Holiday party time is in full swing and that means sparkle and sass are appropriate for all ages, body types and lifestyles! Oh how I love this time of year, my inner 10 year old is able to come out and play. I deem December “sparkle month” because I can. 

 

 

 

‘Tis the season to LOVE all things shiny no matter what your body type. There is always a way to work in a sequin, shimmer or rhinestones during December. Check out the looks below based on your shape and go forth fabulously.

 

---

 

Skirt, Pumps, Blouse, Tights

 

Let’s work that hourglass shape ladies, shall we? The key is to ALWAYS highlight your waist. Be sure to tuck this shimmer green top into your a-line pleated leather skirt to truly define your mid-section. Add a fun, patterned tight with a rhinestone heeled pump to push this look to the top. You can always go a little further in your styling during the holiday season and especially for a party!

 

---

 

Pants, Jacket, Studs, Top

 

Well hello my rectangular friend. Keep that straight and sleek figure looking great in a modern women’s tuxedo. A cocktail dress is NOT your only option when attending a cocktail party. Think outside the box and choose something that truly makes you stand out in the crowd. Pair your tux with a sequin top and rhinestone earrings to push your party look to a 10.

 

---

 

Dress, Blazer, Pumps, Earrings

 

Inverted triangle have no fear, the holidays are here. Grab that sassy LBD (little black dress for those that need translation:) and re-style it for some holiday cheer. Add a touch of red to really pop at the party. Using a structured, waist length blazer adds sophistication to your look and compliments your shape. A crystal pump and small rhinestone earrings will elevate your look with just the right touch of sparkle.

---

 

Pumps, Dress, Blazer, Earrings

 

You are going to be the belle of the ball this December apple shape! Create a waist by choosing a waist length blazer to layer over your dress. As shown above, choose 2 different colors for your dress and your blazer. This only continues to highlight your “waist” even more. Choose a trendy (and super fabulous) mule to top off your holiday look. Why not add a touch of crystals and feathers to your footwear???

 

---

 

Tunic, Boots, Earrings, Clutch

 

Don’t think I’ve forgotten your my pretty pear shape! A great style for you this holiday season is a tunic dress. Not only does this compliment your shape, but it allows you to eat and drink until your heart is content. My kind of fashion! Change it up by adding a tall pair of heeled boots, not every party dress needs to be paired with pumps. A sparkle, envelope clutch is a perfect punch for your look AND works for any night out once the holidays are over. Re-style everything!

 

---

 

AMY IS AVAILABLE FOR ON-LINE STYLING SERVICES!!!

Click Here To Learn More!

Thanksgiving is closer than you think. Don’t let the ridiculously warm weather fool you, turkey day is just around the corner. I thought the best way to contribute (without cooking a thing) was to help all of you ladies dress fashionably for your body type. Thanksgiving style is about showing your family you still got it AND eating as much as you can. This requires certain style tips that only a pro can offer. Here goes!

 

 

Thanks to my fabulously talented friend Brooke Ahrendsen, I now have my very own body type illustrations to showcase awesome style for all of you! I will continue to refer to the 5 basic body types in upcoming posts. They include hourglass, rectangle, inverted triangle, apple and pear. One very important note, you are typically not ONE body type. Most times people are a combination, the key is to listen to my definitions of each body type and apply it yourself. You can do it!

 

Sweater Dress, Boots, Tights , Necklace

 

The first body type we will chat about is the hourglass shape. This is defined by having a small waist with a bigger bust and curvier derriere. An hourglass can be any size, from a 00 on up, the defining factor is your proportions. The most flattering styles for the hourglass shape are those that hug your curves. Do not be afraid of silhouette conscious items. This sweater dress will keep you cozy and warm all day while showing off what God gave you. The key to masking your over-eating is the knotted mid-section. It will keep your growing tummy camouflaged all day. Eat away my hourglass shaped friends.

 

Leather leggings, Blanket shawl,T-shirt, OTK Boots

 

The next body type is the ruler shape. This is characterized by having less curves and being fairly straight from head to toe. Less boobs and less butt with skinnier limbs. This allows you to love everything oversized!!! Ironically, the curvier you are, the more you look like you are wearing a garbage bag with oversized pieces. Go crazy ruler, rock the garbage bag style! On turkey day this is a primo option because it leaves you open to eat away. A blanket scarf shawl is VERY in right now. Pair it with funky leggings and a long T to be comfy and stylish all day long.

 

Denim, Scarf, Boots, Blazer

Inverted triangle here I come. Don’t hate your broad shoulders, embrace them!!! They make your waist look that much smaller. The key is to focus more on your tinier waist and legs. Embrace your shape by giving structure to your top half and being sure to crop your blazer at your waist. This accentuates your smaller mid-section. Adding a cozy long scarf will draw the eye to the center of your body which will elongate you. What girl doesn’t want that? Be sure to pair your blazer and scarf with a skinny pair of jeans to show off your gams.

 

Slouch Boots, Dress, Necklace

 

Next up is the beautiful apple shape. This body type is rounder in the middle typically with no defined waist and skinner limbs. This actually allows for pretty easy styling (trust me). The key is to wear a-line pieces such as the dress above. This literally means items that are shaped like the letter A. It masks your mid-section while showing off your skinny arms and legs. By adding a longer necklace you are drawing the eye to the center of your body creating the illusion of a waist.

 

 

Leggings, Vest, Blouse, Necklace 

Finally we have the amazing and talented pear shape. This lovely lady is bit rounder in the hips and bum area with smaller shoulders. Love thyself, I hear a curvier derriere is very en vogue right now:) The best styling tip for this body type is to add length to your torso. This can be done in a number of ways, one of which is wearing a longer sweater as shown above. I know you all might not be keen on the furry pockets (they are dope), so just choose a more basic option. You need to make sure this sweater is worn open, closing it will only cling to your hips accentuating your “pear”.

 

 

 

The hourglass shape is curvy and fabulous. It’s the va va va voom of all the body types because of its more defined feminine features. This body type is meant to be loved and to be coveted by showing off your curves rather than trying to camouflage them.  The hourglass shape is best presented by owning and loving the fact that you have an hourglass shape.

 

 

 

The hourglass shape is defined by having a larger bust and hips with a smaller waist. Your bum is also typically rounder and more feminine. An hourglass figure can be any size, from Selma Hayek to model Ashley Graham, it’s the proportions of your body that define this figure. A female with this shape also has her weight more evening distributed through her entire body.

Skinny Belt

A skinny belt can be a friend to most body types, but the hourglass shape will thrive with just this one accessory. Specifically on an hourglass shape where your waist is your smallest part, you want to almost over-define this point by continually highlighting it. The skinny belt is ONLY meant to be worn at your waist, not through your belt loops unless the pants are high-waisted (therefore being at your natural waist).  Adding the 80’s trend with a pop of neon is a fantastic way to show off your figure and your trendy knowledge of fashion.

 

 

 

Wrap Coat 

 

The wool wrap coat is extremely on trend this season and is fabulous because it typically has enough room to layer underneath. This means that if you get a medium weight coat it can last from the fall well into winter by adding more layers underneath. No, this will not make you look fat. Why? Because (as I have already proclaimed), you are highlighting your waist with the wrap feature. Cinch through the middle always Miss Hourglass!!!

 

Sheath Dress

 

The final and most valuable piece in any hourglass wardrobe is the sheath dress. This piece will hug all of your lovely curves just right AND is a timeless. To really accentuate the beauty of your figure, choose a dress that has an obviously defined waist just like the option above. Utilizing the trend of leopard in this manner keeps it classy while properly showcasing all that your fantastic hourglass shape has to offer!

As a stylist I come across lots of beautiful silhouettes one of the most feminine being the pear shape. I joke with people that I am more of a shrink than a stylist because convincing women of their ultimate and unbelievable beauty is sometimes more of a mental challenge. Women are incredibly hard on themselves and are convinced they do not have of an “ideal shape” (thank you filters and media). There is no such thing, hell, even I filter my photos. Being comfortable in your own skin will always be a challenge, but dressing correctly for your shape will not (now that I’m here to help!). 

 

The pear shape is defined by having smaller shoulders and curvier hips often times with a more voluptuous bum and thighs. This is a fairly common body type as women genetically tend to get curvier around the hips and thighs as they mature. It’s just science people. Dressing for this body type is often times not as complicated as one would think, you just need to highlight your luck in having such a fabulously small waist!

 

 

Cinch Waist Blouse

A cinched longer blouse is definitely a friend to the pear shape. It allows you to highlight your smallest feature (your waist) and add length to elongate your torso. This not only creates a longer and leaner you, but it camouflages your hips. As I’ve mentioned in past posts, styling is truly just smoke and mirrors. Make sure that the bottom part of the top is not clinging to your hips and has enough width to be “silhouette conscious”, but not skin tight.

Structured Bag

 

A structured bag might not necessarily be the perfect trend for a pear shape, but it certainly does make any lady look more fabulous! I didn’t want to forget about the accessories when chatting about upcoming trends for the season. I’m obsessed with this fall trend even though it truly isn’t as functional as I would like it to be. It is hard to shove  your life in a bag when it is super structured. I would stick to a smaller evening bag if you love this trend for both function and price point.

 

 

A-Line Skirt

A structured aline skirt is the BEST and most flattering style for a pear shape hands down. I’m featuring it in a leopard print because I’ve gone totally nuts over this trend, I can’t get enough. This skirt is your new best friend because it cinches your small waist while concealing your curvier hips. Be sure the skirt style is more structured and tuck in your top to truly highlight your waist. Choosing a completely different color top and bottom will only enhance the effect!

 

 

Next up on our tour de force of the best trends for your shape is the round body type. There are significant benefits to this body type if styled correctly because you have the ability to look good AND be comfy. The key is to showing off your fabulous arms and legs while camouflaging your torso. This does not mean getting into your best hunting gear, it merely means you should not have on anything super fitted through the middle.

 

The round body type is defined by having a circular middle with more slender legs and arms. You typically do not have a defined waist so either foregoing a cinched style or actually creating a waist through styling are your two best options. Read on to learn my expert tips….

 

 

Single Breasted Blazer

 

The first trend that we are working into your fall look is plaid menswear. A lot of what is in the stores tends to lean towards oversized, but this is NOT your friend. I would strongly suggest a structured, single-breasted blazer that is a little longer then your hips. As with the example above, look for a one-button option to create a waist for your body type. You are quite literally giving the illusion of an hourglass shape. The structured blazer actually creates a differing silhouette that what your body type truly is. Styling is all just smoke and mirrors….

 

 

Tweed Dress

The tweed dress above is the perfect “one and done” piece for any round body type. Dress on, outfit complete. A great silhouette is the fit and flare. This is defined by cinching at the waist and having the skirt flare into an A-line (smaller at the top, wider at the bottom). The example above even has gold buttons at the waist drawing the eye to the center and defining your waist even more. It should be slightly shorter in length to show off your great gams.

 

 

 

Leather Leggings

The final trend I’m obsessed with is the 80’s. Yes, Dynasty and big hair bands are back. Even though I know you are dying to go all out, brining in just an ode to the 80’s will suffice. These black leather leggings are the perfect tip of the hat to 1987. Pair an oversized top (NOT a dress) with your new, awesome leggings and get ready for a rockin’ night. You are showing off your slender, sexy legs while keeping it loose and easy in your mid-section. This is the second option for styling a round body type, leaving it unstructured in the torso and NOT cinching at the waist.