Chapter 2: Not Every Trend Is For Every Body

"Being a slightly miniature person, I had a hard time with the whole high-waisted trend. The way I made it work for me was to wear a high-wasted, wide-leg pant, instead of the skinny, tight version. It actually made me appear to be taller then I am." Rachel Bilson

trend n.
1. The general direction in which something trend in fashion.

2. A general tendency or inclination.

3. Current style; vogue: the latest trend in fashion.

If you could order style at a bar, the recipe would look like the following:

STYLE COCKTAIL
Ingredients:
1 part fantasy
1 part reality
1 spring of intuition

Directions:
Mix equal parts fantasy and reality.
Stir, but do not shake.
Garnish with spring of intuition. Imbibe!

Let's start by breaking down the style recipe: the fantasy is what you see on the runway and in fashion magazine, the reality is an honest appraisal of your frame and lifestyle, and the intuition is what personalize your look.

Step 1: First, you need to make an honest assessment of your height, weight, bust size, hip size and body shape. Is this fun? No, not really, but we promise it's helpful down the line. We can all be sorted into one of five typical physical types- slim (few curves, lean all over), curvy (bigger hips and bust., light waist), pear (smaller top, bigger bottom), cone (bigger top, smaller bottom), and athletic (muscular)- so figure that out first.

Step 2: Once you're clear on your basic shape, all you have to do is pick your celebrity doppelganger and see what works on them!

(Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power. Who What Wear Celebrity and Runway Style For Real Life. 2009 by Abrams Image New York, NY)

update: Who What Wear Chapter 1 Style by Inspiration

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only: Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening” COCO CHANEL

Secret Style Weapon: inspiration boards

Making your inspiration board...

As for the actual nuts and bolts of assembling your inspiration board, there are only three things to keep in mind.

1. nothing's off limits ~ As we keep saying, inspiration can come from anything and anywhere, so keep your eyes peeled for things that delight you. Fabric, photos, magazines tears, and personal mementos are all great sources for mood board materials.

2. follow your instincts ~ Let your subconscious take over and guide your mood board selections. You don't have to understand why you're pulling something for your mood board: you just have to find it interesting. If you pick things that speak an immediate reaction, you're going to have an honest and revealing board.

3. embrace fantasy ~ The point of creating a mood board is to delve deep into your desires, so don't stop and analyze what you're selecting. This is not the time to think about whether or not a particular silhouette would be flattering on your figure or if you accessories selections are your budget, so just ignore those realities. You'll have plenty of time to be practical later!

(Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power. Who What Wear Celebrity and Runway Style For Real Life. 2009 by Abrams Image New York, NY)

Do you have an inspirational board? I do, what's odd is before I even read this book a few years back when I was doing loans I had created something similar to an inspirational board. I got this idea after I watch "Secret"; in that documentary it says to create a goal board clip anything and everything that you would like to achieve or have... so it's odd now I am reading this book and it's telling me to create inspirational board. I have my goal board under my bed collecting dust maybe over this weekend; I will take it out under my bed and hang it on the way. Re create an inspirational board instead of a goal board hmmmmm!

update: Who What Wear: Introduction

Just from reading the introduction I have learned there are usually two kinds of people who are curious about fashion: devotees and detractors. For the devotes, creating outfits and exploring new trends is a way of life, a much needed outlet for self expression and a source of joy and fulfillment. The detractors see fashion differently: they think it’s all a ridiculous pageant, frustrating puzzle, or even worse, a preening and pretentious exercise for the vain. Which one are you?

“The way you present yourself to the world and your ability to assemble fashionable outfits is crucial to success.” by Hillary & Katherine


..Before you get to say a word or do at thing, your cloths are speaking for you, communicating strong message to the outside world about your taste level, sense of self and general acumen. When you’re comfortable with fashion in this way, your wardrobe will convey that you are smart, sophisticated, and relevant now, who doesn’t want that?.. (Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power. Who What Wear Celebrity and Runway Style For Real Life. 2009 by Abrams Image New York, NY)

Wow! I never realized how much an hour fit could speak for every individual. I better check myself before I leave the house next time…lol

By the time you reach the glossary, you’ll understand how to read the message in a Prada show, why tastemakers like Kate Moss are so powerful, and when you should stop wearing a specific trend. Best of all: we’re certain that by the time you’re finished with this book; your fashion sensibilities will be super chic or at least significantly improved! (Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power. Who What Wear Celebrity and Runway Style For Real Life. 2009 by Abrams Image New York, NY)

Who What Wear Book

After reading Monica Roses blog, at 9:15pm last night I had to make a trip to Barnes and Nobel to pick myself up a copy of Who What Wear Celebrity and Runway style for Real Life by hillary kerr and katherine power..

For those of you who follow all things and everything fashion related you might already know that Who What Wear have recently launched a book. If you haven’t heard about it yet, I’m happy to share some fun information with you about the book.

As I read I will update you phrases from the book, quotes from fames people, my thoughts and what I had learned… If you have read it, please comment and let me know what you think about the book… if you haven’t gone out and got the book maybe you’ll make that trip and we can read it together…..