Drab to Fab : Be Comfortable and Look Fabulous

To go from drab to fab this spring, by following these styling tips:

The Look — (Casual Sweats). Don’t make the mistake of hiding your curves behind tight or baggy sweats—they’ll only make you look heavier. These days, sweats are cut slimmer and made with lighter fabric, creating a leaner you! Just like jeans, sweats have gone high fashion so you can now look sassy and feel comfortable in your sweats.

How to wear it. For the most attractive fit, you should be able to pinch an inch of fabric along the side seams of your sweats; any more or less and you’ll look heavy. To create a longer, leaner you, wear a color matching t-shirt with sweat pants that stop just above the floor. Select a sweatshirt with a front zipper since it is more slimming than a pull-over style. Mix upyour look by wearing a different color top from your bottom, add a baseball cap or sunglasses, and a fun pair of tennis shoes or flip-flops to complete your casual style.

Where to find it. For affordable and stylish sweat outfits visit J Crew, Victoria’s Secret, Express and Nordstrom. Available in petite and standard sizes.

The Look —(JEANS). First, throw out your old jeans if they don’t flatter your figure and make you look ten pounds lighter! A fabulous fitting jean can take years off your appearance, update your image and give your casual wardrobe a makeover. The most versatile jean style is the boot-cut (flares as the ankles) since it reduces the appearance of your hips, creating a leaner you. Give a good 360 turn in the mirror to make sure the jean pockets and their design detail flatters (not flatten) your rear.

How to Wear it. Wear your jeans with style adding by wearing a fitted top with bell sleeves made of rich textures and colors. Spice up your look by adding a bold necklace, belt or shoe. For a casual spring look, wear a low wedge heel with an Empire waist top. If you want to wear the skinny jean but have a fuller hip, bottom or abdomen, pair them with a fun tunic top (long top that covers your hips and bottom) and ballerina shoe or low wedge heel.

Wear to Find it. For full-figured gals, try A.N.A at JC Penny’s, Caslon at Nordstrom or Curvy or Straight by Gap. Petite and standard size women can check out J Crew, Nordstrom, Chloe (in Park City), The Gap, and Lo Labella. For tall, thin women; check out Bastille and Lo Labella. Investing in a quality designer jean is worth its weigh in gold because….

1. They don’t wrinkle
2. Are easy to clean
3. Can wear multiple times with minimal upkeep
4. Can wear them for many activities
5. Can be dressed up or down
6. Can take a few years off your appearance
7. Make you feel ten years younger!

The Look —(Cargo Pants). Cargo pants are a stylish comfy, light-weight alternative to jeans and sweats. The stylish pockets strategically placed on the rear and thighs of the cargo pant add curves to the more boyish figure types and camouflage any unwanted weight on other figures.

How to wear it. Cargo pants already add volume to your figure so you’ll want to counter it by wearing a fitted top. For a casual chic look, wear a halter top or fitted t-shirt with a short jacket and flip-flops or casual tennis shoe. To dress up your cargos, wear a wedge shoe with a straw or cork heel and a top with bell sleeves to mirror the flow and fit of the pants. Or, if you’d like, to offset the full pant, wear a sleeveless top and several bracelets to show off your arms and slim your appearance.

Where to find it. Cargo pants are hot for spring and can be found in all shades and patterns. Especially new this year is pastel colored camouflage cargo pants. Visit Express (my favorite), J Crew, Lo Labella, and Gap. Available in all sizes.

For other great styling tips and information register for the

Avidere Wardrobe & Styling Workshop

Saturday, April 21

866-4-AVIDERE

To schedule a personal shopping day or private wardrobe styling session with Roberta Hughes, call 801.990.4419 or visit the web at www.avidereimage.com