Fitting Room Friday: Mix & Match

Happy Boxing Day. In honor of all the new pretties procured during the preceding winter holidays, please partake in the pursuing primer on mixing and matching.

Uniforms have a delightfully useful purpose. Identifying the person who delivers your mail, changes your bed pan, or brings you nourishment. Avoiding confusion between these services with a simple visual identification can only be called crucial. However, some things in life should not be oversimplified. You, for example: a many-tricked pony, incapable of being tamed by a single definition. It is reprehensible for you to wear the same blouse with the same trousers every time you retrieve them from your closet.

Let your wardrobe crossbreed. Have you seen what happens when cousins take a liking to each other? Allow some diversity into your ensembles and breed a prosperous wardrobe. Mixing & matching allows you to have a vast set of outfitting options without requiring an Imelda Marcos wardrobe scope. In essence, mixing and matching is a money saver, dispensing a new outfit rush without draining a dime for the fix. For debt, my lovelies, is never attractive.




Beginning Mix & Matching: Use Color as an Accent
Pair a muted neutral trouser with a vibrant color that suits your complexion. Or take a solid dress and pair it with a dramatically hued shoe. Matching is not a prerequisite. And layering during reduced temperatures is both practical and pretty.



Intermediate Mix & Matching: Yes Paula, Opposites do Attract
A story without conflict is boring. We don't necessarily want an outfit villain, but maybe just an outfit trouble maker. Someone in your ensemble that induces interest. Create some chromatic conflict by pairing one color with it's opposite or complement on the color wheel. Or dramatize a demure solid with a shameless pattern.



Advanced Mix & Matching: Or how not to look like Carmen Miranda
Despite what people who aren't right like me will say, you can weave multiple patterns into a single ensemble. The trick is choosing lead motifs and supporting ornamentation. Prima Donnas are singular. Keep all your patterns in the same color family for further sophistication. The more colors you introduce, the greater chance you have of looking like a chiquita banana advertisement.

Below is an ensemble example of the mix & match principles.

Whirliwig Cowlneck: The draping neckline on this buttery soft, solid peacock knit is prefect for peeking out under a cardigan or jumper. (It also tucks into a skirt beautifully)

Autumn Song Hoodie: Colorful, embroidered buds around your finger keepers give you a wealth of outfitting possibilities.

Level 99 Chloe Rinse: Dark denim goes with everything. They provide proverbial white space in your ensemble art. While extending your leg line far past its normal parameters.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Party Bell-a Mary Jane
They don't match, they go. They're a complimentary color to the green above and they reminisce the embroidered buds on the sweater.


Coupling the high waisted Skythed Lawns Skirts with a tucked-in Whirligig Cowlneck uses the principle of opposite, complementary colors: pairing persian green with poppy pink.

Layering the multi-hued Autumn Song Hoodie over the solid Familiar Places Dress provides yet another outfitting possibility.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own mix & match fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own mix and match rules of conduct and much more.

Upper Figured Body Type

Certain sisters find being compared to a fruit demeaning. Divulging a fear of being conceived as an object to be consumed. I just want to say straight out, "I do not endorse cannibalism." Personally as a vegetarian, I refrain from eating birds, reptiles, and mammals (that includes humans). I choose to use the metaphor of fruit for body shape because I desire all to enjoy the unique flavor of their shape.

Take the Upper Figured woman with a bust/waist ratio greater than 1.25 and a waist/hip quotient greater than .75. Your figure implies strength and stamina with a ripe, robust topper above and slim, slender supports below. If you were to gain 5 lbs, 2 of them would go to the girl on the right, 2 to the girl on the left, and the remaining pound would settle in your back.

We may have heard you complaining of the burden of your bosom. Buttons and button holes seem to be laced with reverse magnets and the fabric pull across your back and shoulders may make you feel not only angry, but hulk angry.

Calm yourself Dr. Banner, and exploit the super powers of your body shape. You can accomplish fashion feats that no other body shape can, ie wearing a top that extends past the hip. While most of us look like we have a plump puppy struggling to be released from behind a long cardigan, your coat hanger shoulders and slim hips allow for the fabric to glide elegantly and effortlessly from upper to lower sectors. And because you have legline to spare you can accessorize your ankles with boots, straps and footless leggings.

To keep your shape under control, avoid amplifying what is already evident. Nothing about your top half is shy. Keep their language clean, understated, and enunciated. Avoid applying large prints, bright colors, and fussy details over your perfectly fitting bra.(If you haven't gotten a fitting in the last two years, you do not have a perfectly fitting bra. Make remedies post haste.) Next apply bold colors, big patterns, and special particulars on your lower figure. Avoid overly skinny, straight styles. You are not a precariously positioned ice cream scoop on a cone. Use a bootcut, full skirt, or other appropriate volume on your lower half to imitate the hourglass. Your master goal is to support and control your voluptuous top half while building curves around your dainty bottom half. Your goal is balanced, fashion zen. Follow the illustrated outffiting below.

The crochet of the Stitch Play Sweatercoat cozies around your curves. The portrait collar envelopes the twins and draws attention back up to the face. And while there's enough embellishment to make it special, we don't feel like we're decorating. The lantern sleeve starting at 3/4 length adds volume and attention to the southern quadrant.

The powerful hue of the AG Angel Cords wrestles the visual focus down. The bootcut flare highlights your slim thighs without creating the figure fiasco of tremendously heavy top balanced on a comparatively frail, tiny bottom. And speaking of bottom, the strategically placed smaller pockets on the seat will round your flatter vistas.

Get those gams out there with the Steve Madden Elivate Ankle Boot. Its high skinny heel is the perfect end to your delicate get away wheels.

Respect your crop:

<a href="http://www.cardiganempire.com/2008/12/upper-figured-body-type.html" alt="Fashion Upper Figured Body Shape"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqVOf5AQLcuHCnqbh-UfyKP26OVSuWCFXKD4PLlRorJEdpLqOePI8rZVaC1TMxUJ4whqSKnnD2CQ3I6qMHBl6AQ2W2IfdTlzcCdxcHBjJBcJjX-2dGMv1-wcVcRdMVdVKpDYA0hhfLJo/s400/upper-figure-body-shape-button.png" /></a>

1 hundred 98 cents = your own upper figured fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own upper figure rules of conduct and much more.

Dry your tears or under your arms as appropriate. We have a solution to your diminishing holiday shopping hours. Return with haste for a holiday edition mix and match.

Fitting Room Friday: Hourglass Body Type

The Hourglass body shape may be likened to the illusive unicorn. Sure everyone agrees a horse looks way better with a single spike protruding from the forehead, but horned horses are significantly more difficult to find. With a waist/hip and waist/bust ratio less than .75; and hip and bust measurements within 2 inches of each other; your magical proportions are becoming a human rarity. There was a time when society was littered with the likes of Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, and Lynda Carter. But today, the skill of uniformly applying weight to every inch of the body represents a shrinking percentage.

You my lovelies are Barbie's mentor. Pre-pubescent girls imagine the day when they too will have a shapely bust, curvy hips, and an infinitesimal waist. But as most fairy tales go, there's some things that were omitted. Like your short waist and the scarcity of apparel that shares your proportions. Alas, you were not born a clothes hanger. To get every button on a blouse to close without pulling, it is sure to billow around your torso. And to find trousers that comfortably shelter both your thighs and seat, the waist band consistently gaps. There is however a happy ending for your mythical curves.

First you must, must, must wear clothing that clasps. You are of a divine design whereas your clothing was contrived by an insecure novice struggling to survive in an overpriced city. Find a tailor and fit the clothes to your body. You do not need to reduce, your clothes need to be revised.

And now the main event: actual fitting room footage. I had to measure dozens of figures before I found Ms. Jackson's proportions. Click below to enjoy:


Generous recognition to Blissful Living Studio for letting us walk their runway, and Kierland Commons Anthropologie for providing the finest of frockery.

But wait there's more, below are some additional highlights from the hourglass collection:


Remember Me Surplice: Belts are like duct tape for an hourglass figure, a wardrobe panacea. Take the predicament of a blouse. With this wrapping ribbon, your bodice is visible without making a vulgar view of your bust.


Joe's Visionniare: Bootcut to balance the width of the hip with a curved yoke and midrise that actually embraces the narrowness of your waist.


Flowers & Thyme Dress: We are all sold out of corduroy costume which Leslie featured, but in it's sunset a fresh dress has dawned. No buttons or overly fussy embellishments, just a perfect match for your va, va, voom. Your equilateral top and bottom diameters are beautifully enfolded while a wide red waistband commands attention to your axis. Take advantage of your ability to wear the same size on top and bottom; single piece outfits stretch your waist in one continuous line.

Adrienne Button Boot: Stillhettos may be too delicate for the generous turns of your figure. Instead try this antique styled boot by Frye. Anyone who finds me these boots in a size 6 for approximately $200, wins a free styling session and probably a hug, maybe even a kiss on the cheek.

Make everyone jealous:

<a href="http://www.cardiganempire.com/2008/12/fitting-room-friday-hourglass-body-type.html" alt="Fashion Hourglass Body Type Shape"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUb-l3XovD9Iu7VAv4EQ4J1STIaotd55LjzzRcD-goNz9cOMH1Z8BeE0ZKQ0JcggSnpFywbLajIG0XBXV-1h5WhRz9p57kVm6tJ9IVTB7mw4Q1P20rSEeOfWshGA2OedY3I3ai1YCSq8/s400/hourglass-body-type-button2.jpg" /></a>

1 hundred 98 cents = your own hourglass fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own hourglass figure rules of conduct and much more.

Upper Figures, you have not been forgotten. Meet me at Cardigan Empire anon.

Now Casting for Fitting Room Friday

Requesting: women of all shapes and sizes, willing to share their exclusive set of curves with Cardigan Empire for Fitting Room Friday.

Upcoming shows will feature Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Provo. If you don't reside in one of the above cities, please still apply. I will keep your application on file; I do enjoy packing a suitcase.

Selected nominees will receive a complimentary styling session and unfathomable fame. To apply submit the form below. I eagerly anticipate receiving your application!

And don't forget, The Nielson's Latte-versary ends today, so make sure you get your final bids in!

Following sunset of our festivities, our final two body types will be posted

Name:
Email Address:
Height:
Bust Measurement:
Waist Measurement:
Hip Measurement:
What is your style ambition?
Your Portfolio Shot (send me a simple snapshot so I have a face to go with the story)

Fitting Room Friday: Linear Body Type

You have the figure of a model: lean, lithe linear. Your svelte figure is exalted on the fronts of fashion magazines.  There are no nonsensical curves interrupting the line of your body or interrupting the lines of your clothes. Your shape implies practicality with an evenly proportioned width belying your entire body. Sharers of your sex may envy your slim shape, but what they may not know is, the feeling might be mutual.

Your slender build is suffused with secrets. Such as, it may be difficult for you to feel feminine in your clothes. Let alone find clothes that fit at all. While some women shy away from fitting rooms because it's impossible to find refuge from clinging, your trepidation may stem from repeated attempts to find ensembles (outside of the of the juniors department) that don't droop. If you don't wear a padded bra, some maternal female figure has probably suggested it to you. And in an insecure moment, you may have examined the ads in the back of cheap magazines for padded panties and wondered whether those before and after pictures are really valid. All of these are characteristics of the characteristic linear body type, with a waist/hip and waist/bust ratio greater than .75; your hips and bust are virtually the same. Your ratios can appear identical to the middle figure, but rather than a soft, supple figure, you have an angular architecture
Unlike your contoured counterparts, you have the liberty to accessorize liberally. You can create volume and interest with frills, pleats, and ruffles. We want to draw shapely curves along your figure with piped edges, row of buttons, or strategically placed pockets. Looking for soft, flowing fabrics will create movement and allude to rounder shapes. Your master goal is to draw curves and minimize angles. The pieces that you select should be flirty and feminine.

And today, we have some really, real fitting room footage. These linear ladies are not only lovely, but they prove that linear body types do not in fact have unicorns and fairies helping them get dressed every morning. They like you have the much better magic of Cardigan Empire. Click below to enjoy:



Gracious thanks to Blissful Living Studio for providing the fitting room set, and Kierland Commons Anthropologie for letting our models don their pretties. Below is a rundown for Ashley and Leisel's ensembles:

Shoofly Shell: Floaty voile is covered in ruffles creating waves of curves at the bust.

Rolling Hills Skirt: Gauzy folds of double organza swing just above the knee creating swaying volume at the hip.

Wyeth's View Blouse: Rustling ruffles of silk at the bust give the illusion of underlying volume. A puffed sleeve in textural lace extend delicate shoulders.

AG Willow Ankle: We are all sold out of the high waisted Habituals Leisel modeled. But may I recommend a slim cut trouser for you? You are one of the few body types that benefit from a tapered denim. The narrow ankle alludes to a wider, curvier hip and close fitting seat showcases the subtle curves of your bottom.

Proclaim it with pride:

<a href="http://cardiganempire.blogspot.com/2008/12/fitting-room-friday-linear-body-type.html" alt="Fashion Linear Body Type Shape"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayF6Yq6fmWt9dKWFPw94rvb7vFwAx8zVr0goTAZMn55HDE3r2-x1AnK3gTqQDvMk_FfoZafo2f6su9zVyEWzTwlbXmVvs9lO8LUFU7r5kYqyp85bNOE4nuSCyJMZ3NpAH4RHSNPtUdGo/s320/linear-body-type.png" /></a>

1 hundred 98 cents = your own linear figured fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own linear figure rules of conduct and much more.

Come back soon, we still have body types to go. You might be next.

Lower Figured Body Type

The numbers were a mere formality, you are exceedingly enlightened of your strong, sturdy stems. Your closet is 92% tops, 8% bottoms. Of those 8%, 60% are skirts under which no one can determine the actual circumference of your thigh. Abomination is the noun you would use to identify skinny jeans. And, extraneous as this information is, your hip/waist is greater than 1.25 and your waist/bust greater than .75.

Your most plentiful circumference lies below your navel. Feel free to exercise to your heart's content (hearts like exercise). But when you are done, you'll just be a smaller pear. And who's complaining, lower figures imply divine fertility, and other popular prerequisites to fertility.

Now don't fuss and further tangle your Gordian Knot. We do too acknowledge your fashion snafu. It’s easy enough to outfit your northern hemisphere, but finding accommodations for the south that simultaneously skim your hips while clasping your waist is a super-stunt. (And may require the super powers of a fashion vigilante, who ignores sizing standards, roguishly crafting fashion justice for the benefit of helpless female bodies everywhere. This hero, this Tailor, can be found by those who search courageously for reliable recommendations.) Now back to what you can do in standard retail establishments.

First remember, to never accessorize your fullest assets, let your hips articulate their own sultry poetry. This means avoiding large prints, bright colors, and fussy details on your lower half. Second, literally elevate attention. Feel free to apply bold colors, big patterns, and special particulars on your upper figure. Your master goal is to build out your dainty top half while adding mystery to your voluptuous bottom half. Aim for the end result of perfect proportions. Below is an ensemble example.

The Sylvan Scene Cardigan commingles the drama of gold wool, oversized buttons, and quaint bobble detailing. The romance of the sweater draws the focus to northern lattitudes, while the puffed sleeve stretches your shoulders several lines of longitude balancing them against the width of your hips. Coyly extending beyond the cap sleeve is the tone of your upper appendages. While the seaming neatly follows the line of your waist, flaring back out to skim flirtatiously over the top of your hips.


The darker dye of the Level 99 Ariana Wide Leg Trousers mysteriously sheathes the lower half of the body. The line of the pant extends directly down from the widest part of the hip. In the seat, the yoke curves adequately to eliminate any gaping and ends in a slightly higher rise which cleanly clasps your waist.

The cone heel on these Seychelles Outta The Frying Pan Pumps is a visual equilibrium to your powerful pedials.

Bequeath your diversity some dignity:

<a href="http://cardiganempire.blogspot.com/2008/12/lower-figured-body-type.html" alt="Fashion Lower Figured Pear Body Type"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp68ApuAZHzOnQC_3V80Z-SgnpWa9Q0kAGxPCNs-e9usPY3CubIAj_cG7287HeXlU99BNzNjIqdP-FJmQIKnLex-RU32KYrpoEeO9eC9-0am9VnNKFIja3j2k1tVquHbe3Nf8o6D2D2Qk/s320/lower-figured-body-type-pear.png" /></a>

1 hundred 98 cents = your own lower figured fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own lower figure rules of conduct and much more.

Come back tomorrow for Fitting Room Friday and Linear Figured apparel.

Middle Figured Body Type

Ignite the spotlight for middle figures. If your waist/hip and waist/bust ratio is greater than .75, absorb the glow of your moment. You've been hiding in the shadows ever since crop tops, belly piercings, and super low waisted jeans began colluding in 1992. You ignore your delicate wrists, shapely ankles, beautiful skin and it's time you paraded them. There are no bad or better body types. Swallow before the words "I'm exercising my way to an hourglass" spill out your mouth. They have their own jar of pickles.

Now back to you, you and your soft delicious center. Your figure implies comfort with volume lying around your navel. You have the body type people want to cuddle. Especially tiny people, who most people call babies. Babies may have shaped your body into womanhood, and you should bear your wounds of motherhood with honor, not shame. Your waist is not a body flaw it is a body attribute, and below is a vision of your future, brimming with sauntering and pageant worthy hand gestures.

First remember, to never accessorize your fullest assets. This means avoiding drawing a line around your middle portion with belts and tucked in waistbands. Second, direct attention to your face. Employ the powers of an open or embellished neckline, jewelry, and exposed skin. Third, opt for monochromatic pieces or selections in similar color families, rather than creating a bold contrast between top and bottom. You want to create a seamless line all the way down your figure. Your master goal is to use well tailored clothes to provide structure for your soft figure. Below is an ensemble example.

The Frosted Sigh Blouse has a finished hem, drawing no unnecessary attention to the waistline. The delicate mesh glides over your figure. The scoop neckline creates a portrait, drawing attention back up to your face. The cap sleeve also gives you an opportunity to showcase your shapely arms.

The lighter color of the Can Can Pencil Skirt attracts focus to the lower half of the body. The ruffle creates volume and balances out the core. The shape of the skirt hugs and rounds the bottom and the straight line creates a long, lean profile down to your killer gams.

The Jessica Simpson Pearla Wedge will add height and allure to your legs without looking overwhelmed by your medial curves.

Now, go declare your figure with pride:

<a href="http://cardiganempire.blogspot.com/2008/12/middle-figured-body-type.html" alt="Fashion Middle Figured Apple Body Type"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2hINhE1rYqybSsnvjJrzRx9IwRYklVlY8XVSbD-GUKtrc6G1M48B0bmMNMH3Z3H2Ar1rb4oZGEJhQtPu4NOR7al9oyQnQ6nhwQy-7SjY5Jtmf3HtogU6fdcLS4THTDZGAvUpo8qGq0I/s320/middle-figured-body-type.png" /></a>

1 hundred 98 cents = your own middle figured fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book includes your own lower figure rules of conduct and much more.

Come back tomorrow for Lower Figured apparel.

First We Need to Measure

Before we can declare your body type, we need to do some measurements. I repeat measurements, not judgments. These are unimpassioned numbers that help us determine how to rule our empires. They are not estimations of self worth.

So here are the steps:

1. Get into your dainties - most of us don't wear clothes on top of clothes, so for accuracy's sake, disrobe. While measuring, keep the tape taut (not too tight, not too loose). You may want a friend, of an intimate nature since you are exposed, to help you (mother, sister, husband).

2. Measure your bust - across the fullest part of your of your bosom and straight across the back.

3. Measure your waist - somewhere in the vicinity of your navel. Feel for a curvature and get the circumference.

4. Measure your hips - navigate the tape around the fullest part of your bottom, around the curve of your hips, and straight across to the front.

5. A little math - don't worry, just get a calculator.

• Divide the hip number by your waist number (hip/waist)
  
• Divide your bust number by your waist number (bust/waist)
  
• Divide your waist number by your hip number (waist/hip)
  
• Divide your waist number by your bust number (waist/bust)

Now put this kingdom reconnaissance in a safe location and come back for your fashion prescription.

Body Type Prescription

Spending years in fitting rooms has taught me one very bitter fact: women are sick, sickly, suffering, ill. Their vision is distorted seeing not full humans in their reflections, but disembodied thighs, bottoms, underarms, and stomachs. But fret not my feminine friends, you can be healed. Partake of a simple cure for your body insecurities: a personalized fashion prescription. Dress education can quickly lead to body adoration. Before you know it, you'll be giving your saddlebags and love handles pet names. This week on Cardigan Empire is dedicated to you and your shape, so stay tuned.