Things That Make You Say “Hmmmmm….”

We love a good fashion trend.  Even it’s not for us  (Thank God we’ve passed the point of needing to try everything out) we can appreciate a well executed effort but this latest one has us well… a little stumped…

From the Italian design company Acquacalda we introduce: Pic Nic Pants – part jeans, part drop crotch/genie pant designed to spread out when seated.

Seriously.

I’m not joking.

Acquacalda’s website describes the vision behind the pants:  “Pic Nic pants take advantage of the usual cross-legged position to become a comfortable surface useful for the consumption of a meal outdoors. Laterally pants have an orientable pocket for drinks.”

Yes, a pair of pants with a built in place mat.

Wow.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

My least favorite type of underwear is available in multiple styles, colors and fabrics.  Maybe my dislike came from the first one my mother ever purchased for me:  Littlest Angel, “Grows as you Grow.”  Sound unattractive?  It was, and there began my dislike of an undergarment that really does make clothes look and fit better.  I’m talking about … the bra.

Strapless, push-up, halter, racer-back, backless, full-figured, training and of course even maternity bras are all out there just waiting for the right outfit.  Got a thin t-shirt?  There is a seamless bra just waiting for you.  One shoulder dresses benefit from the convertible type and athletic women know there are a myriad of sports bras on the market.

But alas there are some of us out there who are still a bit challenged (trust us we see ALOT of bad bras) so here are a couple of suggestions:

1.   Fit is key.  Did you know 70% of women are possibly wearing the wrong size bra?  That is a huge number!  If you’ve been wearing the same bra longer than you can remember, it is time to be refit. If it rises in the back?  Could be too big.  If you have a lot of bulges and a uni-boob in front? Too small.  If the hooks in back are down to one and the underwire’s popping out – RUN to the mall:  It’s time to buy a new bra!

There are multiple websites and videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4pdBzIWH6c  with instructions on how to measure yourself for the correct fit but any good lingerie department or store can do it for you and if it’s been awhile going to a store is probably a good idea.  A few measurements in the right places can make all the difference between perky and southbound.

2.  No bra for you?  Adhesive  bras for the strapless and/or backless dress are available and they do work for some, but not necessarily the most secure feeling in the world.  Some well constructed camisoles are a possibility as well.

3.  Bras-R-Us:  I suspect something a little more practical, but still nice looking is more up your alley.  So there are several options:

• You can buy one bra called a convertible (pictured at the top) that works well with many tops by simply re-hooking the straps in different positions.
• A demi-cup, whether purchased with extra padding to give you more “lift” or not,  can be very flattering and work with a variety of low styled tops.
• If a minimizer, (which does exactly what it says minimizes larger chests) is what you are looking for, once again there are many manufacturers offering differing price points.  Personally I’m a fan of Wacoal (Thanks Oprah!)

Gisele Bundchen modeled one that was worth 15 million dollars!  It was made up of over 1300 precious jewels.   That and Tom Brady too!

Quote of the Week…

SCARLETT HAD THE RIGHT IDEA

You name the body part and  there is an undergarment to lift it, smooth it, hide it, reduce it or otherwise alter its original form.  Arm- shapers, waist nippers, body briefs and even special maternity attire is available from  every lingerie maker out there.  Maternity?  Really?  Shouldn’t that be the one time women get a pass on this restrictive wear?  Guess not.

Seriously though,  there isn’t one among us whose clothes don’t look better with proper underwear.  The phrase, “A house is as good as its foundation,” applies to fashion as well.  These aren’t your mother’s girdles anymore.  Although they may perform similar tricks the construction and comfort are totally different.         

For as many different types of undergarments there are, there are even more manufacturers. Bethenny Frankel, entrepreneur, former Real Housewife of New York and maker of all things slimming and healthy has a line of “smoothers and shapers”, not surprisingly called Skinnygirl  .  Dr. Rey, a media saavy Beverly Hills plastic surgeon , specializing in breast augmentations also has a complete line.  The one that has become synonomous with slimming,  especially after Oprah gave them a mention is Spanx.  Sara Blakely, now a self-made billionaires ( with a “b”) came up with the idea after putting on control top panty hose and cutting the feet off.  Why didn’t I think of that?

The more popular ones out there are, a slimming cami, a mid thigh waist shaper and the one that covers all the bases is the body suit.The cami is perfect for hiding those love handles, or as it’s more often referred  to,  the muffin top.  The waist shaper takes care and smooths the area from the thigh to just above the waist.  That seems to cover a lot of problems, but  if you want to remove all guess work you’ll need  a full body suit.

As always there are a variety of price ranges depending on vendor and style.  Check out the few websites listed and you’ll be amazed at what these can do for you.

Coming soon:   How to pick the perfect bra!

Quote of the Week…

“I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”

-Yves Saint Laurent

ArtLA Student Competition: Please Vote for Irina!

 

Hey Everyone!   Irina (DRESS’s Faaabbbbbuuullllouuuss CCA Intern) needs our help!  Her work has been entered as part of ArtLA’s “Student Artist of the Year” competition and she needs your votes!  It’s super easy, you don’t have to register to vote just click ArtLa and vote for Irina’s amazing piece called “Demoiselle”.

Thanks!!!!

Item of the Week… The Hangry Pillow

DRESS featured in Decisive Magazine Winter 2012 Issue

DRESS was very lucky to be included inDecisive Magazine’s Winter 2012 issue, their first Eco-Edition and first fashion spread!  Decisive Magazine provides culturally relevant news and information to minority consumers in order to help them make purchasing decisions on products and services.  You can view DRESS’s story at http://www.Decisive Magazine.com or in print.

DRESS in Diablo Magazine’s Spring Issue

 

 

Check out one of our favorite dress rentals for Spring by Robert Rodriguez Black Label (rental fee: $205 3-Days including dry cleaning) featured in Diablo Magazine’s Spring Issue now on newsstands!

OSCARS 2012

What can be said about this years fashions at the Academy Awards that hasn’t been said already?  Or, at least stated well by Joan Rivers.  As I took notes during the broadcast ( the ‘ol memory ain’t what she used to be), I found that I matched pretty closely with the Fashion Police.

Let’s  get right to my favorites.  The first “wow” on the red carpet was not only the ever-handsome George Clooney, but the tall, blond Stacy Keibler attached to his side.  Her gold-tone Marchesa was stunning.  Not many could pull off a huge floral accent on the hip, but Stacey did, and quite well.  Who knows how long she will be by his side, but if he’s going  for a looker who dresses well, she could be there longer than the odds-makers predict.  Her hair color and skin tone complimented the dress perfectly.  Way to go George and Stacy.

Milla Jovovich is not someone normally on my radar, but her one shouldered, white (big theme of the night) Elie Saab gown was a show stopper in my book.  I tend to go for understated elegance and this fit the description perfectly.  The hair and make-up, highlighted with matte red lipstick  along with her subtle jewelry all worked for me.

My  favorite of the night?  Thanks for asking.  Hands down, Gwyneth Paltrow in her theme following white Tom Ford gown with matching over the shoulder cape.  AWEsome!  So smart, so subtle, so glamorous.  Once again, the whole look meshed.  Even with the cape removed when she was on stage, the draping of the two shouldered gown totally worked.  The addition of a big cuff was all she needed to perfect the look

Making my special lasagna might have interrupted some of my fashionable viewing, but there wasn’t much that truly offended this year.  At first glance the color of Viola Davis’ gown struck a positive chord, but upon further review the ill-fitting top made it fall to the bottom of the list.  Shailene Woodly,  from The Descendants had on a lovely (white)Valentino Couture.   Lovely if she was forty years older; not too fab  for a twenty year old.  Last of my least favorites might surprisingly go to the  Elie Saab dress worn by The Help star Jessica Chastain.   Sorry, but the black and gold Alexander McQueen just fell flat for me.  It seems Twitter followers loved it but it had too much going on for my tastes.

Whatever will we do now that  award season is over? Fashion Police always finds something to say……