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Authored by Dee Jones and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Tel2tD For men, having broad shoulders that taper to a slim waist and narrow hips is often considered the ideal body shape. Many women, however, consider having shoulders that are disproportionately wider than their hips to be a figure flaw. Still, both men and women might feel that their shoulders are too wide for their bodies. When dressing, people who have broad shoulders should choose clothing that takes the emphasis away from their shoulders, perhaps by drawing attention to other, more attractive parts of their body. Having a narrow waist tends to emphasize broad shoulders, making their disproportionate width more noticeable. Wearing clothes that highlight the narrowness of the waist, such as dresses with tightly cinched belts, should be avoided. One way to decrease the emphasis on a narrow waist is by wearing pants and skirts that sit low on the hips. People who have broad shoulders should avoid wearing clothes that will draw attention to the shoulder area. Wearing clothes with shoulder pads will make the shoulders look even bigger and broader. Shirts with any kind of detail or embellishment in the shoulder area will draw the attention to that area. Also, someone who has narrow shoulders might benefit from wearing a shirt with horizontal stripes. On someone who has broad shoulders and a broad upper body, however, such a shirt will create the visual illusion that the shoulders and upper body are even broader than they actually are. 
One way to de-emphasize broad shoulders is to wear clothes that draw attention to other, more attractive parts of the body. For example, a woman who thinks that her shoulders are too wide might dress to show off her legs. A man who thinks that his shoulders are too wide might dress to show off his well-toned abdomen.
People are often told that the best way to de-emphasize their lower body and make their hips seem more slender is to wear something dark on the bottom and something light on the top. For people who have a broad upper body, the same theory works in reverse. Wearing dark shirts or blouses will help make their shoulders look less broad, and wearing lighter skirts or pants will help draw attention away from the upper body to the lower body. Wide necklines will make the shoulders look wider. For example, people who have broad shoulders should stay away from clothes that have boat neck necklines. On the other hand, a narrow scoop neckline or a plunging V-neckline will draw the eye inward and away from the shoulders.
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Authored A.E. Freeman and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Wx1cd5  Women with an hourglass figure have shoulders and hips that are relatively the same size with a considerably smaller waist. The best way to dress an hourglass figure is to wear clothing that draws attention to the waist, flatters the chest area, and draws attention to other narrow parts of the body. Excess fabric on the top, such as ruffles and thick knits, is best avoided. Pants that have a waist and that do not sit too low on the hips flatter the hourglass shape, as do boot-cut legs and flared skirts. The hourglass figure is sometimes recognized as the ideal female shape. A woman with an hourglass shape is usually very curvy and voluptuous on the top. The key to playing up the curves on top is to flatter and accentuate them without overloading them. A high-cut neckline usually just adds bulk to the bust area V-shaped necklines or slightly scooped necklines are a better choice for an hourglass figure. The point of the V shape draws attention to a woman's face and neck. A V-shape or rounded neck will also give the bust area some definition instead of causing it to look like a single mass. An hourglass shape looks best in a fitted jacket or top that isn't too tight or snug on the body. A jacket with rounded princess seams will draw attention to a woman's smaller waist. Wearing a belt over the jacket or around the waist of a dress or top will also nip in the waist, making it more noticeable.
Some women with hourglass figures may have arms that are wide at the bicep but narrow by the wrists. A woman can dress to make her arms look thinner on the top by wearing a shirt with bell-shaped sleeves that are wider at the bottom than the top. Flared sleeves can trick the eye into thinking the top part of the arm is thinner than it actually is. For best effect, the sleeves should flare around the elbow, not the wrist. The same trick works for the bottom half of an hourglass figure. Flared or boot-cut pants can make a woman's hips look narrower, as can a skirt that flares out around the knees. Bottoms should sit between the waist and hips and shouldn't have too low of a rise, as very low-rise pants can make the hips look extra wide. Jeans and pants with a shaped waist may flatter an hourglass figure better, as they do not gape open when a woman sits down or expose too much of her backside. For your clothing needs, please check out our clothing section for the different brands. Image courtesy of the Daily Mirror newspaper. Authored by B. Miller and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/110pATe  A wrap dress is a great, versatile piece of clothing to have in your wardrobe. It is a v-neck dress designed with a slim-fitting top and a looser skirt, often with extra material across the bust and stomach, giving it the "wrap" look. This slimming cotton dress can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The wrap dress was first designed in 1973 by Diane von Fürstenberg. That particular dress was a knitted jersey dress, and is part of the collection in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art due to its influence on fashion. This particular piece of clothing has been popular virtually since then, though it has come in various iterations in more expensive boutiques and more luxurious fabrics, like silk. A wrap dress is a great wardrobe staple that flatters many body types. Wrap dresses look best on curvier, bustier women because it enhances the bust while accentuating and slimming the waist and flattening the stomach. The wrap dress does not always look as flattering on smaller women, though if you do want to wear a wrap dress in a smaller size, purchase one with less fabric on top and an adjustable waist tie to keep your torso in proportion. For more modesty in a wrap dress, you may choose to wear it with a camisole or a tank top underneath, or a blazer or cardigan on top. Keep the print or pattern in mind when you are purchasing a wrap dress, and always try the dress on before you buy. Some prints look better or worse depending on your body type. Keep in mind that it doesn't matter how the dress looks on the rack or on the mannequin, only how it looks on you -- attempt to flatter your body.
You can wear a wrap dress to work and then dress it up for evening by putting on a pair of dressier shoes and some fancy accessories. Some women find that wrap dresses work well as maternity wear, as they are comfortable, stretchy, and forgiving without sacrificing style. Some women choose to wear leggings with the dress, for a more trendy look. You could also really dress it down and wear flip-flops, for example if you were going to a picnic or outdoor party. The jersey knit fabric often used is not prone to wrinkles, so it's good to wear on an airplane or to pack in your suitcase without having to worry about ironing. Authored by Matthew F. and can be also found here: http://nosax.me/14hxOKd  A maxi skirt is an ankle-length skirt. It was made popular in the mid- and late-1970s and has since seen a resurgence in the 2000s. The maxi skirt was popular among women in the 1970s as a less revealing article of clothing. It features the typical A-line design of a knee or shin skirt, but reaches down to the ankles in a narrow fit. The maxi skirt, as it is now known, was first developed in the 1970s, though its roots can be traced much earlier. Skirts similar to the maxi skirt were worn in the 19th century across the United States, and were again revived in the 1930s, after a decade of short skirts in the 1920s. Maxi-like skirts again became popular in the 1950s in a much more restrictive, conformist culture. In the 1970s the maxi skirt was first designed as a response to the short skirts of the counterculture youth of the 1960s. The maxi skirt featured a waistline around the natural waist, usually at or just below the belly button. The design was narrow, nearly straight down to the ankle, and the fabric was typical of skirts of the day, cotton or polyester. The narrower fit around the ankles sacrificed the looseness of the Indian gauze skirts popular in the 21st century. The narrow fit showed the shapes of the upper leg, while allowing comfortable room for walking around the knees. The maxiskirt was a popular dress choice for women in the workforce, as it covered up much of the legs and maintained a level of professionalism. It grew in popularity largely due to the feminist movement of the 1970s. Feminists, wishing to avoid sexual objectivity, used the maxiskirt to remain covered up, while remaining feminine.
The maxiskirt then saw a revival in the first decade of the 2000s. This revival was due in part to an exploration of alternate fashions. The explosion of fashion designers in the early 2000s, as well as a revival of vintage clothing, brought the maxiskirt back into the female consciousness. At the same time, the maxi allowed an alternative look for growing alternative cultures. Authored by Patti Kate and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/10Axu5m When you are shopping for plus size skirts or buying plus size clothing in general, it's best to shop at a retailer that specializes in plus size clothing. Buying your plus size skirts from a store that sells all sizes may not offer a great selection of larger sizes. You might find that shopping at an Internet store that specializes in plus size skirts will give you more options. One of the advantages is seeing photos of a plus size model wearing a skirt you are considering. Your collection of plus size skirts should include a few for casual wear, as well as formal wear. When you're buying skirts, you should choose two or three plus size skirts that are appropriate for the office or your particular type of job. Be sure your plus size skirts match your sweaters and blouses and complement your wardrobe in general. Women who wear plus size skirts often find that dark colors such as black, navy, and brown are most flattering. A full-figured woman may find these colors to be slenderizing. 
Finding the proper length in plus size skirt styles should be a top priority. You will need to take your own height into consideration. Not all plus size dresses and skirts are suitable for all heights. If you are short, your plus size skirt will need to be shorter or designed specifically for petite plus- size women. Conversely, if you are taller than average, look for a skirt to fit tall plus size women, as you may need the extra length.
Examine yourself in a full length mirror to determine which area of your legs are the slimmest. You'll want the hem of your skirt to fall just at the length for a most flattering look. This may mean finding a plus size skirt that falls mid thigh, below the knee, or at calf length if you prefer. Most full-figured women prefer skirts with a straight line, as these styles are flattering and slimming. Your plus size skirts should not be too flared or heavily pleated. Skirts with several pleats tend to make a woman look heavier than she is. A-line and pencil skirts are a good choice in plus sized clothing. For fabric selection, cotton, crinkle cut, and twill are good choices for warm weather. Wool boot skirts worn with high boots are a good choice for winter weather, however, this may not be the best choice for petites. Authored by Matthew F. and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/VmzZrI  Midi skirts are mid-calf length skirts, first made popular in the 1970s. The midi skirt developed as a response to the short mini skirts popular in the 1960s and pre-dated the maxiskirts that would emerge at the end of the 1970s. Midis allowed women a sporty look that did not sacrifice a covered-up look. Midi skirts entered mainstream fashion at a time when the youth of the 1960s was maturing away from the revealing length of the mini skirt. Midi skirts offered a sleek fit down to the mid-calf. They featured a typical A-line design, worn around the waist just at or below the belly-button. Midi skirts, though, would maintain the liberated and youthful look inspired by the mini skirt, but less restricting than the ankle-length maxi skirt. Midi skirts were made of many of the typical fabrics of the time, cotton among the most popular. Midis were also made from polyester “double knit” fabrics, first popular at this time, and Indian fabrics from 1960s fashion. Midi skirts incorporated many bleach and tie-dye techniques developed by the 1960s-70s generation. They were worn by many with thick platform shoes or with a long coat worn to the mid-calf as well. Midi skirts shared the market at about an equal rate with the mini skirt and the maxiskirt, and the three would compliment each other within the wardrobe of one person. A typical, fashion-savvy 1970s woman could be seen wearing the mini skirt to a beach or out on a day-date. The next day, the same woman might be seen wearing a maxiskirt to a business meeting, and a midi skirt relaxing at home, or out dancing.
Midi skirts received attention from the hugely popular 1967 movie, Bonnie and Clyde. Faye Dunaway’s role as the provocative, historical gangster, in a sexy midi skirt, brought a popular culture success to the midi, and encouraged young, rebellious girls across the United States to try out the look. The revival of the midi skirt was the article's first major movement since the 1930s, though the skirt did gain a following among high school-aged girls in the 1950s. A midi-like skirt was first seen in the 1930s as a response to the short skirts popular in the 1920s. The beginning of the Depression, and a toning down of out-going 1920s styles found the mid-calf length popular across the United States, and became a length popular in dance clubs of the 1930s. Authored by Tricia Ellis-Christensen and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/YcPtTA 
A pencil skirt is a woman's skirt with a straight and narrow cut. It often hugs the curves of a woman's body, making it figure revealing. Typically, the skirt ends just at or slightly below the knee.
A popular style in the 1950s, the pencil skirt was frequently seen in women's office wear. Earlier versions have existed since 1915, and could have been floor or ankle length, but the 1950s brought the style great popularity. Since the skirt is somewhat restrictive, it may feature a back slit or kick pleat, to give women a little more room to walk. The pencil skirt remains a popular style, though each year's fashions may assert its preeminence or declare it "out." It is often sold as part of a woman's suit and may be paired with jackets of any length. Length of the actual skirt can vary from year to year, but generally, any length that is much above the knee is not considered this style, but is instead a mini-skirt. Often, women think that the pencil skirt is only for the very slim, but this is not the case. Women with curves may feel that the skirt will showcase them in an unflattering way; this can certainly occur when the skirt is too tight, but a good fitting one may emphasize the feminine curves without pointing out what women feel are their figure flaws. Women with a little extra weight or curve may turn toward loose clothing to hide supposed figure defects, but this often makes the body look bulkier. A fitted skirt is usually more flattering than a bulkier or looser fitting one. When the skirt falls below the knees, it can be somewhat hard to walk in it. Carol Burnett made a lot of fun of the too tight pencil skirt with her recurring character Mrs. Wiggins, an inept secretary. Mrs. Wiggins normally stuck out her posterior in an unflattering fashion and took tiny mincing steps in keeping with wearing a skirt that was far too tight. Since the pencil skirt can inhibit movement, women may want to look for those with either a kick pleat or a back slit. Occasionally, it even features two side slits, which promote easier walking and greater comfort when seated. When the skirt doesn't have these features, not only walking but also sitting can be uncomfortable, especially if the skirt is too tight. Prior to the 1950s, a pencil skirt type might have been called a hobble skirt. Any type of skirt that rendered walking difficult and running impossible was said to hobble a woman. Many women are well used to this type of skirt, however, and know how to walk in one. It remains a flattering style that comes in a wide variety of fabrics, like wool, cotton, cotton jersey, rayon, linen and cashmere. They are often warmer than other skirts since the pencil shape holds the legs closely together, which can make them a good choice for winter wear. Authored by Sheri Cyprus and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/ZW0UuA  Skirts are an important part of women's fashion. Extremely versatile, skirts can be dressed up or down to look fancy or casual for every occasion from a business meeting to a dinner date. Some of the many different shapes of skirts include bias cut, full, mini, A-line or princess, tulip, and pencil. The pencil skirt, shaped long and straight like a pencil, was inspired by the hobble skirt of 1910. The hobble skirt was designed by Paul Poiret and was unpopular due to its overly-tight, leg constricting shape. The hobble skirt was modified into the straighter, looser pencil skirt by 1915 and the pencil skirt, both short and long, is still popular today. Shorter versions of the classic pencil skirt reach just above the knee and can be worn anywhere such as to work with a blouse and pumps, to a party with fancy sandals and a glitzy top, and on the weekend with tights, flats or boots, and a sweater. Long versions in cashmere or jersey are especially comfortable. Pencil skirts can be flattering to all figure types. A dark pencil skirt worn with a dark or medium-colored top that rests just above the hips can be visually slimming to a fuller figure. Tulip skirts have more fabric around the hips than pencil skirts, giving them the shape of an inverted tulip. Tulip skirts look good on most figure types, especially slender figures as tulip skirt fabric tends to add a little extra bulk around the hips. A-line skirts, also called princess skirts, can be especially flattering to plus-size figures, but can be worn well by all figure shapes. An A-line skirt is shaped like a capital letter "A", with a snug waist spreading out into a triangular shape. A-line/princess skirts are considered a wardrobe staple, especially in a neutral color and a season-spanning fabric such as lightweight wool.
Miniskirts hit the fashion scene in London in 1966 and the ultra-short miniskirt is still worn by those who "dare to bare." The miniskirt is often considered the sexiest skirt shape. Miniskirts can be a very simple shape or can be pleated, but are always very short, and are available in a wide range of materials including denim, cotton, leather, and wool. Full skirts have even more fullness in their fabric than tulip skirts and can overwhelm a petite figure or add more fullness to a full figure. Full skirts often balance out a slim-waisted, full-busted figure. Drop-waisted full skirts with fabric that flows from the hips into soft pleats can be very flattering to a plus-sized figure type. Bias cut skirts are cut across the fabric's grain on the diagonal. Cutting on the bias creates a flowing hemline that can seem ultra-feminine and romantic. Bias cut skirts can be long or short and have panels or multi-layers. Authored by Janis Adams and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/10tt8CR Custom fitted hats fit the exact size of a person's head and come in many different styles for both men and women. Some of the types of custom fitted hats are fitted baseball hats, fitted skate hats, and business hats. The most popular type of custom fitted hat is that which has a team logo on it. What makes the custom fitted hats with a logo so popular is that they do not have the snap back that is so commonly used on mesh baseball hats. These types of hats, while allowing the person wearing it to customize the fit, often break and tend to look immature on an adult and more appropriate for a kid playing a league sport. The custom fitted hat with a team logo is popular because it shows team support. There are so many different styles and colors for each team, whether the team is a pro team or a college team. Even some high school teams supply their players with custom fitted hats. 
Often men who dress in business attire will choose to wear a hat. There is possibly nothing worse for a man when attempting to look professional than to have his hat slip down over his eyes or fall back, revealing his brow. A custom fitted business hat is often the best choice for a sharp dress hat. Women's hats are also available in custom fitted sizes. Custom fitted hats for women are not nearly as popular, however, as those hats for men. Women's hats tend to be worn in looser styles, and so the custom fit is not as necessary for a woman as it is for men's styles.
When choosing from the many types of custom fitted hats, ultimately once the style is determined sizing is the most important factor. Taking a measurement of the head is required to find out the specific size of custom fitted hat that will fit best, no matter the type of hat to be purchased. A measurement of about one half inch above the eyebrows, where the hat should comfortably rest, is the correct place to take the measurement. This measurement is best taken with a tape measure, as it completely conforms to the shape of the person's head. If a tape measure is not available, a string can be used to take the measurement and then measured against a ruler or yard stick. For any type of custom fitted hat to fit correctly, a proper measurement is required. Interested in hats? Check our our Tracy Watts of New York page. Authored by Niki Foster and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/UOim7z  A fedora is a type of hat, often associated with detectives and spies in the first half of the 20th century. It is usually worn by men, but women's versions also exist. The classic example is made of soft felt, but hats of the same shape made of straw, twill, and other textiles may also be called a fedora. It has a pinched crown and a brim that is often turned down in the front. This hat style was named after the title character in Victorien Sardou's 1882 play Fédora, originally played by Sarah Bernhardt, who wore a similar hat onstage. Fedoras were first made in their current style in the 1910s, and they quickly became popular for their stylishness and practicality. Because it was more compact than hat styles of the previous century, it was ideal for riding in automobiles and for the increasing crowdedness of city life. Business men did not go outdoors in the mid-20th century without a hat, and that hat was usually a fedora. The fedora was also popularized in films of the 1940s and 50s, particularly those in the film noirstyle. The image of the detective or tough guy in a fedora and trench coat is still strong in the popular consciousness. People who wear the hat today often do so as an homage to the style of earlier decades. It has also traditionally been worn by Hasidic and Haredi Jewish men since its invention. Though it fell out of fashion in the 1960s and 70s, and men's headgear has become more of an option than a requirement, the fedora is once again gaining in popularity. It is classy without being too formal, and its flexible shape allows the wearer to customize it to some degree. The hats can be found in nearly any color, though brown, black, and tan are the most common, and a feather on the side is a common feature. It remains the best-selling style of men's head wear.
For our range of hats, check out our Tracy Watts page. |
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