Swimwear Confidence: Upper Figure

If in summers of yore, you've refused to approach aquatic occasions without a t-shirt for fear of indecent exposure, you and your lady eggs are in luck.  The following suits should keep everything properly nested regardless of your aquatic agenda.

Freya Supernova Tankini

3 column of double row hook and eyes locks and loads the girls, and molded cups obscure any of their subconscious visual "sirens."

Becca Chamelon Ruffle Swimdress

A bit of kicky ruffle below goes a long way in balancing higher intensity above.

Bond-Eye Tangier Shape Enhancing Tankini

If you wouldn't leave the house without first enforcing an underwire buttress, why would you go swimming without it?

Seafolly Goddess Bandeau Swimsuit

If you opt for a strapless, bandeau, or bandini option make sure it includes stay-in-place, non-slip strips.  This option ensures you don't dislodge your ladies with your first hop into the pool.

Want more ideas, use your mouse to poke the link below and visit the
Cardigan Empire Recommended Upper Figure Swim Shop. 

Now give your legs another coat of self-tanner and schedule a pedicure, you're prepared for bathing bravery.

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

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Denim: Soft Center

Walking down the soft delicious center & upper figure runway:

9 1/2" rise and above, corseting in all the belly jiggles.

Flap pockets, when combined with a mid-rise, will round a flat bottom while flattening a round tummy.

Straight leg and wider leg openings (ice cream cones tend to topple on the catwalk.)

Slouchy boyfriends provide casual chic for feminine girlfriends.

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

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own rules of denim conduct and much more.

Fall Shoesies: Upper Figure

Envy inspiring upper figures, with fortuitous inches of endless legs, let us frivolously spend a few inches on the charming details of a t-strap, ankle-strap, or bootie.

Unlike the abbreviated pedials of your body type counterparts, you have a widest variety of shoe options. There's really nothing you can't try, but may I suggest you experiment with ankle straps and other dainty details which highlight your delicate ankles?

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 hourglass figure rules of conduct and much more.

One Style Fits All: Bootcut Jeans

(Marilyn Monroe in "Clash by Night", photo courtesy of Corbis)

Cowboys and coal miners strutted the "everyman's fashion" down the American West runway in the forth quarter of the nineteenth century. Jean, the fabric named after the Italian sailors in Genoa who wore them, was selected for its durability, and it soon became Mr. Manual's must-have item, circa 1870.

In the 1950s, jeans were just as likely to find company with white-collars as blue-collars. Jeans became the uniform of rebellion for America's middle-class youth, and the indigo flag was brandished by the likes of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando.

Whether you're looking to make a statement or just avoid ironing, the classic boot-cut, cutting in at the knee then kicking back out to the ankle to accommodate your favorite boots beneath, is an all figure flatterer,

Middle Figures benefit best from a mid-rise that corsets the broadest part of their supple center. The rise should neither fall above (creating an uninterrupted pelvis paunch)or below (squishing your love into handles) the target.

Denim for a Lower Figure requires sophisticated scrutiny to simultaneously suit the seat, hips, and thighs. In summary look for a lower mid-rise, a generously cut leg, and a flare sufficient to balance the hips.

Rather than a tightly tapered, ice-cream cone leg, Upper Figures should highlight delicate thighs with creases, whiskers, striation, and other wash embellishments. These details highlight dainty stems without throwing the figure off-kilter.

The Linear Figure is bettered by only a whisper of a widened ankle. Slimmer fits create contoured curves from straighter structures.

The bass flare of an Hourglass jean should harmonize with both the tenor timbre of the hips and the soprano strain of the bust. This chorus will allow the dramatic melody of a narrow alto waist to sing. A dark, simple wash with a cleanly flared leg will ensure that the best profile of your figure is punctuated.

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

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

In recognition of Fitting Room Friday, these mothers offer an example of exactly what to avoid in denim.

One Style Fits All: A-Line Skirt

There's not a figure that the "Corolle Line" progeny does not flatter. Introduced by Christian Dior in a post-war world, the "New Look's" goal was to amplify feminine features. Initially reinforced with abundant petticoats, the A-line skirt was streamlined by Coco Chanel in the sixties, sported sublimely by Jacqueline Kennedy, and never forgotten since.

Today, this staple holds the category of skirts (and dresses) which from a narrow waist swell to a flared hem. Its obvious name is based on its physical kinship with the letter "A."

Few figures benefit more from the veil of the A-line than the Lower Figure. For best results the interpretation should be dark in hue, simple in pattern, absent in pleating, and dramatic in line from hip to hem.

At the opposite end of the figure spectrum, the Upper Figure benefits from the balancing effect of the A-line silhouette. The flared hem creates symmetry with a broader shoulder and/or bust. The ideal drape sports a bold color, pattern, and/or embellishment. Each component brings attention and proportional volume to a slim second half.

The Linear Figure's A-line skirt should mimic volume. The fabric should be fluid and the embellishments should be curvaceous. A strong high waistband and generous amount of pleating magnify feminine contours.

For optimum Middle Figure flattery focus should be given to a flexible waistband. Rather than stiff and structured, opt for zipper-less pull-on styling that secures the waist without squishing your soft delicious center. Pair with a finished-hem top and avoid tucking at all costs.

The narrowed center of an Hourglass should be tenderly embraced whenever possible. A high, structured waist will appropriately hug the core, while a full, pleated skirt will emphasize indigenous curves, resulting in an intensified silhouette. For additional dramatics, tuck your blouse into your waistline.

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

Swimwear: Upper Figure

The upper figure is elegantly epitomized by the strong shouldered swimmer. While she has earned her figure proportions stroke by stroke of consistent aquatic dedication, others gain their figurative buoyancy indiginously. Whether you square your shoulders with sinuous breadth, or swell your chest with obverse width, there is a swimsuit made for you.

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

Points of note:

1. Look for suits that buttress your lady eggs with support from the south, east and west. The shelf of your suit should provide you the same accommodations as your bra. With underwire and/or high content spandex to administer comfort and security.
   
2. Slim hips adorned with a little ruffle or a bright dye to draw the eyes can balance the dominant flirtation of the upper half.
3. **It should be noted that the third and fourth recommendations listed above are perfect for protecting a rotund bust, but will make someone with athletic arms appear square and masculine.
   

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Easter Frockery: Upper Figure

Beneath the perfect upper figured dress is a perfect fitting bra. Once your Easter Eggs are properly nested, the frocking is easy.





















1. In our first basket of fashion treaties, we have the grass green with tulips shining under glinting sunlight. Northern endowed ladies should opt for medium rise scoop and v necklines. Blanketing the entire nest will only offer a prodigiously overwhelming set of curves. Instead, try the collar lines of the Underwood Shirtdress, which breaks your offering into smaller, visually digestible bites. While the long sleeves of the Through-The-Clouds Jacket draw attention down to the hip and the cropped jacket length brings further emphasis to the empire waistline.




















2. In our second basket, the springy smocking through the bodice of the Confetti Whirl Dress won't leave your cups to overflow into the underarms or collarbones. The high empire waistline will draw attention to your narrowest torso width. The sleeve-line of the Karst Edge Cardigan again brings interest to the hips while the high button closure narrows in right under the bust.

Good Friday and Happy Easter!

If you already have your customized look book & want more outfitting ideas, book a 60 minute virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of wardrobe options, at excessively competitive wages.

Essential Wardrobe: Trousers

Trousers: the white collar, upper level closet executives. Unlike their blithe, blue collar denim brothers, these wardrobe administrators have crisp efficiency running their entire length. Dress them up, dress them down, hem for heels, hem for flats, these proficient industrialists are a fashionably profitable investment.

Upper Figure Options
While your stems may look lovely in skinny cuts, the entire ensemble appears a bit rickety. Stabilize your ripe bounty with a boot cut or wide leg and fancy the hip and thigh area to your figure's betterment.















Middle Figure Options: A mid rise with generous stretch in the back and a stingy stretch in the front will minimize and secure your soft, delicious center.
















Lower Figure Options: While dark colors can aid minimization, fit is the trump. Check your trousers' resumé to ensure a mid to low rise, a boot or wide leg, a generously cut thigh and seat, and a waist that curves slightly in.















Hourglass Options: Wanted: Trousers trained to follow complex. Some of the most competent candidates offer a flat front or extended tab closure and a flared leg to balance the lines of your undulating line.

















Linear Options: You alone can conscionably hire capris and skinny pants for your closet. The taper and cut on both styles will make your hips look full and curvy, dramatizing the illusion of a angled waist.

Get the full package: A customized look book and a 60 minute virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of closet managers, at excessively competitive wages.

Essential Wardrobe: Day Dress

Relaxed elegance in a one piece ensemble. Day dresses like flea markets and picnics. After running errands, you can find them stopping for afternoon gelato.

Upper Figure Options
Let your anterior curves speak without distraction. Then draw the eye down to posterior curves with a bright hue or playful embellishment.

















Middle Figure Options: Fit the shoulders and avoid a clingy waist. A well fitted bust will keep shift dresses sharp but never boxy.
















Lower Figure Options: Scoop necklines draw attention back to your smile while a-line and full skirts give your lower body the space it needs.

















Hourglass Options: Dresses are your body shape's calling. With a matching top and bottom size all you need to search for is a fitted waist.

















Linear Options: Soft lines and romantic ruffles show off your lines while adding some new curves.

Get the full package: A customized look book and a 60 minute virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of closet managers, at excessively competitive wages.