To Survive, The Hunted Must Become The Huntress

Strength, defiance, and femininity. Those are the three things that I believe Huntress embodies, and sometimes we need a bit of that in our day to day lives.

Helena loves her body, and you should too. Take your strengths and showcase them, then take your weaknesses and use them as a strength. Sometimes that last part is hard, but you can surprise yourself for the better. Just give it a try. For me, my weaknesses involve a love of desserts that always end up right in my belly. It's a fight to be "normal" size for me and I often fluctuate. A lot of women I know do, so today I Huntress in two outfits that will withstand the gain and loss of a few (or more, let's be honest with ourselves) pounds.

Huntress for the "Y" Plus shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring a bangle bracelet

If you have ready any iteration of Huntress (and there are quite a few) than you know that Helena Bertinelli (or Wayne) is all about confidence. She cares, sometimes too much, and she doesn't always react in ways that the rest of the bat family may approve of, but she usually follows her heart, and I love that about her. Then again I love when she gets sassy and snarky, as well.

I like to dress strong when I'm having a bad day and I think that Huntress is good for that. The skater dress is loose and comfortable with an elastic waist and a mesh top. I like the peter pan collar illusion necklace and when the two are placed together, it gives a sweetness that is almost mocking and it intrigues me. Purple tights are fun (I have tights in all kinds of patterns and colors, they give some pop to black dresses) and add interest, drawing notice to your legs. Y shaped ladies need more attention drown down to the legs since we don't have hips. To give the legs an extra boost I paired them with some cute little booties. Heels can be what makes or breaks short legs. I have short legs so I really like the illusion cutouts because they make your legs seems longer than they are.

One white belt to draw notice to your waist, because the skirt is fuller and hides that you have no hips. On top of that I found a really fun blazer. I love blazers, they spruce up most outfits. The trick to it is making sure it fits you properly across the shoulders, the bust, and the waist. Ladies, I feel for you if you are not a standard measurement. I, myself, am not a standard measurement so I understand. This one is cropped, which is a must if you are pairing it with a flared skirt. We don't want our efforts undone by a long jacket that mashes the skirt to our sides.

Since the little crosses on the peter pan collar are gold I went with all gold jewelry. I'm not a huge fan of mixing precious metals because it seems tacky and overdone to me most of the time. So gold for Huntress, a simple cuff, an arrow ring, and little stud crosses for the ears. A nice purple leather purse, though you could go black. Everyone should own a black purse. Keep your makeup simple. A little gray smudging at the eyes, some perky pink lips to keep it trendy, and pull your hair away from your face. You are good to go.

Huntress for the Y shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring an adjustable belt

Now, I know I preach about staying away from pencil skirts if you are lacking in the hip department, however I really think that this skirt is more of a faux wrap than a true pencil skirt. On top of that I added a pseudo peplum top that is a bit long and will help mask the hiplessness that some of us suffer. Make sure the skirt comes to just above or just below your knee. Just above if you have shorter legs, it'll help them look longer. Again, purple tights. They are fun, feisty, and add color to help keep you from looking too emo. Again I went with booties, I have a mad love for them because they look good on just about everyone.

I kept the jewelry gold. I like the way it pops against the lilac and black. Dangling cross earring,s a couple of rings, no bracelets this time. The blazer has a peplum styled bottom and the top has a lace overlay, adding too much jewelry will make the outfit seem overly busy and it will detract from the overall look. Remember to pull your hair back from your face and keep your makeup neat and clean. A bit of a cats eye and some berry lips and will make your features pop without looking overdone.

Makeup is a key component to an outfit and I feel like a lot of people don't understand how it can detract. Often dolling your eyes up too much during the day makes you look like you are wearing ten times more makeup than you actually are. Just like lining your eyes all the way around with black actually makes your eyes look smaller, not larger. Not all makeup styles look good on every person, either. My sister wears eyeliner on just her lower lid, which works for her. When I try that I look silly. Our eyes and faces are shaped differently, just like our bodies, and makeup is just as important as your outfit. So keep that in mind and experiment a little, have fun with it.

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the only opinion that matters is your own.
Stevie

We're Gonna Give 'Em Back Their Heroes!

Mad Max is one of the most iconic characters of the eighties (funny, because he came about in the seventies, technically) and as such I feel that the throwback fashions of the 80's that have come around are perfect for Max Rackatansky. As in every post apocalyptic world, you need leather. For some reason this is what people assume is the appropriate clothing for a arid desert during a water war, because sweat is no longer a problem. Also, it has to be black. Black apparently conveys the loneliness of the heart and the absence of hope. Black leather is still preferably to a chainmail dress.

Moving on.

Mad Max for the Athletic Pear by stevie-sm-williams featuring black booties

The Athletic Pear is slender, but their hips are still wider than their shoulders. As such, they can rock the pencil skirts, but they don't have to worry quite as much about the cute flare skirts making them seem too bulky on the bottom half, either. So for this I went with an adorable leather skirt, studded sparingly for drama and interest. Paired with a pair of shadow tights, striped sheer and solid, and ankle boots. All black, of course. After all, if you are going to be an anti-hero you might as well go big.

For the top I chose a simple shell, sleeveless, to be tucked into the skirt. The curve of the arm follows the shoulder, giving the illusion of having wider shoulders and giving you more of an hourglass silhouette. The blazer is for both a bit more drama and to soften the leather skirt. Keep the skirt as the focal point of the outfit, it's a strong piece and adding too much more to it would make the outfit busy. Keep to simple colors, strong lines (like that jacket) and then find the proper accessories.

The pearl and chain necklace takes a hard and soft approach and stands a nice contrast against the black of the shirt with it's high neck. The chain bracelet, different metals layered, is another good add, but you can only add the one or the outfit starts to feel too heavy and get's a little more rock and roll than business appropriate. The rose earrings add a pop of color and whimsy to the outfit, a brief hint of color when you leave your hair down. Focus your makeup on the eyes, do something smokey, but try not to make it too dramatic, remember, this a daytime outfit. You can add a bit more black at the end of the day to take it into night. A small purse, some nude lips, and you're ready to go.

Mad Max for the Athletic Hourglass by stevie-sm-williams featuring kevyn aucoin makeup

Soft and hard can mean a lot of things. Since the last outfit was a skirt, I chose a different take for the Athletic Hourglass, slender with wider shoulders and hips, but still a defined waist. As such you need to make sure a lot of the clothing is either properly fitted or have it altered. Properly altered clothing boosts confidence in oneself, who doesn't like having clothing fit like it was made for you and not a hanger?

Faux leather leggings with a soft, knit tunic with an asymmetrical zipper. I liked the color blocking, and the way it curved along the lines of an actual body and makes the curves look more dramatic. I also liked the cowl at the top, giving a nod to the scarves thrown about heads and faces during the movie. I did add an under shirt, mostly because the person this outfit was intended for is not only a high school teacher, but also because she lives in Florida and this way she can unzip it a bit if it's too hot.

Another pair of ankle boots, I think they are cute and they go well with most outfits, so I pair them with a lot of different ones. Since I also base all of these outfits around people I know or meet or who ask me about characters or ideas for outfits, I like to take their own personal aesthetics into account as well. Mistress D likes heels, these ones are wide enough to be comfortable after a full day on the feet pacing in front of her classes. The hat is because she does love them, and being in Florida that sun can be brutal. Add a black leather bag, most women already have one.

I went with chain jewelry again. A simple chain necklace, a layered chain cuff watch, and a few softer rings. Pair that with a smokey eye, nude lips (or chapstick, sometimes I go chapstick if it's a nude or pink lip that would be best) and focus all on the eyes. For some you might want to add a bit of blush. I don't get a lot of color in my cheeks, so I like to add it. I have friends with naturally flushed cheeks who don't have to worry about it. Remember, you want to do what is right for you.

Remember, you rock what you've got, not what someone else has. Do what's good for you.

Be your own big damn hero.

Stevie

Scream It Out - Never Be Afraid Of Being Heard

Black Canary, a master martial artist (showing proficiency in more than 10 styles) as well as a strategist. She is smart, she is forward, and she never lets anyone get her down. With these things in mind, I give you a couple options for some Dinah Lance inspired work outfits.

Black Canary for the Apple Shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring H&M

First up we have Black Canary for the Apple Shaped, specifically intended for my dear friend Kat. Not everyone is a fan of skirts, and without a skirt or dress, it isn't exactly considered appropriate to wear the fishnets. If you detected sarcasm in that last sentence, you may have been correct. So I give you hatchmark pants. They are slim cut, not skinny, and should be hemmed just at your ankle bone. This does two things, it makes your legs look longer and it gives the illusion of having hips because the eye is drawn down. I suggest pairing it with flats because I think slim cut pants with ballet flats are darling and I like it when people wear them that way. I may or may not be wearing slim cut trousers with flats right this moment ...

I don't like turtlenecks. In fact I don't like anything that feels like it may be attempting to strangle me. However, I do like that Dinah's current suit zips up (I assume there is a lock to keep it from slipping down) and as such found a zipper detailed sleeveless top that snugs in a bit at the waist and stays loose down to the hips. This gives comfort, ease of movement, and hides those pesky problem areas that the Apple shaped ladies tend to have. I paired it with a leather cropped blazer I found on H&M (seriously, I love this item and want Kat to have it in her actual-fact closet) that has nice lines and keeps the hard and soft image that the Black Canary is so well known for.

Most ladies carry purses, I liked the serviceablity and neutral style of the bowling bag purse. Black leather, of course, because if you are going to be Canary you should really be monochromatic. All the jewlery is black and silver, I went with the obvious bird motif, but I added hearts because they give a softer edge to the outfit and Dinah cares about everyone that comes into her life. Leave your hair down and pair it with a natural look for your makeup. Don't go overboard with your accessories and styling, she's a minimalist and it is a big part of what makes her so daunting to the criminals she stands against: she doesn't need anything but herself to take you down.

Black Canary for the Slender Athletic shape by stevie-sm-williams featuring black vintage jewelry

While I still wish I was tiny on occasion (mostly I'm just happy I'm powerful, also I have pretty great breasts) it wasn't until about 5 years ago when I was trying to dress a friend that I realized how hard it is to find clothing that flatters someone who has a Slender Athletic build. They tend to not have a lot of curves, so the snug fitting little cocktail dresses don't look as amazing as they do on a Slender Petite or an Athletic Hourglass. However, if you look and you try things on, you can fool the eye into thinking you are curvier than you may seem. This particular outfit is for a new friend, code name Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. She's fun, confident, and strong willed.

First up is the dress. Note that it is not skin tight. Also note the definite waist line on the dress where the skirt meets the top. There are some lovely seems that add just a touch of body and that, in turn, gives the wearer hips. I love the zipper detail in the front, elongating the neck and torso. I paired it with a cute cropped blazer, note the lines on it as well. The jacket doesn't close, it isn't meant to. What it does is add to the curve of the waist and the flare of the hips, and pulling a bit more attention to the bust. Since this is a dress you can wear fishnets, one of the staple items of Black Canary, but we need to keep it classy, not trashy. go with smaller spaces in the fishnets if you are going to wear this dress to work, the smaller the openings the more professional it looks. I also added cute calf high boots, to add to the hard and soft image that is Dinah Lance.

A nice bowling bag style purse gives you enough room to carry anything your heart desires (mine, at the moment, is carrying a 2lb weight, a copy of the constitution, a pair of Superman headphones, a sewing kit, hair bands, Deadpool arm warmers, hand sanitizer, reusable grocery bags, my tablet, an external batter, and a couple of thumb drives. I have a large purse.) The only other accessories you need are jewelry, keep it minimal, and, if you can, bird inspired. I just think it gives you that added oomph. This is, of course, too literal for some. In that case just remember that this outfit is strong on it's own, like Dinah herself, and minimalism shows off that inner strength far more than a dozen layered necklaces.

So, to recap; Trashy, not classy. Minimalism is key. Being loud is a Superpower.

Stevie