Body Shape Fashion Tips – Look Great All Year

It’s very difficult any time of year to show off your body.  One common issue is that a lot of us perceive that we don’t have an attractive body.  In the summer it can be a bit embarrassing to show off unflattering parts of our body. But we all have different body shapes, and the trick is about dressing for each body type. So whether you are an apple, a pear, an hourglass figure, or you’re rectangle-shaped there is something to suit you. So let’s go through them one by one:

Apple

The trick to pulling off style when you are apple-shaped is about picking the colors, prints or patterns to suit. Try dark neutral colors like black, navy, forest green, or charcoal gray. When wearing darker colors, try to keep them on the bottom when you combine them with lighter colors on the top. You can also try an all-over color such as what is called a monochromatic look; this instantly makes you look slimmer. The best types of prints to go for are subtle ones like stripes or polka dots as prints and patterns help to complement fuller figures when they are on the lower half of the body. So think about skirts that have this style and if you have wonderful legs, as many apples do, then you should show them off! Many apples have thinner legs, so if this is you, you should take advantage of this and invest in a good leg-shaving kit. And there are plenty you can find online such as 99Cent Razor; 99cent Razor is a “Dollar Shave Club” for women where you can find different styles of razors to suits your legs. But the trick is to highlight your attributes where you can.

Pear

If you have a pear-shaped body, there are many ways to highlight your features by doing any of the following. Adding colors from various ends of the spectrum works really well on the top half of a pear-shaped body, so it is worth experimenting. But the lower half of a pear shape is very curvy so you should go for darker shades to make the hips, thighs, and the rear look a bit slimmer. It’s best to avoid an all-over print when picking styles and patterns because it will draw attention to the larger areas of your body. It’s important to avoid fabrics that are heavy, such as leather and wool because they will add bulk to your body. The best thing to wear as far as accessories are concerned are scarves which will elongate your neckline, and when it comes to shoes, high heels will work great because they will make your legs long and more streamlined rather than just curvy.

Hourglass Figures

It’s not difficult when you have an hourglass body as they are naturally very curvy, so you can wear almost any type of color and there is not really much you need to avoid. There are colors like cream, white, and baby blue that can make your lower body look larger than it actually is, so be careful with this. It’s more important to wear prints or patterns that are not too busy; a lot of busier patterns of prints can make the bottom half look larger. Accessorizing an hourglass figure includes things like belts, size in tops, as well as skirts or dresses. They are all flattering to the hourglass figure. You can wear high heels or flat they as they are both flattering to the typical hourglass figure, but if your legs tend to be curvier, you may want to steer clear of shoes or boots that cut off down at the ankle.

Rectangles

Rectangles are generally quite “boyish” for a lot of us girls, but you can make your shape appeal by creating curves. The great thing about this body type is that you are essentially a blank canvas and you can add accessories and clothes that will add that necessary shape to your body. Choosing light and bright colors help your body to look bigger because they will reflect light; you could try dark colors that will outline the silhouette, but it will slim you down, so be careful! You can try bold prints and patterns because as you don’t have a curvy figure to break the silhouette up, it makes for a good figure.

Collaborative Post

 

What I Wore: Hollow Lace High-Low Dress

This summer my family hosted a reunion and required everyone to wear white attire. I wasn’t sure if the midi dress I currently owned would measure up to the event.

For evening occasions, lace is always a perfect option because it’s elegant and chic. I purchased the Hollow Lace High-Low Dress because the straps where adjustable (due to height) and upper fit would compliment my petite frame.

The mirror belt elevated this look and helped to define my waist. This dress had a neutral tone slip which complimented my gold studded, nude heels.

The reunion party was memorable and my dress was appropriate for dancing, laughs, and all around fun!

Nude Studded Heels Comparison:  Macy’s | Lipstick:  GloGirl Cosmetics | Eyelashes:  Salon Perfect

 

Jada Pinkett Smith, Solange, Karrueche Tran, and Kofi Siriboe: Essence Festival 2017 Event Recap

Essence Festival 2017 was exhilarating; packed with panel discussions, games, giveaways, and high-energy concerts.

Fashion editors, beauty bloggers, and celebrity stylists were present while the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was filled with beauty vendors such as Palmers, Creme of Nature, Cantu, Olive Miracle, and Shea Moisture. Attendees at the Palmers booth received free samples, demonstrations, and prizes.

The daytime main stage featured performances by India Arie, John Legend, Rhonda Ross, Afrika Mamas, Junior, and Diana Ross. Saturday afternoon guests included Jazmine Sullivan, Monica, Ari Lennox, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, and Mary J. Blige. Solange, Trombone Shorty, Chance The Rapper, and Ithwasa Lekhansela were at the main stage on Sunday, July 2, 2017.

Additional conference expos included the Path To Power: Entrepreneurship and Business Conference, Essence Eats, and Shops at Essence; featuring global vendors with African print apparel, framed art, paintings, and jewelry.

Hollywood actors and actresses were interviewed in the pressroom. Spike Lee and Janice Bryant Howroyd shared millennial career advice while additional cast members and comedians discussed their upcoming projects.

Also known, as the “party with a purpose” Essence Fest is a must-go event!  To attend the 2018 star-studded weekend, check the Essence website and register for more details.

See pressroom photos below:

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: (L-R) Ryan Destiny, Brittany O’Grady, Amiyah Scott, Jude Demorest and Miss Lawrence of ‘Star’ pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: June’s Diary pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Regina Barrow, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Shanta Proctor pose backstage at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Iyanla Vanzant poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: (L-R) Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Ramos, Cleo Anthony and Lyriq Bent of ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Ava DuVernay (C) poses with Omar Dorsey, Timon Kyle Durrett, Ethan Hutchison, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Bianca Lawson, Tina Lifford and Dondre Whitfield at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: (L-R) Will Packer, Malcolm D. Lee, Kofi Siriboe, Larenz Tate, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 02: Brandon Micheal Hall, Yvette Nicole Brown, CeCe Winans and Roland Martin pose backstage at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Chante Moore poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Karrueche Tran and Niecy Nash pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Chef Huda poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Ta’Rhonda Jones and Bryshere Y. Gray pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Janice Bryant Howroyd poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Jada Pinkett Smith poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah pose in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 01: Kofi Siriboe poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 02: Craig Robinson poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 02: Kelly Price poses in the press room at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 02: Yvette Nicole Brown and CeCe Winans pose backstage at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival )

 

 

PFW Fall / Winter 2017: Ziad Nakad Couture Show

For this couture collection Autumn-Fall 2017/2018, the designer Ziad Nakad proposes his romantic vision of a season in magic colors where white predominates.
A white that appears as cold as snow and that gradually heats up when velvet, feathers, tulle and lace are interwoven through learned embroideries.

Numerous cut-outs on the back and shoulders draw the body to reveal a bewitching femininity. Navy, gray and red enriches the colors of this magical forest.And a bride like a queen of an exceptional night, dressed in white and gold that illuminates this universe fit to the legends of a thousand and one nights.

PFW Fall / Winter 2017: PATUNA Couture Show

Patuna’s autumn-winter 2017-2018 couture collection is a junction between Gaudi’s organic architecture and Dali’s dreamlike abstraction. Oscillating between rigor and fluidity, silhouettes play the feminine / masculine contrast, and follow the movement of the body. Silk, wool, velvet and cotton highlight the flexibility and adaptability of looks.
The color palette ranges from black and pale pink to gray, cardinal violet and white. The designs are dotted with special elements, de- tails dear to Patuna’s work, which punctuate the collection. The knit occupies a large part of the collection: skirts, trousers, shorts, which, like «crutches of reality», highlight the oversize jackets.
Just like Gala, Dali’s muse, the woman Patuna is a woman of character, free and impetuous…

Fashion Fun In The Sun: Outfit Ideas For The Warm Weather

Summer is a chance for fashion lovers to have fun with their look. Unlike autumn and winter, you don’t have to finish every outfit with a warm coat and a pair of boots to keep the wind, rain and snow out! Plus when the sunshine means everyone is out and about more often, there are more opportunities to be getting dressed up and playing around with outfits. Here are just a few styles you could try out over the coming months.

Featured Photo of Naomi Campbell during Paris Fashion Week 2017 from People.com

Girl Next Door

Sweet and girly, you can’t go wrong with a typical ‘girl next door’ style. Go with flowing sundresses with a cardigan or cropped denim jacket, sandals and a sun hat. A touch of mascara will make your eyes look bigger and more awake, and a swipe of pink blush and lipstick give you a natural looking rosy glow.

Festival Fashion

Relaxed bohemian looks are great in the summer. Even if you’re not attending a festival, it’s easy to take elements of the style and work it into a casual summer outfit. A floaty dress or some loose-fitting shorts with a vest is a good start. You’re not going to feel weird if you’re not at a festival knee-deep in mud, so go with some gladiator sandals or even a pair of cowboy fringed boots. Carry on the fringe theme with your bag, and then accessories with bohemian style jewelry. Feather earrings, stacked bangles and chunky cuff bracelets are all perfect. Finish with a flower crown, some aviator sunglasses and bronze/ neutral makeup.

Cute and Casual

Denim shorts, a plain tee or cami and a pair of converse make this the ideal summertime outfit when you’re out and about. Maybe you’re going to a theme park or doing some other kind of activity where a dress or skirt isn’t really suitable. Forget the handbag, go with a rucksack or cross body bag instead. Far more practical when you’re out and about and works well with the look. A baseball cap with your ponytail through the back, some aviator sunglasses and a swipe of red lipstick gives this the perfect ‘I look fabulous but without trying too hard’ look.

Gorgeously Glam

Maybe you have a garden party or barbecue to attend, a wedding or a day at the races? If so you’ll need a glamorous, dressy outfit which is still summer appropriate. Maxi dresses are a fantastic choice here. They look glamorous and dressy while flattering your figure. If it’s a slightly more casual affair, accessorize with a chunky belt, oversized sunglasses and a cropped denim jacket. If it’s a little more formal add some jewelry, some high-heeled wedges and a clutch bag. Smokey eye makeup and a dressier hairstyle will help to finish the look.

What are your go-to summer outfits? What sort of styles do you find yourself gravitating towards most over the summer months?

Collaborative Post

PFW Fall / Winter 2017: EWA MINGE Couture Show

Inspired by the ancient gypsy fables, Ewa Minge for her Couture collection fall-winter 2017/18 transports us into an enchanted, joyful and dancing world.
Multi-colored and multi-layered silhouettes, numerous details and accessories evoke the rich and singing world of this culture.
Appear on many garments embroideries and butterflies.
The above were created by the “students” of the Black Butterflies Foundation as part of the art-therapy.
Indeed, under the eye of the designer and this for several months, women who fight against cancer have made “small works of art” from pearls. And as they say, these butterflies helped us to pass this difficult time during treatment and transported us to another wonderful world where everything is possible.
Art helps to keep the disease away; These women will be present in Paris to attend the parade and see their butterflies fly into the great capital.
In this fashion show, Ewa Minge wants as well to present a model “Plus-Size” because she creates for all women and beauty does not have sizes …

TIME INC.¹S 2017 ESSENCE FESTIVAL® PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA® ATTRACTS MORE THAN 470,000 ATTENDEES

Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) 2017 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola® attracted more than 470,000 attendees to New Orleans this Fourth of July weekend for its annual cultural celebration featuring more than 200 performing artists and speakers—which included first-time appearances by Halle Berry, Diana Ross, Chance The Rapper and many more.  Recognized as one of the country’s largest live events, the 2017 ESSENCE Festival extended its reach worldwide by generating a record-breaking 4 billion social media impressions.

The annual 4-day Festival, which took place June 29-July 2, features entertainment, empowerment, and cultural experiences during the day and a state-of-the-art concert series with the world’s best performers each night.

Highlights of the 2017 ESSENCE Festival include:

  • Over 100 performing artists across the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Many of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as Diana Ross, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Chance The Rapper, Master P. and Solange performed at the event’s nighttime concerts and dozens of others across ESSENCE’s Center Stage and All-Star Gospel Tribute honoring Cissy Houston.
  • More than 100 speakers, authors, leaders and celebrities participated in the Festival’s free daytime experience –including a first-ever appearance by Halle Berry.  Other powerhouse speakers included Ava DuVernay, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon and the return of favorites Rev. Al Sharpton, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Iyanla Vanzant, among others, drew packed crowds.
  • #EssenceFest social media posts driving more than 4 billion impressions with daily trending status on Twitter.
  • The launch of ESSENCE’s newly expanded ‘Path to Power’ business and entrepreneurship conference, as well as the return of consumer Expos focused on ‘Beauty & Style’ and ‘Entertainment All Access’ which drew crowds of thousands each day to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
  • Artist collaborations resulted in new Festival initiatives, including a first-time ‘Ladies Night’ featuring all female performers across five stages on Saturday night, and a first-ever celebrity basketball game to raise money for local youth scholarships in partnership with Master P. and his foundation, Team Hope NOLA.

For a full recap of all the exciting moments from the 2017 ESSENCE Festival, visit ESSENCE.com and log in to the ESSENCE Festival News Center for photo and footage highlights.

The 2017 ESSENCE Festival is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI), and produced by Solomon Group. GeChar is the executive producer of the 2017 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience

Sponsors of the 2017 ESSENCE Festival include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors AT&TFord, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.  Superlounge sponsors include Coca-Cola, Ford and Walmart. The All Star Gospel Tribute is sponsored by Walmart.

 

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a brand reach of 21.2 million. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online, ECI is comprised of Essence magazine, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; the ESSENCE Festival®; Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music events; Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series; Essence.com; and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD).

ABOUT TIME INC.

Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is a leading multi-platform consumer media company that engages over 170 million consumers globally every month. The company’s influential brands include PEOPLE, TIME, FORTUNE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, INSTYLE, REAL SIMPLE, SOUTHERN LIVING and TRAVEL + LEISURE, as well as more than 60 diverse international brands. Time Inc. offers marketers a differentiated proposition in the marketplace by combining its powerful brands, trusted content, audience scale, direct relationships with consumers and unique first-party data. The company is home to growing media and platforms, including digital video, OTT, television, licensing, paid products and services and celebrated live events, such as the TIME 100, FORTUNE Most Powerful Women, PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sportsperson of the Year, the ESSENCE Festival and the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.

Wear What You Want | Dryel At-Home Cleaner and Product Review

Most women love to shop and buy delicate items.  The problem is that certain clothing pieces are created with intricate fibers.

There’s nothing worse than purchasing a linen blazer and it’s ruined due to inappropriate care.

Let’s not forget the over priced dry-cleaning bill and time constraint when dropping-off your favorite items.

Constant dry-cleaning has several nasty side effects such as damage to the buttons or seams.  Lastly, if you have sensitive skin, remember that chemicals are used at the cleaners.

Fabric Care: Dry-Clean or Hand Wash

Dryel eliminates the time, effort, and freedom for clothing purchases.  Fashionistas can wear skirts or slacks without the terrifying idea of harming the garment.  Visit Dryel.com to learn more and see new product launches!  Don’t forget to travel this summer with your Stain Removal Pen.

If you haven’t heard of Dryel, remember it’s easy to use:

  • Pre-treat stains with Dryel Booster Spray
  • Toss in the dryer for 15 or 30 minutes
  • Place on a hanger to remove wrinkles
Sponsored Post – Dryel Ambassador

 

Discover New Collections ~ The Bride Guide from Raffaelle Ciuca

Sottero and Midgley was created for the chic and elegant bride with style. The line offers statement-making high level bridal fashions that are meant to impress the modern bride.  These cutting-edge designs are a product of a collaboration between Maggie Sottero and Kelly Midgley (founder Lesley Margaret Webster’s daughter).

The Sottero and Midgely 2018 designs live up to their brand motto. The collection, named after a new dress named Grayson, is packed with modern silhouettes, beautiful embellishments, and rich details.

Where the 2018 Sottero and Midgely Grayson line stands out from the pack is their ornate back embellishments