Fashion Irony

The average American woman is just over 5 feet 4 inches tall.  The average fashion model is 5 feet 9 inches, and many are even taller than that (think the lovely Karlie Kloss, at 6"1", and Elle MacPherson, at 6'.)  However, there are two initial problems with that 5+ inch discrepancy:

1. The obvious one: the models do not reflect what most women will look like in the clothes. This is the problem most women find frustrating, and understandably.  If these models are the standard for ideal physical beauty, and height is nothing we have control over, then women are judging themselves in a comparison that was never even comparable to begin with.
2. But the less obvious one--at least less obvious to anyone of average height--is that for those of us who are 'model' height, ironically the clothes actually for sale are not made for us.  We cannot assume because an item of clothing is photographed on someone we know is our height, that if we try on the same item it would fit us. 

Bet you didn't know being average height was actually a shopping blessing, did you?  I am 5'11". A good height for sports, yes, and a good height for modeling (if I were 10 years and 20 lbs lighter - and I'm only 140. I'm not saying I need to lose weight, its just the industry....).  But it's not a good height for buying clothes off the rack.  Pants are never long enough. And even if you decide 'hey, that's ok, I'll rock these regular length skinny jeans as crop pants', the proportions are off, so you can't pull them up past your knees. Try on a cute, fitted sheath dress, and the narrow of the waist is at your rib cage, and the width of the hips is at your waist. That look may have worked in the days of the bustle, but not so much today. A full length sleeve usually ends up being 3/4 length.

One of the wonderful things about this world is all the diversity of life; all the beautiful shapes and sizes and colors we come in.  So I understand, practically speaking, that mass-produced clothing cannot be made in every single size and shape.

Thankfully, many companies are beginning to make more clothes in tall length. Not just longer limbs, but longer proportions, so the waist is where the waist should be, and the knee-length hem is actually at the knee (and not pushing decency boundaries.)  ASOS is increasing their line, and I could not be happier about this. I honestly don't know how I dressed before I discovered ASOS.  They have super cute, affordable maternity clothes (which I shopped when I was pregnant, and will again next time) and their tall size styles are increasing. With free shipping on any order over $25, free expedited shipping over $125, free returns, petite, maternity, average and tall sizes, and a massive inventory, what more could you ask for?  If you're not shopping there yet, set some time aside and check it out (you will find dozens of things you love, I promise). You're going to have to start an ASOS wish list board on Pinterest.

Fitted dresses are always a tall challenge. These are so cute and in tall proportions. (Here, here, here and here.)  They have styles for work and play.

Peplum tops are always a tall girl challenge. Here's a cute one with longer proportions.  And a fun, tribal top that is long enough.

A beautifully colored shift dress that's not a mini; and while many brands carry basics in longer lengths, its often hard to find trendier pieces.  These plaid pants look great for the fall.

 

Royal Inspiration

I think its safe to say that, generally speaking, office/professional attire are not the most fun, fashionable pieces a girl has in her closet.  But for so many of us, they are the clothes we spend most of our lives in.  Every morning - actually beginning the night before - I try to figure out how to wear/style/assemble my outfit that I'm professional in appearance, yet youthful and feminine and even fun.  One of my new fashion inspirations in this regard is the Dutchess of Cambridge.

Clearly becoming a Dutchess does a wardrobe good.  She didn't have bad style before she got married, but her style now that she's officially a Mrs. has been flawless.  If you google "Kate Middleton Fashion Blooper", all you get are images of the wind blowing her skirt up almost too much.  If those are your only fashion bloopers and you live in the public eye as she does, you are doing very well.

What's so great about Kate's style is that we can all see ourselves wearing the same thing. She may have the ability to spend more than most of us, but her sensibility is classic and tasteful, and what really makes her look good is that everything fits her perfectly. And while she does have an enviable figure, even models can't wear everything right off the rack.  Buy a cheap dress but have it tailored to fit your body, and you will look more expensive than what you spent.

Kate has a way of making frumpy not-so-youthful pieces look youthful and lovely.  Some of the tweed and high-neck suits and dresses she has worn would make me feel like and old lady, but she doesn't look matronly in the slightest.

And of course, who doesn't want to be a princess for the gowns?  Don't we all wish we had lives where it warranted wearing beautiful dresses regularly? Kate has great taste picking the loveliest gowns. She really does look like a princess.

And can I just say I don't know why we don't wear hat/fascinators in the US the way they do in the UK?  It's a shame.

I'm working on filling my closet with my version of Kate style. Classic sheaths in a variety of colors, dresses and skirts of midi length, and well-fitting blazers and jeans.  And I will be making friends with a good tailor...

Currently craving...

Haven't done one of these posts in a while. But we're getting closer to spring, and especially here in LA where the weather was in the 80s the weekend, the pretty prints that are popping up everywhere are calling to me. Here are some that I'd love to add to my closet right now.

Ruano Kaleidoscope Print Shift
by Rhyme Los Angeles

The interest in the details...

Sometimes when picking what to wear, I battle mentally over wanting to just be comfy, and still wanting to look polished.  I think this outfit looks put together, but is deceptively comfortable.  The pants I love, they're super soft and lightweight.  The shirt is jersey, and the jacket is lightweight and cotton.  If anything in this ensemble foils my attempt at comfort, its the heels, but even for those, these ones are good. A little platform in the front makes a tall heel feel not so tall, and also allows for a little cushion in the front.

Jacket: Forever21 // Necklace: Mango // Top: J. Crew // Pants: Mango // Shoes: Calvin Klein (similar here)

Pattern and lace...

As I'm sure you can imagine, much of the attire you see in a law office is drab. Most business suits are drab, even the decor, walls and carpet here are drab. I, however, am not drab.  And I refuse to allow my drab environment to suck me in. So even if I'm alone in it, I will bring color to the drabness I spend the bulk of my day in.  By my clothes and by my smile.

Shirt: Zara (first seen here) // Skirt: Mango // Heels: Calvin Klein

Thought it's hard to tell from the pictures, my skirt is actually navy lace, and my blouse is more of a sheer fabric.  The shape and length of the skirt are totally work appropriate, but the texture of the lace is more fun than just a solid.

Necklace: Newport News (old) // Shoes: Calvin Klein

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Dressed up for dinner...

I've never followed the "no whites after Labor Day" "rule".  That's just silly to me.  Granted, I find that 'winter white' feels a bit more seasonally appropriate during the colder months, but white white works year round.  You just need to incorporate it in seasonally appropriate ways.  Like in a jacket. A fun, structured jacket with extra detailing.

Jacket: Forever21 // Necklace: Forever21 //  Dress: ????, got it on HauteLook (old) // Heels: Calvin Klein

Winter leopard...

This week has been cold for LA again. I say again, because we were having a cold wave (opposite of heat wave?) for several weeks in January and it was all anyone could talk about. Jimmy Kimmel did a recap:

Office brights...

I'm on a mission to find office appropriate outfits that are not drab.  I spend my days (just for the pay) in a law office, and while it could be worse, it's pretty drab. The decor is from I think the '70s, and aside from the sporadically-placed colorful but what-the-heck-is-that-supposed-to-be artwork, everything is dull around here.  I'm trying be be a bright spot amongst it all. This outfit helps with that.

Top: Forever21 // Bottoms: Mango // Shoes: Anne Klein

Red-y or not...

As I mentioned earlier, I am going to try to post more apparel pictures, and today is one of those days. I must disclaimer that the pictures are not the best possible.  Saturday turned out to be a great day for talking pctures outside, but I ended up sick.  Then Sunday when I was feeling better, it was a bit sunny, plus it was Super Bowl, and my husband and I spent the morning in the kitchen prepping food, then the afternoon at our friends house to watch the game. Didn't get home until after dark, so the pictures ended up just being in the house (boring!) with the iPhone.  Ah well. Next time.

Color of Love...

So its the last day in January. How is that possible already? 11 more months and its 2014! Whoa, I know, getting a bit ahead of myself there.  One day at a time.  Or 14 days until Valentine's Day (for those in love) and Singles Awareness Day (for those not).  And regardless of your love status, I think we can all enjoy a reason to buy a new outfit.

Accessorize and do good...

This would have been a good post to do during the holidays, since we're all looking for good things to spend our money on.  But this this the kind of thing we should spend our money on year-round, so any time is a good time to write about this.

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