Friday, July 31, 2009

Fitting Room Friday: Petite Woman's Dress



Petite ladies are unjustifiably darling. Follow these rules and I pledge to refuse the urge to pick you up and put you in my apron pocket.



Choose blouses (and ensembles for that matter) that aren't too sweet. You are a fierce, adult woman; not a doll.

This necklace is the perfect balance of rugged and lady-like. And it's delicate princess length allows those under 5 ft 3 inches to make a statement without being overwhelmed.

Over the last 12 months, designer denim in petite lengths is no longer an anomaly. Going forward, no excuses will be accepted for dragging, cuffing, or rolling. Hem if you must, and aim for a long uninterrupted line from hip to ankle.

Height isn't as important as presence. Putting on 4" heels can make a delicate frame look like she's raided her progenitor's closet. Instead choose an appropriately sized kitten heel. If you want additional leg length, try a D'orsay cut.


Finish off your ensemble with an appropriately sized bag. If the shoulder strap is removable (like this one) amputate it. Stick with shorter straps, and nothing larger than the width of your hips.

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

Or proceed with your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tall & Petite Week

5 ft 3.8 inches: average adult female height
8: average female shoe size
31.5 inches: average female pant inseam
21.4 inches: average skirt length
7 ft 9 in: height of world's tallest woman
2 ft 7 in: height of world's shortest woman

This week is dedicated to both cute, curly little ends of the female height bell curve. We will explore and adore each of inch of you, so meet me here with heels on.

2.3 inches: average woman's heel height



Or proceed with your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Male Body Shaped: Slim-Framed (Linear)


Option 4 the slim Linear Dagger, far from skinny it is clean, efficient, and always sharp.

Makes you look SkinnyMakes you look Strong
Wide, baggy pants with crotches swinging between the kneesStraight and boot-cut pants that cut adjacent to the meeting of your legs
Oversized t-shirts that could double as a nightshirt (no pants required for full coverage) Slim-fit t-shirts and button ups that end before the zipper does
Wearing a size so oversized it makes you look like you you were shrunk in the wash Wearing a size which matches the volume of your figure
Fine liquid-like fabrics such as rayon and silk Heavy weight fabrics like chunky wool and wide wale corduroy
Extra fabric under the arms and through the shoulders Military epaulets, raglan sleeves, and small amounts of shoulder padding
V-necks and open collars which showcase a delicate head holder High neck lines (crew necks, turtlenecks, etc) which create an uninterrupted expanse of upper body male manliness




Whether outfitting for the opera, an interview, or a very important barbecue, male virtual shopping sessions consistently ensure exceptional dress.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Male Body Shape: Lower Figured


Option 3 is not as uncommon a choice as you may suppose. While the Lower Figured Bellows may not be at the acme of the distribution curve, you need not resign yourself to sewing each stitch of your gentleman's apparel. An outline for matching your male's figure distribution with dapper dressings follows below:

1. Start with a proper shirt. Since lower figures carry a wide hip line, the critical charge becomes mass equalization. In explicit terms, we need to pump up the male shoulder line. One way to amplify is layering: a vest under a suit coat, a hoodie under a blazer, a t-shirt under a dress shirt. Allow shirt tails to trail unless they cascade below the zipper's end. If this is the case, tuck and blouse the first layer, unbutton any subsequent layers, and use the outer most layer to camouflage any excess love deposits. When selecting layers, place the thinnest, softest layer nearest the body and work out to a more structured shell. Also try to make the layer nearest his face the boldest color or pattern, bringing attention back to his shinning visage.


2. Balance the bottom half. Lower figures are strong willed and slightly moody from the waist down, and they do not care much for uptight trousers. Stocky male thighs are much more ameanable to relaxed pant personalities. Particularly breeds with exhuberant tolerance through the thigh and seat. The trouser leg should fall straight from the fullest point and nary travel inward toward the flesh as it descends. Any amount of tapering could result in the battle of the britches.

3. Carefully select a jacket. Unlike ladies, gentleman with their full, broadish shoulders can hide beneath a long suit coat. Three-quarter pea coats and full length dress coats stun without breathing word of the secret sequestered beneath the shroud. Even a standard suit coat shroads the majority of their robustly developed loins. Mr. Bellows should however, refrain from double vented suit coats since the back panel might flare. Avoiding track jackets and other top layers with banding at the waist would also be wise since they leave the lower figure completely exposed and enunciated.

Below is a sample ensemble,





Whether outfitting for the opera, an interview, or a very important barbecue, male virtual shopping sessions consistently ensure exceptional dress.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Male Body Shape: Middle Figured

Selecting option 2 would indicate that you share surname with a sturdy Middle Figured Barrel. The thing about barrels (both literal and anthrpomorphized) is they commonly contain merry things in copious quantities. It's not that the other body types don't provide good company, it just seems like barrels store and serve good times directly from the gut. So whether your particular vessel contains primates, laughs, fish, or apples, below is the right way to dress him:

1. Start with a proper shirt. A proper button up for your barrel is cut to the "A," meaning it flares out slightly toward the hem creating generous room for a happy tummy. Just ensure that the hem ends before the crotch does. Trim beyond this barrier enters the curiously androgynous zone of the man-dress. (Of course even barrels should tug and tuck for formal occasions, but their buttoned-up suit coats will create the same illusion as the untucked shirt tails.)

Leave the top few buttons open to bring attention back up to a winning smile. When applying a pattern, be sure its hearty enough to stand up to your man.

2. Balance the bottom half. A healthy trunk deserves a husky base. Rebalance the scale with a pair of flat front, wide leg trousers. Avoid a tapered leg at all cost, unless your gentleman answers to: Häagen-Dazs, Breyers, Ben & Jerry (perhaps a split personality, but both names are required). In the following exceptions, he may actually want to look like an ice cream cone for branding purposes.

Outside of these scenarios, request that he gather
his trousers toward his waist (remind him it is the area north of the hips) and apply a belt to secure the closure at its zenith (suspenders are also ideal for special occasions). All evidence of this activity will be disguised beneath shirt hems or suit coats. There is an important purpose served in this effort: saggy crotch disposal. No one likes a sad, saggy crotch particularly when juxtaposed against a jovial, rotund belly.

3. Carefully select a jacket.
Boxy jackets help your barrel to look biggish and strongish all over. Construction from stiff fabrication will ensure they hold up to the manliest man frame.

And to commemorate your ensemble success, decorate the shoulder with pads or epaulets. This will broaden the shoulders to their maximum limit.


That's it, now this one's ready,

lock

stock,

and barrel.


Whether outfitting for the opera, an interview, or a very important barbecue, male virtual shopping sessions consistently ensure exceptional dress.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Male Body Shape: Super V

My lady, if you selected Option 1, your manly mate is an upper figured natural triumph, The Super "V". In his spare time, your Mister may enjoy lifting powerfully weighty things. Whether he collects and rearranges water heaters, fancies examining beneath prodigious rocks, or adores tossing around exceptionally stout children, his body has adapted. Whatever the case for the cause, Mister's upper body resembles a capital version of the fifth to last letter of the alphabet.

While stunning sans shirt, he may experience difficulty finding protective threading for his sinewy proportions. Poor strong husband, who will help him? You will, and here's how:

1. Start with a proper shirt. A proper dress shirt should appear to be sewn directly onto your mister. When the dress shirt is secured into the trouser there should be no blousing, no bunching, no creasing. After all the time your Mister has spent lifting, squatting, and pressing, his shirt may need some professional training to tone its lumps out as well. In other words find yourself a tailor.

2. Balance the bottom half. An ensemble should glide like a well-rounded conversation. While tongues twitter on about trivial hobbies, recent reading material, and favorite board games, clothing presentation should parlay without interruption from head to shoulders, proceeding down to knees and toes. If the gaze consistently sticks on one topic, bring attention to another subject.
In Super V's case a cuff, a substantial shoe, or a single pleat can help balance his broad shoulders. The ensemble should hint at a muscular underlay but not prostitute it with a narrowly tapered pant leg. (In case you were reading casually, I did use the adjective "single" to modify the noun "pleat" above. Single means alone, without companion, only. If you can't contain yourself to a solitary pant pleat on each leg, stick with a flat front. )

3. Carefully select a jacket.
Starting with a European, suppressed waist, may require less tailoring because the drop (difference between jacket and waist size), tends to be more dramatic across the pond. But make sure it doesn't include a substantial amount of padding in the shoulders. Unlike those sloping shoulder Euros, your Gaston doesn't need the male version of a push-up bra.

Next, opt for a wide lapel that's substantial enough to lie abreast his burlesque chest. Some (who are wrong) prefer to lock and load a large chest with a three button suit coat, but a classic two button creates a "V" that matches, narrows, and divides your husband's largest asset into visually digestible pieces. Keep it classic and simple, there's no need to ruin the line and bedeck his brawn with a third piece.

Finally, don't let me catch you going a shade lighter than ash gray unless he's carrying a Mint Julep and auditioning for the Great Gatsby. His presence speaks for itself there's no need to shout in hues of wheat or ecru.


Now doesn't this suit speak of a strong handshake?

For a more affordably priced version, try this 2 button wool option at Express.


Whether outfitting for the opera, an interview, or a very important barbecue, male virtual shopping sessions consistently ensure exceptional dress.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Sensibly Styled Interview

An exclusive look at the Cardigan Empress and her inner most workings, including . . . an ensemble catastrophe. Follow mousie over to Sensibly Styled for an online field trip and check out some of their demure ensemble recommendations while you're visiting.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Choose Your Fashion Adventure: Male Body Shapes


Today we embark on our adventure into male body shapes. Place your courage in your purse and proceed with me below:


The sweet scent of fabric softener eddies around your efficacious effort to change the wash. A sharp, unfamiliar scent slowly begins to invade your odoriferous cocoon as your fingers close around the last dark folds at the back of the heated vortex. As you pull the bundle into the light it begins to express its own volition. What had previously been a dark mass is now, most obviously, an illusive sock ferret.

Dark threads have matted against his silky coat and within his muzzle are two mismatched mates of your husband's favorite socks. Angrily you threaten this dryer rodent with extinction as he has been thieving your footwear for years. He pleads for mercy, promising to never pilfer your laundry again. You look at him mercilessly and he continues to spew abundant promises (yes, of course he's articulate - he's a magic sock ferret). One payola perks your attention: a charmed garment of clothing which will magically tailor itself to any male features. (Be realistic, he is a male ferrett and can therefore only offer magic male clothing.)


You begin to mull over your choices and work to identify your Mister's Male Body Shape:

1. If your husband is an Upper Figured Super V
You may fancy an enchanted button-up shirt which will instantly extend to cloak Mister's wide strapping shoulders without billowing around his tapered abdomen. (After all his chest/waist ratio is greater than or equal to 1.20 and waist/chest quotient is less than or equal to .80)




2. If your male counter half is a Middle Figure,
perhaps you desire a mystic knit that structures but never clings Mister's hardy midsection. (His waist is currently broader than his chest, he passed the minimum end of his categorical dimension a few years back: chest/waist ratio less than or equal to 1.00 and waist/chest quotient greater than or equal to 1.00)




3. If your gentleman has a strong Lower Figure,
spellbound pants that skim rather than cling to Mister's squatters. He carries his weight low on the torso. ol' tum tum may bow convex too, but the important  hips do. His chest/waist ratio is equal to or greater than 1.10 and waist/chest quotient is equal to or less than .90)





4. But if he is Linear
How could retreat from a bewitched suit that can find and lightly embrace the proportions of his narrow frame. (His chest/waist ratio is an average 1.20 (or slightly less than that) and his waist/chest quotient is approximately a quite common .85) But unlike most men, he doesn't cling to a large label.



5. Mister doesn't struggle with fit, so you decide to throttle this sock ferret once and for all unless he gives you the illustrious ferret fortune to upgrade Mister's wardrobe.

Mull over your choice and return to continue your journey this week when we outline clothes to enhance each male body shape.




What is your Mister's body type? Tell us in the comments as we await full details on the outcome of your selection.

Gentleman's Giveaway Winner

Mr. Erik Østergaard - Random Number Generator (RNG) deftly con-tabulated the digits between 1 and 40 to produce random number 17. Lucky number 17 is MMW at Never Without, who like myself loves pretty cleaning products.

Congrats MMW!I hope your mister enjoys this dapper tie.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Gentleman's Giveaway



Adorn your gentleman's jugular by becoming a Cardigan Empire Facebook Fan. To win this jaunty necktie, all you need do is proffer your virtual support for the Cardigan Empire Facebook Page. Then click back here to post a comment with your name and e-mail address. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, July 10th at 8:00 am.



The details
Subtly graded stripes make this tie an elegant choice for the classic guy.
  • 100% silk
  • Dry Clean
  • Imported
  • Retail Value $45.00


The rest of this week is dedicated to Men's body types, so click on back soon.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Here I Am




In case you missed the original airing of of Intimate School on Cardigan Empire, Missus Emily at Give Away Today would like to remind you so you can appropriately spend a Cheap Undies $50 gift certificate (up for Give Away Today).

Clickety click on over for his and her danties.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Advanced Mix & Match


Encourage closet multiplication through cross breeding. Cardigan Empire offers you tips on how to expand your ensemble choices by applying multiple prints in a single ensemble. To read on clickety click on over to Shop It To Me.

While you're blog hopping, I am personally inviting you to sign up for your own little Shop it To Me robot who will tell you when you're favorite pretties have gone on sale. You can read more about it here. Make sure to enter your own e-mail at the end of the sign up process.

Once you're inducted, you can send a invitation to 10 of your friends and get a $10 gift certificate to Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, JCrew, Gap, Macy's, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, or Bloomingdales.


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