LUSTERGLOSS: 2010

You want to be glam. You want to sparkle. You want to exude sex appeal/ooze femininity/own the boardroom. Maybe you want to shine just that little bit brighter than everybody else. Maybe you want to be a Bombshell.

I know what you're thinking. "How can I be glam? I don't look like a model or a pin-up! I don't have the boobs/hips/waist/blonde hair/long legs/tan, and don't you have to be below size 8 to be glamorous?" Well, no. You can dress glamorously to your heart's content no matter your figure or size. In the next few posts I'll be detailing how to dress fabulously for each shape, and I am starting with the Apple. Here is everything you need to know to work it like the bombshell you know you can be.

THE APPLE: If you have a full bust, waist and upper back and/or are wide around the middle with slimmer legs (comparatively), you are an apple shape. Congratulations, turning over a glamorous new leaf is easier than you think!

You will need:

a well-fitting bra (essential)
dark tops
flared and pencil skirts
pants (I'll explain I swear!)
a wide belt
tailored, collarless, belted jackets
a long, straight coat
empire-line or fitted sheath dresses
medium size purses/handbags
GREAT shoes
other fabulous accessories

TOPS

Choose matte tops in darker colours and tones as this will give the illusion of a smaller top half. Wear body-hugging tops tucked into flared skirts, and tops that are loose and flowing tucked into figure-hugging skirts or over pants.

Top from http://plussize.about.com

Pic via http://blog.storetwentyone.co.uk/

V-necks are your best friend, although how low you want to go depends on you! Sweetheart necklines will also flatter you enormously. Any detail around the neckline will serve to draw the eye upwards towards your face, however, if you have a very large bust, it might be best to avoid this as it may make your bust appear larger (making you appear top-heavy).

Most Apples have great arms, so show them off to their best advantage! Tops with cap sleeves, detailing around the shoulders, wide shoulder straps and sleeveless tops are great ideas. Try to avoid very puffy sleeves.

Tops to look for:

Fitted blouses - best if they are side-fastening with a zip, or have small hook-and-eye closures all the way down the front.
T-shirts with ruching in the middle (small gathers that confuse the eye into not knowing what is body and what is fabric - a great slimming illusion)
Wrap-around tops
Empire-line tops (when the waist line is just below the bust)
Loose tunic tops
Fitted sweaters to layer in winter instead of bulky jumpers
Cardigans are a fuzzy area, but they will look nice long and belted at the waist

Tops to avoid:

Baby doll tops
Tops with high/round necklines
Tops with spaghetti straps
Tops that hit above your hipbone (always wear tops that end slightly lower)
Turtleneck tops

SKIRTS

Choose high waisted skirts that are A-line, flared or full to wear with your fitted tops. The volume of the skirts will balance your figure. Choose straight or pencil skirts to wear with your looser tops tucked in (drawing attention to your slim lower half). This is also where you have fun and get creative, where you pop and sparkle! You can wear patterns and colours galore on your lower half. Skirts with floral prints, stripes, sequins, lace, polka dots, leopard print, geometric shapes. Skirts in bright colours, bold colours, lots of colours. Anything you can think of.

Pic 1 - via http://styletips101.com/shopping/how-to-shop-like-a-pro.html

Pic 2 - At First Sight Dress by Esley $55.00 from http://www.lulus.com/ via http://stylebuddy.onsugar.com/ - a great source of clothing for all body types.

As an Apple, you probably have some great legs on you and you'll look great in short skirts and mini-skirts, but if they aren't your thing, go with a skirt that hits at mid-thigh or above your knees.

Tip: All skirts should be side-fastening and flat-fronted. If your tummy is prominent, the detailing, such as the pleats or ruffles, should always start BELOW your stomach to avoid adding bulk to the area.

PANTS

Your best cuts are flared and boot-cut, but skinny-leg pants can also look lovely when balanced with an empire-line or tunic style top. While I don't recommend wearing leopard print trousers (unless that's your style), you can still have fun with pants. You can wear lighter shades and different colours, take advantage of it!

Tip: Pants, like skirts, should always be flat-fronted and side-fastening. When it comes to jeans, find ones that sit above your hips on your waist (NOT high-waisted) as they will sit across your tummy creating a slimmer line.

DRESSES

You will look GREAT in wrap dresses, empire-line and fitted sheath dresses. These styles will help create a waist and elongate your figure. As for colours and patterns, you will pop in a dress with a darker background colour and a large print in a lighter shade. This will help break up your frame and help to slim your figure also.

Pic via http://stylebuddy.onsugar.com/

As for length, with your great legs short and mini dresses will be very flattering, but so will anything above knee length. However, full-length maxi dresses with an empire-line waist will look FANTASTIC on you, whether you are lounging on the beach or at a ball!

Tip: A dress that contains 1-5% lycra will hug your body and accentuate your best features.

Dresses to avoid:

Smock/Tent/Trapeze dresses
Dresses of the Body-Con persuasion
Jumper dresses
Flapper dresses

JACKETS & COATS

Your jackets should be collarless and belted to create the illusion of a smaller waist, and they should fall to the length of your fingertips when you stand up straight. As they are worn on your top half, your jackets should also be in darker colours. Always choose single breasted styles.

Your best coat is a straight duster coat, worn open and in a colour that contrasts with your top (if your tops are dark, find a tan or beige duster coat). This will help slim your figure. A belted trench-coat will also suffice. If you are short, your coat should end just above your knee. If you are tall, it should be knee-length or just below knee length.

Jackets and coats to avoid:

Cropped jackets
Double-breasted jackets and coats
Jackets and coats with wide lapels
Coats and jackets with too much embellishment
Pea-coats or trapeze coats

ACCESSORIES

This is where you can get most of your glam on! Where you can shimmer and sparkle, squeal "look at me!", or bellow "pay attention!". My darling Apple, you have an endless array of accessories at your fingertips just waiting to be slipped on and admired.

Earrings - dangling earrings should be your best friend. They draw the eye upwards towards your face and fantastic décolleté and can be quirky, sophisticated, cute and GLAM, anything you want them to be.

Earrings from http://www.forever21.com

Bracelets, Cuffs and Rings - your arms are one of the best parts of you! Whenever you can, draw attention to them with beautiful and interesting arm and finger adornments.

Necklaces - should be either delicate around your collarbones, or elaborate and fancy, but still short, to draw attention to your décolleté. Avoid chunky necklaces as these will add bulk to your top half. A long, one chain necklace with a charm on it can be very slimming.

Belts - an accessory worthy of worship (yet so often overlooked) a wide belt will create instant waist. When worn with the right ensemble, you can go from pretty good to gorgeous!

Scarves - soft, light ones in summer and luxurious, warm ones in winter. Keep them wrapped around your neck and shoulder area, and avoid letting them fall to your middle - this will only draw attention to it. Scarves worn long (to or past your knees) will elongate your figure, but aren't particularly practical. Long thin ones can double as belts.

Purses and Handbags - middle sized ones are your best option. Large clutches, totes and shoulder bags will only accentuate your middle area and add bulk. If they are unavoidable, choose a structured bag in a dark colour. As bags are usually worn or held around your middle, subtle is the way to go.

Handbag from http://www.strandbags.com.au

Shoes - the most FABULOUS part of your wardrobe. You can wear any kind that you like. From fancy flats to super-high heels to beautiful booties, have fun with this accessory!

I hope that after reading this post you are clearer on how to dress beautifully (and glamorously) for your shape. Next post: The Pear

Do yourself a favour and dazzle,

Zoe

A favourite colour of mine and one that reminds me of spring is striking yellow. To demonstrate just how versatile yellow can be, I picked three occasions and will show you below how to work them fashionably using yellow.

To maintain your glamazon look, Zoe has some tips on how to wear yellow to complement your colouring.

"Yellow suits people with warm skin tones the best, they can wear most yellows from mustard to sunshine. People with cool skin tones should stick to cooler yellows such as lemon yellow and pale baby yellow.
If in doubt, wear yellow on your lower half or in accessories."

1. Dinner Party