Tasteful Trends: How to Wear Colored Pants & Jeans

AG Stevie + Tarpan Buttondown

1) Find a flawless fit
Inky dark denim could also be called clandestine concealer of construction flaws, but bright denim essentially dips the whole process in a highlighter.  The fabric should glide along your silhouette with nary a lump or sag.  While wide, trouser, and flare cuts may flatter your figure in traditional hues, tailored in color, it may backfire and visually expanding your profile.  Instead opt for somewhere between a minimalist boot, classic straight, or skinny delineation.

2) Do not match
Picking a color in your top and matching it to the wash of your trouser is a sure way to elicit compliments from ladies double your age.  Instead, contrast: in hue (color), value (light vs. dark), and/or chroma (purity).  This trend lends itself particularly well to analogous color combinations, or color harmonies coupling neighbor hues on the color wheel.

3) Keep it clean
If in doubt, opt for a solid on top and a single piece of jewelry.  Minimize your patterns, accessories, and other extraneous details.  This bold looks requires little to no adornments. Offer a clean, crisp, bold statement sans apologies.

4) Architect balance
Avoid pairing tight with tight.  Regardless of the muscular tenacity of your torso, a looser cut above the belt line allows for a singular focus free or ostentation or squishy distractions.

Day Dresses by 7 For All Mankind
Platforms by Diane von Furstenberg

Starters, might opt for a dim forest, rich wine, or other shady dark hue in a straight cut.   Pairing the look with a shirt dress offers coverage while nude heels lengthen the leg line.

Skinny Denim by Anthropologie
Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by J.Crew

 Intermediate models can experiment with vivid cobalt, kelly green, or other fully saturated hues in a tapered ankle. Pairing a tinted pastel with a bolder bottom offers a quieter conception.

Longsleeve Tops by J.Crew
Skinny Denim by Kate Spade

Advanced sartorialists, might sample glowing yellow, neon red, or tinted pastels in close fitting jeggings finished with equally ambitious additions for a clear, bold statement.

More J Brand...

More J.Crew...

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

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Yep, They Are All Mine

Hi, my name is Kim, and since I can't afford therapy I write over at Yep, they are all mine.

I have to admit, I was a little taken aback when Reachel asked me

to write this - a post about body confidence and feeling beautiful in my own skin?

Me? Okay, I'll give it a shot...

I've been pregnant three times and have birthed three babies.

Age, stress, and more food/less exercise means that

my body looks very different then it did 10 years ago

{photographic evidence HERE}.

But here's the thing: I refuse to be sucked into the mom trap.

I'm not a size 6 anymore,

but that doesn't mean I need to give up on life

and live in black yoga pants {never actually used for yoga} and baggy t-shirts.

There are a few "fashion rules" I try to live by {most days} that help me feel good about myself:

{1}

On the days I don't work,

it's really easy to fall into the "lounge around in my jammies all day" routine.

However, I would rather not drop my kids off at school looking like THAT mom,

so I make myself take a shower and get dressed.

When I'm put together, I feel better.

And I don't embarrass my kids.

{2}

I don't have a fancy wardrobe.

I buy most of my clothes from Target and thrift stores.

The one thing I splurge on is jeans.

Nordstrom Rack and consignment stores have amazing deals

on premium denim - and it is totally worth the cost.

This ass needs to be properly contained.

{3}

Accessories are my best friends - they punctuate - and distract away from

a potentially boring outfit on those days I don't have any clean clothes.

Even the 4-year-olds understand.

{4}

I love, love, LOVE colors, patterns, textures, and layers. They make me happy.

And when Mama's happy, everyone's happy.

{5}

Wedges.

The only chance I'll ever have at long legs.

Thanks so much for having me, Reachel!

Tasteful Trend Tips

Lovely-istas,

The alternate title for this week's theme of thought was "how not to look like a fashion runway zombie."  Because you, my pretty dear, deserve to look fresh,  personally purposeful.  Not muted of your own fashion voice.  Not driven to wander stores aimlessly devouring the tasteless flesh of meaningless trends.

But before we dash on, what trend would you prefer advice on:

• Midi Skirts/Dresses
• Waist vs. Hip vs. Skinny vs. Thick Belts
• Faux Fur
• Capes & Ponchos
• Brightly Colored Trousers/Colorblocking
• Plaid/Tartan/Scottish
• Secretary Tie Neck Blouses

Or is there something, something else?  You can tell me, don't be shy.

Ten Exemplary Family Photo Wardrobes

Prudent preparatory tips for your family photo shoot:


5 Wise Wardrobes

Source

This feels so natural and effortless.  The low contrast blend of brown and gray patterns and solids feels cohesive but not forced.  And the texture of the blanket backdrop gives it a cozy effect.

(How to pose for a photograph)

Source

No one individual recedes or advances because each ensemble is given equal visual weight via pattern and color.
(How to pick a photo color scheme)

Source 

Matching solids escape feeling contrived via rich pattern, texture, and color in the background.
(How to use a prop)

Source

Harmonizing small scale prints in the same hue unifies the family without distracting from them.
(How to use patterns in photos)

Source

Small complementary shots of red energize the green without ensuing visual frenzy.

5 Foolish Wardrobes

Source

Selected not for the clown noses (a circus themed wedding gives this prop quirky charm), but instead for  the second ensemble to the left.  Adorable dress (I actually own it), but the pattern's scale and contrast is too bold amongst the humble neutrals and low-notice solids.

Source

One ensemble never suits all.  Buying a uniform outfit for every member forces ill-advised compromises.

Source

The liberal legs, decolletage, and shine on Mrs. Claus distract from the remaining members.
(Use of skin in photos)

Source

Ensure that all photographed hues have equal weight.  The bright teal in this set outshines the rest of the backdrop and participants.  Still an adorable family and a lovely family picture.

Source

Few families (short of sweet beyond saccharine Shayce Nicole and her quartet) could carry this styling off without appearing costumed.  The remainder of us need be wary of extreme trends, for they could betray us several years down the road. 

Allow Cardigan Empire to style your kin for their next Family Photo. Click here to book a family-sized virtual shopping session.

Share your family photo tips in the comments

What to Wear for A Family Photo

November Twenty-Sixth, Twenty-Eleven.
The anointed date of my baby wedding.  When the tiny, squishy hand of our toddling daughter will be placed on ours and sealed to our family for eternity.  Two years of anticipation garners a suitable jubilee and baby engagement photos.   

OPTION ONE: HARVEST

Anthropologie

anthropologie

Gymboree

gymboree

H&M (Sweater, Corduroys, Fedora), Janie & Jack (Shirt)

h&m

Banana Republic (Shirt, Khakis), J.Crew (Sweater)

banana republic

In selecting photo friendly sets, aspirations were aimed to:

1) Keep it natural.  Newer does not equal better.  Careening to procure the allure of a new wardrobe could end in a photographed fashion fatality.  Opting for a strong and experienced ensemble, allows you to capture a true memory rather than an unfavorable illusion.  Shopping your closet captures you rather than a trend.

2) Select a color scheme, but don't waste time, money, or creativity in mirroring a single static hue.  Blending color harmonies offers rich dimensional results read more...

3) Use consistent patterns.  If one photo member dons a patterns, make sure they aren't alone on a loud pattern island.  Conform to consistent use of patterns (both scale and contrast) or solids, so that each individual holds equal visual weight and interest read more...

OPTION TWO: LUSH & SHADY

Shabby Apple

Gymboree

gymboree

H&M (Jeans, Sweater, Shirt), Janie & Jack (Bowtie)
Vintage (Cap)

janie

Banana Republic (Sweater, Shirt), AG (Denim)

AG

Allow Cardigan Empire to style your kin for their next Family Photo. Click here to book a family-sized virtual shopping session.

Which option do you favor?

Beauty-Full Tuesday: Gentri Lee

I love every precious inch of this girl.  Read on and try not to adore Gentri Lee in all her darling glory, go on, you can try.

I'm a twenty-something year old who measure's at a tiny 4feet and 8inches tall. Not only that, but I've got curves. It's in my genes. It's always been something I've struggled to deal with- being short is one thing, but I'm extremely short. Add the curves and you've got a body that's "different"... not to mention hard to dress. Because of that, I've struggled with feeling overlooked, like something is keeping me from reaching my full potential. But why should that be? I've created these insecurities that only bring me down. "If I were taller I could have done this" "If I were skinnier he would have liked me more" "She can't do as good of a job because she's short" Over the years I've come (it's a constant battle really) to accept who I am. These aren't exactly things I can change. And yet, I wouldn't want to. Because it's my differences that make me- ME. My differences make me beautiful. There are times where I feel like these hold me back- but even more times where they make me stand out. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish some of the things I have without being unique. There are people I've been able to help because I am different- like them. I wouldn't change that for the world. Our differences can either bring us down and tear us apart, or they can lift us up and bring us together. 

Celebrate your differences and love the differences in others! You are not alone. You were designed to be JUST the way you are. You are beautiful! You are unique. You are perfect. No one else is like you, and that is a wonderful thing.