So, now that I have made my (probably abysmal) attempt at delving into the mind of one Laura J. M. , it is now my turn to defend why I not only own a few maxi dresses myself, but find they can be quite the fashion statement to a wardrobe. To begin, I am even shorter than our average 5'4" lady, coming in at a nice 5'2.5" so if any fashion is going to make a girl look shorter, that would be me to a T. Also, I am very susceptible to being swallowed by a pattern being of a petite size. But this does give me a firm advantage in the realm of maxi dresses (not to sound conceited). Maxi Dresses must be worn very carefully; if not done so, they will look completely unflattering unless you are in that 1% anorexic model section of the population. Yes, I am petite, but again that leads to being overwhelmed by a pattern. That in mind, let's take a look at a few of the key points in finding the right maxi dress for you.
Confidence
This is the most important factor to rocking any outfit, as I am sure Laura would tell you any day, being the front-runner of the Fabulous (yes, this is now a noun). If you have confidence in your body (the one you actually have, not the one you *think* you *should* have) you can rock almost anything. Of course, you should be prudent. There are just some things no one can pull off, and it is important to recognize a losing battle when you see one. But if you are confident in your body, you WILL carry yourself differently and have a much better chance at succeeding in that fashion adventure you chose. Personally, I truly love wearing an outfit that pushes the boundaries of accepted norms. So be bold, chose that dress that brings out the sexy in you... But in order to truly do this, you must begin with confidence and love of yourself. I knew a girl in college who could rock anything she wanted to, just by the fierceness of her self-confidence. And she was 5'0" and had some amazing curves.
Next, you want to make sure you aren't being lost in a pattern or print. This is especially important for those of us that are short. I own two maxi dresses and both have prints. Again, I am short. The trick here is the kind of pattern you have chosen. If you are planning on doing an all-over pattern, make sure it isn't a "zoomed-in" pattern. It needs to be a smaller pattern for it to be okay when enveloping your entire body. If it is too much, you will just be lost in a sea of kaleidoscopes. My other dress is a solid colored dress with one big flower print on it. The flower print is large yes, but not all-encompassing. So you notice the print but I am not lost in the midst.
Silhouette is also very important to pay attention to. Should you go with an empire waist? More likely than not, no. I frequently run into the issue of not wanting to appear pregnant. If you feel this way as well, be careful which empire-waisted dress you choose. This is frequently a by-product... If you are pregnant, however, go for the completely-boho-mama look and work the empire waist! Neckline is also a big player here. Halter, strapless, spaghetti straps... the list goes on. Know what flatters your body the best and go with that. Frequently, the ladies who are a little top-heavy need some additional support. So go with a halter top (not deep-V) and be confident in the curves God gave you. If you are wanting to show off that narrow waist of yours, be sure to pick a bust line that will assist with this, and by all means - add a belt! What if you have "boy-hips"? Well, why not try a dropped waist? Show off the body you do have, and add a little fun to the hips you have.
Find a pattern or print that not only suits your body, but your personality as well. Clothes should be a megaphone for the kind of persona we are attempting to portray. If you are being subtly sexy, why not try a dark colored maxi dress with no pattern or print at all? Let your body and confidence do the talking. I guarantee you will be noticed. If you are going for drama, try an understated animal print. And everyone loves some variety... try a different neckline or a dropped back. There are so many options out there, but don't settle for one you are not confident in. Chose a dress that shows off the features you are most proud of (albeit not too much) and a pattern that is fun and flirty.
Also, my personal favorite trait of the maxi dress:
They are incredibly Boho!!!
So what, exactly does this mean? Well to explain that would mean to explain the meaning of "boho". I'm not sure this is something that can be explained so much as felt. It is a spirit of adventure and freedom. The idea of not being tied down by the world, but taking up challenges and risks with a fiery passion. It is the love of nature and the smell of honeysuckles. It is truly owning a sense of self and having pride in who you are. But most of all, it is a free spirit, one living life to the fullest and never tainted by the cares of this world. Living every moment in the hand of an Almighty God and feeling blessed by every life-giving breath. Knowing that each day is a gift, not to be squandered but to make the most of. That is what it truly means to me to be Livin' Boho Chic. (Not to mention having a great fashion sense!)
If this doesn't make sense to you; well, are you really Livin' Boho Chic?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Blog Challenge: Maxi Dresses
So, my best friend and I - the illustrious Laura (author of thefabulousisland.blogspot.com) have decided we should each write two blog entries (or two sections at least). Each one of these will be on my point of view and one on her point of view. The challenge is making an attempt to write not only our own viewpoint, but write another from the other's point of view. So here goes...
Blog Challenge Part 1:
Being Fabulous (with a capital F mind you) it is part of my responsibility to society to point out when they are dead wrong about fashion. I mean, please, haven't you ever watched What Not To Wear?! I have had a long standing hatred of maxi dresses and I am now being called to justify this. Why, I am not entirely sure, but I will not disappoint. Let's look at this from a Fabulous stand point.
The entire purpose of clothing is to flatter your body right? Does a maxi dress really do that for you? Okay, lets subtract the 1% of the population that this actually works on (like the amazingly gorgeous Christine...) Now, does this actually FLATTER your body shape? 99% of the time, the answer is a complete NO. Most dresses are designed so that the silhouette of the dress itself flatters the body. Not so with the maxi dress. Most of the time they are clingy, and in all the wrong places. Is it really wise to allow so much fabric to cling to all of those body parts that really need a little bit of love? Let's face it, we all have that area we are not so proud of and don't really want to emphasize. The truth of the matter is that we just need to learn to love our bodies, but do we? Be honest. So, while we are learning to truly love ourselves, we might as well give our bodies as much help and flattering silhouettes as we can. This certainly does not include a floor length dress clinging to all the wrong places. A properly fitting dress should be slimming at the waist line, and flare in an A-line skirt before cutting off slightly below the knees. What does a maxi dress do? While many certainly slim at the waist, they do not have an A-line skirt (assisting the image that your waist is the smallest part of you) and in fact emphasize the bootylicous-ness you actually have going on.
Next complaint: a floor length dress that isn' a gown? Really?
All this does is make short people look shorter. Sure, a tall, freakishly skinny model can pull this off. But the average citizen? Umm, no. If you are short, or the average female height of 5'4", the dress is just going to make you look shorter. Isn't one of the fashion goals to elongate your body? Maxi dresses do absolutely nothing for this goal unless you are hiding 5" heels underneath (which of course I would approve of). Also, most maxi dresses are supposed to be a bold fashion statement, so they also come with a bold (frequently overwhelming) pattern. So let's take our average 5'4" lady, and stick a floor length dress with an all-over pattern on her. Want to know what affect this has? Making her look short and entirely swallowed by said pattern. Not flattering at all. And if she has a few curves, it probably isn't helping that area much either...
Bottom Line: Maxi dresses are flattering on approximately 1% of the population. And the majority of those women are tall and anorexic. I would much rather be confident in the body I have, and flatter the curves God gave me, than be able to rock a maxi dress and looking like I haven't eaten in months.
Sincerely, The Fabulous Laura
Blog Challenge Part 1:
Being Fabulous (with a capital F mind you) it is part of my responsibility to society to point out when they are dead wrong about fashion. I mean, please, haven't you ever watched What Not To Wear?! I have had a long standing hatred of maxi dresses and I am now being called to justify this. Why, I am not entirely sure, but I will not disappoint. Let's look at this from a Fabulous stand point.
The entire purpose of clothing is to flatter your body right? Does a maxi dress really do that for you? Okay, lets subtract the 1% of the population that this actually works on (like the amazingly gorgeous Christine...) Now, does this actually FLATTER your body shape? 99% of the time, the answer is a complete NO. Most dresses are designed so that the silhouette of the dress itself flatters the body. Not so with the maxi dress. Most of the time they are clingy, and in all the wrong places. Is it really wise to allow so much fabric to cling to all of those body parts that really need a little bit of love? Let's face it, we all have that area we are not so proud of and don't really want to emphasize. The truth of the matter is that we just need to learn to love our bodies, but do we? Be honest. So, while we are learning to truly love ourselves, we might as well give our bodies as much help and flattering silhouettes as we can. This certainly does not include a floor length dress clinging to all the wrong places. A properly fitting dress should be slimming at the waist line, and flare in an A-line skirt before cutting off slightly below the knees. What does a maxi dress do? While many certainly slim at the waist, they do not have an A-line skirt (assisting the image that your waist is the smallest part of you) and in fact emphasize the bootylicous-ness you actually have going on.
Next complaint: a floor length dress that isn' a gown? Really?
All this does is make short people look shorter. Sure, a tall, freakishly skinny model can pull this off. But the average citizen? Umm, no. If you are short, or the average female height of 5'4", the dress is just going to make you look shorter. Isn't one of the fashion goals to elongate your body? Maxi dresses do absolutely nothing for this goal unless you are hiding 5" heels underneath (which of course I would approve of). Also, most maxi dresses are supposed to be a bold fashion statement, so they also come with a bold (frequently overwhelming) pattern. So let's take our average 5'4" lady, and stick a floor length dress with an all-over pattern on her. Want to know what affect this has? Making her look short and entirely swallowed by said pattern. Not flattering at all. And if she has a few curves, it probably isn't helping that area much either...
Bottom Line: Maxi dresses are flattering on approximately 1% of the population. And the majority of those women are tall and anorexic. I would much rather be confident in the body I have, and flatter the curves God gave me, than be able to rock a maxi dress and looking like I haven't eaten in months.
Sincerely, The Fabulous Laura
Monday, August 1, 2011
TOMS shoes
It really doesn't get better than this.
Comfort. Style. One for One.
So I think TOMS shoes rank up there with my all time favorite shoes... They are simply adorable and super comfy. Very Bohochic... I have recently bought my third pair; and had I fallen in love with them sooner, I am quite sure they would have been my "something blue" wedding shoes. My favorite pairs are the ones that usually aren't in stores and can only be found online... They have such amazing styles... I'm just going to post a few of my favs :)
Can we say ROLL TIDE?! http://www.toms.com/womens/scottish-houndstooth-women-s-classics
My cousin just got these, I am def in love. Sadly, they sold out of my size :( http://www.toms.com/womens/journey-is-the-destination-women-s-classics
I'm not personally a huge fan of the corduroy pairs, but they have several great colors in these styles. Also, I am usually a purest, but the cordones styles are really starting to grow on me... They are different from the classic style so add a little bit of variety to your everyday TOMS. You can check them out here: http://www.toms.com/womens/cordones?view=all
Initially, I was not at all a fan of the TOMS wedges. But I think they are really starting to make some very cute styles. Taking a look, I think these might be my current favorites, but I do also love the red canvas wedge... http://www.toms.com/womens/wedges/metallic-tweed-women-s-wedges
Also, I always love the "artist" styles. They are specifically designed by an artist for TOMS and are almost always very unique. I bought a pair several months ago that I really love. And not only are they a part of the One for One movement (see below for more info), but part of the proceeds for this specific shoe also went to the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. So you get a great shoe, and are able to contribute to amazing charities! I actually had been admiring this shoe for several seasons, (in burnt orange) but they kept on selling out on me. And that was even with being placed on the early alert list. So when I saw these on their website, I jumped on it. Totally worth it too... And that's not to mention the fact that by the next WEEK (no joke) they were already sold out of my size.
And now we will move on to my most recent purchase: the Vegan Wrap Boot... sheer amazingness. I had been lusting after these for a long time before finally breaking down and buying them. I finally had enough fun money and the inclination to actually go forth with the purchase (they are rather more expensive than your standard TOMS shoe). But I must say, I am sooo glad I got these!!! They are amazingly cute and super comfy! Not only that, but you can change the style! These boots are designed to be wrapped up or down, like an ace bandage but cute :) I haven't quite figured out the best way to wrap them short, but once I do, rest assured a picture will be forthcoming! After I decided to actually buy them the debate became: Which Color?! I was very torn between the red and the olive green. I loved the boldness of the red, but knew that they just wouldn't go with that much in my wardrobe. The green was the contender knowing that they would match pretty much everything I own. But then one day it occurred to me (as I was wearing my brand new olive green romper - another blog for another day) that I own a LOT of clothing that is olive green in color. To include: a romper, dress, multiple shirts, as well as at least two pairs of shoes in the exact same color. This presented itself as a problem for my decision making process... I remembered seeing the rust colored pair on the "last chance" section of the website and thinking how cute that color was too. Thus my compromise: still a bold color, but will also go with everything I own without being the exact same color! Huzzah! And here we have it :D
LOVE!
Now for a little background on TOMS shoes themselves... The company is designed on the principle of
One for One
What does this mean, you ask. Well, for every pair of shoe you buy, they give one pair of shoes to a child in need. They set up shoe drops all around the word in impoverished communities. But they don't stop there. The company actually tailors the shoe they are giving to the community it is going to. They are specifically designed with that communities needs in mind. If it is a particularly rocky location, they beef up the soles a bit. Also, they carefully select the community in which the shoe drop will occur. Learn more about the giving process here: http://www.toms.com/how-we-give Also, as we all know, children grow. A lot. So TOMS returns to those same communities (or at least that is the goal) to provide shoes to the children as they grow older. Shoes are the current leader in the donations, reason being it is very important to have shoes to protect from injury and disease. It is also vital for these children to have shoes so that they can attend school. Read more here: http://www.toms.com/our-movement-why
The latest endeavor of TOMS is: eyewear! For every pair of sunglasses purchased, TOMS will help give one person sight. This is done through medical treatment, prescription glasses, or sight saving surgery. And the sunglasses are pretty cute too! Once again, you can find out more information here: http://www.toms.com/eyewear/our-movement/
All in all, I think this is an amazing company. I love getting to support such amazing causes through purchasing the things I love anyways. TOMS shoes are also a great conversation piece. I have on several occasions had a random stranger ask me about my TOMS and shared the story with them, pointing them in the right direction to purchase their own pair. And lets not forget that TOMS makes mens' and youth styles too! For your shopping pleasure: http://www.toms.com/
Wear them with:
Everything!!! Remember that outfit from the Christina Perri Concert? http://livinbohochic.blogspot.com/2011/07/concerts-best-of-fashion-worst-of.html
Well, after I took off my super-cute-but-not-so-fun-to-stand-in-all-night wedges, I swapped them for my TOMS stashed away in my purse... TOMS look cute with almost everything, esp skinny jeans. And I can't wait to try out my new wrap boots!! So go ahead, try them out for yourself! Oh, something to keep in mind: TOMS stretch. Notoriously. If they fit completely perfectly, you might want to consider going down a size due to the amount of stretch. I have learned the hard way though, that different styles stretch a different amount. The last pair I bought, I probably could have done with going up a size. The result: a hole at my big toe... oh well... So when I bought my boots, I made sure to go up a size, especially considering I might want to wear them with socks one day. This turned out to be a great decision, I think if they had been any smaller they wouldn't have fit at all. But there is definitely a stretching-out period to allow for...
What are you waiting for?! Go check them out and learn more about the movement!
Comfort. Style. One for One.
So I think TOMS shoes rank up there with my all time favorite shoes... They are simply adorable and super comfy. Very Bohochic... I have recently bought my third pair; and had I fallen in love with them sooner, I am quite sure they would have been my "something blue" wedding shoes. My favorite pairs are the ones that usually aren't in stores and can only be found online... They have such amazing styles... I'm just going to post a few of my favs :)
Can we say ROLL TIDE?! http://www.toms.com/womens/scottish-houndstooth-women-s-classics
My cousin just got these, I am def in love. Sadly, they sold out of my size :( http://www.toms.com/womens/journey-is-the-destination-women-s-classics
I'm not personally a huge fan of the corduroy pairs, but they have several great colors in these styles. Also, I am usually a purest, but the cordones styles are really starting to grow on me... They are different from the classic style so add a little bit of variety to your everyday TOMS. You can check them out here: http://www.toms.com/womens/cordones?view=all
Initially, I was not at all a fan of the TOMS wedges. But I think they are really starting to make some very cute styles. Taking a look, I think these might be my current favorites, but I do also love the red canvas wedge... http://www.toms.com/womens/wedges/metallic-tweed-women-s-wedges
Also, I always love the "artist" styles. They are specifically designed by an artist for TOMS and are almost always very unique. I bought a pair several months ago that I really love. And not only are they a part of the One for One movement (see below for more info), but part of the proceeds for this specific shoe also went to the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. So you get a great shoe, and are able to contribute to amazing charities! I actually had been admiring this shoe for several seasons, (in burnt orange) but they kept on selling out on me. And that was even with being placed on the early alert list. So when I saw these on their website, I jumped on it. Totally worth it too... And that's not to mention the fact that by the next WEEK (no joke) they were already sold out of my size.
And now we will move on to my most recent purchase: the Vegan Wrap Boot... sheer amazingness. I had been lusting after these for a long time before finally breaking down and buying them. I finally had enough fun money and the inclination to actually go forth with the purchase (they are rather more expensive than your standard TOMS shoe). But I must say, I am sooo glad I got these!!! They are amazingly cute and super comfy! Not only that, but you can change the style! These boots are designed to be wrapped up or down, like an ace bandage but cute :) I haven't quite figured out the best way to wrap them short, but once I do, rest assured a picture will be forthcoming! After I decided to actually buy them the debate became: Which Color?! I was very torn between the red and the olive green. I loved the boldness of the red, but knew that they just wouldn't go with that much in my wardrobe. The green was the contender knowing that they would match pretty much everything I own. But then one day it occurred to me (as I was wearing my brand new olive green romper - another blog for another day) that I own a LOT of clothing that is olive green in color. To include: a romper, dress, multiple shirts, as well as at least two pairs of shoes in the exact same color. This presented itself as a problem for my decision making process... I remembered seeing the rust colored pair on the "last chance" section of the website and thinking how cute that color was too. Thus my compromise: still a bold color, but will also go with everything I own without being the exact same color! Huzzah! And here we have it :DLOVE!
Now for a little background on TOMS shoes themselves... The company is designed on the principle of
One for One
What does this mean, you ask. Well, for every pair of shoe you buy, they give one pair of shoes to a child in need. They set up shoe drops all around the word in impoverished communities. But they don't stop there. The company actually tailors the shoe they are giving to the community it is going to. They are specifically designed with that communities needs in mind. If it is a particularly rocky location, they beef up the soles a bit. Also, they carefully select the community in which the shoe drop will occur. Learn more about the giving process here: http://www.toms.com/how-we-give Also, as we all know, children grow. A lot. So TOMS returns to those same communities (or at least that is the goal) to provide shoes to the children as they grow older. Shoes are the current leader in the donations, reason being it is very important to have shoes to protect from injury and disease. It is also vital for these children to have shoes so that they can attend school. Read more here: http://www.toms.com/our-movement-why
The latest endeavor of TOMS is: eyewear! For every pair of sunglasses purchased, TOMS will help give one person sight. This is done through medical treatment, prescription glasses, or sight saving surgery. And the sunglasses are pretty cute too! Once again, you can find out more information here: http://www.toms.com/eyewear/our-movement/
All in all, I think this is an amazing company. I love getting to support such amazing causes through purchasing the things I love anyways. TOMS shoes are also a great conversation piece. I have on several occasions had a random stranger ask me about my TOMS and shared the story with them, pointing them in the right direction to purchase their own pair. And lets not forget that TOMS makes mens' and youth styles too! For your shopping pleasure: http://www.toms.com/
Wear them with:
Everything!!! Remember that outfit from the Christina Perri Concert? http://livinbohochic.blogspot.com/2011/07/concerts-best-of-fashion-worst-of.html
Well, after I took off my super-cute-but-not-so-fun-to-stand-in-all-night wedges, I swapped them for my TOMS stashed away in my purse... TOMS look cute with almost everything, esp skinny jeans. And I can't wait to try out my new wrap boots!! So go ahead, try them out for yourself! Oh, something to keep in mind: TOMS stretch. Notoriously. If they fit completely perfectly, you might want to consider going down a size due to the amount of stretch. I have learned the hard way though, that different styles stretch a different amount. The last pair I bought, I probably could have done with going up a size. The result: a hole at my big toe... oh well... So when I bought my boots, I made sure to go up a size, especially considering I might want to wear them with socks one day. This turned out to be a great decision, I think if they had been any smaller they wouldn't have fit at all. But there is definitely a stretching-out period to allow for...
What are you waiting for?! Go check them out and learn more about the movement!
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