Feel-Good Friday

I have loved writing the Your Personal Style series, and am sad to see it coming to a close {for now}. If you would like to know more specifically about your fashion personality, lifestyle, body type, or color palette, contact me at grownupdressup{at}gmail{dot}com or check out your options of services. After understanding where we fall in each of these categories, the final step is putting it all together and adding your own personal flair. So I leave you with these wise words from Coco Chanel:

Be sure to come back next week for some holiday fun!

Color Palette: Winter

Winter Beauties:

Cool beige, olive, or bronze skin

Blue, blue-violet, or brown eyes

Dark brown or black hair

Your Best Colors:

(cool, vivid, deep)

Black, emerald, charcoal, lemon, grey

hot pink, periwinkle, grape, icy blue, red, 

icy violet, navy, burgundy, raspberry, icy pink

aqua, white, taupe, purple, icy green.

Wardrobe Cluster:

Make-up Shades: 

Eyes: Contour- Brown, plum, grey

Highlight- icy pink, champagne, 

Liner- Black, navy, plum, grey

Lips: Red, fuchsia, burgundy

Cheeks: Pink, plum, red

Celebrity to Watch:

Zooey Deschanel

Color Palette: Autumn

Autumn Beauties:

Ivory to mocha skin

Blue, green, hazel, or dark brown eyes

Warm brown, red, auburn, or dark brown hair

Your Best Colors:

(warm, subdued, deep)

Chocolate, lime, pumpkin, rust, coral

jade, gold, purple, grey, tomato, 

orange, teal, aqua, olive, light navy

brown, ivory, forest, aubergine, terra cotta,

gold jewelry

Wardrobe Cluster:

Make-up Shades:

Eyes: Contour- Camel, copper, olive, grey

Highlight- Peach, gold, ivory

Liner- Brown, teal, purple, copper

Lips: Peach, spice, mango

Cheeks: Russet, peach, 

Celebrity to Watch:

Jessica Alba

Feel-Good Friday: Emma Watson

Who doesn't love the adorable Emma Watson. I love that she is not only a darling dresser, but also an admirable role model.

"There's nothing interesting about looking perfect- you lose the point. You want what you're wearing to say something about you, about who you are."

-Emma Watson

Happy Friday! The Black Friday sale ends Monday.

Joyful

Have you seen Shabby Apple's new holiday line?  Polka dots, festive colors, and luxurious textured fabrics, what more could a girl ask for this holiday season? 

Use code: JOYFULSEASON to save 20% site wide!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Color Palette: Summer

Summer Beauties:

Ivory to tan skin

Blue, blue-green, grey, or hazel eyes

Platinum blonde to mousy brown hair

Your Best Colors:

 (cool, subdued, light)

Rose brown, blue-green, light navy, grey, petal pink, 

teal, charcoal, orchid, light lemon, true red, 

pink, robin egg blue, mint, green, violet, 

pastel pink, powder blue, cranberry, blue, taupe,
silver jewelry.

Wardrobe Cluster:

Make-up Shades:

Eyes: Contour- Blue, grey, plum, cocoa

Highlight- Soft pink, champagne, lavender, mint

Liner- navy, charcoal, blue, cocoa

Lips: Soft pink, raspberry, rose, plum

Cheeks: soft pink, raspberry

Celebrity to watch:

Reese Witherspoon

Black Friday Sale!

50% off services if you book now through Friday, and 50% off the consignment store. (use code blackfriday)
Happy shopping! 

Feel-Good Friday

Enjoy your weekend and come back for a fun surprise and the rest of the color palette series!

Color Palette: Spring

Spring Beauties:

Porcelain to tan skin

Blue, green, hazel, or brown eyes

Honey blonde, strawberry blonde, red, or warm brown hair

Your Best Colors:

(warm, vivid, light)

Chocolate, green, light navy, grey, coral, 

turquoise, gold, purple, moss, clear red, 

watermelon, deep teal, aqua, yellow-green, medium blue, camel, ivory, peach, periwinkle, mint, 

gold jewelry.

Wardrobe Cluster:

Make-up Shades:

Eyes: Contour- Grey, brown, teal

Highlight- Peach, champagne, ivory

Liner- Copper, brown, teal, purple

Lips: Peach, clear red, mango

Cheeks: Peach, salmon

Celebrity to watch:

Emma Stone

Love Your Color Palette

I used to love my new boxes of crayons. I loved placing each color back in its cardboard place holder, the little crayon sharpener on the back, and the creative names for each color. My favorite Crayola was cerulean. I had many different pronunciations for the color and truthfully never learned the correct one until years later watching Miranda Priestly lecture Andy in the Devil Wears Prada. In this video she teaches us a lesson not only in phonics, but color analysis as well: Once hue choices move beyond the coloring book, and onto our bodies they become more significant. Choosing the right colors to wear will make your eyes sparkle and your skin radiant. Whether cerulean, macaroni and cheese, shocking pink, or granny smith apple is right for you will depend upon the natural coloring of your skin tone and your hair color. Follow the flow chart below to bring you to your correct seasonal color category. After you arrive, come back later this week to discuss each season in further detail. Happy analyzing!

Body Type: Straight Figure

If you answered E and have an angular shape, you have a straight figure. To find a waistline, so you don't get lost in your clothes, purchase pieces which create it for you through a wide band. You can also belt your outfit, only after making sure there is sufficient volume on either hemisphere. Most designers create garments with you in mind. Your body resembles the same ones they send down the runway to sell their clothing. You have the most freedom when it comes to clothing choices.You also want to create volume on both your top and bottom halves. You can do this through bright colors, embellished garments, and details, details, details. If you have a straight figure and are petite, take care not to overwhelm your small frame with large prints and patterns.     

Body Type: Hourglass Figure

If you answered D and have curves with a defined waist, you have an hourglass figure. Hourglass bodies are perhaps the most coveted, and don't need a lot of embellishment. Keep the line of your tops and bottoms simple and clean, and let your va va voom do the talking. V neck tops, button downs, and cowl necks are all great options for your top half, while boot cut jeans and A line skirts will best flatter your lower half. Don't forget to highlight your natural waist with a belt or built in seam. Let your fashion personality shine through your accessories: Statement earrings, bold shoes and belts, bracelets, and bags can all be colorful, sparkly, bold, and full of character.  If you have an hourglass figure with some middle figure considerations, follow the same guidelines, leaving the belt off. The only thing remaining is to work it, girl!

Body Type: Middle Figure

If you answered C, and have a soft, womanly core, you have a middle figure. Your body type looks best in flowy and blousy tops. Create focus near your face with a bold necklace, collar, or ruffled blouse. You would also do well to invest in a structured jacket, which will highlight the waist for you. Choose skirts and pants with a mid or high rise that rest somewhere near your belly button. Middle figures often forget to play up their greatest features: their slender arms and legs. Draw attention to your arms with a darling cap sleeve, butterfly top, or puffy sleeve. Pair this with a wrist full of bangles or a cuff bracelet. You are one of the lucky ones who can pull off a tapered leg jean and you will look smashing in a pencil skirt, although pants and skirts are basically limitless for you. Complete your outfit with an ankle strap or statement color shoe.

Body Type: Lower Figure

If you answered B, and have curvy hips and legs, and a smaller chest, you have a lower figure. Generally speaking, you should spend your money to clothe the area of your body that is most difficult to dress. Splurge on a pair of jeans that you love to wear and make you happy because you will wear them continually. Remember the importance of pocket placement. Choose pockets that are in proportion to your body. Small pockets will draw attention to the area, and accentuate your derierre. The skirts and dresses that best flatter your body type have a simple silhouette and an A-line drape. Create balance by having fun with your blouses and tops. Beading, sequins, peter pan collars, and high necks will all make your top half appear larger. A bold necklace will also bring the attention back to your face. Highlight the smallest part of your frame, the waist, with a belt or seam within the garment and finish off your look with a stacked heel or wedge. 

Body Type: Upper Figure

If you answered mostly A, and have a well endowed chest and slender legs, you have an upper figure. V necks, scoop necks, and plain colored tops are all great options for you to flatter your body type. Necklaces that hit at the collarbone or below the bust line will elongate your frame, and drop earrings will bring the attention back to your face. A fitted jacket with a button closure will polish any of your outfits, and cinch in your waist. Don't forget the importance of a proper bra fitting, as the outfit is only as flattering as its foundation. Resist the urge to buy oversized potato sacks that hide your figure. Instead, play with color, pattern, and texture on your lower half to call attention away from your, ahem, ample bust. Try brightly colored demin, pleated and ruffled skirts, heavy fabrics, such as velvet, and bold prints to create a balanced look from headband to high heels.

Love Your Body Type

Body type. Ouch. Perhaps the most dreaded component of Your Personal Style. I can relate as I have been turned off by many a magazine, website, or style book calling me a "pear." I am a woman, not a piece of fruit. I hope you will hear me out because knowledge is power and my intent is not to tell you all the things you can't wear. Each body type inherently comes with positive attributes as well as its own set of challenges. Most of us long to be whichever one we're not, but my goal is to help you like your body. Once we understand our bodies it becomes easier to clothe them and to love them! 

Each of us have a shape unique to us, but we will generally fit into one of five categories. Finding where you fit in can most likely be determined by answering the following question:

If you were to indulge in this little beauty, where on your figure would you see the results?

A. Bust &/back

B. Hips &/thighs

C. Tummy

D. Evenly distributed

E. Nowhere

A follow up question:

You find it most difficult to shop for:

 A. Blouses that close

B. Pants that fit

C. Blouses that don't cling

D. Blouses and pants

E. Nothing, clothes seem to be made for me

And finally the measurements. Grab a tape measure, a piece paper, and a pencil. Take a deep breath this is for scientific purposes only. 

1. Measure your bust at the widest part.

2. Measure your waist, somewhere near your belly button.

3. Measure your hips at the widest part.

4. Confirm your body type by the following equations:

A. Bust > hip measurement.

B. Hip > bust measurement.

C. Bust = waist = hip measurement, and overall look is soft and curvy.

D. Bust = hip measurement, 

&

 waist < hip & bust measurements

E. Bust = hip = waist, and overall look is angular and straight.

If you need further help, try this calculator or ask a trusted friend. Sometimes it's easier for others to see. 

Ok you made it past the hard part, all you need to do is remember A,B,C,D, or E and come back tomorrow to discuss each body type in more detail.