a print that is closer to the scale you want and moves the eye in the desired direction. The nice thing about having a print on the bottom half of an outfit is that you don’t have to be so concerned about how it works with your facial features, but rather the proportion of your entire body, which allows more flexibility. So go ahead — find a great printed skirt that you love and don’t be afraid to wear it!

Now let’s talk about the silhouette of the skirt.

Alluring

Two popular silhouettes right now are the pencil skirt, which can create a chic business look when paired with an attractive sweater or blouse, and the pleated skirt, which can soften and punch up a stuffy suit jacket. The tiered skirt is also another popular style in prints. Although generally used for more formal occasions, it can be stunning with the right business look and works well when you go from business to an evening function. A skirt length below or just above the knee is recommended for business. A shorter skirt is too revealing for business, appropriate only for personal events, while a skirt that falls past the mid-calf can look heavy and matronly unless combined with a fitted top and heels.

A great printed skirt can add pizzazz to your existing wardrobe for this spring and summer! If you are having trouble finding the right skirt to match you style, you might consider getting some professional advice.

What types of printed skirts have you seen this season that really caught your eye?

Traditional

Sporty

Creative

What are the different styles?

The white shirt is not only a classic piece for your wardrobe, it is an anchor that many looks can be built around, plus it has the versatility to work with almost anything else in the closet.  The right white blouse can also be incredibly flattering to your silhouette.  It’s just a matter of finding the white shirt that is right for you.

There are many different styles out there and each one is going to work for a different body and style personality.  But nothing says style like a great White Shirt.  Be sure to watch for three upcoming chapters on “The White Shirt – a Staple.”

Crisp  Clean Classic  Chic

Theory	T Tahari
Kenneth Cole New York	Ravel Wrap
Splendid Pullover Tunic	Finely “Laurent”
XCVI Wearables	ECI Ruffle

The white shirt has become such an important garment that there are now many styles to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for you!

• There is the classic menswear-inspired shirt; which can go from something very fitted with well-placed darts and seams, to something more relaxed. This blouse is structured and collared. It suits a person with a more conventional style, but is also the most diverse type of white shirt. The range of fit and design varies greatly with this classic shirt, so you still must be selective to find the right one for you. There are some beautiful classic white shirts out there now, so well designed and constructed that they can be worn as a jacket (a welcome alternative in warmer weather).
• The tunic is longer at the hem and designed to be worn out so it flows. It can still look tailored, but is generally more casual in feel and works well for someone with a dramatic or creative style. The tunic may be constructed with a variety of fabrics, including jersey and lace, and is often used as an easy throw-over-anything piece. It is considered a comfortable and stylish garment. The tunic travels well, especially if it is made of low-maintenance material. A structured tunic also works well as a jacket alternative over a colorful tank or T.
• The wrap is another popular style of white shirt. It is body conscious and usually very flattering. Sometimes this style can be a bit too revealing, so make sure it falls across your bust line appropriately. The wrap appeals to the woman with an alluring or elegant style. The wrap style is often found in dressier materials that are appropriate for evening wear and creates a sophisticated cocktail look when paired with dress slacks or an evening skirt. The wrap blouse can also create a business impression when properly fastened or worn with a camisole underneath, and is terrific with the right suit. Another take on the wrap-style white shirt is the cinched blouse, which emphasizes the waist with a belt and is a great addition to the professional wardrobe.

Keep in mind that all three of these styles vary tremendously with different collars, sleeve lengths, cuffs, hem details, and closures.  This is a lot to think about, so if you feel overwhelmed, you may want to get a professional to help you.

THE WHITE SHIRT – A STAPLE
Which Style of White Shirt Has the Most Appeal to You?

What is the right white shirt for you?

How do you find the white shirt that is most flattering and appropriate for your body and that best expresses your style?  There are many different elements to the design and style of a white shirt.  To wade through them, you must first know the kind of situations where you would be wearing the white shirt.  Next, take your body type into account to find the style that suits you best.  Finally, consider the details on the garment itself.

The Design Elements:

• The collar, in particular, should be proportionate to your body and face. Think about the size of the collar in relation to your facial features and shoulders, the width of the collar compared to your jawline and neck length. In general, a square face can wear a wider collar, and an oblong face works better with a narrow collar. In terms of style, the more angular the collar shape, the more dramatic it will be; the softer the shape, the more feminine the style will be.
• Sleeves are an important design element, especially now. A sleeve with a bit of volume at the shoulder can create added stature, but too much volume can make you look like a football player or simply cartoonish. Extra volume at the bottom of the sleeve will add width to the hips – good for someone with narrow hips, but too much, perhaps, for a fuller- hipped individual. You should also consider the length of the sleeve, as it can affect the garment’s wearability.
• The simpler the design, the more versatile the garment will be in your wardrobe. Extra “stuff” can also be distracting, so think carefully about all those ruffles, puffs, pockets, buttons, and bows. They may be cute, fun, or trendy, but how practical will they be for your wardrobe?
• Ruching, where the material is gathered together to create a rippled effect, is generally an amazing design element used to hide unflattering curves. Occasionally, however, ruching can work against you, so try the shirt on before you purchase it, or at least before wearing it to a must-look-great occasion!
• Check the seams and darts on a garment; the more there are, the more fitted it will be. If you want an easier fit, go for less construction. For a snug shape, choose a garment with more structure. Vertical seams tend to be more flattering than horizontal ones. Be careful of darts: if they fall at the correct curves on your body they are terrific, but if they fall at the wrong place they will make you appear awkward.

There are many elements to consider when choosing a white shirt.  The right one will be the most useful garment in your wardrobe; the wrong one can pull your style down.  If your wardrobe lacks a great white shirt, but you are feeling overwhelmed, think about getting professional advice – it can really help.