Suits Rock
Let's talk about what's right about these suits.
They're beautiful, they're classic, they're polished. The women look fresh and cared for, their shoes are totally stylish but not tarty (you could even wear those strappy sandals to a non-Sunday morning event), and they're absolutely appropriate for ministry.
The skirt on the top gal is a bit too short, but just a hair, and it may be just the way she's standing. Add some very sheer nylons, a nicely substantial pump or shoe, and you're all set.
The gal on the bottom has fabulous trousers. Look at the elegance of the pointy toe flat peeking out the bottom and the stylish yet classic bag. That's what I mean by details, darlings.
As we can see by these photos, it's not about having a closet full of brightly colored odds and ends that sort of fit and that sort of "go together." It's about assembling, with great care and over hard time in the retail salt times, perfectly tailored, beautiful and well-made pieces.
These outfits don't need a thing but a fresh face and shiny hair and a big smile.
Of course if you wanted to add some accessories, you could. But you wouldn't need to. A lovely watch, a pair of tasteful earrings, that would do.
This look isn't for everybody (it isn't for me, as I'm too large in both body and personality to really carry it off), but if it works for you, why not work it?
posted by PeaceBang at 10:03 PM
8 Comments:
OK. I'll bite. Why can't a large in body or personality woman wear such classic styles? How large (in either body or personality is "large"? I thought classic styles worked for everyone?
Thanks, PeaceBang, for having answers my mother never knew....
Christine, mi amiga, the Mexicans have a darling little word for a very unpleasant reality: "yantitas."
You know what yantitas are? They're rolls of fat.
PeaceBang feels that too many yantitas ruins the line of a suit.
Since I am built somewhat like a horizontal stack of meatballs, separates work better for me. I do have one gorgeous black suit (I make sure to *always* have one gorgeous black suit in my closet) but it took mucho shopping and tailoring to get the fit just right.
I do try them on and they look SMASHING when I'm standing still. But as soon as I go into motion, it looks as though a litter of puppies is trying to escape from the jacket.
In general, suits favor an evenly proportioned woman, and I'm not one of those. I'm short with tiny hands and feet, lovely calves but fat, short arms, muchas yantitas, broad shoulders and a short neck.
Most suits, while I love them, are too monochromatic and tailored for this zaftig, zesty girl. Classic styles *do* work for everyone, but not if they're not your style.
Dearest PeaceBang,
End of church year burn out has made me ugly. I am using my Maybelline express make up stick faithfully but my under-eye circles seem to be permanently etched. Do you have any miracle cures to help get me at least a little fresh-faced and shiny until summer vacation?
Also, I am delighted to report that a stylish friend has passed along to me several beautifully tailored, classic suits. I am now in search of those fitted shells or t-shirts with a touch a spandex to go underneath. Do you have recommendations for places I can shop online for these?
Gratefully yours,
Anon.
Dear Anon,
My poor, girl, I FEEL you.
PeaceBang loves a little product called No More Puffery by Origins and swears by it for the worst times of the year (like post-Christmas and May). It's an eye gel and works just fab if you put it in the fridge.
Barring that, good old iced cucumber slices really *do* work. Make sure to moisturize and let the moisturizer sink in before putting on the make-up.
You can also do what the models do and line the INSIDE of your lids with flesh colored pencil. It really does brighten everything up, but I wear contacts so I've never tried it.
Are you using blush? Do, and make it a peachier or pinker shade than you're used to. Smile and apply it on the apples of your cheeks. Blend, blend, blend. A brighter lipstick color can also do wonders.
All of this will only work if your skin is exfoliated and moisturized.
Have you tried the Revlon skinlights products I recommended? Using the powder as an eyeshadow is a genius solution for drab eyes.
Some other ideas to restore a glow:
Bigger hair with a kicky wide headband.
A chunky turquoise bead necklace (I found one two years ago for ten bucks!)
Bright green Kangaroo sneakers on your day off.
Have a glass of champagne before dinner. Prosecco is a tenth of the price and just as bubbly.
Enormous hoop earrings with a very tailored suit, with sophisticated heels and fabulous red lips.
Get plenty of rest.
Drink tons of water. I drop an herbal tea bag into my water bottle, add a few drops of Stevia, and yum! Like Kool-Aid but with no chemical junk in it!
AVOID SALTY and PROCESSED FOOD!
Fruits, darling! Veggies!
When PeaceBang gets bloated, she swears by homemade smoothies, all kinds of yummy roasted vegetables and champagne.
As far as shells go -- darling, what approximate body shape have you?
Those suits look great. I've gone to all pants for just about the whole year since I never know if I'm going to get on the floor with the church school. Stretchy and comfortable are very important. A note on rise given the current popularity of low-slung waists, including in suits: getting a slightly longer top and testing the waistband "plunge" factor when seated or bending over in the dressing room can make a difference between being appropriately covered and flashing the lower back for all to see. (Hey, PB - what are your thoughts on the predominance of low rise, lots of back showing in fashion?)
I'm interested in ideas for purchasing shells as well. So many of them look great on the hanger but just don't match my shape - and I'm a very average M to L with fairly straight shoulders.
The Reverend Ms. Innis-Price raises a good point: we think of shells and t's that go under suits as minor garments, but the fit needs to be really good so it's worth trying a bunch on. A few guiding points: get colors that pop. Find a collar that works well (I love boatnecks because floppy crew necks make me look like a no-neck monster. Too low = too much cleavage, etc. I can only wear a *very* fitted V-neck, etc.)
I adore collars and look good in them, so I buy a lot of those sleeveless jobbies with collars in white. I always have a clean one, and since I own so many gorgeous chunky necklaces and am always made-up, the white does everything I need it to: frames the face, highlights the necklace, et al.
Jen, low-rise waists are very flattering but too low is just gross. I don't care if you're 19 and have the body of a god or goddess, I don't want to see your derriere cleavage. Yuck! And girls who go around with visible thongs should be put in the stocks in the town square.
Dear PB,
I will try the Revlon skinlights and brighter lipstick remedies and let you know how the cure progresses. As far as bodytype and shells go, I am tall and slim-ish, for which I promise I am appropriately grateful to Our Maker. I also have an "ample bosom" as my mother in law might describe it.
Sincerely,
Anon
I concurr - just say "no" to derriere decolletage. There is an important line between the comfort of pants that are low enough that they don't dig into the stomach and those that go where no pants should go. Then there is the whole unfortunate danger of having the low slung pants so tight that it looks like the wearer has two sets of bottoms - even if she is fairly slim. Ug.
On the shells - I just gained a whole new understanding on how much to spend on those items. I recently read a book on professional dressing (can't remember title/author) where the author recommended spending 60% of professional clothing budget on accessories - shoes, bags, belts, etc - and she included shells and similar tops in that category. Placing the tops in a higher percentage of spending boosted their value in my shopping priorities.
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