The Long-Awaited Dressing Room Test

     Several posts ago, a "Dressing Room Test" was mentioned. Now, at long last, I am posting the said test, which was written up by my friend Golethiril.

The Dressing Room Test

There are many variations on this test, but I believe this covers all the basics without going overboard. Many modesty tests don’t take into account style, so these questions are a bit comprehensive. Don’t be overwhelmed by them, though. They are really very simple. When trying things on in the dressing room, you are trying to establish two things: 1) Can I move in this? And 2) Does this make me look good? If the item matches the basic style and modesty criteria, the answer will be “yes” to both. If the answer to one or the other is negative, and the item is a no-no!

Tops

-          [For button down shirts, begin by buttoning all but the top button.] Does the shirt feel tight around your chest? Are there any puckers? Can you see any skin through the shirt? If so, your shirt is too tight. Can you pinch more than an inch of fabric on the sides? Do the armholes come down to your bra? If so, your shirt is too loose.

-          Bend over towards the mirror. Can you see down the front of your shirt? Wearing a camisole will not make up for big shadows.

-          Make sure that the second-to-top button hits at just about three fingers from your collarbone. You should never button the top button for style purposes, so makes sure that you’ll still be modest.

-          Longer is better if you’ll be tucking the shirt in, but too long will make funny lines on your pants. A good length is about 2 inches below the hips.

Pants

-          First of all, can you get into them without a struggle? If you can’t, they’re too tight.

-          A good pair of pants, jeans included, will skim your legs rather than hug them. You should be able to pinch about an inch of fabric right underneath your derriere if they fit correctly.

-          No panty lines. Period. Exclamation point.

-          Squat on the floor. If they slide down farther than your hips, they’re too tight. If they puff out and you need a belt, they’re too big. (The latter you can get away with if you don’t tuck your shirt in, but they certainly won’t be stylish if you don’t.)  Note: If you are a pear, you will probably need a belt for 99% of the pants you wear. Therefore, when trying on pants, you should try them on with a belt.

-          Pants should never be shorter than the bottom of your ankle. Capris should never be shorter than four inches below your knees. Shorts should never be shorter than the tips of your fingers. You’ll be completely uncomfortable in anything less.

Skirts

-          A general style rule for skirts is that you want the skirt to hit right at the thinnest parts of your leg to make you look slimmer. Universally, there are two spots to hit: right below your knees (where the calf is thinnest) and where the leg tapers to the ankle (which is roughly two-thirds to three-quarters down your calf). Modesty issues aside, your knees are the least flattering part of your leg regardless of how well-toned you are.

-          To determine the modesty of a skirt, start by kneeling on the floor. Yes, it’s old fashioned, but it works. If the skirt touches the floor, it’s generally a safe bet. After that, sit down in the chair in the dressing room facing the mirror with your knees together. Can you see up the skirt? It’s too short. (This is critical when it comes to pencil skirts, which slide up 2-3 inches when you sit down.) Now widen your knees (just a tad-- you are not a cowboy! :-) ) and sit comfortably. Can you see up the skirt? It’s too tight.


So there you have it: The Dressing Room Test! Next post will be all about apples!

The Summer's Last Strawberry

     Now for the fun stuff: accessories! In order to draw attention away from the upper torso, strawberries should go for long-strap purses, and shoes that stand out. Shoes with buckles, beadwork, etc. Colored shoes can be good too. Stay away, though, from stilettos and platform shoes. These will not flatter you, but in fact do the opposite.



      I would also be careful with head ornaments, at least with the ones that are closer to your face. I'm not saying "Don't wear any earrings or headbands," but I am advising you to be especially unostentatious with them. Same thing with necklaces. Bulky ones will only add more volume up top, but average-size ones that can look fabulous.

     Next fruit on the menu-- apple.

Strawberry Shortcake

     Moving on to tops and dresses for strawberry-shaped women. You have a hard task ahead of you, since even conservative necklines tend to show cleavage in your case. Fear not! Especially if you are well-versed in the old tank-top trick. :-)

     One really cool thing for you to try is tunic dresses. If you can't find any long enough, you can add a band to the bottom, or wear them as a blouse with a pair of straight-legged pants for a fun, Asian-inspired look! Bias-cut dresses are also a good choice for you, as are v-necked tops (though modest ones are hard to find) and dresses. Button-fronts (closed or open), open cardigans, and open jackets will help take attention away from the width of your top with thier vertical lines. Be advised, though, when it comes to button-fronts: all have a nasty habit of opening every so often, some more than others. Keep this in mind, and get one that doesn't gap so much. You also will want to wear another layer underneath.

     What you really don't want is anything that will add volume to the top half of your body: puffed sleeves, thick shirts, shoulder pads, double-breasted coats, heavy embroidery, eye-catching designs, horizontal stripes, etc.

     I only wish that I could give you more tips. Not being a strawberry myself, I'm afraid I can't give as much advice as I should like. Therefore, if you have any input regarding this, please share! :-)

Strawberry Fields Forever

     So, now that we've discussed pears, we are ready to move on to the next fruit: strawberries.

     Strawberries are the exact opposite of pears; however, they can and should wear some of the same articles of clothing. For instance, strawberries look great in skirts that are bias and fuller. Full skirts with bright colors and patterns are especially good for you. Fitted skirts (pencil, tube, etc.) are not at all a good idea. Why? They will put a lot of unwanted emphasis on your bust, and make you look larger up top than you really are. Short skirts will also do this.

     Light colored pants are something you should try. Light and wide-legged. Just be careful when buying white pants: you need to make sure that they are not see-through; this is best tested out by bending over or squatting in the fitting room. Tapered pants, leggings, and shorts will have the same effect on you as will tight skirts, and therefore should not be worn. Two other things to look for are cargo pants, and pants/skirts that have details at the hem.

     So-- feel free to experiment with different skirts and pants! Just remember not to buy anything that you don't like, even if it does flatter you. Wearing clothes that you don't like is no fun at all, and doesn't make you look like your gorgeous and awesome self.  :-)

"Ten Tips for Effortless, Modest Style"

     Ladies and ladies, we interrupt this shape broadcast to respond to your feedback. My friend Golethiril has graciously written up a list of some extremely helpful tricks of the trade.

Ten Tips for Effortless, Modest Style

1)      Buy a camisole. In fact, buy one in every standard color (white, cream, black, brown, etc.). The best ones have lace edging (on the top is preferable to the bottom, as few people can pull off the eye being attracted to hips; That is to say: Pears? You don't want lace edging on the bottom.). Wear one under everything – you’ll be glad you did.

2)      Do a bit of research. Figure out your body type, your skin type, and your face shape. Read a good style book like InStyle’s Secrets of Style and find what kinds of clothing most flatter your body type.  Only buy clothing that makes you look stunning. J

3)      Invest in quality clothing. One thing that looks really good on you and you’ll wear frequently is less expensive in the long run than six or seven cheap tops that will fall apart and don’t even flatter you.

4)      Know the dressing room test and NEVER buy anything without subjecting it to testing!

a.       A corollary to this is to know how big one inch actually is. On most people, the first link of your pointer finger is just under one inch.  This dressing room test will be coming in another post.

5)      Buy slips that reach to just above your knees. This way a) you can move in them, and b) if your slip shows beneath the skirt, you know it’s too short. And please, girls, do wear one. Not only are they helpful when it's windy, but they create a smoother look, hide panty-lines, and hide the outline of your legs (when the skirt is a light color or fabric weight and you are stanging in front in the sun).

6)      Never, EVER buy something just for the size. No one can tell what size an article of clothing is when it’s on you – but they CAN tell if it doesn’t fit. (A fashion industry tip – every clothing manufacturer sizes their clothing slightly differently [this is known as “vanity sizing” for a reason], so sizes are completely relative anyways.)

7)      When trying on pants, shorts, or capris, always look in a three-way mirror. If you can see panty lines or a distinct outline of your derrière without even bending over, they’re too small. (If you can when bending over, it’s a bit more subjective.)

8)      Be very careful when buying anything sleeveless. Modern fashions don’t take into account that very unflattering part of skin that sits between your chest and your underarm, and usually leave it exposed. The eye is automatically drawn to it precisely because it is so unflattering. This makes your arms look flabby and generally makes you look uncomfortable in your own clothing, even if you aren’t. If you want a tank top or a sleeveless top, make sure the straps go all the way to the edge of your shoulders and are wide enough to cover that patch of skin. Also be very careful about the size of the straps and the size of the armholes. Thin and spaghetti straps make it look like you are wearing not a shirt, but underwear. Look in the mirror and move your arms in every direction. Many armholes expose one's bra. Make sure that this is not the case before you buy a given sleeveless top or dress. (But don't let them be too tight, either.) And remember that bra straps need to be hidden at all times. A strapless bra will make this easier for you if you wear sleeveless.

9)      Accessorize! Accessories are a brilliant way to bring eyes away from problem areas towards the best part of you - your face! They are also an inexpensive way to add color to your wardrobe as you build it up from the basics. Just don’t get carried away – follow standard fashion rules and you can’t go wrong.

10)   Finally, never buy any shoe with more than a 3 inch heel. There are several reasons for this. First, they are very uncomfortable and very dangerous to walk in. Secondly, anything that tall puts a distinctive “sexy” swagger in your walk, which puts attention on your derrière. Thirdly, you can’t wear them with as many outfits because they simply aren’t practical and are completely inappropriate in most circumstances (i.e. showers, weddings, religious services, work situations, around children, the list goes on….) I think-- but can't say for sure, as I do not wear extremely high heels-- that this is a bit different for girls of different heights and shoe sizes. What is a high heel for a size 5 foot may not be very high for a size 10 foot, even if they are the same height in inches. This rule is still an excellent one to follow. Not only do shoes with very high heels change your walk, but they can also look provocative even if you are just standing. If you are not sure about a given shoe, walk the way you normally do, and have a friend or sister watch from the back to make sure your walk is not made provocative by the shoes. If you have to make a conscious effort to walk modestly in the shoe, don't buy it. Just don't. It's not worth it. Also, I agree that very high heels are not appropriate for church. I shall have to delve into shoes more in the future...

Dearest Pears, P.S.

     I forgot to mention one very important thing: fit of pants. If you are a pear, a belt is a MUST. For you, finding flattering pants that fit both your waist and your hips is nigh impossible. Therefore, the best solution (next to professional altering, I suppose) is to buy pants that fit your hips, and use a belt. Do not buy pants that are tight on the hips but okay on the waist. This is certainly not modest; nor is it comfortable.

The Perfect Pear, Part the Second

     Now onto more do's and don't's for pears to wear...
     When it comes to pear-flattering skirts, you basically follow the same idea as you do for pants: wide at the bottom, and on the flowing side. Therefore, a-line, gypsy, and other full skirts will be great on you. What skirts should you not wear? Bias, pencil, and definitely not mermaid. Shorter skirts will emphasize the hips too much for you, so you should probably wear all your skirts below the knee, and not at it.

     Shorts are, of course, a no-no for you. Even long shorts that come just above the knee will highlight the size of your hips. Ankle boots will probably not flatter you, nor will shoes with pointy toes. (Longer boots, on the other hand, will work nicely.) Purses that have long straps are probably not the best choice, either, as they will draw attention to your hips, thus making them stand out more, and making them look bigger. As far as accessories go, it's a good idea to wear things that draw attention upwards.

     So, there you have it! Pretty Dressing for Pears, in a nutshell. Just remember, don't just wear something because it flatters you. Wear it because you like it, because it brings out your natural beauty, and because it shows the world who you are inside: a unique daughter of God with her own awesome personality.

The Perfect Pear, Part the First

     So you've discovered that you are a pear, and you're wondering what to wear. (Rhyming unintentional.) Generally speaking, you look best in clothes that emphasize your bust, and not your hips. For instance, wide-legged, bootcut, and flare are the best pant cuts for you. This is because they take attention away from your hips. What you really do not want to wear are tapered pants and especially skinny jeans. (I honestly don't think skinny jeans are very flattering on anyone; can't say that I think they're terribly modest, either, as they are pretty much thick, footless tights. This is especially true for girls with larger hips.)

      Here are some examples of pants that would flatter a pear-shaped lady:

     As far as blouses go, look for ones that are colorful, or have lots of detail. Do NOT, I repeat, NOT wear anything baggy. If you wear a shirt or a dress that's too big or baggy up top, you will look shapeless. Because you are small, you can also wear shirts that have ruffles on the bodice. Puffed sleeves, and other full sleeve styles are also a good idea for you.

(No, I don't endorse every single of these necklines. Then again, that's what tank tops are for.)

     Anyway, I think I've talked enough for now. Don't want to leave you with a super-long post, so I'll finish up my discussion on pears next time. :-)

     Ultimately, the best way to determine whether or not you should wear a given item is to try it on. There are always exceptions to the rules.

All About Shapes

     There are a number of factors that go into figuring out what looks good on you. These are skin tone, face shape, hair and eye color, age, height, and body type/shape. Shape is one of the big reasons why a given piece will look great on one girl, while it looks terrible on another. Following the basic rules for your shape will help make it easier for you to look your very best at all times.

     There are a basic body shapes are as follows.

     Pear: The largest part of your body is your hips. The good news is that you don't have to worry very much about exposing cleavage, and that you can wear very bright and decorated blouses.

     Strawberry: You are the exact opposite of the pear, as your chest is the most prominent part of your torso. The good news for you is that you're not concerned about your hips; therefore, you can wear bias-cut skirts.

     Apple: If you are an apple, you have a larger mid-section. However, you can also wear bias-cut skirts, as well as empire waisted dresses (something not many women can wear).

     Hourglass: This is the what many people call the "perfect" shape; however, that doesn't mean everything looks great on you. (Sorry, girls. Nobody can wear everything well. :-) )

     Rectangle: Rectangles were very much the fashion in the 1920's. They are women with boyish bodies; that is to say, they are slender with few curves. The good news is that you aren't the least bit concerned with trying to look smaller, whether on the top or on the bottom.



Mary Pickford, Actress

       So, the first step is to figure out which shape you are. Next step will be coming along, as I go into the details of what each shape should and shouldn't wear in order to look amazing.

Staples-- Last ones

     The very last bit of my list of must-haves:

9. Mineral Foundation Powder. If you're only going to own one makeup product, that
         product has to be powder. It is not as heavy as foundation (a plus all year round,
         but especially in the summer), easier to put on, and better for your skin. Mineral
         foundation also provides better coverage than regular powder.
10. Mascara. For the top lashes, I'd suggest black. Just be sure not to wear too much,
         or you'll have "raccoon eyes," which are not exactly flattering. Properly done
         mascara will bring attention up to one's eyes, which are naturally the best part of
         the body and the part that you want people to focus on. It is also helpful if your
         eyelashes are naturally light or short, as it makes them look longer, fuller, and--
         of course-- darker.

     And.... That's the end of the list! The next few posts will be about dressing for your
body type, or modesty guidelines, so check back for some very useful dressing tips.

Nothing Much

Hello, peoples!

    I am not quite sure what to write, so I thought that today's post would be a very informal and digressive one. (I'll finish the list of staples later.) I see that a number of you have voted. So far, I have three for movies, two for modesty questions, and one for books. I see that I will have to discuss those.... Soon. :-)

     I suppose I shall say a bit more about myself today. I am the oldest of ten children, and I've four brothers and five sisters. I love napping, coffee, chocolate, ice cream, dancing, music, learning about foreign cultures, and-- of course-- pretty clothes.
     And... here is a picture of one of my bookshelves (actually, most of these books belong to my dad, but anyway...):

     I hope you all approve. :-)

Staples-R-Us, Part 2

     Back to the list of stuff that I command you--- er, advise you--- to own.

5. Belts. Everybody needs at least one. They don't just hold pants up. They can be used to
             complete an outfit, whether by being worn with a shirt that is tucked in, or on top
             of a dress or long shirt. Naturally, the best for versatility are black and brown
             leather belts. As to the thickness, that depends upon you. Long-waisted people
             need thicker belts than those with short waists. It just looks better that way.

6. Purses.

          A. Dark neutral (preferably black)

          B. Light neutral (such as beige; white is more likely to get soiled)

7. Jewelry

          A. Earrings

                      1. Plain gold studs/hoops

                      2. Plain silver studs/hoops

                      3. Rather plain pearl earrings, either tear-drop or studs

          B. Watch. Be it leather, silver, or gold, a good watch is always important to have.

          C. Necklaces

                      1. Fairly simple gold

                      2. Fairly simple silver

                      3. Pearl, the length of which is up to you, but I find that it is more useful
                          to have only a shorter one than to have only a longer one.

         D. Bracelets. Some people are really into bracelets, but I am not. This is partly
              because I find that they are hard to put on, get in your way, and don't
              work terribly well with long sleeves. If you like to wear bracelets often,
              then I suggest following what I wrote for necklaces. Bangles work very
              well if they are properly made, thin, and simple. Gold and silver
             bangles are sure to compliment dozens of outfits, whether worn singly or five
             at a time.

8. Hair stuff

         A. Assorted hairpins. These are indispensible for medium and long hair. They
              can be used for so many things. Just make sure to get the kind that have
              rounded edges, and that match your hair color pretty well.

        B. Barrettes. You are never too old for them.

        C. Hairties. I find that the ones that have no metal-- and thus claim to be snag
             -free-- stretch out VERY easily. At least the thin ones do.

        D. Headbands. There are many different kinds of headbands, from the basic
             type, to the kind that have strips of fabric on the end so you can tie them
            and then drape the ends over your shoulder. If you have bangs, you
            probably want to wear them in front of the headband, and not back with
            the rest of your hair. (Unless, of course, you are wearing a headband
            precisely for the purpose of keeping those bangs out of the way.)

Notes on the First of the Staples

Dear Readers,

     I have received feedback, and I thought I'd share some of it with you, as well as go more into depth about that which I have listed so far.

     Skirts. Each of the staple skirts should be of a medium weight and medium-long length (below the knee, but above the ankle). That way, they are wearable all year round.
     Jeans. Darker jeans-- but not black-- are usually the best, because they can be dressed up far more easily than can light jeans.
     Tops. Tank tops are vital. They can often be used to solve the aptly-named "too low" and "too transparent" problems that so many tops and dresses out there have. A white tank is best for most clothes, but some blouses may require a black tank.
     As to colors, one needs to be sure-- even with skirts, I hear-- that not to buy something that is the wrong color for her. A good friend of mine said, "not every girl can wear tan/khaki. For those with honey colored skin (like me) it completely washes you out unless it's exactly the right shade."
     And speaking of colors, brown, olive green, and navy blue are other classics that go with a wide variety of colors.
     One more comment I received was this: "The use of neutral colours allows your brighter articles to pop and stand out more."
     I was also asked to talk about different cuts, but fit and color of clothes is a topic for another post. :-)

Staples-R-Us, Part 1

     Today we are dealing with staples: things every girl should have.
     As far as clothes go, every girl needs to have multitaskers, pieces that go with just about everything. Here's a list; notice the pattern...

     1. Skirts
                 A. Denim
                 B. Khaki
                 C. Black
     2. Pants
               A. Jeans
               B. Khaki
               C. Black dress pants
    3. Tops
               A. White blouse
               B. Coat (NOT a snow jacket, an actual coat)
               C. Black, white, beige, or grey layering sweater or cardigan
    4. Shoes
               A. Black dress shoes
               B. Sneakers
               C. White, off-white, or beige dress sandals or shoes
               D. Brown or tan semi-dressy sandals

     As you can see, there is a good deal of black, white, and tan. These three colors are almost guaranteed to go with anything you wear, thus giving you more outfit options for less money. (And that's always a good thing. :-) )  All these items are essential for the average modern lady. Having these creates a base for a great and versatile wardrobe.

Getting Started

     Hello, all! My name is Elavria, and I'm a college student at a small Catholic University. I've often longed for a source that shows the happy meeting grounds of modesty, beauty, and style. Therefore, I decided to create this blog. I firmly believe that one does not have to "wear a tent," as the expression goes, in order to dress appropriately. Rather, I think that proper use of feminine beauty is one way that God shows His glory. So, tell me what you think as I talk on and on about clothes, hair, makeup, modesty, and the like!