Fashion Conundrums: Large Chest

This is the third part of this series that I started here on LLB. Recently I asked my friends (via facebook status) what issues they were having fashion/beauty wise and got a ton of responses. You guys are awesome!

Today's conundrum? The "inverted triangle" body type. Or "a large chest". I decided to do this particular problem first because it is so near and dear to me. I wear a 34D bra size as of right now (you should get re-sized every 3-4 months) but that is small to what I used to wear.  My chest used to be so large that it was actually causing me severe pain in my back and it doesn't help that I only stand at 5 feet tall. All that weight was crushing me! So in my senior year of high school, I had breast reduction surgery. For that reason, I decided to tackle this specific "conundrum" first.

First and most importantly, go have a bra fitting. I read somewhere that 80% of women wear the wrong bra size! I know, this is agonizing for some and I used to absolutely hate it, but your bra is the most important thing when you have a larger chest. No amount of clothes will make you look and feel your best, without a properly fitted bra. I also know that cute ones are hard to find, unless you have the means to spend $60+ per bra at Victoria's Secret. And even then, they aren't as cute as the tiny little Pink ones! I feel your pain. But I would sacrifice all the cuteness of a bra, for clothes that look great on me. The best bras I've ever bought are not the cutest but I'd re-purchase them in a heartbeat. Lane Bryant and Vanity Fair are my favorite brands, hands down but I've been scared to shop online for bras! I've heard nothing but good news about divabras.com, onestopplus.com, and cacique.lanebryant.com, however. They're all super cute and come in a bunch of different price points (most of them are under $40 though!). I'd really like to try them! Has anyone ever used those sites?

Along with well-fitted bras, camis are your best friend. I buy the cheap ones from Forever 21 but any cami will work. They give you that extra support you need and with any lower neckline, you don't wanna look anything but classy, right?

Necklines can be your worst enemy if you don't wear the right ones and if you have a bigger bust, you know what I'm talking about. Turtlenecks? Not gonna happen. And cowl necks don't do you justice either. Boat necks? Forget about it. They all just emphasize your chest and make it look even bigger. Try to stick to a scoop neck or preferably, a v-neck. And square neck will also look amazing! Those necklines lengthen your actual neck and take attention away from the bust.

Christina Aguilera

That brings us to embellishments and anything of the sort. Ruffles and embellishments right on the bust of the shirt, do not help disguise your chest. I've seen this more times than I ever wanted to. It doesn't distract! That ruffle on your shirt brings the eye there, just showing off what you want to conceal. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't have a fun top! Prints are great, and so is sparkle! Just stay away from anything that adds volume.

That being said, all your tops should be fitted, especially button downs. And this includes jackets! I know, its a pain in the ass to have things tailored but it just has to be done. You should be buying things that fit your chest, period. Then have the sides and/or shoulders tailored down to fit your actual size. If you buy a bigger shirt and it fits your bust and then don't have it tailored? It will just make you look heavy. Sometimes you can get away with belting it, but sometimes, that doesn't work. But the worst look, is a button down that's pulling at the buttons. Please don't do that to yourself.

Kat Dennings

The only thing I like about having a larger chest, is my ability to look good with a slight shoulder pad. Now I know this may not be for everyone but I love prominent shoulders. It balances out your chest so nicely. And if you have slightly narrow hips, along with your large bust, I suggest trying out the peplum trend, which can also balance you out.

Christina Hendricks

Lastly, and probably the most common, a dark top can save you. But that's not to say you need to live in dark tops, this is just the easiest way. If you do wear a dark top, try a light bottom. That'll bring the eye down, away from your top half.

This one was pretty personal for me, guys. I hope you all like these tips. Do you have any others?
All pictures are linked to their source.

Fashion Conundrums: Two

I've been searching around for some more fashion issues that people seem to be having and this one has kind of just been bugging me. I've been seeing a lot of girls wearing super unflattering hemlines lately or doing other things that make their legs look super short and it's just not a good look. I realize some girls might not care and that's perfectly fine, but for the ones who are doing it unintentionally, I wanted to help bring it to the forefront. So here's part two of this series: How To Make Your Legs Look Miles Long

First, nude. There is a color of clothing called "nude" but not everyone's skin is that color! The term nude is supposed to mean you're not wearing anything and how do you look like that if that shoe in "nude" doesn't match your skin color? Exactly. So to make your legs look longer, get shoes that match your skin! Cutting them off at the ankle or foot by an off shade of "nude", doesn't work. Also, if you're wearing tights with the nude shoes, try to match them as well. Go for the same tonal quality as your skin, like a light pink/peach if you have really pale skin. Another nude that will work, is a nude skirt or dress. That will bring your leg line all the way up to the waist of the skirt/dress.

If you don't want to do nude however, a dress or skirt that is in the same tonal family as your shoes will also draw the eye up and down.

That brings us to number two: Hemlines and Waistlines
The higher the waistline, the longer your legs look, and the same with hemlines. That's not to say that you want your shorts so short that your butt's hanging out or dresses so short that your um... Britney.. can be seen. All I mean is that hemlines above the knee make your legs a lot longer to the eye, than hemlines below the knee. Unless it's an empire waist. Just please don't go out looking like a hooch, for the love of long legs.

Three. Your shoes matter! I already told you how nude shoes go a long way but there's other options too. Heels, for instance. We all know that heels make you look taller, therefore make your legs look longer. Common sense, right? Well did you know that the style of heel can make a difference? Like a round-toe pump can shorten your legs, so stick to pointy-toes. Also, ankle straps cut the leg line so stay away from those. (Unless they're nude or match your tights!)

The fourth thing I came up with is all about your pants. Dark pants or dark washes instantly make your legs look thinner, and usually thinner = longer. A straight leg or skinny pant also works to lengthen your legs, as there is no fullness, like with a bell or boot cut.

Finally, make sure your tops only come to your hips. Any longer and, you guessed it, it shortens your leg line.  And I know the trend right now is horizontal stripes but personally, I try to stay away from that as much as possible. Vertical lines make you look long and lean!

Being only 5' even, myself I try to do whatever I can to look taller (and slimmer). Any one of these little hints should help you look like you have god-given, long legs. I can't promise the legs of Carrie Underwood (Is she even real?) but they're tried and true!

If you guys have any other tips or tricks for long-looking legs, leave a comment!

All pictures linked respectively

Fashion Conundrums: Take One

I'm gonna try out this new series called Fashion Conundrums. It's going to be about different fashion issues and questions that I get or see people asking a lot.

This week, all I've heard it seems, is "I found this really cute dress but its too cold to wear it!" and that is the silliest thing I've ever heard, unless it's a beach wrap or something crazy. Almost all spring (and most of the time, summer) dresses can be worn even in the chillier months as long as you can do one thing: layer.

So here are some different ideas that I came up with, either completely on my own or by seeing someone wear it.

One: Tights.

Well, tights and leggings. This is a no-brainer that you've seen from EVERYONE. If you're gonna go bare-legged in the cold, you are a brave woman. I am not so brave. I am notoriously cold, at all times, so I always layer up underneath if I'm wearing a dress out these days. And with so many tights options, like patterned, sheer, opaque, and every color ever imaginable, it will not be hard to find a pair you love. Seriously. Also, when it gets even colder? Do not be afraid to double up! Two layers of tights will feel like you're wearing a pair of warm pants.

Two: There are other neutrals!

Too many people just go straight for black in the winter, but brown and grey works too. It can make everything seem more autumnal instead of just harsh black and floral-y or flouncy dress. Actually, the black can actually make the colors of your dress pop, having the opposite effect. So try brown or grey tights and cardigans if you're going the neutral route.

Three: Breaking up the pattern

If you're going to wear a super patterned springtime dress with flowers or whatnot, along with layering the crap out of it, try breaking up the pattern with a big, comfy scarf or a thick belt. Also, try to use them in pretty autumn colors like mustard, oxblood (which is huge right now), emerald, or other saturated colors. The big statement pieces like the scarf and thick belt, in those colors or neutrals, will help decrease the spring feel of the pattern.

Four: Dresses into skirts

A lot of spring and summer dresses have a full/voluminous bottom half. One option you have, instead of a cardigan, is to layer a sweater over top of the dress so the the bottom half then acts as a skirt. Chunky (or cable) knits are ideal for this, but any heavier knit will work, granted the top of your dress isn't incredibly voluminous as well. I suggest if the dress is pretty colorful, stay with a neutral top and vice versa. Flannels work great too, if it's not dreadfully cold.

Five: Dresses into tops

On the opposite side of number four, if you have a slim or body con dress that you're dying to wear, you can totally layer a thicker skirt over the bottom half of the dress. Try something in wool or tweed, as those are your warmer options. A fuller skirt in a pretty fall color would work too!

Six: No sleeves? No problem.

As I'm sure you've seen everywhere, as well as tights, throwing a long sleeved shirt under a dress is a lot of women's go-to when it starts to get chilly. I think it's absolutely adorable to put a button up or a turtleneck under a sleeveless dress. It looks so polished and cozy (two words that are rarely used together). So again, use neutrals or fall colors to contrast the spring-like patterns. And if you have a more fall-worthy dress that's just lacking in the sleeve department, try a bright pop of any coordinating color to brighten up the gloomy days.

And a side note: boots always make something more autumn-y.

I hope that helped some of you who have been pondering trowing those pretty dresses in the back of the closet. Or those of you who are clinging for dear life, and freezing simultaneously. Feel free to use any and all of these tips. (But please, not all of them at once.)
Stay warm and layer!!
[All pictures are linked to the source]