Pink Ink: fashion

Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Colour and stripes! Yikes! How?

Days 5 and 6 went outside of most people's comfort zones - colour and stripes! But they work! Check them out.

[Determine your body shape]

Diamond:

3/4 Length Pleated Drape Harem Pants

Have you thought about your legs lately?

Beyond just "have I shaved them" and more towards the "how can I showcase them the best way possible?".

Today's look introduces the concept of drape as it applies to your gorgeous gams. The wide leg of the traditional culotte creates a straight line, perhaps even flared slightly, from your hip to just below your knee. If you are a Rectangle this is a continuation of your already straight frame. Culottes can be gorgeous on you, but you need the definition that the cardigan brings. The light-meets-dark at your mid-section will help to create the look of a waistline for you. If you are a Pear, the straight hang of the culotte will hide broader hips. Apples, adding this slight flare from your waist and down will give the illusion of a curvier hip area, therefore balancing your frame nicely....

BUT, for our Diamond beauties, who's widest part tends to be their mid-section, having a loose drape from an already wider area down to your calves can make you look larger than you are, or perhaps slightly boxy. It can also make your calves look narrow in comparison. To quote "So I Married an Axe-Murderer" - "like an orange on a popsicle stick".

A better suggestion for you might be a harem pant. Similar in the loose drape, but with a tapered hemline. In this, your calves won't get lost and will instead be accentuated.

Flat shoes are comfortable - I know, you're preaching to the choir here - but heels elongate the leg. Wearing high heels changes your posture, forcing you to stand taller and straighter which implies confidence. High heels also cause the calf muscle to flex, adding shape to the calves as well as length.

Did you know that men are more likely to help a woman in high heels? It's true according to this study. Research showed that men are more likely to help a woman wearing heels than one in flat (sensible) shoes.

"This assistance ranges from taking part in a survey, to chasing after a woman who has dropped a glove. French researcher Nicholas Guéguen said: ‘Women’s shoe heel size exerts a powerful influence on men’s behaviour.’"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2841163/Women-want-way-wear-HIGH-HEELS-Men-willing-help-females-tall-shoes.html#ixzz3WTHyLPrQ
That's not to say that you need heels to flirt and get sexual attention - but if the study is correct, this information could help you achieve other goals... Perhaps Hubby doesn't want to build you a garden? Or your boss doesn't have time to review your proposal? You never know - the added height and statuesque confidence might be all you need?

Day 6:

How many of you would have put these two articles of clothing together?

And yet, this outfit is absolutely stunning!

Here we've taken the 'nautical' out of the striped top and made it urban-chic.

[Determine your body shape]

Alternative:

Bodega print blouse

We've discussed stripes in earlier capsules, but for the sake of any Newbies out there, we'll repeat some tips here:

Scientific research has been done to contradict what our Mother's told us. Horizontal stripes do NOT make you look heavier. In fact, according to the "Helmholtz Illusion", wearing horizontal stripes may actually make you look thinner!

The key is to select a stripe that is proportionate to your body.

Petite women should choose a narrow, vertical stripe to give you (the illusion of) height.

Apples and Diamonds will look better in vertical stripes because they will elongate your shape and divert attention from your horizontal lines. Because contrasting colours add depth, choose a dark, narrow stripe - or at the very least, keep large stripes away from your shoulders and/or mid-section.

Pears can, and should, wear thick horizontal stripes on their upper torso to help the shoulders look broader.

Rectangles, go for thick, horizontal stripes in the areas that you want to look curvy. Wear a top with a thick stripe across the chest, or wear a wide belt around your hips. Combinations of stripes (running in different directions) will also give you instant curves.

You'll notice the top in the image above plays with light and dark as well. The stripes at the chest line have a wider white section drawing in the eye. As we move down the torso, the black stripes widen which causes them to recede in our vision.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Pink Ink

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Daily Glam days 3 and 4

Hello ladies!!! Did you like Days 1 and 2? Well, here are days 3 and 4. We are showing a yellow top (aaaaahhhhhh colour!!!) but let me tell you how fresh and wonderful you will feel wearing yellow - even if it is out of your comfort zone.

Hourglass, Pear and Rectangle:

Diamond and Apple:

Ashley Stewart yellow top

Today we'll talk about embellishments; much like light colours attract the eye, so too does detailing. In the shirt shown above for Rectangle, Hourglass and Pears - having the flower embellishment on the shoulder will draw the viewers attention. In this case, the added flower brings the eye up the body and away from the hip area creating balance for our Pear beauties. If you have broad shoulders, as many Apples tend to, you don't want added attention at the shoulder line and might therefore opt for a top with detailing at the hem to draw the eye down and create the look of balance in your shape.

Because the first top draws the eye up the body and appears to be slightly fitted, it won't be as flattering on an Apple or Diamond shape. Instead, we're showing a compliment-inducing alternative. The centre ruching will draw the eye into the centre of the torso, while still camouflaging a wider mid-section.

Go fun and flirty with the snake print ballet flats, or fresh and fabulous with the suede pumps.

Day 4, we've toned it back down to beige. If you haven't heard us say it before - beige is one of those staple colours. In fact, just to let you know - black, brown, beige, and grey are those staple colours that most women have and should have because you can do so much with them. So check out the Day 4 outfit.

Hourglass, Pear and Rectangle:

Apple and Diamond:

Similar - Matte Jersey Tank Top

Today's look is about accessorizing. Beige is beige right? - but if you've 'done beige right' it can be such an eye-catcher!

This is the necklace shown in the photograph above:

It's bold, it's glamorous and it makes a statement. By pairing accessories like this with a neutral colour, you've taken the look and given it 'wattage'. A low-hanging necklace like this would work best on the Hourglass, Diamond and Rectangle - perhaps even Pear - but would draw attention to the wrong areas on an Apple. Instead, Apples should look for longer necklaces or low-hanging pendants to lessen emphasis on the upper torso. Inversely, Pears could take this necklace and go even shorter to bring the eye up the body and away from the hips. It's the illusion of balance that we are striving for.

Susan Dinner Custom Art Jewelry

Moto jackets have been the rage since last fall. This is a style that can be worn by any body shape, if done correctly. Hourglass you could rock a paper bag, so we don't focus on your shape too often - but in this case, your best option would be to wear the jacket closed. Leaving it open will add width to your tapered mid-section and leave you looking a bit heavier than you are. For the other body shapes, we want to work the other way; by leaving the jacket open and hanging, people are more likely to assume you have a defined waist beneath it.

Finally, the shoes... what can be said about the shoes? Trendy flats or leg-elongating heels - what does your day call for?

We will have day 5 and 6 posted in a couple of days. Enjoy your looks!!

Pink Ink

Monday, 13 April 2015

Let's start today's post with the "goal" of this program... history, society, symmetry, femininity have all defined an "ideal" body shape for women - the Hourglass. Problem is, only 8% of all women have this shape - so how do we create the eye-pleasing, compliment-fetching looks if we don't fit the standard mold? We use cut, colour, drape, print and style to create the illusion of that shape.

We'll start with rule number 1: Light attracts the eye and dark recedes.

Day 1 plays with colour to guide the eye to certain areas and away from others:

Hourglass, Pear, Rectangle, Diamond

Apple

Mint green wrap blouse

This top (Hourglass, Pear, Rectangle and Diamonds) was selected because of the straight cut. Being sleeveless and with a mock-neck, the eye will travel up and down the body. The drape will create a rectangular shape (if you don't already have one), and the colour will draw the eye in to the centre of the torso - narrowing the look of your frame.
To counter this, and give the illusion of curves, we've paired it with a flared skirt which will both hide actual hips as well as give the impression of hips to those of us that don't have a defined waistline.
If you want to define your waist further, this is where you could tuck your top into your skirt, or better still, add a thin black belt to break up the colour.

Wearing the wrap open will create a line down the centre of the body, again narrowing the focus of the eye further, and therefore just hinting at curves underneath.

We've provided you with a couple of options in shoes - the slide sandal is current, comfortable and universal, but if you prefer a flat shoe, the open-toe ballet flat is a cute alternative.

Apples, you may find that mock necks aren't ideal for your broad shoulders and/or large chest. For you we are suggesting a wrap alternative. The v-neck in this top will draw the eye down your body and the flowing drape of the wrap panels will broaden the look of your waist giving you more balance.

On Day 2 of the capsule we took things up a notch to a sleek sophisticated look that can take you from the office to happy hour in style.

Unfortunately the dress shown above for the Rectangle, Hourglass and Pear has sold out since we created this capsule. On the upside, there are alternatives that are more within budget that would work equally as well:

Diamond:

Apple:

Colour-block dress

The reason there are so many variations to today's look is to suit different body shapes. The first dress is absolutely stunning and would look incredible on an Hourglass or Rectangle, but wouldn't be flattering on a Diamond shape. Not to worry, we're all different - Designers and Stylists know this so they create styles, cuts, drapes and patterns to make every woman find a fit that flatters.

Diamonds, where you are generally widest at your mid-section, bringing in a flowing kimono dress would be stunning. The gentle drape from the shoulders to the mid-section and the equivalent drape from the mid-section down will create balance in your look. The dark belt with this dress will recede that area in an onlooker's vision therefore de-emphasizing your waist.

If you're a bit more daring, play with the striped dress. Colour-blocking is a great technique to play with light and these stripes will guide the eye both across and up and down - taking the focus from the mid-section.

Apples, the neckline and colour-blocking are perfect for your physique. V-neck and deep scoop necklines will help to narrow the look of your shoulders and bring a more balanced look to your torso. One thing to keep in mind though, if you have a generous chest, keep the neckline above or just at your décolletage. Sexy is in the suggestion, not the exposure.

Linked to:

Hope this was helpful! Tomorrow we will post days 3 and 4. Be sure to leave us a comment. We would love to hear from you.

Pink Ink

Sunday, 25 January 2015

Being Extra Lovely

A friend of mine reminded me the other day that although there are many different body shapes, and that we promote dressing for your shape, one thing that we have not acknowledged outright is how to dress for your size.

Yes, there is a difference.

You can be an hourglass but have a little extra.

Being a plus sized woman isn't harder to dress. Like everything else, you just have to know how to dress your body.

It's not as easy as just going to the store and buying a cute blouse in a bigger size. Sometimes, the bigger the clothing, the more frumpy it may look. Also, have you ever noticed that some retailers up the price on the plus size clothing? Even more reason to get maximum bang for your buck.

We're here to help you not matter what your size or shape, so today we dedicate to you/us... the Extra-Lovely Woman

First rule - don't worry about the number.

The clothing needs to fit nicely so if the 16 fits better than the 14 than go with the 16! It's not about the number on the tag - stores tend to vary between what they consider an 18 and what another might. The number is just your starting point to figure out what fits you best in that particular line.

Drape front, layered burgundy top $27
RYO Jacket $830, similar, similar
Purse in biscuit $445, similar, similar
Balenciaga prism low boot $1450, similar, similar

The key to any look, plus, petite, regular, tall - is fit. Take your clothing to a seamstress (if needed), having a slight nip or tuck here and there will make your clothing fit better and give you a polished, sexy silhouette no matter what your size.

So my extra lovely sisters, sexy does not mean skinny.

Sexy is in an attitude.

In fact:

Be phenomenal ladies. xoxo

Yours in Beauty,

Pink Ink Ladies

Sunday, 23 November 2014

versatility of lbd

versatility of lbd by pink-ink2 featuring a skater dress

Warehouse skater dress
$190 - warehouse.co.uk

Patrizia Pepe brown jacket
$565 - flannels.com

Sunday, 16 November 2014

The latest hottest accessory - Zipsessory! LUV!!!!

We don't often focus on accessories, but it is necessary.

We've told you that to make an outfit your own, or just different from how you usually wear it, changing the accessories is all you need to do!

Well, check this out. For those of you who don't know what a Zipsessory is, it is basically an accessory for your zippers.

Yes, you read correctly, an accessory for your zippers!!!

Ladies, you know all of the times you wish you had a partner or a roommate who could zip up the back of your dress because a) your arm isn't long enough or b) the zipper thingy is too short? Well, Zipsessories helps with that problem AND makes you look stylish at the same time. Brilliant right?

Shelley Bair, the creator and CEO of Zippsessory says that like many great and innovative products, Zipsessory was created by accident! Shelley had purchased a pair of knee high boots and removed the price tag. the plastic hoop remained on the boots after she took the price tag off. When she did them up for the first time she found that it was much easier to pull up the boot zipper with the plastic loop. However, the plastic loop was not all that "pretty" so she wondered if anyone made nice zipper pulls for zippers. Her answer was "no". So Shelley, being Shelley, decided to take matters into her own hands and Zipsessory Inc was born! She created her own sophisticated, ingenious jewelry for zippers and this product eventually evolved into a whole product line of zipper jewelry.

Even your accessories can be accessorized!

Ladies, let me tell you how ANY BODY SHAPE, ANY HEIGHT, ANY COLOUR, ANYONE can wear a Zipsessory and look good!!! I should also mention that

a Zipsessory gift set will be in the swag bags of the

2015 Golden Globes!!!

Isn't that exciting!!!!

Do you want one, or two, or three? Shelley is not a Hollywood Star or living the glam life in Beverly Hills. She's from Oakville, Ontario! A mother of three and a pharmacist to boot! So, check out her website, contact her and make an order. Christmas is coming and she will custom make gift sets for you and your loved ones. You can also go to Trend Trunk to check out the Zipsessory product line.