How to Wear Jeggings For Your Body Type

By now you’ve surely noticed that jeggings, that hybrid of jeans and leggings, are all the rage. For those of you who have embraced jeggings but aren’t sure how best to wear them to flatter your body type, here are my suggestions for getting the most from this look:

Linear Body Type – You’re long, lean and have few, if any, curves. The skinny fit of jeggings is perfect for your lithe, athletic body type. Try pairing jeggings with a long tunic. Layer on a jacket to create the illusion of curves. A pair of ballet flats will finish this look off with style.

Apple Body Type – Apples carry their weight in the tummy area. When worn correctly jeggings can show off your assets. Try a pair of cropped jeggings in a dark color and top it off with a roomy tunic in a deep, rich color that gently skims the body while making you look slimmer. Elongate your legline with a pair of nude shoes and draw the eye upward with a gorgeous pair of earrings.

Pear Body Type – Pears carry their weight below the waist and are generally curvy in this area. Ensure you select a pair of jeggings that fit you well in this area – high-waisted are best – and keep you covered without creating a muffin top. A printed tunic will draw the eye upward and a statement necklace will keep the focus where you want it – around your face.

Hourglass Body Type – If you’re curvy both above and below the waist, chances are you’re an hourglass. Be sure to choose jeggings that enhance your curves. A darker wash minimizes your hips and thighs. Team these with a vibrant print tunic, but be sure to belt it to make the most of your small waist.

My best advice is to adopt only those trends that really make you feel more like yourself. If jeggings are a definite no go, by all means please substitute your favorite pair of bootcut denim for jeggings and you’ll have a look that will be flattering and feel more like you.

Michele Little
Your Signature Style Coach
One Chic Mama, Inc.
www.onechicmama.com
“What you wear tells the world who you are.”

*This story was originally published in the Cary Citizen.

Plump Your Skin

As the weather turns chilly - no, wait, make that cold - and we crank up the heat, our skin quickly becomes depleted of moisture. And that means that the threat of wrinkles appearing (Heck, who am I kidding?) moves to the number one spot of things we dread.

So last night when I was noticing that my skin looked like it could use a tall, cool one, I decided to give Yves Rocher's Serum Vegetal Force+ Night a try. At first use this stuff felt amazing. Thick and rich, it was better than wrapping up in a cozy bathrobe. I felt pampered and indulged, even as my 4-year old sat trying to do number 11 (as he likes to call it) on the potty. It offered a few mere seconds of bliss, then it was back to the real world.

But the results speak for themselves. If my almost-43-year-old skin is even capable of resembling a baby's bottom that this is as close as it gets. I awoke to the seeming miracle of my skin looking plump and firm, with those tiny lines being kept at bay for, oh, at least a few more days.

But the best part? If you don't yet know about Yves Rocher yet then you're in for a treat because these amazing French products are packed with botanical goodness, instead of ingredients whose names you can't even pronounce. They have a beauty history that spans 50 years, and they even cultivate their own plants, ensuring that what you put on your skin is good for it.

Plus, right now you can save 45% off Yves Rocher products (so stock up on this stuff or even try the Plumping Force+ Day cream to keep the magic going all day long. At just $25.30 each on sale, this is way cheaper than Botox!

Watch It!

This season watches have commanded center stage, but they're not the watches you have known and loved for years. No, the hottest watches for right now are gonna make you sit up and take notice. Larger than the sleek and delicate watches we've been used to for women, the watches du jour are statement watches and bring a whole new perspective to the art of time keeping.

Michael Kors has stepped to the forefront with his luxury-inspired watches at an affordable price and an array that will leave you drooling. His Crystal Chronograph Watch is very much a classic with a twist - the hint of tortoise shell warms it up and gives it just enough punch to keep it from being boring (not that any of his styles are...) yet keeping it as neutral as Switzerland so that it will go with just about anything in your wardrobe.

For those of you with preference for silver, this Rectangular Case Chronograph Watch will look chic for years to come while being neutral enough to coordinate with just about anything.

When selecting a watch, there are a few things you want to keep in mind:

1/ Choose your best metal. Is gold better for your skintone or silver? You'll want to select a watch in the metal that works best for you, but also that coordinates with your wedding ring and the metal you wear most for best effect. Creating a consistent look in your metals will create harmony. If you alternate metals, consider selecting a watch that incorporates both.

2/ Your face shape determines the best watch face for you. If your face is more angular, opt for a square or rectangular face shape. If it's more rounded, a round face will be most flattering.

3/ Consider your personal scale. The watches I highlighted are bigger and more oversized than the norm, but are not appropriate for everyone. If you're on the petite side, opt for something smaller than these but still bigger than you'd usually wear. Whatever your size, wear something that is just a step up from what you'd normally wear to keep your look balanced.

Today's oversized watches are worn loose and slouchy. Also consider, if this is not your best look, choose the look that best reflects your personal style. If you choose something that really speaks to who you are, you can't go wrong!

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Is Wearing Black Making You Fat?

Ok, we've all heard that we simply MUST have black in our closets. It's simple, versatile, easy to dress up or down, and slimming. Or is it? Quite frankly, all this wearing of black just may be making you fat! Let me explain.

So many women that I encounter have a closet filled with black because that's what we're told to wear by "people in the know" (not me - I strongly dispute this, if you can't tell). But what I've discovered is that black, instead of being something that we put on and feel fabulous in, is more a form of camouflage. It becomes something that we pull on, head to toe, when we're feeling a little on the heavy side, to create that visually slimming effect. Can you relate? But what happens when we're hiding out behind our black is that we don't often notice when a pound or two - or ten - creep up on us. Remember, black makes us look thinner. Uh-oh.

But more than that, the color black is energetically somber and depressing, rather than uplifting. My theory is that when we wear black we're less likely to socialize and exercise and more likely to take a second helping of that chocolate cake. Yikes! So now what?

Here's my prescription : a healthy dose of vibrant COLOR, with a few prints mixed in for good measure. Why? Well first, let me say that when you wear bright or even light colors, more of your bumps and bulges show (so ensure you're wearing your Spanx!). This may not be your goal, but please hear me out. When you notice those bumps and bulges you're more likely to pay attention to what you're eating and be aware of when you begin filling your clothes out a bit more. This works as a monitor to let you know when you've over-done it or when you have some wiggle room and can be a very easy way to keep you in check. I know few women who like the feeling of having a few pounds slip up on them. Think of this as your self-monitor.

Also, when you wear color, especially your best bright colors, they just can't help but boost your mood. When you're feeling happy you're much more likely to be active, whether it's flitting around the party talking to all your friends, or getting off the couch and out for a power walk. But also, when you wear color you stand out! People notice you so there's no hiding out. Your true beauty comes through and you're whole energy level is lifted. Think about this - has the 'life of the party' ever been the one wearing black? NO! She's the one in the red dress, the fuchsia blouse, the purple pumps. Now if you're saying to yourself that you don't want to be the life of the party, ask yourself why not? How would it feel to step out of yourself and just be in the flow? Pretty darn good!

So instead of playing it safe this holiday season, step out in some color and see how it can help you avoid a few extra pounds while having more fun to boot!

Mary Michele Little
Your Signature Stylist(TM)

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