Length Balancing Cheat Sheet: Longer Tops
Without getting into the pros and cons of the popular thigh-length tops, allow me to simply point out that the proportions are basically the same as a blazer or jacket of the same length: approximately three head-lengths.
In this case, it works to look to traditional menswear. How do the guys wear their jackets, in terms of same color trousers or different?
- Suit or monochromatic look.
- Separates, such as blazer and slacks. To easily assemble an aesthetically pleasing combination, without adding heels or using complicated color-blocking, slacks in the color of the person’s head are worn with a contrasting color blazer. Which clearly accounts for the popularity of black, khaki (blonde), and gray trousers.
Ladies have the added advantage of being able to wear skirts.
- Knee-length skirts give the greatest flexibility. Just make sure that if one piece is similar in color to the personal coloring, the other one is as well.
- Longer skirts work for the monochromatic look. Either continue the color all the way to the floor, with matching stockings and shoes , OR have skin-tone legs and hair-color feet.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, are you having issues working the longer tops into your wardrobe?
- What I love: feeling covered. And the neatness of doing it without having a layering piece hanging out beneath.
- What I hate: the horizontal line going across where I’d prefer not to spotlight.
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Teen Style Tuesday: Macy’s Coats
Probably someday I’ll win some sort of SEO prize for the term “better late than never”. lol
Since my 18 year old daughter began working for Macy’s, two subjects concerning us have surfaced: one, she suggested I become a Macy’s affiliate; and two, COATS. Her current picks:
- DKNY Jeans Juniors Belted Plaid Coat $148.00
- Roxy “Snow Bunny” Plaid Bomber Jacket
$74.00 - American Rag Double-Breasted Empire Waist Jacket
$119.00
Colors: black, cobalt, red, white - Calvin Klein Jeans Empire-Waist Plaid Coat
Orig. $149.50
Now $73.99
And here’s one for me:
American Rag Double-Breasted Tweed Coat
$139.00
Who likes double-breasted?
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What to Wear with Red
There are two vastly different considerations when combining red with another color: one, what the colors themselves do together, in terms of color harmony and all that; and two, the associations certain color combinations bring to mind. Some, especially people whose personal idiom is both independent and innovative, may choose to disregard the second and challenge the first. What I think the magazines and department stores sometimes forget is figuring the personal self into the equation.
In terms of considering just what looks good on a person, my best suggestion for working red into the wardrobe is to combine it with a color which emphasizes your own dominant color characteristic(s). For me, that equals ivory satin or silver metallic.
Honestly, associations are alot of the reason I don’t prefer red. When I was 10, I literally believed that wearing red & black together meant a woman of “ill repute”. Somehow I’ve never quite gotten past that, although for Christmas back in the ’80s I did wear a red sequin blouse with black velvet trousers.
So what do you like to wear with red?
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The Red Coats Are Coming!
Defining the personal style idiom is as much about “don’t”s as it is about “do”s. And in my idiom a black coat is a “don’t”. One, I can’t bear to look like everyone else. Two, black is boring. And three, it just doesn’t look that good on me.
My personal strategy for staying current is to identify emerging styles which are both classic and flattering. While I find neutral trousers work well, I prefer a coat in a more unique color. Like aubergine. Or a basic. Like red.
This Tulle Big Button Coat comes in 7 colors: Black, Blueberry, Chili Pepper (pictured), White Smoke, Blackberry ( a gorgeous purple), Charcoal, and Midnight.
If red is fabulously flattering on you, what more practical choice could there be for a winter coat?
