Tasteful Trend: How to Wear a Belt

Your belt's resume extends beyond the ability to secure the vertical positioning of your trousers, Specifically, your belt boasts three singular skills:

1) Outlining your narrowest point
2) Defining your silhouette both horizontally and vertically

3) Adding visual interest to your ensemble

Belt Recommendations

Body Type	Narrowest Point	Other Concerns	Ideal Example
Upper Figure	Hipline	Short Legs	Thin Hip Belt
		Long Legs	Wide Hip Belt
Middle Figure	Under the Bust	Average Chest Size	Thin to Mid-Width Empire Belt
		Below or Above Average Chest	Mid to Wide Hip Slung Belt (blouse the top above the buckle to disguise any insecurities)
Hour- glass/ Lower	Natural Waist	Short Torso	Thin to Mid-Width Waist Belt
		Long Torso	Mid to Wide Width Waist Belt
Linear	Anywhere	Select a Belt in Proportion to Frame	Cinched, Volume Inducing Belt

Add either give or take to your belt with a Notch Puncher or streamline the loose belt tail with something more permanent than double sided tape, a Belt Loopy.

First consider proportions when selecting a belt.  If you want something to appear shorter, divide it with a wider belt, alternatively a thinner belt will maintain visual length.  Also be sure that your belt mirrors your frame,  sturdy frames should avoid overly dainty belts.  And delicate frames should stray from thick corsets.

Next not all belts are cut to the same straight line.  A belt that is contoured or cut on the curve (smiling when laid down) will have an automatic narrowing effect.  If you love the look of thick belts but fear their truncating effects, try a riding belt that narrows in at the center.

Finally, account for fibers.  Thick elastic materials can offer comfort and can even girdle soft centers.  Robust leathers will secure thick woolen wears or contrast more delicate gossamers.  If you are insecure about your personal details being squished above or below a belt when you sit, favor structured woven materials over stretchy knits for the layer under your belt.

Drawing Attention

Less Definition	More Definition
Matte textuers similar to the background create less definition	Glossy, patent, or other high shine textures and metallic details that contrast strongly with the background create more definition
Layering a belt under a jacket or sweater creates visual interest while maintaing a cloud of mystery about the midsection	Layering a belt over a jacket or sweater creates visual interest and amplifies waist definition

Lastly, avoid the most deadly of belt sins and never over constrict.  If in doubt, move it back a notch.   You don't want abdominal details squishing out above or below your belt line.

More Asos...

downloadable cheat sheet

Let Cardigan Empire fashion you in tasteful trends.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Tasteful Trend: Accessories

Featuring the Penny Gibbous Moon Bracelet  from Poshlocket.

Sometimes the smartest way to rejuvenate your wardrobe is the smallest.  

Following are 4 ways 

to freshen your closet 

for Fall via accessories

 in five words or less.

Bracelets: Colorful, Enamel, Graphic

More ING...

Hats: Floppy Fedoras, Closely Framed Cloches

More Aqua...

Faux Fur: Small Doses applied Anywhere

More Asos...

Scarves: Endless Looks, One Piece of Cloth

More Juicy Couture...

And the belts, well they get their own post.

Let Cardigan Empire fashion you in tasteful trends.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Academy Award Accessories

Spectacular cinema is found in the details: a camera angle, a fleeting expression, a directed pause.

So too does an ensemble set itself apart with tiny shining glints of glamor.  Cardigan Empire awards for best in supporting accessories follow:

Best Necklace: Amy Adams Cartier platinum and diamond necklace with carved 33.24-carat emerald   Actress Adams could have swept both the bracelet and necklace category with her shimmering analogous sapphire and emerald color harmony, but CE reserves the right to feature as many pretty gowns as possible.  (By the way, nearly no one entered the necklace category, bare collar bones are prolific this season.) (By the way of another way, pretty glitter wishes upon Ms. Adams and her deliciously modest dress, modesty on the red carpet has become unicorn scarce.)

Best Brooch: Gwyneth Paltrow Louis Vuitton "L'Ame du Voyage" high jewelry brooch The dropped waist dress makes this linear lady a bit boxy, but the color soaked curves of her brooch are high voltage.

Best Hair Jewelry: Hillary Swank Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie exotic twin orchid hairpieces Contrasting such a strong physique with such a delicately romantic piece creates an unexpected balance.

Best Earrings: Mandy Moore 10-ct. round Chopard pavé diamond earrings Sparkling globes mirror her chestnut bun. (Earring Category Runner Up: Natalie Portman)

Best Accessory Performing as a Dress: Cate Blanchett Yellow beaded detail of lilac Givency Haute Couture gown Sometimes the best adornments are built right into the ensemble.

Best Bracelets: Mila Kunis diamond and platinum Neil Lane bracelets The cocktail ring bangle combination can only be described as inspired. (ps: Quiet your rapidly searching synapses with this short phrase-Jackie from That Seventies Show)

Best Ring: Haille Steinfeld Fred Leighton heart-shaped diamond ring, set in platinum Normally the CE board sneers at heart-shaped jewelry, but this pretty little ring is so sweet and age appropriate.

 Sponsored by

While we may not be able to afford red carpet bling at least we can budget in red carpet sparkling smiles with Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips (cost $50 for 20 doses).  If your smile whitening needs are more immediate, combine the 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips with the rest of the 3D White collection: the Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse and the Oral-B 3D White Toothbrushes, to see results in 1 day. 

Special Offer: Now for a limited time, check out amazon.com for a special deal on the Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips and an Oral-B Smart Series 5000 power toothbrush!

The 3DWhite full bodied line includes:

• Crest and Oral-B 3D White regimen includes the Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips ($50 for 20 doses)
• Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste ($3.25 - $.4.25)
• Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse ($5.89 & $7.29)
• Oral-B Pulsar 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush
• Oral-B Advantage 3D White Vivid Toothbrush ($3.49 & $6.99) 

So what caught your eye at the Oscars?

Joy-Over

Darling Anonymous Dumpling Photo courtesy of Creatively Chic Photography     My forty days of postpartum are nearly spent, and undertakings supplementary to baby boyfriend and queen cookie are emerging on the lines of my to-do list. Far from my fancied newborn nuzzling leisure, the last handful of fortnights required survival of an automobile annihilating accident, natural childbirth, nursing, and an RSV induced hospital trip.  Subsequently, I  feel strong and excessively grateful, and in need of, essentially, an unabridged makeover.  With a new figure to dress, longer tresses to tend to, a new year worth of fashion points to pen, and far less time to squander, I'm initiating the process teeth bared (aka smiling). Circumstances will never be perfectly peaceful, but perfect moments are available: Levi snoring softly on his favorite milky pillow; Coco's assistance unloading the laundry basket; getting my favorite new catalog in the post. I want to have a smile prepared for my joy-ments.  And now that my teeth are no longer attached to a fetus, they are zealous for whitening.   Following a single session of Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips, my smile was immediately shinier.  The dark stains rimming my canines were abolished.  It's a simple commencement, but I feel rejuvenated by this oral indulgence. More makeovers to come.  Let the joy-over begin.

Sponsored by

While we may not be able to afford red caret bling at least we can budget in red caret smiles with Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips (cost $50 for 20 doses).  If your smile whitening needs are more immediate, combine the 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips with the rest of the 3D White collection: the Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse and the Oral-B 3D White Toothbrushes, to see results in 1 day. 

Special Offer: Now for a limited time, check out amazon.com for a special deal on the Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips and an Oral-B Smart Series 5000 power toothbrush!

The 3DWhite full bodied line includes:

• Crest and Oral-B 3D White regimen includes the Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips ($50 for 20 doses)
• Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste ($3.25 - $.4.25)
• Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse ($5.89 & $7.29)
• Oral-B Pulsar 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush
• Oral-B Advantage 3D White Vivid Toothbrush ($3.49 & $6.99)

Vintage: What to Buy

Once inside your emporium of antiquated epochs, your ocular capacities may be overloaded by the amaranthine amplitude of everything from houndstooth wool to organza silk.  Below are a few tips on how to sort towards a proper purchase:

Accessories: Jewelry accords one size fits all.  Handbags are universal matches.  Most hats fit most heads.  And gloves are ridiculously easy to try on.  There ubiquitous fit qualities make jewelry a simple origin for the vintage enthusiast.  However, if you're editing categories, skip the shoe rack.  Pristine footwear is a rarefied commodity, foot coverings are commonly and unknowingly abused—and while your local cobbler can repair soles, cracked leather or torn textiles tend to lead to a sad conclusion.

Clothing: 
Sizing: Over the years dress measurements have stretched to match average body measurements. In other words ignore vintage sizes and either try on or measure.
 
To avoid dressing room drama, dress in close fitting layers so you can easily pull pretties on and off if a fitting room is not at hand.

Also remember to favor too big over too small. Larger sizes can usually be reduced and tailored depending on the construction and fragility of the garment. The seam allowances of smaller sizes however rarely have enough extra  fabric to accommodate additional flesh.

If purchasing online or shopping without options to don the apparel, compare your body measurements to the garment measurements.

First, take your measurements (bust, waist, hip, arm circumference, arm length, and shoulder to knee length).  To measure and compare a garment, lay it flat on a solid surface  and use a quality measuring instrument constructed of fiberglass or flexible tape.  Measure the full circumference of the garment's bustline, waistline, hipline, sleeve opening, sleeve length, and hem length).  Hunt for garments which have slightly larger measurements than your lovely frame.  If the fabric has stretch, you'll need less ease, but as many vintage garments are not blends add up to 3 inches at the bust, approximately 1 inch in the waist, and 2 or so inches at the hip. 

Condition/Cleaning: Use unadulterated sunlight to select fabrics that are in pristine condition. Some stains are fickle, but count on most to be stubborn.  Most of these soilings have had their way for years, and aren't willing to relocate.  The same goes for odiferous smells.

Next, inspect meticulously for holes, tears, loose buttons, and sticky zippers.  Rips along a seam are easy to fix with a needle and thread, but threadbare patches are futile rehabilitation efforts.  Ideally the apparel hardware like zippers and buttons should be intact and functioning, but these items can usually be replaced. However, have a button replacement plan in mind before committing to your well-storied acquisition.  Fading may be rectified by dyeing the garment, but ensure that said garment is a natural fiber that will accept coloring.

Also only buy an item with an imperfection if you can alter the pretty to avoid the sticky wicket altogether: dying, hemming, or tailoring could remove the mark from the equation. Otherwise, leave your possible friend on the rack.

Ensemble Choice
Finally, once you bring your purchases home, be sure to mix your antiquated items with avante-garde acquisitions.  Too much vintage can add up to a somewhat frumpy, grandmotherly closet raiding.  Mixing in a singular vintage piece lets this gem of history twinkle against the cut of a modern world.

Don't omit your entry to the Twig Giveaway.  If you haven't yet, jump on it like a flea market find.

Vintage: Twig Giveaway

This week makes good on our promise to deliver a week dedicated to vintage shopping tips.

But first, a vintage inspired giveaway from Twig Creative.

sponsored by:

Dandelion Earrings: Soft yellow dandelion colored bloom rose earrings. Sweet and pretty for any girl on any day.

Twig Creative transforms reclaimed items like buttons and flowered embellishments into shiny jewels for your pleasure and delight.

To win a pair of Twig's Dandelion Earrings for your own little lobes:

A) Select an item of Twig Creative couture.  Then post a comment below.
B) Provide a comment, detailing what vintage worthy ensemble you would pair these pretties up with.
C) Twitter, blog, Facebook, or otherwise spread the word about this giveaway and leave a confirming comment here.

Winner will be selected at random, Friday, September 24th.

Travel Wear: Stella & Dot Giveaway

The heat of Satan's Arizona scented breath is seething down the neck of my slip and my elbow nooks are sweaty at 8:22 in the morning.  Suitcases still lie unpacked in bedrooms, and all I can think about is where I can escape this environmental incandescence next. 

While travel by trains, planes, or automobiles might be prohibitive due to reality-based constraints and commitments, travel by fashion is still a possibility.  The trip may be inaccessible, but it wouldn't hurt to at least plan the outfit. 

To initiate our exotic fashion adventure, a giveaway from Monica Sutton at Stella & Dot.

sponsored by:

I adore their glimmering line of bold, retro-inspired jewelry, but these vacation-ready starfish earrings are calling like Bali Hai to me.

To win a pair for your own little lobes, select an item of Stella & Dot couture and a locale you would like to wear it.  Then post a comment on this, here post.


Winners will be selected at random, Friday, July 9th. 

Now get your fruity drinks ready for our bon voyage tomorrow

PS:  As you shop Stella & Dot, don't forget to find me (Reachel Bagley) as your hostess to ensure you get the flat $5.95 shipping rate. 

How to Accessorize like a Stylist

Accessories: How to know when you're wearing too many

"Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions." Coco Chanel

When architecting your look, design using scale, balance, and proportion.


Proportion:  The relationship of a part of one unit to the unit as a whole.


Petite pocket people can carry off fewer, smaller accessories than  elegant Amazons or voluptuous vixens.  Choose appropriately sized baubles for your frame.


Balance: The equalizing of weight, color, or line on either side of a central axis.


Wear your cuff on the hand opposite your cocktail ring.  Pair a complementary coral satchel with your turquoise peep toes. Ornament the strong vertical lines of your blouse with a dainty floral stocking. Adornments should balance not bend visually to one side or style.


Scale: The comparative size of one object or design in its relationship to the size of other objects with which it is to be associated.


Pick a single focus for your ensemble.  If you're donning a statement necklace, leave the chandelier earrings in the case in favor of simple posts.


And be vigilant of clothing's built-in accessories: shine, ruffles, or other dimensional embellishments.  If you opt for pre-adorned pieces, adjust your accessories accordingly.


--------------------------------------------


If you want to maximize your accessory opportunities start with a simple base like a black dress or a impeccably cut white t-shirt and jeans.


If you're timidly dipping your toe in the ocean of accessories, push yourself to tack on at least one trimming per day, be it a belt, scarf, or hoop earrings.


If, conversely, you are accessory addicted, follow Chanel couture, and "remove the last accessory you put on."

String your finger if you need to, but don't forget to enter the Swib Handmade Hear-Wear Accessory Giveaway.

Accessories: Glasses

 I'll let Missy Brooke & Missy Summer describe the impact of this accessory in their own words:

"Glasses bring the world around you into clearer view: the vibrant details, the color, the fine print, all coming into focus.  Not only are glasses practical, glasses are a powerful, defining accessory that can bring out the smart and savvy self that is inside all of us."

Check out this Smart Girl Talk Show:

Get your Glasses On

String your finger if you need to, but don't forget to enter the accessory giveaway. 

Accessories: Color Theory

Love Triangle

Your heart loves this shirt.

Your complexion loves another color, outside of the oatmeal family.

The Mediator

When your fashion chic and facial cast clash, use a properly hued accessory mediator near your face.

String your finger if you need to, but don't forget to enter the accessory giveaway.