Lessons From Fall Fashion Week: Asymmetry
I’m telling you, the Armani thing scared me! Some of the suits were lovely, but how wearable is something with only one (long) sleeve?
Try this fun project: take a picture of your face and split it in half vertically. Mirror image each half of your face to complete the picture. In other words, make a face that is just what the left side of your face looks like, and another one that is just your right. How different do they look?
Who wears asymmetry:
a) One who is going for a high fashion, high drama look.
Yigal Azrouel
b) One with a greater than usual degree of physical asymmetry.
Twinkle
Or
c) The fashion victim. Aka foo.
For those of us with a somewhat classic style and fairly regular features, the risk of looking like we’ve been had is just too great. Other than possibly evening wear, how about we just sit this one out?
Photos via Coutorture, courtesy of ShopStyle.
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Who’s Ann Coulter’s Stylist?
Speaking of Timeless, Traditional, Classic, Preppy, Conservative, & Simple, here is a person who may well be suited to those type of clothes. But what manner of clothing is this? An old lady swimsuit? And speaking of suits, what would be wrong with being pictured in a high-authority business suit?
Since I don’t actually read Ann Coulter, I couldn’t tell you whether Timeless fits her personality or not; so I shall simply deal with the book cover as I have magazines in the past.
The obvious:
- The out-of-balance neckline is not only less-than-modest, it makes a pretty face look boring.
- The all black is also heavy and boring, not at all supported by her natural coloring.
- And one more thing: I don’t mean this bad, but she’s kinda bony looking. Allow me to re-phrase that; she has a great smooth, straight, linear thing going on. Nothing wrong with that, but it looks more natural with stiffer, crispier fabrics. Drapy fabrics contrast with a skeletal body type to create drama. Or else they just plain look wrong.
My suggestion: a pretty boat neck sheath; but rather than the ubiquitous black, how about navy? Creates a patriotic color scheme for the cover, as well.
Hey guess what? Yep, you guessed it: I picked up a dress just like that (Alfani, perfect condition, size 6), this Monday, at Value Village, for $1. Anybody interested?
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I’ve Been Misunderstood
Based principally on face-to-face conversations I’ve had recently, it has become obvious that there exists alot of misunderstanding surrounding the issue of necklines. In this post, I will use the glamorous Kristopher Dukes to illustrate balance point how-tos.
- First, the picture of her with the giant soy latte: measure from top hairline to chin. This measurement approximates the distance from chin to the lowest point of the V. This is her first balance point.
- Second, the picture of her wearing the muumuu: measure vertically, not diagonally, from the widest point of her face to her chin. This measurement approximates the distance from the base of her neck to the neckline of the dress. This is her second balance point.
Parenthetically, the hallmark of the glamorous personality, either in full or mixed as in the example here, is that, no matter what she is wearing, she always looks fabulous.
Obviously not everyone who reads this blog feels the way I do about modesty, but it appears that, among those who do, there is another misconception. To set the record straight:
- When a man sees a camisole, he sees lingerie NOT CLOTHING. (Sorry to raise my voice.)
Only one other little thing: fashion authority. I have such a laid-back personal style that, I am beginning to conclude, I will never have it among the people who see me on a daily basis. That’s okay. I began this blog as an outlet for my superflous words, and it works for me.
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Two Tops for the Price of One
I had forgotten how cute some tops are backwards. A friend of mine reminded me when she decided, after she arrived at church, that she didn’t like what she was wearing. She was gone for a moment and then she came back in a different top, same color.
This is a great concept for now, as many of us are growing tired of the very deep Vs in front. Just watch out for the tag.
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Vogue March 2006 Cover: Natalie Portman as Art
So perfectly refreshing that it stopped me in my tracks, was that really a magazine cover without cleavage? Closer examination revealed a composition of simplicity and beauty.
What elements make this arrangement so aesthetically appealing?
Clothing selection: Natalie Portman’s pixieish crop significantly decreases the visual weight of the star’s hair. Thus, with her fair-skinned luminosity, the painted linen Prada balances her visual lightness.
Photography: Balance is not all about symmetry. Note how the neckline acts as a frame for the face.
Color: The overall beauty of the composition includes the background (matching the dress and framing the face) and the surrounding print layout (the black enhancing her hair and eyes, the pink bringing out her cheeks and lips).
Rip it off and take it home (not the magazine cover, the artistic concepts):
Visual weight: Choose clothing that harmonizes with your personal presence. Volume, texture, and depth of color all add visual weight.
Balance points: Simply stated, a neckline that is deeper than the face is long is a distraction.
Color: Try a neutral that is the same color value (dark or light), but not the same color, as your skin; accent with colors from your own personal coloring (eye, cheek, hair, or lip color).
Natalie Portman is a work of art, but so are you!
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When to Compromise
Sometimes a deal just seems too good to pass up. Since we are right smack in the middle of one of the best clearance periods of the year, I offer the following sanity-saving tips.
When to compromise:
- Compromise on color, as long as it looks good on you.
- Compromise on fabric, in an item that is difficult for you to find.
- Compromise on fit, but only by buying a little bigger.
- Consider buying something with a minor defect, if you have the time and skills to fix it. Don’t be afraid to ask for a little bit more off the price.
When not to compromise:
- If the estimated cost-per-wear will still exceed your needs. Be honest, how much will you really wear the item?
- If it causes you to violate Rule #1, the face as focal point.
- If it causes you to violate Rule #2, dress so you feel like yourself.
- If it ruins your silhouette or can’t be made to work with either of your balance points.
No matter how good a deal you may think you are getting, nobody is paying you to take anything home. It’s only a great deal if it works for you.
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Focus on the Face
Rule number one states simply that the face should be the focal point of every outfit. That seems obvious. Focal point = the point which the eyes are drawn to. But, have you wondered how that is accomplished?
A primary tool in directing attention to your face is the use of balance points. There are two measurable points that determine how far down the upper body the neckline should go. In addition, the collar or neckline should be at least as wide as the face. For additional information on this topic, I recommend The Triumph of Individual Style, by Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa Connor. Imogen Lamport illustrates this concept in her blog, with reference to accessorizing and necklines.
Ladies, if you choose to wear necklines which exceed either of your balance points, know that you are causing attention to be directed down, away from your face. It’s your choice.
