Style For Your Shape: Apple

We're excited to share a new series with you today--Style for Your Shape! Over the next five weeks, we'll be featuring a different body shape every Tuesday, with advice on what styles to opt for and what to avoid for the most flattering look. So often, magazines will lump together all skinny figures as "rulers/boyish" and all plus-size shapes as "curvy," when this is so not the case--it's possible to be a thin hourglass or a plus-size ruler. You'll probably fall under one of the five main body types--Apple, Hourglass, Inverted Triangle, Pear, and Ruler--and whatever your size, the same general rules for dressing your shape apply. If you're not sure which type you are, you might find this quiz helpful.

Today we'll be focusing on the Apple shape! Apple-shaped-shaped women typically:

• carry their weight around their mid-section/torso area (and sometimes arms)
• have a medium to large bust
• have slim hips and legs (and occasionally very slim arms too)
• are often described as "top-heavy"
• may complain about their muffin top/love handles

      Here are some celebrities with your body type:

When it comes to picking flattering styles, you want to play up your assets (your legs and bust), and downplay your wider mid-section. 

In general, steer away from:

• tight, clingy tops/dresses 
• high necklines
• big, shapeless styles
• bulky jackets, sweaters, etc.
• lots of buttons/embellishment up top

Apple Shape Essentials

1. Colourful Jeans & Trousers
Play up your streamlined lower half with interesting jeans, trousers, shorts... You can pull off pretty much any style -- lucky!!

Cheap Monday jeans - societeanonymestore.com

2 & 7. Flattering Dresses
When it comes to dresses, you want something that will support your bust and flash a subtle bit of skin. No skimpy straps and flimsy fabrics! The grey dress's sleeves are perfect if you're self-conscious about your arms, while its sleek form-fitting body will highlight your slim lower half. The lace neckline of the black dress enhances your cleavage in an elegant way, while its floaty skirt skims over your mid-section.
Dolce Gabbana sheath dress - profilefashion.com, Vero Moda black dress - veromoda.com

3. Supportive Bras
As every busty girl will know, a supportive bra is a life-saver--or, at the very least, a style-saver--and can make or break an outfit. For the best fit, get a professional to take your measurements (Victoria's Secret and most department stores offer this service).
Lace bra - marksandspencer.com

4. A Cape or Swing Coat
A short coat that drapes over your mid-section and shows off your svelte lower half is your best look for outerwear. Avoid excessive buttons and zips, and anything too bulky.
MICHAEL Michael Kors outerwear - harrods.com

5. Figure-Enhancing Swimwear
For the most flattering look, opt for a halter-neck style in a solid colour and a patterned bottom. High-waisted styles are perfect if you want to conceal a tummy.
High waisted bathing suit - etsy.com

6. Pencil Skirts
Your slim lower half is the envy of hippier girls, so play it up in form-fitting pencil skirts.
Erdem floral knee length skirt - brownsfashion.com

8. Silky Shirts
You want to avoid tops that are too clingy and fussy, but at the same time, you don't want to drown your figure in shapeless t-shirts. Silky tops offer the perfect, put-together solution, flattering and concealing in all the right places.
PYRUS blue shirt - question-air.com

9. Peplum Tops
The peplum style, whether you wear it as a top or dress, is a flattering look for Apple shapes: it conceals your tummy while giving the illusion of a defined waist.
Forever New peplum shirt - forevernew.com.au

10. Kickass Shoes
With your slender legs, you can pull off any type of shoe. Take advantage!  
Miss Selfridge strappy sandal - missselfridge.com

So there you have it, Apple shapes! We hope you find these suggestions useful on your next shopping expedition. 

Up next Tuesday: the Hourglass...

Body shape image viahttp://www.liveinspiredmag.com/new-years-resolution-closet/

Top of the Crops

While I'd been intending on trying out the crop top trend since early spring, it wasn't until recently that I actually managed to acquire one. White, affordable, and with some sort of sleeves were my only requirements...but somehow that trifecta proved difficult to find. But just when I thought my summer was going to be crop top-less after all, I happened upon this little white one on mega sale at H&M for under $5. White may not be the most practical colour (knowing me, it'll be stained within 2 seconds of putting it on), but it's the most flattering if you're fair: it makes even the ghostliest skin look (kind of) tanned.

Crop top - H&M

Maxi skirt - Topshop

Sandals - J. Crew

Sunglasses - Aldo

Lipstick - Rimmel Kate Moss #08

White nail polish (fingers) - Loft

Blue nail polish (toes) - Barry M Cobalt Blue

Lipstick of the Week: MAC Morange

Everyone has their make-up product obsession: for some it's eyeliner, others mascara...for me, it's definitely lipstick. Because I’m pale (and my lips are naturally a drab mauve-ish colour), I find I need some form of lip colour to brighten my face and keep me from looking washed-out. From hot pinks to classic reds and chalky pastels to vampy berries, I love experimenting with different shades, and I’ve amassed a fairly substantial collection over the years. For this new series, I’ll be sharing a favourite lipstick of my mine each week…from new discoveries to old go-tos. Hope you enjoy! 

Lipstick Essentials

Some people are extremely meticulous when applying lipstick—carefully outlining with lipliner, then applying a coat, then blotting, then applying again, etc, etc. I am not one of those people. Ain't nobody got time for that! Most of the time, I apply it straight from the tube, but there are three little necessities that I always have on hand:

• Q-Tips/cotton swabs: You know how you’re supposed to swirl your finger your mouth around to remove excess lipstick (so that it doesn’t get on your teeth)? Well, instead of my finger, I use a Q-Tip (much less messy), and then I use the ends to touch up the edges.

• Blotting paper: In general, I prefer a more matte look, so I use these to mop up any excess shine (and of course, they can do double duty on the rest of your face, too).

• Non-tinted lip balm:  Lipstick can be drying, so I’ll sometimes apply a layer of lip balm on first.

This week's lipstick: MAC Morange

The orange lip has been one of the most talked-about beauty trends of the season, and it was one I wanted in on. So summery, so '70s (I love the '70s, so that's a good thing in my books), so J. Crew catalogue...I needed to try it out. I'd had my eye on MAC's Morange for quite some time, so eventually bit the (lipstick) bullet and bought it. I'm not gonna lie, it's a pretty intimidating-looking colour at first glance, and can have a neon-like appearance in some lights. But once applied, it's thankfully not garish, although it is bright! If you're looking for a more subdued shade, I'd suggest MAC's So Chaud (which will be getting its own post soon).

It actually turned out pretty reddish in these photos, but in real life, it's definitely more of a true orange. As it's got an Amplified Creme finish, there's a bit of a shine to it, but this can be adjusted with some blotting should you want.

What do you think of bright orange lips? Is it a trend you want to try out or pass on? Let me know in the comments!

Thursday Travels: Florence

So, uh, remember when we used to actually post stuff?! And on a fairly regular basis, too? Well, believe it or not, we're determined to make that happen again...starting with a return to our Thursday Travels series (we've still got a few more places to share!)

Today we're recapping the brief time we spent in Florence. As we've mentioned in our previous Travels posts, this is by no means an exhaustive guide to what to do here...more than anything, it's just a way for us to keep the memories alive! For some reason, Florence was one of those cities where we didn't take a whole lot of photos (I'd like to think it was because we were too awestruck by the spectacular sights to bother reaching for the camera, but it could very well have been that we got sidetracked by gelato). As we were only there for a day, we didn't get to cover nearly enough ground--you could easily spend months in the city and never run out of things to see and do...and eat, might I add!

Did we like Florence? Yes, definitely--who wouldn't?! It's got incredibly beautiful buildings and some of the finest museums in the world, and it's clean and not terribly crowded (by European standards). And it also happens to be the capital of Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. But did we love it? A lot of people actually prefer Florence to Rome for all the reasons mentioned above, but to be honest, we didn't love love love it. Rome may be chaotic and dirty and super touristy, but it has an energy to it that Florence just kind of lacks. 

Florence is beautiful, though, and we enjoyed our short time there. We'd both been there before a few years back and had seen some of the major sights, so didn't feel the need to see them again this time. We started the day with a guided tour around the city, and then did some exploring on our own. We saw the Basilica di Santa Croce--not the "big" one (that would be the Duomo), but a beautiful church nonetheless, set on a pretty piazza. We strolled the charming Ponte Vecchio bridge with its centuries-old shops, and meandered our way through the streets, stopping for gelato breaks here and there. All in all, a peaceful, pleasant day. 

{The River Arno, with the Ponte Vecchio in the distance}

{And again}

{And one last one for good measure!}

{In case you can't read it, that little sign says "Do Not Touch. Just For Beauty." The fact that the shop was run by a little old man made it all the more cute}

{Shops of the Ponte Vecchio}

{And more shops. Back in the day, they were largely butchers' shops and the like, but were thankfully replaced by goldsmiths and jewellers in the 15th century}

{Santa Croce courtyard}

{One last gelato shot}

10 Trends for Spring/Summer 2014

Each new fashion season, I love seeing what new trends are surfacing--I take note of which I'd like to try...and which I plan on steering well clear of. Here are my thoughts on ten of the most popular Spring/Summer 2014 trends... Which would you wear? And which would you not be caught dead in?! 

1. Midi Skirts
Because I'm tall, shopping for skirts has always been a somewhat sad experience for me. When it comes to shorter skirts, something that would look respectable on someone else looks downright indecent on me, so you can imagine my delight when longer lengths started becoming a thing. If you feel like the classic midi is a bit too frumpy for your tastes, look for one with sheer panelling for a 2014 twist on this '50s style.

Lavish Alice midi skirt - lavishalice.com

2. Crop Tops
My waist is one of my favourite features, so I'm a big fan of this subtle way of showing some skin. Unlike the belly-baring styles of the early noughties, the 2014 crop top is a more demure affair, best worn with something high-waisted so that only a sliver of skin peeks through.
Preen short sleeve shirt - net-a-porter.com

3. D'Orsay Flats

So pretty! So dainty! So chic! I just love this feminine flat, which would look great with either boyfriend jeans or a midi skirt. Those with thicker ankles should stick to a thin strap, while skinnier ankles can take a chunkier one.

Gianvito Rossi white shoes - barneys.com

4. Kimonos
Kimonos, to me, are the epitome of laid-back luxe: sophisticated, but comfy enough for lounging around the house in. And they flatter every body shape! Toss one over cut-offs and a simple tank to add a dose of bohemian glamour to your look. 
Monsoon swim cover up - monsoon.co.uk

5. Sharp Pleats
I love the look of a crisply pleated skirt--either dressed down with an oversized sweatshirt, or up with a delicate blouse tucked in. Those with narrower hips can get away with more flimsy, chiffony materials, but hippier girls should consider a heavier fabric for a more flattering look.
J W Anderson mini skirt - brownsfashion.com

6. Culottes
Um, no. Just no. What the midi is to skirts, culottes are to pants, but this is one trend I just can't get behind. While there are many styles that I wouldn't wear but like on others, I have yet to see anyone rock a pair of culottes. I actually like palazzo pants, their longer-length sibling, but I think this calf-length style is very hard to pull off. 
Charlie Brear clothing - avenue32.com

7. Ugly Sandals
Honestly, I'm just not cool enough for man-repelling fashion in general, and the whole ugly sandal trend is no exception. It actually seems like a fun kind of trend to partake in (I think I'd kind of enjoy shopping around for the absolute ugliest pair I could find), but I don't think I'd actually bite the bullet and wear them. 
Steve Madden sandals - stevemadden.com

8. Sleeveless Blazers
This style can look very sleek and sharp, and would be perfect for warmer weather...but personally, I'm not a fan. What can I say? I just like my blazers with sleeves. 
Ted Baker blazer - tedbaker.com

9. Mules
Gross-sounding name, creepy-looking shoe (in my humble opinion). But one girl's shoe pariah is another girl's treasure, right?! In their defence, they do seem relatively comfy as far as heels go...and they'd be easy to wear with any style of trouser (just maybe not #6 ;-). 
Pour La Victoire shoes - revolveclothing.com

10. Overalls
Once upon a time, I was actually a fan of this farm-friendly look (I have fond memories of an orange, knee-length pair I had circa 1998). These days, however, it's not a look I'm in any hurry to revisit; while I've seen overalls look super cool on flat-chested, narrow-hipped girls, they wouldn't look so great on my figure.
Citizens of Humanity bib overall - stylebop.com