First, here are the top 10 pieces that the Mad Men costume designer thinks every woman should own. (See Monday’s post if you’d like a chance to win a copy of Janie Bryant’s book, The Style Files.) Notice there’s no classic white shirt on the list! Is there anything that you think is missing? And what on the list would you remove?
- A great pair of jeans.
- Tailored blazer.
- Sleek pencil skirt.
- Designer knee-high leather boots.
- Fantastic coat.
- Modern-day dress.
- Sexy cocktail dress.
- Classic cardigan.
- T-shirts.
- A pair of chic shoes from the current season.
See her guidelines for the curvy hourglass body type after the jump. I share my reactions below them.
Objective: Show off that waist, which will become the sexy focal point of your silhouette.
Wardrobe staples:
- A bra with amazing support! Wrap tops and blouses that nip at the waist.
- Flat-front, side-zip, and pocketless pants–preferably with boot-cut or flared bottoms.
Indulge:
- High-waisted slacks.
- Light-knit cardigans.
- Belted jackets or coats.
Avoid:
- Shifts or trapeze dresses that hide your shape.
- Any styles that overemphasize the hips, like a gathered skirt.
Optimum neckline: V-neck, portrait, sweetheart, and off-the-shoulder styles flatter.
Your best-cut dress: One word: sheath. Wrap dresses in jersey or light cotton and styles with princess-seamed bodices also work well.
Jeans of choice: A higher rise will solve gaping at the waistband, and seek out jeans with flare at the leg and some stretch (Lycra) to let curves breathe.
Your ideal bathing suit: A halter-top style or bandeau with high-waisted bottom is a great retro style that works.
I only found two surprises on this list: the high-waisted slacks and bathing suit suggestions. My jury is still out on the slacks, but I think of halter-top swimsuits the same way I think of halter-top wedding dresses: they’re fine if you want your busts to be the focal point. And has anyone found a bandeau style that actually covers their breasts?
And of course, her emphasis on the waist is great. We all love to show our waists. But I’d like tips on finding clothes that fit our bust and waist or any advice she’s given Christina Hendricks on how to alter clothes to fit our bust and waist. I guess that’s what this blog is for!
I also think the pants and bathing suit suggestions are weird. I do actually wear halter-top swim suits, but a bandau style doesn't offer any support at all!
I discovered a couple of years ago how excellent sheath dresses are and I have several of them from Ann Taylor Loft now. I was surprised because I always thought I had to have a v-neckline or something like that, but the sheath is really flattering.
I also have lots of cardigans. Several of them I knit myself so I could have exactly the weight and colors that I wanted.
I have a nice vintage-style bandau bathing suit by Panache. If it fits and is supportive, why not? And actually, I find that style can be quite minimizing. But I don't believe in obsessing over hiding my boobs. I don't like to show a lot of cleavage, but I'm not against clothing that has decoration or such there. Besides, if I make my chest look too small then I would look like a pear not an hourglass. 🙂
The high-waisted slacks make sense to me because lower rise pants can cut into your hips making that whole "muffin top" thing. If you're hourglass shaped, then by definition you carry more weight on your hips. But higher waisted pants emphasize the waist. If only I could find some that were more modern, and with stretch…
Thing thing that surprises me is the skirt recommendations. I don't feel like I look good at all in pencil skirts. It's like they give me belly pooch and I don't even have belly pooch. 🙂 But I really love flared ones.
Aamba, I LOVE the cardigans that you knit on your blog (http://craftycarolynknits.blogspot.com/). And I'm a big fan of sheath dresses, too. So is this Washington Post writer: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102900354.html
I prefer them w/ flattering necklines, but I've gotten away w/ boat and jewel necks, too. I just wish more of them came w/ sleeves.
Brittany, I'm glad you could take the time to comment because I'm missing you on your blog. I hope things lighten up for you soon. I think if a bandeau fits and supports, there's no reason not to wear it, and if it's by Panache, then it's made for us. I also had a good experience with a Shoshanna dress that I wrote about here: http://www.redvioletproject.com/2009/01/i-tried-shoshanna-part-1.html But usually bandeaus end up bifurcating our boobs because the manufacturers use smaller-busted fit models.
You're the 2nd hourglassy woman I've met who doesn't like the way she looks in a pencil skirt.
Thanks Darlene, it's good to know I've been missed. 🙂 The last couple of weeks have been very intense for me at school, but things are almost back to normal now and I'm working on posting again very soon.
I guess about the bandeaus…I try to differentiate between *styles* that look good or bad on an hourglassy woman, and styles that hourglassy women have less trouble fitting into. For example, I used to wear nothing but stretchy t-shirts, because that was about all I could fit into in most stores. But that doesn't mean other styles don't look great on me, when they are designed for my shape.