Dear Style by Kari

Dear Style by Kari,

Recommendations on dress pants for people like me who have a fat belly and skinny legs/smaller hips. I have problems with size of pants fitting around my belly to be okay but then the legs are way too big. My legs usually fit better one size smaller than around my gut. Any ideas?

Sincerely,
Belly Doesn't Fit

Dear Belly,

Good question! Have you tried looking at wide leg trousers? They are designes to fit comfortably in the waist and in the leg. Since you would be buying your size, they wouldnt be abnormally big in the leg. Instead of trying one size up. Try your size and see how they flatter your waist. You could also try straight leg trousers. Get your waist size and the leg is usually straight down and would look good with flats.

Check out The Limited or Old Navy. On The Limited's website, you can enter your waist and inseam and they will calculate what fit would be best for you. This might be helpful if you feel dis-proportionate.

The Limited - Cassidy Wide Leg Pants - $79.90

Old Navy - Women's Essential Wide Leg Trousers - $27.50

I would first look for trousers that fit comfortably in the waist, usually they make all different styles that would be easy to look for once you have a comfortable waist. Hope that helps!

Sincerely,
Style by Kari

Influencing the next generation

My friend's 4 year old daughter has already stolen my heart. This is what her Mom told me today...

"So, I had said the other day that Aubrey has been reminding me of you. Just because she’s getting more into fashion. She is now picking out her clothes each night for the next day. She used to not care what I picked out. She also gets upset if she has to wear sandals with pants. She wants capri pants or shorts. And no pigtails in her hair for some reason. What? Is she too old for pig tails already? I like pigtails on her…

She has a say in nearly every part of her “look” each day."


Be still my heart.

A Night on the Town. Do's & Don't's!

I was out with a friend for her birthday the other day and after supper we went to a dive bar for cheap drinks and fun. As much as I was trying to stay in the conversation with my friend and be interested in what she had to say, I couldn't help but notice this woman in front of me. She had long blonde/brown hair, great skin and was average height. She was gorgeous. She was friends with my friend so I had to ask her age, she was in the age group 35-40 and looked great for her age. Despite her body appearance, she had on a dress that was not at all flattering or accentuating what she naturally had. Allow me to set the scene; dark dive bar, woman wearing 3 inch sandal heels and a skin tight, thigh high, strapless zebra print dress. Let's all take a moment for that to sink in...... Got it? Tacky.
We all have heard the saying, 'If you got it, flaunt it.' But that doesn't mean you have to show off all the goods right away or be a wardrobe malfunction away from showing a boob. I'll admit I have worn dresses similar to what she was wearing, when I was 21. I would most definately not be caught dead in that dress now or at her age.
Now, for my basic tips for a night out.
My rule is if you are showing leg, cover the top shoulders and arms. You don't want to show too much skin. A short dress is completely acceptable if you have the legs to wear it but you want to be tasteful. If you want to show off The Girls, the hem of your dress should be around your knees or slightly (Slightly!) above. 'Your dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady.'
How amazing does it make you feel when another woman compliments you or asks you where you got something? You should want women to look at you and think, 'Where did she get that? She looks great.' Instead, 'What the heck does she think she's wearing?' - Like I thought of this woman. By drawing the women's attention first, you aren't getting the wrong type of attention from guys.

Yes, I understand that you are attractive and look good for your age. But honestly, do you think that was a smart dress choice to a night out with friends? I've searched for some outfits I feel would be attractive and appropriate for this age group for the next night out.

It's almost the warm season where you just want to be cool, keep it summery and flirty. Pair a bright dress with flat sandals and a big statement necklace. With summer dresses like this one from Old Navy, keep it comfortable and relaxed - wear wedge sandals or T-strap sandals to easily walk in.

 Diane Von Furstenberg, at the age of 65 has made older women look effortlessly beautiful with her signature wrap dresses. A wrap dress works magic on any age and body shape. It can also go from work to drinks without changing a thing. This wrap dress from The Gap would be comfortable and flattering to wear with pumps or heeled sandals.



I always believe you should feel comfortable in what you're wearing. So if you would rather wear your zebra print dress, please put a jacket over before you go out and let me know where you're going so I don't run into you and insist that I take you shopping!

On a mission!

The other day at work a friend told me she was trying to shop for a new purse, but was having trouble and feeling overwhelmed. The purse she has is small and black and about a million years old (pre-babies/pre-husband) and beginning to get worn out. She probably wasn't asking for my help, but making conversation when I took it that she wanted me to look for one for her. Before I began my mission, she gave me a couple guidelines I had to follow. She didn't want a red purse (or any shade of red), it has to be bigger than what she has now because she needs to fit all her kid's stuff in it and it shouldn't look too young for her. I forgot the color restriction when I began because I love red purses, I think they look very sharp and go with most any color. She did not think they went with her black (puff) coat - I told her she needs a new coat! We'll shop for that later...


When she went to look by herself, she found some cute ones at JCPenny's and told me I should go check them out - to get my approval I'm assuming. The first one was a Green Mondani square shape purse that I loved and thought would be the perfect size for her, not too young and bright enough to add a pop of color. The price tag was a little steep for me on this one at $70.00, but she said she would be willing to pay that much for a good quality purse that she will have for a long time.

The next one she saw at JCPenny's was a Teal Liz Claiborne crocodile skin-esque. I had a special spot in my heart for this one because I had just bought at teal Liz Claiborne a couple weeks ago - mine was much larger. Since this one was crocodile skin, she thought it might be too young for her, but I think it adds just the right look to any outfit with all colors. Great color for spring too!

Now I was on my own. Again, I couldn't let go of the red color and thought I would try to convince her with just the perfect purse. The first one I picked out was at Burlington Coat Factory, it was a Coral Nine West bucket shape purse. I immediately fell in love with it! And with spring coming I thought  it would be perfect for her. I sent her a picture. I was rejected. NO SHADE OF RED! So I went on..

I guess I thought I'd try one more time. I found this red gloss finish purse (can't remember the brand - and really who can see the little writing of the label when you're walking around and it's under your arm?). This one seemed to have a business feel somewhat resembling a briefcase shape. She's very important at our job so I figured she would like the classy look of it. Picture sent. Denied.

Ok, I get it. You don't like red. I'll find a better one, I promise. While shopping for myself at Plato's Closet, I browsed past the purses and found an amazing yellow hobo purse that I loved for myself. I knew that my friend wouldn't like it because it was a different shape and was too bright of a color. There were really only dark colors at Plato's, besides the few tacky purses that are still there marked 50% off that they can't get rid of. I did manage to spot a shiny purple purse that was smaller than the others we had looked at. I remember thinking while I was taking the picture, the others she didn't like; this one is smaller, a different color and a different shape. She HAS to like it! I sent her the picture and she told me that she like the color, but it wasn't her.

I give up on the purses, there's no pleasing her. I'm starting to look for a new coat. Hopefully, I will find at least one that she likes. Anything is better than a puff coat. Right?

Dial - a - Stylist

So, the Swanson Christmas party is in 7 days... let the panic begin. Several of my coworkers are desperately searching for the perfect holiday outfit. I have a consultation on Tuesday with a coworker to look for a dress and another coworker is praying the dress she ordered online is delivered before Saturday. I just spoke with another coworker that couldn't justify paying $160 for a dress she may wear only once. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. The other night I had a coworker text me while she was trying on clothes at 3 different stores. I was sent several pictures of tops she thought looked cute - I found it easier to tell the truth and have less sugar coating in a text. The first picture she sent me was a red sweater with what I would call homeless holes in it and she asked me what to wear under it (thank goodness). First I said, 'Well, that wouldn't be my first pick out of everything in the store.' I then recieved 3 more pictures of similar shirts (ones that I would not wear) and I found myself saying, 'What's next?' I managed to talk her into buying a cute red shirt with a embellished neckline that would be super cute with the bottom she had picked out - black skirt, black leggings and black knee high boots.

As I was wearing my sweatpants and a tee shirt at home...yes I wear those, but in the privacy of my house, not in public... all I could think about while looking at her pictures was I wish I was in a fitting room! I enjoyed giving her advice about what to purchase, but it was hard to bite my tongue and not be able to grab the not so attractive things out of her hands. While hole-y shirts may look good on some people, most of those people are walking the streets on Hollywood Blvd late at night. I am more than happy to give my opinion about your fitting room photos, but be ready for honesty.

Approved for a credit card!!!

Pro -

   No more waiting to buy clothes after I try them on. I can take them home that day.

    I won't have a sad face when I walk out of the store leaving the clothes I tried on there.

   My wardrobe will be incredible!

   I'll be able to have the latest fashions right away instead of buying on clearance trying to make them work during that season.

   I can help buy clothes for friends who desperately need a fashion intervention!

   I will feel that elated feeling after buying a cute outfit that I feel in love with after trying it on.

   My favorite store's employees will know me on a first name basis.

   There will be no need to wear my lounge clothes in public. At all.

   I will increase my self-esteem when I buy new clothes.

   I may even be able to buy some designer clothes, depending on my limit of course.

Con -

   I will have to pay it eventually.

Christmas comes early!

I like to think that people at my work think of me as fashionable. I'm dressed nicely and work appropriate in case I run into some important people during the day. So it was only a suprise to a couple people when I started looking for my Christmas party dress in August. Since I feel like one of the 5 most fashionable people where I work, the Christmas party is like my Red Carpet. I'm uber picky and everything has to look perfect so I had to start early.

After looking online and in a couple stores, I knew immediately after seeing a few dresses that I wanted to wear a royal blue dress for this year. I missed the last 2 parties due to family plans so my outfit this year has to be amazing! Not only do I have to have the 'Best Dressed' dress, but my whole look has to be the best. I want to wear my hair straight and in a messy side braid - I will need to make a practice run on my hair before that night. I'll match the dress with some big dangling earrings and bangle bracelets. And don't forget the shoes! I really want to wear my nude heels with the dress, but by the end of the night I'm sure my toes will match my royal blue dress.

 



I have it narrowed down to 3 dresses and I will be taking votes if anyone wants to vote. I think I have in my mind which one I'm going to get, but if you have a good argument for the one you like, I'm all ears.

Option #1- Online order, $56 and from a UK website

Option #2- Charlotte Russe online $30

Option #3- Victoria's Secret $50 - Adjustable dress 10 dresses in one!

This is one of my favorite events for the year and I enjoy getting ready for the night, hopefully I don't make the wrong decision and end up on the 'Worst Dressed' list.

If any of my fellow employees or other friends with holiday parties coming up would like some help choosing their outfit, I will be more than happy to help! 'Tis the season!