How Perfectly Charming

My friend's mom asked me to help her put together something for a Princess Ball she is going to. She doesn't want to be a princess, though, she wants to be Prince Charming. Since it is one of the greatest things I've been asked in a while, I jumped at the chance. Here are two options that are a bit more workplace appropriate.

Prince Charming for the Athletic Shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring stackable rings

The trick with athletic shapes is to remember that without a lot of curves, you need to add some interest to keep from looking like an upright log. (I think my PNW sensibilities are showing with the end of that last sentence, I seem to have lumberjacks on the brain.) Anyhow, back to the topic at hand! I love bright slacks, in the Spring and Summer. They are cheerful, they are fun, and they keep an outfit looking fashion forward. Cropped slacks are a nice nod to warm weather while still being on the more conservative side. You can pear them with pumps, though my personal preference is ballet flats. Here I went with a pair of feminine loafers in a shiny gold, since this is Prince Charming. Admittedly, in the 1950's cartoon this is based on, he paired brain shoes with his red pants and cream top. I am still offended by this.

The bright slacks need to be paired with something not quite as eye-blinding up top, but you don't want the pants to overshadow the rest of your outfit. The soft yellow (Maurices calls it Custard) top I chose is not only pleasantly draped on the neck, it is also ruched down the sides, giving some extra shape to the body and creating curves that might not be there without it. I went with a simple, tiered chain necklace because it followed the drapes in the skirt, but was a strong and simple enough piece to stand out without overpowering the rest of the outfit and give a nod to the blinged cords Prince Charming wore.

For the jacket, because you can't skip that part since it's what most people remember about him, I wanted something with clean lines that would stop at the hips. I found the most darling jacket from Germany and a bit obsessed. Simple lines, champagne and gold brocade with the same gold edging, zip front for that straight line closure I was searching for, and a hint of flare at the hips to help give added shape to the silhouette.

Accessorizing for Prince Charming is easy. Gold. Lots and lots of gold. Well, I say lots and lots but let's be real, I think less is more and am not usually a fan of gold, so a belt, a little clutch, a couple rings and a bracelet is more than enough, some people wouldn't think that was anywhere close to lots and lots. I picked the clutch with the little tassels because it was a touch whimsical and made me happy. Everyone needs a bit of whimsy in their life. keep your hair simple. Pull it back in a ponytail or bun and call it good. If you have short hair, don't over style it, leave it down or slick it back. Stick to more natural makeup, maybe a hint of blue at the eyes, and you are ready to chase down some crazy lady who loses her shoe and doesn't bother coming back for it.

Prince Charming for the Athletic shape - 2 by stevie-sm-williams featuring cat eye makeup

This one is a bit more dressy, but you can still get away with it at work. If you found more of a matte gold top it would tone down the outfit a lot, but I like shiny things.

I think everyone should have a nice maxi skirt in their closet, they are easy to dress up and down, flattering on most figures, and wonderful on hot Summer days. The pleating in this skirt give some added draping to the hips, adding curves where you didn't have much, and making your legs look a bit longer. Remember to hem your skirts. It might seem silly, but you do not want your skirt dragging on the ground while you walk. It will make you look shorter than you are, ruin the bottom of the skirt, and drag the skirt down as you wear it all day because it will catch on things. Hem it. To make you look really leggy swap out the flats for heels. Personally, as stated before, I love ballet flats. I commute by bus and as such tend to live in flats.

I went with more champagne and cream in this one, the skirt being so vibrant. The top is a sequined tank top, another fun item to have in your closet to dress up practically any outfit. Since it doesn't add a lot of shape to the torso on it's own I added a short sleeved bolero, the curve of the front will make your waist look a bit more nipped in and help give the illusion of curves. Note that this outfit does not have a necklace. That is because of the loudness of the shirt. Adding a necklace would take it overboard.

Just because a shirt is loud, though, doesn't mean you shouldn't still accessorize. I couldn't resist the tasseled chandelier earrings I found. They have that crazy art deco feeling I love. A nice cuff and a couple of pretty rings, all gold because that is Prince Charming's color scheme, and you are good to go. The same gold clutch, because I love how much it reminds me of the gold envelope that was sent with the invitation to the ball. It's the little things, after all, that really make the outfit a winner. Again, keep your hair simple, keep your makeup natural, and enjoy the day. Maybe, since it's summer, add your favorite sunglasses as well.

Til next time,

Stevie

Nothing is true, everything is permitted.

Ever want to walk into a meeting feeling like the most dangerous and interesting person in the room? Sometimes you need that air of mystery, that hint of danger, to give you an edge if you are nervous about a presentation. And really, what is more bad ass than an assassin? I mean, besides a ninja-pirate-assassin or Grumpy Cat.

Asassins Creed 3 for the Pear Shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring a matte lipstick

I would like to say for the record that I wish I had hips. Two years of squats have given me an ass, at least, so I worked my ass on. Sadly, without the hips I still can't rock a pencil skirt and, oh, how I love them. I look dumpy and sad when I make the attempt so I've mostly given up. Mostly ...(Never give up, never surrender!)

A good work blazer should stop just above the swell of your hips to help the eye focus on a narrower waist and to keep it from wrinkling weird because you half sat on it at your desk. The skirt should come to just under or just over the knee (shorter legs should stick to a hemline just above the knee.) The way the skirt hugs the hips and then tucks in and flares helps make you look curvy and still hides thicker thighs. This is a high waisted skirt I chose, so tuck your shirt in and then, to hide odd bulges and make your waist more defined, put a belt over it.

Boots should never come over the knees for a work outfit. Not only does it shorten your leg, but it can often look trashy without meaning to. However when your boots come to below the knee with a skirt that comes to just above, your legs look longer. As a good general rule, if your jacket doesn't have a collar neither should your shirt. That being said, you can still have top interest.

Accessories are important. Nothing too ostentatious, the clothing, like the person inside them, is the star for this outfit. A couple rings, no necklace because we have such a great rufflling effect going on, and maybe a watch. Assassins are pretty exact about times and dates, they have to be. A smokey eye (not too dramatic though, ladies, this is a day look) and nude lips and you are good to go. Wear your hair in your favorite style and grab your favorite black purse to complete this look.

Assassins Creed 3 for the "Y" Shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring a black leather purse

I love a good jacket, but a lot of them seem to highlight my extreme lack of hips and contort in rather unflattering manners across my chest. You can play one part off with a flared skirt and the other by trying on every jacket you like (and maybe getting it tailored a bit). With a strong skirt remember not to go overboard with an in-your-face top though. Go with a simple boat neck to show off the wide shoulders and exaggerate the difference between your shoulders and your waist. With that flared skirt to make it look like you've got hips you've just become a femmefatale with an hourglass figure.

Since I went with a pretty monochromatic color scheme I had fun with patterns. The top has spots, the belt has braids, and the tights are made of lace! Don't be afraid to mix and match textures and prints, often it makes an outfit interesting. Grab some heels to help give the skirt some sway and some extra length to your legs, add your favorite black purse and you've got yourself an outfit! Remember, keep your accessories and makeup simple, and do your hair however you like.

This particular jacket is something I would LOVE to be able to pull off, sadly I'm uber-busty so it's not going to jive. I do have an awesome leather jacket with faux-frogging down the front like this though, it's got the princess seams to keep it nice and flattering on me. Remember, just because we have the same base shapes doesn't mean we can all look good in the same things. We need to accept these things (even if we really love those pencil skirts...) and move on. Clothes aren't made for everyone, sadly. We need to embrace the things that look good on us and not wish we looked good in something else. We, ladies, are what makes the clothes, not the other way around.

Getting stuck on the things you want to wear can stop you from finding things that you can wear. Keep an open mind and remember to try things on at the store. Chances are if you have any kind of a figure at all you won't look good in something that looks amazing on a hanger. Hangers show off clothing meant for stick figures, the slender athletics, the athletic hourglass, the incredibly petite, and children. If you aren't one of those things, don't let it get you down. If you try it on and it doesn't look as good as you'd hoped move on to a new style that you've never tried before, you might be pleasantly surprised! You also might be completely horrified and not sure if you should gag or giggle, but that's why you go shopping with girlfriends. You show them and they make the decision on just how terribad that article of clothing really is.

Remember, you're beauty is unique.

Stevie