Miss American Fork Scholarship Pageant Pictures

Check out these gorgeous contestants (and their Little Misses)! I wish I had time to name all these beautiful girls, but I have to run...I'll post more later!

Winner: Kaitlin Hale

Big THANKS to the Miss A.F. Pageant!

I had the awesome opportunity these last couple months to work with the MISS AMERICAN FORK SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT here in Utah. Not only were these girls smart, beautiful, and confident - they dressed great!

I was invited to do workshops for these teens and misses on how to dress appropriately for their interview and bring out their personality in all of the categories. These girls looked their age but still appropriate for the work place (better than some at my office) and life. Not to mention these girls can find steals on some great eveningwear! I will post pictures soon, thanks for the wonderful experience, hard work, and great production! I'll post some pictures and I'll see you girls next year!

How to Dress an Upside-Down Triangle

Defination Upside-Down Triangle: top is bigger than bottom.
Your shoulders shoulders are wider than your waist and hips.

Upside-down triangles (or pears), I believe, have the hardest time shopping for eveningwear because they usually have no hips. (Curves are good ladies!) Stay away from clothing that can broaden the look of your shoulders - boat necks, halter tops, even small spagetti straps can enhance your already-broad-shoulders. Try and bring attention to your waist or hips, and give your shoulders some balance.

• Fuller skirts and dresses will help even out your shoulders and hips.
• Wrap dresses will break up the visual space between your shoulders making them look smaller.
• Dress "heavier" on the bottom - wide-leg or bootcut jeans with a wide (or even bright) colored belt.
• Stay away from cropped jackets and puff sleeves: they will only make your shoulders look wider.

How to Dress an Oval Body

Defination Oval: top and bottom are even while middle is bigger.
Your waist is wider than your shoulders and hips.

Some think that oval shapes may be the hardest to dress, but here's some tips: use broadening and slimming techniques, just like every other figure! Broaden your shoulders and hips (my goodness) and slim down the waist area. Use tips from other body types to learn how to enhance your own!

• Wrap dresses with a fuller skirt and a puff sleeve will give the illusion of an hourglass figure.
• Jackets with some support (a small shoulderpad) and some darts for fitting will give the look of slimming down your waist.
• Look for princess seams (seams that go over the bust line, dividing your body into three parts) in dress shirts and dresses. Your eye will see the line and concentrate on the middle part (the largest area) and skim over the side parts, creating a slimming effect.

How to Dress a Rectangle Body

Defination Rectangle: top, middle, and bottom are all even.
Shoulders, waist, and hips are same width.

I think rectangular/square bodies are great but I have found that those who have them think otherwise. So the trick with this shape is to make others think you have an hourglass figure. This body type is probably one of the best to pull off skinny jeans.

• Accessories, like belts, that draw attention to the middle are great to create the illusion your waist is smaller than your hips and shoulders.
• Play with volumes: smaller on top (fitted shirt), and bigger on bottom (wide leg pants), or vice versa.
• Break up your body with layers - tanktop underneath a cropped jacket with some jeans and high heels - creating lines where your layers end will create shape on your body.
• Don't be intimidated by "no curves" - use it to your advantage and create whatever shape and curves you want!

How to Dress an Hourglass Body

Defination Hourglass: Even on top and bottom, smaller in the middle.
Your hips and shoulders are even, while your waist is smaller than both.

The nice thing about an hourglass shape: most people want one. You can wear boxy, curvy, fitted, or loose and still look good.

• Wrap dresses are slenderizing to any body type, and give an hourglass shape.
• Using accessories to draw attention to your middle also gives you an hourglass look. Try putting a small belt at your waist over a longer shirt. Not enough? Layer it with another small belt and mix colors; or simply, use a wider belt.
• Make sure that shirts don't stop at the widest point of your hips. It will take away from your hourglass shape and draw attention to your hips.

How to Dress a Triangle Body

Defination Triangle: Smaller on the top and bigger on the bottom.
Your hips are wider than your chest or shoulders.

The easiest way to dress a triangular figure is to not bring attention to your hips. That's an obvious. So, skinny/pencil jeans are out. The best way to take attention away from your hips is to even them out with something that broadens the look on top.

• A puff sleeve will widen the look of your shoulders balancing your shoulders with your hips.
• A boat-neck will elongate the look of your shoulders, bringing attention to your neck, and not your hips.
• A blouson top works well for keeping your body a nice even shape.
• Try to broaden the look on top, instead of on bottom - wide leg pants are also out for most who have triangular shapes. (Avoiding extremes is always a good idea)

America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model is doing a casting call in Salt Lake City!
This Saturday, July 19, from 12:00 - 3:00
they are having an open casting call at Layers Clothing
(same company sponsoring the Miss American Fork Pageant
Swimwear contest, more on that later).
Their address is 79 West, 4500 South, Suite 23, in Murray. It's hard to find, toward the back of the business/warehouse complex. Get there early, I have a feeling parking will be miserable. And no, I'm not planning on applying, but I am curious on what kind of people will be there and would love to go watch!!

For those interested you can look up the application online, and requirements are to be at least 5'7" and 18-27.

How to Dress Your Body Type

I'm about to kick off a whole week on how to dress your body type!

Starting next Monday check back daily for tips and tricks on how to dress your figure for your most flattering look!

Monday: Triangle

Tuesday: Hourglass

Wednesday: Rectangle

Thursday: Oval

Friday: Upside-down Triangle

Fashion Sewing 2

Thanks to Kaci for bringing this to my attention - Heather Bailey is another in the textile design area. She has her own fabric line sold at select stores and also offers some free pattern downloads. She's fun and funky and has something called "Trash Ties" and I am so amazed by them!! Maybe when I get my hair a little longer I'll have to try them. Check her out!

Heather Bailey Design

Word to the Wise

I was at South Towne Mall in Sandy, Utah last weekend where I saw a fashion show (not sure who it was put on by or what it was for), but they featured swimwear from Pearl. They are a new twist on modest swimsuits, but beware of that low-leg cut - it can be unflattering on most and shortens your leg.

Fashion Sewing?

Any seamstress will tell you that the hardest part about sewing is being able to find good fabric. Most mainstream fabric stores concentrate on kid's material and quilting fabric. A friend told me about this website and I fell in love - she is her own textile designer and pattern maker. She has fashion items, house decor, and everything in between. Hope you enjoy!

Amy Butler Design

Layers

Interestingly enough, I heard about this company on the radio. Layers Clothing started here in Murray, Utah. They had a fashion show on Saturday but couldn't make the hour drive. I like their stuff, and they seem to be a good comparison to you Shade fans! Check them out here!

Itsy-Bitsy Teeny-Weeny Wedding Dress?

Whether it's summer or winter, women have bared more than their soul. Skimpy mini-skirts, lowest-riding pants, and cleavage-baring outfits have tried to squeeze into the workplace, but now they are aiming towards a new market: weddings.

Ruth La Ferla from The New York Times states that these "temptress styles . . . may be better suited to a gala or boudoir than to a church." Women are seeing their weddings as long-awaited spotlights and are dressing for the occasion. Pnina Tornai, a New York designer, is "[y]ielding to client's demands...specialzi[ng] in patently vixenish gowns."But not all dresses are tiny and curve-hugging, La Ferla says, "there is the increasingly popular option of topping the dress with a shawl, stole or bolero." That took me by surprise - something they borrowed from Utah perhaps?

La Ferla, Ruth. "The Bride Wore Very Little," The New York Times.
February 21, 2008. Page E1, E9.

The Skinny

If I remember right, it was a year ago they were having huge debates on how much a female model could weigh. . . at least 100 pounds? 110? Now the focus, again, is turning to male models - what used to be the hunk with a six-pack is now a skinny boy with hollow cheeks. Runway show after runway show male models step out smaller and smaller. Will fashion again step in on the weight issue, this time for men?

Trend Update

Now that the end-of-season shopping is almost over, it's time to look ahead at the spring trends that are coming our way! Unfortunately to some, the skinny jean is still sticking around, but good news - we're seeing a wider pant leg in jeans and slacks! Texture will make a big impact this spring and summer, we'll see it in woven patterns and prints. Flowing dresses, both long and short, are going to be a hit. Color will come in bright accents as well as bold pieces, but don't underestimate the power of black and white. For those who like the look, little feminine touches are everywhere - petite gathers, subtle pin-tucks, and ruffles.

When you're out shopping remember to buy something that will coordinate with the clothes you already own. It's never good to buy something just because it's the latest trend, especially when it just sits in your closet!

Up and Running

Soren and I finally started our blog - click here to view!

Don't worry, I'll still write tips and trends here.
Hope you enjoyed the coverage of
New York's Fashion Week!

Women Purses for Men?

Apparently men have felt a little out-of-the-loop when it comes to fashion. So, to make up for it they are coming out with trendy briefcases - forget the nice old-fashioned leather kind, you're looking at huge women's purses (and even some small ones) for men. Don't believe me? Check out some of the old footage from Fall 07 runways (I was hoping it would go away) but I was reminded of this awful trend in an article from New York Times within the last two weeks. You think it will become the new "cool thing" for men, or a quickly-fading fad?

The Politics of Fashion by Bazaar

Here's fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar's take on the political campaigns:

Click here to view Slideshow

P.S.

If you need any winter clothes or shoes, go shopping now - there are some GREAT sales going on right now - you can get almost anything for a STEAL!
(unless you're shopping for a swimsuit)

Long Time Comin'

It's been a month, but I'm finally back into blogging! Soren and I are somewhat moved in - we're missing a desk and therefore there is a pile of stuff in a corner. :)

But I'm back into my image consulting work and I LOVE it. Each morning going to work is a joyful day! (except for the 7 AM commute!)

So - Soren and I will be starting our own blog (eventually) but you can continue reading here to find out tips and strategies to dressing your best!