Hi Pretties! Last week was a wild card week on Coffee Chat! I try to rotate topics regularly to include style, beauty and personal development. Every once and awhile I’ll throw in a wildcard week where you can ask me anything. Last week I posted in our Get Your Pretty On Pretties Facebook group, which if you’re not in there yet, you need to go join now because it is an awesome group. There’s all kinds of conversations going on in there about style and beauty and summer, you name it, we talk about it. Check it out here. As I was saying, I put out the question for everyone in there to ask me anything and I got some great questions to answer. We’ve got some style questions, particularly summer style questions, self-tanner questions, beauty questions and I’m going to answer those today! For more details on my answers, click my Coffee Chat video below.
Let’s get right to the questions!
I need to invest in all new makeup brushes and I need to find the perfect black t-shirts (they are my uniform) and Target stopped making my go-to favorites. ~ Jennifer
Hands down my favorite makeup brushes that I have ever owned are from IT Cosmetics. They make the most amazing makeup brushes ever. If you’re going to invest in a good set of makeup brushes that are going to last you then go with IT Cosmetics Makeup Brushes. Also, when investing in good brushes, you don’t have to buy them all at once. Start with one that’s multi-purpose or one that you’re going to use the most and build your collection from there.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more budget-friendly and you don’t want to make a huge investment, Amazon has a lot of great brush sets. EcoTools is another great brand of brushes that are very budget-friendly and are well made and super soft.
Recently we polled all of the members of the GYPO community and asked them what their favorite white t-shirts were and in those brands there are definitely black t-shirts that are going to be really good quality, too. The number one top brand was Land’s End’s Supima Cotton T-Shirt Crewneck and V-neck. Second up was Target’s A New Day brand of t-shirts. They have a really nice black t-shirt there, too. And Amazon Essentials, if you had to check those out yet, I’ve heard amazing things about them. Eddie Bauer also was mentioned and J.Crew Factory is another good source for a great black t-shirt.
I’ve had a lifelong struggle with very athletic legs. I’m relatively thin but certainly not proportioned the way most women are. Don’t get me wrong I love my Curves and my athletic legs. They serve me well. I just can never find skinny jeans that actually work. I also have a longer torso and shorter legs. I’m not tall 5 foot 5. Any recommendations? ~ Cheryl
Again, I went to the community on this a few weeks ago and we asked our GYOP Pretties to vote for their top rated white skinny jeans but this could definitely apply across the board. Loft has great skinny jeans that are curvy so those may be an option to check out. They work great for women that aren’t too tall. Also, Madewell had really high marks and they have a lot of different fits. Old Navy was another reader favorite. Their rock star jeans have a lot of stretch in them. If you’re looking for something that’s going to stretch over athletic thighs or calves, then Old Navy rock star jeans are going to be good for that. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (NYDJ) got really high marks as well and they also have several different fits that you can find one that works for you. And finally, Talbots also has a high rise jegging that has a lot of stretch and also works really, really well.
It’s that time of year again! I am very fair-skinned so sunscreen is a MUST. I have recently started using self-tanner on my legs and would love tips on how to avoid streaks? My tanner is over a year old is that ok? Do other pretties just do certain body parts too? How often do I need to reapply? And how do I make my fake tan last longer? ~Lisa
I consider myself a self-tanning expert. I’ve been using self-tanners for many years. I try to avoid the sun as much as possible, especially now that I’m over 40 because I get lots of little age spots on my face. I even get them when I’m driving in the car so daily sunscreen is a must! My favorite tips for self-tanners are:
Exfoliate – Make sure you exfoliate well in the shower because if you get most of the dead skin cells off, your tan will last longer.
Moisturize – Keep your skin well moisturized. A lot of self-tanners can dry your skin out so when you’re done in the shower, gently pat dry leaving some water behind and moisturize!
Use Tanning Mitt – Apply tanner with a tanning mitt. This is something you can pick up at Amazon or Ulta or maybe even Target. You’re going to put that over your hands and then apply the tanner to the tanning mitt and then spread light, thin layers on your skin working in small sections. This will help it go on more evenly and smoothly and will keep your palm from getting overly tan.
As far as brands are concerned, I like Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Lotion. I used that one for years. It’s great for building up over time. However, I really like the St. Tropez brand. It’s a bit pricier but it lasts forever and I think the tan lasts a long time too. I recommend applying it every day for a few days until you build up to the level that you want to be at. Then, you’re going to take a break and you’re going to moisturize after you get out of the shower for a few days to make it last longer and then start the cycle over again when it starts to fade. Be sure to exfoliate before you start your application cycle over so you get the old tanner off before applying new tanner.
Best place for undies and bras – especially if you have been blessed with being bigger on top. ~Kathy
I highly recommend Soma and all of our Pretties who have tried Soma absolutely love them. They have the most comfortable bras and undies out there. For a runner up, for me personally, I love Target for bras and panties too. Their Auden line is amazing. They have the cutest patterns and colors, comfy undies and bras. I get a lot of my bralettes there. I highly recommend them and they are really reasonably priced.
Minimal makeup for summer. What can you get by with but still look pretty? ~ Rebecca
I like to cut back on my makeup in the summer, too. I don’t like a full face of makeup every day. It just feels too heavy and when I’m sweating a lot, it doesn’t make much sense. The one thing that I do use every single day is my IT Cosmetics CC plus cream. This has SPF 50 plus blocks, both UVA and UVB. I was talking earlier about how we still get sun even when we’re driving in the car. All of my age spots and dark spots are on the left side of my face, and I know that’s because of driving through the years, because I do try to be really, really vigilant about applying sunscreen on a daily basis. This stuff works amazing. I wear it at the beach if I’m not going to be getting my face wet. This stuff is a miracle worker.
I would at a minimum apply my CC plus cream on a daily basis. Sometimes I put a little bit of power on top of that to set it, especially in my oil prone areas, then lightly apply a little bit of bronzer if you want to give yourself that sunkissed glow then add a champagne eye shadow on the lids. I am a big proponent for having either mascara or my false eyelashes on every single day. When I wear falsies I use the Kiss brand and the style is number eleven. I get them at Walgreen’s and CVS and I apply them with the black lash glue so it gives me that look of having a little bit of eyeliner on my top lids. Add a little bit of lip gloss to finish it off if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Should you wear skinny jeans if you have large calves. And what is a good jean to get. Some just don’t fit. Also What is a good sunscreen for your lips? Maybe with a little color. ~Ann
Earlier I talked about the Loft Curvy Jean. I think that those work great if you have a larger calf. Another one with a lot of stretch is Old Navy’s Rockstar jeans. They’re going to stretch over larger calves a little bit better than some of these other skinny jeans out there.
Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm, which they sell at most drug stores or retailers like Target and Walmart. They have 15 SPF and come in a bunch of different tinted shades so you can look stylish at the beach and the pool.
What are the jewelry rules? Like, what kind of jewelry goes with what kind of neckline? When is a long necklace better to choose over a short one? Can you mix silver and gold? ~Gail
There are some really cool little infographics that you can find on Pinterest that will show you different types of necklines and different necklaces that go with them, which is going to be way better than anything that I’m going to describe. The below graphic is one that I like.
My own personal jewelry rules are that you don’t want to do statement with statement. You can either do statement earrings with a delicate necklace. You can do statement earrings with a longer necklace as long as it’s away from your face. If you have a pendant necklace on, then you can definitely do a statement earring with that, or you can do delicate earrings with a delicate necklace or delicate earrings with a statement necklace.
The longer your necklace, the more it’s going to elongate your frame. If you’re wearing a loose, floaty tank, then you may want to elongate your frame with that longer necklace. A shorter necklace or statement earrings are going to draw your eye up so think about those rules when you’re choosing your accessories.
The question about mixing silver and gold. Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, mixed metals is really on trend. Don’t worry about those rules anymore. My wedding rings are silver. I wear gold all the time. I have gold on my Apple Watch band and sometimes I mix rose gold with that. So those rules no longer apply. You can definitely mix metals till your little heart’s content.
Cosmetic dermatology for aging skin. I’m 30 at heart, but my skin at 48 does not reflect my youthful outlook! ~Kristin
Over the past few years, I’ve tried out a lot of different products. There are a few that I get really consistent results from. The number one product that I recommend if you’re just getting into starting some anti-aging products is the Rock Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. I’ve been using this stuff for years and it’s honestly one of the things that makes a huge difference. It takes about six weeks to start seeing results, but once you do, you’re hooked. Trust me on this and it also helps with the dark spots that I have on my cheeks, too. Use a pea-size amount at night before bed and cover your whole face. If you have sensitive skin, which I do, I can’t change up products very often. I can’t do really harsh products for my anti-aging skincare routine. I recommend doing this every other night until you build up a tolerance to it or even go every 2-3 nights if you need to. Eventually, you’ll be able to use it on a nightly basis as I do now. This gives my skin a really nice glow and keeps it hydrated. I don’t experience dryness, redness, or flaking as you might from a prescription-strength product.
Then for the day again, I’m going back to my IT Cosmetics CC plus cream which is loaded with lots of anti-aging skincare ingredients, too. That’s one thing I love about IT Cosmetics. This is also an illumination product so it’s going to give your skin a nice glow, too.
Lastly, exfoliate. Definitely exfoliate at least twice a week because our skin cells tend to turn over less as we get older. We’ve got to help that process along by exfoliating the dead skin cells off. That’s also going to give you a lot more glow. As far as an exfoliator, I recommend, I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I’ve been using that stuff since I was a teenager and it works great.
Opinions on lengths of pants and shorts. A lot of people are posting photos of capri/cropped pants but I’ve often heard that they make you look shorter and to go for full length or ankle pants. Do capris work for most women or should the in general be avoided? Also same questions for shorts- what lengths (inseam measurememts) are most flattering? ~Erin
One of the things that I recommend always is that the selfie doesn’t lie. If you’re trying something on in a fitting room and you’re unsure if it looks good then take a selfie because it’s not going to lie. If you’re not a good judge for yourself then send that picture to one of your friends or to your teenage daughter and ask them, because they will be honest with you. Remember to take in several different lengths with you and this especially applies to shorts. I think a lot of us tend to think we know what shorts will look good on us, but sometimes you might be surprised. What you thought you “shouldn’t” wear actually looks the most flattering on you and if that’s the case then it’s a heck yes! Sometimes petite or shorter ladies like myself, I’m 5’4″, tend to think that the longer shorts are going to be more flattering to us when in reality, the shorter short might be. I tend to go for around a five-inch length short and that seems to be the most flattering length for me. Sometimes I’ll add a little bit of a heel on my sandal if I feel like it’s going to make it look a little bit better. As far as capri length pants, wearing them can be tricky but you can try wearing something with a little heel instead of a flat for a more flattering look.
Best no show socks for ballet flats. And they stay on your feet and not slide off heel. ~Ann
I love the no show socks from Target. They have a little rubber thingy on the back and they do not slide off your feet. I buy the cotton ones. They have a lot of cute prints and patterns. My daughters wear them, too. You can also get the more nylon version of them, however I’m not as big of a fan of those. They just cover the toe and then the heel and the little rubber thingy keeps them from slipping down.
Throw in some fitness! ~Emily
I don’t know if I’m the role model for fitness right now. I’m just going to be totally honest. Since OrangeTheory closed their studios, I’ve been on the struggle bus a little bit. I have been trying to do a combination of things at home. Number one, I doing the Orangetheory at home workouts. I’m not going to lie, they kick my butt. Those are made mostly of weights and a lot of cardio like Burpees and jumping jacks. These workouts are perfect if you don’t have a lot of equipment. I’ve also been doing the Peloton Treadmill workouts since I got a treadmill for Mother’s Day. If you have a treadmill and some basic rudimentary pieces of equipment this would work for you. I think it’s free for 90 days and you can choose the workouts that you want to do and there you can do interval training or endurance or whatever you want. They have tons of awesome workouts in there. Recently I also started going on Reddit and finding old Orangetheory workouts to do at home. There are some really good workouts in there. I also recommend my friend Rebecca Louise’s Burn app. She’s got some great workouts in there and they cover all body parts and there are different workouts every day. So check out the Burn as well.
Favorite tank tops? It’s hot in central Texas and I often wear a tank top with skirts or shorts. Do you have any go-to tanks? ~Erin
J.Crew Factory brand is my go-to for fitted tank tops. If I’m looking for a slouchy tank, then I always go to Target. They have really good slouchy tank tops and ribbed tank tops as well as Wal-Mart. I always go for the basics when I buy my tank tops. Amazon Essentials also has some really great tank tops and they have great reviews.
Cute summer pj’s… for the more mature generation. ~Sheryl
I struggled with this, Sheryl. I really did. Soma has some cute PJs and Target. I keep going back to those two, but it’s true, I’ve had great luck with both places for P J’s that are comfortable and the shorts aren’t super short.
I’m having difficulty finding plus size swimsuits…I like the ones with skirt bottoms but they are a bit too short for my comfort. Are there longer ones available…or am I just searching for unicorns? ~Debrah
Lands End has some great plus-sized swimsuits with longer skirts. They have lots of one-piece and two-piece versions of those. If you’re looking for those, that’s a good resource.
1. Workout outfits that are cute without breaking the bank. 2. SWIMSUITS! How do I apply the bodyshape rules to swimsuits? ~Isabel
I swear by Fabletics. I have been ordering their workout clothes for years. I have a membership and I know a lot of you are like, oh, I don’t want to do the membership. I get it. I do. I hate memberships. But the cool thing is you can skip a month and I skip probably 10 months out of the year and order two months out of the year whenever I need to refresh my workout collection. I love their Mila Capris, they are amazing! They have pockets on the sides and they are super comfortable. They are also really, really well-made and great quality. Amazon Essentials make great workout clothes. Go on there and look at the reviews. We’ve had a lot of Pretties who have recommended yoga pants and their tanks and their shorts. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, definitely check out Amazon.
As far as swimsuits are concerned, one of the bonuses for the Outfit Formulas™ Summer 2020 Capsule Wardrobe is a body shape swimwear guide so if you signed up for that you received the guide. I’m going to share with you a couple of things from the guide and if you don’t know your body shape, you can figure it out with my free Body Shape guide. Download it here.
Triangle
If you’re a triangle body shape you’re going to look for things with eye-catching details on the top or unique necklines to draw the attention up. Try a plunging neckline for the daring wow factor or you can do a fine print or color or pattern on the top half and maybe do black bottoms. You’re going to want to avoid extra fabric or coverage around your hips and bottom because that’s only going to draw attention to that area. If you’re thinking of wearing a skirt or having some extra fabric in that area is going to camouflage, what is going to actually do is draw the attention down. Look for things like ruffles across the top or a high neck tankini top or something with some interesting details, like a one-shoulder bikini top or a halter, one-piece monokini.
Inverted Triangle
If you’re an inverted triangle, you’re going to want to look for eye-catching tops to draw attention away from tummy and wide waist. Ruffles around your waist are going to add volume, but they can also be great for hiding unwanted bulges. If you’re feeling bold, you can highlight the curve of your hips for pattern bottoms or side type details. You’re gonna want to avoid attention seeking colors or patterns around your midriff. If you have wide shoulders, avoid strapless or spaghetti strap designs. So again, high necks are going to be your friend. Color blocking on the top half, ruffled bikini set that’s going to draw the eye up toward the shoulders or a V-neck bikini.
Rectangle
Rectangles are going to look for a monokini suit to create the illusion of curves or a suit with a belt detail to make your waist look slimmer. Your shape is well balanced so pretty much any swimsuits gonna look good on your figure, lucky girl! If you’re feeling bold, you can do high cut bottoms or a tie side bikini bottom that’s going to enhance your shape and embellish your natural figure. You’re going to avoid square or boxy necklines if you’re a rectangle. Also, avoid boy shorts because you want to add curves, not reduce them.
Hourglass
For hourglass shapes, you’re going to look for a high cut hip or a plunging neckline to lengthen your legs and emphasize your natural curves. Ruffles or similar details on the bottom will also highlight your hourglass shape. If you’re feeling bold, you can do a side cut monokini that’s going to maximize your curvaceous shape. You’re going to want to avoid mixing prints in two piece suits because it can throw off your well-balanced figure. High cut, plunging bikini sets are going to look great on you and side cut swimsuits are also going to look awesome.
Today we are talking about summer trends! I know what you may be thinking, “Who cares what you’re wearing this summer when we’re not actually going anywhere,” right? But seriously, to say it’s been a weird summer is an understatement, however, that didn’t stop me from ordering a few pieces that I’m really excited about, even if I will be just wearing them around the house. They just recently arrived so I want to show you some of the fun summer trends as well as some closet staples I can’t wait to style this summer. And if you follow along with my styling program, Outfit Formulas™ then you know a lot of us are going to be team closet shopping to create fun outfits all summer long. That’s the beauty of the program, you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money each season. You can shop your closets, add trends if you want, and fill in the gaps shopping where you want and spend what you want. The cool thing about the capsule wardrobe for this summer is that at least 16 of the items are closet staples that are on the shopping list. I’m going to run through some of my favorite trends with you today and show you some of the new pieces that I’ve bought plus a few pieces that have been in my closet for a while that I’m planning to restyle this summer! For more details click on my Coffee Chat video below.
So let’s jump in and talk about trends a little bit. I’m not really seeing any summer trends that are all that different from what we were seeing in the spring. We’re seeing a lot of the same color trends and a lot of the same pattern trends. In general, everything that’s going on right now has affected the fashion industry in some significant ways. For instance, it’s taking a long time for online retailers to ship things. I ordered my items 2-3 weeks ago and just got some of them in. But anyway, back to the trends. A lot of these things are pieces that you’ve probably seen before or pieces that you bought last summer, or maybe you bought some of them in the spring. I reused tons of pieces from the Outfit Formulas™ Spring 2020 Capsule. So that’s another good thing that you can reuse those pieces.
Kimonos
We’re going to start off with one of my favorite things for summer, and that is the kimono. The thing I love about kimonos in the summer, especially when you live in hot places like Texas, is that it’s an easy, lightweight way to add interest, detail, color and pattern to your outfit. It’s the perfect way to elevate the basic tank top, shorts and flip flops. Throw on some gold hoop earrings to finish off the look and you’re good to go! Such a simple and easy outfit formula that you can throw together. The kimono is my number one trend. I absolutely love these. If you buy nothing else for your closet this summer, I really recommend a kimono! I got the one pictured above from Amazon but if synthetic materials cause you to sweat then there are also more natural options available.
Fun Accessories
The second thing that I love are some sun accessories! They also fall into the category of adding interest and detail to outfits without adding heat. I bought some cute little palm earrings and some colorful hoop earrings. Add these to your look and voila, you have an instant outfit. Colorful accessories that add that little bit of something is the perfect way to finish off an outfit. You don’t need to overdo it with a lot of stuff, but adding a big earring or statement earring and colorful accessories will go a long way towards giving your outfit a lot of interesting detail.
The tortoise leaf earrings above are from J.Crew Factory and the colorful hoops are from Target. The hoop earrings are temporarily unavailable online but if you click on “notify me when back in stock” you’ll get an email the instant they’re available online again. They can also be found in-store.
Shirt Details
Shirts this summer are all about the details, a cute little tie at the waist, some button details or even some fun hem details. You’re going to see a lot of this. I sometimes fall into a basic tee or tank top kind of rut during the summer and this is an easy way to take the basic tee and make it more interesting. So look for tops with fun little details. The top in the video is from J.Crew Factory and unfortunately, it’s already sold out but I found one at Target that is very similar here.
Florals
Next up, we’ve got floral patterns. Florals this summer are on both ends of the spectrum. You’re going to see the ditzy florals which are very, very small floral patterns but you’re also going to see big, bold florals. I just got the big floral patterned shorts with the tie waist from J.Crew Factory and I love them! They have limited sizes available however they also have a version without the tie waist which is pictured above.
Shorts
High-Waisted Shorts
High waisted shorts are on trend for the summer and although I bought a pair of dark wash ones last year, we have yet to really style them. It’s a great trend to try this summer if you’re looking to add in some fun new pieces to your wardrobe. If you’re not a fan, then you can totally skip this trend and stick with a mid-rise or whatever you like. The pair pictured above I found at Target and they also come in plus size.
Soft Shorts
Again, in the category of shorts, I got some really soft, comfy tie waist shorts. I’ve been wearing these almost every day. They go with so many things and did I mention comfortable? The striped shorts came from J.Crew Factory and I also got a pair of pink ones because I realized I didn’t have any colorful shorts and I put them on the summer shopping list this season. I found a pair at the Loft Outlet which are unfortunately sold out, but I found a similar pair on Amazon.
Before we move on to the next trend I wanted to address something really quick. I know there’s a lot of ladies out there reading this and watching the videos that are not a fan of shorts and I just wanted to let you know that’s the beauty of this. You can easily swap out the shorts for a pair of capri pants, wide-leg pants, jeans, Bermuda shorts, a skirt – it’s whatever you feel comfortable in. As I always say, make it your own!
Graphic Tees
Graphic tees! Yes, I’ve been putting graphic tees on every shopping list lately. I’m kind of obsessed with them. Again, it’s about the details, right? They just add that little bit of detail, some color and some pattern that’s perfect for summer. Plus, you can totally express your personality through your graphic tee. I love to travel so the shirt above from J.Crew Factory totally appealed to me.
One and Done
Lastly, we’re going to talk about one-piece dressing. When I say one-piece dressing, I’m talking about pieces in the category of dresses, jumpsuits, rompers and maxi dresses. Anything that’s a one and done outfit when you only have to add some cute shoes and accessories. I’m all about easy outfits, especially during the summer. You can even finish it off with a topper like a denim jacket, a white denim jacket, a cardigan, or a kimono. But a one and done is fine as-is without adding anything extra. The jumpsuit I’m wearing above is a perfect example of this. I just added some cute leopard shoes, earrings, and a bracelet and I’m ready to go! Dress it up or dress it down, add a hat, whatever is going to work for your day and your lifestyle. It really is that simple!
There you have it! My favorite summer trends plus the pieces I’m adding to my closet. Which ones were your favorite? Do you have some of these already in your closet? Comment below and let me know and remember to keep posting your amazing outfit combinations in the GYPO Pretties Facebook group!
Today, we are talking about personal style! If this is something that has tripped you up, you’re not alone. I think I’ve struggled with defining my personal style ever since I was a teenager. It would morph along with, number one, the trends and number two, what my friends were wearing. I never really dove in to figure out what my own personal style was or got to know myself enough to really figure that out. I think that this is an area that a lot of us, as women get tripped up on. We’re not exactly sure how to define our personal style. Plus, it changes so much over the years with whatever lifestyle stage we are at. Sometimes we adapt, or we abandon it altogether. That’s why I’m going to talk today about how to define your personal style in three easy steps! For more details check out my Coffee Chat below!
The three steps, these are foolproof, I promise you. I know there are a ton of resources out there but I love this method that I came up with because I use it myself and I like to be as authentic as possible with everything I do. This is something that really worked well for me to help define my own personal style. It’s going to give you powerful insights into what you like without being influenced by anything else. That being said, we also don’t need to be so strictly locked into just one category. There’s a lot of room in there for trying out the trends and adding in some fun new pieces and just really getting out of your comfort zone. I don’t want anybody to get so locked into a personal style that they think they can’t try something else. It’s always okay to step out of our comfort zones once and a while, that’s how our personal style can evolve. Now, let’s dive into the three-step process.
1. Gather Some Intel
You’re going to become a style detective. This is a concept that home decor blogger Myquilln Smith from thenester.com suggests doing when you’re trying to come up with your home decor but it works like a charm with personal style as well. For this step, I recommend going on Pinterest because it’s easier to organize your images, but you’re going to search images of outfits. You can do this search by seasonal outfits or casual outfits, or whatever you want your search to be, but you’ll want to keep the category broad. So gather intel by pinning or saving at least 25-50 outfits that speak to you. Do not qualify these outfits, don’t overthink it, if you love it, pin it.
After you do this I want you to go to a friend and ask them if they would do a Pinterest reading for you. See if there are any commonalities in the styles that you chose, the colors and the patterns. Are they minimally accessorized? Or do you have a lot of accessories in them? Are they minimalist or are they trendy? Are they classic? Do they employ similar colors, brights? Neutrals? What about patterns? Do you tend to steer clear of patterns or do you prefer lots of details and interests? Pay attention to shoes and accessories, too. And again, aim for at least 25 to 50 different outfit ideas. You can get a much clearer picture of what appears to you and what patterns are going to start to emerge from there. You can maybe even do this yourself if you’re pretty aware of being able to identify those patterns, but I think it works better to have a friend do this because they’re going to be completely objective with you. These commonalities are what’s going to give you some style clues going forward.
2. Determine Your Lifestyle
The next step in this process is you’ve got to determine your lifestyle because personal style is not going to work for anyone unless you take lifestyle into consideration first. For instance, you might love pencil skirts and high heels like I do but that’s not practical for my daily life. I work from home. I’m in my office all day. I maybe go to Target once in a while when we’re not under quarantine but that’s about it. I do have some pencil skirts and blouses and high heels in my closet because when I do get to get a little bit gussied up and go to a conference or something a little bit dressier, then those are going to be my go-tos for events like that.
Most of the time, however, you’re going to find me in my t-shirt and jeans. I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl and I usually wear them every day then add some little detail for some extra interest. It important for me to look put together but also comfortable working from home. Honestly, my uniform is usually a half-tuck, slouchy t-shirt, the latest denim trend, topped with a cardigan, denim or moto jacket and finished off with comfy shoes, usually mules or slip-on sneakers and minimal accessories, which are usually my gold hoops and a short necklace. This is a uniform that works for me almost every day of the year. It’s foolproof and it just feels like me. So determine your lifestyle and what will work in it.
3. Curating Confidently
If you’ve been around Get Your Pretty On for a while or if you’ve done the Outfit Formulas program then you know that one of the things that I preach over and over again is that we are closet curators, not caught up consumers. That means that we slowly and deliberately build our wardrobes. You want to find pieces that you love, that you’re going to feel confident in every time you put them on. If it’s not a heck, yes, it’s a no! Don’t run out just to fill in a blank in your wardrobe. Make sure it’s something that you love and when in doubt, do the selfie test. A selfie never lies either in the fitting room or at home. Snap a quick mirror photo of your outfit or the item that you’re trying on. If the piece doesn’t work for you, the selfie is not going to whisper lies into your ears. At the end of the day, your outfit needs not only to be a representation of who you are but most importantly, I want you to feel confident and beautiful and everything that you wear.
Your Turn
Now it’s your turn! Today I want you go online and play around with this as we head into summer. Gather that intel, look for clues, maybe there are pieces you already have in your closet that will give you those clues. I would love for you to go and start pinning some outfits or creating a folder, Googling some images and finding some pieces that really speak to you and noticing what those commonalities are. Maybe you and a friend have a Zoom call and tell her about this. It can be your version of a girl’s night out that the two of you can do and you can figure out each other’s style personalities. Maybe you going to find yours is all over the place and again, that’s okay. You do not have to fit into just one category. Have fun exploring and then enjoy building a closet of clothes that are a heck yes!
Closet shame…it’s real ya’ll and doing a closet clean out is one of the biggest reasons women tell me prevents them from feeling good about their wardrobes.
Want to know a secret? I used to suffer from a serious case of closet shame! A few years back one of the biggest GYPO reader requests was for me to do a closet tour. Problem was I didn’t want anyone to see inside my closet. It was a wreck from top to bottom and had become a repository for all sorts of things that didn’t belong there. Add to that the fact that I still had my old wardrobe from my corporate past life, literally collecting dust. I knew it was time for a drastic change but I wasn’t sure where to start. The prospect was all just a tad bit overwhelming. Are you feelin’ me?
I decided there was only one way to eat this elephant and that was one bite at a time. So I developed this closet clean out process that works like a charm every time. I’ve even taught classes on it and use it every single season to keep my closet in tip-top shape. The best part? After you go through the process once, it’s a cinch to keep up with it!
Alright, let’s get right to it!
GYPO Three Step Closet Clean Out Process
Step One
Find three medium to large boxes and label them CASH, STASH, and TRASH. If you don’t have boxes on hand, trash bags will do.
In each box, you will categorize the following:
CASH: These are items that can be sold or donated. They are in good condition, but you haven’t worn them in a year or more and will probably never wear them again.
TRASH: Anything stained, worn out, or damaged beyond repair.
STASH:This is clothing purgatory. Put anything in here that you haven’t worn in two seasons but don’t want to part with. This will go into storage, at least for now. Let’s call this the “maybe” box.
Step Two
Pull every item out of your closet one by one, including shoes, handbags and scarves or other accessories. Find a category for each item and place it in its respective box. All items that you decide to keep can be put in a pile on your bed for now.
BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO KEEP?
That’s the million-dollar question, right? Use the following as a litmus test:
Have I worn it in the past year?
Is it a classic piece that will stay in style?
Is it still in good condition?
Can I pair it up in more than one way?
Do I feel good when I wear this?
Does it fit?
Would I buy this again?
If you answered “no” to one or more of the questions above, it’s probably not a keeper. Remember it’s not a HECK YES, it’s a NO. You can always put it in the STASH box and store it for now. If you’re still thinking about it within the next six months, pull it out of the box and use it. If not, tape up the box and donate it.
Step Three
Once you’re done categorizing what you have, it’s time to organize what’s left in your KEEP pile.
Most people have a preferred method of organizing their clothing. Mine is hanging it in groups of like items (short-sleeved shirts, cardigans, blouses, denim, dress pants, skirts, dresses, etc.) Others prefer to sort by color. It really doesn’t matter as long as it makes sense to you and you know where to find everything.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have velvet covered hangers yet, run, don’t walk to replace and upgrade your hangers TODAY! I recommend and use this affordable set.
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll be in a GREAT position to rebuild your wardrobe. Pay attention to items that you need to replace or upgrade and also any gaps in your wardrobe. These are the items you will want to have on your shopping list.
I’m sure you’ve heard the terms before, hourglass, pear or apple in reference to body shape but what does it all really mean? Knowledge is power and the premise behind knowing your body shape is that it will help you discover how to put your best foot forward, highlight what you love about your body and unlock the secrets to what fits and flatters your body shape the best. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you my brand new Outfit Formulas™ Body Shape Capsule Wardrobe and the free Body Shape download! Click on my Coffee Chat below for more details.
Over the years of doing capsule wardrobes, I’ve been asked a lot about body shape and what looks flattering on what shapes. I think that you can be on-trend as much as you want to be or have a closet full of clothes, but if you don’t really understand the concepts of how to dress your unique body shape, then those pieces are not going to fit and flatter you to the extent that they possibly could.
One of the things that I really wanted to base Get Your Pretty On and Outfit Formulas around was that there are so many different shapes and sizes. I wanted to celebrate and be really inclusive of every woman with every capsule wardrobe. Our community is such a beautiful representation of every single body shape and size. We have all different ages, heights, shapes, sizes, you name it. If you look on my Instagram and you see that a lot of the pictures are me in the outfits, I want you to know that in our private communities we’re seeing so much diversity and so much beauty. That’s really at the heart of what GYPO is about, that it’s such a beautiful representation of everybody. Every age, every background, every budget, no exceptions. Fashion and feeling good in your clothes is for every woman! I really want every woman to celebrate the body that she has and the beautiful and unique shape that she has. There are truly pieces out there that fit and flatter every shape and that’s what we’re gonna get to today!
Measure First
To determine your body shape you have to measure first. I’m going to give you the broad strokes here for determining your body shape but there are more detailed directions (and maybe some math but don’t worry) in my free Body Shape download so be sure to check that out! You’re going to need a measuring tape, pencil and paper. In order to take accurate measurements, you must be either naked or wearing tight-fitting clothes such as leggings and a cami. It’s also recommended that you don’t wear a bra when taking measurements so you can get them as accurate as possible. You’re going to measure three areas. 1. Shoulders 2. Bust 3. Waist 4. Hips.
There are four main body shapes. You may have heard them referred to as fruits and veggies like apples, pears and carrots or as shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and squares. The names are interchangeable, just remember that triangles are pears, inverted triangles are apples, rectangles are athletic and the hourglass is curvy. Again I go over in greater detail about the different shapes in the free Body Shape download and what silhouettes you want to include in your closet and what ones to avoid. Then for the free download, I’ve included a shopping list and four days of outfits! Below I’m going to show you the Day 1 outfit formula and how it translates into the four different body shapes. Let’s get started!
If your hips are wider than your shoulders, then you’re a Triangle or Pear shape which is the category I fall into. It’s all about proportions, and you’ll hear this a lot from me. You want to draw the eye to your top and waist which is why I went for a waist-length jacket and tank. I also chose these boot cut jeans because Triangle’s look great in any jean style and finished it off with some heels to elongate the legs.
Are your shoulders or bust wider than your hips? Then you’re an Inverted Triangle or Apple shape. For this body type you’re trying to create balance by drawing the eye to the waist by creating interest around your hips. For this look, I picked a moto jacket that hits below the waist with bootcut jeans and a flowing tank that also hits below the waist. If you have a bigger bust, which many inverted triangles do, be sure to opt for a jacket with some stretch to it or you can even opt for a black cardigan to complete this look, just make sure it hits you around the hips.
If all measurements are the same or very similar with no defined waistline, you’re a Rectangle or Athletic shape. Your shape is well balanced and you look great in just about anything. The main goal of a rectangle is to add some curve by creating a waist. I did this by adding a structured jacket on top and then tucking in a simple tank to show off the waistline and finally pairing it all with a wider leg jean style which will enhance the waist as well.
If your shoulders and hips are about the same size with a defined waist you are an Hourglass or Curvy. You’ve got curves and you need to embrace them and show them off! This body shape is all about balance which it already has, you just need to keep it. To keep proportions balanced I picked a structured jacket and a sleeveless blouse that gathers in at the waist then finished it off with a pair of skinny jeans.
Things to Remember
You are Unique
Even though there are four different body types we are all unique and therefore may not fit neatly into one particular category. There is a chance that you may have a sub-body type and that’s okay. This is simply a guide to help you find clothes that will flatter you the best but that doesn’t mean that if you find something you love and that you feel great in that you should abandon it because it doesn’t “fit” into your body shape guidelines. If you’re struggling to find your body type, another method is to disregard your shoulder measurements completely and just use your bust, waist and hips.
Highlight What You Love
Learning how to dress with your body shape is all about learning to highlight what you love about your body! If you love your legs, learn how to rock them, if you love your curves, learn how to flaunt them and if you love your shoulders, learn the tops that flatter them. It’s all about using clothing silhouettes to draw the eye where were want and maybe away from what you don’t want front and center. So find what you love about yourself you can even go beyond naming your body parts. What are all the things you love about yourself? Go ahead, make a list….I’ll wait.
Don’t Get Discouraged
There are many other factors that may determine what your body shape is. For instance, height, where you carry your weight, where you lose and gain weight first. This isn’t to make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you don’t fit all nice and neat into one shape. Like I said before, you may have a sub-shape category and that’s totally, 100% okay. It’s easy to maybe wish you were another body type, I know I did. I am a pear and I spent my early years wishing I was a rectangle. People with curly hair wish theirs was straight and vice versa. There’s always going to be something, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to embrace it! Embrace yourself and accept that you are fabulous just the way you are! Once you’ve done that, then you wear what makes you happy and gives you confidence!
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future.
Betty Weyandt December 20, 2019
I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
Kirstin Rasmussen November 20, 2019
Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
Michelle Kline November 20, 2019
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
Chosen Faith November 19, 2019
GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
Maraline Freeman October 16, 2019
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
Krista Probst October 16, 2019
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