How To Choose Bag for Your Body Shape Flatter

Bag is the accessory that adds fnishing touches to your look. It can make your outfit or completely break it. So be careful when choosing your next handbag as your goal is to accentuate your best areas while hiding the problem ones.

 

Bust. Women with big breasts and heavy shoulders should avoid bags with short handles as these usually finish right around the bust area. Choosing bags with longer handles you will distract attention from your bust and shoulders.

In case your aim is to boost the breast area visually short-handled bags or clutches will be perfect.

 

Waist and hips. Wide waist, large stomach and big hips can look less noticeable if you wear bags that finish right under your arm. Stay away from bags that go down to your midriff or hips, this will attract attention to your bulges. Big totes will look unflattering as well as bags with big funky details.

If you are lucky to have a slim waist, bag with handles of an average length will be a good option as well as a clutch. Modern clutch can be either tiny for evenings out or middle-sized to be roomy enough for all those items you always need to have with you.

 

Legs. Girls with long slim legs can wear bags with long handles and look great. Messenger type will work best. But ladies with short legs should choose classic shapes and sizes.

 

 

Frame. Women of larger frames should avoid tiny bags as they will look even bigger. You need well-tailored bags of average sizes. Choose from medium-large range. Clutches will be fantastic, but again choose oversized ones to keep proportion.

Tall and skinny girls can opt for broad and slouchy bags. Long bags will look unflattering.

 

Short women will want to look taller. This is easy to do if you select long and lanky bags that go in color harmony with your outfits. Stay away from wide oversized totes as they will make you look even shorter.

the Right Dress for Flatter Your Body Type

Whether you need to buy a cocktail dress for a wedding or a sundress for a summer picnic, you always want to look your best. When choosing a dress you need to consider your body shape. Not all cuts look good on every shape. Here are some suggestions for buying dresses for each body type out there.

Pear Shaped
You have smaller shoulders, bust and waist with a heavier bottom, hips and thighs. When buying a dress you want to balance out your proportions by slimming down your bottom half and playing up your top half.
*Choose dresses that have an empire waist. Choose flowy fabrics that will skim and smooth out your shape.
*Buy a v-neck dress. They lengthen your torso and draw attention upwards.
*Wide set straps will also help you balance out your top half with your bottom.
*Do not buy clingy fabrics or an overly full skirt as they will draw attention to unwanted areas.

Boy Shaped
You have a straight shape all the way down your body. You have narrow hips, small bust and hardly any curves. When buying a dress you are going to want a dress that will add curves to your body.
*Choose a swingy, bias-cut dress and pair it with heels.
*Choose a neckline that will accentuate your bust, such as halter tops.
*Buy a dress that has a waistline or has some kind of detail at the waistline. This will add some curves to your waist area.
*Don’t buy shapeless strapless dresses. They will only flatten you and make you look more like a boy.

Curvy Shaped
You have a full bust and hips. You have a dress size of 14 or bigger (not always true as there are some women who are a size 6 and still curvy). You want to minimize your curves but not deny that you have them.
*Choose a wrap dress that you can tailor to fit your shape.
*Choose a dress that has structure but is not too tight. Choosing a shapeless dress will make you appear bigger than you are, while choosing a too tight dress will show off every bulge on your body.
*Buy a dress that has a small allover pattern.
*Sheath dresses and sundress will also look nice on this body shape.
*Do not ever buy a tight satin dress.

Busty
You have a larger sized chest but you don’t want people to only look at that part of your body. Before buying a dress, make sure you have a good strapless bra or a good bustier.
*Buy a dress that is structured on top and a little fuller below the waist.
*Watch the neckline. You can buy a dress with a neckline that dips a little, but make sure that when you bend over, everyone can’t see everything you own.
*Body skimming sheath dress will look very good on you.
*Don’t buy a dress that is full on the top and bottom and belted.

Cute Flats

There is no need to resort to high heels when you want a bit of style, you just need to know where to find the right flat shoes.Most women’s shoe brands make flats, but there are a few companies that stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to really cute flats. Below are a few of my favorite makers of cute flat shoes for women.

Yosi Samra – Super-Cute Flats that Fold

womens-cute-flats.jpgYosi Samra ’Samra’ Image Endless.com (Buy Direct)
Yosi Samra does offer flat sandals, but it’s their super-cute, “Samra” fold-up ballet flats that are getting all the attention these days. Offered in a wide array of colors and materials, these shoes are adorable, affordable (less than $60 per pair), and according to the reviews I’ve seen, extremely comfortable. So far, there is just the one style, but you can choose from metallics, animal prints, pastels, brights, neutrals, and everything in between.

Bloch London – Cute Flats from a Dance Shoe Maker

cute-flat-shoes.jpgBloch ’Classica Pearl’ Image: Zappos.com
Who better to make stunning ballet flats than a world-renowned manufacturer of dance shoes? Founded in 1932, Bloch is well-known for hand-making pointe shoes for some of the world’s most famous ballerinas. And now, they also offer street-ready shoes for dancers and non-dancers alike. With styles ranging from classic ballerina flats to thong sandals, there are loads of cute flats to choose from in Bloch London’s collection.

Me Too – Cute Flats for Less

cute-ballet-flats.jpgMe Too ‘Legend 2′ Image: ShoeBuy.com
Attractive and affordable, the Me Too brand makes women’s and girls’ shoes, a great number of which happen to be cute and versatile flats. Within each collection, there is usually several flat styles to choose from, but one of their most popular is the “Legend,” which is a classic ballet flat, that has been offered in a wide variety of colors, prints and materials.These little flats feature elasticized top lines, stylish vamp hardware, and removable insoles with memory foam padding at the heel. Ringing up at just under $80 per pair, these cute flats have received a number of amazing customer reviews for both comfort and looks.
MeTooShoes.com

Buy Direct

Steve Madden Shoes – Cute Flats for a Range of Budgets

cute-flats.jpgSteve Madden ’I-Dreemy’ Image: SteveMadden.com (Buy Direct)
Steve Madden doesn’t specialize in flats. In fact, it’s probably more likely that you associate the Steve Madden labels with ultra-sexy, sky-high heels. However, most SM collections usually include at least a few styles of flats — and the flat shoes that Steve Madden does turn out tend to be unbelievably cute. In fact, many of my favorite flats over the years have come from one of the Steve Madden brands. I’m particularly partial to the Steven by Steve Madden line, but I’ve also found styles to love from the more moderately-priced Steve Madden line, as well as the budget-conscious junior line, Madden Girl.

Corso Como – Popular and Well-Reviewed Flats for Women

cute-flats-for-women.jpgCorso Como ’Festive’ Image: Zappos.com (Buy Direct)
Though Corso Como does make other flats, as well as heels, it’s their Ballasox ‘Festive’ that has landed them on this list as makers of cute flats.With form-fitting socks built into them, these ballerina-styled shoes are among the most popular and well-reviewed flats I’ve ever seen. Another part of their allure is the fact that they can be rolled up and stored in their accompanying carrying pouch — but don’t mistake them for those emergency flats or fabric rollup shoes you can find in vending machines and drug stores; these adorable skimmers from Corso Como are the real deal, featuring buttery-soft, flexible leather uppers and regulation rubber soles.

London Sole / French Sole UK – Cute Flats, Fit for a Princess

Sold in the United States under the name London Sole, French Sole by Jane Winkworth specializes in flats ranging from adorable to gorgeous. They offer a wide selection of classic ballet flats, as well as loafers and sandals.

Made from the finest Spanish and Italian leathers, skins and materials, London Sole shoes are manufactured in Spain and France. And if you need further evidence of their quality and style, I’ll leave you with the the fact that the late Princess Diana was one of Jane Winkworth’s most ardent fans.

Cute Flats from French Sole / French Sole New York / FS/NY

womens-flats.jpgFrench Sole ’Sloop’ Image: Zappos.com 
Also specializing in flat shoes, this French Sole is an entirely different company that is based in the United States. Naturally, having the same name and type of product can make things a bit confusing for International shoppers, but the good thing is, no matter which French Sole you shop with, you’re going to get a pair of cute flats.French Sole New York offers a huge selection of cute flat shoes, including classic ballerina styles, square-toed flats, open-toed flats, and even a few styles with heels. Named as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Stores in New York” this Upper East Side boutique features a vast collection of ballet flats from top international designers, many of which are exclusive to the store.

One of French Sole’s most popular styles is the “Sloop,” which is a simple — and simply adorable — flat that is offered in a huge array of colors and materials. I own several pairs of the “Sloop” myself, and they’re darling. The only thing I will warn you about is that the sizing is a little incostistent. If you choose to buy a pair, you may want to try them on first, or at least, order from a site that offers free returns.

Cute and Sporty Flats from Keen
sporty-cute-flats.jpgKeen ’Coronado’ Image: Zappos.com
Keen manufactures athletic shoes, sandals, and boots, most of which are cute, but in a rugged, sporty kind of way. There are, however, at least a few styles of Keen flats that are cute in the more traditional sense of the word: the “Coronado” sneakers, the “Golden Ballerina,” and the “Golden MJ” mary janes.While these selections are still on the sporty side, they’re absolutely adorable, and additionally, the Keen name is known for comfort, innovation, and durability.

Rocket Dog Shoes – Adorable, Affordable Flats

casual-cute-shoes.jpgRocket Dog ‘Magnum Fancy File’ Image: Endless.com 

Rocket Dog doesn’t just make cute flats, they make all kinds of cute shoes. But since this is an article about flats, that’s what we’ll stick to for the moment. In the heelless department, most Rocket Dog collections include a variety of flat shoes to choose from, including ballerina flats, sandals, mary janes, mules, and sneakers.

Aimed primarily at a teen, young adult, and young-at-heart audience, Rocket dog shoes aren’t just adorable, they’re also affordable, and interestingly, extremely comfortable. In fact, many of my favorite casual shoes over the years have been from Rocket Dog.

Figuring Out Your Face Shape – Choosing Earrings

In many ways, what is most important to figure out is:

Is your face:  longer, shorter or medium in length.
Is your face: narrower or broader in width.
Is your face more angular or curved in appearance.
Is your face balanced (similar width at both forehead and jaw) or unbalanced (either forehead or jaw wider)

Long and narrow, angular – most likely a rectangle
Long and narrow, curved – most likely an oblong
Medium length, and width, angular – hexagon
Medium length and width, curved – oval
Medium length and width but more pointed forehead and chin – diamond
Short in length, curved – round
Short in length, angular – square
Medium in length, broad at chin – triangle or if more curved in shape – teardrop
Medium in length, broad at forehead, narrow or pointed chin – heart

I hope you can get an idea of your face shape.

Then remember, where your facial features sit within your face also affects the appearance of the shape, and so of course the hairstyles that are most flattering for you.  As Sonya commented yesterday:

Having known for a while that I have an oblong shaped face, I was mystified as to why bangs and no height in my hairstyle looked so bad on me. Supposedly these would both reduce a too long face (compared to the oval ideal).

The answer depends on where on your face the excess length occurs. In my case I am long between eyes and chin but normal length above. So, reducing the length of my forehead/upper portion of face just emphasized the longest (most out of proportion) part.

This might help some others who also find that some of the standard corrections make things worse! 

Thanks Sonya for taking the time to comment. This is one of the reasons figuring out a face shape is so difficult and why the rules don’t necessarily work.

While Pearlaceous commented: This is brilliant, Imogen! Thank you so much, although I spent far too long looking at that hairstyle site you recommended yesterday! And – sonya, you are so right! Now I know I am an oblong with a high forehead – that’s where all my extra length is! LOL! I *need* a fringe! between eyes and chin but normal length above. So, reducing the length of my forehead/upper portion of face just emphasized the longest (most out of proportion) part.

So now you will have a better idea of your face shape and the hairstyles that will work better with it (given of course all the factors mentioned in this post, about hair texture etc.).

Now – which earrings to choose?

Earrings can help to balance your face, especially your chin/jaw and the length of your face.  As far as length goes, unless your personality is very dramatic, avoid earrings that fall past the end of your chin.