Tre’s Chic-ka: My How-to Guide On Wearing Stripes Without Looking F-A-T!

Hey Chic-kas,

So I am in my car on the way home from a BBQ at our friends house in Cedarhurst (the one that was cancelled yesterday) and after a day of BBQ, swimming and overall good times – I am zonked. As I finally have a little quiet, My three girls are wiped out in the back seat crashing after their sugar filled day ( cotton candy, fire cracker ices and forth of july cupcakes for dessert), I realized that I have a great post to share with you all. STRIPES – how to wear them and not look FAT!

Today I think out of the 7 women that were there 6 of us (including myself)  wearing blue and white striped articles of clothing. Some wore  t-shirts,  maxi dress, and a skirt. All of us expressing our holiday spirit - Some of us looking like we were pregnant in our backside or worse some of us  looked like we just escaped from the local prison!

Stripes are all the Trend for this season – celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow , the Kardashians and Pipa herself(the new princesses sister) have been flaunting this come back sailor trend. Fashion writers for nearly every magazine are calling the classic Stripe T  – A MUST-HAVE STAPLE in this years Summer Wardrobe – I am thinking what ever happened to the saying that I am sure all of you have heard once in your lifetime at least ” Don’t wear stripes – They make you look Fat!“

The truth is Stripes if not worn to flatter your figure CAN make you look FAT! Face it not all of us are the size 2′s and 4′s that these celebs are. If you are anything like me – your still trying to loose that last 15 pounds you gained since your first kid!!

So how do you wear this great looking trend the right way?

Here are my Tre’s Chic-ka Tips:

1. It’s all about the fit.

When an outfit fits perfectly, the pattern won’t matter. Look for striped pieces that define your shape and accentuate your waist!

This great striped shirt comes from one of my favorite online stores ruche.com

The belt at the waist makes it the perfect fit and gives definition to the waist -for almost any body type. Wear it with a thin white sleeveless T underneath and a white or denim skirt – perfect for any occasion casual or business.

Here is another shirt from ruche.com – that still gives you waist even if you have a bit of a pop belly -again 3/4 sleeve white shirt underneath and a fab skirt some killer espidrells and you are chic-ka to go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Match the pattern to the size of your frame.

Don’t let the pattern overwhelm your figure. This is what often leads to an unflattering pattern. Small frame = small pattern, medium frame = medium pattern, and so forth

A little hippy – this A line skirt with it’s larger stripes is perfect for someone with a little “extra” in the hip area. Tuck in your shirt add a thin belt and you have just created an illusion for a  tiny waist  – no one is thinking  – there goes the girl with the big Tush – but instead are saying – Wow – what a small waist you have!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Help your proportion with distortion.

Stripes can add volume to your figure. If  lacking in the bust department just add a striped shirt. Need a little more junk in the trunk? Add a striped pencil skirt. It’s the perfect way to balance out your proportion with distortion!

This long Striped skirt again is from Ruche.com $35.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if your still from the old school that says STRIPES = FAT – check out these pair of summer shoes – A TERRIFIC WAY to wear this trend NO MATTER – what size you are

 

 

 

 

So no matter your body type – you DO NOT have to look FAT in STRIPES!!!

Wear them in good health (fat or skinny)!

Chow Effie!

 

 

sources: realwomen.com, ruche.com, matchbookmag.com